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7 P.M. July 22, 2002
ITEM 1 - CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Burkholder called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Lakewood Civic Center South, 480 South Allison Parkway, Lakewood, Colorado.
ITEM 2 - ROLL CALL
Those present were: Mayor Steve Burkholder, Presiding
Tom Booher
Ray Elliott
Jackie Herbst
Bob Murphy
Jean Saum
Debbie Koop
Mike Stevens
Cheryl Wise
Barb Martin
Absent: Carol Kesselman
Others in attendance: Mike Rock, City Manager
Roger Noonan, City Attorney
Full and timely notice of this City Council meeting had been given and a quorum was present.
ITEM 3 - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
ITEM 4 - PRESENTATION - MAKING TRACKS TO LAKEWOOD
Joe Tempel from Friends of Dinosaur Ridge and George Valuck, Alameda Gateway
Association presented "Making Tracks to Lakewood." George Valuck introduced
"Making Tracks to Lakewood," a multi-year awareness campaign designed
to promote downtown Belmar, greater Alameda Corridor, and the City of Lakewood.
An Arts in Public Places Program was promoted using "Dinosaurs on Parade."
The idea is to have artwork dinosaurs crafted by artists to engage the community,
increase community pride, support educational programs, and attract visitors
to Lakewood, as well as support non-profit organizations. The timeline is to
begin at Lakewood on Parade, RFPs to artist and sponsors will happen in the
Fall 2002, the selection of dinosaurs in the spring, and the dinosaurs will
be on display the summer of 2003 for auction in the fall of 2003.
ITEM 5 - PRESENTATION - JEFFCO SUMMER THEATRE PROGRAM
Mayor Burkholder removed this item from the Agenda.
ITEM 6 - PRESENTATION - SCRUB 2002
Holly Boehm, Planner II, Community Planning and Development Department, gave
a PowerPoint presentation on Scrub Day 2002. Ms. Boehm stated that it was the
5th year for the Neighborhood Scrub Program. The focus has been on the neighborhood
planning areas that are either completed or plan to be completed in the near
future. Generally, neighborhoods that are Community Development Block Grant
qualified, or residents within those areas that are income-qualified under the
grant program, are selected. Community and City staff volunteers provide the
labor, and many of the materials and supplies are donated by corporate sponsors
of the program. Projects include exterior home painting and repairs; landscaping;
code enforcement blitz; street sweeping; street, alley, and gulch trash and
litter pick up; dead tree removal and tree trimming; and a free hazardous waste
disposal program. A dumpsite is offered to all residents of the neighborhood
area. This year's focus was on the Daniels-Gardens Neighborhood, just south
of Colfax and north of 8th Avenue, east of Simms and to the City boundary of
Welch. This year 18 homes were scrubbed including painting, fence repair, debris
removal, and landscaping. Eight miles of City streets were swept. Tree removal
and trimming was done at two properties. Mulch was spread at the Daniels Community
Center in all the garden areas. Thirty-five 30-foot dumpsters were filled at
the dumpsite. A pedestrian path was built at Daniels Park. Street and gulch
litter pick up was completed. 369 tires and 66 appliances were recycled. Holly
Boehm thanked the many volunteers and sponsors.
ITEM 7 - PUBLIC COMMENT
Kate Horan - 10 Field Street - Lakewood, CO
Ms. Horan stated that about a month ago residents discovered that during the
past two years, Colorado Christian University, aka CCU, and a developer in the
area have been purchasing homes in her area clandestinely to use as dormitories
for the CCU students. They now own 12 homes. The residents believe this violates
current Lakewood City zoning codes, as the Meadowlark is designated as a single-family
residence only and does not allow dormitories. The definition of a dormitory
from the Lakewood Code "a building containing living and sleeping facilities
for students of a college or a university and which may contain study areas
and/or shared kitchen/dining facilities." These CCU homes qualify on each
point of the definition. CCU even calls these homes dormitories in the literature
that they have sent to their incoming students. Somehow, the City Attorney disagrees.
He says they are not dorms and he will not stop the college and the developer
from housing up to 12 students in each of the homes in the neighborhood. She
stated that the residents are homeowners and voters and she urged the Council
and the Mayor to have the City Attorney reconsider his position quickly before
the lovely neighborhood is ruined. Ms. Horan stated that the City Attorney should
uphold the City codes honestly and fairly and not play semantics to appease
CCU.
