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ITEM 1 - CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Burkholder called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at
7:00 p.m. on this date in the Council Chambers.
ITEM 2 - ROLL CALL
Members present were: Mayor Steve Burkholder, presiding
Tom Booher
Ray Elliott
Barbara Green Martin
Bob Murphy
Debbie Koop
Mike Stevens
Cheryl Wise
Jean Saum
Jackie Herbst
Carol Kesselman
Absent was: Bob Murphy
Also present were: Mike Rock, City Manager
Roger Noonan, City Attorney
ITEM 3 - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
ITEM 4 - PROCLAMATION - GOOD NEIGHBORING MONTH
Mayor Burkholder presented a proclamation to Mr. Jerry Orten recognizing
July 4 - August 6, 2002 as Good Neighboring Month. On behalf of the Neighborhood
Resource Center, Mr. Orten thanked the Mayor and Council for their support.
ITEM 5 - PRESENTATION - BAN ON FIREWORKS
Stacey Oulton, Public Information Officer for the Police Department, introduced
the presenters Captain Dan Fatasil of the West Metro Fire Rescue and Watch Commander
John Camper of the Lakewood Police Department.
They gave a PowerPoint presentation depicting damage that fireworks caused during the 2000 and 2001 Fourth of July Celebrations. They encouraged the citizens to obey the ban of fireworks ordinance in Lakewood. Both the Lakewood Police Department and West Metro Fire Rescue will be working together and will issue tickets to any violators. Due to the ongoing spread of fires throughout Colorado, it is more important than ever to protect persons and property from firework damage. They stated they would be taking a zero tolerance stance.
ITEM 6 - PRESENTATION - ARTS ON THE COMMONS
Nina Johnson, Manager of Heritage, Culture and the Arts Division, gave a PowerPoint
presentation depicting the seven pieces of artwork they are requesting be placed
in the Civic Center Plaza as part of the Arts on the Commons Program. Ms. Johnson
stated that the piece entitled "Three Generations" from the previous
group would remain on the plaza as well. The seven pieces done by Colorado artists
were Standing Woman by Richard Eversley, Butterfly Kiss by Phyllis Beattie,
Dorothy and Friends by Phyllis Beattie, New Hopes, New Fears, Ellis Island,
by Frank Iantorno, Human Glyph Series A by William Vielehr, Vintage I by Frank
Iantorno, and Pseudo Moebius by Anny B. Coury.
ITEM 7 - PUBLIC COMMENT
Eric Wolfe - 2197 S. Dover Way - Lakewood, Colorado
Mr. Wolfe asked if Council had noticed the signs next to schools, the recreation
centers, police stations, and amusement parks. He stated they were suggestive
government signs. He stated that when Denver was founded in the late 1800s,
street signs were a way of communicating where residences or businesses are,
but they can be much more. He cited examples such as Gaylord Street, Wazee Street,
Champa, 8th & Hooker - Eagle Elementary School, Jewell & Hooker - Johnson
Elementary School, Asbury & Marion - Asbury Elementary School, 4th &
Claremont - Hill Middle School, Holly & Ivanhoe - Thomas Jefferson High,
Mountview & Dahlia is Match Bluff Catholic High, 3rd & Fox is Fairmount
Elementary, and Holly & Bellevue is West Middle School. The cross streets
in town are Ellsworth & Broadway. He stated you can put an "H"
in front of Ellsworth. He mentioned the four schools he went to in Lakewood.
Woodard & Estes - Green Gables Elementary, Asbury & Kipling - Carmody
Junior High, Dartmouth & Kipling - Bear Creek High School, Arbutus &
2nd - Warren Occupational Tech, Kendall & Florida - Lasley Elementary, and
Wright & Jewell - Dunstan Junior High, Brentwood & Hampden Frontage
Road - Mountain View Girls School, 8th & Johnson - Lakewood High School,
10th & Upham- St. Bernedette School, Arbutus & 6th Avenue Frontage Road
- Red Rocks Community College, Woodward & Wadsworth - Discovery Learning
Center, Teller & Ellsworth - Stein Elementary. Jefferson County has 10th
& Weimar - JeffCo Sheriff's Dept., Fairmount Elementary is at 50th &
Orchard, 33rd & Pierson is Prospect Elementary, Golden High Demons. Mr.
