City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening and welcome to Westminster City Council study session for April 6, 2026. Thank you for joining us this evening. Please remember that our meetings are governed by the rules of decor hosted inside chamber doors. We ask all attendees to maintain a respectful environment. No disruptions, threats, or audible expressions of support or opposition are permitted. Signs and placards are prohibited and all attendees must remain seated in designated areas. We'll move the city council reports and we'll start with councelor Isadi. I just wanted to give a shout out to the youth advisory panel for the Rocky Mountain Regional the youth summit that they that we hosted a few days ago on Saturday. It was the first time in a couple of years that West Mler has been the host of that. Um it was a good event. I'm I'm just really proud that and was there from the morning and just saw the you know the collaboration and the leadership elements that they really wanted to emphasize and I I just was a proud moment. So I just want to give them a shout out for for organizing that and I'm hoping for um bigger promotion of that in the future. I think there's opportunities that we can really push that so we can get more leaders from around the state to to attend that from Rocky from the Rocky Mountain. Thank you.

Thank you, councelor Hawk. Councelor Brahas.

Uh thank you, Madam Mayor. Uh just wanted to uh highlight a few things. Uh I with a lot of council attended the fire department awards and promotion and it was a really powerful moment. It was the first time I'd been there like volunteer or counsel or otherwise. And it was really great hearing about how not only our fire department but even you know our code enforcement able to step in in some of these uh situations and how something so normal as a workday could be so impactful and life-changing and life- saving. So really big shout out to those who were honored at the award ceremony today. I this morning I also got a chance to go to the Arbor Day tree planting with our forestry and parks uh and recck department. It was at Orchard Park next to the school there and it was really great just seeing a lot of fifth graders shovel in some dirt and mulch around trees and I was really excited to be around trees and tree people as everyone knows. Uh so that was great and I I'm really uh excited to continue engaging with the city on uh urban tree canopy, urban forestry uh and really uh be creative in ways that we can, you know, attend to that in our unique climate and um urban situation. And just for info to this council, I've gotten a lot of resident remarks and questions around fireworks, particularly with uh the drought and dry grass and concerns around firework. This isn't I'm not taking an official poll on this, but I just kind of wanted to give council an update. I don't know if there could be a special request at some point maybe if if it kind of keeps on continuing uh from city staff, but just questions about wondering around fire fireworks noise ordinances and other things and just the concern for um particularly around fire safety and that's the end of my

Thank you. I want to pause there. Do we want to follow up now or any thoughts on getting back to us? Mayor, thank you. And councelor Brahos, thank you. uh we will get uh something back to city council uh on fireworks in Westminster in um in light of the current situation. So I know um typically uh each year as we approach July 4th, we send out information about fireworks. Um I think we're able to do that much in advance this year. So we'll get something to you directly on fireworks. Thank you both.

Okay. I tried to watch the Westminster Chamber of Government Affairs on virtually. The meeting ID number was not right. So, if someone could follow up and find out what it is, it did not work on Zoom and it was on my iPad, too. So, did not work. Um, I've had several residents from the HOAs reach out about watering those that are trying to convert um do the conversion from Kentucky blue grass to natural turf or natural grasses. So, they're concerned about the water, what how what they're allowed to do if they can continue their conversion. Also, we heard from Tom Wyn in Harmony Park about trees, watering their trees, their new trees and planting more trees. So, if we can have our what we're what we're going to do and if we can put that out there so these HOAs know. Um, I also attended the fire department awards and promotions. That was great. I went to the AC rep. I listened to a AC rep meeting this morning. Uh the budget cuts to micromobility are going to affect city's grants for that. They're only going to allow it to the state. Um they talked about shrinking the RTD board from 15 to nine members. Um most were wanting more of those members to be elected than appointed. In fact, most of them want most of them elected because the districts are so large for five. It's like 600,000 people and running for office for that is absolutely crazy. So that was the two things were concerned. Um

I guess our chamber opposed the bill about plastics at at restaurants um only being able to get them if you ask for them. they opposed that bill and so did um Adams County. So those were the three things they covered a lot about RTD. So we'll see. They're supposed to come back to us on Wednesday what they're going to do. So we'll know the next meeting or sooner. Maybe they'll send you something sooner. Anyway, thank you councelor Johnson.

Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Um I did not I was not able to attend the special permanent licensing board but I did touch base with the chair um that things are going well and they have a couple of um important hearings at SPLB related to license non-renewals and revocations. So I will attend those and I'll update council because I know that's um an important and uh relevant topic that we may hear about. Um, I was able to attend with many of you the uh, fire promotional and awards reception which is wonderful and there were some great stories about the great work that the fire department's doing. I'm especially excited about the promotion related to recruitment because I think that that's a great step for the city and congratulations to all the firefighters who received the awards um, and who were promoted. Um I happened to stumble across the egg hunt while just being in downtown uh for a meeting and it looked fantastic. So everyone that did the egg hunt, good job. Um and joined um several folks at the Rocky Mountain Youth Summit as council Rosai spoke about and was really excited to see so many engaged youth in Westminster and they when we had lunch with them they asked some really wonderful questions and that was exciting to see. Uh, and finally, I got to spend some time with counselor and professor Barahas at the Arbor Day event, which is always great. Got my suit dirty planting some trees, which is wonderful.

Thank you, Mayor Proander.

I had a um Dr. Cog work session this um past Wednesday. They were just going over the regional housing needs assessment and doing a bit of a work session with getting input from from folks. So, there'll be more coming on the other end of that. Um, it's still in process. It's it's for their strategy, not the needs assessment. I don't know what I just said because I'm a little tired. So, they are working on the the strategy, which will be that next step for us. And we'll see how that if that's something that we can nest into like we did with the needs assessment, but I know we have our own. Um, I I did have a a question about if Can I ask a question about the Um, so the report on the short-term rentals? I was just curious. Um, did we I'm assuming we collected um lodging tax on those before we required the licensing. Is that right? or was that lodging tax only kind of officially collected with the licenses? So that's I know

we do have staff here. We could answer that question for you. Council or Mayor Port. Sorry I sprung that on you guys. I got on the writing. Hi Lindsay Kimble, community services director. Um, and just to to reconfirm to answer your question, um, you're asking were they paying lodging tax before they were registered? Yes. Um, we no quick answer. We would have to have them registered unless they were operating using a platform such as Airbnb or another one of those because they submit that accommodations tax on behalf of the host.

Okay. But otherwise, you'd have to be registered with us to know that you need to be paying this tax and for us to be able to enforce. Correct. Okay. All right. I think you was a good amount of money that we're able to bring in. So, all right. Cool. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks,

All right. Um, I too want to give a a shout out to the youth at the Rocky Mountain Youth Summit. That was a lot of fun. And I I mostly got to hear about uh students' favorite bands and books and all my favorite topics. So that was a really great time. Um attended uh with several other counselors um Rahas and Johnson uh the waste diversion um topic that staff presented for us which was really informative. Um we talked about um the waste hauler programs and councelor Rosati I believe was there I remember I'm sorry. Um we talked about the waste haulers currently within the city and then uh about our current recycling programs and uh going forward what some of the recommendations might be for the city. Um as well as you know what future composting efforts might look like if any and um we even talked about a possible uh item that might be coming forward around uh food diversion. And so that's really exciting. Um, and so I think there's a lot more to come from staff on that, but that's um, good to hear that we're looking at initiatives that prevent further waste from going into our landfills and help residents um, be wise with our choices and city be wise with our choices. Um, and then uh, also shout out to the folks at the um, Westminster uh, promotion and awards ceremony. It was really moving as was mentioned. um attended that with several counselors and uh the best part of that really is getting to meet the families and that was a lot of fun. And so just big thank you and shout out to the families who come to support our um fire department folks and and then uh for the police, you know, events as well. Just the families that um support our staff members. Thank you for showing up for them. It means a lot. I know it does. And um I just want to mention that uh I was not able to make today's Arbor Day

event unfortunately with work, but it is April and I'm really excited about April because April has Earth Day and it has our great global cleanup and the Great Global Cleanup is uh hosted by the city and it's a week-long um event in April where you can volunteer to clean up a neighborhood of anywhere in Westminster, your neighborhood or somewhere around the city and you can help get other volunteers or your friends to do these cleanups and that's just one of my favorite things to do. So, I hope to see other people out this uh month around the city doing some of those cleanups and it's a lot of fun and um and of course we all celebrate uh together by having a lunch together and this year we are having a joint celebration with Adams County which is going to be great. Um it'll be an Earth Day celebration in joint coercion with um Adams County and I forget what day that is but all of our dates are of course on our city calendar. So, just know that that's coming and I'm really excited about that. Um, Metro mayor's caucus, uh, today with the Northwest Metro Mayors. Um, we talked a lot about the RTD bill that councelor Ireland uh mentioned and the there were similar concerns brought up and so I know that we're having our legislative update this evening and so um I have promised back to them some notes on questions that we might have because as was mentioned um there is a hearing on Wednesday about this bill and uh they're looking for feedback on what it is that we need for clarification for us to take a stance if we don't take a stance because many cities right now are in monitoring mode or in amend mode and it's just there's so much to talk about with this RTD bill and I think personally most likely it's going to come back in a future session but in the meantime we need to figure out where we're at and what is going to what kind of information will help us decide uh what we think about the bill. Um, and then I just want to mention that I have received from different parties,

folks around the city in the last week, phone calls and emails around um the permitting process. Um, mostly around personal home uh trying to get their permitting process through. And so um I'm sure I trust that we have a great process by staff, but I'd also like to just know a little bit more about it for my sake and perhaps for council's sake. you know, what is our process and are there ways that we can streamline this so that folks are not um so that folks can effectively and efficiently get their designs um and and construction done on their homes because um I know that we have to safeguard of course safety is our number one concern and yet um I think folks have spent several thousand dollars from what I'm hearing and so just be helpful to know a little more about that before we make suggestions to change it. Okay. Thank you. City manager, do you have a report?

I do, mayor. Um, so if I could get the first slide and then on your last uh question around uh permitting process, we could if there's council interest, we could set up a a a work session on that much an information sharing session. Just how how is it structured and then where where do we get into situations where um applicants get, you know, u caught up in in the process and not getting their permits issued, right? Um, so we could we could do a backgrounder and then move through some of the common Q&A and challenge points if that would be helpful.

And I'll just say based on some of the um extremely um animated emails and phone calls I've received, I think that would help us better understand the process. Um, but yes, is there an appetite just from a majority folks to know more? Two, three, five. Perfect. We have a majority. That'd be great. Okay, we we will get that set up and then as always when you get a specific inquiry about someone's specific challenge, do send that to me and and that does allow us to look into that one specifically and address a case specific um um one as well as the more general topic. We'll get that set up for you. Thank you.

All right, I do have a brief report this evening. So, if I could have the next slide, please. By way of uh city update, uh I do want to emphasize for our community that tomorrow night is our monthly community update and a very timely uh subject matter for us tomorrow night. And that is uh focused on what's going on with our water uh supply and and uh and our city's drought watch which goes into effect on April 15th. So, I want to invite on behalf of councilors Barahas, Isadi, and Johnson uh to join us uh with our subject matter experts tomorrow night from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the West View Recreation Center. That's an hour together. Um our um staff will share out information on our water uh uh our snow pack, our water supply, and then what our drought management plan is and what phase we're in now and then what folks can do uh today moving forward. Also, I want to highlight uh you'll also hear tomorrow night um and be able to ask questions about what is the city doing uh to manage its water because uh folks do look to us um we are a very large consumer of our own water. And I think also this is an opportunity to mention um not all water is the same in Westminster. We're we're a very unique city and that we treat our waste water all the way to irrigation level standards. And so a lot of the watering of our own facilities is actually done by recycled uh wastewater effluent. In other words, sewer water. Um and so that is not something that does affect our water supply. In fact, it's the opposite. It actually helps us to use that versus drink treated drinking water. So all that will be covered tomorrow night. Um and we do have three members of our city council who will be uh actively engaged with our community to go through um questions um in that session. So, uh, open invitation for everybody interested in that, uh, topic. Next up, next slide, please. Also, this is a big announcement. Um,

the affordable senior housing is coming to downtown Westminster. The city is uh, pleased to announce the completion of the sale of block C6 in downtown Westminster for affordable senior housing. Um, this is a city council approved uh project that's moving forward and marks a significant step to uh for that $26 million project. It's the Blossom Commons project which will provide 50 units of highquality affordable senior housing in downtown Westminster. These units are going to be deed restricted to serve seniors at 70% of the area mediate income for the next 60 years. So that is a significant deed uh restriction. Um and the Blossom Commons folks are really uh they they really know what they're doing. This is going to be a really high quality product for our seniors. Uh construction is expected to be completed by mid 2027. So that will come online um midyear 27. Next slide please. Tonight's agenda. I have two slides uh on tonight's agenda. Um, as mentioned by Mayor Prom, one of the two uh information items in the packet is on short-term rental licensing update. And Mayor Prom noticed in that that uh there's a significant revenue flow now to the city. Um, after uh the city began to license short-term rentals and the city actually began to license them, not for the revenue side, but because of uh concerns and complaints from our own community. The added uh benefit of licensing the program was to generate uh revenue from those short-term rentals which we had not been getting before as you heard from director Kimble. Uh also in the packet is uh uh official a briefing on official city positions taken on state legislation being considered by the state and uh that will uh move nicely into the first presentation this evening which is a midsession state legislative update with our outside um lobbyist Amy Atwood. Uh next we will uh go through

with you the 2026 strategic plan update and this will be ideally uh for for you to finalize our strategic plan and then talk about finalizing the task list uh that you all have identified and how we prioritize that into the budget cycle which is the next item tonight 2027 initial budget development priorities. So those two are paired up together on purpose to allow that move from uh locking in the strategic plan and moving into our budgeting process. Um finally uh really important tonight is selection of our water affordability to every resident or water task force members. So tonight, each member of council will select one member uh that that has applied u for a position on that task force um as well as the two city staff appointees uh representing property managers and small businesses in Westminster. And by the end of the discussion this evening and direction, we should have our task force in place and beginning work. Um next up uh are two items scheduled for city council executive session. The first is the discussion regarding an intergovernmental agreement with Highland Hills Park and Recreation District. And the second item up is uh scheduled for uh collective bargaining matters. And I do want to note uh that this item was originally scheduled for tonight's meeting in the event that we could uh we could not reach agreement with our union u regarding an aligned uh collective bargaining ordinance that we could present to you. Given that we have now reached agreement um and an agreed version for your consideration with our union colleagues, city council may wish to consider whether tonight's executive session meeting is needed or whether city council would wish to proceed directly to public meeting as scheduled for April 13th u which is the next uh meeting of council next Monday. So staff is prepared here to uh make that adjustment if if council so directs. So in other words, we do have uh an an aligned version uh that we are re that

I'm recommending to you uh to be approved on first reading at next Monday's meeting. And I understand that you received uh an endorsement from um union president IAFF Local 2889 endorsing this uh version of the ordinance as well. So uh my suggestion to you if you'd like to take it is to not do this exact session tonight um and move straight into public discussion and uh consideration of that ordinance. Councelor Zotti, I would love to not have it. So, I think it's it's great that the alignment has happened and um we've heard everything we need to honestly. Yeah. On both sides. So, I agree with having it.

Okay. You've got a 70 vote. Excellent. We'll remove exact session uh for bargaining and then later we'll take the you'll call the poll and we'll not have to do that one.

