[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[5:51] Thank you for the assistance.
[5:52] I'm in the position of the council.
[5:59] Please, please, please, please, please.
[5:59] Clerk, back, can we please get a work call?
[6:02] Mayor Topia Vega.
[6:04] Mayor, Pro Tem Barnes.
[6:07] Councillor Bullier.
[6:09] Councillor Freedland.
[6:11] Councillor Gallegos.
[6:12] Good evening.
[6:13] Councillor Giannola.
[6:14] Here.
[6:15] Councillor Gentson.
[6:16] Mayor, we have a quorum.
[6:18] Thank you so much.
[6:19] Mayor Pro Tem Barnes did let me know he's a few minutes out.
[6:22] I did not hear from Councillor Fredland however, so there's any member of Council that would wish to excuse him at this moment.
[6:32] Second.
[6:33] We have a motion and a second to excuse Councillor Fredland from this meeting.
[6:37] Any discussion?
[6:38] All of them is favor say aye.
[6:39] Aye.
[6:40] Anyone opposed say no?
[6:41] None opposed.
[6:42] That passes unanimously.
[6:44] Usually at this point we jump right into public info, but we're doing something a little special
[6:47] tonight and for that I'm going to turn it over to Councillor Giannola.
[6:50] Thank you, Mayor.
[6:52] I'm happy to welcome you to a cold, great little lead baseball team to Council tonight.
[6:58] We're thrilled to recognize them for incredible unforgettable season this year.
[7:03] May 1, the State of Middle East Championship.
[7:07] Such a huge accomplishment.
[7:09] They worked hard.
[7:11] You know, had teamwork, spent hours on the field and practice.
[7:15] And it was an incredibly hot summer.
[7:17] I know you have to pass there in the side, working really hard, taking coal creek, you know,
[7:23] our beloved coal creek, the day to the state championship of winning, what an honor for all
[7:30] of us cheering for you back here in Las Vegas. And then going on to represent Las Vegas and actually
[7:35] all of Colorado at the regional tournament, I guess some of the best teams in the West, was also
[7:43] an extraordinary achievement. You all play with your heart and should sportsmanship along
[7:51] the way and did your best to represent Colorado. And for that we thank you for your passion,
[7:59] your dedication, and for putting off a hat on the map this year. We're so proud of every single one
[8:04] of you. Congratulations, Champs.
[8:23] And before we bring the team up for a picture, is there any other
[8:25] with it would like to. Councillor Gentson. So I'm a former baseball mom of many years and I can't tell you
[8:35] I almost want to cry. I'm so excited for y'all. It's just so beautiful and thank you for being here.
[8:47] That's a good one. I'm not going to top that. I'm a former baseball player and I'm just so overjoyed
[8:54] to see the success and glory that you guys have earned for yourselves. So proud of the coaches to
[9:00] Council of Genesis Point, no, it's also tremendous amount of work for families, for your siblings,
[9:05] for your parents, for your guardians, to do all the travel to make all the practices.
[9:08] And know that coaches work your tails off to get the team forward, but just so proud of you.
[9:12] And so jealous that I didn't have your skills or acumen when I was your age, so well done.
[9:24] That's where you're going to go.
[9:25] It makes me so happy to see so many young people in these chambers, in these chairs, and I'm so proud of all of you.
[9:32] Thank you so much for all of your hard work and congratulations.
[9:41] And I will echo the sentiments of my fellow councillors.
[9:44] I would say I was also a former baseball player, but I was so bad that that would be
[9:49] offensive to you all.
[9:52] Thank you so much.
[9:54] Thanks for what you do.
[9:55] Thank you for making Lafayette proud.
[9:56] It's such an incredible achievement.
[10:03] And we would love the team word come up and we could take a picture with them.
[10:49] Okay, count it three. One two three, cool.
[10:51] Ready, one, two, three, cool.
[10:55] You should do your chant.
[11:03] You should give me something.
[11:04] They don't have Holy Boat.
[11:05] Oh, how to do your chair.
[11:08] Would you like to do it, baby?
[11:09] Write it down.
[11:12] They don't have a word.
[11:13] Do you know what they're doing?
[11:15] Do you know what they're doing?
[11:16] Do you know what they're doing?
[11:16] Break it down.
[11:18] Okay, alright, alright, alright.
[11:22] Okay, alright, alright, alright.
[11:51] Okay, alright, alright.
[11:51] Tell me she's ready for this, she'll be here at the show.
[11:54] Thank you.
[12:03] Thank you, congratulations.
[12:05] I'm so excited.
[12:19] Okay,
[12:36] that was really fun. I heard a counselor say which is our every meeting that way and I I
[12:42] second.
[12:45] Now back to the regular agenda, which is well public input. If you wish to speak
[12:50] And I fill up one of these speaker requests forms.
[12:52] They're in the back of the glass store.
[12:53] Hand it over to our city clerk.
[12:55] And you will have five minutes to speak.
[12:57] When you come up to the podium,
[12:59] just please your state your name and address for the record.
[13:01] And again, you will have five minutes to speak.
[13:03] If you don't know what five minutes feels like,
[13:04] or you don't know exactly when to stop speaking,
[13:06] I promise it's going to be easy.
[13:08] There's a little clock on that podium.
[13:09] If you look down into your left,
[13:11] it'll tell you exactly how much time is left.
[13:13] And even if you go for the entire five minutes,
[13:16] I will make sure to remind you at the end of the five minutes
[13:18] that your time is up.
[13:19] At the five minutes, I will ask you to stop speaking just for the sake of equity and making sure everybody gets the exact same amount of time.
[13:26] Those aren't here today, but still wish to address Council can do so through our, through the phone you can call in that phone number is posted on our website.
[13:33] And with that, we'll begin tonight with Frank Archolette.
[13:40] Thank you, Mr. Mayor of Council members.
[13:42] First and foremost, I gave you all a letter from the Humorite Commission.
[13:45] Basically, it's important that it was about part.
[13:48] I'm asking you to read it after I do my presentation or take it all.
[13:54] We must not run from history in the power of education.
[14:00] It is very important essential that you name the small part as a real barbarerist.
[14:06] As we, Latinas and Latinas, strive to reach poverty, departing, and equivalent.
[14:15] Council, the Latinas struggle is real.
[14:18] You must put the power of the occlusion, diversity, equity, and interaction if you truly want to build a healthy community.
[14:27] Where humidity is honored, you must stand for social justice, social change, and respect all human rights here.
[14:36] City policies, basically, are naming facilities.
[14:38] names should reflect geographical and prosperous significance, names shall reflect diversity,
[14:46] equity, and inclusion. It advances the fostering and civic community, it hides awareness
[14:51] of city history, it causes attention to the points of pride in our community, and specific
[14:56] commitment to memorials here. We submit Roosevelt as a simply.
[15:00] Beautiful name and especially fitting forward part. We further believe the recommendations is within the scope of the human rights advisory board, as well as a new scope, wording in the new language, founded in your orders, 14, series 236, and naming the name and scope of the board which passed, first reading at your August 4, 2020.
[15:21] In the last member, in myself, has spoke to the granddaughter and great grandson of Roosevelt,
[15:27] and they were advised that the very, very pleased, if a park would be named after Roosevelt.
[15:36] Castle staff, can you imagine the psychological third trauma and deep pain that Roosevelt was going through
[15:44] at the time, after the intimidation from the crew cooks fan in the days of their mother, Rose,
[15:49] And to have to testify that you age a 13, that's a board of district court.
[15:54] Roosevelt was a very raised strong 13 year old girl.
[15:58] This is one reason why the parks should be named as the Roosevelt.
[16:01] I have promoted the truth, and I have counseled with my passively
[16:05] to name the park Roosevelt over there.
[16:08] And to have a plaque put up also.
[16:10] As you represent the citizens of Austria, counsel, it is essential
[16:14] that you truly want to build a healthy inclusive community named the park
[16:18] after Roosevelt Lawyers.
[16:23] Okay,
[16:26] this is history.
[16:26] Once again here, and take this deep folks,
[16:29] what happened here?
[16:31] I know Tony, last time here,
[16:33] talking about Alma White,
[16:34] but if you don't know about Alma White,
[16:36] here it is, beginning of racism.
[16:39] Alma White, 1862, 1946.
[16:43] In the center, 1894 in this thing also,
[16:47] we've got the services, we're having them off yet.
[16:49] But in this room, this is Alma White.
[16:51] And I'm a wife, public alliance with a women's Prishant-Chepers Union, also the Clube Cooks
[16:57] Plan.
[16:58] And I'm a believe him, provisional, white supremacy, segregation, racial discrimination,
[17:04] and opposed the Catholic Church.
[17:06] She was the first women bishop in the United States.
[17:09] She founded the Pheilfire Church, and that was for racial hands on this, by the way.
[17:16] She also had coalitions across the United States.
[17:20] Ammo White wrote several books praising the truth of Scram.
[17:25] The clansmen, the body of our devotee, here is our theory of the cross, the truth
[17:32] of Scram, the prophecy.
[17:35] Very no or no, quite well in the end days.
[17:39] And basically, with the city did, they continued.
[17:43] The same theories for many, many, many, many years, always pass this week, that's why the
[17:51] racist discrimination against the Latinos and Catholics took place in this town.
[17:55] That's why the KKK came in and marched and burned the process throughout the entire city.
[18:00] That's why racist and discrimination continue and continue and continue.
[18:05] This is true history folks, all facts, everything I speak is factual, I just want to
[18:12] you know that part right here and maybe perhaps I can go to a five-hour
[18:16] circuity case on history in special meetings but yet the production also be aware
[18:23] it's all education folks nothing more education this part must be named after
[18:29] Roosevelt for those simple reasons basically is all this required
[18:34] career of everything you do is all true believe in inclusiveness diversity for
[18:39] Thank you very much.
[18:42] Thank you.
[18:43] Next we'll hear from Angela McLean.
[18:49] Good evening.
[18:50] It's Angela McLean and I am with the older adults advisory board here for the city council.
[18:57] And I want to start tonight by saying we're just not just a kind of a topic of aga and all of our councilors.
[19:04] As a member of the city council, older adults advisory board, I am here.
[19:09] This evening to express gratitude to everyone for the proclamation on Fall Prevention, for Fall Prevention Awareness Month, which is September of 2020-6.
[19:21] We know that older adults are a vital and growing segment of our society.
[19:26] They possess wisdom, experience, and energy that enrich our community.
[19:31] The City of Lafayette is committed to supporting strategies and promote healthy aging, maximize independence,
[19:37] and ensure a safe environment for all residents,
[19:42] laws are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans.
[19:49] It's significantly impacts their independence, their quality of life, and their health care costs.
[19:54] Balls are not inevitable, a inevitable, a inevitable part of aging and evidence-based program.
[20:00] Members home modifications, and regular medication reviews and vision checks can dramatically reduce fall risk.
[20:07] Raising awareness about fall prevention and powers, older adults, caregivers, health care professionals, to take proactive steps to reduce fall prevention and injuries, advancements and technology like our little watches now allow for fall detection and prevention through smartphones, wearable devices and home monitoring posts.
[20:27] The Lafayette Seniors Center celebrates Fall Prevention activities.
[20:32] One is called Minding Your Balanced Class is September 10th from 2 to 4 PM and I think
[20:38] first Fall Prevention workshop on September 24th from 2 to 4 PM at the Iowa Center.
[20:45] And there is more every Tuesday, Silver Seekers has a stability class right there at the
[20:52] center and that's at 10 o'clock every Tuesday.
[20:55] So, there's plenty of available right here for people to practice so they don't fall down.
[21:00] Now, I have to leave you this evening.
[21:03] Listen, advice on longevity.
[21:06] From a very well-known CU-Buff Super Fam.
[21:10] Her name is Miss Peggy Coppen.
[21:12] She's 101 and 34 years old.
[21:16] And she's a woman of great healthy age.
[21:19] Here's what she says you must do if you want to have longevity.
[21:22] Number one, have a strong faith.
[21:26] Number two, enjoy life without excesses.
[21:30] Get good sleep, keep a positive attitude,
[21:34] and last of all, don't ever fall down.
[21:39] And so we will celebrate Miss Peggy's 100 Second
[21:42] and first three of years of age, and no member.
[21:46] And thank you all for supporting everything you do
[21:49] for the older adults here in the world.
[21:50] Thank you.
[21:56] Next we will hear from Charles Silva.
[22:08] Yes, sir.
[22:09] Ladies and gentlemen, I'm here to actually just sell the park.
[22:13] You have to sell the park that everyone in this room has been to want to collect.
[22:19] Not more than me.
[22:21] I go a lot.
[22:22] I might go after this, but I live on there by the way, but so we don't have to defend the
[22:27] it all, but it would should be an honor for Roosevelt to have her name on something that
[22:35] have to face in such tough circumstances, like the Ku Kluxka and burning the cross in
[22:43] in front of the house.
[22:44] I think she was, I believe she was 13 years old, you know, I'm sure she can imagine her
[22:50] asking her death.
[22:51] That virus that meant making a fire in our front yard.
[22:56] So there's a lot to be said about her and her bravery
[22:59] and she'd be honored for a partly named after her.
[23:03] Thank you.
[23:04] Thank you.
[23:05] Next we'll hear from Tony Muñoz.
[23:23] Hello, Council.
[23:25] My name's Tony Muñoz, and I live at 214 North Michigan Avenue.
[23:30] Michigan has a lot of history with Lafayette Miller.
[23:33] So, my address was once known as 500 East baseline, again, the KKK used to march in front
[23:39] of my grandmother's home, and I could tell you so many stories I'm not supposed to
[23:43] share.
[23:43] But I do now as an adult.
[23:45] I strongly believe that our new pocket part should be named Roosevelt Park.
[23:51] At the last city council meeting, I shared some history with the council in our community.
[23:58] That we all represent.
[24:00] Today, I'd like to introduce you to some more history, which you may or may not already
[24:05] know. The original Columbine Massacre that happened in Surin, Colorado. The Massacre occurred
[24:13] because we as Americans voted that American would start providing and allowing sixth grade
[24:20] education to our American children. However, children worked at night shift at the coal mine.
[24:27] Well, the men, certain men, worked during the day. When the compulsory sixth grade education
[24:33] and met these children's would no longer be available to work at night.
[24:37] The owner of the Rocky Mountain Fuel Company, John Roach, became angry.
[24:44] The Roach family and his possees and the local police then assaulted shot the children
[24:49] and their families.
[24:51] This became known as the very first column by massacre.
[24:53] It is documented right across the street from King Supers in Eri, Colorado, on Highway
[24:59] Bye.
[24:59] Bye.
[25:00] 37. My daddy always told me he's the 40th parallel. The column buying mine and the town serene Colorado was shut down. Many of the families moved to eerie Colorado and Lafayette, Colorado. Not only did the families moved to Lafayette, so did the owner of Rocky Mountain fuel company. The owner was again John Roach.
[25:23] At that time, my father was one of those children living in serene Colorado with his family. Although he was too young to work at the coal mine, but thanks be to God.
[25:31] he did get a sixth grade education and boy did he love to read.
[25:36] I'm like D'Alicard's family, father who never learned to read.
[25:40] Let's move forward to 2012 when Josephine Commons's retirement community was built and it was
[25:46] named Josephine as been, it was named Josephine Commons named after Josephine as well
[25:54] Roach John Roach's daughter.
[26:00] Let's name this part after a family that did something good for our
[26:04] community. Rosa Ballas family donated the most concrete to build the Lafayette swimming pool.
[26:10] This is a good wholesome part of history. Please, let's never stop learning. If we don't
[26:15] encourage our younger generation to keep learning and gaining knowledge about our past,
[26:20] what good are we? We need to name this pocket part with pocket part, excuse me, pocket
[26:26] part with something intellect and heart. I highly recommend that we name it Rosa Balla
[26:31] of Lafayette. Thank you. I need to disclose that I am a real estate agent and my company's name
[26:37] Serene Colorado. I love history, my daddy loved to read, and the one thing I would also like
[26:43] to comment on is I just met the communication person I didn't get her name. I didn't realize I
[26:50] had thought that the survey to name the park was over. Apparently it's not, so I need to get on
[26:57] the Lafayette website and help our elders make their vote too.
[27:03] They haven't been able to vote, we didn't know this.
[27:06] I'm not even that old yet, and I didn't know this.
[27:09] So again, I think there's some work to be done, but we're all encouraged to be positive
[27:14] and not ruin that Lafayette vibe. We're moving forward.
[27:17] Thank you. Oh, and I did bring supportive documentation in case if anybody needs to know
[27:23] about the Rocky Mountain Field Company and the just
[27:28] in comments.
[27:29] It's under Mr. and Mrs. Google's site.
[27:33] So just so that there's a supportive documentation.
[27:37] Anyone make up for everyone, I don't know if we can go back.
[27:40] Thank you so much, Councilor.
[27:42] Thank you.
[27:44] Next we'll hear from Rosario Rusey.
[27:51] Thank you.
[27:52] Rosario Rusey, 721, Pascal Drive.
[27:54] And I'm going to speak about the REC Center
[27:56] renovation project.
[27:58] Thank you to the Council for its attention to this matter.
[28:01] I also appreciate the City of La Payette and the Davis-Dame team for listening to community
[28:06] feedback, incorporating some of it into the revised plan and scheduling additional meetings.
[28:13] This efforts are welcome, but more options are needed for residents who can not attend
[28:18] on weekends.
[28:20] I spoke directly with one of Davis's architects and appreciate his willingness to listen and
[28:26] notes. I stress the need for more community outreach, online and printed in English and in Spanish.
[28:34] So residents who are not comfortable online or proficient in English can also participate.
[28:41] An unused interpreter in the corner is not enough. Everyone's opinion and tax dollars count.
[28:48] When residents feel hard, trust grows, when they feel this mayst, trust becomes fragile and hard to restore.
[28:57] From my experience working for government, rebuilding that trust can take significant time and effort.
[29:04] Although on signed out the city alerts, I have not received notice of a new survey.
[29:10] The link in the Lafayette Lissons portal is hard to find and appears to be in English only.
[29:15] This doesn't seem like a captive outreach.
[29:19] As a senior myself, I strongly support making sure our needs are met.
[29:24] I also recognize the populations are aging, not only here, but in many parts of the world.
[29:31] The ballot issue did not include senior center renovations or improvements though.
[29:37] I voted against the proposition because of how it was presented,
[29:41] But I do understand the project must move forward as approved.
[29:46] The majority's intent should be respected.
[29:49] The proposition focused on the red center, the service center and city hall,
[29:54] not in a new or large senior center.
[29:57] Press in 65 and all there. Make up.
[30:00] About 16% of the population, while those 64-in-younger make about 84%. Yet, the new plan appears to direct roughly
[30:10] one-third of the 34 million bond to the senior edition. That seems disproportionate and may
[30:17] discourage younger families. I say this, both as a senior and as a grandparent. The senior
[30:24] central wing has quadrupled, and now appears to take up about one-third of the project. What
[30:29] fitness areas remain too small. The community voted for more fitness
[30:34] face and adequate and inadequate lab swimming pool. The
[30:39] racket both courts are not suitable for group exercise. Each one is only
[30:44] 800 square feet, first smaller than the original bond
[30:48] claims. Adding floors will leave low ceilings when structural steel
[30:53] and dots are included, making the space cramped and the current plan
[30:57] peers to let Windows. The first floor group exercise room will shrink to create
[31:04] passage to new senior center. It is already too small and demand exceeds capacity.
[31:11] Users are often turned away from both group exercise and cycling classes.
[31:16] A dedicated cycling room in this space could fit more bikes and help end the
[31:20] frustrating sign-up system that limit access to 14 people that are able to plan
[31:25] workouts three days ahead of time. The Bondroins show a larger poor area, but the current
[31:32] planet ears close to the existing size. After seeing them, one senior that loves left swimming,
[31:39] said that she will probably continue going to Louisville. That doesn't seem like a meaning for
[31:45] improvement for a 34 million project. Removing one party room was positive, but the remaining room
[31:52] interrupt the thinness areas and maybe better place elsewhere. Even if it generates revenue,
[31:58] you shouldn't take priority over fitness space. The survey and bond drawings describe the
[32:03] locker rooms as remodel, moving them closer to the front entrance with certainly improved circulation,
[32:10] but revealed in the locker rooms is expensive because they need special mechanical plumbing
[32:14] and architectural systems for moisture and heavy use. Also I haven't seen any plans to resurface
[32:21] the track that is heavily used, especially in colder months, and the track serves the entire
[32:27] community. I would encourage everyone to continue building a community grounded in trust
[32:33] as we all work to preserve the spirit of our love small town of Lafayette. Thank you so much.
[32:41] Thank you. Next week we'll hear from Roy Johnson.