Wolfe stated there is a separation of church and state and that doesn't matter
what church you belong to. Pfeiffer Elementary. He stated it was amazing that
there are sex crimes in town and the City is setting up a buffet table with
a sign right next to it announcing to everybody to come on down. He stated it
was in Aurora, in Westminster, in Greenwood Village, and in Boulder. Mr. Wolfe
stated the City has a big problem and he won't let them have another school
year. He reminded them to call the FBI.
Frederick H. Taake - 10251 W. Exposition Drive - Lakewood, Colorado
Mr. Taake spoke about the 20th Annual Lakewood-on-Parade Golf Tournament to
be held on August 10, 2002, at Fox Hollow Golf Course, 13410 W. Morrison Road,
Lakewood. Proceeds will provide scholarships for students attending Red Rocks
Community College. This is a joint effort with the Lakewood Legacy Foundation.
The tournament will also provide funds for the festival and parade to be held
on August 23-25, 2002. Check in for the tournament begins at 8:15 a.m. Complimentary
danish and coffee will be provided in the Den, the restaurant at the golf course.
Golf balls will be on the driving range for warm up and it is complimentary
of the golf course. There will be a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. There is a cost
of $85 per person, included in this fee are the green fees, the carts, gifts,
prizes, contest on the course, and drawings. Lunch will be served following
play of the tournament at the Pavilion located south of the clubhouse and is
also included in the fee. The format of the tournament will be a 4-person scramble
and is limited to the first 144 applications received with the fee. To become
a sponsor of the tournament or to receive an application for the tournament,
Mr. Taake stated to contact Mr. Don Saum at 303-936-7290, Mike McBain at 303-985-0970,
or him at 303-989-4472. Early registration is requested. Lakewood-on-Parade
events will be the weekend of August 23-24-25. The parade is being held on Saturday
morning, the 24th. Mr. Taake requested that everyone clear their calendar and
become a part of the celebration.
Newt Vaughan - 8663 W. Hawaii Drive - Lakewood, Colorado
Mr. Vaughan made a public appeal regarding fireworks and the devastation they
cause. He stated there are approximately eight wildfires burning at certain
stages of out-of-control in the State of Colorado. He stated the flammable point
for most trees, whether green or not, is very very low. The flammable point
of a shake shingle roof is very low. It is extremely dry for Colorado. He stated
his dad was a member of the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department before Lakewood
was a city. He was responsible for getting one of the stations built at 1st
& Garrison. He stated that they had a monitor in their home since his dad
was a chief for that volunteer organization for a while. On the Fourth of July,
the monitor went off all the time with fields and houses on fire. He stated
that he would personally "drop the dime" on his neighbors and hopes
other citizens do the same.
Robin Kruse - 875 S. Dover Street - Lakewood, Colorado
Ms. Kruse stated that she had seen the plans for the Lakewood Heritage Center
Visitors Center. She stated she doesn't understand why a new visitors center
is needed since it would be built to show off a bunch of junky old buildings.
She asked why it should be built so big since very few people even visit the
Heritage Center except for the Antique Fair and Cider Days Festival, which both
might be better if there weren't so many buildings. She stated that if the City
is trying to keep the Heritage Center historically honest, why design the building
using fake retro style instead the styles of 2002 when it is being built. She
asked why have thinly disguised promotional sessions called open houses and
pretend to care what citizens think. She stated this has been etched in stone
since the late 70's. She stated the answer is "why not?" She stated
it was not Council's money they are wasting. It's not their backyard they are
ripping up to erect all the crap.
Ms. Kruse stated that the City has a museum manager with plenty of time to sit
around writing grants and wheeling and dealing for money to pay for this. She
stated she may not be needed if there aren't any big money-guzzling projects
for her to work on. She stated it was wrong. Not long ago the City of Lakewood
came to the citizens with their hats in their hands asking for higher sales
tax claiming the police situation was so dire it could be dangerous. She stated
the tax increase failed and what happened to the concerns about the police.