Newt Vaughan - 8663 W. Hawaii Drive - Lakewood, CO
Mr. Vaughan stated that approximately two weeks ago he made a comment about
motorists that don't have insurance in the State of Colorado. He stated that
last night there was a news program on that stated that about one-third of the
people in the State of Colorado do not have insurance. He stated that we are
one of the most expensive states in the United States to insure motorists today.
He stated that our city could offer some solutions to this program. He stated
that through the Denver Regional Council of Governments, Lakewood could be instrumental
in starting to enforce a law that is already on the books, that every motorist
must be insured. He stated that the City should start impounding cars of uninsured
motorists. More and more uninsured motorists are on the road because they can't
afford to carry it. Another solution is to carry our own liability and be responsible
for our own actions for our privilege to drive and driving is a privilege. He
stated that if you accept that privilege, you should be willing to accept the
responsibilities for injuries caused to you and yourself and losses caused to
you by yourself, not at the expense of someone else. Mr. Vaughan stated that
we could insure ourselves if we elect to and if you elect not to have insurance,
then tough. You don't get any restitution from me. It may be something that
has to come from the State of Colorado. The police already have powers to impound
these vehicles. There isn't a single person in this room that cannot name someone
or has not been involved with somebody that does not have insurance, with an
uninsured motorist. He stated he could account for ten himself within the last
eight years. It is a growing problem and there will be a growing problem with
homeowners because of the losses due to fires in this state. We are not going
to be able to afford insurance if we don't start taking some kind of action
and some kind of enforcement. Raising the gallon of gas tax so the rest of us
can pay for irresponsible individuals does not solve the problem.
Walt Heidenfelder - 13009 W. Ohio Avenue - Lakewood, CO
Mr. Heidenfelder asked if City Council would consider extending the three-minute
public comment time to six to eight minutes. Many times citizens come to these
meetings and citizens are cut off. They come here to get involved with City
government and they have something to say and after three minutes the light
goes on and that's all the time they have. He stated that if we were really
interested in citizen input, there should be more flexibility.
Councilman Stevens stated that even though there is only three minutes of podium time, an unlimited amount of information may be given to the City Clerk to get to City Council. If you have an issue that goes into great detail, that information can be given to City Council in writing and a concise presentation may be given at the podium.
Mayor Burkholder stated that Councilwoman Wise forwarded a letter to him outlining the issues of the community in the Meadowlark Neighborhood. A thorough analysis is being done and the City will bring forward an expeditious answer on those issues.
Councilwoman Wise stated that in reference to the Colorado Christian University establishing, according to the neighbors, "dormitories" in the neighborhood, we certainly heard the neighbors express their concerns at the community meeting that was held last Wednesday evening and she has requested that this be an issue at our Open Discussion session at the next study session. All of City Council will have an opportunity to learn more about this issue.
Councilwoman Martin stated that this is a more complicated issue than it seems. She stated that she received many phone calls after the meeting presenting a different side than was presented at the neighborhood meeting or condensing the concerns in some way. She stated the city wants to be sure that they are looking into all aspects of the situation. Research is being done. The situation is not being ignored.
Mayor Burkholder stated that another issue mentioned tonight is motorist insurance and that insurance is dealt with at the State level.
City Attorney Roger Noonan stated that the insurance is a matter for the State Legislature.
CONSENT AGENDA - The following items from the Consent Agenda were read into the record by the City Clerk.
ITEM 8 - RESOLUTION 2002-45 APPROVING A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM, AND JEFFERSON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY TO ADMINISTER THE REHABILITATION LOAN PROGRAM
ITEM 9 - RESOLUTION 2002-46 ESTABLISHING CRITERIA FOR PRIORITIZING STORMWATER MANAGEMENT UTILITY CAPITAL AND MAINTENANCE PROJECTS
ITEM 10 - RESOLUTION 2002-47 ESTABLISHING PROCESSING FEES FOR EASEMENTS, LICENSE AGREEMENTS AND OTHER USES OF CITY PROPERTY
ITEM 11 - RESOLUTION 2002-48 A RESOLUTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE LAKEWOOD REINVESTMENT AUTHORITY AND GOLDBERG PROPERTY ASSOCIATES, INC.