Okay. Um, great. Next slide, please. Uh, also up tonight is a meeting of our Westminster Economic Development Authority, and that's a study session uh, meeting following the regular meeting of city council. First up will be an update and presentation from Greyar Real Estate on tenant concerns and communication enhancements. And so, uh, most of you will recall, uh, this was an issue that was important to city council regarding some concerns raised, uh, around a Greyar, um, residential apartment building in Westminster. And Greyar has worked diligently with staff to address the concerns raised and enhancing how they, uh, perform moving forward. So, Greyar actually will have its team here to present to you uh, tonight on that. Um then we'll follow up uh with an executive session for WEDA which is a proposed development agreement and the possible sale of property located on block D5 in downtown Westminster. Next slide please. This week some uh exciting things happening on Tuesday. So tomorrow I've already mentioned that is our community update in the Westview Recreation Center with members of city council. So, that runs from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. On Wednesday, April 8th, um I'm announcing that there's a a neighborhood project meeting on Cedar Meadows project. That will be at the swim and fitness center at uh 3290 West 76th Avenue and that will run from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. We also do have a meeting uh of our youth advisory panel and that is right here at city hall and that begins at 6 pm on Wednesday night. And on Thursday, April 9th, our parks, recreation, libraries, and open space advisory board meets that they're meeting at the swim and fitness center uh beginning at 6 pm, excuse me, Thursday night. And this is a great service uh coming to our community again on Saturday. Um on Saturday, April 11th, uh from 8:00 a.m. to noon at the Brow property, um is another free tree limb recycling event for our community. So, uh folks, I think there's a great

picture there. I thank our communications team for putting in some tree limbs. Um, bring your uh tree limbs by for recycling so you don't have to uh pay or arrange to get those disposed of. You can bring them free of charge to our brow property site and get the city to mulch those up and then come back a little later to our free mulch site and pick up mulch uh that you need. Um, and we've turned it into mulch for you. All right, next slide, please. At our next meeting of city council, I have three slides on uh April for April 13th. There will be two items in your packet uh for by for information only. The first will be an update on our 2025 water conservation and efficiency programs and the second will be an update on our 2025 water bill assistance program. So very timely and intended to coincide with the um with the launching of our water task force. Uh next up will be four presentations. Uh the first will be u some employee service awards uh presented by members of city council. Uh second up will be proclamation for National Volunteer Week. Then we will uh have a proclamation for America 250, Colorado 150 and Westminster 115 anniversaries. And so a very very big year this year. Uh 250th for America, 150th for Colorado and 115th for us. Uh next up will be proclamation for Arbor Day and Tree City USA. And then on consent, uh there are a number of items, uh 11, six of which are second readings. Next slide, please. Under new business, there's a significant list. We have first reading of councilor's bill 15. That's regarding a lease agreement with Cloudbreak Energy, Colorado, and that's for that solar and energy storage project on city- owned property at 112th and US 36. Next will be first reading of councelor's bill 16 regarding an economic development agreement for the origin hotel in downtown Westminster. We have resolution number 10 regarding city

council's role in the approval of multifamily official development plans and first reading of councilor's bill 17 to discontinue concept plan reviews. Next up will be um city council uh deciding on displaying a pride flag at city hall and designing an official city of Westminster pride flag. Then we will discuss uh federal immigration enforcement at city properties and next steps um with um with that finally under old businesses second reading of councilor's bill 13 updating the regulation of massage parlors. U next slide please. as well as a new business item um for our Westminster Economic Development Authority and that will be resolution 29 sorry resolution 249 amending the lease between WEDA and the Olive Garden in downtown Westminster. Next slide please. So as always reach out to us through Access Westminster. Uh we continually strive to improve that as our primary reporting tool for for the community. That's westminster co.gov uhaccess westminster. also the free app on any of your devices and our phone number always 303658-2400 and our website our website westminsterco.gov gov. We have put up a new page on our drought management. So, um if you can't make the meeting tomorrow night uh on the topic, we do have a new website and web page up with lots of information about drought management in Westminster and our water uh water supply. And then finally, as always, uh track where your money is being spent uh at the city of Westminster by looking at our transparency portal, westminster co.gov/903/transparency. That's all I have. Mayor,

thank you so much. Uh, council questions or comments? Councelor Hawk. Yes. Um, on Wednesday we also have the inclusivity board meeting. Correct. Should be. Yes. Can we counselor? Let me just confirm for you. That may have just gotten missed on that slide. And I say me, I mean the city clerk. Yes, there is an inclusivity board meeting that evening. Okay. What time, Abby? It is at 6:00 p.m. So on Wednesday night. Thank you, counselor. There is an inclusivity board meeting that begins at 6 p.m. right here at city hall. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh, anyone else? Okay. Well, I have a couple questions for you. Um, the thank you for creating a drought page. That was going to be a request sl. So, thank you. The update on the fireworks, I'm assuming that can be added to that page just because I feel like that'll be a pretty common incoming question. Mayor, thank you. I'll get the information out to mayor and council and then we'll post similar information on our web website.

Perfect. Thank you. And then um following up on the city celebrations, I had asked late last year and it was too early to know. Um but are we planning anything for the US Colorado and our city's birthday? Are we doing anything different or anything on July 4th perhaps with our plans? Mayor, thank you. I believe that is what staff would like to review with city council at our next meeting when we talk about uh so thank you for the question. Uh we'll prepare for that for next Monday's meeting. Okay. Thank you so much. Okay. That brings us to this evening's presentations. Uh city manager, would you please introduce our first presenter?

Yes, I think we have Terresa Boco and Amy Wood. Thank you, city manager Andrews. Uh, good evening, Mayor, Mayor Pertam, and counselors. Uh, my name is Terresa Boco. I'm a policy and budget coordinator and a lead for the city's um, state legislative program. This evening, the city's contract lobbyist, Amy Atwood, is here to provide a midsession report on the current state legislative session. We request that council hold questions to the end. Um at which time we'll be happy to field any questions that you have. Um so with that in mind, I'll go ahead and turn it over to Amy.

Thank you. Good evening. Amy Atwood, contract lobbyist with the city. So session started January 14th and it ends May 13th. If you remember, session is 120 days and we're about 2third of the way through. We've had 571 bills introduced so far and that's lower than usual at this point and that's because of the budget and the budget situation with the state and the budget is the most pressing issue this session. It is taking up what feels like all the oxygen in the room. So the state came into the year in a deficit and it's not that the state isn't getting more money in this year, more revenue in this year than last year. State is definitely bringing in more revenue but expenditures are far outpacing uh the revenue that is coming in and it's being called a structural deficit. So which that also means if you heard last year we were a billion dollars in the hole. This year we're a billion dollars in the hole and the next couple years we probably will be as well. So it's not because the revenue isn't isn't coming in or that we're a billion dollars short on revenue. It just is those expenditures have outpaced. And Medicaid has been um one of the big spenders that it has grown faster than our state budget could grow and so or has grown. So that has really really played into this as well as as well as programs that were started with CO dollars that have continued on even though the CO dollars were one time. Um there was thought that there would be money in the budget to continue these programs and now that we've hit the cliff and we saw the cliff coming, legislators saw it coming. So this isn't

news that we would we were going to be in this position, but now we are in the position of having to make really really hard decisions when it comes to the budget. So how do you close a billion dollar gap? The first thing is to reduce the state reserve from 15% to 13%. So that saved about 300 million out of that 1 billion. Then another big chunk like I said was Medicaid and so through provider rate cut actually not they're not being kept level providers are not being kept kept level from last year they are being reduced by 2% and their reimbursement rate uh and there are specific programs that are being cut and once the budget passes in really in two weeks time it will pass I'll have a report for you that details what was cut, what wasn't, um, and where did where did the budget end up? And then, so that's another 300 350 million. And then the last 300 million was through line by line cuts, different programs. Every department had to come forward with a cut. At least a 2% cut is what the governor asked each department to come forward with. and whether that was programs that weren't being utilized, money that could be swept because there was money that was still left in some some grant programs, like I said, not not being used, staff not filling open positions uh at the state level. So, that's where the last 300 million really came from. We have gone through with staff specifically on the five grant programs that the city gets from the state and four out of five look like that they are

not they are not going to be cut. There is one um mental health grant that does look like first responder mental health grant that does look like it's going to be cut but everything else is staying the same. No increases in anything but staying the same. So the budget was introduc well it's supposed to be introduced today. As of right now we're not quite sure if it has been introduced. We know the bill will be House Bill 1410. The Joint Budget Committee closed the budget. So their work, all the decisions that they had to make, they finished on Wednesday. Then over the weekend it was the bill was drafted. It's called the long bill. And this week it will run through the house along with all the companion bills that go with that go with the budget because you can change a line item but you might have to repeal something. You have to do something within legislation. And there are more of those bills. There's 60some of those bills this year. That's more than I mean that's a lot more than we usually see. Um so it'll run through the house this week and members will try to amend it. We'll see what amendments get on. It'll run through next week in the Senate and then the conference committee. So they look at what all the amendments were. The conference committee happens to be the joint budget committee. So usually all of the amendments are stripped off. So what we see introduced is really what what we'll see at the end. If there are amendments that get on, it's because there were technical problems. Um usually there's usually nothing substantive. So that is where we are with the budget.

So there are 79 bills on the public public bill tracker right now. And when we when I came in in the fall, we talked about what were what were the issues that we were going to see this year. Affordability is number one. It is also polling as number one. And we are in an election year. So affordability is talked about a lot. energy and environment is talked about as as well as education and some of the other things that are they they're pulling well behind affordability and energy. So when it comes to affordability, how did the c how did not council how did the legislature how are they looking at tackling that? It's mostly through housing. It's not direct savings on groceries um or gas. Um it really is through housing and how they're doing it right now. Only two bills have passed in this area. Easing barriers, um streamlining approvals and elements of others to reduce delays when it comes to building, incentivizing construction, repurposing land and fees, and funding more targeted units. So, it's not there isn't the money in the budget to do assistance and actually Proposition $123. Um, some of that is being swept in to take care of that billion dollar that billion dollar deficit. So, the money just hasn't been there this year to do direct direct help like we've seen in years past. Um, when it comes to, like I said, gas prices, nothing on nothing on gas prices. On utilities though, there is a bill for utilities, Senate Bill Two. Um, it is hung up

actually right now in the process. And what that bill does is it it's it's a program for for low-income folks to help them pay their utility bills. The way it was written was that that was coming out of the shareholders for Excel in Black Hills for the big IUS, investorowned utilities. There's been a lot of push back on that and so we'll see where the bill goes. Right now, some of the language or the language that's in the bill right now is that it would can be that money could be made up by putting changing the rates on other rateayers. So, you know, it's kind of one one lever and another lever. And so, we'll see where how that bill finishes up in the end. It's still I mean it still has a ways to go in the process. And then when it comes to energy, we've talked a lot about data centers this year. There are two major bills uh going through right now. There's a house bill 10:30 and that is coming from the data center business labor coalition and then there is um a Senate bill and that one is coming more from the environmental community. The Senate bill has been in committee. It was laid over. It hasn't had any amendments put on it yet. They're negotiating the two bills right now. So, we will see where that one ends up. Um, we're getting a strike below on on 10:30, the business one. And so, we'll have staff review that because it's a whole new bill than what was introduced. We knew that that bill 10:30 was introduced not in a great place. They had to get it introduced. It had a

lot of open-ended. I mean, it it just was a very messy bill, which sometimes happens. So, we'll get a new strike below. They're hoping we'll see the strike below tomorrow. So, we'll definitely have staff review that. And then we had a question from the mayor on um Senate Bill 150, which is the RTD bill. And so, wanted to just go through that one with you. And then we have subject matter experts here as well. So, this is modernizing the regional transportation district act. Do you want to start or do you want me to do you want to give a background and then I'll fill in? Thank you.

So, this has actually been Senator Winter's bill and she's worked on this modernizing of RTD for a number of of years and this year it she had brought it forward last year but it didn't get introduced last year. And so now this year we do have Senate Bill 150 and what it does is it has the key provisions and it was just introduced last week but it is in committee on Wednesday. So disability services analysis, board restructuring, compensation changes, and a a few other kind of more minor tweaks. So do you want to take it from there?

Absolutely. Thank you, Amy. So, um, the mayor mayor, we received your email about the conversation that was going on earlier today and we have reviewed this. So, based on staff's initial review, there are um pros and cons as there is to any bill. Um, some some items that we feel uh we would like to look at further and and and have addressed or have Amy work on is um two things. Size of the districts. Um right now um it's proposing a larger size in districts. There's concerns about how that could diminish the voice of uh the city through that process. And then another um concern um is how are the board members how the board members are appointed um and how um this can influence how funds are spent. So, um to um councelor Ireland's point about ACREP did take an amend uh bill this morning. Um Troy Whitmore from RTD was on the call to explain a little bit more about the RTD bill. Um it's our understanding from that conversation that RTD will discuss it in a special session and likely take an amend that's not official, but likely take an amend. and our staff is continuing to dive deeper into this bill. It has a lot of complexity to it, a lot of different moving pieces. So, there's a couple of ways um and we would obviously defer to council. Um, you know, Mayor, if you'd like to open up the conversation, you know, certainly for these reasons, staff would like to make a recommendation of amend um and for Miss Atwood to take um these specific items um and and and see how they can be addressed. Certainly, our other way of handling things is to tee up a position paper, send it out by email so you all can take a look at it,

and then we can take a position that way. Again, the the hearing is this Wednesday, so it has some time sensitivity. So, um Amy, unless you have anything else, I would just open it up at this point for

Thank you. And just to thank you for that. Much appreciated. And so, um I do have a list of certain questions. So, like I said, the Northwest Metro mayors, they were um we decided today to hold off on a position until we all went back to our respective councils and discussed it um because there were so many mixed reviews. Some folks were for amend, some were for monitor, some it was all over the place. Um and so I have a few questions that um they're hoping uh our lobbyists there are hoping to get feedback from this council on so that we can specifically address our thoughts on those. So, I'll list some of those out. Um but then also for transparency, I had a meeting just this morning with um one of our Adams County Commissioners, uh Julie Mullica, and she offered um the fact that Adams County has uh provided an amend position on this as well. And I can um I haven't forwarded that email yet, but for council's awareness, this is just something that is currently being discussed, I'd say, across the metro region on how we approach it. So it's very high on on folks's radar. So um some of the different items that are we're hoping to discuss are um thoughts on current writer. So right now they're discussing u making the current writership a required factor for the redistricting. And so for cities like ours which are outside Denver, our current writership is pretty low. And so that could be a concern as us not being represented as well because obviously it's a chicken and the egg scenario, but Denver would probably have some higher representation because they would be basing it on writership. And so that's one item of um concern or a thought that we might want to give feedback on. And I'll just go through a few of these and then let folks do on it. Um, and then obviously going from 15 electeds on the council to five electeds is something that is a major concern for uh or a

thought, a topic. Um, are we okay with the fact that the districts are going from 200,000 people to 600,000 people? And um and then there's there was discussion around again as councelor Ireland mentioned who can run a campaign like that running for 600,000 people. uh who is it that is capable of spending that kind of money? And then along with that um the changing in restrictions on signatures to get on the ballot would change from 250 signatures to a thousand signatures and you know do we think that that makes sense for these positions especially for the RTD which is um I would say somewhat relatively unknown or minor elected position. So, we're really changing requirements for folks to get on these ballots. Um, and then what are our feelings or thoughts about the governor being the one to appoint four members? Now, um, from my understanding, the thought there is that um, he would be or they whoever one day it'll be a woman. Um, will be appointing um, specialists. So, they're trying to appoint people instead of it being all elected because electeds might have a background in the field and they might not. Um but the the idea is to make sure that they are appointing people that have a certain background in this. Um however, it might not be representative of our area and are we being heard again is uh the issue there. Um and then on that same note, you know, so Dr. Cog currently in the bill is appointing two of those four people that the governor is going to be appointing. How do we feel about that? Um, and do we want Dr. Cog to maybe appoint all four um or you know further discussion on that? And so those are just some of the different items. And then there was also um somebody brought up compensation. So there are compensation changes. Um I

don't have those numbers but um if you do that would be great. Yeah. So the Thank you. So the numbers are it's going from uh the board member salaries will increase from 12,000 to 36,000 annually and the chairperson's salary set at 150% of that amount beginning with those elected or appointed in 2028 or later. Thank you. And so it was brought up that perhaps this was maybe a goal so that those on this board would be doing this full-time. However, is that a full-time salary? And of course, you know, a lot of folks said that it's not. And so, what is the goal here? And should we be making this a full-time salary? Um, and so again, up for discussion and thoughts. So, with that, I'll just um pause because this is a very uh complex bill and RTD writership is just, you know, transit is one of our priorities right now. So,

Council Brahas. Uh, thank you, Madam Mayor, and thank you. Um just to clarify right now we're just talking about this and not throwing questions around this presentation. Yes.

Okay. Um yeah, I would say I mean I agree with some of the thoughts uh that you brought up particularly around representation. um you know some sort of equitable approach to representation I think would be uh beneficial not only for this body to consider for our own residents but also just you know the the district at large uh for other kind of outside city um um bodies but also like you know even within Denver as well. I also have concerns about the large uh large districts that these these candidates will be running in. uh the more money required to run just has more opportunity for corruption and I think that's kind of a dire concern in all of our minds for election uh security and you know just representation in general. I do want to affirm the thought that there's a lot of frustration with RTD and that the RTD board has particularly with um the revenue and expenditure of that revenue has kind of let down a lot of constituents within the district. So I do like the idea of subject matter experts. I personally I think people in general want to see a higher level of performance from the RGD board and sometimes that is missed if no one is a subject matter expert. Um I I'm interested I don't know if we have any voice on how these appointees what mechanisms are in place to ensure that they are subject matter experts. So just because they're appointees doesn't necessarily mean I mean you could say that but um I guess what kind of mechanisms are in place to safeguard that? Uh and if just to follow that up, if it moves to maybe Dr. Cog, what what kind of continued mechanisms would be there? Yeah,

the bill does specify what the subject matters are and so it's um areas like finance and transportation planning. So yeah, I mean, yeah, I know I know that those are kind of outlined, but if like they were to put me as, you know, if I were to be, you know, appointed to the board, I'm not a subject matter expert in any of those. And so what like does the Senate approve these appointments and if there's any other kind of prerequisites for that?

That's a good question. I understand what you're asking now. So yes, so when there are appointments, appointments are confirmed in the Senate. So when the governor makes appointments, the the Senate confirms those appointments and sometimes they go through and sometimes they don't. And their backgrounds are vetted not just through the governor's office. Uh but also through the Senate committees and then it it goes from the Senate committee and then goes to committee of the whole. So everybody in the Senate votes on it. It would likely go to transportation committee. Okay. And those committee members really do dig in. We see it whether it's on PUC appointments or um parks and wildlife appointments. So they really do dig in.

Thank you, Miss Atwood. And just to to summarize, I I weighing both, I would say maybe just a continuation of the current representation model like that's a bit more equitable but with an inclusion of subject matter experts would be my wondering aloud on that. That's kind of where I am now. Mayor Protemp. Um, so I'll just go in order, I think, of what you were talking about. Um, the representation I I'm assuming the districts would be need to be of a similar size, right? Like population wise.

So there there's two I don't know prerequisites for that. It's based on population as well as wrership. So, legislative council staff, they're the ones that draw the maps for House and Senate districts. So, they're following that same process, but with the caveats that it's that writership is also overlaid with that.