She stated it is wrong to waste money in this shaky financial time. It's wrong
to destroy open space to make way for useless buildings. She invited other citizens
to join with her and speak out against the $3 million farce. Ms. Krause stated
that if they don't stop this, their neighborhood open space could be next.
John Fox - 1133 S. Eaton Street - Lakewood, Colorado
Mr. Fox stated that he and his wife like to walk in Belmar Park with their favorite
path being the 1.4 mile Southern circuit which encircles the Heritage Center.
The circuit starts at the opening at Ohio Avenue and Wadsworth, goes south parallel
to Wadsworth, across the foot bridge, and South along Weir Gulch, then back
up North parallel to Carr St., then cut across the middle of the lake path back
to Ohio and Wadsworth. He stated they are prohibited from accessing part of
the walkway when there are special events being held in that particular area.
Mr. Fox stated he attended the Heritage Center Open House on June 6th and noted
a map on an easel which displayed Belmar Park and the Heritage Center. On the
map it showed the Heritage Center is totally enclosed within the walkway described.
Mr. Fox stated he had spoken with Nina Johnson and other staff members and asked
if it would be possible to contain the special exhibitors at the special events
within the walkway so the walkway is not blocked so walkers can still enjoy
the park in that manner. He stated he thought he had an agreement with Ms. Johnson
and other staff members and Ms. Johnson told him that they were developing a
new policy wherein they would only erect the blue fence to block off the walkways
the morning of the special event and remove it the morning following the special
event. He stated his wife and he tried to walk the park on Thursday prior to
the Old Glory Days but were prevented due to trucks and vans driving in that
area setting up booths and equipment for the next day's events. Mr. Fox stated
that he had given a solution to Ms. Johnson by containing the event within the
boundaries of the walkway and not across the walkway, that walkers could still
walk on the path unobstructed.
Gary W. Maxfield - 8965 W. 20th Avenue - Lakewood, Colorado
Mr. Maxfield stated that in the last three months not much progress has been
made on the 20th Avenue issue. There has been good cooperation from the Police
Department, but not as far as the other department heads; the Traffic Engineers,
City Arborists. The trees have been trimmed and everything is up to code now.
There were about three branches cut on 20th & Kipling to uncover the "no
truck" sign. He stated he had a letter dated March 25th to Dan Lee regarding
certain property. The City came and harassed him about his trees on City property,
on City property by a foot, new nice trees. He stated he asked about the other
dead trees on the property. On Friday morning at 1:00 a.m., one of the trees
was laying in street and the Lakewood Police Department had the street shut
down and dragged it on the side of the street. It's still laying on the side
of the street. The branches are in the neighbor's yard. He stated he is sure
the City is not going to pick it up, these people that work for them, the poor
dumb tax payers, they should be doing it. He stated that Council should look
at who is running the City. For instance, at the meeting they said no signage
for trucks off of Wadsworth and Kipling, yet the City of Wheat Ridge at 47th
& Wadsworth has a sign posted "no trucks" turning into their neighborhood.
He stated he thinks someone is lying to him somewhere because how can one city
do it and not another. He stated that he had told Debbie that he wouldn't boycott
but he is going to continue a diligent boycott of the City until someone wakes
up and starts doing the right thing for the citizens of this City. He stated
that many were new on Council, but the City departments will run the Council
through hoops just like they are trying to run him through hoops now. Mr. Maxfield
stated that they have him going for a government grant for a speed sign. He
stated he doesn't have time to run up and down the street and get people to
sign a deal for a government grant. There is a solution to the problem, but
until the department heads or the management of this City takes into consideration
what needs to be done, nothing is going to be done. He stated that he knows
Council is real concerned and they want to do what is right for the citizens
in their districts, but they need to look at the people who are running the
show, they are going to run you through hoops and the citizens will go to Council
and Council will try to do their best, but he stated there is nothing Council
can do until the people that are running the City do their part of it.