ITEM 12 - ORDINANCE O-2002-25 ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE FIVE OF THE LAKEWOOD MUNICIPAL CODE BY CREATING A NEW CHAPTER 5.25 REGULATING CREMATORIES
ITEM 13 - ORDINANCE O-2002-26 - AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF SIX (6) QUIT CLAIM DEEDS FOR PARCELS OF PROPERTY ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF COLFAX AVENUE BETWEEN INDIANA AVENUE AND COLE BOULEVARD ALL LYING WITHIN SECTION 6, TOWNSHIP 4 SOUTH, RANGE 69 WEST OF THE 6TH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, CITY OF LAKEWOOD, COUNTY OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF COLORADO
ITEM 14 - ACCEPTING MINUTES OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Lakewood Liquor and Fermented Malt June 13, 2002
Beverage Licensing Authority Meeting
Public Comment:
Newt Vaughan - 8663 W. Hawaii Drive - Lakewood, CO
In reference to Item 11 - Resolution No. 2002-48, Mr. Vaughn stated that the
City is wanting to approve a Ppublic Improvement Fee for this location in hopes
that Wal-Mart might want to build a superstore and a possibility that they might
put a Sam's Club where they are at now, vacate one location to fix the blight
in another. He stated he is not sure we're headed in the right direction. The
City of Lakewood has not been very friendly over the last 30 years to small
business and there are a number of small businesses in there that have done
quite well for a number of years. He stated he has been a resident of this City
for over 55 years and it was more or less a bedroom community where we had a
lot of individual family homes and we're beginning to lose sight of that. We
already have two public improvement sites in the City of Lakewood and I'm wondering
if we're not abusing this authority and the condemnation authority by taking
over another small mom and pop business. Mr. Vaughan stated that we could come
up with better solutions to these problems and we need to. We need to tread
lightly and really look at this fee before we start approving another one of
these properties in the City of Lakewood.
Councilwoman Wise made a motion 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 dates 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.
Councilman Booher asked to remove Item 11 from the Consent Agenda and place it under General Business on the Agenda.
Mayor Burkholder asked Jay Hutchison, City Engineer, to give Council an update on the criteria for prioritizing Stormwater Management Utility capital projects.
Jay Hutchison, City Engineer, commented that Resolution No. 2002-46 before Council would adopt criteria that would be used to prioritize a variety of capital projects that the Utility will be continuing to build over the coming decades. Specifics of the criteria are listed in the Resolution. He stated that over the past 2-1/2 years, the Utility has been in place and has focused primarily on maintenance items which were well behind and on some obvious priorities for capital work, as well. The $55-60 million capital needs projects have started, and the City continues to comply with the federal governments water requirements that have been imposed upon the City. Mr. Hutchison showed a City map indicating the current and adopted plan projects. He reviewed a few of the projects which have been completed, or are on current schedules for completion. He recommended City Council adopt the resolution.
Councilwoman Martin stated there is some erosion near their property near Lakewood Gulch and asked for the appropriate person to contact.
Jay Hutchison asked Councilwoman Martin to contact him directly as the City works directly with the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District to ensure that any funding they have available can be used on those and other types of projects.
Councilman Elliott stated that the Stormwater Management Utility Fee has been in place for several years and he asked why Council was being asked to approve the resolution at this time.
Jay Hutchison stated the criteria, associated with the major drainage way projects, was reviewed by City Council in 1999, but not formally adopted at that time and therefore, it is included in the resolution for adoption. Also, the City has received input from many property owners regarding drainage problems and now has a better handle on the scope and nature of those problems, so more specific criteria could be addressed.
Councilwoman Saum stated that the fee is paid on a Citywide basis and therefore, Citywide needs are being addressed. It's not just concentrated in certain areas.
Jay Hutchison stated that that was correct. There are two areas where it is addressed routinely every year. The water quality requirements are the City's responsibility and each year testing follow up is done throughout the City. The existing drainage system also needs to be maintained, and on a bi-annual basis, every portion of that system is observed and portions are cleaned accordingly. Every other year, every inlet and every pipe is inspected to ensure they are functioning properly so they will handle the storms when needed.
Councilwoman Koop asked how far into the future projects were being scheduled.
Jay Hutchison stated that the five-year Capital Improvement Program is the farthest that dates for completion are associated with projects.
Vote on the Consent Agenda with Item No. 11 being pulled and placed under General Business on the Agenda. Vote: 10 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried.