Okay. Yeah, I'd probably want them to rethink that writership component because they've sort of stripped the exter, you know, outside of Denver, um, the wrership opportunity. Um, so if they could maybe look at population density um as something because if you really look at where the opportunity is um I think they might see like corridor has a good chunk of um yeah big higher densities um along outside of Denver US 36 kind of in the in the core areas. So anyway, um so that would be something I'd prefer. Um and then signaturewise, that's a lot of signatures. And so I think that would uh I think to your point, Council Bra, like the corruption side of things, not the corruption side, but the um I think the ability to get a thousand signatures um if you're not in a party um would be difficult. Um, so I would say like to have more people being able to participate in the world. Um, that I would want, you know, maybe keep that at 250. Um, and I'm wondering about this. Um, you know, maybe there are some stipens to, um, people who are running, you know, just to give a boost. So I think that was my point to your um so uh you know 5 10,000 something to just boost up the opportunity or kind of equalize the playing field just a little bit and then um yeah I'm a fan of Dr. Cog making the appointments or having some say in them

because it is a pretty diverse body uh with all you know all the different cities kind of weighing in. So, I think that would actually be a good way to that vet. I don't know how nominees might be made, but maybe there is a more democratic way to nominate people and then maybe Dr. Cog might vet them and make a nomination to governor or something. Councelor Ireland, I'm trying to understand why we're where we're at. So, we had 15. They're trying to go down to nine and why?

My understanding is it has been too big and it's very difficult to with 15 people to get them all at the meeting. The quorum was nine as well. And so then bringing it down to in total to nine just a more manageable group. And then also adding the expertise into that as well. So the nine they have are experts at anything to do with it. And that's why we have problems with RDD. Is that the deal? I'm sorry. I couldn't hear you.

I said and the nine that would show up, they don't feel like they have enough expertise to do the job is what you're saying. I think that that's how some feel. Okay. And out of I'm sorry. Oh, go ahead. I was going to say out of those nine, five are elected and four are appointed. So the five that are elected that's you know the usual electoral process and then the other four are the ones that are appointed. Councelor Hoff.

Yeah. So you want to know what position council would like to take? I think we should take without repeating everything that councelor Brahas and um mayor prom said um because I agree with what they said. Um, I think we should take an amended position. Thank you, Councelor Johnson.

Yeah, thank you, Mayor. I did have a couple of um I don't need to repeat everything that was said, but I would like to voice that I like the balance of having the governor be able to appoint some versus Dr. Cog. I think there's a lot of value in the executive who represents a larger, you know, capacity region being able to have appointments. And so um I wouldn't want to balance it all towards Dr. Cog. Uh you know I would have a preference some executive appointments remain. Um and then to the kind of amend position I agree with the amend position. What I would say is that there are a lot of chefs in the kitchen at the capital related to this uh work and advocacy that's being you know going on. And so it may be helpful to recommend to our contract lobbyists that you know amend and don't spend unnecessary resources lobbying positions ahead of the RTD board itself, our counties and some of the other major players at the table so that we can conserve our lobbying resources for when it's useful um and not necessarily need to get in front of others on this because there are a ton of uh really influential kind of conversations and lobbyists that lobbying that's going on for this bill and you know we have finite city resources so kind of amend lay out our plan and then uh hopefully give our our team Teresa and Amy the leverage to they don't need to engage unless they feel like we add value to the conversation there.

Thank you. Yeah. Any other thoughts? Oh council I amen but I think there should be more elected. I think there should be seven elected, two appointed probably by Dr. Cox. I don't think the governor should be deciding. I think they're more close to what's going on than the governor. Thank you.

Okay. Um, so this was really valuable. This is all feedback. I know there's a lot of folks listening. Um, councelor Johnson, to your point, I think that's fair for this position. And then, you know, of course, reminding council that our positions on these bills, especially this one, affects all sorts of other committees, right? It affects our position on Dr. Cog because it's going to come up there. It affects the position we're going to take on the Metro Mayor on the Northwest Metro Mayors. Um probably also on um both of the mayor's boards that I'm on. Um and so, you know, those folks all have lobbyists of their own. And so, our feedback goes into that collective narrative about what it is that our region would like to do about this. So that's why it's so important. Thank you. And then as far as the presentation, um I'll pause there. Any thoughts or questions on that?

One, can you uh list the five state grants that we get?

I just have to find it real quick. Okay. So the grant name co-responder services program high the second one high visibility impaired driving enforcement Westminster peace officer mental health Colorado yeah Westminster peace officer mental health and then there is a state grant for libraries that we get money from and then also state noxious weed grant fund. Thank you.

Yeah, mayor, may I clarify? I apologize. Going back to um the RTD bill, is it council's desire on the conversation this evening that we have an amend position, an official amendment, thank you for clarifying. So, yes, I heard a majority say that, but I do want to provide the opportunity. Was there anyone who wanted to voice an alternative? Okay. Thank you. Okay. Appreciate you. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Okay. Uh, city manager, would you please introduce our next presenter?

Thank you, mayor. Uh, the next item up is the 2026 strategic plan update review, and our staff lead is Chris Lindseay and Aaron Frier. So, this is the night of policy and budget, and we are so excited to showcase our wide um our wide responsibilities with you this evening. Good evening, mayor, mayor Patam, and city council. I'm Aaron Farader, the policy and budget manager. Tonight, we're going to review the strategic plan update along with the draft strategic plan outcomes and tasks for future prioritization. As I just mentioned, the next three agenda items build upon one another from the foundation upon which the city operates with the strategic plan to the implementation and policy development with the budget and utility rates. We're going to begin tonight with the strategic plan update. staff has received several comments from city council. So, I'm gonna pass these around. Abby, if you would and Barbara, please. Can you steal one of those from me?

Thanks. What you'll see, this is the attachment that we shared as part of the memo. Yes.

But we wanted to capture the feedback that we received. um in the last 24 hours to streamline. Thank you and make um our review more condensed. Once we go through these items and have consens or have majority in agreement, please know that staff will begin to work on the visual representation of what this plan will look like. If we start with our update, we've got four major decision points that we will walk through. our vision statements, mission statements, the guiding principles as well as the strategic priorities. But let's begin on page one with the mission statement. The current mission statement is the city of Westminster provides highquality core services and fosters resilience to promote a safe and thriving community. There were three options that we're asking city council to consider. I'll read them. The first is the city of Westminster provides highquality services and fosters resilience to promote a safe and thriving community. The second a city the city of Westminster provides highquality services, responds to evolving community needs and fosters resilience to promote a safe and thriving community. And the third, the city of Westminster provides highquality services and responds to evolving needs to promote a safe and thriving community.

I'll go around. Councelor Rosi. Thank you, mayor, and thank you for pulling this together. I know it was a lot to stitch um in the last minute. Uh my preference here for the mission statement is number two mainly because I think option one is too static. Uh it only focuses on delivering services and not adapting to evolving affordability specifically pressures and option three removes the word resilience which weakens the long-term affordability and all that that we've been talking about. Um two seem just seems more holistic. Thank you, counselor. Two. Okay. Thank you, councelor Brahas. Two.

Okay. I like one. It's more short and succinct. Okay. Thank you. I prefer number two.

Two. Okay. I know it's longer and I hemmed and hot over it as well, but number two sounds good. Okay. Well, without even my input here, I think you have a majority, but I also like to. Thank you. Turning to page two. Our current vision statement is Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment, and a strong sense of community and belonging. There are three options we're asking city council to consider. The first Westminster is a beautiful and safe is beautiful and safe with well-maintained destinations, vibrant places, a diverse economy, resil resilient environment, and a strong sense of community and belonging. The second, Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained, and vibrant places with an affordable and diverse economy, an inclusive community of belonging. And the third, the city is a beautiful, safe, well-maintained community with vibrant destinations, diverse economy, resilient environment, and a strong sense of community and belonging.

Thank you. All right, councelor Zadi. I want to be speaking first every time, but maybe I'll go the other way. I uh option two, if you add in the word resilient environment, I think would be great. So it would read, Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained and vibrant places with an with an affordable and diverse economy, resilient environment, and inclusive community of belonging. Okay, thank you. Uh, councelor hot, I was going to um choose number two, but I I like the addition that um councelor brought up. Thank you, councelor Brahouse.

Thank you. Um yeah um I can go with number two uh with that addition though if not uh number one. Okay. Thank you councelor Ireland.

I think I'm number three. Okay. Thank you, Councelor Johnson. Uh, number two with the addition that councelor Zotti made. Okay, Tim.

Um, so I originally like number three best because it did have the resilient environment in it. Um, but it didn't have inclusive in it. Um, so I just I thought that it's a little wordy. Um, Westminster is a city of beautiful. Can't we just say West kind of like number three is West? Of course, it says the city. Um, but Westminster is a beautiful, safe, well-maintained city or something. I don't even know like it. Anyway, maybe a little bit of word smithing there. Um, I guess Westminster is a city, a beautiful, safe, and I'll guess I can get behind number two with the resilient. I just thought that the the phrase inclusive community of belonging was awkward and so um if maybe there's just like and inclusive community period um I just thought it was an awkward phrase if you uh allow. I had similar thoughts and so um if I can read what my thoughts were and otherwise we can go with um the above but um so I had rewarded number three with Westminster is a beautiful safe well-maintained community with vibrant destinations a diverse economy resilient environment and a strong inclusive community

behind Um, council brahas. Um, I I I would be willing to hear what other counselors uh think of this, but one of the reasons why I appreciated number two was the explicit call out with affordability and uh that wasn't in your statement, and I don't want to word smith your word smithing, but I would could get behind that if like affordability was or included um like in the diverse economy as well. I don't I don't not that if you're open to that but um if not I wouldn't I guess be

with an affordable diverse economy or affordable and diverse economy if oh I I read that and while I respect the desire to have affordability in there the phrase affordable economy just in itself seemed weird um I would think it's more like an affordable city if we're trying to go for that versus an affordable I'm sorry I'm picking apart the grammar but these phrases are a little weird. Um, if we could clean it up, I don't mind keeping the word in there. Um, because it's a good vision element to have.

Councelor uh, pot. I would like to stick with um, number two because I feel like we're taking a lot of what number has what number two has and putting it in number three. Um so I would like number two again with um councelor Ozad's addition and then maybe we just word smith um the inclusive community of belonging the way that you had just said it um for number three. Yes, because I would still like to keep it number two because I feel like we're pulling a lot of number two into number three. So um again number two with councelor's addition and then maybe just words smithing the inclusive community of belonging.

Okay. Thank you councelor. Yeah. So, I agree with the awkwardness of the inclusive community of belonging. If we can word smith that. Um, the thing about number three is it has the word destination. I think that's the only difference. Right.

Uh, I like councelor Baraha's suggestion of just using an affordable and diverse economy. So, it to council hot's point, it is just moving all of two into three. So, we might as well just keep two and add in what's missing from three to two. But I'm good either way. It's just as long as the word affordable. So, the reason why I like two is um it's the only one that has both the affordability and inclusion piece, right? And removing. So, if so long as those keywords are in there, I don't really care which one is used because they're really the same thing. as long as you have the inquisivity affordability um elements.

Thank you. Do we have what we need? Do you want Can I read it back to you just to make sure I'm on the same same page? So, I'm building off of number two. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained, and vibrant places with an affordable and diverse economy, res resilient environment, and a strong inclusive community. I think that was it. Yeah. Okay, that's good.

I got Oh, Mayor Proess. Sorry. If we Okay, I'm one last stab at just going for trying to remove affordable economy because I don't know what that means, but we could move affordable into the last phrase, an affordable inclusive community. Just saying it makes me feel better. However, I'm not going to die on the hill. Uh, councelor Ireland, I think the vision affordable is great, but I don't think we are affordable. So, you can say telling people we're affordable is not really true. Well, this is the vision statement.

Well, his vision, but currently getting there is a difficulty. Councelor Brahouse. Uh the only I mean if we're taking another stab at it, would affordable make sense um in the preceding uh clauses like or I don't know what the right grammar statement there is. A beautiful affordable safe like something. I know. I thought about it. It just got like really long. I was like four things in there.

Yeah. Okay. I mean I'm I'm I'm as long as it's included I am okay because to councelor Ireland's point that like I'm looking like this is the vision that we want to see for the city. And so I think it is important to include it because it's not currently there like we are not there as a situation. So uh um I'm I'm fine as is but if we do need to move it just to like get complete buy and I'm open to that as well. Councelor. Yeah. So I'm open to moving the word affordable to that final uh the first clause really are just descriptors of the word places, right? Those are all describing that

all the various adjectives of places and which is we're trying to be you know placemakers and all of that right but the sec and the second clause refers to the economy so it does make sense to move that away because it doesn't make sense to have an affordable economy right um so if you keep that as diverse economy the second clause and then the last clause being an affordable and inclusive community makes it cleaner okay great I'll read it one more time just to

go through it. This is important. This is our vision state. So, we need to take the time. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained, and vibrant places with a diverse economy, resilient environment, and an affordable and inclusive community.

Yes. And um if I may, this came very late, so um feel free to veto since we're close to finished. Um, but I realize the word connected is not in there and it might and that was such a strong uh theme of our strategic meeting. Um, that we could say Westminster is a connected city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained. Just throwing that out there if we like it since that's not in there. Can we replace vibrant since that seems redundant? It's a beautiful, safe, well-maintained, not connected. Well, connected places. Is that what you're trying to go for? Connected city. Connected city.

Yes, council bro. Just while people are thinking um it I love it. I I'm glad that you brought that up. I didn't want to kind of have too many asks. I'm okay with it. Just like that's the only adjective before city. Um and so it it maybe is a little I don't know if that's where some of the hesitation might be coming from. Uh, and I wish I would have thought of it earlier so I could have word spent more carefully. Um, I do like the including well-maintained, connected and vibrant places. Yeah, I like that.

Okay. See several head nods. I don't know if there's any. It's a lot of adjectives. I don't know what I want to take out. I don't want to take out anything. Yes. So, but I appreciate the the specific call out. Thank you. Okay. Okay. So, we will add connected. Um Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained, connected and vibrant places with a diverse economy, resilient environment, and an affordable and inclusive community. Brilliant. Okay.

It's very long, but it captures everything. It's the vision. All right, turning to page three. During the strategic plan workshop, we made an adjustment to the strategic priorities and added organizational vitality as the eighth guiding principle. Just want to confirm that that is still the direction and desire of city council. Any thoughts, council zadi? I'm good with that. But I have one edit that's not one of the decision points. Okay. Uh to number two,

if we can include the words workforce stability. So to responsibly manage all of the resources entrusted to our care to support the city's financial well-being, workforce stability, and meet the needs of today without sacrificing the ability to meet the needs of the future. Any thoughts on that? I like it as Okay, councelor hot. I like the edit. Any other thoughts? I like the edit. Okay, we need a majority here.

Okay. All right. If we can insert that. So, just to make sure I heard you correctly. um councelor Aadi um responsible management of all the resources entrusted to our care to support the city's financial well-being comma workforce stability and meet the needs or is it wellbeing yes okay we can make that um addition as well so turning to oh yeah any councelor brahas

just on the question of the eighth added can we just can I ask for a little bit of historicizing from those who maybe have been here. What I heard at the strategic planning meeting was that we like that this was critical kind of maybe a few years ago. Is am I like making something up? Um, councelor, may I interject because I was going to add when when Aaron uh introduced this what council I believe directed at the workshop was organizational vitality had actually been a strategic priority. Okay. So remove it as a strategic priority because of what you just said counselor and instead move it into a guiding principle. So take it down into this level of being a principle versus a priority.

Okay. Thank you for clarifying. Thank you.

It's not taking it down. It is embedding it. It's embedding it permanently into our culture. Yes. Okay. We appreciate that framework. Um turning to page four. Now we will begin with each strategic priority. You'll notice more of of the red um revised options or alternatives that were proposed by by your colleagues. We'll start with the priority in the description. Strategic priority one, opportunity to thrive. Promote affordable living and stable housing, access to services, and connected neighborhoods that foster access to opportunity and prosperity. Underneath that priority, there are four proposed um priority objectives still at the higher policy level, but to give a little bit more framework to the um implementation of that priority. So for the first one, I'll give you a moment to read the proposed in black and then the alternative version in red and see if there is a desire for one or the other. Just gonna wait for heads to rise. Okay, council zi

I may yes this was uh my suggestion um I think it's it's important to give more specificity so that we don't lose so that we don't risk misalignment between staff and council in terms of strategy. So this just gave us slightly more specificity to what we've been talking about for the last few months and I think it's more receptable to the community when they read it. Thank you. Yeah, I'm for the alternate version. Okay, alternate. Okay, I like what we had. Okay,

I'm good with the alternate.

Just had a question um for we have um strengthening pathways to home ownership and preserving owner occupancy. Um, I was wondering so that I I'm trying to think of um a wording where it's not precluding just for me it's like keeping people in their homes and not necessarily like just ownership. So I was just wondering if we could if it could be broadened to um something like keeping people in their homes, but clearly a more elegant way to say that. Um unless you guys think it's already

so the covered the keywords housing stability so I thought of that too and that was so to improve housing stability is all inclusive

and the including piece are just so the first piece of it is really outcomes right the outcomes of the including section is in that first half where the goal is to improve housing stability affordability and access and some of the ways. It's just some of the ways. So, the word including is not everything. It's calling out the specific things that are kind of the minimums from a prioritization from this council standpoint that staff needs to look into. But it could it should include much more than what is listed. It's just the minimum requirement of making sure we do those things. But I would say that the housing stability piece is inclusive of that and preserving owner occupancy is

is to that too. And you also had in here supporting rent, can we say renter instead of renters stability? Renter stability. Okay. Because that I guess is maybe where I'm thinking like I just want to make sure it's trying to keep people in their like big picture trying to keep people in their homes however the whatever the tenure. Okay. Any other thoughts? Okay. Looks like we're all okay with that.

Okay. Moving on to 1.3, we have the addition of the word invested into 1.3. Advance sustainable, safe, and connected neighborhoods so that people remain engaged, invested, and rooted in their communities. I can give some flavor. Uh, thank you, Madame Mayor. Uh, just I I I like the idea invested. We have talked a lot about in this body about economic connectivity and I think invested just kind of offers that opportunity to explicitly name people spending money locally like just particularly naming spending like expenditures locally. Thank you. Thank you councelor. I'm good with the addition. Okay.