Mike Mueller - 868 South Owens Court - Lakewood, Colorado
Mr. Mueller asked Council to look at the Heritage Center and look at the noise
and traffic problems that it is going to cause to the neighborhoods. He asked
them to also look at 13th Avenue and look at the noise and traffic problems
it is going to cause these neighborhoods. Everyone agrees that open space is
a premium in this City and to be putting in low-income, high-density housing
complexes where there could be parks and peace and quiet or at the Heritage
Center, for $3 million the City could make a very nice park, something people
in the neighborhood aren't going to be disturbed with from the amphitheatre,
they aren't going to have the traffic problems. He asked Council to think about
open space instead of trying to infill and develop the City with a lot of different
projects.
Councilwoman Koop responded to Gary Maxfield. She stated that Councilman Murphy and she have been working with him for a couple of months now and have had a meeting with the Police Chief and Dick Plastino. Councilwoman Koop stated that she has had several meetings with Mr. Maxfield and has spent hours speaking with him on the phone and sitting down and meeting with him and looking at photographs. She stated that she was perturbed. She stated the grant he mentioned was a Neighborhood Participation Grant that the Planning Department makes available each year. She stated that they thought that may be a solution to one of the problems along 20th Avenue, the speeding. The grant would pay for a sign that shows the speed motorists are going and it would be a permanent sign. Councilman Koop stated that although there was not a neighborhood association in place, individuals could get petitions and talk to their neighbors about it. She stated that she was upset because she thought she had solved this on the phone with him and then he comes to the microphone and he is talking like the City isn't doing anything to help him. She stated that she wanted everybody to know that every department they have spoken to has bent over backwards to talk to Gary Maxfield and Council to work on a solution.
Councilman Elliott stated that he disagrees with Mr. Maxfield. He stated that the City gets numerous complaints from residents on a daily basis and the public needs to know that he is impressed with what the City does for an individual constituent and their concerns. He stated that he has yet to have someone call him back where the City did not follow through on the most mundane issue that someone had. He stated that they may not always get the answer they want to hear, but this City has been absolutely phenomenal in every issue that has been passed along to them and when he contacts people back, they are incredibly impressed with what the City does and the detail they go through, whether it happens to be a pothole that needs to be filled or a speeding issue in their neighborhood. Councilman Elliott stated that for Mr. Maxfield to imply that the City does not work with the citizens, or is not concerned about the citizens, he totally disagrees with that. He believes it to be exactly the opposite and is proud to represent this City and this staff in what they go through in order to help the citizens.
Councilman Stevens stated that he also is frustrated with Mr. Maxfield's comments.
After conversations with Ward 2 Council members Koop and Murphy, both have assured
him that many things have been done to meet with Mr. Maxfield, the Mayor has
spent time with him, the Police Department has spent time with him, and the
Department Heads have spent time with him. An officer even helped him calibrate
his speed gun. Short of putting an officer on that corner for him 24/7, he stated
he doesn't know what it will take to make
Mr. Maxfield happy. Councilman Stevens stated that it is not Council's nature
to challenge people when they come to the podium. He stated they want citizens
to come forward, but he shares Mrs. Koop's frustration because he know how hard
she and Mr. Murphy have worked in trying to meet his demands. A lot of people
have done a lot of things to try to make this man happy and it doesn't seem
to be working. It's very sad that those efforts are not being taken in a more
positive manner.
Mayor Burkholder stated the Council represents five wards and he represents the City as a whole. He stated that he has never worked with ten other people that care more than these council members. He stated that they may not give the public the answer they want, but they work very closely. One of the strengths of this City is not staff telling Council what to do, but the partnership between the two.
The City Clerk read the following items on the Consent Agenda into the record.
CONSENT AGENDA
ITEM 8- RESOLUTION-2002-40 - APPROVING THE SELECTION OF SEVEN (7) PIECES OF SCULPTURE IN THE CIVIC CENTER PLAZA AS PART OF THE ART ON THE COMMONS 2002-2003 ART-ON-LOAN PROGRAM
ITEM 9 - RESOLUTION 2002-42 - ADOPTING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE COLFAX-WADSWORTH REINVESTMENT PLAN TO INCLUDE LAND USE CONCEPTS AND FINDINGS OF FEASIBLE METHOD OF RELOCATION AS AMENDED JUNE 24, 2002.