[32:58] Good evening Mayor, Mayor for Tim Castle.
[33:00] I'm Roy Jackson, 25, 47-speed water circle.
[33:03] I've learned to talk fast because my name.
[33:07] I'm a member of the IDEA advisory board.
[33:09] But I'm here as speaking solely as an individual.
[33:13] The selection with new city pocket part name was soon
[33:16] come before you.
[33:17] That's a just name, Roosevelt Park or simply Roosevelt.
[33:21] The IDEA board has voted unanimously to recommend this account.
[33:25] To this, that name, Pudania Council.
[33:29] Ross, but you've heard some of this before, I'm sorry, it can be duplicitous in some ways.
[33:35] I'm sure most of you are aware that they have been put briefly in summation.
[33:39] In 1933, city plan to build a soy pool over the wreck center is now
[33:42] and ask for donations this month.
[33:45] The host of Lewis and family and others made donations.
[33:49] The pool was completed in 1934.
[33:51] Ross, about her mother tried entering the pool in third day of the opening
[33:54] and were denied entry for use.
[33:56] As the poll was placed in control, the city far departed, which restricted the poll to white zoning.
[34:03] As soon as it was a new phase with Rosell and others with Rosell, the lead scientist.
[34:08] Shortly thereafter, there was racial violence in the Ku Klux clan.
[34:13] You can too much publicity tonight.
[34:16] Turned across on the Arlan at 304 East Chester, which is just several blocks away from the park.
[34:24] The family lived in California in 1935.
[34:27] Roosevelt witnessed her mother rose killed in auto pedestrian accident.
[34:31] Roosevelt, just 13 years old, he just 23 days after the accident.
[34:37] Testified in the civil trial.
[34:39] I found accounts of her testimony hard-tugging.
[34:43] And that's included in it.
[34:44] And it's the civil handouts you have now, apparently.
[34:47] So please review that when you get a chance,
[34:49] I know you're currently included 200 pages tonight, so when you get a chance.
[34:56] Just to include a copy of the State Policy of naming facilities and information.
[35:00] I provided, and I believe the suggestion is consistent with the policy as follows.
[35:05] Name should reflect geographic historical cultural significance to the city.
[35:10] Name shall reflect diversity, equity, and inclusion of the lofty community.
[35:15] It advances a fostering sense of community and hometown character.
[35:20] It heightens the awareness of city history.
[35:24] Because a tenured points of pride in our community, including people of
[35:27] there was shape of city and it's a special tribute to the memorabil.
[35:32] The Terrible Acts, a grateful discrimination guest here, and the courageous testimony of 13-year-old
[35:37] Roosevelt, are deeply rooted in a part of Lafayette history.
[35:42] Some people may say that her mothers are re-recognized by the name of the Recreation Center
[35:46] Pool, and that is enough.
[35:49] 13-year-old Roosevelt was subject to terrible treatment at the pool, and then in that
[35:53] It courageously after the death of a mother and independent of that, when she'd greatly
[35:59] testified.
[36:01] Perhaps some may think this is not a big deal, but imagine how Rose would have felt if she
[36:05] knew how her 30-year-old daughter, bravely testified, have to be, initially, discriminated.
[36:13] And imagine how you would feel if it was your daughter.
[36:18] Recognizing the courage with 13-year-old would also acknowledge the importance of young people
[36:22] community and such a great example for them, and for all of us to stand at the
[36:28] speaker to truth and try to make things better. The city just advised that you have
[36:33] selected four finalist names and suggestions. Mayor Postpart, each of the
[36:37] part, the Queen of Park and in Roseville Park. I suggest to you that the name of
[36:43] Roseville Park is clearly the one that most meets the criteria in the city
[36:46] naming facilities policy.
[36:49] So you part two survey is for making notes that Roosevelt
[36:53] lived multiple life outside of Lafayette for left
[36:56] in Denver and right thing.
[36:58] I don't know why this was thought to be relevant unless
[37:01] where she resided in after was thought to be a valid deciding
[37:05] factor.
[37:07] Roosevelt was a Lafayette resident when she was
[37:09] to die use to the state port each 13.
[37:12] Roosevelt is a resident of Lafayette now.
[37:14] She's buried in a Lafayette cemetery.
[37:18] A spoke with Roosevelt's granddaughter and great grandson who would be a great main
[37:22] favoriteist naming. I suggest to you, you would be at honor for Lafayette to honor
[37:27] Roosevelt. And thanks to those who did us research years ago, including Frank,
[37:35] Marisa, and Doug, and others. And,
[37:40] good for her residence in Lafayette.
[37:43] And
[37:49] 10 seconds left.
[37:50] I'm getting better.
[37:51] All right.
[37:53] Thank you.
[37:54] Thank you so much.
[37:58] Next we'll hear from a PC client.
[38:04] Hi, Council.
[38:05] My name is Casey Klein.
[38:06] I get 387 now.
[38:08] I'm driving.
[38:09] I'm with Embery.
[38:11] I came to you guys.
[38:12] Well, first of all, I got a lot of city councils.
[38:15] The baseball thing was really cool.
[38:17] That was more people.
[38:19] That's cool.
[38:19] You have a good team here.
[38:21] And that's amazing.
[38:22] But last week I was here in May talking about the purchase of a property on the northwest corner of E470 and Highway 287 and we were working through a development agreement and I just, I'm here today for two reasons one, I'd like to thank the staff, you've been wonderful.
[38:44] I know you don't sometimes, it's a thankless job and the way Emory works, I told you this from the first time when we met you guys in May, work grateful for the opportunity to partner.
[38:55] And so when we were here, I think one of you asked me about the capital markets in the world and like, how can you close?
[39:02] And it was like, I don't know, we're going to try.
[39:05] I can tell you unbelievably tough, but my promise to you that night was I would come back and
[39:12] stand before you when we closed. And so we closed in middle of August. And so we are the official
[39:19] owners of the property. If you drive by it now you will see tractors out there, we are going
[39:24] just as promised. So I just wanted to thank you all. I wanted to thank the staff. I know there
[39:30] was a lot that goes into this and transferring and doing things. And again, I know it's thank
[39:34] with sometimes, and so that's it.
[39:36] I just wanted to say thank you and we're excited
[39:38] to be part of the city and go build.
[39:39] So we're going as fast as we can.
[39:41] Thank you.
[39:42] Thank you.
[39:45] My apologies if I say this incorrectly,
[39:47] we will next hear from Liz Plotchew.
[39:50] I am going to see you, though.
[39:52] OK.
[39:53] Thank you.
[39:55] Next, we'll hear from Peter Salas.
[40:05] We're very happy to announce the members. Thank you for the opportunity. I appreciate all the good work you do,
[40:14] and especially the time that you take to listen to the concerns of the community.
[40:18] I'm here. Really a supporter of Roy Johnson and Frank Archiletta and they're offered to have the small park on the Main Street, or public road, called Rosa Bellaparte.
[40:32] You've heard all the history. I'm not going to go through any of that. I just wanted to
[40:36] say that I think it's important. And when I mentioned that there are people who feel like
[40:43] the new adult family has already been honored. And why should we do this? From my perspective,
[40:50] I'm a 40-year resident of Lafayette. I love on 1710 Street Drive. And from my perspective,
[40:59] I think it's extremely important that we continue to recognize and honor those people who
[41:07] have lived in Lafayette, who's passed us up, make Lafayette what it is.
[41:13] They're not even people who aren't the big members and shakers and builders, but people who live their lives here,
[41:21] and who especially during Roosevelt's early life, who had to put up with a lot of stuff.
[41:29] And I think that doing this will honor her who I consider to be extremely brave young person in the face of really insurmountable difficulties.
[41:42] difficulties during those times and so I'm saying that it's a small thing to do but it carries
[41:50] a lot of weight. We have to continue to honor our citizens and the other thing that
[41:58] does, I think, aside from informing current and future residents, I think it helps us all
[42:07] deal at some level. And that's important. When I moved here, I wasn't aware of any of this
[42:14] history. I'm aware of history. These types of activities that have occurred elsewhere.
[42:21] And I know that a lot of communities have suffered and are trying to heal from this.
[42:27] And I think this is a long way to helping our community, whether people know it or not,
[42:33] heal from the pains of the past and the things that happen.
[42:37] So I would encourage you and I know it hasn't come before you yet.
[42:41] But I would encourage you when it comes before you
[42:44] seriously consider this.
[42:46] It's a small thing, but it has a big impact.
[42:50] So I appreciate it. Thank you.
[42:53] Thank you. Next we'll hear from Michael Watson.
[43:05] Michael Watson, seven, eight, South Carolina,
[43:09] Yeah, I'm going to second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, whatever it is.
[43:13] Whatever the count is at this point, we're Roosevelt Park.
[43:17] I got to caveat to that, not just name it after her, but make it a park that's worthy of her name.
[43:24] And not just the park, but the city.
[43:27] Make the city worthy of the sacrifice of Rose.
[43:30] It's like, I know it's kind of easy when you hear the story on paper.
[43:38] She's courageous.
[43:39] She's brave.
[43:41] Daddy, daddy, daddy, but you didn't ask where any of that.
[43:45] Like that's not how history chooses it's heroes.
[43:49] Nobody comes.
[43:50] Nobody walked up to her and said, hey, would you like to be a hero for future generations
[43:54] of Lafayette residents?
[43:56] She watched her mother get mugged, run down in the streets, and then she came back.
[44:00] She testified against the people who refused to family.
[44:04] And then she did the hardest thing of all.
[44:06] I lost my mother when I was eight years old.
[44:08] She lived. She kept living and kept putting one foot ahead in front of the other.
[44:13] She raised a family. She has grandkids.
[44:15] And she's laid to rest in our cemetery.
[44:18] That is an individual. A lot of all the things out of all the tragedies that has occurred
[44:22] in this city, in this state, in this country, in this world.
[44:27] That is something we can celebrate.
[44:28] And that is something that I hope that we celebrate.
[44:31] And I'm going to follow that up with an ask for a park that deserves her name.
[44:36] A park that has for story, told on it, that has bushes, rose bushes.
[44:41] Whatever a paper flower was, planted there.
[44:44] Like put bird feeders and bird baths, attract wildlife.
[44:48] Like let it be a shrine.
[44:50] Not only the history of Lafayette, but the future of Lafayette.
[44:53] What we could be if we tried.
[44:56] And I know number three is supposed to be positive and not hold out on it.
[45:00] All that cross that is hard in the world just keeps picking you on the face again and again and again.
[45:05] Like life is unbearably tragic and hard and there's all sorts of hate and discontent in the world.
[45:11] And if we could make one little tiny pocket of Lafayette, beautiful.
[45:17] Let's do it. Thank you very much.
[45:20] Thank you. Next we'll hear from Chelsea Pennington-Hong.
[45:29] Good evening. My name is Chelsea Pennington Han. I am the director of the Lafayette History Museum.
[45:35] Little bit later in the meeting, there's going to be a population made acknowledging our 50th anniversary of the museum.
[45:41] And so with that in mind, I just wanted to come share a little bit about how we are celebrating this milestone.
[45:47] So on Saturday, September 12th, we are having a very special 50th birthday party that everyone is invited to.
[45:53] from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day, hope your join us will have.
[45:56] First, they can face painting and also with the fun activities to celebrate.
[46:01] And that is also the official opening of our new permanent exhibits.
[46:04] So we have been working.
[46:06] The exhibit covers the front two rooms and also the kitchen of the historic Lewis house.
[46:10] And it has been an making for over three years.
[46:13] It was research and written and developed by a committee of community members.
[46:19] And so we're very grateful for their generosity and donating their time and expertise.
[46:22] and are really excited to share what we've created.
[46:26] The exhibit will share a variety of stories and people
[46:28] from throughout Lafayette's history, including the Yoshihara family
[46:31] who found this Lafayette for us.
[46:33] The last year, the coal miners fight for better working conditions.
[46:39] The, in where we created the kitchen of Adelaide Amunos,
[46:42] who immigrated here from the area to this area from Mexico
[46:44] in the 1920s.
[46:50] So, for a great full and also relevant to a lot of the comments tonight, we tell the story
[46:55] of the, you know, darker times of a history.
[46:57] The presence of the KKK rose and rose of all the wares is courage in their story as well.
[47:03] So, the, and the exhibit will be printed fully English and Spanish for the first time in our history,
[47:08] we're very excited, and there are also interactive elements for kids of all ages.
[47:12] So bring the whole family, both that day and anytime we'll have things for everyone to enjoy.
[47:19] The team behind the exhibit will be there on September 12th, so you can hear it from them.
[47:24] But again, if you can't make it on the 12th, I hope that you'll come visit the Lafayhista Museum soon.
[47:28] See everything we've been working on and uncover some new stories from my city's history.
[47:33] Thank you so much.
[47:34] Thank you.
[47:35] Next we'll hear from Gale Elias.
[47:45] Thank you.
[47:45] marble court. Since 2021, I've been part of a group of non-profits that were called
[47:53] together by CDOT to develop a plan for the World War I memorial that sits at the intersection
[48:00] of 27 in a Rappahode Road. It was built to honor the service and the sacrifice of 1,523 men
[48:09] and women from Boulder County who served in the Great War.
[48:15] 80 of them called Lafayette Home and 25 of them are entered in the cemetery.
[48:22] When our grandfathers and great-grandfathers built in the memorial in 1928,
[48:28] they envisioned a road of remembrance all the way from the gateway to the city of Boulder
[48:35] with trees and parks and more all along the way that didn't happen so only 98 years later
[48:46] by working with our local state legislatures we were able to get a joint resolution
[48:52] through the legislature designating a rap a home road as the road of remembrance.
[48:59] Now I know that you've received email in from invitations and I want to thank everyone who
[49:05] responded to that. But I want to extend a personal invitation to each and every one of you to
[49:14] come and join with us at the official dedication of the road of remembrance on September 15,
[49:22] 10 in the morning at the Lafayette Y. Well, the YMCA of Northern Colorado, 2800,
[49:28] in Lafayette. We are going to be able to celebrate this with descendants of our world who are
[49:37] one veterans, our state legislatures, and representatives of all of the non-profits who have been
[49:45] involved in this process. We hope as we continue to work toward preservation of this memorial
[49:54] that we can tap into the creativity that lives in local government.
[50:00] And and strong communities. This is not an easy process. But we hope that by working together, we can find a way forward, so that we don't leave this to our grandchildren's generations, 98 years down the road.
[50:20] Thank you for your time, your interest, and I hope to see you in September.
[50:28] Thank you.
[50:29] Next we'll hear from Manuel Robertson.
[50:39] Hit anything here, is it?
[50:40] What's up?
[50:41] Do I hit a button on you?
[50:42] No, no, you're good.
[50:43] So I'm here to talk to everybody today.
[50:46] First quick introduction.
[50:47] My name's Emmanuel Robertson.
[50:49] I grew up here at Whistborn.
[50:51] Whether it was an example.
[50:52] You have so in a long mind.
[50:55] But here since 99.
[50:58] And I want to just thank all of you for your time today for being here.
[51:01] I'm mostly wanted to talk about a bigger issue going on across the country that's starting to become something that people are concerned about in our community.
[51:12] The ALPR fought contracted cameras with the police department.
[51:17] Largely can be an effective tool and of course our police officers were day in day night to keep us safe to have all my life and keep this community what it is.
[51:26] However, we can see that as it's been done in parts of the country, people taking advantage
[51:31] of this technology, it falling to misuse, it being used in ways that can marginalize people
[51:37] that are already marginalized communities, minority populations.
[51:43] It seems more indicative to a little picture in a bigger picture of things to see that we're
[51:49] getting closer and closer to that of McCarthyism 2.0, if you will, in America, where one day
[51:55] be able to persecute people based off of political beliefs, what they look like, and that technology
[52:02] could be used for such a thing. Not to knock, of course, that it's been used in a number of
[52:10] cases to go ahead and reduce how many card jackings have happened. We can see from 2020 of course
[52:15] to 2022 that that was almost cut in half from a 64% increase. However, there's a lot of changes
[52:22] that we're happening across the nation, and we can't quite directly say that it is all attributed
[52:27] to that technology alone, not necessarily a positive correlation.
[52:31] Some other things that we're taking place locally across the nation, in terms of legislation
[52:36] changing overall, largely may have had more to do with that than the help or aid of the
[52:41] technology.
[52:42] Not to mention that our police officers are...it's a little insulting to even them.
[52:46] Their skills, their prowess, you guys work so hard to have kept us safe as it is, and we
[52:51] We can keep building a community that builds public trust amongst each other as then we
[52:57] veiled as it is amongst our public institutions.
[53:00] We don't have to go forward with what everything else is turning to in the country.
[53:08] I want to say and bring up to attention, the only other thing that we could maybe do now
[53:13] as we consider our time with that contract, as it's known I was hearing that correct me if
[53:20] wrong, but the retention of said data is upwards of, like, 30 days. Even the company itself
[53:28] Palantir has said to reduce it down to seven days for set instances of the misuse and abuse
[53:34] across the country. So maybe considering if nothing else we could change, something as small as that
[53:40] going forward. But yeah, thank you. Thank you for your time, data.
[53:46] Thank you so much. That was my last speaker request form. I was just asked, is there any
[53:51] one that hasn't had a chance to address council? I'd like to speak please come up.
[53:58] And if you could just state your name for the record.
[54:01] Um, had to go outside of New England, South Carolina. All I wanted to say was Roosevelt,
[54:12] um,
[54:12] She had to see a lot and go through a lot of hardships and that's just so incredibly brave of her and I just want to say that it would be an honor to name that park
[54:24] After her, thank you very much
[54:27] Thank you so much. Is there anyone else that hasn't had the chance to speak that like to address council tonight?
[54:32] Not seeing anyone. I will turn it to our city clerk to see if we have any calls
[54:36] No calls. Okay, with that we'll close public input for tonight
[54:40] I believe we have four items under our concept agenda, including item A, which is a resolution
[54:45] number 2026-22 appointing published now L.P. is a special legal counsel to provide legal
[54:50] representation that invites this city with respect to public finance matters and setting
[54:54] the rate of compensation therefore item B resolution number 2026-23.
[55:00] Pointing Director for Sola, metropolitan district, institutional and director for Sola, metropolitan district, commercial.
[55:06] Item C, contract, day four services, U.S. LLC for payroll, and human resources system, licensing, renewal, and finally, item D, a motion, approval, and intergovernmental agreement between Colorado Department of Transportation and the city of Lafayette, regarding the operation and maintenance of the portion of state highway 7, corridor improvements on the 95th Street intersection projects.
[55:27] are there any items Council would like to pull?
[55:31] Seeing none, I will take a motion.
[55:33] I move to approve the consent agenda.
[55:36] This is the second.
[55:38] Resolution and a second to approve the consent agenda.
[55:42] Any discussion on this?
[55:45] Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.
[55:48] Anyone opposed saying no?
[55:50] None opposed that passes unanimous.
[55:53] Moving on tonight to our proclamations of which we have three will begin
[55:57] on the first with Councillor Gallagher.
[55:59] So, a proclamation for the 50th anniversary of the Lafayette History Museum, September 1st,
[56:05] 2020-6, whereas the Lafayette History Museum was founded in 1976 with the mission of preserving
[56:12] interpreting and sharing the rich history of Lafayette and its surrounding communities,
[56:18] and whereas over the past 50 years, the museum has served as a vital cultural and educational
[56:23] resource, collecting artifacts, recording oral histories, and presenting exhibits that
[56:29] highlight the diverse stories, people, and events that have shaped Lafayette. And whereas
[56:34] the Lafayette history museum has played a significant role in fostering community identity
[56:39] and civic pride that
[56:55] exhibits exploring the city's history, and other projects, and
[56:59] the museum continues to expand its impact and relevance for current and future generations.
[57:05] and whereas the dedication of staff volunteers, community partners, and supporters has sustained
[57:11] the museum's mission and ensure the preservation of Lafayette's history for 50 years and
[57:16] beyond.
[57:18] Now therefore the mayor and city council of the city of Lafayette Colorado, two hereby
[57:22] declare September 1st, 2026 as the 50th anniversary of the Lafayette History Museum day,
[57:29] and encourage all residents to celebrate this milestone visit the museum, participate
[57:34] in its programs and support the ongoing preservation of Lafayette's unique history, so moved.
[57:43] We have some motion and we have a second for the 58th anniversary of Lafayette history,
[57:47] museum proclamation. I need discussion on this.
[57:52] Councillor Boyer. Thank you, Mayor, just very briefly. I think the this proclamation is
[57:57] so fitting, particularly considering the living history that we've heard this evening from
[58:00] some of the current community members reflecting on our challenging past
[58:04] so very timely.
[58:06] Thank you, any further discussion?
[58:09] All those in favor say aye.
[58:11] Aye.
[58:11] Anyone opposed saying no?