I'm good with it. All right. Got a lot of fun. Okay. Mayor Bert.

I'm good with it. I just um there is in this section um okay I didn't send anything in sorry but it was I wasn't sure where to put it but I'm wondering if it goes in here and maybe I'll just like leave it out there and maybe we just think about where it might go but I didn't see anything that was really specific to um transit transportation mobility first first half mile more explicitly saying that so unless I lost my mind while I was reading this um yesterday, but um so just putting that out there and maybe just if you guys agree and are just think you know as you're as we're going through this so personally I agree. I'm just not sure where to put it. Yeah, exactly. So I might just hand that to staff. We had um thank you for the the the comment and and feedback. And when we look at some of the outcomes, we talked about the connectivity and transit and mobility within connected and inclusive community. So potentially maybe we could hold that for one moment and then build that into uh strategic priority two within those three like the community networks. um whether you can interpret that as community as social fabric or community networks in regards to mobility and potentially if if you would be comfortable working through because that's where we have some of the alignment in regards to outcomes and tasks would fall underneath fall under

beneath that priority. Okay. So moving on to 1.4 four, there's an alternative version proposed for for that um priority objective description. Is there preference for one versus the other? Councelor Hut, I would like the alternative version. Council Brahouse, can we just read it out loud for the record?

Oh, absolutely. Um the current is that's initially proposed is improve economic mobility for residents by focusing on affordability and accessibility to enable residents to achieve long-term financial stability. The alternative version proposed is improve economic mobility by reducing essential household cost burdens including child care, utilities, groceries, and other cost pressures to support long-term financial uh sustain uh stability. Excuse me. Thank you. And I'm okay with the alternate. Okay.

I like the original. Okay, mayor prom.

Um, I do agree that the 1.4 as it's currently written is a little vague. I'm sorry. Hold on. I'm sorry. Um, I'm wondering if the language we use is when we say improve economic mobility by reducing essential household cost burdens, we're we're kind of assuming that we are able to reduce like utility costs. Um, and I don't know what other cost pressures I just wondering if maybe we focus more on reducing the impact of household cost burdens including child care utilities because that gives us a little more latitude in terms of um, you know, if we can't control for the cost, maybe we're um, working to achieve reduced grocery costs or something um through economic development efforts. So, I'm just trying to This seems like we're kind of specifically like reducing the costs where I think what we're trying to do is reduce the impact of these higher costs of these certain um uh categories. So that would be my

so suggestion.

So I think that the the term cost burdens is not implying costs solely. I think the burden is impact, right? If you're reducing someone's cost burden, it's not necessarily a singular dimensional like we're going to just attack the cost because you know we actually impact supply and demand on many of these things and that does actually reduce cost and I don't want the um when a resident reads this or talks to us about what you know what's in our strategic plan and what are we planning to do that is the goal of what That's honestly the goal is to reduce their cost burden, right? Whether it's utilities or child care or groceries, we're not here to just do things without an actual goal for them. And it's really orienting the strategic plan back to them and saying this is an outcome. This is your outcome. This is your plan, not our plan. It's their plan. So that's why I wanted to make the the verbiage much more direct and much more resident outcome based. So I think from their view when they're reading it their their POV they they want to know what is this plan doing for for me and the word cost burden is direct and accurate.

Okay. Um the other question I had was just the um and other cost pressures like what what were you so so I wanted to make sure that this is not too restrictive you know if if there you know we just talked about waste diversion there's recycling coming up and free recycling by the way if anyone's listening you know we're going to be discussing that but there's other cost burdens that are not going to be explicitly laid out in this so I wanted to give staff the latitude to the flexibility of having that allin-one. Um, so that includes all sorts of stuff like that.

Any other thoughts?

Um, it's a good goal to have. So, all right. And I'm just going to move us along so we don't get too hung up, but if we have real strong suggestions, we can email them in. Okay. Okay. So, moving on to strategic priority to connected and inclusive community. We'll move to 2.1 where we have the proposed addition. I I'll read the full um statement. Build a more engaged and equitable community where all residents want to participate and feel a sense of belonging and dismantle s systemic inequal inequalities.

Inequities. Inequities. Thank you. You're looking at a word and you want to pronounce it the way you think it is. So, thank you for for the check. All right. I think it's a strong charge. I'm for it. Okay. Thank you. I want to know what exactly it means. Okay. It means when we see things in our um codes and ordinances that create in um inequity that we fix that inequity. I'm good with it. Okay. All right. I think we have a majority there.

Okay. Moving on to 2.3. I'll add the inclusion that was proposed. Expand opportunities for connection through community networks and resources to promote stronger bonds. Increase participation and enhance residents opport residences opportunities for a sense of belonging including collaboration with community organizations to assist in identifying inclusivity and diversity challenges and address them accordingly. Cover it. Of course I am. All right. Got a lot of thumbs up. Any other comments? Turning to page five. Well, can we are we adding in something about

I just Yeah, I wanted to echo. Yeah, I I would be fine with a separate like a 2.4 on that.

Okay. Are you comfortable with staff drafting something that just to make sure I'm I'm hearing you that is um related to accessible uh transit connections or could if you could give me some words that would be helpful. Um, I would even not only just re-invigorating our transit, um, trying to expand or enhance or bring back our transit. Um, but also identify other um, areas where we can actually um, provide transit to communities. um that like you know can't really can't necessarily afford it. Um I don't know exactly how to um word that but you know I think about how do we get for instance like our developments that have affordable housing. you know, can we help create um opportunities for neighborhood passes or transit passes that people could take advantage of. Now, I'm not saying put that into this um um you know, into the wording here, but that's just kind of the the thought. Um,

so if you if you don't mind, um, something along the lines of like expanding and enhancing transit connectivity and accessibility throughout the city, increasing access to transit, I think might be Okay. Any other thoughts on that? Any strong preference about word use? Okay.

Okay. Thank you for keeping me on track. Now shifting to page five strategic priority three healthy and safe there were two versions for 3.1 the provided uh the the initial one which is provide safe trusted and well resource resource public safety to protect and enhance the well-being of the community and the alternative version provide safe trusted community centered and proactive public safety to protect and enhance the well-being of the with it. Okay. I just want to ask councelor Johnson what he means by proactive public safety because I feel like our safety is proactive.

Yeah, that's a great question. I think public safety is more comprehensive than just our policing efforts. I think it includes literally how we build our infrastructure like speed bumps that prevent speeding and and you know roads that that are narrow that encourage slower driving. And so it supposed to be a more holistic view and I agree. I think we are fairly proactive at the way we reach out to the community and efforts and I want to call that out as a continued priority that anything that we can do to prevent crime before it happens um is a is a really good investment in the city.

Thank you, Mayor Burton. Um, I'll just for proactive I'm just wondering like if staff from you know because partially it's transportation and I don't know like I don't know if that's you know if they have another word that might in encompass what you were talking about um that would because I think that's an important aspect of being able to tackle things. I just was wondering if it's in their minds included in that word. Do we need to add something? So that that's all. I like the idea

and that's something that we could potentially capture more explicitly when we talk about the outcomes and tasks to define proactive to make that direct connection. Thank you. But we're keeping the word proactive in this, right? Yeah. the city council's direction. Yeah. Just in listening to councelor Johnson's words, I wonder if there's is an additional word there which is perhaps innovative. Um so uh provide safe, trusted, community centered, proactive, and innovative public safety. Yeah. Yeah. That's good. Yeah. All right. We're like the the adjective kings and queens here, man.

Write a book. We're Smith Andrews on the dirty. Moving on to strategic strategic priority 4, vibrant and diverse economy. Starting with the first 4.1. I'll let you take a moment to to read both both versions and see if there is a preference. You like me to read it out loud?

Absolutely. So the alternative version is to expand economic opportunity by strengthening the local business environment and supporting access to essential neighborhood services such as child care, grocery access, and other community serving businesses. I thought this was important to expand the definition of local business environment to include business serving or community serving businesses because as we all see the current state of people's lives right now having more of these community serving businesses will only make their everyone's quality of life much better. So I wanted to call that out.

I like that you did that. I think it's um because the other half of the sentence is kind of repetitive to what we already have and number one. So, council, my problem is that we have to track businesses that will spur sales tax. If we don't have those, our whole economy and all these things that we want to pay for are not going to happen. So, I think sustainability means you have plenty of sales tax. I can I just

um I also when I first read this was thinking about that needing to make sure that we had the sales tax generation in here. But I think when I reread it and realized that it was so that all can access greater financial security and long-term stability, that that phrase wasn't about the city's financial security and long-term stability, which I think is the point that, you know, we're both kind of interested in making sure somewhere in here um but that it was um residents. And so to the earlier point I made that we kind of already have that phrase in 1.1, I thought it was useful what councelor is saying is just focusing in on um where we ought to be strengthening our local business environment. Um perhaps there's, you know, an ad to, you know, not just say it's um services, neighborhood services, but you know, I don't know if we want to add something like um either in this one or just make sure that we have in another one of these that we have that we are looking at tax sales tax generating.

If I can call out I think 4.2 captures. Thank you. So sorry to I don't want to intervene too much but uh councelor Ireland to your point yeah especially so councel bar's edit in 4.2 he says resilient economic ecosystem that to me that's sales tax that's everything I'm in support of the edit okay I'm in support of the edit perfect all right looks like we got a majority for 4.1. Any other thoughts on 4.2? to lots of yeses. How did you change? Okay, me. Uh, can I read it out loud for the record? Yes, please. Um,

so 4.2 is written as maintain a dynamic and resilient business ecosystem through business retention and attraction that supports long-term economic prosperity. I offered an edit um maintain to rewrite it as maintain a dynamic and resilient economic ecosystem through business and workforce retention uh and attraction that supports long-term prosperity. So I made sure to call out an exclusive call out to workforce retention. Though I am and we we had business twice in the original, so I kind of just p pulled out a few words. I am open just upon rereading just a resilient economy. Uh I put economic ecosystem and I don't know if that's a little redundant. I'm okay with either. I guess

if wordsmiths want to jump in. I'm I'm good with the alternative version the way it's written. Okay. Same. Okay. All right. Um I mean I could go for resilient. Oh, I see you have business though there. Okay. Okay. Cool. All good. Yeah.

Okay. All right. Thank you. So turning to page six, our final strategic priority, resilient infrastructure 5.1, there's an alternative version prepared. I will read that out loud. Sustain and strengthen infrastructure including utilities, transportation, child care capacity, and grocery access. Provide reliable services that support quality of life and economic participation. So again, I thought it was important to expand and specify the particular areas. And this is infrastructure. It's not redundant in terms of the key words that you keep hearing over and over again because each priority focuses in on a different dimension of what of the issue that we're talking about. So in in this case, it's infrastructure. And when we talk about childcare capacity or grocery access or transportation by by the way that's in here I don't know uh mayor prom if transportation or transit if you wanted to include that in this but the concept here is to expand it to the POV of the residents and what they need and

that ending. So the quality of life and economic participation was important to make sure that we don't just do infrastructure just for the sake of doing it. We're doing it for a reason. And the reason is some of these outcomes. Any other thoughts? And so Oh, councelor I was just going to say I like the alternate version.

Okay. Um I'll provide u my feedback on this one. I just um I like the spec spec specity. That's a hard word. But um I think that the goal of 5.1 maybe we add it instead of change it because um I don't want to lose the importance here. We need somewhere in here the importance of our infrastructure uh in regards to like our drinking water facility and our wastewater treatment plant and our roads and whatnot. So I feel like while we could say that the word infrastructure captures that, I don't want to lose the importance. I mean that's our number one investment right now is that new drinking water facility and the many years we spent, you know, developing and getting that done.

So the word utilities, you could you could break that up and specify there because utilities captures that, but you want it to be specified, you mean? Right. Like water, drinking water, right?

You could replace that. and uh investing. I mean, these are and it's I think it's easier for me to say so because I just did so many workshops on our, you know, municipal bonds over large long-term city investments, but those are really large investments that our city is committing to right now over and they're kind of once in a generation. And so I feel like those should be broken up somewhat the long large term ongoing infrastructure needs somewhat broken up from the everyday ones if that makes sense.

I I would second that. I feel like there for me the the initial phrase or the initial one is talking um about our infrastructure and it's one of the only places where we're saying that it's um enhancing our overall quality of life and kind of giving a nod to um how infrastructure itself um contributes to the public realm and to the experience of our community and um you know through design and through the specific, you know, what we're including in it, whether um, you know, it's the quality of the water or it's the quality of the public realm. And so for me, I have a very physical um, uh, picture in my head of what that is. And I know you're trying to um, think about like the infrastructure of the city and just how it's all interconnected. Um, and so yeah, if it if we could split those out because I I feel like somewhere we need to be pretty

explicit explicit about like our infrastructure and how it should be designed um and funded to um improve quality of life in the physical realm. I'm okay with splitting it into a separate bullet,

you know, as long as that separate bullet. So, I guess you're using the same words, right? Just split it into a 5.4. for because I do want to make sure that groceries and child care is treated as infrastructure. It's just to your point, it's not existing. So, it's more about future looking building up or expanding those elements as infrastructure, but separate from the existing municipal core house water treatment plant. So, it makes sense to make it a 5.4. Councelor Brahas.

Um I I just want to quickly name out loud um so yes I I support a 5.4 um and as councelor Rosi mentioned kind of specifically around childare being an infrastructure pl uh piece I think often of like unpaid labor that particularly women our society have to take on. Um, I I think I'm let's kind of trailblaze right now with with child care as infrastructure, but I think it would behoove us as a body, particularly around staying at home, aging in place to just think about like human care in general, whether it's those with disabilities, those who are aging. Um, and I don't want to re-edit any of this right now, um, like on the fly, but I do think that

as we continue to to dive into this, we could consider that um, you know, holistic approach to. So, just to summarize, sorry, I just wanted to say that out loud for all of us to think of. Um, but also I am in support of 5.4 and keeping 5.1 as original. Thank you. Okay. I like 5.1 original, too. Okay. I think we have a majority for splitting that out, keeping one and adding 5.4. And

just to make sure I'm on the same page in capturing the 5.4 Four would be something along the lines of developing and expanding future infrastructure including utility, transportation, child care capacity, grocery access to provide reliable service to support quality of life to kind of separate out. The first one would somewhat stop like would almost be like asis and then the second one would be the alternative version but focusing on the future and just keep the same wording as the second one as the the alternate just making. Got it. So the first one will stay as the 5.1 will stay as proposed and then 5 the alternative will become 5.4. Got it. Thank you. if you want to add in human services.

I I don't know the right words to use around it. And I'm also okay just not over overextending staff right now on this, but maybe just staff can think of it and we can think of it as a council too as how best to approach it. Thank you for the clarity. I point to um I'll read it for the addition for the addition at the end. plan and invest for future for the future through infrastructure development to address and proactively support long-term community stability and connectivity. And I did have sustain. Oh, sustainability. Jeez Louise, it's it's not even 9:00.

It's getting late. I did have one one more important word which is plan and invest for the future through modern infrastructure development. I know we talked about this a little bit at the strategic plan, but that word is just so critically important, I think, for the vision of the future of our city, especially given the investments we've already made in modern drinking water, modern municipal courts, modern roads, and I think that work should be uplifted um and continued through the future investments that we make in our infrastructure. So I would advocate to add that word in addition to the two words I suggested at the end or I'm sorry it would read plan and invest for the future through modern infrastructure development dot dot dot.

All right you can yeah I like his additions got a lot of guesses. Yep. I'm not a modern one. I think it needs to be affordable. All this infrastructure innovative affordable that's 5.3. Do you want to actually? Yeah. And I can go right into that if you like. Yeah. Uh so the alternate version is develop infrastructure affordably and efficiently to accommodate future growth while protecting long-term household affordability and responsible use of public resources. I do like that one. Thank you. just for you.

Thank you. Okay. All right. Okay. There's one that I think is missing. Um I think in council bra's his email he had those both of mine I only had two on this thing. I had two for the col the column the outcomes which we'll get to. Yeah. So sorry. Thank you. But yeah, my other two additions were for the outcomes. Thank you.

Okay. So if we are comfortable with what we've decided um our plan would be to clean this up and then we would come back and add um add the new 2.4 regarding transit and add the new two or 5.4 4. Um, and then we would come back April if the um if um there's the room within the the sorry agenda on April 27th for adoption for a resolution to adopt um strategic plan because it would be a potentially tough turnaround to have it by Monday the 13th, but the the 27th we could absolutely make that happen if if you're comfortable with that approach.

Okay. I don't see any objections. Okay. So, we will work on that. We'll work with city attorney's office. Not not an objection, but a suggestion. So, we have the task plan document. If we do the strategic plan on the 27th, um we would have to do that task plan after that in May and we'd like to get that task plan done in April. Does that make sense? So do we have to wait for that before we can talk about before we can prioritize or can we do that in parallel?

So I think this is also kind of the combination of how this will build onto our convers our next conversation regarding the budget. So the first element is we'll need to adopt um this the the the current the updated strategic plan. Our second element, the outcomes and tasks, that is a working doc document, not necessarily something that is is adopted by city council and we would like to have you consider as a council um to talk through it at the budget workshop and we'll talk more about that at the um in the next presentation just to to dedicate time to have you we'll talk through it right now and I'll show you that the red line and then have us during that budget workshop actually prioritize and have agreement within city council of what needs to be part of of the budget process.

Okay. And I can hold my question till I see the plan. Okay. So this is homework. This is building on again. Thank you very much for your review and your feedback. This is the working. Is it two pages? It's it's front and back. I couldn't when we had some auditions I I couldn't fit it all on one unless it was like eight point font and I I couldn't do it. It was too small for me to read across.