ITEM 10 - RESOLUTION 2002-41 - ADOPTING THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE COLFAX-WADSWORTH REINVESTMENT PLAN TO INCLUDE 1605, 1611, 1625, 1631 AND 1645 VANCE STREET
ITEM 11 - RESOLUTION 2002-43 - AUTHORIZING A COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH THE LAKEWOOD REINVESTMENT AUTHORITY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
ITEM 12 - ORDINANCE O-2002-19 - AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF A QUIT CLAIM
DEED FOR 20 FEET OF PROPERTY SOUTH OF 8405 W. ALAMEDA AVENUE IN EXCHANGE FOR
A QUIT CLAIM DEED FROM THE PROPERTY OWNER FOR THE 30 FEET NORTH OF THE SECTION
LINE ADJACENT TO THE SAME PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE SOUTHEAST ONE-QUARTER OF SECTION
10, TOWNSHIP 4 SOUTH, RANGE 69 WEST OF THE 6TH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, CITY OF LAKEWOOD,
COUNTY OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF COLORADO
ITEM 13 - ORDINANCE O-2002-20 - AMENDING SECTION 1.26 BY ADDING A SECTION 1.26.030 OF THE LAKEWOOD MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING REVIEW AND USE FEES FOR REQUESTS FOR LICENSE AGREEMENTS, EASEMENTS AND OTHER USES OF CITY PROPERTY
ITEM 14 - ORDINANCE O-2002-21 - ORDINANCE TO ZONE LAND LOCATED AT 903 SHERIDAN BOULEVARD, CITY OF LAKEWOOD, COLORADO
The City Clerk stated that the last document behind Item 14 in the Council packets was misfiled and should be placed behind Item 19 in their packets.
ITEM 15 - ORDINANCE O-2002-22 - AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF A 320 ACRE PARCEL OF LAND TO JEFFERSON COUNTY, AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A COMMISSIONERS DEED WITH A REVERSIONARY INTEREST CLAUSE FOR THE SAME PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE SOUTH ONE HALF OF SECTION 13, TOWNSHIP 4 SOUTH, RANGE 70 WEST OF THE 6TH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, CITY OF LAKEWOOD, COUNTY OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF COLORADO, FURTHER DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
ITEM 16 - APPROVING MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular City Council Minutes May 13, 2002
ITEM 17 - ACCEPTING MINUTES OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Liquor Authority Minutes February 14, 2002
Councilwoman Wise made a motion to approve the Council minutes; to accept the minutes of Boards and Commissions; and ordered all ordinances introduced on first reading to be published in the Lakewood Sentinel with public hearing set for the date included in the ordinance; and ordered the adoption of resolutions, all of which were included in the Consent Agenda items introduced into the record by the City Clerk. The motion was seconded by Councilman Elliott.
Councilwoman Saum asked Frank Gray to explain the cooperation agreement between the City and the Lakewood Reinvestment Authority. She asked what types of funds are being considered, how it had been handled up to now, and when the City can anticipate funds coming in, and is there going to be a set amount on it or if it is just open-ended.
City Manager Mike Rock stated that over the years and prior to the creation of the Lakewood Reinvestment Authority there were a number of staff members who worked on the redevelopment of Villa Italia as well as other projects in the community. Once the Reinvestment Authority was created, staff continued that same work, but now the City has created an opportunity for eventual reimbursement of those costs. In other words, the same staff is working on the projects, there is now an opportunity to be reimbursed for those costs as they are incurred. Revenue has actually been coming in to reimburse the City for those staff costs and legal costs and consulting costs from a number of sources. One of the primary sources of revenue are the agreements with the developers. In the case of Continuum for example, in June they reimbursed the City $182,000 for staff and legal costs incurred. That's in addition to reimbursing any direct out-of-pocket costs associated with the eminent domain case. The City has received regular revenue from developers to reimburse our costs, but the City has to upfront those costs. The City has to pay legal bills, etc. When redevelopment agreements were negotiated, there are included in the agreements fees to be paid by the redeveloper in addition to actual reimbursement costs, and those fees have amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Finally, there are incremental revenues coming into the City based on the ancillary activity that is going on and those have been used to reimburse the costs. This simply ensures that we have the ability to pay those costs as they come due and then get reimbursement. Over the last year and a half, in addition to paying those costs, about $300,000 in tax increment revenues have gone back to the General Fund, over and above our costs to help with the general operation. He stated that he anticipates doing this each year to ensure that the City has a regular cash flow.