[58:13] None opposed that passes unanimously.
[58:15] Moving on to our second proclamation tonight,
[58:17] Councillor Jensen?
[58:19] Crystal, you have such a beautiful reading
[58:21] voice, I feel like I should give it to you.
[58:26] I have the honor of reading the proclamation for fall
[58:31] prevention month, mostly I think because I'm an older adult, whereas older adults are a
[58:39] vital and growing segment of our society, possessing wisdom, experience, and energy
[58:45] that enrich our community. And whereas the City of Lafayette is committed to supporting
[58:51] strategies that promote healthy aging, maximize independence, and ensure a safe environment for
[58:58] residents and whereas falls of the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older
[59:05] Americans significantly impacting their independence, quality of life, and healthcare costs.
[59:12] And whereas falls are not an inevitable part of aging and evidence-based programs, home modifications,
[59:20] regular medication reviews, and vision checks can dramatically reduce fall risks. And whereas
[59:27] raising awareness about fall prevention in powers, older adults, caregivers, and health care professionals
[59:34] to take proactive steps to reduce injuries and save lives, and whereas advancements in technology
[59:41] now allow for fall detection and prevention through smartphones, wearable devices, and homemonitoring
[59:50] tools, and whereas Lafayette Senior Center located at 103 South Iowa Avenue, celebrates
[59:58] and hosts fall prevention.
[1:00:00] Inactivities such as minding your balance class on September 10th from 2 to 4, and I think first fall prevention
[1:00:07] workshops September 24th from 2 to 4. Now, therefore, the mayor and city council of the city of
[1:00:15] Lafayette, Colorado, do hereby declare the month of September 2026 as fall prevention month and encourage
[1:00:24] all residents to support fall prevention efforts by participating in local workshops, helping
[1:00:31] older adults with basic home safety checks, and promoting fall prevention resources within the
[1:00:38] community. Some moved. Second, we have a motion and a second for the fall prevention awareness
[1:00:47] any discussion on this
[1:00:50] proclamation?
[1:00:51] Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.
[1:00:53] Aye.
[1:00:54] Anyone opposed?
[1:00:54] No.
[1:00:55] None opposed that passes unanimously.
[1:00:57] On to our final proclamation tonight.
[1:00:59] I will turn it to Councillor Giannola.
[1:01:01] Thank you, Mayor.
[1:01:02] I have a proclamation for national prepared this month.
[1:01:06] September 1 through September 30th, 2026.
[1:01:09] Whereas the city of Lafayette's climate action plan identifies community resilience
[1:01:14] as a core strategy to protect residents, infrastructure, and ecosystems from increasing climate-related
[1:01:20] hazards, including extreme heat, wildfires flooding, severe weather, and power disruptions.
[1:01:26] And whereas preparedness and resilience are essential to protecting public safety, maintaining
[1:01:31] critical services, and supporting the well-being of all residents, particularly those
[1:01:35] most vulnerable to the impacts of emergencies.
[1:01:39] And where as emergency preparedness in Lafayette is a coordinated cross-departmental effort involving
[1:01:45] the fire, police, public works, sustainability, city manager's office, and open space
[1:01:50] teams in partnership with regional agencies including the Boulder County Office of Disaster Management
[1:01:56] to strengthen readiness, response, and recovery. And residents are encouraged to stay informed
[1:02:01] by registering for Boulder County emergency alerts and notifications. And where as individuals,
[1:02:07] families and neighborhoods who understand local hazards, maintain emergency plans, and supply
[1:02:12] kits, and are prepared to be self-sufficient during the first 72 hours following an emergency,
[1:02:17] play a vital role in reducing impacts and strengthening community resilience.
[1:02:23] And whereas the City of Lafayette is committed to empowering residents through education
[1:02:28] engagement, including a community resilience workshop series led by the Fire Department in collaboration
[1:02:34] with the sustainability and open space teams which provide practical tools and resources to prepare
[1:02:40] for climate related and other emergencies. Now therefore the mayor and city council of the city
[1:02:46] of Lafayette, Colorado, do hereby declare the month of September 2026 as National Preparedness Month
[1:02:52] and call upon all residents, businesses, schools, and community organizations to take action
[1:02:58] to prepare for emergencies, participate in resilience building efforts, stay informed through local
[1:03:04] solar systems and support building a strong and more resilient Lafayette so moved.
[1:03:13] Great.
[1:03:13] Thank you.
[1:03:13] We have motionless like a for national preparedness month,
[1:03:16] Proclamation and any discussion on this.
[1:03:18] Proclamation.
[1:03:19] Council, you know.
[1:03:20] Thank you.
[1:03:21] Just want to remind the community that we have it.
[1:03:25] Emergency preparedness workshop coming up on Tuesday, September 8th at 530 p.m.
[1:03:30] Over in the Starkey building in Old Town, Lafayette.
[1:03:34] Thank you.
[1:03:35] Any further discussion?
[1:03:37] Seeing that.
[1:03:37] All those in favor say aye.
[1:03:39] Aye.
[1:03:40] Anyone opposed to say no?
[1:03:42] That opposed to that pass to unanimous.
[1:03:44] That concludes our proclamations for tonight.
[1:03:46] And we'll move on to our presentations.
[1:03:49] Only once for tonight, then new online service portal.
[1:04:00] Okay.
[1:04:01] I'll turn
[1:04:07] it over to our CIO.
[1:04:08] Next to jealous.
[1:04:10] Good evening, Mayor.
[1:04:11] and council members next to the Chavez to achieve information officer and I have the pleasure
[1:04:15] from out of showcasing our new online service portal.
[1:04:21] A few things we're just going to go over what our objectives are to modernize our end-and-end
[1:04:27] application, our current systems are largely based on spreadsheets and email communications,
[1:04:34] and it was very clear, it's very clear that we need some better tools to support that.
[1:04:39] We're talking about the background, some objectives, and some of the new features, and I do want to highlight that we've been taking extra care to make sure that we roll this out as best as possible.
[1:04:49] Not only for our staff, there'd be learning a new system, but also for the community members that will be engaging with us.
[1:04:56] So looking back, 2023, we started.
[1:05:00] Really re-evaluating primarily the development review process. We hired a consultant to help us map that out and quite literally the chart of the process chart was about 15 feet long.
[1:05:12] And through that we were able to identify several areas to make some pretty good improvements. However, it was really clear that the technology that we had at that time was not sufficient.
[1:05:21] And so we shifted from that to then really focus on finding the new technology.
[1:05:27] We started with a pretty broad market research effort and we evaluated 11 solutions.
[1:05:34] As we got into 2024, we narrowed it down to just a couple of viable solutions and gov.
[1:05:41] The product build made by MCCI was selected as that product.
[1:05:45] We brought that forward to Council that year and the initial contract was about $150,000.
[1:05:52] We later brought an amendment to that contract and increased that by another $30,000.
[1:05:58] Our annual subscription for that product is about $45,000 a year, which is about the same
[1:06:04] bubble we're paying for our current technology.
[1:06:06] So if you felt like it's a really good product and the price point was working within our budgets.
[1:06:12] Early 2025 we kicked off this project, we brought on a project manager to help us do that and we have a project team as well as the change management team that's been working pretty hard to bring the system together.
[1:06:25] The majority of the time that we've been spending is really, again, looking at our processes trying to find ways of how we can do this better.
[1:06:31] And also identifying areas where we can streamline things and also collect information earlier on in the process instead of having to ongoing dialogue and peace milling some of the information.
[1:06:45] The project really had three main objectives.
[1:06:49] Number one, make it better for our community.
[1:06:52] Through transparency and consistency, making sure that the forms that we have to be filled out are dynamic and they're pretty easy and straightforward.
[1:06:59] And there's fairly intuitive making sure that the applicants have a central location to not only see the status of their applications, but also to communicate with staff across the entire across the city.
[1:07:14] And also make sure to accurate the status is what it is.
[1:07:17] And so I think we've been able to accomplish that so far.
[1:07:21] Internally, automating our processes looking for ways that we can reduce that administrative burden of taking individual action,
[1:07:28] Which not only saves us time, but also makes things much more consistent as we work through several different processes through this system.
[1:07:40] And the last piece, there's really two integrator work between city departments.
[1:07:46] As you may know, we have like 16 different departments.
[1:07:50] A lot of information has to be coordinated and shared amongst many of them many of the times.
[1:07:55] And so having a system that automates that also provides a consistent way for everybody to communicate internally and they're in turn
[1:08:02] Consolidating communicate with the applicants is very important. I do want to highlight on the graphic on the right. Those are our project
[1:08:10] I guess priorities and so as we're making decisions and we're evaluating options
[1:08:15] Really took these to heart the first one is just being collaborative making sure that you know
[1:08:19] What we have a way of doing things that we're able to do this with with all the departments like it was gonna work for everybody
[1:08:26] transfer, clearly, making sure that having one system and having visibility of the cases
[1:08:31] and applications across that system is really going to bring to light a lot of opportunities
[1:08:35] for us to continue to improve, and I do want to highlight foundational, and this one is
[1:08:41] really important because we're really going from a largely disconnected and nearly paper processes
[1:08:48] into a modern system, and it's very difficult transition from a staff, from everybody involved
[1:08:53] from that type of environment into a modern system.
[1:08:57] And so we really wanted to make sure that this was something that we could continue to grow, continue to
[1:09:01] evaluate, continue to mature, and I think that we're right on track with that.
[1:09:06] Not only through the project, but as we go live, and we continue to look forward,
[1:09:09] we really want that feedback, and we have the ability to continue to make our applications and our processes behind it better.
[1:09:17] So what are the key functions?
[1:09:18] One is dynamic web forms.
[1:09:20] You know, I think that's that's an expectation with any to think web these days, but you know, there's still a lot of systems that don't necessarily provide that.
[1:09:29] Integrated payment processing so that we're able to actually transition from collecting payment through other systems directly as you apply.
[1:09:37] So you can submit your payments for its appropriate.
[1:09:40] There's a mobile app that's primarily for our inspectors, but what that does is it gives them the offline capability to be on site to pull up their inspections.
[1:09:47] Do you ever think that you need to take pictures prior feedback and on-site provide those comments, sends, and it's automatically into the system for the contractor's bill to review and to keep up with what's going on?
[1:10:01] Automated Workflows, Workflows are essentially automation, right? Like it goes from point A to point B to point C, that brings consistency and also allows the city to really evaluate how do we want things to move through a process.
[1:10:16] And so there's been a lot of conversations around that. Centralized case management, every application turns into a case or license, turns into a case and we're able to have a consistent view of how to engage with applicants.
[1:10:28] And also the share-owned internal notes as well as all the coordinate permit issuance and key track of everything that's happening within a single application.
[1:10:38] The system does have some fairly tuned reporting.
[1:10:41] We're just starting to look at this as we're starting to evaluate the full capabilities of the system.
[1:10:48] However, so far it's pretty easy to be able to associate different elements within the system and produce reports.
[1:10:54] So we're, I think that that's going to really lend itself
[1:10:57] so that we can look internally and look at timing items
[1:10:59] and see where we can continue to improve on the system.
[1:11:03] What I'm mostly excited about is it's a low code,
[1:11:06] configurable system, and alternative to that is really something
[1:11:10] that you need to software engineer to program.
[1:11:13] And so moving from a programmable technology
[1:11:16] to a configurable technology really means
[1:11:19] that I don't have to pay software engineers
[1:11:20] to make a change every time we find a change.
[1:11:23] And that is not the case for many of these types of systems on the market right now.
[1:11:28] And so we're really happy to find that Gubbelt was able to bring that to us.
[1:11:32] And what that really means, it goes to that foundational goal,
[1:11:35] is that when, as we start to continue to review and evaluate the applications and the processes,
[1:11:42] we can make the changes on as we go.
[1:11:44] And we don't need to necessarily hire the consultant or MCCI to do a lot of those changes.
[1:11:49] On the right a couple pictures, so that's the main landing page, I'm going to talk about that a little bit more.
[1:11:55] We're probably not going to direct applicants directly to that page, because we already have a city web page,
[1:12:00] and we can link directly to these applications.
[1:12:03] However, the top illustration is really just a light example of what the applicant will see,
[1:12:09] so they'll see what their permit is, what it's related to, and what status it's in,
[1:12:18] those of the statuses that it could have.
[1:12:21] And so that if it's in some bit of status,
[1:12:23] they know that the next stage is going to be under review
[1:12:25] and is that progress through, they can obviously,
[1:12:28] where they are and what's next with them processes.
[1:12:31] And that changes for each application type.
[1:12:34] So this is a list of many of the applications that we have.
[1:12:38] There's a few more that are internal facing
[1:12:41] that will not be public facing, most of the time,
[1:12:44] and I'm not going to go over all of these,
[1:12:46] but this is the fairly comprehensive list
[1:12:47] of what we're going live with.
[1:12:50] I do want to highlight report a concern.
[1:12:52] So right now we use multiple civic plus forms
[1:12:56] to collect those and route those.
[1:12:58] What we're able to do with this new system
[1:13:00] is have a single form.
[1:13:01] So it's very consistent and sustain.
[1:13:04] And then use dynamic routing, so depending on the type of request
[1:13:07] that's being reported on, we can dynamically route that
[1:13:10] directly to the department that's responsible.
[1:13:12] And what that's going to do for us is not only make a consistent
[1:13:15] but also allow us to share that information right people immediately and hopefully improve our
[1:13:22] ability to be responsive to those types of concerns.
[1:13:27] I would say another one that I'd like to highlight is our liquor licenses.
[1:13:34] Those are interesting if you haven't had an opportunity to read the law around those.
[1:13:39] We're able to really say make sure that we're meeting all the state requirements.
[1:13:44] But as those liquor licenses get reviewed, they go through the process.
[1:13:48] Licenses issue when it's appropriate, and that's available online.
[1:13:52] And then what's really nice is that when it comes down to being due again for renewal,
[1:13:58] there's a 30 day and a 15 day notification that goes out.
[1:14:00] And it's a very similar process, but it's a separate, you know, it pulls in all the information
[1:14:05] from the last application and brings that forward.
[1:14:08] And so I think that that's really going to help us make sure that a lot of our licenses are current
[1:14:12] with help our applicants they current with their licenses.
[1:14:17] The last slide is one of the integrations I mentioned last week that we do have a really
[1:14:21] good integration with our GIS or a geospatial system.
[1:14:25] And so a lot of the applications actually, that's the first thing that you do is you pick
[1:14:28] what parcel, which address what location that you are submitting about.
[1:14:35] And so what that does is that not only does it make it consistent, but it actually pulls in
[1:14:39] additional details that we have as source of truth for that parcel or that address, like
[1:14:44] like owner, and bring that forward into that application.
[1:14:47] So we're able to start to automate a lot of that information.
[1:14:51] Laser feces are as our permanent document management solution.
[1:14:55] What happens with most of these is that at the end of its closure, period it will be automatically
[1:15:01] And so that really helps us so that then we can have retention policies on our permanent archive record. And if we ever have to change systems in the future, we don't have to move as much stuff around.
[1:15:13] And the last one that I want to highlight is our blue beam plan review. Blue beam is a separate software that allows you to do markups on cyclans. So schematics of buildings or other plans out there.
[1:15:28] And the integration allows multiple people to edit or to provide comments at the same time on a single plan.
[1:15:35] And then as that is finalized, those consolidate comments can then be shared back with the applicant.
[1:15:41] Whereas right now a lot of times we have to pass along one set and people make comments and then attach them where we attach separate document and it becomes very confusing.
[1:15:50] So we're really excited about those integrations.
[1:15:54] All right, so what does this look like as we transition to the system being live?
[1:16:00] We have a practice in the city of having this time that we call hypercare, and what we end
[1:16:06] of doing is it's kind of like taking a communications plan, but then like adding support
[1:16:11] and figuring out how we position people and processes and all the mechanics to make sure that
[1:16:19] individuals are filled supported.
[1:16:20] We have a high-prepared support plan for our internal staff.
[1:16:24] I'm not going to really highlight that here tonight, but I'm going to have it answer questions about it.
[1:16:28] But really, this is what we're trying to do to support our community members.
[1:16:31] And so, there's a definition there, so it's temporary, meaning we can't do this forever.
[1:16:35] But it's kind of like putting extra resources for a period of time,
[1:16:39] so that we can make sure that we're as responsive as possible.
[1:16:42] And the really important piece of this, in my opinion, from a technology standpoint,
[1:16:45] is anytime you're dealing with new technology, it's unknown, people are learning,
[1:16:49] And if you can't answer a phone and you can't answer a question is probably very simple.
[1:16:54] People get frustrated and they lose interest.
[1:16:57] So we're doing our best to be positioned to really get on top of that as much as we can.
[1:17:02] We already have about 2000 accounts created.
[1:17:05] So we looked at all of the systems that we currently have that are in some state.
[1:17:11] And we created accounts for anything that was active or in process of being applied.
[1:17:17] And so we've already created 2000 accounts, we moved in a lot of active cases and a lot of
[1:17:24] archive cases that we wanted to have in the system and that was about 40,000 records.
[1:17:30] And so we have a lot of information that we've been crunching through and bringing in from
[1:17:33] disparate systems, some some spreadsheets, and we still have more work to do with that.
[1:17:38] So as we go live, there's going to be a few more groupings of applicants that will be working
[1:17:44] through, and then a little bit more manually, however,
[1:17:47] we'll make sure that they get taken care of as well.
[1:17:51] As I mentioned, there is a landing page for this system.
[1:17:54] We're not really necessarily promoting it,
[1:17:56] it's functional, it's helpful.
[1:17:59] However, we really wanted to reduce the learning curve
[1:18:01] for our community members.
[1:18:03] Right now, if you go to planning site,
[1:18:05] there's a bunch of links to different applications.
[1:18:07] If you go to our applications site,
[1:18:10] there's probably about 30 different types of applications
[1:18:12] you can apply for. What our goal is is really just to update those links and point them directly
[1:18:17] to the application right off the bat. If they have not ever, if they have not used the system,
[1:18:22] they will have to create an account in most cases. However, that's the only, like, they lift or
[1:18:29] they change. Once they have their account, they can apply very easily for the different services
[1:18:35] that we're providing. Directly on the page, so there's a how do I link directly on the login page
[1:18:41] And right now there's two main things is how do I create an account because that's really important and then how do I schedule inspections because that's probably like it's different than what we do right now
[1:18:51] We do we are creating additional content and I think as we start getting feedback will make sure that we publish more more information under the how do I
[1:18:58] And having in one place is also very helpful because right now a lot of the how do I's are spread out across our
[1:19:05] our city web pages so we can ask some consistency we can make sure that they're
[1:19:10] deconstructed and that is easily findable in the future. Last piece is that we've
[1:19:16] been working to establish a dedicated support team. And so that looks like is
[1:19:21] extending some of our interns that have been very helpful with us this summer and
[1:19:26] and then bringing them in line with a few individuals who are currently doing a lot of
[1:19:34] So we have a specific phone number and an email that we're creating that's brand new just to support this a
[1:19:40] Hipertare time and we've already started meeting on how we're going to coordinate calls and how we're going to coordinate messages that come in asking for support
[1:19:48] Internally we have a centralized FAQ
[1:19:50] Fry has about
[1:19:52] 50 items so far and I expect that to continue to grow as we get closer to closer go live and afterwards, but that's really
[1:20:00] So that not everybody gets opportunities to sit next to each other and doing support. So as we find new things that we can add them there, and that information is readily available to the members of the hybrid care support team.
[1:20:12] And lastly, these individuals, they get priority services from IT. So we call to whatever we drop what we're doing and we help them.
[1:20:19] And I think that's make sure they have the back end support to have responses is really important because we're going to find things that we need to anticipate.
[1:20:27] and there's going to be questions that we have to discover through and so make sure that
[1:20:31] they're fully supported is really important.
[1:20:35] So what's happening next? So September 15th,
[1:20:40] we're planning to soft launch the program and maybe what that really means is that it's there
[1:20:47] and our goal is to really begin working with those 2000 account holders and we'll be sending
[1:20:54] out some direct communications to them asking them, giving them some instruction to go and
[1:20:58] cover their account and to set up their new password.
[1:21:02] We've looked at a lot of options out of this, sending a message to 2,000 people is not
[1:21:06] the easiest thing.
[1:21:08] And so we do anticipate that there's, it'll get flagged to spam for many people.
[1:21:13] So we'll also be working with our communications team to get some more information out and
[1:21:17] hopefully work with that, with that population as early as possible.
[1:21:22] A week later, we do plan to go full live and really what that looks like for the most
[1:21:27] part is all the links in our city web website will be published to the new applications.
[1:21:32] And any new application at that point for the areas that we have into this system will
[1:21:37] be, you know, completely new into the system and we'll be going through that.