So I just there's a front and a back. So on one side you'll see the new ideas or ideas to explore and on the other side you'll see the ideas that are already in progress. Wow. The red similar to the strategic plan shows the additions or rewarding word smithing of those outcomes and tasks for future prioritization. So what we would ask is if take another moment, not necessarily at this moment, but take some more time and see if we've captured those elements. And then what we would like to propose and we'll speak more to it when we go to the the budget update is when we have our Saturday workshop is to really focus a session on what the priorities that we would like to make sure that are built into the 2027 budget process.

And so uh when would you like us to have this completed by? Would it be realistic to have it have responses or feedback shared? I'm not sure. Um, city manager Andrews, if there's by the 20th of April is so that would be two weeks. Is that realistic or is there something you potentially haven't When is the budget workshop? May May 9th for It's the second Saturday

and that would be the final time we discuss it to finalize and prioritize. No, it's it's this is a work in progress, but that would be um gosh, this I'm so excited because it's talking about budget. Um these are all steps that we take and continuous conversations that continue to build. So, it's not a oneandone. Um that's that wouldn't work. So it would be to make sure we've captured it and then to talk through in more detail time of what are the top of all of these that we really want to make sure that we focus on because although we can do anything we can't necessarily do everything of figuring out what those top priorities are and then based upon that feedback staff can work start to work through things and then ultimately we will come back um April 1st which is the first study session in J or sorry April 1 holy moly um June 1st um which will be the first study session in June and talk through okay this is what we heard are we all on the same page just to make sure we can continue to to work through those elements. So we just want to continue this as as a work in progress and this is also why it's not adopted. It's something that we can continue to look at and try to keep it in a onepage format so it's easy just to to pull out and to see where we are and and what what's going on. So the reason I ask is because so in my email I I sent a request uh to council and staff to if we can accelerate that timeline even more because I think it would be actually good to have a more to have more finality to this list versus ongoing because we would like this to be plugged into the budget process and the more we delay you know we we've worked many months to get a lot of these ideas right working more months is not going to add or change. Honestly, not mine because I've worked a lot with staff. I worked with you, with Jody and council for months. And I just like to get to the conversation of can we prioritize

and which ones are we going to do? And we if we can get to a finality on that sooner than later in April. That way maybe the budget workshop becomes prioritizing. So maybe we short list in April and then we talk about the short list in the workshop. But I don't want to have a ongoing continuous conversation about the ideas cuz we've been doing that for half a year almost now. And I think it's time to what we want to make sure is we can plug it into the budget process and then figure out which ones of the ideas actually get funded. And the further we prolong that conversation, the harder probably for staff it'll get to, you know, as everyone is developing their department the the department budgets and submitting those. We want to make sure some of these are in that.

So, um this actually the timing wise if you'd be comfortable for us to wait and hold off and talk through it during the May budget workshop. It actually fits right into our internal process. Um we don't kick off internally our operating budgets and our CIP projects are submit like we don't open that up until May and we they aren't due until July like the end of end of June. So there's plenty of time to have those conversations and if we would choose to if you would be comfortable having it in that first in May and then potentially providing clarity in that first Monday in June, it would still have plenty of time for staff to be able to um to absorb and to to navigate.

Can we commence to finalizing it in the May workshop if if uh we that's more of a question for I'm just asking council if we can if but do you mind if we have that conversation? Absolutely. if we can, you know, just to accelerate that is my request, right? Um, and so you're saying to finalize it by the May workshop? The May workshop be the final time we look at all the ideas and finalize and prioritize it.

And I think the only risk to that otherwise I'll uh personally be in support of whatever council chooses is um does that limit folks from bringing things up? Because of course we don't want to limit like let's say someone learns something. That's not saying that, right? No, because we can always do that anyway, right? Individually, we can all year we can probably say, "Hey, can we throw this in late in the project?" Staff will hate us for that, but just want to make sure that we're not limiting folks. Oh, dear, brother. Okay. Uh, all right. Any other thoughts on accelerated? Yes, Councelor. Well, I proposed three ballot measures. Did you all read them from our last meeting?

I was just like an up and down vote. if any of them you're interested in any of them or will support any of them with I'll have to say so can we have an up down vote now and then so we can bring them forth if we're going to move things along my counselor I I think what you're getting at is aligned with where I'm with what I'm asking I think you are waiting on decisions on that right yeah I think a lot of us have ideas that are

fairly urgent to us and to people and to our residents that we talk to to know are you doing this or not, right? And I would like to have that conversation way sooner and final so that we can actually commit. Agreed. And um I don't remember was it around flags or was it No, one was a hybrid um ward um so three are um in an award and then two at large and then they have mayors at large. So there's total of

Okay. So thanks for my I just wanted to figure out what topic it was. And then the other one was a $1,000 extra property tax on those that own 10 single family homes or more in our city to go to a firsttime home buyer buyer account. And the third one was for the voters to decide on instead of appointing from the last election those at least got what we can decide what the percentage is.

So uh I want to make sure that your items are addressed. So, and so really those in my mind are policy items and that's where that um agenda change that we talked about last meeting would be so useful so that you could bring that up and you have a place to bring that up. Um you already have now but let's make sure we formalize that at our next meeting and then we can vote on those because those are kind of just votes and I don't know that they necessarily fall into the budget discussion per se. Well, they cost money to put on the ballot so

that is true. That is true. Um, and to councelor Zad's point though, um, getting all of our items that we care a lot about placed on this task list um, earlier rather than later, make sure that we've identified everything. So, um, we can put do both if that makes you comfortable, but I would say um, I just didn't want it to get lost because it's been a while. I haven't said anything. That's fair. So, thank you for that reminder. And and and mayor, if I may too, this the edits that you see in red, that's I think four of us putting I mean, we've put in the ideas that's missing. So, we don't need to continue to put in ideas is my point. Can we accelerate is the request, right? Are we comfortable with the April 20th deadline that was provided by staff?

Yep. Yeah. I see a lot of yeses. Yes. Yes. Um can I sorry just uh I so uh one of my uh it was like a wrong copy and paste on the column five.

Uh it was like whatever was cop like it was just uh thrown again what I wrote on my addition for column 3 is correct but it was uh mistakenly included in column 5. I have something else. No, that's that's fine. I just want to clarify for everyone who's here. Um the language for column 5 is um another item saying uh continue investing in pro and so I mean it could potentially be an existing idea with progress because I know we already have these programs but I just wanted to call out on it. Uh continue investing in programs that make it easy for residents to choose sustainable and low impact alternatives to energy and landscape design. Um so that was uh what I had offered but um

thank you. Thanks for the correction, but I don't want to get into the line items today for the rest of them. So, let's just go ahead and So, I'll make sure I update this and then we'll send it out with the um April 20th deadline of any additions for the us to then talk through in more detail or finalize on during the May 9th budget workshop. And will we all go with finalizing it on the May? Did we ask that one? So, let's get to there. Um, first real quick, the version that you um released to council already, is it editable? Are there ways to make edits or comments? It's a PDF. Um, so no.

So, I mean, you could do comments in a PDF. I can put it in a word document. It'll won't look as pretty and it'll be long and but if that's an easier format to be able to make adjustments, we absolutely can can do that if that's that's preferred. That's an easy modification. or perhaps Excel if that's line item.

May I just perhaps call on city attorney? I think it it may be maybe better if you have if you have any additional changes or edits to this to communicate those directly to in this case Aaron uh one-on-one. she will compile and put them into the document and that will avoid any risk that you're getting into policy debates with each other and even a shared document I think starts to present that possible risk does that and I think logistically it would also make sense to have a single point of contact identified for proposed edits that way they can all make it into a a document for council's consideration

okay thank you mayor prom can I get some clarity on these ideas versus what we might bring up for the budget time frame because I had a couple of ideas I wanted to add in the budget. I'm confused over what seems like a crossover.

I have a I have a clarifying suggestion um to build on this conversation. U this this will be two steps. The first step and finalizing step will be to make for each of you to make sure this list list is complete and uh staff has uh broken it into that in progress which means that this is already in effect included in our budget and resourcing plan um or plans and then the the back page uh with a lot of uh red on it and the uh the looking glass and new ideas to be explored. These are the items that uh so far that that you have raised that are not currently included in our work plan or uh resourcing or budget plans. So my suggestion would be that you make sure that um this list is complete by April 20th by communicating directly to um Aaron. Um that will then be compiled by Aaron into a final version of this on April 21st that will feed into the budget process. And the clarifying suggestion I have is that um we actually do carve out a part of that day to go through uh one at a time these and have city council uh weigh in um as a body as to whether this is to be pursued as a priority for um inclusion in in the budget. That doesn't mean that day that it gets funded. It means that staff will report back to include it as an option for funding. So, in the case of councelor Iron's u ballot measure suggestions, councelor Iron, those are already in this list for you. Um, under the second column, you'll see new ideas to be executed.

I saw that. I just didn't know when I got to have an up and down whether we want to go forward or something. So in this case that would be on the 9th that we would then my suggestion would be we work through this list uh with you and um for anything that u we'll we'll we'll seek whether there's a majority support of the body uh for us to continue to advance this through the budget process and again so that then means it it is in the budget process staff can analyze it against our operating budget and our other needs and provide you with how could this be done within existing resources do we need another $15,000 for a consultant. Whatever that would would be, we would tell you at that point. You would tell us whether it's a priority to pursue. There may be one or two items in the list that you tell us on May 9th is a priority to pursue that might be out of reach for the 2027 budget for if it has a large capital cost. For example, let's say it exceeds our ability to fund with capital or you would need to make a decision to remove a capital expenditure elsewhere in the budget in order to achieve that. That would all come through the budget process. But I think on the 9th you could give us direction on each initiative. That would the final thing I would say is that that would allow the the council as a body to winnow this list down to to those things that the body supports moving forward with.

Mayor Pan, are we therefore ranking these? I'm trying to figure out like how because we that's a priority. How how are we saying what's a priority versus more of a priority versus that? I think that the first step will be to for the body of council to indicate that they that the that the city council would would want to continue to pursue this and not necessarily prioritize it that day. I think that that will almost be impossible to do because the list is so large. But we would want to go in with a list of X items and come out at the end of the day that X minus five of those are approved by the body to move forward through the budget process for further evaluation and inclusion.

That would then allow a prioritization later based because we will not be able to cost all these out by May 9th for you. And so that will and I believe in listening to you that it's difficult for you to make decisions on prior final prioritization if you don't have that key element in front of you which is what's this going to cost us in addition to does it need additional staff how fast could it be implemented right the uh there might be an answer to the how fast it could be implemented well this will take 18 months to lift up a program because we have to change regulations or something um and so you'll want to have all those elements in front of you I think before you make your final prioritization as part of the budget.

So goal for May 9th is ensuring that the task list is complete and that we all agree that every item should be on there. Make sense? No, I thought that was April 20th. No, April 20th is getting all of our thoughts on there. All of your thoughts, all of everyone's thoughts. And then May 9th, staff will help us go through line item by line item. And if there's a majority vote on that line item, then staff will pursue it. Okay. That's different what you said. So May 9th being what? Prioritization, right? No prior prioritization will come later and that will come uh we don't know when quite yet. We just want to make sure that those items that council have all agreed majority of council have agreed will remain on there are on there.

Well, that's part that's a prioritization process. It's just not all the way. Right. We're so we're prioritizing by voting on the ones we want to keep. I'm just following on city manager. Is that I'm just want clearly on the plan. April 20th. make sure that this list is complete from your individual perspectives. That will uh then move into the May 9th study session where as a body you will tell us uh for each of those in the list this is worth we want as a body for this item to move forward through the budget process for further evaluation.

Correct. At which point in the budget process you would then be advised as an staff would analyze it then and say this is the staffing cost or monetary cost impacts and the potential timeline to implement. At that point, later and deeper in the budget process, city council would then say, "That is a line item we want to go ahead with. Um, we understand the cost. We understand the timeline, we understand the resourcing impacts. Um, move forward." So, it's it's in effect a double it's a two-step prioritization. We want you to uh um we want you to drop these three. We don't support these as a body. All the others move forward through the budget process at which point you will decide based on the factors that you will use in the budget process.

Perfect. And that's the June 9th. Is that the June June? Where is the June one?

We're blurring all over our lines tonight and I love it. Um, yes. So that potentially that second component, that second phase that you were just talking about could be that June 1st study session is that we have our whittle down list and that would give staff um several weeks to at least a start of are these major shifts and reallocations of resources or those minor and then to bring that to that June study session of following up as we've done some preliminary not like not solid in pen but pencil ideas of are you then if say it was to to um to build that gold statue um with puppies um at the bottom that would cost x amount. Are we comfortable reallocating a resource from somewhere else rather like and then if if that's really the priority then staff as we would build the budget would start to work that in. But we we could make that as the two two-step process and if there were larger items that came up, we could always have further touch points. But our our hope would be is that at that June 1st, we would have a good idea of the priorities of city council to build into the budget and then as we go through

is that June 1st or the May 9th? At the end of May 9th, you'll have the trim down version. So, at the end of the May 9th, we'll have a trimmed down version and then staff will do some preliminary work and kind of have some ideas and potentially talk through those on that June 1st of

this is kind of what we're thinking. Um, this is a a significant reallocation of resources and potentially focusing here versus there. Are we comfortable with that shift? And if we are, then staff can continue to build the budget as if that shift occurs. or if it's we really that that Nor's ordinance is is our number one priority and that's something staff as as if that's determined of city council and staff is reviews it and thinks that that's a very doable request for us to then build in but that would that would start to try and continue to will whittle it down so then we could build the budget around those those priorities.

Thank you. And mayor, may I add to to make sure that we've addressed Mayor Prom's question about the difference between this list and the budget uh the budget process. Recall this list is driven by your strategic plan work and and shifts that likely indicates shifts that you would like to see that are reflected because of the work you have done on the strategic plan. The budget process will pick up everything else. Right? So, for example, if if Mayor Pro10 wanted to advance the city taking over and rebuilding all city all bus stops in the city, uh, for example, uh, you know, to to be a certain design, that would likely want to be on this list and reflect accessibility and connectivity. But if you simply wanted to, uh, you know, amend or modify slightly something that's in the budget, that would be probably in the budget process. So, I would think of it as a shift or a new or a buckling or doubling in on a on a strategic plan priority um that you want to see doesn't get lost in the budget process or or gets included in the budget process, specifically those items that your colleagues will want will want to weigh in on as to whether this is something the city will move forward with this this year.

Does that make sense? That was a lot. Okay. Um, I don't see any further questions at this time. So, thank you. Much appreciated. Thank you for outlining the dates. Thank you so much. No problem. But you're stuck with me for the next presentation. I was going to say I have a feeling that we are leading you right into the budget uh development presentation. So, thank you. Do we need to wiggle a little bit? We've been in our seat for a long time. Wiggle all the way to the restaurant. Okay. We will take a five and we'll see everybody back at 8:55. She says,

Uh oh. Heyoo. Hey. Hey. Oh, oh yeah. I see you. Ooh. Uh oh. Oh,

oh,

You all set? Do we have everybody standing? Stand in time. Stand in time. Yeah.

All right, we'll resume. And with that, that brings us to our budget discussion. All right. Well, good evening again, mayor, mayor, city council. I'm Aaron Far, policy and budget manager. I'm joined here with Chris Lindsay, assistant city manager and chief of staff, as well as Brian Donny, who policy and budgets um business operations administrator uh to share with you a 2027 budget update. As we've talked about in our previous conversation, the strategic plan, the the budget builds on the implementation and complements the strategic plan. So having that document in place sets us sets us up for success. If you wouldn't mind, please jot down any questions you may have during our presentation and then we'll circle back at the end to make sure that we're on the same page. And as always, we welcome and are seeking your insight and input and feedback in our development process. More specifically tonight, we'll provide a budget development update, where we are in the process, what is ahead, initial budget themes we've heard through these initial conversations, as well as seek your guidance on next steps in the budget process. As we review where we have been the last few months and start to look forward to next steps, I want to ground us in a highle overview of the current budget. The city aligns its budgeting approach with the principles and guidelines established by the government finance officers association or GFOA. And I'm pleased to share we recently received notification from GFOA that we've received the distinguished budget presentation award for our 2026 budget. The 2026 budget is a lean, balanced budget, meaning lean, efficient, and aligned with our community's needs across all

funds, net interfund transfers, and the pavement and paramedics budget amendments. Total budget is approximately $371 million. The graph shows spending is distributed across several categories. While the portions aren't equal, they are thoughtfully balanced overall. The balance is essential. The city can do many things, but we can't do everything. Maintaining a balanced budget ensures decisions are aligned with resource priorities as outlined in the strategic plan and guiding principles. Looking more closely at the general fund which totals approximately 235 million or about 55% of the overall budget. These resources are allocated across departments. General government services encompasses the city manager's office, chief of staff's office, CIO, human services, finance, as well as debt payments and other citywide expenses. As with the overall budget, allocation shifts each year to reflect changing priorities within projected revenues within these categories. As we shared previously, these regular discussions and check-ins such as tonight's ensure the 2027 budget stays aligned with strategic priorities, responds to community needs, and remains balanced with available resources. Over the past several weeks, we focused on building a strong foundation to develop the budget. This has include presentations on best budget practices, department priorities, and the strategic plan workshop combined with utility affordability efforts, including the utility affordability listening sessions and the create

creation of the water task force. Now we are starting to pivot towards developing the budget. Tonight is another step in this workflow to develop a collaborative budget. The goal for tonight is to make sure staff and city council are aligned on the initial budget themes that we've heard. Each discussion will build on the previous one, giving us the opportunity to confirm, refine, and adjust along the way, setting us up for success as we enter the core budget development work this summer. From the best practices presentations, the develop budget priority discussions, strategic plan workshop, and the utility affordability efforts, four themes emerged. Accountability, affordability, opportunity, and connectivity. These four themes align with the five strategic priorities acting as overarching concepts that connect and reinforce the intent of the strategic plan. The next several slides will explore more specifically utility affordability and sustainability covering the cost of service study and highlighting the water task force with a more detailed discussion on the task task force to come in the next agenda item. Brian Danahghue, our business operations administrator, will walk us through key findings and updates for the cost of service study. Good evening, mayor, mayor prom, and city council. Uh, my name is Brian Donghue, and I'm the project manager for the current cost of service study. The city is partnering with Rafellis

Financial, a trusted resource in this industry, to help complete this study. During these next few slides, I will introduce the study to you, talk about why the city conducts such a study, and help define study goals and outcomes. We go back one slide. I don't rehearse this.