Councilwoman Saum asked about Item 13 regarding charging user fees and asked what the amount of fees are that are generally charged.
Mike Connor, Property Manager for the City of Lakewood, stated that at the present time it is anticipated that these fees would cover the costs of processing, our time, for consulting with the attorney, our time for reviewing documents and consulting with others, in the neighborhood of $250 to $500. It would simply apply to the persons requesting the use of the property.
Councilwoman Wise stated that she is concerned about placing a fee on a business when the City is requiring them to go across an easement. Requiring someone to go across an easement and then charging them for it could be burdensome for the small business owner.
Mike Connor stated that on the most part, when businesses require an easement, the services are available from the street. The instances when something like that would happen would be fairly limited. If it is something that is being required, the City could certainly take that into consideration. He stated that a resolution will come before Council to adopt the fees and at that time, exemptions could be established based upon certain criteria.
Vote: 10 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried.
ITEM 18 - ORDINANCE O-2002-17 - ADOPTING A NEW CHAPTER 2.05 RELATING TO THE REMOVAL OF MEMBERS OF THE LAKEWOOD CITY COUNCIL
Councilwoman Wise made a motion to adopt Ordinance O-2002-17. It was seconded by Councilman Elliott.
There was no public comment.
Vote: 10 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried.
ITEM 19 - ORDINANCE O-2002-18 - ORDINANCE TO VACATE THE 8TH AVENUE RIGHT-OF-WAY EAST OF INDIANA STREET AND WEST OF GLADIOLA STREET LOCATED IN THE SOUTHWEST ONE-QUARTER OF SECTION 6, TOWNSHIP 4 SOUTH, RANGE 69 WEST OF THE SIXTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, CITY OF LAKEWOOD, COUNTY OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF COLORADO
Public Comment:
Diane Erdahl - 916 Cole Street- Golden, Colorado
Ms. Erdahl stated that she is the President of the Daniels-Weilchester Homeowners
Association. She stated that a former Vice-President of the Association suggested
the idea of vacating 8th Avenue and routing it over to 7th Avenue. The Association
supports the idea for its primary purpose, which is to reduce the appeal of
8th Avenue becoming an indirect access to Colorado Mills for shoppers from outside
the neighborhood. The other primary access at Wide Acres and Colfax Avenue is
substandard. As traffic volume increases on Colfax, access for residents will
become even more limited. Ms. Erdahl asked CDOT, the County, and Lakewood to
work together to resolve this issue.
Diane Davis- Ersick - 13800 W. 8th Avenue - Lakewood, Colorado
Ms. Ersick stated that most of her neighbors are in favor of vacating the end
of 8th Avenue. One of the busiest malls is going up right next to the neighborhood
and they are desperately trying to keep their neighborhood separate from the
mall. She stated they want to keep their neighborhood a neighborhood where families
can feel at ease walking along the street without being run over by speeders
and people trying to get to the mall. She stated it is very important to keep
the neighborhood a neighborhood.
Councilwoman Wise made a motion to adopt Ordinance O-2002-18. It was seconded by Councilman Elliott.
Councilman Stevens stated that he was glad to hear that there were many neighbors in support of the vacation. He read a portion of a letter in opposition of the vacation. Portions of the letter he read stated that at 7th & Indiana, priority would be given to traffic attempting to access the Mills shopping project, again leaving the neighborhood with limited access to their streets and extended delays at the intersection. The other concern mentioned in the letter was that it would provide traffic flow for 7th Avenue access onto Indiana. Councilman Stevens asked if someone from the project could address the issues mentioned.