[1:21:42] There's a lot of other, like, tons of list items in between those.
[1:21:45] So, I mean, though, I have, like, two bullets.
[1:21:48] There's a lot that we're planning for that.
[1:21:51] And I do want to highlight that we anticipate new enhancements.
[1:21:56] We've just finished our user acceptance testing period and already have probably about 15 requests to make some adjustments.
[1:22:04] Most of them minor, but they do take time and so we're going to continue to evolve and refine how we do things and how our community engages with us.
[1:22:13] So I think that that's fitting on our foundational goal for this project.
[1:22:17] And the last bullet there is really how to get support, so that's the first time to be published publicly.
[1:22:24] And so the full number and the email address is live right now and they'll be ready for individuals who do have some questions to be able to turn each out to us.
[1:22:38] What is also within this is a communications plan, some working with a communications team, there's some plans, social media posts.
[1:22:44] There are already some communications that has been going out.
[1:22:48] So on some of our web pages, we do have kind of like a,
[1:22:51] hey, things are changing.
[1:22:51] He read, he is coming soon.
[1:22:53] We've sent some information now, a similar content
[1:22:57] on our utility billing inserts.
[1:23:01] And we have plans to provide some more additional details
[1:23:05] as the next economic development memo that goes out.
[1:23:09] And so we're trying to cover all our bases.
[1:23:12] we have a team that literally spends an hour every week just kind of brainstorming at how
[1:23:17] can we make sure that this works, not only for our staff, but for our community members
[1:23:20] and so we've had a lot of good feedback and a comprehensive look at how we can move forward.
[1:23:28] And with that, I'm happy to answer any questions. Any questions from Kelts? Mayor Proton?
[1:23:35] Thank you, Mayor. I have three questions. Start with hard one.
[1:23:39] Okay, so there's a continuity of operations
[1:23:41] or work on the Q-plent.
[1:23:43] How weird is this fall within that?
[1:23:46] Is it the backbone of our Q-plent or is it something
[1:23:49] that supports the plan?
[1:23:51] You bet.
[1:23:52] Right now, I would say that there's no direct relationship
[1:23:55] to it, although I'll say because this is a cloud-based system.
[1:24:00] If we did have a localized event here,
[1:24:02] it should still be available, which then we could,
[1:24:05] if we needed to collect information or to use the portal
[1:24:08] as an alternative to for send information to community,
[1:24:11] we could leverage it that way.
[1:24:13] Thank you.
[1:24:14] Number two,
[1:24:18] you're building profiles with what you have.
[1:24:21] I imagine there are some interactions that have happened
[1:24:26] with a minimal amount of information, correct?
[1:24:29] And people may not think it's important to create their own profile.
[1:24:35] If you were to ask people to build out their profile, is there in the FAQ like why we need this information, kind of think is that going to be included?
[1:24:48] Not necessarily from their profile, and the profile lift is pretty light, we're asking for username and email address and a phone number.
[1:24:55] And for the most part, that's what it is, depending on the application, like some of our...
[1:25:00] Another more sensitive application going to ask for a date of birth, so we can verify some
[1:25:04] age things that are part of state or local mandates. But the profile piece is pretty light.
[1:25:10] And that's just your entry into the system. What we do have is on many of our applications,
[1:25:16] is an ask for a lot more information that we do right now. And that's really intended so
[1:25:20] that we don't have this back and forth that seems to happen today, where we ask for a little bit
[1:25:26] like, oh, that's interesting. We need this information too, and so there is a, I think the challenge is a greater lift of the initial application.
[1:25:35] We're asking for a lot of information. In many cases, we're putting references of work where that's coming from or why.
[1:25:42] But a lot of it is really, like, helpful, like, hey, you know, to do this, this is what you need on by the way.
[1:25:47] If you check this box, you're also going to need a fire code review, and here's what's going to happen after that.
[1:25:53] And so I want to say honestly that the profile is a significant lift, but more of the details
[1:25:59] of the ask is and we can always take it more feedback and add more, you know, helper tools
[1:26:06] and information if it's not clear.
[1:26:09] But you're not really canvassing for information you're not going to.
[1:26:13] Not from a profile, from individual applications, absolutely, like if you submit a special
[1:26:21] events request. There are several pages of information so that we can make sure we get all the
[1:26:26] right people involved up front. I've seen it in 14. I think it's in it. I know. It's less than that,
[1:26:33] but there are several. Last question.
[1:26:38] So I know we didn't talk about internal internet, like you
[1:26:41] created an internet and an external thing at the same time, which is correct. That's amazing. I came
[1:26:46] like at the smother head, did that, took a while.
[1:26:50] So I don't need to know details,
[1:26:52] but is there anyone who is what you call first users
[1:26:57] within internally, is there anyone
[1:26:59] who's awfully on this yet?
[1:27:02] There's been probably about 20 staff members
[1:27:05] that have been actively testing, engaging, learning,
[1:27:10] and providing a lot of feedback.
[1:27:11] And so I would say about 20 staff members have been using it
[1:27:14] So far, not nearly enough for us to be fully like fully at our best, it's going to take
[1:27:22] probably a month before we find our stride, I would say, with the rest, but we do have
[1:27:26] resources internally, and also kind of a support system similar for the public for internal
[1:27:32] to have the health food catcher, capture those requests and support our team members.
[1:27:37] Thank you.
[1:27:37] That's all I have here.
[1:27:38] Okay.
[1:27:38] Any other questions?
[1:27:40] Councillor Bullard.
[1:27:42] Thank you so much for the presentation. I know this has been a long time coming. I had a question regarding
[1:27:48] ease of use for business owners versus contractors. So let's say someone was submitting a building permit.
[1:27:56] Could the business owner go in and respond or is this process solely for contractors?
[1:28:01] So it's whoever the applicant is, the primary communication vehicle.
[1:28:05] And the way that largely with contractors,
[1:28:08] the contractors generally have to have a separate license with us.
[1:28:11] And so they'll have a, I guess, a viewpoint into this system that is for their contractor license.
[1:28:16] So if we have any questions or concerns, we can definitely communicate in that way.
[1:28:20] An applicant can be a contractor, it can be a homeowner, it can be a business owner.
[1:28:24] There's no restriction who the applicant is.
[1:28:27] And they can, from there, on many of the applications,
[1:28:30] actually pick who their contractors that they're using to support their project with.
[1:28:34] And so there's a relationship dynamic that we're leveraging and not all of our applications but many of them weren't appropriate.
[1:28:42] And so as far as ease of use, I would say it's pretty easy. It's a lot.
[1:28:49] And some things like reporter concern, I'm asking three questions and it's a drop down as one of them, right?
[1:28:54] We're trying to make that super simple.
[1:28:56] But if you're asking for a building permit, like there's a lot of details that go into that so we can make sure that we're getting off to a good start.
[1:29:05] So I think it's going to take a little bit of time for people to be able to understand and that's also why we have like the support so that we can like you know someone calls I need help filling this out like no problem.
[1:29:16] Let's walk through it together is the goal at least early on and then once things separate temper down I know that our staff currently do that with our current applications anyway so it just becomes like it just shifts from how we do things today to then they understand how it works now or after we change it.
[1:29:33] level's out. Great, thank you.
[1:29:36] Councillor Bullard. Thank you, Mayor. I love this. It's somewhat a
[1:29:39] counselor. I go, I'm so excited about this. So I have three
[1:29:42] quick questions. One was as folks transition to using the new
[1:29:46] workflow online system. Are there ways to kind of track
[1:29:50] about the saved X amount of time both on our size, the city,
[1:29:54] and then also on the applicant side.
[1:29:55] You bet. I think, uh, not. Not. Not.
[1:30:00] I think in a general sense, we'll build a fussy and fill that. In the challenges, we really
[1:30:05] don't have an ability to measure things now. And I think like there's this unless we did like had like
[1:30:13] time studies or something which take a lot of time to measure. I don't know if the value would be there.
[1:30:18] However, as we start going through what I really think and what I really want to start looking at is
[1:30:22] as we start and then how being continued to get faster and faster once we get comfortable with the system.
[1:30:27] I think that will be indicative of,
[1:30:30] because we should be able to put some metrics
[1:30:32] about the length of time of applications
[1:30:34] and how they're coming in.
[1:30:36] So I think as we look forward,
[1:30:37] we'll have some details around that relative to today
[1:30:40] or like last year, you know,
[1:30:42] why not specific, but in general,
[1:30:45] we should be able to see some benefits.
[1:30:46] How's the thing?
[1:30:47] That's thrilling.
[1:30:48] That leads into my second question,
[1:30:49] which is, again, as this comes online,
[1:30:53] if I heard you correctly, we're essentially turning off
[1:30:55] some services systems.
[1:30:57] So it's not like we're just adding another barnacle to the ship.
[1:31:01] How are we thinking about communicating that to both the folks
[1:31:04] where daily contact with and then also the folks maybe
[1:31:06] to shop once or twice a year to remain not be tracking?
[1:31:08] You bet.
[1:31:09] So the first push is that that first week
[1:31:12] to the 1900 account, so I'm going to be setting out and noticing.
[1:31:14] Doing our best, it's a little challenging
[1:31:17] because we found even having people's correct information
[1:31:20] as a little bit challenging.
[1:31:21] So we'll start there.
[1:31:23] We'll define other mediums to show that information
[1:31:26] to continue to refine that. I think that for new applicants, I think if they ever come to our
[1:31:34] website, they're going to search a website first and click on that link and it's going to take
[1:31:37] them directly to the new application. For those that are expecting one of our other systems,
[1:31:43] it's like, oh wait, what happened? And then we'll go from there, right? We'll work through that problem,
[1:31:49] if they're fairly newer and frequent, they'll see, oh, look, I have this application and it wants
[1:31:53] need to create an account.
[1:31:54] There's going to put in their email, it's going to say, I don't have an account, okay, create
[1:31:57] an account.
[1:31:59] So, very, like, you know, it's fairly intuitive.
[1:32:01] If they already have an account, so say your accounts are even used and I do anticipate
[1:32:05] we're getting a lot of questions like that, because no matter how much communication we have,
[1:32:09] but it's real simple, like it's an easy call to take and say, no problem.
[1:32:14] Just click on forgot password and let's work through fixing that.
[1:32:17] And then once they're in, there is potential that some of the cases we brought in,
[1:32:23] you know, like we have a contractor versus the owner and trying to make sure that we get all of
[1:32:28] all of those connections accurate could be that, but it's simple to go into the system update things
[1:32:33] and these are all less than 30 second type of activities that anticipate that we'll be facing initially.
[1:32:39] How's it going to take?
[1:32:40] My final question is, obviously the priority is getting this right now, but as you think ahead,
[1:32:46] and as AI tools continue to evolve and iterate and maybe destroy us all,
[1:32:51] How will this new system kind of be open to the potential for AI tools in the future or would we have to build a new system down the line?
[1:32:59] You know, so it does have an AI utility currently. It's internal facing only and that's I think that's good because I don't know how accurate it is.
[1:33:09] But it's kind of like an internal alpha like how do I do X and so far it's been pretty good.
[1:33:14] We'll test that out. I do believe that all systems will eventually continue to evolve within AI type of enhancements
[1:33:21] tools, what I really like to see in the future and some of my peers in the state are certain
[1:33:26] look at this is finding some AI tools that just fill out your applications for you. And
[1:33:31] I mean most of our as a web forms are pretty open to you know add on type of tools like this.
[1:33:38] I think that's what I'm looking for is something that will help me fill out applications.
[1:33:44] Thank you, Director. Thank you, Mayor. Councillor Jets?
[1:33:48] The reporter concern, would you give an example of a kind of things that people would use that for?
[1:34:00] So it's something we currently have.
[1:34:03] And now, I want to say we have about 15 or 16 separate labeled concerns.
[1:34:09] And they all open up a PDF or a web form on civic class and those go through so it's for the most part the same
[1:34:16] So we're not necessarily going to get too creative on the types of concerns, but for example, could be like a park car that's not supposed to be there
[1:34:24] Or does that go to be, you know, trash in the street, and we get those routed automatically
[1:34:30] another one is
[1:34:31] like a
[1:34:34] Concern a concern with someone's pet like so we're trying to provide and and guide
[1:34:39] the conversation about being too restricted so even though it is a drop-down there's an open
[1:34:44] text which you can type you know a good summary of what you're looking for. Even on the location
[1:34:50] one of the like midstream in hand since we had is like hey you know it's always good to have a
[1:34:54] location right you always want a location and then as we start to really evaluating that as like well
[1:35:00] What if it's not a specific location and it's just in general? And so we're able to change the the tools so that you can skip the location. And even if it is the location, like once we start engaging with whatever the concern is, we have the ability to go and add a specific location if we need it to, so.
[1:35:18] It does a person have to create an account to report a concern.
[1:35:22] So that's one of the exceptions to requiring counts.
[1:35:25] So that does not.
[1:35:27] We do make it clear, though, as you say,
[1:35:30] I don't want to provide my information
[1:35:31] that it makes it very difficult for us to follow up with you.
[1:35:35] And so we do have, so there's some conditional items
[1:35:38] on that form.
[1:35:39] It's like, I don't want to give my information or create an account.
[1:35:43] And it basically says, that's fine.
[1:35:46] I don't remember what exact verb is.
[1:35:47] And it's very nice, because we have health
[1:35:48] from our communications team.
[1:35:49] But essentially says, this is allowed,
[1:35:52] however, just keep note that we can't follow up with you.
[1:35:57] And I guess I'm thinking about someone who might have a concern
[1:36:01] that has someone undocumented in their home,
[1:36:04] who might be reluctant to give you information in order
[1:36:08] to get that concern addressed.
[1:36:10] And do you feel it adequately bypasses those things
[1:36:15] so that that person can get service?
[1:36:18] I would say yes.
[1:36:19] I mean, like if they don't give an address and if they don't give us a contact, it depends
[1:36:26] on how much information they give us to be able to provide service.
[1:36:30] We'll do our best as we always do, however, we at least need some way to either follow up
[1:36:36] and ask more questions or we just keep an eye out for additional information that's related.
[1:36:43] And is there, for example, my concern is that I'm driving down the road and there's a car that is not working in the middle of the street.
[1:36:56] Normally you would call 911 for that.
[1:36:59] Or maybe that's a little extreme.
[1:37:02] But how does it interface with 911 and connect all the systems?
[1:37:07] Sure, so there's no direct connection with 911.
[1:37:09] It is clear that if there's like we start out with it, this is a emergency, please contact 911.
[1:37:16] But second, really kind of like information on there is that we monitor this system during business hours.
[1:37:22] So if this is after business hours, just know that we won't get to it.
[1:37:25] But if it is an emergency again, you know, and here's the phone number to dispatch, right?
[1:37:29] So we give us some information.
[1:37:31] Some other interesting, some nice things that features that we can leverage is we often get calls about the lighter, the streetlights.
[1:37:37] And that's really needs to go to Excel.
[1:37:41] So the next question is, is this related to a street light?
[1:37:45] And they click, yes, then a little pop-up comes up.
[1:37:47] A banner says that Excel handles all street lights and hears a link.
[1:37:51] So they can click directly there and get into Excel's concern reporting system.
[1:37:55] And we do that for Excel as well as I think the CDOT for street related issues on the state highways.
[1:38:07] And presumably also with waste.
[1:38:11] So there's someone who wants to say no one picked up my trash today, that would go to a
[1:38:15] Republic.
[1:38:17] It could or it could.
[1:38:18] I would say that we could.
[1:38:20] So one of the features that was not automated right now.
[1:38:23] However, we can.
[1:38:25] And it's a great idea.
[1:38:26] How what we can do is any anything that we get in.
[1:38:29] We can basically download the whole case.
[1:38:32] And once it's download, we can email that to whoever needs it.
[1:38:34] So they get all the information that they would normally get within the application.
[1:38:39] External and fees can engage within the system, but we can easily share that content with
[1:38:44] whoever you do that.
[1:38:46] This looks very exciting and I can see how much work has gone into it and I can almost feel
[1:38:53] the weight of it on your shoulders and how much work you've been into it.
[1:38:58] It has the potential for really moving us forward, so thank you so much.
[1:39:03] Council of General. Just a couple of quick questions for me.
[1:39:06] You said there's about 2,000 accounts that you're sort of migrating over.
[1:39:11] If you could put an order of magnitude on the number of like applications or processes that are being migrated to the new system,
[1:39:19] and sort of active.
[1:39:20] So active.
[1:39:24] It's tough.
[1:39:26] Order of magic.
[1:39:27] Yeah, in total it's 43,000.
[1:39:29] the vast majority of those are archived right because looking back last seven years, I believe.
[1:39:35] So I would say maybe ten percent of that, so maybe four to five thousand active applications.
[1:39:40] Yeah, so it's even that's a substantial question.
[1:39:43] To get those into the new system and ready to go.
[1:39:48] Thanks.
[1:39:50] Not saying any more questions. Thank you so much.
[1:39:52] Thank you so much.
[1:39:57] We'll move on to regular business tonight, two items.
[1:40:00] We begin with the first one, which is authorizing the issuance of City of Lafayette, Colorado General
[1:40:05] Obligation Bonds. And give her a second and turn it over to our Deputy City Manager.
[1:40:20] Good evening, Mayor and City Council. Like a day was Deputy City Manager, and I'm joined by
[1:40:26] Heather Balser, Chief Financial Officer, as well as Maddie Perdonovich, who is our with-held hot
[1:40:31] securities and she's our municipal financial advisor, as well as Kim Crawford with Butler Snow.
[1:40:36] bill. They'll be here speaking on this matter as well. We're going to be talking about the authorization of an issuance of the city of Lafayette General obligation bonds and this will be ordinance number 16 2026.
[1:40:50] The objective of this is to consider approval of the ordinance of what authorized the issuance of one or more series of general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed 74 million dollars
[1:41:01] as authorized by voters at the November election in 2025.
[1:41:06] We'll do a little background and then an ordinance overview,
[1:41:10] a market update, have some next steps and question and discussions,
[1:41:13] and then we have proposed motion language for you.
[1:41:18] So a little bit of background for you this evening.
[1:41:20] You may recall that we've been talking about city facilities here
[1:41:24] at the city of Lafayette for several years.
[1:41:27] Well beyond 2025 and looking at sort of the age of our facilities and
[1:41:32] in addition of our facilities and in the last couple of years we've
[1:41:36] identified some of our most critical need facilities starting with this
[1:41:41] service center which is the 1973 so this facility being older than 55 years is
[1:41:47] really our oldest facility in which our critical operations operate out of.
[1:41:53] The city hall was built in 1985 and then the recreation center was built in 1999 and even
[1:42:00] at 36 years old it's it's a little young but for an aquatic facility that's quite old
[1:42:05] and we felt it's aged over the past couple years with some pretty serious impact on our infrastructure
[1:42:14] there with the pool. We've also seen a lot of growth here in the city over the years over
[1:42:20] those years and increase services along with that in the types of services that we can provide
[1:42:25] to the community, and you can see some of those services that have expanded over the years.
[1:42:32] So at the election in November 2025, a majority of city voters approved a ballot measure,
[1:42:39] a ballot measure to see that authorized the city to issue up to $74 million of general
[1:42:44] obligation bonds to pay for these three projects as described in the ballot question.
[1:42:49] Voters authorized the bonds, but the city council still needs to authorize the issuance of the bonds and the related documents by the ordinance.
[1:42:59] Staff have been working diligently on the designs for the renovation of the Bob Burger Recreation Center and the service center.
[1:43:09] We're going to talk a little bit more about the status of those projects in a few minutes.
[1:43:12] At the time of the issuance of tax exempt bonds, we must certify that we have a reasonable
[1:43:17] expectation that we'll be able to spend 85% of the proceeds of these bonds within three
[1:43:23] years.
[1:43:25] So after consulting with our bond council and municipal advisor, we determined that although this
[1:43:30] was past last November, that we would wait to issue the first series of bonds from the election
[1:43:36] until the plans were further along.
[1:43:37] So we've been working on the design and now we're here to expect to issue the first series of bonds this fall followed by a second series of bonds in late summer early fall of twenty twenty seven for the Civic Center.
[1:43:54] So a little bit about the project status.
[1:43:57] I'm going to start with the service center.
[1:44:01] So I'm going to just kind of give you overview of where we are and just to be aware that at our September workshop,
[1:44:08] We will be doing the capital bond tour and this is something that we've been doing for the past couple of years and this will be a part of the budget process
[1:44:16] And it will give you a chance to see first hand each of these facilities that we're working on and kind of the saddest and a little bit more
[1:44:24] Kind of what's on the ground now and what we're looking at so this to the left is a picture of the site of the service center
[1:44:30] This is the current site and current conditions just to orient you. This is north and
[1:44:35] And the service center is located at a south-world road, which is right here, and then
[1:44:40] Avalan Avenue, and the access point is here to the north, and then there's a small
[1:44:46] access point, kind of a narrow access point here down on the south end too.