No worries. Uh, this first slide speaks to the four main elements of a cost of service study. These elements consist of building a financial plan which determines how much money the utilities need to serve the community. The next element is an analysis of customer classes, how customer classes are defined and the cost to serve each class. The next piece is the rate design and ensuring affordability and fairness to our rate payers. And the final element is tap fees. These are the costs associated with new commercial or residential development. As I move through the presentation, I will describe these elements a bit further. This next slide speaks to the city's charter and why the city initiates this type of a study. Charter section 14.4 Four, rates authorizes city council to set reasonable rates and other charges for utility services without discrimination and without free service. And charter section 14.6 utility finances. This describes the need for rates and charges for utility service services meet all operating costs of the utility. Alongside the cost of service study, the water task force plays a complimentary role in shaping these efforts. The task force serves as an integral part of the process by engaging the community to gather input on rate structures, customer impacts, and affordability,

which it uses to develop thoughtful recommendations for city council. Director Caniple will speak to the water task force in more detail on the next agenda item. These next four slides describe in more detail the four main elements of a cost of service study. The first element is development of the financial plan which helps ensure the utilities are financially sustainable and is based upon three main utility expenses. Operations and maintenance, debt service payments on bonds and infrastructure replacement and modernization. From this process, financial planning models are developed and used for near and long-term planning. Next, sorry. The second element is cost of service. This analysis defines the correct customer classes and determines the amount of revenue collected from each customer class. This analysis considers the number of customers and specific usage demands they impose on our system. Cost to provide service varies by class. An example here would be the work being done to properly define and price the multifamily class. The third element is rate design. The rate design needs to cover water and sewer utility costs as defined by the cost of service analysis. The rate design complies with me Westminster charter and code and is based on industry best practices. The rate design considers important factors such as financial sustainability,

affordability and equity, and long-term viability. The final element is a tap fee analysis. Tap fees are the secondary source of revenue for the water and sewer utilities and are one-time fees to cover the costs of water and sewer connections for new commercial and residential development. This analysis determines the pricing for tapping into the city's utility systems. This final slide helps provide city council and the com and the community with a timeline and schedule for the cost of service study. The main components of the study will be conducted during the spring and early summer of this year. Rate design and recommendations during the summer within the budget process and the final reports delivered in the fall of this year. Thank you.

Thank you. We've reviewed the 2027 budget process where we've been.

We've explored the initial themes and took a closer look at utility affordability. Now, we're looking for guidance from you on next steps as we prepare for the April 22nd budget town hall and the May 9th budget workshop, which we've already dabbled in a little bit. So let's start with the budget town hall. The four themes that we shared accountability, affordability, opportunity, and connectivity. Is city council comfortable if we build the budget town hall. Bless you around those four themes. Pause. Any thoughts?

Okay. Thank you. Thank you. We will continue to work and then we will work with comms who will we're partnering with to execute the town hall. Thank you.

As we've already started talking about with the strategic plan um update, we have our May 9th budget workshop with which is a Saturday workshop. So we have a little bit more time dedicated towards the budget. We would like to get confirmation if you are comfortable if we at least have these um three sessions in addition to a budget process update where our revenue projections things along that line just build that foundation of where we are in the budget process and where we'll go. The first session we would like to hold is a followup and continuation of of this conversation with the cost of service study including utility rate financial modeling. The second would be reviewing the roadway improvement fee. And the third would be what we talked about during the strategic plan update is to pri prioritize the strategic plan outcomes within the budget moving us to the next step in our in our process.

Question. What is the desired outcome of the first bullet? The cost of service session to keep city council involved. and if there's any questions or concerns as well as to to showcase um the utility rate financial modeling so city council is aware so it's more like inform okay yeah um in last year's budget um workshop we brought for things that we would like to see changed or different in um the budget is this where do we have a place to do that in this budget workshop? Yes. Okay.

We can build that in. This was just our initial thoughts and if that's something that would also Mayor PM what you were speaking about that would be an opportunity there to make sure that we're capturing those other items that wouldn't necessarily directly connect to an outcome or a task from the strategic plan. So we can include that as as a session or an opportunity to to make sure we have that that discussion and conversation. Any other questions? Okay.

Are there any other questions regarding the the presentation? Council Brahos. Yeah. Could I just request the CMO's office send us a calendar invite for the budget town hall on the 22nd. Thanks.

Thank you. And that is uh th or Wednesday evening and it's at the the MAC. And um councelor Isadi, your your question made me think of when we talk about the development workflow is our ultimate goal with the task force is have recommendations from the water task force the beginning of July and then utility rate discussion with city council on July 20th and that all builds in with the cost of service study and the um viewing of the the financial modeling. So it all ties together

and that's why I asked because I I didn't want any work that we do in the May workshop to supersede any the the ongoing water task force stuff. So, so maybe also the meth so the title and everything how we title that will be important so that the community doesn't think oh city council is just going to make their own rates so what's the point of this right it's more so informing us status update or something like that I don't know just so it's clear

I I appreciate that feedback because we absolutely want to be collaborative and not in front of which is why we wanted to have specifically call out the cost of service study so that it was informing city council of where we're going rather than just handing a plan to you, which doesn't necessarily feel feel good when you're not a part of it or understand the process. Thank you. Any other questions? Okay, so we will confirm the the April 22nd and May 9th. Thank you very much for your time and have a great congratulated yet, but congratulations on yet again uh the financial awards. That's great to hear. Well done. It's pretty sad that I'm excited about it, but I am good. Not sad at all.

We have the right. Thank you very much for your time and have a great evening. Thank you. Thank you, okay, we will now move on to the selection of the water affordability to every resident task force members. Uh, city manager Andrews, would you like to introduce the staff? Thank you, mayor. I'm going to call on uh public works and utilities director Paul Canipple. Um, turn it over to Paul. He's done some uh great work on this um reflecting council's direction and I think it's going to be a good good discussion tonight.

Thank you, Jody. Uh good evening, Mayor, Mayor Pro Tim, and members of the council. I'm here tonight. I don't have a presentation just to to uh receive your selections uh from each of you for as a resident um to participate on the task force. believe we have 15 applications uh and we've sent that to you and um so and I've got a list of all of the the names right here. So I'm perfect here to receive those to kick us off. Why don't we um start off with the two staff u member selections just to get the conversation started and get an idea of who they are and why they were selected so that we have an understanding.

Okay. So we've got two one is Dana Ashley M. She's the uh director of real estate and development chief real estate and development officer for Foothills Regional Housing Authority and we've selected uh that entity uh as a as a as a business owner. They own 25 properties and have employment within the city uh and they've shown interest in the past in water rates and and the second pick would be Mr. Craig Russell who is a property manager. So I believe that it was a business and a property manager were the two types that council asked us to pick. So those were be our recommendations.

That's helpful. Okay. Thank you. And so from there we'll just go around the room. Uh councelor and just quick question. She she has accepted. Yes. Okay. I know there was some pending she was pending for a bit but she's we had yes that there was there we but they we have spoken with both Mr. Russell and with Miss Ashley Homeman. They've both uh accepted. My selection is Meissa Garcia. Thank you.

Okay, Council Hoff Emily Brooks. Thank you. I'm writing these down so I can help illuminate my own. Uh councelor Brahas. Yeah. Um this one's tough. Uh Doug Hall. Okay. Thank you. Sandy Posil. Thank you, Councelor Johnson. Debbie Fischer. Okay. Okay. I'm remembering his name from It's Kevin Caner. Can I say it right? Can maybe

Yeah, Kevin. That was my choice. So, well done. Okay. Um One moment. I think I'm going to go ahead and I think it was Michael Washburn was the other. Isn't there Michael Washburn? Michael. Okay.

That's seven. All right. Fantastic. Great. Um, anything else? So the next steps will be tomorrow I'll send out a congratulatory email to uh everyone on the list to the our new committee uh and or task force uh along with a link to get the meetings actually scheduled um I'll send them a a charter there was a draft version of the charter with this agenda item and um and there was an outline of the meeting the meeting's schedule it wasn't the schedule particularly it was just what the agendas would be essentially for each meeting. So, I'll send all that out tomorrow and um yeah.

Oh, yes. Oh, thank you. We do need two council liaison members. Two or Well, one It's up to council. Oh, it's up to It's up to council. Okay. I guess one in an alternative, right? Or an alternative. Okay. It's up to council. So, council. Understood. So, I'm assuming councelor Zotti since seeing as this is um you know your baby uh that you'd be interested my tiny baby I would like to be considered to be the lazy home for task force. Okay. Is there anyone councelor Ireland you would also like to be considered? Yes, I think that's fair. Um seeing as you've been extremely involved on this councelor Baras

not putting my name forward um want to ask a clarifying question on council leaison um role. Would this be not that this is a quasi judicial board, but would this liaison have a voting uh votes being taken? I mean, I imagine it's I mean, I don't know if like if there is going to be an adoption of something that they in like recommend to us. There might be are they a decision maker or are they there to be present and bring information back to council? Yeah. So, with that, I'll leave for discussion. Mayor Pertim.

Um, one thing I mean I would suggest both councelor Isadi and councelor Ireland just out of their um, level of interest and commitment to this topic. Um, the second uh, I mean we have a pretty wellestablished council role on advisory boards and other um, and other um, committees. So, I'm just going to I would just for consistency sake have us have um council maintain neutrality and in that. Um, thank you. Okay. Any other thoughts, Councelor Hot?

Um, yeah, I think um Obie and then um or councelor Zia and then councelor Ireland as the alternate.

Okay. And any other thoughts on the matter? Okay. So, with that, it sounds like we got to take a couple polls here. Um, one around the role and then the other around who is on the board. So, whether we're comfortable with um two liaison or um a designate and an alternate um and I think we have our two um selected counselors. So, that part is clear. and then um you know whether they're a voting role or or maintain neutrality. So um the first one I'll just ask I'll just go around and say um would you prefer liaison and alternate or uh two liaison?

Um and I'll let us think about that for a second I guess. Council Rosati you have a thought there? Well, um, council and I should probably go last as we are the Okay. Okay. I'm curious what the rest of you think first. Okay. And councelor hot, I heard you. Me is on an alternate. Okay. Do you have comments or something? Yeah. Councelor Johnson, I'm I prefer two leazison, but it's the traditional kind of non- voting advisory members because then doesn't matter how many liaison we have since they're just all advisory, right? Okay. Any other Are you ready? Yeah, I I don't know if we should vote on then the the nature.

Well, I was going to separate them, but seeing as councelor Johnson gave both, that's fine. Okay. I mean, I would say a fan of the established nature of it and um uh like dual roles like however many leaison count like want to be on it, I guess. Understood. Yeah. Okay. Same. Okay. And um as for myself, um I agree about the neutrality of the accountability. Um I I'm going to also advocate for the dual role um seeing as the nature of them has been on so long. Um so that's for there. I don't know if um any Yeah, councelor Zi.

Yeah. So I would definitely advocate for the neutrality and non- voting role. I think it's important that council island and I know the responsibilities that we have in that committee is not to be directive or prescriptive or to even speak up honestly. It's to listen to the community and not get involved. Um so that that's my goal of making sure that we hear more than we talk and I think council island probably shares the same. So neutrality makes the most sense for that and a dual role makes the most sense for that. Councelor Ireland, do you have any other thoughts?

I for two liaison and neutrality and bring back our information right that we learn. Yeah. Yes. Bring back. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Any other uh questions? Fantastic. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes. I just wanted to offer I don't I'm open feedback given the new nature of this role and kind of like how it's kind of or new nature of this task force and I don't know if it's it's behooves us to do a check-in just on on protocol like if all the things that we've established are working. I don't know if we should schedule that in or if it should just be if the liaison wants to bring it up. I don't know. I just I I want to at least try to

uh attend to potential feedback. I appreciate that thought and I'll let staff follow up. Um but I'll just offer that um in I think my first year alone we had I think two or three new cat citizen advisory teams. Okay. Um and this is kind of an you know they they pop up for a few months and it's not an unusual nature of us to create them and I don't want to get too administrative in that process or we might not get things done. So that's my own feedback. Um but I'll let staff chime in on what we think here. Do we need to check in on whether things are working or to revise the rules as we go?

Mayor, thank you and councelor Ross, thank you for the question. U Deputy OP um just remind us what's in the current draft which is actually there is a report out element included. So our our plan is that after each each meeting there would be a report back to city council um from Paul to share with the council what happened at the last meeting and what's planned for the next meeting and obviously the council leaison can add or expand upon that report out but trying to make sure we're communicating with the community as well so that they know what's happening in those sessions

and the thinking there was to not administratively burden the liaison uh you can pro you would be have the opportunity to provide insight into the workings of the committee and uh insight to your colleagues and uh Paul will take care of the you know the administrative report out from that that meeting what was discussed what was covered and then the determined agenda for the next meeting to alleviate the liaison to that role and have you be able to focus on policy updates and insights and that sort of thing if that's helpful. Thank you. Thank you.

Okay, thank you. Um with that, thank you very much for uh making this happen. Appreciate it. Y mayor, could I add uh on the the task force staff is energized and excited about this. This is a new idea and thank councelor Rosati for bringing it in and city council for providing the leadership to get us to this uh point. Um Paul and the and the clerk's office and a shout out to Abby Fitch uh interviewed each applicant personally to make sure that that was done um and done in the way that that is most helpful. And then I would I would add um councelor selections uh are are fantastic. This was a strong pool and I want to shout out to those folks who put in for this this role. Uh there are many familiar names on this list of people who have a lot to offer the city who and who have already offered a lot and this structure provides them the opportunity to really get into some um some future shaping for us. And so I wanted to shout out uh to the applicants and thank them for their um um for their uh interest in and offering what they've offered to do for us.

Thank you. And um Mr. Anders, just to build off of that, so thank you. I was going to follow up in the morning if it would be possible to send a thank you letter to each of the candidates. Um and so it sounds like obviously we're going to be sending out a thank you to or a congratulations, but just uh all of them. Yes, they should each get something. Yeah. So Paul, maybe let's modify that procedure if council's willing. We we will have those thank yous drafted up and they can come from the the mayor of the city of Westminster would be which would be really an honor for the recipient. Let them know that their time is very valuable. So I have a question when is this these are public meetings, right? It'll be open to the public. So people can come and sit in the audience. Correct.

Okay. And but they'll they'll be subject to the rules of the quorum as we usually have. So the facilitator will definitely um just in case you know if we get rowdy folks coming in s and interrupting the meeting we want to make sure that the facilitator is sufficiently you know empowered to shut that down just so we don't distract from the goal. Thank you councelor hot will these be live streamed? No. Okay. Okay. some attendees will have to show up but um the meetings will be posted on our calendar as as all initiatives and boards are right so okay perfect thank you

probably later this week we'll land on it we're going to poll the selection the committee and see what the best best times are that most people can can attend dates and times all right thank you so much

appreciate it okay with that uh this concludes the regular city council study session Uh before we convene as the Westminster Economic Development Authority City Attorney, will you please read the titles of the executive sessions into the record? And as a reminder, we took a poll earlier to uh not go into the second. So we will um do that round robin and and then we will vote to not if you still agree that that is the choice that you will vote to not go into that one. Um and then we'll pull council to see if we're willing to uh go into exact session after WEDA.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, and with regard to the the second title, as council was unanimous in its direction to not control a second title, um, it might be just acceptable if council wants to just vote the first title. Um, that's really the one I think that council wants to have. And the first title of the uh first exec session that was proposed for Westminster City Council tonight is an executive session for the purpose of discussing strategy in progress on negotiating an intergovernmental agreement between the city and Highland Hills Park and Recreation District pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 246424E1 and section 1113C7 of the Westminster Municipal Code.

Thank you. With that, I will go around and um say whether you'd like to go into exec session. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Y yes. Yes. Thank you.

Thank you, mayor. And and council, um once you've con convened as WEDA and concluded your WEDA agenda, I'd suggest you might have that exact session that you just voted um sort of at your end of your your meeting, your your final exec session for the night. Thank you. Um and with that, that concludes our study session. Uh it is 9:29. We will now meet as the Westminster Economic Development Authority. Okay. Um we now open up at 9:30 as the Westminster Economic Development Authority and welcome. And uh we have a presentation this evening from Greyar Real Estate Partners LLC on tenant concerns and communication enhancements. Uh city manager, would you please introduce the staff leading this presentation?

Oh, thank you, mayor. I'll turn it right over to Heather Croninberg. Heather, if you want to jump in.