ITEM 15 - ORDINANCE O-2002-23 - REZONING LAND LOCATED AT 12305 WEST DAKOTA AVENUE, CITY OF LAKEWOOD, COLORADO
Applicant's Representative Kenneth Breitkreuz- 6572 S. Sherman Street-
Centennial, CO stated that he attended the Planning Commission Meeting and he
is the applicant for the rezoning request. He stated he is an architect with
OZ Architecture working for the General Services Administration on behalf of
the Federal Department of Transportation. They are seeking rezoning for a 3.8
acre parcel located at 12305 West Dakota Avenue, changing from office to planned
development. The intent is to accommodate a proposed warehouse for the Federal
Department of Transportation. Included on the site will also be a ware yard
and associated parking. The warehouse supports an office building that is located
on a separate parcel that is not a part of the rezoning request. The Department
of Transportation warehouse and offices are currently located at 555 Zang in
Lakewood, Colorado. This is an opportunity to retain the DOT presence in the
City of Lakewood. It allows the DOT to upgrade their facilities. Lakewood Planning
Commission on June 19, 2002 voted unanimously to approve the rezoning.
Vince Harris, Community Planning and Development Department, introduced the Project Manager Chad Minor to City Council.
Project Manager Chad Minor explained that the request is to rezone the property located at 12305 West Dakota Avenue from the office zoned district to the planned development zoned district. Staff recommends approval of the rezoning to allow for the construction of a new office, warehouse, and ware yard for the U.S. Department of Transportation. Planning Commission, by a vote of 5 to 0 at the June 19, 2002 meeting, recommended approval of this request to City Council.
Mayor Burkholder opened the Public Hearing:
John Stamper, 3600 S. Gilpin, Cherry Hills, CO stated he was the managing partner of Mt. Vista Apartments just south and west of this property and expressed his concern that the office buildings will be approximately five stories in height and would block the view they currently have. He stated that USDOT will be a very substantial employer in the neighborhood and has no problem with that. He stated that he does not oppose the rezoning, but asked City Council to consider the office building heights when reviewing this reviewing request.
Mayor Burkholder closed the Public Hearing.
Councilwoman Wise made a motion to adopt Ordinance O-2002-23. It was seconded by Councilman Elliott.
Chad Minor stated that the City has not received any development request on
the southern portion at this time and asked the applicant to address the concerns
of
Mr. Stamper.
Ken Breitkreuz stated that the current parcel on the south is not part of the rezoning request. He stated they are anticipating putting an office building in that location. The height restriction per the current zoning is 60 feet. The plans are to put a three-story office building with a penthouse on top of that. That would be within the 60 feet currently allowed by that zoning. It is probably correct that that would impact views of the property.
Councilwoman Martin asked if the office building was currently in the plans.
Ken Breitkreuz stated that they are in the process of designing the office building and it will be built at roughly the same time the warehouse is built. The property being rezoned is not for the office buildings. The site for the office building is already zoned for offices.
Councilman Stevens stated that there was a letter from a neighbor mentioned in the staff report which was not attached to his copy.
Chad Minor stated the letter should have been a part of the staff report. It was included with the Planning Commission staff report. Chad Minor read a letter of opposition into the record.
Vote: 10 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried.
Councilman Murphy thanked the Economic Development Department for their help on this complex project. It allows for Lakewood to retain a valuable work force of 385.
Councilman Elliott stated that the way this is being structured is a benefit to all the districts that rely heavily upon property tax. Even though this is government property, the way it is designed, there is a private investor involved in this and the private investor will be paying property taxes to the City and to the special districts, which is a win-win for all involved.
Councilman Stevens stated that although there is residential to one side of
the property, the other three sides are either office, commercial, or industrial.
He stated he believed this was an appropriate use in that area.
ITEM 16 - ORDINANCE O-2002-24 - AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE, SALE AND DELIVERY OF THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD, COLORADO $6,000,000 DEVELOPMENT REVENUE BONDS (CARMEL OAKS PROJECT), SERIES 2002, THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY BY THE CITY OF A TRUST INDENTURE, A LOAN AGREEMENT WITH CARMEL OAKS OF LAKEWOOD, AND THE BONDS, APPROVING A NOTE, MORTGAGE AND CLOSING DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE BONDS, AND AUTHORIZING OFFICIALS OF THE CITY TO DO ALL OTHER THINGS NECESSARY OR ADVISABLE WITH RESPECT TO THE ISSUANCE OF THE BONDS.
Councilwoman Wise made a motion to adopt Ordinance O-2002-24. It was seconded by Councilman Elliott. Vote: 10 Ayes. 0 Nay. The motion carried.
ITEM 17 - GENERAL BUSINESS
RESOLUTION 2002-48 A RESOLUTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE LAKEWOOD REINVESTMENT AUTHORITY AND GOLDBERG PROPERTY ASSOCIATES, INC.