[1:44:51] This is the building that we're looking at renovating, and this is the city's whole property
[1:44:56] here that we're looking at.
[1:44:58] A lot of this space.
[1:45:00] We're not able to do anything on due to the flood plan here with co-creak, and so we're just looking kind of at the buildable footprint here.
[1:45:09] Some of the existing conditions that you see here at the site, very old systems and infrastructure. You can see here a pipe broke when we had, we have poor insulation on site and poor kind of each fact systems and heating and cooling there.
[1:45:24] And so, in winter conditions, we have a lot of issues, you can see a tractor that barely fits
[1:45:30] in the building, our current storage bays don't accommodate the size of a lot of the
[1:45:36] fleet that we have, especially our larger, some of our larger machines, and larger fleet
[1:45:41] vehicles.
[1:45:42] And then you can just see kind of a lot of the aging of these very old bays that we have
[1:45:47] in the condition of those.
[1:45:50] So, we've been working on the conceptual design with our designed build team, we're working
[1:45:57] with D2C, is our architecture team that we're working with.
[1:46:02] And after having several meetings working towards the design, we have the kind of some
[1:46:08] conceptual design in place for this approach.
[1:46:11] This is the north side of the existing building, and we're looking at a kind of major renovation
[1:46:16] here, this section, the north section, and that would be about 15,000 square foot
[1:46:23] full remodel of this section where we would do all of our office space to accommodate
[1:46:28] all of the staff on site. As you know, we'll be adding some additional staff there, including
[1:46:33] our facilities division and our open space staff as well. So this will have office space various types
[1:46:40] of seating and offices, meeting space, training space, some storage space, also workshops,
[1:46:48] a lot of kind of condition space. It'll also have all of the showers, toilets, lockers,
[1:46:54] kind of an area where people can decontaminate when they're coming in from working in an
[1:46:59] operational situation in the field. So that'll be new something that we haven't had. So this
[1:47:04] be all of this area here. This existing space here would be a minor renovation where we would
[1:47:10] keep it as base base base, but it would be better condition. We would improve the concrete
[1:47:15] and drainage on the floor, and we would continue to have that as sweet storage as well as other
[1:47:19] storage space. We'd have improved electric and lighting, but otherwise it would be more accommodating
[1:47:25] sweet space facilities in storage space. This would be a new building, and this new building would
[1:47:32] about just over 14,000 square feet and this is predominantly going to be fleet fleet space.
[1:47:38] So this will be much larger base that can accommodate things like dump trucks, snow plows,
[1:47:45] large fire engines, some of our larger vehicles that don't currently fit into a fleet
[1:47:49] base for mechanical work. And then we'll also have all reflate operations, parks, open space
[1:47:56] fleet operations consolidated with our fleet mechanics in this space and it'll have office space
[1:48:01] the fleet as well as all the storage for tires and all the other fleet equipment there.
[1:48:09] So, that is kind of what the new footprint will look like, and we're also looking at,
[1:48:15] you know, just the same access here on the north shifted a little bit potentially, and then
[1:48:20] just more fluid access coming through and potentially shifting that south access point a little bit
[1:48:27] as well.
[1:48:27] So we're kind of looking at improving that access.
[1:48:31] But otherwise, no significant changes to the state footprint.
[1:48:36] Currently, in next steps, we're working on geotech and title work
[1:48:40] and the site survey is underway.
[1:48:43] Costs destination and design refinement are currently underway as well.
[1:48:48] We will be starting outreach to the neighborhood.
[1:48:51] Well, this is really not an outward facing building.
[1:48:55] We do want to make sure that the neighbors in the media
[1:48:57] area are kind of aware of what we'll be going on with the site modifications in any access
[1:49:02] point changes and we'll be doing that through our Lafayette Lissons Hub. We have a Lafayette
[1:49:10] Lissons Hub that has each project has its own site and so you can basically go to Lafayette
[1:49:16] Lissons page and click on each project and you can sign up to get updates at each of the
[1:49:22] project pages. So we encourage people to do that. And then we will be coming back with Council
[1:49:29] for Council approval at the final design build contract, which we'll have refined costs for
[1:49:34] the full basically construction contract for this.
[1:49:42] Okay, moving to the Bob Berger Recreation
[1:49:43] Center. We also are still in design phase for the BDRC and you are probably familiar with the footprint
[1:49:54] dislocation. What we're really looking at is the entire location and the parking lot as well because
[1:50:00] Parking is currently an issue at VBRC and we want to make sure that we address the expansion
[1:50:04] at the Rec Center and what the necessary parking needs will be there. We don't anticipate
[1:50:10] looking at all at this gate park, but we're looking up to where the inline-scate rank
[1:50:14] is and what the kind of informal parking has been up there. These are some of the current conditions.
[1:50:21] Again, with the weeks at the pool, I think you're familiar with the conditions that we've been
[1:50:25] and the downtime that we've had and the real significant implications that are kind of infrastructure there and the way that the pool piping was originally built and installed has kind of resulted in a lot of mechanical conditions that are difficult for us to basically act.
[1:50:47] So we're looking to create something that's a little bit a little bit of a more modern system that we can maintain a little more easily.
[1:50:54] This is a kind of schematic design, something that shows what we're looking at right now,
[1:50:59] so I just want to point out some of the additions.
[1:51:02] The additional space that we're looking at is about a 21,000 square foot addition to the
[1:51:07] red center and a couple different areas.
[1:51:09] This would be the N2A, there would be additional bike parking here.
[1:51:14] This is a new space that would be sort of a multi-purpose meeting room conference space available.
[1:51:20] One of the biggest additions is over here, and this is an older adult, and also kind of
[1:51:26] multipurpose space that would have a separate entrance, where we'd be able to have
[1:51:31] any accessible entrance here for seniors and older adults to access for programming, and
[1:51:37] also to access, um, rec center and fitness activities and aquatic activities.
[1:51:42] Um, another large, additional space would be back here, which is an expansion of the
[1:51:48] So this is where the lab pool would be back here and then there would also be some additional space here on the second story with more fitness space added.
[1:52:03] We have had lots of community feedback by a survey as well as three community meetings that have occurred in July and August.
[1:52:15] And through these meetings what we've heard is that people want us to create more places
[1:52:22] for people to engage in the long.
[1:52:25] So this is what we've done through this additional space here, which is kind of an older adult space,
[1:52:32] which also has some significant areas that are multi-purpose rooms.
[1:52:37] So this would have meetings space here as well as multi-purpose rooms.
[1:52:41] And then also some just upgrades to where we have our use spaces.
[1:52:48] We also had have heard that we want it to be easier to use, so more accessibility,
[1:52:56] parking, and circulation.
[1:52:58] So the circulation has been a big factor in really looking at how we can reconfigure
[1:53:04] the space we have, for example, coming in and having, as you all know,
[1:53:10] You have brought a child to the pool, walking through the fitness phase, and then having to go
[1:53:17] to the locker rooms and then coming in through to the pool, now people will be able to come in
[1:53:24] and can either go into the locker rooms change and go workout or go into the locker rooms and change
[1:53:29] and go to the pool. So it's much more accessible experience for people to come in and then get to
[1:53:36] they want to go versus having to walk through fitness to get to where they want to go.
[1:53:41] Also much more accessible for the programming that uses those spaces too, so
[1:53:46] that will be a nice change. Also, you know, 45% of our current users are our seniors or older adults,
[1:53:55] and so this is really going to create a nice opportunity for people who are older adults or seniors
[1:54:00] who do swimming, aquatics, fitness classes are ready to be able to easily then move to either
[1:54:08] services or common areas, common spaces, programming, et cetera, so just, again, bringing
[1:54:14] together those fitness experiences along with those creating places together.
[1:54:19] And then making our aquatics work better, not only from, you know, reliable systems perspective,
[1:54:24] but also for functional swimming and family access.
[1:54:28] And then we have just a more fitness space here, and this is a second story fitness space
[1:54:35] added here, and then we have a party room here.
[1:54:40] So there's a lot of different opportunities.
[1:54:43] In terms of the expansion, it really is quite kind of large equitable expansion in several different areas.
[1:54:52] We see 42% increase in aquatic space, 34% increase in fitness space.
[1:55:00] The locker rooms grow by 31% and that includes putting in more family locker rooms or cabanas, which also are accessible spaces, accessible locker rooms, and then the flexible program space increases by 20% and we have wellness room, which we don't currently have, so that's the space that can be used for fitness or for older adults for several different purposes.
[1:55:27] So,
[1:55:30] more fun to come, we will be refining the design based on the cost considerations.
[1:55:35] So we're kind of getting to that schematic design phase where we're going to start doing
[1:55:39] some posting, continuing to take the feedback from the public and looking at feasibility
[1:55:45] of all of the areas that we've incorporated at this point, defining the interiors so we can
[1:55:52] have sure that Lafayette feel.
[1:55:54] And then we will have additional public input in November.
[1:55:58] And we are currently have interviews underway
[1:56:01] for the construction management and general contractor
[1:56:04] that we'll be using to build the facility.
[1:56:07] And then we'll continue to post updates on Lafayette
[1:56:10] listens as I describe with the service center.
[1:56:12] And we do have that subscriber list place for people to sign up.
[1:56:17] And we also have feedback link.
[1:56:18] So there's a link where you can send in thoughts
[1:56:20] feedback that we'll continue to take for BBRC as well. So with that, I'm going to pass it
[1:56:27] up to Heather Balsett.
[1:56:31] Good evening, Mayor and City Council. Heather Balsett, CFO, here to talk
[1:56:34] about the money part. So I'm going to just go over quickly the authorizing ordinance for the sale
[1:56:39] of the bonds to fund all those beautiful improvements. So the authorizing ordinance approves the
[1:56:44] issuance of the general obligation bonds, certain documents for the financings,
[1:56:48] parameters for which the bonds need to comply with and a legal structure necessary to issue the bonds.
[1:56:54] As long as the contemplative bonds or series of bonds to be issued by the city,
[1:56:58] satisfied the parameters presented in section four of the ordinance,
[1:57:02] Council delegates the ability to issue the bonds to the mayor,
[1:57:04] the manager or the chief financial officer. So again the ordinance parameters here,
[1:57:10] the parameters referenced in section four of the ordinance are not to exceed the paramount of 74 million.
[1:57:15] this was authorized in the election.
[1:57:17] The final maturity for all sales, excuse me,
[1:57:20] for all series of December 1, 2046.
[1:57:23] That's the 20-year term.
[1:57:24] Purchase price is not less than 98% of the bonds,
[1:57:27] although we certainly expect that,
[1:57:28] to at least be 100%.
[1:57:30] A combined maximum annual repayment of 6 million,
[1:57:33] again, from the election question,
[1:57:35] and a combined total repayment of 120 million,
[1:57:37] which was also in the election question.
[1:57:39] So again, these majority of these parameters
[1:57:41] are dictated by the 20-25 election question.
[1:57:45] And then I accompany in documents that are in your packet we have the notice of sale which
[1:57:50] communicates bidding requirements for competitive sale, the bond purchase agreement which is
[1:57:54] a contract between the city and an underwriter for negotiated sale, a paying agent agreement
[1:57:59] agreement with the US Bank for bond payment services, a continuing disclosure certificate which
[1:58:04] outlines the city's ongoing disclosure obligations after issuance and then a preliminary
[1:58:09] official statement which is a primary disclosure document providing financial and legal
[1:58:14] information to potential investors. So a number of these are in your packet. Some of them are still
[1:58:19] in draft form as there are terms in there that won't be finalized until the sale of the bonds.
[1:58:26] And I also just want to mention that Kim Proford with Butler Show, Bond Council prepared this
[1:58:34] document and coordination with very many of our city attorney and it's still be available for questions
[1:58:39] And at this point, I'm going to turn it over to Maddie for the market update, which
[1:58:43] who's with Hilltop, the city's municipal financial advisor.
[1:58:49] Good evening.
[1:58:50] Thank you for having me again.
[1:58:52] I was reflecting on the drive up here that you all have seen a lot of me thinking the last
[1:58:55] year and a half.
[1:58:57] So this might be the last time for a while, which is good.
[1:59:01] That means we're friendly, making progress, right?
[1:59:03] So a little bit on the market.
[1:59:06] I'm assuming most of you would probably open Google or the New York Times or Wall Street Journal
[1:59:11] or something in the last, well, three months but really the last couple of days, you know,
[1:59:18] our municipal market right now, similar to the U.S. Treasury's market, is really driven by
[1:59:23] what's happening in the conflict in Iran. So oil prices go up, interest rates go up, oil
[1:59:28] prices go down, interest rates go down. So as you can imagine the last two days, particularly
[1:59:33] they have not been particularly great for our bond market.
[1:59:37] That said, the market itself is still operating very efficiently.
[1:59:41] We actually are advising on the transaction
[1:59:43] for state-brain school districts tomorrow.
[1:59:46] They're playing to issue $375 million of bonds
[1:59:48] that is still anticipated to move forward.
[1:59:51] Even with the market volatility,
[1:59:53] but the market is still clearing,
[1:59:55] I would say it's fairly orderly,
[1:59:56] they're still investors.
[1:59:58] It's so generous, it's our underlying benchmark.
[2:00:00] Mark of that yield curve is moving around a little bit. That said, we are still below. We are above average from a historical 20 year perspective, but we are below from, we'll be consider like a market high.
[2:00:12] Rates are a little bit higher than when I talk to you last in June. I think then I was estimating an interest rate, kind of maybe around 425, 4.25% we're sitting about 4.5.
[2:00:23] right now just with based on rates as of today. So, not terrible. Still well below.
[2:00:29] They're, we use it slightly higher than 5% coupon when we were doing the free
[2:00:33] emitters for the dollar questions. We still have a lot of wiggle room.
[2:00:36] There, those rates do not move one for one. So, like if the yield curve moves up one
[2:00:40] basis point that doesn't mean you're borrowing increases by one person.
[2:00:45] It's from a math perspective. Actually, it's less than that. So, we have more than
[2:00:49] 50% of more than 50 basis points of cushion, we're probably more like 75 basis points of cushion
[2:00:55] within there.
[2:00:56] We feel pretty comfortable with that was where the market is today.
[2:01:00] You know, the big headline risk, so to speak, outside of Iran has really been what the
[2:01:05] Fed is, what's anticipated at the Fed, if you know, when I was here in January, I probably
[2:01:09] was talking about potential rate cuts because that was what was being built into the market
[2:01:13] at the time.
[2:01:15] Now, particularly related to the conflict in Iran and rising oil and gas prices, which
[2:01:19] a part of inflation, but just overall inflation really maintaining a higher rate than the
[2:01:26] Fedwood like has caused the market out actually price and rate hikes.
[2:01:31] We are not anticipating one necessarily at the next meeting, but that is definitely in
[2:01:35] the future, and that's a lot of what you've seen from the growth in those interest rates
[2:01:40] over the last month, particularly or so, on the short end is mostly driven by potential
[2:01:45] federal movements on the long end is more just kind of the economic uncertainty and
[2:01:50] volatility that we are operating within.
[2:01:53] And some of that is what I think is going to be a little bit under the line is the
[2:01:58] US debt.
[2:01:59] And what does that mean for ongoing operations, obviously, within the federal government, treasury
[2:02:05] rates go higher.
[2:02:06] That's not good for the federal budget and deficit rate, because that's what they are using
[2:02:10] to borrow money.
[2:02:11] So, a lot of uncertainty that said, deals are still getting done, we're still borrowing it
[2:02:16] relatively decent interest rates, obviously not where we were back in 2020 or 2021,
[2:02:22] but not necessarily expecting to get back there any time soon.
[2:02:26] I wanted to put in a couple of trends, just because I thought some of these were helpful.
[2:02:29] I know I don't really talk about, like, big picture market context, and these are a little bit
[2:02:32] more specific, I think, to sort of what's happened, particularly over the last five years or so,
[2:02:37] And the interest rate environment, you know, on the far left is just the MMD is municipal market data that is our tax exempt yield curve.
[2:02:44] You can see how that's changed over the last year, really.
[2:02:48] So the green line was a year ago.
[2:02:49] The light blue was recently and then the dark blue was about six months ago.
[2:02:54] You know, rates were definitely lower in February and then I have started to kind of create this constant trend upwards since then over the last six months.
[2:03:03] But you'll see, you know, compared to a year ago, we're a little bit higher on the short end,
[2:03:07] which was sort of aligned with that said, you know, anticipated Fed movement,
[2:03:11] and then a little bit lower on the long end, which is beneficial here.
[2:03:15] From the credit spread perspective, you'll see, right? So we price to that municipal market
[2:03:21] data that index that taxes and field curve. That is assumed to be essentially the triple A,
[2:03:25] the lowest borrowing cost, and that's actually created by a survey of
[2:03:31] underwriters of where they anticipate some high credit quality issuers would price that day.
[2:03:37] We then actually price bonds based on a spread to that index and that spread is dictated by a couple things.
[2:03:43] Some of it is the market, but a lot of it is really driven by the credit quality of the obligation that is being issued.
[2:03:48] So in this instance, for the city, it's a AA rated general obligation credit.
[2:03:53] You'll see, you know, where there's a spike kind of in that 22 to 24 timeframe, that was when rates were climbing right from their low points.
[2:04:01] And you saw those credit spreads wide and now a lot of that had more to do with market volatility than it did with perceived credit benefit.
[2:04:09] That has since come back down.
[2:04:11] So while we are at somewhat elevated interest rates, our credits spreads are actually lower than where they were if we were borrowing say two or three years ago.
[2:04:19] Which is beneficial obviously to the city because we try to get that credit spread as low as possible.
[2:04:23] And then just the yield curve steepness, I find this one is just kind of interesting because
[2:04:27] for a period of time we were operating particularly when we were in a high inflationary
[2:04:32] environment, our yield curve was actually inverted but what that meant is that our overall yield
[2:04:38] curve steepness was pretty shallow. So we're talking about like a hundred basis points between your
[2:04:44] one or two year maturity and your thirty year maturity. That can make some bonds challenging to
[2:04:49] cell because if I'm an investor, you know, they're folks that are looking for specific areas
[2:04:53] of the ill-corrupted bass, but they're also looking where they can get the best get the most
[2:04:57] healed for their investments, right? And so it's a little bit...
[2:05:00] A little challenging when we're in a pretty flat yield curve environment to sort of incentivizing
[2:05:04] investors to move to different maturities. We are now looking at more normal, more typical yield curve,
[2:05:11] where if you think back to your finance or economics classes, we're back in the day, we want that nice little
[2:05:16] curve shape that we currently have, which is beneficial as we move into the anticipated pricing for the city's
[2:05:25] So I'm just going to find a same timeline, this has not changed at all, I don't think since I was here in June, so obviously we're here for first reading this evening, assuming that is approved.
[2:05:36] Second reading would be two weeks from this evening.
[2:05:39] We have scheduled the rating call with S&P, I was actually working on that rating presentation earlier today, so we'll be talking to those analysts on the morning of the 15th actually.
[2:05:48] And then we'll get that rating back a week later, over that period of time, one of the documents
[2:05:54] I just want to highlight that Heather mentioned was the preliminary official statement.
[2:05:58] That is the primary disclosure document that is used to market the city's credit to potential
[2:06:03] purchasers.
[2:06:04] It is in draft form in your council package.
[2:06:08] Seedening, there will be an updated version that gets circulated prior to second reading.
[2:06:12] But even then, at that point, it is not final.
[2:06:14] Those documents are approved as to form because we can't finalize that until we're basically
[2:06:18] right before we go in price.
[2:06:20] So there will continue to be updates
[2:06:21] so that your finance team collectively is working on that.
[2:06:24] That will be financed, finished, finalized,
[2:06:27] and publicly posted, Retargeting for Friday, September 25th.
[2:06:32] That is the point at which where the sale now becomes public.
[2:06:35] So other purchasers can start doing their diligence.
[2:06:38] So look at the city's credit and the bonds.
[2:06:40] We are targeting Tuesday, October 6th sitting here today
[2:06:43] for the city's pricing.
[2:06:45] That said, we are not obligated to do anything
[2:06:48] on that date, nor does the ordinance actually obligate or require the city to issue bonds.
[2:06:52] It is providing the authorization to do so.
[2:06:55] We will continue to work with city staff as market trends change over the next month to
[2:07:01] determine an appropriate time for pricing.
[2:07:04] And if we need to potentially postpone what we'll like to be evaluating is just where we anticipate
[2:07:09] interest rates going, which we'll have to press the ball for that right now, but also making
[2:07:14] that we're getting the city funds to reimburse itself for some of these costs that have come up over the last year as you've been working through the design processes.