Thank you, mayor, mayor prom counselors, excuse me, Heather Croninberg, real estate development manager here at the city. Um in a minute, I'll turn it over to the folks at Greyar who will be presenting, but just to give you a little background and introduce them. Um we previously received direction from council to uh work with Greyar on maintenance related issues um specific to a few of the apartment complexes here in Westminster along with general tenant communication items. So we requested that Greyar come themselves and give you an update on their progress that they've made so far. So, the members of the team at Greyar that are going to come up here, Nick Whitaker, managing director development, Kelly Kaine, director development, Amy Sanders, resident advocate at Greyar, and then we've got Nick um Bachelder with CRNL and Associates. So, with that, I will turn it over to them.

Welcome. Thank you. Well, thank you, Mayor, Mayor Prom, and council members for having us tonight. We appreciate the time. Um, this is Kelly Kaine, Amy Sanders, and Nick Whitaker, all three with Grey Star. Uh, as Heather mentioned, we've been in discussions with WEDA about making an investment in the Westminster downtown for a new senior housing development, excuse me. Um, senior housing development. Uh through those conversations, concerns were raised about resident experiences at one of Grace's properties in Westminster, West Berry. Um we've spent the last several months digging in on that. Um and wanted to take the evening to spend a few minutes and kind of update you guys on those conversations and what we've learned through them. Um we're here to primarily talk about that, but wanted to take just a few minutes to just describe kind of who Greyar is, why we're here, um how we're involved in re real estate. So, Greyar generally is a rental housing company. Um, we do everything in rental housing from student housing to age restricted senior housing. Um, and really everything in between. We do affordable housing. We do high-rise luxury housing. Um, but but generally we are a housing rental housing company. Um, within that there are three primary areas of work for Greyar. We do property management. It's the biggest piece of the company. We manage for ourselves um as owners and we manage for other owners as a thirdparty property manager. Uh we also are an investment manager um meaning that we own apartment complexes um that's a piece of the business and then development and construction uh so we'll build new apartment complexes. Uh Kelly and I work on the development and construction side of the business and Amy works on the property management side of the business. Um Kelly's going to talk a little bit more about Greyar's depth in property management. Yeah, I just wanted to do a quick overview of our Colorado business here in property management. Um, so we manage about 54,000 units across the state, almost 200 communities. Um, 10 of which are

actually in the city of Westminster. So we manage about 2900 units here in Westminster. Um, this slide kind of touches on Nick's point where we do manage on behalf of third party owners. Um, you can kind of see that's actually the majority of our property management here. Um and then we of course manage um our owned assets as well. So um the pie chart there kind of touches on that. Um next slide. Um and we also wanted to provide an overview um of our property management team here in um Colorado. I think a lot of residents may be most familiar with their on-site teams, their community managers that are also on-site. Um, but they may not recognize all of the leadership and all of the support that is kind of overseeing those community managers and those on-site teams. And so I think what one of the things we've learned is just how can we better communicate all of the support that's above the on-site team. So, if residents aren't quite getting what they need, the support, the solutions, there's people they can go to and just felt like this might be a good visual to kind of demonstrate um the team that we do have here in Colorado. Um, and we've spent a lot of time talking about accountability over the past many months. How do we hold ourselves accountable? Um, so I did want to share a couple of tools that we use internally. Um, I'll talk through them briefly and then of course happy to answer any questions. Um the first one being the Kingsley survey. So this is a survey sent to every resident at every community at different milestones when they move in after a maintenance request is resolved, if they renew their lease, or when they move out. We're collecting data. We're collecting feedback. Um reputation score um aggregates reviews across different internet listings. So Yelp, Google, apartment list, and we're aggregating the data from residents. And um we actually review this data on a weekly basis with the various owners of the properties. We're looking for

trends. How's the property performing? Where can we improve? Um so the those are a couple of tools that we use. And then renewal ratios is another tool. Um are folks renewing to live there? Are they not? Why? How can we improve? Um so just wanted to touch on some of the tools we're using internally um to measure success uh really on a weekly basis. Awesome. And uh so wanted to kind of provide a very high level summary of the work we've been doing and the community outreach since last September. Um we kicked things off by first attending the UN town hall which was very informative, a really good opportunity for us to listen and learn. Um and then have had a lot of community outreach and meetings across different stakeholders really from then until now. So, we're here today really to provide an update on what we've learned and how we can better partner with the city of Westminster. Um, I just do want to point out the March 25th follow-up meeting with UNE was mutually rescheduled. So, that's on the books now for April 21st, but did want to point that out since that's changed since um this was published.

Nice. Thank you.

Great. So, uh, the primary property that we've been focusing on is Westberry, which is in the city of Westminster. Um, when we met with, uh, one really helpful resident in Westberry who allowed us into her home to talk about some of the issues that she had experienced, we we saw several key trends. Um, some that we could fix right away, some that we're going to just take time to to address, but we broke them down into three categories. The first and most obvious was communication. Um it was clear that there were some areas where communication just could be improved at the property. One thing that I learned personally was that um not everybody communicates great over over email and our property manager generally uses email to communicate with residents and we learned really quickly that that can't be our sole means of communications with residents. Um so we need to be thoughtful about how we're communicating with our residents. Um, another just key area is that, uh, our residents oftentimes need another layer of oversight that they can talk to beyond the on-site property manager. Um, there were concerns about retaliation, concerns about, um, discrimination, concerns just generally that the property manager might not be the best person for tenants to be talking to about every issue. And so, um, we need to be able to communicate as our company, as a company, who else our tenants can go to if the on-site property manager can't get them the answers that they need or they have concerns about that on-site, um, property manager. Uh, another area in communication is the Kingsley survey that, uh, Kelly talked about. Um, just making sure that our residents understand that that's a tool that we're using to get better as a property manager for them. Um, and so we're making sure we need to make sure that when they get those Kingsley surveys, they understand why we're doing that. Um, and then, uh, we need to increase, um, awareness of our resident advocacy program, which is specifically Amy, and she'll talk a little bit about what she is here for. Um, but we need to make sure that our tenants understand um, and

have awareness of her role. Um, we're going to keep moving here kind of quick. So, I'll go through maintenance and towing relatively quickly. But maintenance obviously a big topic of conversation at Westbury and really with all properties that we manage. We need to hold ourselves accountable to um fix issues in tenants apartments quickly. Life safety issues should be fixed as quickly as possible and moved to the top of the priority list. Um, but all repairs need to be done quickly and so we're monitoring that. um West Westberry in particular added a service team member um just after some of these conversations started and so we have seen that on average maintenance requests have improved at that property to 4.35 days on average for each maintenance request. Um and we're holding ourselves accountable to keep tracking that make sure that that doesn't slip. Um towing policies, this is a big one and this was one that we talked a lot about. Um, our property manager towes cars at the property really for the benefit of the property to make sure that it's maintained, to make sure that there's parking available for the residents. But there's a big problem when we start towing residents cars. Um, and so we've ma we've made some changes to our policies to make certain that we're not towing resident cars. Um, one of those that's on here that's really obvious is that our tow companies now at Westbury specifically cannot tow a property or tow a car on the property without talking to the property manager first. So, we're not getting overly ambitious tow companies who are just towing because they can make the fees off of it. I think that was really lowhanging fruit that we could improve right away and we changed that policy the next day after having conversations on site with with one of the tenants in particular. Um, so those are sort of the three big categories we wanted to talk about today and then mostly wanted to introduce you to Amy Sanders, um, a resident advocate of ours at Greyar who, uh, is very familiar with Westberry.

Hi everyone, my name is Amy Sanders. Um, thank you for having us. I'm the resident services manager and I act as an advocate for our residents at Westbury and um, a couple other properties. Um, I am a Westminster resident. Uh, thank you. And I actually live at one of the Grey Star managed communities that I support. Um, a little bit about me. Uh, I was raised in a family that faced financial hardship and relied quite a bit on community support. Um, I remember that some of the only gifts we'd receive some Christmases came through programs like Angel Tree or like Westminster's own Santa Cops. Um, because of this, I have a deep personal understanding of the stress and uncertainty that many of our residents experience. And I wouldn't be here today without community programs um, similar to the one that um, Thrive, which is our pilot program that we have at Westbury and we've had for 14 months now. Um so my role is focused on being embedded in the community and creating consistent approachable access points for residents. Um whether that's through resources, programming or direct support. So um when you know right here I want to show that you know we have partnered with smart commute um trying to help transportation resources. We're looking into getting um to an ebike program. There's grants out there for ebikes for affordable communities. We are working on getting something like that at Westbury for our residents. Um when I got there, there were not um transit guides in Spanish and they weren't updated. So now um Smart Commute has helped us. They've done these

getaround guides that show um a lot of details about West uh Westminster Transit. and we have them now in Spanish. And I have also requested and they've gotten them for not only my other properties but the other properties in our uh Denver metro portfolio. Um which is just great. Um one other uh piece on this is I am working with Smart Commute. We are going to bring um a training on RTD to Westbury. um we're gonna get a a bus and they're going to be able to come and actually, you know, do a little trial run and learn how to use it because it can be incredibly intimidating if you don't know how to use transit and that's going to be bilingual instructure um instructors too. So um another thing because language can be so intimidating when that's one of your um barriers. Um so almost all of what I do is needs-based. I'm not bringing in preset programming. I'm building it based on what I'm seeing um and hearing directly from our residents. Um so, you know, when I got here, it was clear that we needed food support. So, um every week I have uh I'm able I made a partner with um a food bank. So, I pick up there and I bring it to our properties. Um last year I also partnered with Westminster Public School District and uh two of our properties were drop off sites for free summer lunches for um the children in our communities which um hopefully you know it makes a you know big impact especially during the summer. Um let's see. So else um I have also done um you know programs like community

safety night where we bring out you know the police and the fire um get to have you know all of our residents which you know most of my properties are about 50% English speakaking 50% Spanish speaking so to have them comfortable and getting to meet law enforcement and our first responders I think is really key to you know letting you know people know that you they're on their side. Um I've partnered so with the let's see when I did a spring resource fair we partnered with Joyful Journeys they have lowcost inter mural kids sports so instead of you know $1,000 you know give or take for you know your child to play an inter mural sport and these fees are around $100. They also have um free CPR classes. Um, I have found, you know, I've been listening to my residents. I have a bunch of residents that needed help with diapers and wipes. I partnered with a Precious Child. Uh, they give me uh supplies of wipes. I've been able to give away cases and cases of wipes this year and many packages of diapers. Um, yeah. So, I could keep going on with all of the partnerships I've made. But, you know, one a couple more just things. You know, when I've partnered with local businesses, there is a a new automotive repair shop next to one of my properties and they are donating three free oil changes a month to us. So, I've been able to raffle those off. Two residents and I have residents who actually cry. Like two of the three um last month cried when they received them. And things like this make a really big impact. Um I um also next month I'm um working with Spark Hope Automotive and they are they're a really cool um nonprofit automotive shop that supports single

working mothers. Um they receive their um their work at 50% of what market cost normally is and they also have programs to where they can buy vehicles at 50% of the sticker cost. So, um I can do bigger things like that and I've done smaller things down to I dropped off section 8 um paperwork for a resident at who couldn't get it there at the last minute um last week at the housing authority. So, um I just try to find ways to help people where they need it. I'm there for them. I welcome every new resident to our communities. So, um, they meet me, they they have my information, they know how to reach me, and, um, yeah, right now my one of my newest requests, uh, this week is I'm searching for a pouch for a resident. So, I did that a few months ago, and I ARC I partnered with Ark. um they, you know, gave me vouchers and I was able to buy a sofa and then I partnered with a local um church nearby and they sent some of their maintenance team to um do the delivery and move it up for her. Um this was a blind resident and yeah, and we're going to do it again. Um yeah, let's see. with uh I love art by the way. Um you know I was able to give away over 450 coats in February when because I did a coat drive in January and then partnered with ARC. I was able to buy a bunch to support that and give those away in February. So um last month I had the library um I tried to bring the library a couple times a year. Uh there's everything at the library, you know, they're free resources. People just need to know about it. So they can print 30 pages a day. They can they have English as a second language courses. They have job support courses. They have

so many things available at the library. And I bring them on site and hopefully, you know, that way my residents can connect and get the information because if they don't know about it, then they can't use the resources. But um yeah, so I think that you know what I've seen is that when there's a consistent um trusted presence in the community, um engagement becomes more organic and communication just improves across the board. You know, they feel comfortable bringing, you know, their problems to me. They know that I'm on their side. Um and yeah, actually I love my job, by the way.

Thanks, Amy. So the message we wanted to convey is that Greyar really holds our reputation in Westminster in high regard. We think it's critically important. We're the largest property manager in the city. Um and we welcome the accountability that that came with the Westberry property. Um we're here to continue to work to improve the situation there. Um and uh we hope to be a member of the Westminster community for a long time. Thank you. We're open for questions if you have any. Thank you for the presentation. Okay, I'll turn it over to council. Uh, councelor Rosati.

Thank you. I just wanted to say it's it's rare to have this level of accountability from an organization, a company, you know, it's I want to thank you for your work on this. It's been, you know, we also hear from all sorts of stakeholders like UN and so forth and you guys are doing a great job of holding yourselves accountable and showing, you know, you're leading by walking the walk, right? And I think if every organization was like you, we we would have uh much better society, right? because it's not hard to take some reflection and say, "Hey, XYZ, let's let's try and fix this rather than trying to hide it or, you know, or cast out on it." So, thank you for leading from the front.

Thank you.

Any other thoughts, Mayor Prom? Um, one, thank you for the presentation and thank you for um, hiring Amy and um, I I really appreciate what you're what you're able to do and the types of connections and partnerships that you fostered and um, so I just have some just questions around that. Um, with the 2900 units that you have, I mean, how far does Amy's reach go? And um are there um other similar employees like Amy or are you the only one?

So I have 816 units of those um but I um so I am the first. We are a pilot program um and first of my kind specifically like this for this ownership group but Greyar does have resident advocacy programs with other ownership groups in other markets. Um, for me, we are expanding because my pilot has gone very well this past year and so we are looking to expand in Colorado. Um, we I believe that they're looking hopefully into like the second and third quarters um to see hopefully two more of me um to start this year in the Denver metro area. I believe one of them would be in Westminster as well and one of our other prop couple of our other properties.

So, um the units that you have 816 units are not all in Westminster. They all are. Yeah, they all are. Three communities. Mhm. Okay. And then are those communities specifically deed restricted? Um so Westberry is the only affordable. The other two are market rate. Okay. Mhm. Then how did you choose those particular communities for this pilot?

Um I believe that how they when they looked at the the picture of you know their properties in this area they found they chose three that you know were hopefully like located close enough to each other that you know one staff would be able to accommodate all of them you know reliably. and um you know timely in a timely manner and they chose the ones with basically the highest needs um I believe so you know Westberry is you know it's an older property it has you know its challenges and it's an affordable community the demographic um gives us many opportunities to be able to help there and then you know the other two are know market rate but they have you very low rents comparatively um across and you still have people struggling there. So um I believe you know one of the things they looked at was maybe like delinquency and they saw you know they like people need help here and so that's where I came in.

What are the other two properties? Hard place on 92nd and Copperwood. Um, okay. And then, um, I do. So, I've met with and some residents not of, um, Westbury uh, but of I think um, Canyon Reserve. I think that's another not maybe not. Is it Ironwood? That one. Is it? Ironwood is the I'm sorry. They were both in the same spot and I know I drove.

I'm like, which one did I drive to? Um, so the issue that they brought up um was that when they were um renewing, I mean, there were still maintenance issues. So I guess when you were talking about having like the 4 day I'll separate these questions. When you talk about have like a you know the 4-day response time I can um doesn't seem to be pervasively um executed through all the communities. What control do you have to make sure that that's actually followed through in the properties you manage? Well, yeah,

just gonna say one thing that I can say is, you know, having available floating staff to, you know, be able to go to properties when they have higher, more priority work orders, you know, so a lot of times we have a couple of new floats. I know that they've added to our maintenance team with my ownership group that so whenever you know a property maybe they've had someone out on vacation or someone's sick you know things don't get left behind in that way. We have floaters now that we didn't have before. Um I'm not sure what you were going to say.

Well I mean I think it's right like maintenance of older properties is the the number one hardest thing to do as a property manager but the most important right. Um it's our job to keep apartments in a safe, livable, comfortable condition. Um and so it's our job to maintain them quickly and we have to hold ourselves accountable to that. Um and we can we can go look at any individual property and see what that comparative stat is to Westberry. But I think Westberry is a good example of Westberry was not at 4.3 days at this time last year. Westberry had a big backlog of maintenance issues that they had to work through. And so they did make a hire. They replaced a certain person um and they brought some floating people in and they got that managed workload under control. And so now Westberry is in a relatively better place on responsiveness to maintenance concerns. And this other property, I'm not sure exactly sort of where it falls in that scale. But that's something that as a management company, we're constantly checking and grading ourselves on. And we know that that is the number one most important thing is that we're maintaining our properties. Um, so we we I I guess I could just simply say I don't know what the duration is of that property in particular, but we can look at it and we can see if it's performing or not and what what they're doing if it's not being maintained as quickly as it should be.

Okay. Because that's I mean I mean there just residents who don't have like stove burners working and things like that that are kind of essential

without a doubt. Um and then the second question and concern that arose um from this conversation was just about renewals of lease of leases and in this particular property folks were talking about how their rent went up significantly like hundreds of dollars um when they were asked to renew their lease. And I feel like that's um kind of predatory when you know somebody's really tight, you know, is you know I mean you know you mentioned you live this and um I lived it too growing up and you know knowing that you know you know several hundred dollars is just is insurmountable for folks and then they're in the space already that it's difficult to find money to move

the deposit and to get the depos. So, um, that kind of practice is disturbing to hear. So, how how can some guard rails be established for increases like that?