Councilwoman Wise made a motion to adopt Ordinance O-2002-24. It was seconded by Councilman Elliott.
Public Comment: None.
Councilman Booher stated that a couple of months ago he expressed some concern
about educating the public on Public Improvement Fees. He said the City has
made policy for all major projects now and asked for the public to be educated.
He stated it is Council's primary goal to communicate with citizens. Councilman
Booher stated that he understood PIFs are not taxes, but he does believe they
have the same effect as taxes, that being an increased cost to consumers as
a result of public policy. He stated he believes with taxes people have a lot
of say in raising taxes or the cost to the public and he is concerned about
the amount of input we have with the public on these PIFs. He stated he publicly
supported both the Mills project and the Belmar project and is concerned about
moving on and this becoming the standard policy. He stated he did a little surveying
himself over the last weekend at a couple of different events and found that
after speaking to over 100 people, they do not have an overall understanding
of what a PIF is. Councilman Booher stated that the argument he hears is that
if you don't want to pay it, don't shop there, but Wal-Mart has a very specific
niche and he doesn't believe we're suggesting to people to shop outside of Lakewood.
Plus, we're adding cost on to a business we already know has been identified
where the shoppers are extremely cost sensitive. He stated that with respect
to Mr. Goldberg for the work he does, he could not support the resolution.
Councilman Elliott stated that when we look at these developments and what people want in developments, they want not to see a sea of asphalt parking at those centers. In order to build the quality development that citizens in Lakewood want, where there are trees and landscaping and a lot of amenities that go into it, there is a significant cost to the developer. He stated that Wal-Mart could very easily go outside or on the outskirts of town and find a place to build where they don't have to worry about all the existing infrastructure and buildings. It would be less expensive for them than to build a store at Colfax & Wadsworth. The City looks at that area when going through a redevelopment process and if we allow that area to continue its deterioration, it's going to affect a lot of what goes on in this City, the tax base and everything, not just along that corridor, but it can have greater effects throughout the community. City Council looks at these issues in cooperation with the private sector. Councilman Elliott stated that the only way that financially, the private sector can make this work is through what we refer to as a PIF. He stated that Mr. Booher stated that the public is not widely aware of it, and Councilman Elliott stated he doesn't know what type of additional notification could be given to the public on this. He stated he doesn't think they'll ever be totally aware until they go to that cash register and find out what is going on. He stated that as Council looks at these Public Improvement Fees in these districts, one of the things that is typically included in the agreement, is that there is a sign at the cash register that states that there is going to be a Public Improvement Fee. He stated that people have asked what size the sign would be. At Mills there is a 5x8 plaque that is going up, which most people can read and understand that there is an additional fee when they make a purchase. That fee is not coming back to the City of Lakewood in any way, shape, or form. That fee is there is pay for the additional trees and the additional landscaping and additional amenities that are going to be offered at these malls. Mills or Wal-Mart could come in and develop the sights without a public improvement fee; however, they would not be the developments that people are requiring and wanting in this community. He stated he has gone out in the community and talked to people about the public improvement fee and although they are not thrilled about it, they understand why there is a need for it. Councilman Elliott stated that he looks at it as if it were a use fee. If you want to go shop at that shopping center, you're getting the benefit of those additional amenities and improvements and for having those; you're going to have to pay an additional fee. If you don't like those fees, you can always find another place. There are other Wal-Marts to go to, but when you go to find these other Wal-marts, you'll find that you're paying a sales tax that is higher than what our PIF and sales tax rates are here in the City of Lakewood.
Councilwoman Wise stated that she agreed wholeheartedly with Mr. Elliott. She thanked Mr. Booher for raising the issue. She stated that regardless of whether you sit on Council, or work in an organization, communication is always the number one complaint. Councilman Wise stated that in response to Mr. Booher's earlier concern, last week the joint study session was televised with the Planning Commission in an attempt to further educate the public. Continuing to increase those communications efforts is always good. She stated that at that study session, she stated that her belief in this, is that an incredible amount of time on staff went into developing the financial aspect of this project. It is a tool for to accomplish what this neighborhood needs. She stated she would shop at that Wal-Mart because it is on her route. She stated she will shop there because it meets her needs and she believes that many people in that surrounding area will join her there.
Councilwoman Martin stated that there was an article in the City newsletter which explained what a PIF was and how it worked. The newsletter is the major way of communicating with citizens.