[2:07:23] The election authorization also included a reimbursement resolution in there, whereby proceeds from these bonds can be used to reimburse the city.
[2:07:31] So we just want to make sure that we're ideally we're kind of tying that bow, I'd say, by the end of the fiscal year, so that it doesn't look kind of wonky in terms of like reserve levels or things like that in the city's financial statements for 2026.
[2:07:43] So long-term goal is to try and have this transaction closed by the end of the year, assuming nothing changes sitting here today.
[2:07:51] I don't anticipate us moving that pricing date, but again, you know, who knows what happens even overnight these days.
[2:07:58] So, you know, we'll be sure obviously to have city staff update if for some reason we materially change from that schedule.
[2:08:05] We aren't anticipating selling the bonds via competitive sale. I think I've talked about this at prior meetings.
[2:08:09] that is where essentially the sale is noticed on a public auction site that is used by our
[2:08:15] industry and interested purchasers are then able to submit a bid to purchase the bonds and then
[2:08:21] the lowest interest rate through that submittal wins. So those are, they are awarded the bonds,
[2:08:27] they then purchase those and are able to sell those to other investors. That is what the notice of
[2:08:33] sale, which is a form document that is included in your packets as well, that will dictate the terms
[2:08:38] So if that sale, and again, that won't be finalized also until the 25th, as we'll work
[2:08:42] through different scenarios and things like that to make sure that we're providing flexibility
[2:08:47] to the city walls of kind of meeting market trends at that time, the ordinance is flexible
[2:08:53] and that it allows the city to utilize a negotiated sale, which is slightly different in
[2:08:57] that an underwriter would be selected ahead of time, but for just service, essentially,
[2:09:01] and we negotiate with them on the sale.
[2:09:03] We don't think that is needed at this time, but we want to provide the flexibility primarily
[2:09:07] because this is authorizing one or more series of bonds.
[2:09:11] So when we come to do the second series next year,
[2:09:14] if for some reason we are in a market period
[2:09:16] where we think a negotiated sale would be beneficial
[2:09:19] at that time, we have the flexibility to do so.
[2:09:22] That the document related to that is the bond
[2:09:25] purchase agreement that essentially becomes a contract
[2:09:27] between the city and the underwriter in a negotiated sale.
[2:09:31] So if we're doing a competitive sale,
[2:09:32] that document isn't needed at all,
[2:09:34] but it's in your pack, it's just in case we do pivot.
[2:09:37] I just wanted to make that clarification and then sitting here today from a ratings standpoint
[2:09:41] the city's general obligation bonds are rated AA plus those bonds that are maturing
[2:09:46] this year.
[2:09:48] We don't anticipate any material changes to that rating particularly based on some of the
[2:09:52] analysis I was doing earlier today for that rating presentation but we will have that call
[2:09:56] in two weeks and the results from that in three weeks.
[2:10:00] We can work with staff to make sure that it's communicated to you all and if there needs to be press releases and things like that to make sure folks are aware of the great financial work the city is doing.
[2:10:10] And so with that, I think I'm passing it back to Heather.
[2:10:16] So, our next steps here, you currently have over 212,000 spent to be reimbursed, and the
[2:10:24] city's 2026 budget for bond projects in the capital fund is a little over 4 million.
[2:10:30] Once the bond sale is complete, staff will work forward a supplemental budget request in November to reimbursed
[2:10:35] the capital fund for the 2026 expenses and appropriate proceeds of the bond sale.
[2:10:40] And then we'll issue that second series of bonds for 34 million for the Civic Center in the fall of 2027 with design and public engagement to begin in 2027.
[2:10:51] And we're all available for any questions.
[2:10:54] Great, thank you.
[2:10:55] Questions from council for staff or help top?
[2:11:03] No questions.
[2:11:04] Mayor Brota.
[2:11:05] Thank you.
[2:11:06] Thank you, Mayor.
[2:11:08] I just had a question.
[2:11:09] What does it look like?
[2:11:10] I guess this is probably for.
[2:11:15] So when we do, when our bonds go up for sale on this kind of site, what does it look like?
[2:11:25] What's the draw?
[2:11:26] What are people going to be looking at?
[2:11:28] The first thing is the city of Lafayette or something.
[2:11:31] So it'll say, you know, for, so that this, there is a, it's a, it's a, it's called Ipreo,
[2:11:38] which is where all municipal bonds like wires and like all of our sales basically take place
[2:11:44] on that infrastructure, and when that shows sales shows up, it'll show up there, as well
[2:11:50] as in a couple of different market calendars.
[2:11:53] So there's one that's produced by the bond buyer, which is, like, our industry newspaper,
[2:11:57] basically, and then TM3, which is another, like, market data point, basically, and yes,
[2:12:03] so it'll say, you know, have a date, and then it'll say, have the dollar amount, so $40
[2:12:08] million, it'll say, City of Lafayette, Colorado, general obligation bonds, series 2026, and
[2:12:13] then it'll have the rating next to it, basically. And so, when a potential purchaser can click
[2:12:18] normally, it's a kind of, depending on which site you run. It's a clickable link, you can
[2:12:22] see the information that's in, like, the notice of sale as an example that has the bid requirements.
[2:12:29] It will also usually have a link to that preliminary official statement, that disclosure
[2:12:32] documents that they can scroll through that and read through that and evaluate their view of the city's credit.
[2:12:40] Thank you.
[2:12:41] And what are the other questions of appreciate the trends and love that?
[2:12:44] Are there any annual trends that you would expect to see that weren't that you didn't talk
[2:12:51] And is there an expectation after an election after an election year like this kind of work the next year to years from now? Are there any expectations generally?
[2:13:06] I mean, yes and no.
[2:13:08] To like expect the unexpected unexpected I guess.
[2:13:12] I think this fall, a lot of what that election dictates, is what does that mean for the current presidential administration is there, are they left with another two years to kind of do what they will, you know, both from operational economical, et cetera, or is there some perceived check that gets placed by like a, you know, changing within Congress.
[2:13:39] That we have seen that have different reactions, candidly, depending on what the flip is and
[2:13:47] what the markets perceive change or no change means for interest rates and for overall
[2:13:53] market volatility.
[2:13:54] So, would it be fair to say no impact is unusual?
[2:13:58] Yeah, I would say no impact is unusual.
[2:14:01] I would also say, candidly, I don't know how much either impact though would really have
[2:14:07] at this point in time because a lot of what is influencing the market has been put in place
[2:14:14] without going through Congress. So there is a bit of a question of like even if Congress flips
[2:14:21] what checks do they really have on some of the items that have that are taking place right now.
[2:14:29] Right. And so from that same point we don't totally know but sitting here sitting here today
[2:14:35] that nobody candidly is really focused on the election from a market perspective,
[2:14:40] whereas I think what they market doesn't like is unexpected things to happen.
[2:14:45] So like if you go back to 2016, the market went crazy after that November election
[2:14:51] because the market said all anticipated that Hillary Clinton was going to win the election
[2:14:54] and then she did not, and it's not necessarily that they didn't like Trump's policies.
[2:15:00] So what his policies were because they hadn't really looked into it because they didn't think he was going to win.
[2:15:04] And so sitting here today, I don't anticipate much movement, but you know, I've not gone one from this election cycle.
[2:15:11] 2020, it's like a whole other ballgame because we don't even know who's running for president.
[2:15:15] At this point in time in that election, you know, we don't know the state of the world that we are will be in at that point in time.
[2:15:23] Presidential elections do tend to have a bigger movement than a midterm election cycle.
[2:15:28] And then we'll try and there's no real annual trend, we're going into winter, nothing really.
[2:15:33] Totally, yes, I mean sometimes we see, you know, if you were talking to me probably six or seven years ago,
[2:15:40] I would say we see kind of this creep up in rates as you go towards the end of the year and then a reduction in rates in January.
[2:15:47] That trend has not been consistent though for the last six years, like some years, it's on trends, sometimes it's not in rates actually spike in January that happened two years ago.
[2:15:56] So, it's just very unvertable.
[2:16:00] Yes. And like what we typically have historically followed for data points as an example that dictate
[2:16:08] usually market reactions have just been way less influential in consequential and consequential this year
[2:16:13] because of the other noise that's happening. Like inflation and PPI and all those things that come out
[2:16:19] on a regular schedule, those used to be much more influential in the market.
[2:16:24] If we missed CPI by 0.2%, you know, that would mean like, oh, people were concerned
[2:16:30] and nowadays it doesn't really seem to be much of anything candidly.
[2:16:36] Our market sitting here today, the biggest influence on it and the tracking of trends
[2:16:41] is oil prices.
[2:16:43] Okay.
[2:16:44] Thank you so much.
[2:16:45] Councillor Ginole.
[2:16:47] Thank you, Mayor.
[2:16:48] Just to follow up on this discussion, you talked earlier about bond rating, that
[2:16:54] city has a good bond rating. Yes. Don't expect that to change. Yeah. Can you talk a little bit
[2:17:00] about the factors that would make that improve the degree. Go up for that. Sure. So you are
[2:17:05] a double A plus reading is one notch below the best possible reading you can have right of
[2:17:09] AAA. There are a handful of cities within Colorado that are rated AAA by either S&P or Moody's,
[2:17:16] but not a ton. A lot of it in your instance likely would have to do with your size. So your
[2:17:22] of your tax base, both on like a sales tax and property tax base, because of your size,
[2:17:27] you'll see that rating typically applied to a slightly larger city because they can weather
[2:17:32] through changes in different industries a little bit better than potentially the city could.
[2:17:38] From a going down perspective, yeah, the biggest driver that is within the city's control
[2:17:45] from a rating perspective is fund balance in your general fund.
[2:17:49] So you are in the cities, obviously,
[2:17:52] been spending some fun balance over the last few years,
[2:17:54] but you're still in a really good place.
[2:17:56] Is it really to their reading methodology?
[2:17:59] In particular, through the budget target of 25% of reserves
[2:18:04] is a great place to stay at, because that essentially puts you
[2:18:09] at their top level of their scoring for fun balance metrics.
[2:18:13] Once you start to get down, certainly,
[2:18:16] I mean, that would be a big drop.
[2:18:17] But once you start getting closer to like 10%,
[2:18:19] then we start to have more of a conversation
[2:18:22] about what's happening similarly,
[2:18:25] if you were getting down to that level,
[2:18:27] and it was because of year over year of imbalance
[2:18:31] for operations, meaning you're drawing on reserve
[2:18:34] to pay ongoing expenses versus one time expenses
[2:18:37] that influences it.
[2:18:39] And then the other piece is leverage,
[2:18:41] like your debt to six and other leverage factors.
[2:18:44] You don't really have much of a, if anything, of a pension liability, so that is not as relevant for you as it is for some other entities.
[2:18:53] And then debt you are very, I mean, this is your really, they don't count, I should say, like utilities in this evaluation.
[2:19:00] So the wide reclamation bonds don't count, those are self-supporting through service charges, user charges, et cetera.
[2:19:06] So really, it's only going to be these bonds that are outstanding that would count towards that metric.
[2:19:11] So you're in a pretty low liability factor.
[2:19:14] Thank you.
[2:19:17] Councillor Johnson.
[2:19:20] I, I, I, I'm interested in this election cycle and what it could mean.
[2:19:26] We are going to do this first round of bonds previous to that election.
[2:19:33] But the next one, if anarchy breaks out, you know, we will be impacted by that. Is that correct?
[2:19:44] Yes and no, I mean, so you are, we are planning basically the ordinance authorizes both series of bonds, so to issue all 74 million.
[2:19:52] That's that if something were to happen and we are not in a place to issue bonds next year within that one year period,
[2:19:58] or this
[2:20:00] City determines it's not ready to start on the Civic Center project or what have you. We can always come back. That's the, you know, that we are not obligated to stick with this one ordinance. We can always have a second ordinance that authorizes if the one your clock runs out on this ordinance, we can always come back later.
[2:20:16] So in that regard, if if you know, interest rates are going crazy or we're not comfortable selling or the market isn't functioning at all, you know, we are not obligated to move forward in that environment.
[2:20:28] The other thing I would say is from overall historical market context, you know, while we do
[2:20:36] enter, we have entered periods of, I don't know, say inoperability, but you know, the market
[2:20:41] has been more challenging to actually execute transactions than others, for the most part
[2:20:46] that doesn't last all that long. And by what I mean is like two weeks maximum. So, you know,
[2:20:53] like COVID is an example, the market effectively shut down for a couple of weeks.
[2:20:58] And a lot of that was because everybody was figuring out like how are we paying for anything?
[2:21:04] Because, you know, we have no idea if people are going to go out shopping ever again, kind of thing.
[2:21:07] And then once the dust settled and everybody realized, well, you know, Amazon still exists.
[2:21:12] And people are still picking up groceries.
[2:21:13] You know, we're okay.
[2:21:16] Similarly, like with the tariffs last year, there was pretty crazy market chaos for a week after that.
[2:21:23] Our underlying index is moving like 30 basis points in a day for several consecutive days up, not in our favor.
[2:21:34] And a lot of that was just uncertainty of what does that even mean from a tariff standpoint?
[2:21:38] What does it mean from like a retaliatory standpoint?
[2:21:41] What is our overall financial picture look like now?
[2:21:45] That took a week or so for the market and analysts and such to absorb.
[2:21:50] And then rates kind of set you down, and then they actually ended up sort of, they went down after that after, but everybody kind of, I guess, figured out what they thought and some of it was that they didn't think that they would actually get implemented, right, I mean, that was a lot of the market reaction. So what I would say is even if there is some chaos happening after this election or another market event over the next year, we have the ability to navigate that somewhat unless we enter into a period that we've candidly haven't seen.
[2:22:17] even in the financial crisis in 2008, you know, it took some time, but the market eventually
[2:22:24] functioned, again, you know, people's old bonds, people bought it.
[2:22:27] Well, and I guess my question is, has there been any consideration of doing the whole
[2:22:32] bond package now and sub-splitting it into to avoid whatever that uncertainty is next year?
[2:22:39] The challenge there becomes the spend-down requirement by the IRS, so to issue tax exempt bonds
[2:22:45] Kim, if all there's no, is going to make the city sign a document that says it has a reasonable expectation to spend 85% of proceeds within three years.
[2:22:54] The challenge is lumping in the Civic Center project with where the city is at right now in the process.
[2:23:02] We, the city can't reasonably make that expectation sitting here today.
[2:23:07] Thank you.
[2:23:10] Councillor Bullier.
[2:23:11] Thank you, Mayor.
[2:23:12] And it's pretty every time we see you give us worse and worse news.
[2:23:16] I know.
[2:23:17] I need to stop talking about that.
[2:23:18] I think that's all just welcome back.
[2:23:20] Thank you so much.
[2:23:23] No, thank you so much.
[2:23:25] I really appreciate the questions that I'm in service.
[2:23:28] So I want to make sure I understand the 85% and maybe this is a question for Kim Butler.
[2:23:32] No, instead.
[2:23:34] But if we were to not be able to make that, what happens?
[2:23:37] Yeah, so Kim can provide more detail.
[2:23:40] So in this it does happen that they people don't meet that spend down requirement right like you have delayed COVID was a great example where most folks at issued bonds in 2019 did not meet that requirement because I mean you can
[2:23:52] advise flies you could write everything kind of came to a halt.
[2:23:54] It's really more of a reasonable list test and so like the example I always give is if you are certifying on a tax form for Kim that you can build a high school in six months
[2:24:04] like that's not reasonable. And the challenge really becomes when if the city's bonds get
[2:24:10] audited by the IRS, they can make a determination of taxability, which creates a tax
[2:24:15] that issue for your bonds, which is not going to be great for you or the investors that
[2:24:20] purchase them. And so that it's not like on the third year anniversary, if you didn't spend
[2:24:28] 85% now all of a sudden your bonds are taxable or they, you know, have a sticker next to
[2:24:34] them.
[2:24:35] So people don't buy them or whatever.
[2:24:36] It's truly just essentially so that you don't have over-issue.
[2:24:41] And so IRS doesn't want you issuing more than you need to to be able to earn investment
[2:24:48] earnings on those proceeds.
[2:24:52] Thank you.
[2:24:53] And then my one other question I think is more per staff related to the very beginning
[2:24:57] in the presentation, just with tremendous depreciation.
[2:25:04] I guess the question I had is, when we received feedback from different cohorts and aspects of the community, how we're balancing and prioritizing.
[2:25:16] Again, abstain presentation. I know a lot of work has gone into pivot given the feedback we've heard from the public.
[2:25:22] So, community feedback is one aspect of everything we're balancing, you know, so we're
[2:25:27] certainly looking at we have a budget that we're working within.
[2:25:32] We have, you know, timelines, we have a fixed space spatial area that we're working within.
[2:25:39] We have, you know, the footprint.
[2:25:42] We have limitations to what we can, you know, realistically modify at the REC Center.
[2:25:47] So we're really having these conversations with the community and looking at balancing the needs
[2:25:54] of each of the different user groups and trying to address how can we ensure that everyone
[2:26:01] in the community gets some additional needs, so I think we've heard from a lot of different
[2:26:11] user groups and the first meeting that we had was really difficult and part of it is that
[2:26:16] had some lack of clarity and communication with the older adults because they have the existing
[2:26:22] center and we don't know yet what we're going to do there and I think a lot of that is
[2:26:26] going to be ongoing conversation with you all about the operations of that building and
[2:26:33] you know and what happens with the new facility and I also think the new you know the new
[2:26:39] older adult center is it's going to be quite nice and it's going to have a lot to offer
[2:26:44] And so I think we're going to, you know, we might have to see what happens when that opens and what that looks like.
[2:26:51] We don't have staffing budget at this time. So I think there's a lot of things we're going to have to look at as we move forward.
[2:26:57] So I think we've heard a lot around that. We've heard a lot from families. We've heard a lot around fitness.
[2:27:03] And so I think we're taking in all these pieces and we're trying to really look at how we can meet each of those different needs to the best of, you know,
[2:27:12] with our design team and within all of those other constraints.
[2:27:17] So it's just the sign-going conversation with the community.
[2:27:20] Thank you.
[2:27:20] I really appreciate that a concern I had early on in the summer
[2:27:24] was would only this weeky wheels get the grease.
[2:27:27] So I really appreciate that there's this very broad effort
[2:27:30] to make sure all the different user groups are considered.
[2:27:33] You teed up my final question,
[2:27:34] which is that there is this concern,
[2:27:36] particularly among the older adults,
[2:27:37] about the potential closure of the senior center on Iowa.
[2:27:42] I just want to make sure I heard you correctly.
[2:27:44] As of now, we have no plans to close that down.
[2:27:48] We have no, we have not had any conversations with Council about that.
[2:27:53] I, you know, Director Heizel is working with her team.
[2:27:56] They're looking at all the programmatic pieces.
[2:27:58] We're looking at programming at the new facility,
[2:28:01] programming at the old facility, sort of what we have,
[2:28:03] what we need, we're looking at numbers.
[2:28:05] So we will need to have those conversations with you
[2:28:08] about what that all looks like.
[2:28:09] And I look forward to those conversations
[2:28:11] with whatever appropriate attack.
[2:28:12] I guess maybe my request would be in our communications
[2:28:15] to just kind of continue to hit.
[2:28:16] There is no plan currently, because if I,
[2:28:19] as I was listening to you earlier,
[2:28:21] and if I wasn't tracking this very closely,
[2:28:22] I could see, ooh, wait a minute.
[2:28:23] Maybe they are thinking about doing that.
[2:28:25] So I just want to make sure that we have no plans currently,
[2:28:29] but as the new center comes online
[2:28:30] to several years down the road,
[2:28:31] then maybe we'll revisit it, but as of now.
[2:28:34] I just want to make that ask.
[2:28:36] Thank you.
[2:28:37] Thank you, thank you very much.
[2:28:38] Councilor General?
[2:28:40] I think we've had a lot of public engagement
[2:28:45] on the Brexit make sense.
[2:28:48] We've not talked about the public engagement
[2:28:50] on the service center, but you raised it in your presentation
[2:28:53] tonight.
[2:28:56] And there is a residential neighborhood immediately
[2:28:58] to the west of that development project.
[2:29:03] And if this were a regular development project,
[2:29:06] what would that public engagement look like?
[2:29:09] Are we obligated to kind of follow that process?
[2:29:11] Where there's a neighborhood meeting?
[2:29:14] And if there's going to be a site plan that comes to council,
[2:29:17] and those folks are going to have an ability
[2:29:20] to raise their concerns.
[2:29:22] Yeah, so it's a good question.
[2:29:26] And we have talked about with some of the things we're looking at.
[2:29:30] I don't know that we foresee any major changes
[2:29:33] with the configuration, but if we do have
[2:29:37] that access point in the south, if we enlarge it
[2:29:41] so that we have vehicles coming in,
[2:29:44] we will be doing a traffic study.