John Mullens - 1541 Cole Boulevard - Lakewood, Colorado
Mr. Mullens stated that he was with Denver West and they have been working with
the neighborhood for about eight years trying to balance the need for protection
in the neighborhood with the need for convenience, without making it so accessible
that people would take a short cut through the neighborhood. He stated that
the proposed solution brings the traffic up to 7th & Indiana. That is a
newly constructed intersection that has been designed to handle the additional
traffic that would be routed there. Mr. Mullens stated that they have done traffic
counts every year for the last six years and believes it is sized properly with
the right turning lanes. However, it is not over-improved, which means that
if it is made too easy for someone to get up there and take a right hand turn
without stopping in front of someone who might be leaving the neighborhood,
then people are encouraged to use it as a cut through street. The designs have
been worked through the neighborhood committees from the beginning and he stated
they are sized properly but not too generous to be able to allow people to have
a lot of free movements. There is a good balance. There is the ability to retime
the lights if there is a need to get additional time for certain movements.
The control of the timing is going to be with the City of Lakewood staff working
with the Denver West consultants through the traffic control center.
Councilman Stevens stated that a copy of the letter he referred to would be provided to John Mullens. He stated that John Mullens and Denver West have done an excellent job regarding the amount of time and effort that has been devoted to meeting with the neighborhoods and trying to meet their concerns.
Councilwoman Herbst asked Diane Davis-Ersick to return to the microphone.
Ms. Ersick stated if 8th Avenue is not closed off and it is left straight, it
would become a speedway and it would devastate the neighborhood.
Councilman Elliott asked Karl Buchholz, a Traffic Engineer for the City of Lakewood, to answer concerns addressed in the letter from the citizen who is concerned about the access getting onto Indiana and taking a left on Indiana. Councilman Elliott asked Mr. Buchholz what the City or CDOT's plan are for the intersection to allow neighbors to get in and out in a timely manner since one of their access points is being eliminated.
Mr. Buchholz stated that as part of the improvements for the 7th & Indiana intersection, the intersection is being widened to provide better access. Currently, there is a single lane that enters onto Indiana from 7th Avenue. When Indiana and 7th Avenue are completed there will be a separate left turn lane as well as a through and combined-through right turn lane. A free right turn lane is not being provided because that might encourage people to use 7th or 8th Avenue and have a free right turn to go up Indiana to access the mall. He stated it is being widened to make it more accessible. It will be connected to the traffic signal system and therefore the City will have the flexibility to adjust the timing of the light as necessary. There will be plenty of capacity for the roadway. There will be approximately 3500 vehicles per day that will use that section of road once the connection is completed and that is well within the capacity of the intersection.
Councilwoman Wise stated that no one has minimized the magnitude of the impact that the traffic from the Mills project is going to have on this neighborhood. She stated that Greg Stevinson and his entire team have done a fabulous job at outreach in the neighborhood. She thanked Diane for her efforts in organizing this neighborhood and trying to work with this and getting in front of the problems and issues. Councilwoman Wise stated there will be a zillion problems after the fact. Diane's ability to work with Greg Stevinson on this has eliminated a lot of the problems up front.
Vote: 10 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried.
ITEM 20 - GENERAL BUSINESS
None.
ITEM 21 - REPORTS
Mayor Burkholder
Announced that CDOT has awarded a contract for resurfacing Wadsworth Blvd. from
Florida Ave. to 6th Avenue. Construction will be initiated in July and last
through September. Much of the work will occur at night to reduce the impact
on the traveling public. Wadsworth is literally falling apart. The City has
worked very closely with DRCOG and CDOT to address this issue. He thanked the
City's Traffic Engineer, Dave Baskett, for the work he has done keeping the
issue in front of DRCOG and CDOT. Mayor Burkholder thanked Carol Kesselman for
her fine work on the transportation issues, not only in Lakewood, but also throughout
the regional area.
Councilman Elliott
Announced that he will have the privilege of dedicating the Homestead at Fox
Hollow this Saturday. It will be open to the public shortly.
Announced his attendance at the South Alameda Neighborhood Fair in celebration of the neighborhood plan that was just adopted for South Alameda and he had a great time.