Councilman Murphy asked to correct Mr. Booher's statement of saying that the PIF was a policy of the City. He stated that to his knowledge, the City Council has never passed a resolution making PIFs a policy. In fact, the City Commons was built without such a mechanism. It is a case by case basis and not a policy. He stated he wanted to clarify what Councilman Elliott said that perhaps it is feasible to build a Wal-Mart on this site without a PIF, but the product would be unacceptable to the neighborhood or to the standards that we are use to in this City. Councilman Murphy stated that with a PIF or no PIF, the neighbors in my section of town are all for this.
Councilman Stevens stated that PIFs are not used everywhere and they are used in very unique and desperate situations where the properties will not develop on their own without some sort of private/public partnership. The City has tried to be as upfront and open as possible in dealing with this issue. He stated that Council has been talking about it for quite a few months, if not years now. The City televised the study session last week, which gave people an opportunity to contact Council if they had any further questions or needed clarification. The infrastructure is a very expensive item. He stated he didn't know what private company would come in and attempt to take that kind of hit to rebuild the infrastructure without some sort of mechanism to pay them back. There are just too many other places they can go that have uncomplicated ownership situations that would be much less expensive. Councilman Stevens stated he would be supporting the resolution. He stated that PIFs are not being used indiscriminately in the City.
Mayor Burkholder stated that the study session was televised last week and for those who did not see the meeting, they could check out the video tapes from the Mayor and City Manager's Office on the second floor of City Hall. He stated he hoped City Council would support the resolution.
City Manager Mike Rock stated that there are alternatives to the Public Improvement Fee and they have been used in other communities and they are primarily give-backs from the community to the developer. That is how Flatirons Crossing was built in Broomfield. That's how the redevelopment in Englewood that is anchored by Wal-Mart was done. The City either goes into debt, itself, or gives a direct payment to the developer. Lakewood opted not to do that. We thought the better alternative was to devise a system where there was no debt or obligation to the City or its taxpayers, but rather a fee that the shopper could either choose to pay or to not pay. Mr. Rock stated there have actually been two televised study sessions, one for the Belmar Project Redevelopment, and last week's study session. He stated that during last week's study session, he reviewed in detail the costs associated with the site. It's a tremendously expensive sight, $26 million worth of improvement costs and short of the City and its taxpayers subsidizing its costs, the alternative was a PIF. This is the smallest of the three sites mentioned. Villa and Mills are both substantially larger sites and have substantially more activity planned. This is the smallest of the three sites and is a very expensive site. If the Public Improvement Fee makes sense for Mills, as it does, and it does for Belmar, then it certainly makes sense here.
Vote: 9 Ayes. 1 Nay (Booher). The motion carried.
ITEM 18 - REPORTS
Mayor Burkholder reported that he attended National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day at the Colorado School of Mines. There were several Brigadiers and Majors and Lieutenant Generals from all branches of the services who supported the U.S. through a lot of personal sacrifice back in the 70's. Many of them have uprooted their families and moved to this country and many are now American citizens.
Councilman Elliott stated that in the Mayor's absence he attended an event at Lakewood United Methodist Church titled "Heroes and Hot Dogs." It honored the West Metro Fire Department and the Lakewood Police Department and there was a good showing of people there and it was a fun event to attend.
Councilwoman Koop stated that last Thursday was the opening of the 1930's house at the Heritage Center at Belmar Park and I was told they wanted to thank all the volunteers who helped renovate it, and especially Jennifer Earl, who spent 299.5 hours fixing up the fireplace. She encouraged citizens to stop by and see the house.
She announced that the Second Annual O'Kane Park Pet Fair was held last Saturday. She thanked everyone involved and especially Petsmart for donating the prizes.
Councilman Stevens stated that the Audit Committee met this week with the Finance Department and the Auditor to go over the 2001 Audit and it looked good and stated that a memo and complete report would be forthcoming to all Council members. Any questions should be directed to Councilman Booher, Councilman Elliott, Finance Director Jacque Wedding-Scott, or himself.
Councilwoman Martin stated she was appointed by the Mayor as an alternate to the Union Station Advisory Committee that is looking at the station design and the 19 acres that surround Union Station downtown and how it relates to the west corridor of Lakewood. It's a very exciting project and she is enjoying it.
ITEM 19 - ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Burkholder
adjourned at the meeting at 8:20 p.m.
Submitted by:
Margy Greer, City Clerk
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