[2:29:46] And so we'll have a traffic study
[2:29:47] that we have information to share with you
[2:29:50] with the community and to inform kind of
[2:29:54] if there are gonna be any changes or impacts
[2:29:56] and if those changes are impacts, necessary.
[2:30:00] necessitate any operational changes there, or, you know, anything like that. So that would definitely, we would want to have community conversation around that. I think our starting point for the conversation is to the community that were, we're doing these improvements in renovations that they know that the service centers there now, from an, again, from an operational perspective, there won't be major impacts to them, adding facilities as for staff, and adding open space is,
[2:30:30] five or six staff so it's not it's not really a major change in terms of the huge
[2:30:35] operational impacts we're not adding giant field staff teams there so it'll
[2:30:40] really be business as usual to what they're see they'll see but there will be
[2:30:44] construction happening and you know there will be a new building being built
[2:30:48] there that'll be fleet so just so that they know you know this is what's gonna happen
[2:30:53] on site we have that fence there that is not in great condition and so we're talking
[2:30:58] about do we need to improve that fence and you know what can we do to kind of address that.
[2:31:03] So I think our initial touch point is just to inform those neighbors about you know this is
[2:31:08] what's happening and and you know here's what we're looking at and let them know kind of this is
[2:31:13] what's happening and then and then start to kind of engage with them so that they are aware.
[2:31:19] Thank you. That's our chosen. I know we're supposed to be talking about issuing the bombs.
[2:31:25] But I did have a couple of points that I would like further information on for our future meeting about the BBRC, which is how does the group exercise space that we have?
[2:31:40] We have several different sort of new spaces. How does the largest space that we have compared to what we have now?
[2:31:47] how many more people does it serve so in the future if you could answer that for me.
[2:31:51] And then when I went to the community meeting one of the questions that was coming up with
[2:31:57] is really a programming question but perhaps some guidance to how to answer this.
[2:32:04] So there's this very large room in the senior wing that could hold the very large fitness class.
[2:32:10] But there's a presumption that seniors would have priority for those facilities because it's
[2:32:16] more of the senior side and not the rec center side.
[2:32:20] So having some general guidance about who gets to decide,
[2:32:24] like, I have a really popular fitness lesson.
[2:32:26] I'm going to use that facility, you know?
[2:32:29] And do I get to or do the seniors have first dips on it?
[2:32:33] And that makes a difference
[2:32:35] because the way that those fitness rooms
[2:32:39] are currently configured, there's not a real giant room,
[2:32:44] there's several smaller groups.
[2:32:47] And if there is not access to that larger room
[2:32:50] for some of the more popular fitness classes,
[2:32:53] we may have a problem, and so I'm just,
[2:32:56] those are a couple of things I would like further information
[2:32:59] on in the future, and I know we're not supposed to be talking
[2:33:01] about that now.
[2:33:03] Yep, we can definitely talk about that.
[2:33:04] Okay, Melissa and her team are working on those programmatic issues
[2:33:08] and ideas.
[2:33:09] Yeah.
[2:33:10] Perfect, any other questions from Council?
[2:33:11] If not, there is motion language on the screen.
[2:33:15] Thank you.
[2:33:16] I'm going to approve them.
[2:33:17] First reading ordinance number 16 series, 2026,
[2:33:21] authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds.
[2:33:27] Second.
[2:33:28] Great.
[2:33:29] We have a motion.
[2:33:29] We have a second.
[2:33:30] Any discussion on this motion?
[2:33:34] Seeing none.
[2:33:34] I was in favor say aye.
[2:33:36] Anyone opposed?
[2:33:38] None opposed?
[2:33:39] That passed unanimously.
[2:33:41] Thank you for that.
[2:33:42] Let me move on to our final agenda items tonight, which is a purchasing policy update.
[2:33:52] Turn it over to our CFO.
[2:33:53] So yeah, good evening again.
[2:33:55] This is purchasing policy update.
[2:33:57] We're going to talk about Oregon's number 17 series 2026.
[2:34:01] Myself and November the city attorney and I'm probably the deputy attorney as well,
[2:34:06] help with where these documents.
[2:34:08] So the objective and agenda this evening is to consider approval of Oregon's number 17 series 26.
[2:34:13] to amend chapter 44 and chapter 5 of the municipal code regarding purchasing procedures and city manager authority to negotiate an execute certain contracts.
[2:34:23] So we'll give you a little background, an ordinance overview, and then offer any time for questions and discussion and then propose motion language.
[2:34:32] So just some quick background here proposed ordinance will update purchasing limits within the city's code of ordinances to better support the implementation of upcoming bond funded capital projects.
[2:34:41] It's also intended to align city purchasing authority with best practices and improve the efficiency of contract approvals.
[2:34:50] So in overview, so based on the June 23rd, 2026 City Council workshop discussion,
[2:34:56] we set the rules, revisions to chapter 5 and 44 of the municipal.
[2:35:00] Code, including the following. Section 44, dash 42, which was required as competitive bidding for purchases
[2:35:06] above 100,000 versus the current 50,025,000 limits. It also meant section 5, dash 2, dash 5,3,
[2:35:15] which authorizes the city manager to negotiate an execute contracts for the following. So, a purchase
[2:35:20] of tangible property purchases or professional services up to 250,000. That's currently that current limit is 100,000
[2:35:27] and a capital improvement project up to the amount of 1 million, that's currently set again the
[2:35:32] $100,000 limit applies here, there's no distinction between capital and other services in a current program.
[2:35:39] And I'm happy to answer any questions and I have a couple examples of some projects that
[2:35:47] recently came to you for approval that would no longer come to City Council under these new limits.
[2:35:53] So B2 excavating, it was 120th Street Ditch repairs for 123,000 so that would no
[2:35:59] lot of come to you. West Coast systems, it was for basically an HVAC, it's called the
[2:36:05] mixed air unit at the golf course, for $119,978.
[2:36:12] Yarrow Park with a contract with A to Z recreation for $170,000, DS construction group,
[2:36:23] that's
[2:36:23] So that was for 736,000, so those are largely capital, a good example of that 250,000 limit.
[2:36:31] We have an annual lawn mowing contract, which is 120,000, which would not come to council moving forward if these limits change.
[2:36:38] So that's just some examples and happy to answer any questions, as well as RC attorney staff.
[2:36:46] Councillor Chuch.
[2:36:48] I thank you for bringing those examples that really helps to put some mindset around what we're changing, and I guess with regard to the year-up park.
[2:37:00] Garra, y'all.
[2:37:03] If somebody, for example, would live near that park, said, you know what?
[2:37:06] My child is disabled, and I don't think this is an adequate disability-friendly park.
[2:37:15] They can come to us as counsel and speak to that, but if we're doing this new contract
[2:37:20] process, is there an opportunity for somebody in the public who feels left out or doesn't
[2:37:26] like something?
[2:37:27] How would they engage under those circumstances?
[2:37:33] They wouldn't have any, there would be nothing in the public eye when they wouldn't have
[2:37:38] an opportunity to speak to what's happening.
[2:37:42] Yeah, I mean it would be the project would be below the limits, so typically we would go through our internal process and follow our policy procedures for procurement.
[2:37:53] I don't know if you want to add anything, Marilyn.
[2:38:00] So I guess I would add that putting contracts on the agenda does provide public notice of how the city is spending funds for certain projects.
[2:38:09] It might provide notice of that project, but it's, there's internal city processes for how those contracts are sought and rewarded and awarded, I should say, and then the form of the contracts that doesn't usually involve public inputs.
[2:38:29] I understand your point completely. It's just somebody I could sort of out a project. They probably go to staff. What's that starts?
[2:38:37] We today in Dr. Haisel, can talk a little bit more about what we typically do engagement with
[2:38:40] Parkley Placement anyway and ask community members what they are interested in seeing.
[2:38:44] That's how some of the year will work.
[2:38:46] Well, but that's just an example of getting taken in away from council in some way.
[2:38:52] I mean, not that I'm arguing that we shouldn't do this, but taking it away from council takes
[2:38:58] away the public input opportunity where somebody doesn't like something we're doing or does
[2:39:04] like if they have an opportunity to engage with us,
[2:39:07] which if it's a staff level decision
[2:39:10] isn't open to the public and there's no engagement
[2:39:13] from them about, you know, we like this or we don't.
[2:39:17] Cause that is that correct?
[2:39:21] There will be correct unless staff makes a decision
[2:39:24] to go do engagement before they
[2:39:30] or finalize the contract.
[2:39:33] But that's not a public hearing
[2:39:34] where anybody and their brother can come.
[2:39:37] And so that's why only has, there's no problem here with me
[2:39:41] feeling lack of trust in the staff.
[2:39:44] There is some concern on my part that we've taken away the opportunity
[2:39:48] for public engagement at these levels.
[2:39:53] And a million dollars at a capital improvement project
[2:39:56] is a pretty significant thing.
[2:39:59] And I...
[2:40:00] I just am wondering, is there a middle road where it could be noticed on our agenda with opportunity, if anybody wanted to speak to it, where we did have to decide, but there were opportunities for public engagement and I don't want to, you know, I know we've talked about this before and this is throwing a monkey wrench into it.
[2:40:26] But I feel like one of the things that's so good about Lafayette is that we do make a strong
[2:40:34] effort to include the public and things and with this decision, we would be excluding the
[2:40:42] public from more of these decisions.
[2:40:46] If I could, it's not necessarily the decision making, it's also the public notice function.
[2:40:52] Like, that cherrywood project that you mentioned, director Balsett, that's my street.
[2:40:57] I live on that street.
[2:40:58] That project was thought to be a short project.
[2:41:02] It turned into a six-month construction project in my neighborhood.
[2:41:09] And so the public notice function of letting that neighborhood know
[2:41:14] that this project is taking place is significant.
[2:41:17] So I do appreciate your suggestion about
[2:41:21] informing the public when these kinds of projects go on, even if we don't necessarily as
[2:41:28] a council decide on that, but to have that information actually put out there into the
[2:41:34] public realm for purposes of transparency and notice, I think I would support something
[2:41:41] like that.
[2:41:44] Councillor Roller.
[2:41:45] Thank you, Mayor.
[2:41:46] I'm a little confused because I agree with the point you're making, but I didn't interpret
[2:41:50] the presentation that way.
[2:41:52] So I'd love to hear more, because my understanding is there's the 250 for the tangible property.
[2:41:58] There's the 1 million for the Capital Project and we discuss the numbers, Mayor.
[2:42:04] But then what you're talking about in terms of things underneath whatever threshold is established.
[2:42:10] The making notice, I would presume that the city continues to conduct regular public notice regardless of the threshold.
[2:42:18] That would be my assumption.
[2:42:20] I would assume that, too.
[2:42:23] I would hope that.
[2:42:24] But it sounds like there's no requirement for that notice under this new guidance.
[2:42:30] The requirement under the current system is that the notice comes in that it's put on
[2:42:35] our consent agenda, it's listed in the Council packet.
[2:42:41] And so someone who's paying attention and is interested could find that information, but
[2:42:46] under the proposed system, we don't currently see
[2:42:51] you or talk about, you know, I don't know,
[2:42:54] and you know, a 10K project that's not really impacting,
[2:42:57] but when you're getting up to these, you know,
[2:43:00] 250,000 dollar project, maybe that's significant.
[2:43:02] It's going to impact your local park,
[2:43:04] a million dollar project that's going to disrupt, you know,
[2:43:07] road service in your neighborhood for six months.
[2:43:10] Like these are things that I think warrant
[2:43:13] some kind of public notice function.
[2:43:15] I greatly appreciate that point.
[2:43:17] I think the question of this raises for me is,
[2:43:21] when we established the current 100,000 threshold,
[2:43:25] when did we establish the current 100,000 threshold?
[2:43:28] 2019.
[2:43:30] So 100K then is not 100K today.
[2:43:33] And so considering how home values have doubled
[2:43:36] in a lot of the country considering what things cost,
[2:43:39] I kind of look at the 250,
[2:43:41] and I know it isn't exactly their gone.
[2:43:44] But 250, you meet seems reasonable relative to 2019, I take that point.
[2:43:49] I'm certainly comfortable with adding some kind of a heads-up function,
[2:43:53] but what I really don't want to do is slow down
[2:43:56] staff's ability to move out on projects,
[2:44:01] particularly considering I think for project like what you're talking about,
[2:44:04] there should be notice of that neighborhood regardless of whether it's a 10K project or a 10K project.
[2:44:09] Yeah, and then the notice that is currently as like seven days
[2:44:15] They tell you when construction is happening and it's
[2:44:19] It's a nice example thing, but that seems like a different issue. Yeah, it's nice to just have a little longer heads up for these
[2:44:26] Projects like a million dollars going from 100,000 to a million is it is not a 100,000 to 200 so I think it's and I don't know that it changes my view on
[2:44:36] the ordinance and making these changes I think they're all reasonable.
[2:44:40] It's just a separate ask that would be nice if the city would engage in developing maybe it's a portal or maybe it's a, you know, just something to kind of list these big projects.
[2:44:51] Yeah, so I'm not trying to guide us here.
[2:44:53] I think it's interesting and I appreciate everything that's being said just to be clear, we already have this, we just have it at different numbers, right?
[2:45:00] We're talking about anything under 100,000 right now to not have that. So I think there's two conversations
[2:45:04] going on. The first is I see council being generally supportive of what's in front of us. However,
[2:45:10] it's more of a communications thing. Right. More notice. And maybe now that if this past
[2:45:15] is tonight, the projects that would have fallen to our agenda now don't because they're under
[2:45:22] these new numbers. Maybe just have staff look at the potential different way of communicating this
[2:45:28] to the communities that are in fact.
[2:45:32] Did I get that right, Council?
[2:45:33] Okay, Council.
[2:45:34] I did have one more question about the competitive bidding,
[2:45:37] just kind of to that previous point.
[2:45:39] When was the 50,000 and 25,000 limit previously established?
[2:45:44] Was it that kind of same time frame?
[2:45:48] Maybe it's okay, so that's fine.
[2:45:50] So we had the current 50,000 and 25,000 competitive bidding
[2:45:55] that requirement, anything that's more than that requires that.
[2:45:59] And then we're those $50-25,000 limits put into place that we're now asking to move to 100,000.
[2:46:06] I know for certain, as are from the 4 or 2019, it could have been much longer than that, but I will get that answer.
[2:46:12] I kind of got the impression that that's what that number came from.
[2:46:18] So I have no concerns there.
[2:46:21] I think just to wrap my mind around it, Mayor.
[2:46:24] and Dr. CFO Balsek.
[2:46:27] Our city's budget is north of a hundred million, right?
[2:46:32] So, a hundred thousand dollars is 0.001.
[2:46:36] There's two or three zeros.
[2:46:38] So it's like an infinitesimal amount.
[2:46:39] So I just want us to be very clear
[2:46:41] that we're talking about an extremely small amount of money.
[2:46:44] And so that's what I'm comfortable and excited
[2:46:46] for the raising level.
[2:46:47] But I really appreciate the concerns that you
[2:46:49] have in Councillor Jensen have raised
[2:46:50] in terms of notifying the public.
[2:46:52] But 1 million is 1% right if we're 100 million budget and that's that's not a significant in my mind.
[2:47:06] And I I I I'm just sort of struggling a little with that one because I think it is significant and I do think at some point in that process engaging the public in a conversation about whatever.
[2:47:23] I'm thinking capital improvement project in particular, not so much services or contracts,
[2:47:30] but something that changes the landscape in our community seems to gather a lot of attention
[2:47:36] when we try to do that in our community.
[2:47:39] So a million dollars there feels like something the public would be potentially not, you know,
[2:47:45] but there would be potentially some people would be interested in talking to us about that.
[2:47:49] So I'm happy to leave that up to staff to come back to us with ideas about how to engage around that.
[2:47:57] We don't have to decide it tonight, but my particular concern is that one million capital, because that is the most significant.
[2:48:07] Yeah.
[2:48:09] Great.
[2:48:10] Any other thoughts?
[2:48:11] Any other notes?
[2:48:13] Council?
[2:48:13] Uh, for.
[2:48:14] You're the greatest one to answer, Councillor.
[2:48:16] You know, it's question about when the competitive
[2:48:18] Bittyglomits were put in place in those state back to 2010.
[2:48:22] So it's about 16 years old.
[2:48:25] Sounds like it's time.
[2:48:27] Mayor Pratum.
[2:48:28] I'd like to make a motion.
[2:48:29] Please.
[2:48:31] I moved to approve on first reading ordinance number 17 series 2026.
[2:48:34] 26th Amendment, they are in a full three purchasing procedures of chapter 44 of finance and
[2:48:40] article 2 of city administrator of chapter 5 administration of the code regarding city purchasing
[2:48:48] procedures and city manager authority to negotiate and execute certain contracts and renembring
[2:48:56] chapter 5 administration of the code.
[2:49:02] The motion we have a second for purchasing policies update and any discussion on this motion.
[2:49:07] Just to reiterate, Mayor, I think there's been some really interesting interventions from colleagues in terms of requesting it's not directing staff to have a notice feature.
[2:49:17] I really appreciate that, but I'd love the one million to move this along.
[2:49:22] Any further discussion?
[2:49:24] Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.
[2:49:25] Aye.
[2:49:26] Anyone opposed saying no?
[2:49:27] None opposed.
[2:49:28] I passed unanimously.
[2:49:29] Thank you. That concludes our regular business for tonight. We'll move on to staff reports,
[2:49:35] beginning of course with our city attorney's report.
[2:49:37] Thank you, Mayor, just a quick note for Council. Last Friday, I did send you all as well as
[2:49:41] I'll say you employees and members of our boards and commissions are annual memo of the
[2:49:47] city attorney's office regarding the Fair Campaign Practices Act, just regarding restrictions
[2:49:52] that apply to use the public resources so I want to let you know that should be in your inboxes
[2:49:57] and I would encourage you to review it and let me know if you have any questions.
[2:50:00] I do have a question about that. So if I am going somewhere and I am identified as a Lafayette city council member in that meeting, which is maybe not city business, but a community meeting of some kind,
[2:50:19] somebody asked me about
[2:50:23] or anything on the ballot, what are my obligations when I'm, I'm not getting paid obviously
[2:50:31] for that meeting, so it's not taxpayer dollars being used and it may be a meeting
[2:50:37] like I went to a Tom Hall yesterday that disposed ballot measures, right?
[2:50:44] And I can't remember if I had my name tag on or not, but it doesn't really matter,
[2:50:50] I guess people know I'm on the Lafayette City Council, so but that's so my question then is if somebody is asking me something at a community meeting knowing I have Lafayette City Council, what is the restriction on that?
[2:51:07] So as long as you are not acting in the course and scope of your official duties as a counselor you're attending town hall in your personal capacity.
[2:51:16] So as long as you see a personal capacity on your own personal time and you're there for your own personal information and not because you've been set by the city council or you're doing so as a liaison for the city council or for the city.
[2:51:31] You're on your own personal time and you can speak about measures now.
[2:51:36] If it's a government meeting kind of like the town hall you're mentioning.
[2:51:43] Just be clear that you're there in your personal capacity on your own time and you're speaking in that capacity as well
[2:51:49] and not as a member of the Lafayette City Council.
[2:51:51] So as long as you're clear about that and you're on your own time and not performing your duties as long as you're free to speak
[2:52:00] about ballot measures and your personal opinions on those.
[2:52:04] And I think that on your own time thing is a little unclear to me because I go to a lot of meetings
[2:52:12] in the community and I go because I am a Lafayette City Council member and I want to know
[2:52:18] about things going on in the community. So I am struggling a little bit with because I do think
[2:52:26] people there see me with the hat of Lafayette City Council member. I do think they know at least
[2:52:34] right now that the City of Lafayette has taken no positions on any ballot measures and that I am
[2:52:40] representing any perspective of the city of
[2:52:43] Ophia. So I think that's really clear at this point.
[2:52:49] And so I just wanted, so right now it sounds like what I'm doing is okay.
[2:52:54] So long as I don't sort of seem to imply that anything I'm saying or doing is an
[2:53:01] official city of Ophia act or persuasion or anything like that.
[2:53:07] and that you're not there wherever you are on city business, right?
[2:53:11] Even though you're you're going there to get information.
[2:53:13] And that's a part of that's a little touchy because I feel like everything I do that's a community
[2:53:19] or a internet activity in some way is city business, you know, right?
[2:53:26] Well, so just to answer, let's just let you know, and the memo says this that city attorney's office
[2:53:32] is here to assist. So continue to reach out to me and we can discuss any specific
[2:53:37] situations or concerns about.
[2:53:39] Great. Thank you.
[2:53:40] Moving on to our city managers report.