Councilwoman Wise
Stated that Colorado Christian University (CCU) and realtors are going into
the neighborhood and purchasing single family residences and converting them
into student housing. She stated she was very disappointed in the University
in how they have treated the neighborhood. It is one thing to purchasing a house
and turn it into a rental, it is an entirely different issue when an institution
goes in and aggressively solicits people and calls them up to see if they are
perhaps interested in selling their home to turn them into dormitory living
areas. Councilman Wise stated that she is impressed with the Planning Department
and the protections they give to the neighborhoods in maintaining the integrity
of those neighborhoods. Although the City might be limited by law on what can
be done to protect the neighborhood, she stated that she would do everything
in her power to maintain the integrity of that neighborhood and not allow an
institution to come in and decimate the standards, norms, and values of neighborhoods.
She stated that she has nothing against rental properties, but to go in and
change the density of a neighborhood and to not work with the values of the
neighborhood is completely contrary to what she likes to see happen in the City.
Councilwoman Wise stated that, on behalf of those neighbors, she is willing
to help in anyway she can.
Councilwoman Koop
Promoted the Good Neighboring Resource Guide put out by the Neighborhood Resource
Center. She stated they do a wonderful job educating new neighborhood groups
and neighborhood associations that are getting started. There will be a box
of the Guides available in the City Manager's Office starting Tuesday afternoon.
She encouraged neighborhood associations and groups to pick one up. The Guide
includes helpful information such as talking to neighbors, keeping up the neighborhood
network, welcoming new neighbors, tips on having a successful block party, and
more. At the end of the book, there is a form to complete to receive free ice
cream, paper plates, cups, and plastic ware from Safeway.
Councilman Stevens
Announced the Jewell & Wadsworth Neighborhood Business Association monthly
meeting on Tuesday, July 2nd, 7:30-8:30 a.m. at Liberty Bank at 7575 W. Jewell
Avenue.
Thanked Mr. Vaughan for his comments regarding the fireworks. He encouraged everyone to talk to his or her neighbors. If illegal fireworks are being used, he encouraged people to call the police. He stated there is a zero tolerance on this issue and no one can afford to take any chances or lose any structures.
Councilwoman Martin
Announced that as Council Liaison, she attended the Heritage, Culture and the
Arts Commission's retreat last week and the work that was accomplished primarily
dealt with defining the responsibilities of the Commission and the goals of
their committees.
Reported she had attended DRCOG's Metro Vision's update procedures and they are talking about defining Urban Centers. She stated she would keep Council informed on the matter.
Updated Councilwoman Wise that the Colorado Christian University has backed out of the procedures to deal with any of the rentals in that area. She stated she did not believe CCU was buying them, but someone else was buying them and they were going to lease, but now that isn't going to happen. There is still the problems of renting full houses.
Reported receiving a letter from former Councilwoman Bonnie Allison, who had been on the Council when the Master Plan for the Heritage Center was adopted and commended the good work that is being done there and hopes that everything will continue as planned. She stated she would copy the letter to the other council members.
Councilwoman Kesselman
Announced the Jewell & Wadsworth Business Association Meeting is next week
and stated it is a good opportunity for the neighborhood associations who are
members of that group to get together with the business association to make
sure that the whole area is moving forward with the plan as was developed by
that group. She encouraged the viewers who were part of the neighborhood associations
to attend that meeting.
Thanked the Mayor for his kind comments. She stated she was reappointed to the Regional Transportation Committee with the Denver Regional Council of Governments, which is where those major transportation issues are worked on. It is important to stay in touch with CDOT in making sure that, in addition to the regional projects, that some of the local needs are met as well.
Councilwoman Herbst
Announced her attendance at the South Alameda Neighborhood Fair on Saturday
and it was a first for the neighborhood. It was a huge success. There were approximately
150 in attendance. Food was donated by Alameda restaurants and other private
donors. She thanked all the sponsors and those who helped set up. A special
thank you went to Holly Boehm for the unbelievable job she did organizing the
event. She also thanked the Lakewood Police Department and West Metro Fire.
ITEM 21 - ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before City Council, Mayor Burkholder
adjourned the meeting at 8:17 p.m.
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