It's definitely a big topic of conversation. And for us, we're property manager. We're not always an owner, so we don't always dictate exactly what the renewals look like. Um, but we're we're we contribute to the conversation without a doubt. We have a seat at that table always. Um it's it'd be uncommon for us to be raising rents that significantly. There was a point in time three years ago where rents were moving aggressively throughout the city and and throughout the broader Denver area. Um currently rents are rents are actually declining in in most of our properties. And so we're seeing that we're dropping rents on renewals right now on the majority of our properties. Um but this property in particular, I'm not sure. Um, and we typically don't restrict our properties or typically our owners are unwilling to restrict a property to say that it can only renew at a certain percentage increase. But generally like the market seems to function so that we don't see big increases at renewal because as property owners, we don't want to have big moveouts. Um, we want to renew residents. um it's more cost-effective for us as a property owner or property manager to renew our residence um because it's expensive to turn properties over. It's expensive to have that vacancy and it's expensive to go find a new tenant. And so generally we are trying to keep tenants at that same relative rent range so that they will renew. Um but I acknowledge that that doesn't happen every time. There might be a specific reason why that didn't happen in this case. Um, but generally I think that's a it's a conversation with the owner and the property manager of of what those renewal rates look like.

Okay. So, just so that I understand it more fully, you have owners who will sometimes dictate these rates versus you as a property manager. Yeah. Always the owner and the property manager involved. So, usually the property manager is going to make recommendations to an owner of what rates to set and the owner is going to approve the rents. Typically, um we always have a seat at that table. Okay. Um All right. Those are my questions for now. Thank you, Councelor Braos.

Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Prom, because I feel like those were um a bit of what I was thinking around uh with conversations with uh various stakeholders like UN. I'm curious if um you know you mentioned rates falling typically at least my understanding in the rental market that means um the vacancies you know you're offering like empty apartments for the lower rates but not necessarily for established renters and so I'm curious if there are mechanisms in place for renters to be able to because oftent times the way to capture that market movement is for them to move out to a different property and that's as you mentioned expensive for you particularly expensive for them when they might be nickeled and dime on deposits that that they won't get back and specifically if maintenance hasn't really been done. Um, so that's kind of my first question if there's an opportunity for them to capture that market reduction because certainly they're captured in that market increase uh just by the nature of of rent raises. Uh, well and I say I'm really grateful that we have the opportunity to ask these questions because I think it's it's it's rare for us to be able to engage deeply with them. So I just want to have that baseline like thank you for really being here. These are difficult questions that we're trying to advocate for renters and the fact that we can try to do this. I don't want to like scare away this conversation. I'm really grateful for for you all being here, the vulnerability um and and continued engagement. So, thank you.

I'm curious if in your practice if there is a way to capture that market movement without causing that disruption for for themselves and for you all as well. And then I have another question after that, but if you want to respond to those.

There's not a one-sizefits-all answer to that question. Um it is property by property and really lease by lease. Um I think we are in a unique environment where rents are declining right now. Um that hasn't been the case for the last 12 years. Um and so what I see what I observe at the properties that I'm close to is that um t today rents are rents are lower than where tenants signed leases a year ago. Um, usually we're reducing rents slightly on renewal to account for that reduction. Maybe not all the way down to market, but somewhat. Um, and we also are offering concessions, which in our world means um, free rent. U, we're we're offering free rent at renewal for a lot of our properties today. So, to entice people to renew and to let them take advantage of what new leases are getting in the market, that free rent is typically not the same. So, um, we see maybe two months of free rent on new leases right now and maybe two to four weeks of free rent on renewals. Um, again, every property is not the same. Um, some properties have tighter occupancy and so they they're not offering those same things and some some properties um more of like the class A high-end properties right now are feeling those struggles of occupancy and so they're offering higher amounts of free rent and concessions as we call it in our business. Um, but there's there's not a one-sizefits-all answer, but I do see that renewal rates tend to follow rates on new leases. Um, but they may not match exactly.

Great. Um and I think that you know given a lot of these uh innovation innovative program approaches particularly with this pilot program um there's potential for continued innovation like um you know if there is in the properties that you manage even if you know I don't know how possible this is but kind of being that bridge of communication between owners where it's like hey you know maybe there is a lot of pressure driving people out of this apartment because people don't you know like there's not a need to necessarily keep that full, but here they're really craving it. Can deposits be transferred? You know, like kind of ease of of movement for people to be able to c I don't know. I'm just I'm not in this business, so I'm not a subject matter expert, but I I think

I would certainly love to to continue to praise the work around innovative practices like that, particularly the benefit of the renters. And then just to follow up to Mayor Proms about the uh question about the uh turnaround on on maintenance requests. I'm curious if there's an opportunity or or the way that that is captured if it's resolved to the satisfaction of the the claimant. Yeah. Is that the case?

Yeah. So, that's where the Kingsley score comes in and is critically important. So, every time we have a maintenance request on a property, a Kingsley survey will go to that resident um and then they can give feedback on was the repair done appropriately? Was the person doing the repair respectful of my home? um questions like that, those all go back to the property manager and they also fly up kind of upstream. So maybe not the individual responses, but the aggregate scores are going to be sort of looked at at a regional oversight level to flag, oh, we've got a property where several of the complaints have been negative or several of the responses have been negative, we might need to look at staffing at that property. Yeah, I I really appreciate because I think that sometimes that is the simple breakdown is just like this um staff member is not able to attend to the needs of of this community in a in a in a way that like fits, you know, the company's overarching, right?

Uh so I I appreciate that. That's kind of like the quick insight. I just um I know that sometimes in those those turnarounds on uh resolutions, it can be, you know, we don't have a working stove and maybe it's a gas line issue, but they replace a broken knob, too. So it's like, oh, the knob's replaced, therefore it's resolved, and it's when it really isn't. Um, and so when there isn't necessarily an advocate uh there for them, I I kind of would push that, you know, ide but but I, you know, that's kind of where I'm sitting, but thank you for that the answers and the responses to those questions, hot.

Yeah. So, I'm going to um stay on that um uh topic with the 4-day average with the maintenance requests. Um so, obviously I was there in December. So, as as um you know, in just December um there were people who had been waiting months for certain things to be fixed. Um, is the person that close out these requests the maintenance worker? Um, usually it's either the maintenance worker or the maintenance supervisor.

Okay. Um, because I'm wondering if like what um, councelor Brahouse was saying that some things are being um being closed too soon. Um, and then I am also concerned that there's the email is sent asking residents if it's been um, dealt with because you already said that email is not always the best way to communicate with residents. I would, you know, especially with residents who have been waiting or something serious or they've been waiting a long time, they need to get a call and and like right after and be like, "This is closed. Was it completed?" because it seems like things are being closed before they're completed and if email is not the best way to reach out to residents and the one resident whose home we were at had never received one of those. So I don't know if the email is wrong in your system for her or if she got a new email. So um the email would not have gone to her when it took months for her issue which was a hole in her ceiling to be resolved. Um, so I I think that um there could be a a a better way because I think some people are being um left behind particularly if you're sending out a survey through email. Um and then um I also wanted to know um if so have you identified who residents reach out to other than the on-site site property manager and do residents know who that is? I would like to say really quickly um for the last um thing you were speaking on, we have a new app and portal that has been rolled out um over the last couple of months. And so starting about

I think like three weeks ago, I started receiving an email every time a resident puts in a maintenance request. And I also get an email every time a maintenance request is overdue. So, um, I can go through and I can look and I do and I check, I send it to the manager and I say, "Hey, what is up with this?" I'll ask the tenant, you know, I'll call them or I'll email them um or maybe I will see them and I'll say, "Hey, you know, what is up with this?" So, I can check it. I really I do like your um suggestion of, you know, maybe calling more frequently than that. you know, maybe um it's a good way for me to connect to people, but um they hopefully ideally they should know by now that I at Westbury that I am there um for them and that they can connect with me. Um I am yeah, I'm available multiple different ways for them to reach out to me. I check all of the messages that come in through our apps through the portal. Um, and I'm actually the one who usually sends those, you know, out to who and follows up on those to make sure, um, because they don't go into a normal inbox, a normal email inbox. So, sometimes it could be a little bit out of sight, out of mind, and they're not for me. It's right where right where I am. And so, I follow up those pretty um pretty regularly as well. But um yeah.

Okay. And then um so are you the person if people are uncomfortable talking to the on-site property manager are are you the person that they talk to usually and if they would prefer to speak because I'm not bilingual um and so I we use I usually use the translator you know app on the phone and if they don't feel as comfortable with that then I um give them to the regional property manager.

Okay. Um, and then there were multiple complaints about the on-site property manager. When there are multiple complaints by multiple residents, are you looking into the practices of that property manager and are you letting them know how they should be treating residents? So the property manager um whenever I see this happening I am definitely forwarding these to the regional who is you know their direct boss and you know even at times I've CC the director on it as well. Um so that's what I do on my end at my community. Yeah, and Greyar runs what I consider to be a pretty rigid process of oversight of our on-site teams. And so, uh, a property manager is going to do four, um, four times a year a review with their supervisor to walk through issues that might have been brought up to walk through how to improve those situations, um, and to sort of evaluate what the progress has been since the last one. So, it's not always bad. Sometimes that's great stuff. Sometimes you're reviewing really strong performance. Other times you're maybe reviewing issues or not as strong performance as strong of performance. But um with every employee it'll be four times a year that they'll review performance and look back on progress on improving whatever goals might have been set out to time. And so we wouldn't speak to like anybody individually or like any specific p person's performance, but that's just a general how Gracar approaches people management.

Okay. So, um, how do you handle it when there are complaints of retaliation? I, so I I think Greyar would take that incredibly seriously. um without any like sort of specifics of exactly how we would do that. I think Greyar would consider that to be um a very very concerning issue um that would be directly addressed and that would probably get filed to HR um within Greyar and and really make a decision on on what the appropriate next step is there. But um without knowing sort of specific situations, I would just say that I'm certain that Grayar would take that very seriously. Okay.

Thank you. Other Okay. And then also I'm I wanted to thank you for being here too. I just want to echo um what's already been said that um a lot of uh management companies would not be here. And so I do appreciate the fact that you've been working with UN, working with our staff, and that you are here. Thank you. Thank you.

Okay. Um well, I'll get back to the crew. Um I'm also going to share a few questions, but again, thank you for being here. Thank you for all the extra attention you've been spending on the programs and services you're providing for folks. That's very meaningful, especially to these communities. Um, it is interesting too though, you know, and I appreciate all the extra um that you're doing. Um, and I think it would have been helpful to have the actual like maintenance technician here, you know. Um, so is there a maintenance technician on each property? At least one.

Yeah, I think I think we would always have at least one. I can't think of Yeah, there you typically two or more on a property. Westberry has two. Correct. So they have a supervisor currently and they have two techs and a floater right now. Okay, good. So there's always somebody that the residents can reach out to and there is always um essentially 20 and if there's an emergency like a flooding water, something can be done immediately. There's always a maintenance technician on call.

Okay. Thank you. And then um following up on some of the previous questions from councelor hot um that property manage manager are they still employed with Greyar the Westberry property manager? Yes. Yeah. There hasn't been a change of the property man the on-site property manager at Westbury. Then it it makes me doubt the credibility of how seriously you take some of those claims. Um, I could just tell you with with certainty from my side and conviction from my side that we we take that very seriously.

Okay. Um, and then I just want to follow up. Um, so for the folks at the other remaining so you're concentrating on 119 or sorry 819 units which you can't be everywhere. So um, who is the contact for the remaining sites? Yeah. So, um, we had a slide there. Maybe we can go back to it of of what our also I had one more slide that I forgot to do, but y more stuff that I did. Okay.

Yeah. So, we can go back and show the um the the layers of oversight and the sort of next level that you would take it to. So, there's the community manager, which would set up from the on-site team. Community managers on site. If a resident were um were having an issue with a community manager, not comfortable talking with them about something, their next step would go to the regional manager um typically a regional manager is going to oversee between five and 10 properties roughly um and be really familiar with the on-site management of that property. So, they're they're going to be a great person, really engaged in it, and they're the direct supervisor of the community manager. um that regional property manager is always accessible to residents. Um it's not a contact that's necessarily on the website because we don't want to put personal contact information on the on our websites. But um we've talked about just different ways of how do we make a resident aware of who that person might be. Um they can call our central office and we would connect them to a regional regional property manager. But we've talked about whether there's a more seamless way to get there and um haven't changed any protocol in the last three months, but it's definitely a topic of conversation internally.

So there's nowhere there's no way for residents to reach the regional manager. There is right now the way would be either to ask the community manager if they could put them in contact with a regional property manager or to call into just the Greyar Central Denver line and that would then get them connected to the regional property manager. So there's no direct escalation path because I don't see I'm going to say that is not a direct escalation path, right? Um I hear you and it's definitely something we've been discussing is is there a more effective way that we should be doing that and just don't don't have a solution or answer today for that, but it's a topic we've been talking about.

Okay. Um, and then as far as the residents, um, you know, who we've, you know, connected with and, you know, going back to that like 4.35 day response time on the maintenance and whatnot. Um, you know, have we met with all of the personal issues, the stakeholders that you met individually, have we resolved all of those issues that they were waiting for several months on? Have those all collectively been resolved at this time, the immediate needs of the folks that um you've met with?

To my knowledge, yes. and I our director over that property I think had multiple direct phone conversations um to check that if there was anything else needed. Okay. Because that is um it's I think it's deeply personal to a lot of us but to me as well.

Thank you. And I guess I'll add to that is like in an effort to keep the accountability up to make sure that we're doing what we're saying and fixing these things. We are um working closely with UNA to meet with them quarterly um to see if there are any issues that aren't being addressed that weren't addressed. Um and and we know it's not their job necessarily to be the the only people to bring those up to us, but um they are a nice layer of accountability and we're trying to proactively meet with them and see if Thank you. Yeah, we're very fortunate to have them. Councelor Ireland,

I have a question. So, if you get a request for some maintenance that's emergency, how many how long does it take for you to answer that? Like, they have no heat. It's the middle of the winter and it's -20. How long is it going to take? 4.35 days. No, no. Life safety life safety issues get moved very much to the top. We understand you can't go without hot water, heat. um those are very impactful to your li to residents lives. Um so those do get prioritized over um non-life safety. So how long does it take if it's an emergency situation?

I think it's hard to answer that because every emergency situation might have different repair consider emergency situation.

Uh heat being out for me would be an emergency situation. Water line break would be an emergency situation. Air conditioning out in the summer months would be an emergency situation. So, I mean, I think we're aligned on what an emergency situation would be, but some of those emergency situations might require a part to be ordered or purchased or, you know, it's hard to say specifically how quickly it could be fixed. Um, but I think to Kelly's point, it would move to the very top of the list. It would be a focus item for both the maintenance manager and the property manager to get it resolved as soon as possible. What's possible is different based on different repairs. if that is fair.

Okay. Because you know the things we've heard sound like emergency situations a lot of them to me and I can't see you know waiting four to.35 days for it to happen. Right. I hope it's it's more urgent than it appears that we've heard. We certainly agree with that. 4.33 days would not be the average response time for an emergency situation for or an acceptable response time for an emergency situation for us. that that's an average across both emergency and non-emergency repairs. All right. Thank you. Any further questions, councelor Brahos?

Uh, I just wanted to make like a um kind of a a personnel or structural comment like a really appreciate the success of the pilot program. Um I would highly encourage um like maybe this body sitting here if the success of that program was like a lot of your energy, innovation and and attention uh really try to codify that AC like as it expands because I would hate to see like yeah and then it falls on like the wrong personnel and then the pilot like that that program greater program kind of crashes. So really this is just like a personal request share the secret of of the success even if it is just like you're a great fit and like really try hard to find that great fit. just kind of like advocating for that across. Um and then again just just as we talked about maybe emergency like attending to some of these things that might not be attended to particularly if personnel is staying on with your wide reaching kind of insight into a variety of properties if in these emergency situations where a part is ordered and it is taking a long time. Is there a chance for Grey Star to kind of use its weight to say like, "Hey, there's a vacancy in these properties and we can absolutely just move someone in for like, you know, while this emergency is being uh I don't know if that's a current practice or not, but I I would strongly uh again just would love to see kind of best practice models solidified across um certainly within Westminster and across like such a um you know, pertinent member of of our property management group. Councelor Zati,

I just want to re to reiterate the thank you, but also um so we've had conversations in general about your SOPs and your processes, but this is such an important conversation because you are our largest property manager, right? So I'm loving just the fact that you're here and we are ask you know you're hearing a lot of feedback and I think it's a it's just I just want to say this out loud that it's a great model I think for a lot of other cities as well. there are property managers that exist, you know, and you are our largest one and I think ongoing if you can continue to come to us on an ongoing basis, not not too frequently, right, for your own mental health, but also just just in general, just to keep that conversation flowing because this is the kind of relationship that can impact a lot of not just Westberry, but a lot of our other property managers who may be watching you, right, and seeing you and you can be the model for them to also come in and see if they can change their practices. So, thank you.

Yeah, I'll underscore that point. So, thank you for coming this evening. Appreciate your time and thank you for the presentation. Thank you.

Okay. Before we adjourn the WEDA study session, city attorney, do we have reason for a WEDA executive session?

Uh, we do. The executive session that's proposed on tonight's WEDA agenda is to obtain direction from WEDA regarding a proposed development agreement and to discuss the possible sale of Westminster Economic Development Authority owned property located on block D5 in downtown Westminster to Greyar Corporation and to instruct negotiators as authorized by Westminster Municipal Code sections 1113 C24 and 7, Colorado Revised Statute 246 402 4A and E1.

Thank you. We will pull council uh pull the board uh to see if they're willing to go into executive session. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yep. Yes. Thank you. Um with that, it is now 10:24 and that concludes the WEDA meeting. Thank you, Mayor. 5 minutes. We will