[2:53:46] Good evening, Council.
[2:53:48] Mayor, thank you for tonight.
[2:53:51] I just want to say passing those bonds is the largest bond,
[2:53:54] and it seems like just rudimentary,
[2:53:56] but thank you for doing that.
[2:53:57] I think it's going to be a huge community asset and project.
[2:54:00] So that's a big thing that Council just did tonight.
[2:54:04] We, you move on with, but I just wanted to say thank you for Council support on that and all the staff work.
[2:54:11] going forward. Some of you guys may have heard Sundance is coming to Boulder.
[2:54:16] And so I know that there's been a lot of talk about different communities and what we're doing
[2:54:19] and we're going to be talking about a short term festival license here shortly,
[2:54:22] but we wanted to say that we just launched Soft Launch today because it's still in progress.
[2:54:27] Kind of a hug for Sundance resources at the Lafayette CEOgov.backslash Sundance.
[2:54:33] So we are going to be having this one stop shop pointing people to here.
[2:54:37] It'll have a variety of resources like how to write your home, what a business is doing.
[2:54:43] We're going to have the GDA's working on a different kind of passport programs throughout
[2:54:47] it.
[2:54:48] So, check that out.
[2:54:49] A lot of things are still kind of under construction, but we are excited to see how we can
[2:54:55] benefit from increased kind of regional participation while supporting our local businesses.
[2:55:00] And kind of promoting Lafayette as the artsy little sister of Boulder, and so having folks come to that.
[2:55:08] Okay, yep. One thing a couple of people have asked me is how to volunteer, so if you could put a link to, I know there's information on how to volunteer on the summons.
[2:55:19] If you could share that link with folks, I think it'd be open.
[2:55:22] Yeah, if it's not on there already, and it's got a whole lot on there already.
[2:55:25] So, okay, that's great.
[2:55:27] And then, you heard tonight, the pocket park survey is open, it opened yesterday, and so
[2:55:32] it's on Lafayette, Los Angeles, it closes on Thursday, September 17th.
[2:55:35] So, we are not asking necessarily people to rank their choices, but really kind of what resonates
[2:55:42] with those four different options that are provided.
[2:55:44] We will then come back to council likely your second meeting on October once we compile all
[2:55:49] those, and the choice will be up to council at that point in time, but we are really excited
[2:55:54] get that going? Is there a timeline for when the park is supposed to be completed?
[2:56:02] I believe it's late fall for a substantial completion.
[2:56:06] Yeah, so it's kind of in that same time frame. Yeah, we'd like to have the name kind of wrapped up
[2:56:11] around then, so we can do a fun opening ceremony. We also had a very successful board commission
[2:56:18] and can you open house about 30 people attended last week already?
[2:56:24] Applications close Friday, September 18th, please check out online for those various openings.
[2:56:31] And then finally, please join us for an art on the street walking tour.
[2:56:35] So it's a tour guide if I remember so the public art committee has about an hour and a half
[2:56:40] and covers about a mile and a half of public line baseline and Emma, they begin the tour outside
[2:56:46] that can be arts collective, check out online
[2:56:49] under our events to register, that's highly encouraged.
[2:56:53] But the first one will be September 19th,
[2:56:55] and then there will be one on October 25th
[2:56:57] that I'll remind the community about as well.
[2:57:01] And then if you notice in the packet,
[2:57:02] I have two pages of look ahead
[2:57:03] because we're starting to kind of get into really busy seasons
[2:57:07] so I wanted to give some awareness
[2:57:08] of what's coming up over the next two months,
[2:57:10] versus just the next month.
[2:57:11] So September 9th, you will be having your joint workshop
[2:57:13] with the Planning Commission on the Land Use Code as a side note the working group is meeting
[2:57:19] tomorrow and so we will have some information provided from the working group to share with you
[2:57:25] next week. September 15th again we will do a presentation first on the short term rental festival
[2:57:31] license so we'll provide kind of what our current short term licenses, what this festival license
[2:57:37] to other communities are looking at and some differences. We'll also based on the Land Use Code
[2:57:41] feedback, give a presentation on a potential moratorium on data centers and air mobility areas.
[2:57:49] And then again, based upon that September 9th meeting, we are still tentatively planning
[2:57:54] and having that September 15th, second reading for the land use code update.
[2:57:58] And then as was noted, your September 2nd, 20 second workshop is your capital improvements
[2:58:04] to her. And then looking into October 6, it'll be your first reading on the 2027 budget and then
[2:58:13] again, depending on direction for the short term festival license and air mobility. We would plan
[2:58:19] on if council support of moving forward, putting your first readings onto those meetings as well.
[2:58:25] October 20, it'll be a kind of larger budget meeting in that you adopt a variety of other things
[2:58:32] that you don't do on first reading, so you adopt the paid plan, you adopt the budgets for
[2:58:36] your general improvement districts, and then also your downtown development authority.
[2:58:41] And then October 27th, we did get a public comment this afternoon about our automatic license plate
[2:58:47] readers with flock, and so as this is Council's where we have done sort of our cop talks with this,
[2:58:54] but given the recent interest and increased traffic of hearing from our community members,
[2:58:59] we wanted to make a public presentation, says you know that Coptoc wasn't televised, so I
[2:59:04] have an opportunity to kind of talk a little bit more about what was discussed in those meetings.
[2:59:08] And then, I'm not noted here because we are still trying to decide, or not decide, but here,
[2:59:14] if we have a availability from our special council, but we would maybe try to slate a oil and gas update
[2:59:21] with our special council list with Pronos. We know we have several outstanding items that
[2:59:25] Council wants to get to, and so that's one of the options for this workshop as well.
[2:59:30] I think that's enough for me.
[2:59:32] Thank you.
[2:59:32] Thank you.
[2:59:33] I can include several boards to move that to Council, of course, or sort of Councillor Bullard.
[2:59:37] Thank you, Mayor.
[2:59:38] Not many from me this week, just huge kudos to all the cross country runners who came out
[2:59:44] to want to go lake on Saturday.
[2:59:46] It was a zoo in the best possible way.
[2:59:49] My wife and I went out to cheer on some friends kids, and it was just a great time.
[2:59:53] I know that there were excellent signs there.
[2:59:56] Lafayette police was out managing traffic flow.
[2:59:59] There have been social media posts.
[3:00:00] I was struck that there were a few members of the community who disregarded the cross country meet with hundreds of children running. So perhaps something I talked to one of the organizers while there, perhaps something we think about for the next go around.
[3:00:12] Since the gentleman who lives in the neighborhood, baked into oncoming runners, and fortunately known as hurt, it was bonkers. But that aside, the cross country event was a spectacular success and a really good thing for our community.
[3:00:24] And I just want to give Kudos again for the outstanding workshop last week.
[3:00:28] I've shared the link on YouTube with a few members of the community, and you're like,
[3:00:31] I want to pay more attention and get more involved, and at least a handful of them told
[3:00:35] me they watched it.
[3:00:36] They said it was really interesting, but huge Kudos for that.
[3:00:39] And that's all for me.
[3:00:40] Thank you, Mayor.
[3:00:41] Good.
[3:00:41] Councillor Gianneau.
[3:00:42] Thank you, Mayor.
[3:00:43] Just a couple of quick items for me.
[3:00:45] Just another reminder on that.
[3:00:46] And we're just super paired to workshop Tuesday, September 8th at 530 at the Starkey Building.
[3:00:51] That's next Tuesday.
[3:00:52] we come from today and then just thanks everyone for your support of the little
[3:00:58] league team co-creat Little League team who came today that was really fun to
[3:01:03] have them and I hope we can do things like that more often and then I guess I'll
[3:01:07] end that my update by saying you know we're continuing to work on the
[3:01:12] Council norms discussion I think the mayor for example have more to say
[3:01:17] about that, so it's continuing on.
[3:01:22] Speaking of, never a time.
[3:01:23] Thank you, Mayor.
[3:01:24] Yes, we are continuing on, working to address the wars.
[3:01:30] And our council handbook does have a great deal
[3:01:33] of guidance for us, but we have reviewed that
[3:01:37] and look to see what is most appropriate one.
[3:01:40] We'll eventually bring forward
[3:01:41] after we have our deputy city attorney look at
[3:01:45] what we've come up with.
[3:01:47] But we have not limited ourselves to just council conduct,
[3:01:54] because there's no way to exclude members
[3:01:57] of the council chambers from our activity without realization.
[3:02:03] Like this is not just a business meeting,
[3:02:05] but it's also a time for the public to see the business meeting.
[3:02:09] And that's there for us to be compassionate
[3:02:11] and with each other and open.
[3:02:14] So we were lucky enough to be able to start to transition into how do we also address the expectations of the public who are participating in the meeting with public comment.
[3:02:28] And there's even a piece that we found from our sister city, look, well, I don't know if there's sister city.
[3:02:34] our neighbors see those, though, with council norms of what we should keep in mind is our responsibility.
[3:02:42] And there are, there's words to describe those bits and pieces.
[3:02:45] So I think what we'll bring forward is something that helps us better understand the context
[3:02:49] of what is happening in this space and some realistic expectations that we might consider for what
[3:02:57] we would expect from the public, what we expect amongst ourselves.
[3:03:00] and we've gotten in some real,
[3:03:04] with the real nuts and bolts of the efficiency of the meeting,
[3:03:08] potentially even offering a time when the meetings must end.
[3:03:14] Ooh, what's that mean?
[3:03:16] So, but we left nothing on the turn,
[3:03:20] and we will let our city attorney definitely see the attorney
[3:03:24] and the city attorney if she would also like to see it
[3:03:28] before we get to it to make sure
[3:03:29] what we're suggesting is it's nothing new challenges and what we legally need to do.
[3:03:36] So I'm excited to get to that. It's just taking a minute to make sure that we're really
[3:03:41] thinking through this before we bring bits and pieces to you. I would also like to
[3:03:49] mention that I was lucky enough at the community solutions meeting to find out that there is a plan
[3:03:56] any schedule for a bus taking residents from off yet to the airport. It's the AL line and
[3:04:05] the final stand. Correctly, it starts on September 22nd and it will come in at just 27.
[3:04:11] 27. There it goes. It's September 27th and it will be stopping at the Lafayette Park and Ride,
[3:04:15] coming up public road, off at 287, turning around, going back to 27 and down under the bridge
[3:04:21] and hitting T470. So there's one other stop. Only one before it actually gets a very
[3:04:26] report from Lafayette. And I did ask if these transport will be ADA compliant and I was
[3:04:32] told yes. Yes. So there's cross that actually plays out. So I'm excited that we're finally
[3:04:39] going to have that. And I know the older adult advisory board, one of the former members made
[3:04:45] a critical point and I believe he was one that we community solutions had a guest speaker
[3:04:52] who was named, oh it's the governor, that's right, who was called that one on that bit.
[3:05:00] So, it's nice to see and he called out RTD and they made it happen. So, I'm just proud of the fact that it's something that's going to really be on a federal community and please share that.
[3:05:12] I don't think it's all I had, Mayor, thank you.
[3:05:14] Councillor Johnson.
[3:05:16] I would like to piggyback at Mayor Pro's hand.
[3:05:20] That came up in the Highway 7 corridor meeting and I think we wrote a letter in support of it last spring.
[3:05:27] And so I say that because those regional meetings which sometimes can feel cumbersome and long,
[3:05:36] but they resulted in something positive for us.
[3:05:40] So I'm pretty sure that that's what happened.
[3:05:44] I'm getting all my memory is fuzzy.
[3:05:48] I went to the open house for boards and committees and I just want to say thank you publicly
[3:05:55] because all of those booths were staffed by current people who sit on the boards and commission
[3:06:01] who were the external face of those boards and who did the work to encourage people to participate.
[3:06:11] And, you know, we've got a huge group of community volunteers who really care about our city,
[3:06:17] who were all there, and it was pretty impressive. And I met a lot of new people who, you know,
[3:06:24] somebody just moved here and was like, I think I'm thinking about, you know, how do I
[3:06:28] serve my community? And it was kind of fun talking to people like that. And so I
[3:06:34] think, I mean, it wasn't a huge huge, you know, hundreds of people event, but the quality
[3:06:41] of participation of Losey work there and the engagement was really good. And that's all I
[3:06:46] have to say. That's a good idea. I was also going to share the news about the new RTD
[3:06:52] service but mayer protein beat me to it so once it does get started on the 27th
[3:06:58] please utilize it so it stays and that bus route is going to go from Longmont to
[3:07:03] Denver stopping at DIA and I'm in two other quick pieces of info our library is
[3:07:09] close to 10% for labor day drop boxes will close Sunday at 5 p.m. and reopened
[3:07:15] Tuesday at 9 a.m. so plan ahead if you have materials that are due back and I
[3:07:21] forward to working with the new lease warning youth advisory board tomorrow at their first
[3:07:27] work session. Thank you councillor. Okay one thing for me, it was going to be too
[3:07:34] but I'll add myself to the list of people that the mayor put on beat me to for the bus and
[3:07:39] something councillor you said is actually really important. R2D looks at ridership so share
[3:07:44] with your friends share with anyone you know we should use that for us as much as we can because it's
[3:07:50] One thing for me, however, there was something that was supposed to be on the agenda tonight and I asked staff to pull it back for a few reasons.
[3:07:58] It was us taking a position on ballot measures.
[3:08:00] We were going to look at that tonight, but there are a few reasons for why I didn't think it was ready.
[3:08:05] First and foremost, there's just, the timing wasn't right.
[3:08:09] There was one in ballot measure that actually got qualified today, like a couple hours ago.
[3:08:14] So there's no white sapphire to turn that around, we just, we weren't there in terms of timing.
[3:08:20] The other part is this is nothing we've never, this is something we've never done before as a city.
[3:08:25] So trying to think back and then having sapphire to look back in the years.
[3:08:29] There's only one time that we've ever taken a position on a ballot measure that's been something outside of the city.
[3:08:35] It's something that we put on the ballot. It's only one time.
[3:08:37] But even in that case, it was something that we were very much involved in.
[3:08:42] And then finally, the last thing is there are currently 17, possibly 18 ballot measures going on.
[3:08:50] So I thought let's pull it back and try to have a conversation that's counsel just to see if this is something that we want to move forward.
[3:08:57] It's a very, very heavy lift that we go with all of them and try to see each one and then ultimately if we want to pass a resolution on each one, whether we oppose or, or anything, whatever position we take, it's just a heavy lift.
[3:09:09] So what I wanted to see is very broad, not talking about anything in particular, is this something
[3:09:14] that Council would like to take on.
[3:09:16] And the second part of that question is more procedurally what we would do is not necessarily
[3:09:23] look at each one, what we would want to look at is through maybe an email through our staff
[3:09:29] or some sort of procedure, as the word I'll use, we will find a way to get gauge interest from
[3:09:37] counselors. We would give you, actually, maybe, Katie can speak to it a little better than I
[3:09:43] can, but we would give you some information on each ballot measure and then we would just
[3:09:46] kind of gauge what the interest is for council. Because, as I said, 17, possibly 18, it's just
[3:09:51] far too much, especially because we don't have dedicated policy staff. There's some cities like
[3:09:55] Aurora, like Denver, who had dedicated policy, even colder, has that, we don't necessarily.
[3:10:00] We have that, and land use code and everything going on. I just know it's a very busy time right now. So forcing that
[3:10:05] on to our staff is something that I don't necessarily think is the best function of our staff time. So very generally,
[3:10:14] is there any interest in trying to tackle this and trying to maybe look into taking positions of ballot measures?
[3:10:30] I'm
[3:10:30] You framed it perfectly, Mayor, that the weight of all of these different ballot measures
[3:10:37] to me, this speaks to a failure of our system in our state legislature, but if you can do
[3:10:42] 18, you can do 40, and that just seems unreasonable.
[3:10:45] But I do think that, and I've heard from a number of members in the community to this effect,
[3:10:49] that there is confusion about, like, what does that mean for us?
[3:10:51] Since many of the ballot measures don't really affect the ballot measures, do affect the
[3:10:56] President, so I guess in response to your question, I would love for us to be able to gently
[3:11:03] grapple with it.
[3:11:04] We're not going to solve this issue for Denver, but I do think it would be potentially helpful
[3:11:08] to our community for us to maybe help them understand it.
[3:11:13] As I try to work through, I'm definitely with a handful of them, but the rest are still very
[3:11:17] Greek to me.
[3:11:19] I don't know if that's a helpful answer, Mayor.
[3:11:21] I'll clarify, this isn't necessarily us saying we were definitely going to take position
[3:11:25] on anything.
[3:11:25] This isn't us saying do you want us to start the process of potentially going forward with taking a position on something?
[3:11:31] So what this would eventually turn into is some sort of communication to council and we would individually all of us
[3:11:37] Try to figure out which one is interesting to us and we wouldn't have this discussion outside of public setting
[3:11:41] So this would just be individually each council kind of letting staff know
[3:11:45] I'm interested in this. I'm interested in this. I'm interested in this and then we get enough in and we can't have interest in any
[3:11:50] particular ballot measure, we would then come back to public meeting and take position on it.
[3:11:54] But we are not choosing tonight whether we are doing it or not.
[3:11:57] It's kind of the decision before the decision, before the decision, if you will.
[3:12:02] So that's just kind of where I want to understand if Council is interested.
[3:12:11] Council Johnson.
[3:12:13] One thing I'm aware of is that there's, most, there's only one of these that's a referred
[3:12:20] measure by the legislature, all the rest are citizen and initiated.
[3:12:25] And there is at least some groups in the state who are intentionally blooding the ballot
[3:12:31] with a variety of different ballot measures so that the public will have only the opportunity
[3:12:38] given that they're 18 or however many to do a superficial glance at each one.
[3:12:44] And that is where I think we could come in potentially is some of these look on the surface
[3:12:51] like one thing but if you look deeper might be something else and two the extent that we
[3:12:56] have the ability to share with our residents the impact that this has on them. In addition,
[3:13:03] there are three that target specific members of our population who I think would love to hear
[3:13:10] from us that they support them, that this effort to punish them
[3:13:17] or be punitive to them in some way for their city to say,
[3:13:22] nope, we stand with you at one of which is the immigrant community.
[3:13:27] And for us to say to the immigrant community, we're with you.
[3:13:31] I think it's a valuable thing in building our community
[3:13:34] and making the people in our community continue to know
[3:13:38] that we are not that kind of community where we persecute people for some characteristic up.
[3:13:46] So that being said, I also don't want to overstate that our position on something has this huge
[3:13:54] amount of weight to the community because I'm not sure anybody even reads our stuff or even looks at it.
[3:14:01] So what I think would be helpful is if we took a position and the campaigns on those issues could
[3:14:07] take our resolution or whatever we did and share it with the
[3:14:11] broader world because our simply taking position on a
[3:14:14] resolution isn't going to have a ton of weight and I don't
[3:14:18] even know who will read it but it could be useful to whichever
[3:14:21] side of an issue that we decide with and then taking our
[3:14:25] resolution and sharing it with other communities and other
[3:14:28] people but I think in the case of the two targeted groups that
[3:14:33] I think are being persecuted I think it has value to
[3:14:37] with them. And so that is my... I appreciate that. Just one person I've ever heard from was
[3:14:45] Councillor Gallegos. Where are you on this? I feel that we have a lot of heavy
[3:14:52] agendas in the near future so I don't want to give staff the additional work.
[3:15:02] All right. Councillor Jeno? Yeah, I very much appreciate that. Councillor Gaye goes in and I'm with you. That said, Councillor Jensen, I'm persuaded, actually, that there are, you know, potentially, some things that we maybe do want to take a position on. So I'm open to reviewing to review at this point, I guess.
[3:15:24] That's what I want to hear, review to review. So we'll move forward with that and we'll find a, that's what I do. That's what we want to jump in.
[3:15:31] Yeah, I'll say if possible, we can do a quick write-up of each ballot item with the link to it,
[3:15:38] and then if council, since I'm out of town, I can send it tomorrow,
[3:15:43] and then if you could just get to back to me by kind of the end of the Labor Day weekend,
[3:15:47] and just just reply me.
[3:15:51] Just any of the ones you want to talk about,
[3:15:53] just you could just list by name, and then I could go with the mayor and see whether
[3:15:56] might be kind of like a bigger lift of view. And then if the ballot end that you really want
[3:16:02] to talk about doesn't necessarily make a council conversation, you guys always have on this
[3:16:06] platform to speak about it, you know, tell the community to get educated themselves and all
[3:16:11] of that, even if the full council doesn't necessarily want to move forward with it or much
[3:16:15] or if council's so. That would be the game plan if you guys are open to that.
[3:16:19] When you say on this platform on the council day is, yes, we could say go vote for this
[3:16:28] That was my one thing tonight. Thank you all. I will adjourn. Thank you.