Jeremy Branting

The meeting included the approval of the January 12, 2026 meeting minutes. The primary agenda item involved Purchase Sale Agreements for LRA properties, specifically regarding 6051 West Alama Avenue and 6203 and 6205 West Kfax Avenue. A presentation detailed the proposal from Spyro Development to transform these underutilized sites into community hubs supplying at least 50 units of affordable, age-restricted housing for seniors, averaging 54% of AMI. The proposal for the Alama Avenue site, named Alama Commons, was submitted for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit financing through CHAFA. The total project budget is near $22 million, reliant on federal tax credits, two state tax credits, and local contribution via land donation from the LRA. Key public improvements discussed included an estimated $800,000 cost for bringing three-phase power to the site, water/sewer fees, sidewalk extensions, and potential public art installations. The developer also provided an update on community outreach, noting a letter of support received for the Alama site. The Kfax site remains under development envisioning family units. The authority was set to vote on resolutions related to the land purchase contracts for both sites.

The virtual study session focused on proposed modifications to city council policies and procedures for the spring of 2026. Key discussion points included amending policies 1.1 and 5.8 to grant the mayor authority to modify agenda presentations for administrative reasons, and amending policy 1.2 to establish the mayor's responsibility for overseeing city council priority setting updates. Changes were noted for committee screening policies (4.1 and 4.2) to reflect current practices and acknowledge ad hoc committees. Discussions also covered clarifying that administrative matters are not policy development (policies 5.2 and 5.7), refining attendance rules to count all full council meetings against absence limits, and revising agenda setting rules for general business items. Furthermore, procedural rules regarding decorum and forum definitions were clarified, and changes were proposed for the HOA representative registration process and meeting recording requirements, ensuring policy decisions are recorded. The annual planning retreat schedule was discussed, along with civility standards in the Code of Conduct (6.1), and modification of the meeting schedule to standardize the order of names called during roll call votes.

The regular business meeting commenced with procedural remarks, including an explanation regarding the Mayor's temporary speaking limitations and operational partnership. The initial public comment session allowed for feedback on non-agenda items, with updates provided by representatives from Colorado Christian University regarding their proposed NCAA Division 2 athletic facility development. The consent agenda included reappointments to the Board of Appeals and the Historic Preservation Commission, and the calling of several 2026 special council meetings. A major discussion point involved the second reading and public hearing for an ordinance to establish a Building Performance Program, specifically an energy benchmarking component for Lakewood's largest buildings, intended to help the city meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets of 61% by 2030 and net zero by 2050. The presentation detailed that building energy use accounts for the majority of city emissions.

The regular meeting commenced with roll call, confirming a quorum, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of reflection. Initial public comments, restricted to non-agenda items, concluded without any registered speakers. The council addressed the consent agenda, pulling items 4 A and 4 C for separate consideration. The remaining consent agenda items, including establishing water fees, ordinances on first reading for a building performance program, a supplemental appropriation for a special municipal election, and approval of previous meeting minutes from December 8, 2025, and January 12, 2026, were approved. Item 4 A involved establishing sanitary sewer fees for the Lakewood Sewer Utility and included a detailed presentation on the city's sewer districts, service fee structures, and the relationship with wholesale customers like the West Alamita Heights Sanitation District and Bond View Water and Sanitation District; this item passed after discussion. Item 4 C was a resolution encouraging electors to vote no on Ballot Question One regarding the repeal of Ordinance 2025-27; this item passed after public comment was heard advocating for voting no on the rollback. Finally, an amendment was introduced to combine related resolutions into a single resolution urging voters to vote no on Ballot Questions 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the April 7, 2026 special election.

The meeting commenced with procedural announcements regarding public comment for first and second readings of an item, followed by the introduction of the new Fire Chief, Jeremy Mets, of West Metro Fire Rescue. Chief Mets provided an overview of the district's services, including firefighting, emergency medical services, special operations response, and collaboration with Lakewood on wildfire mitigation and building safety inspections. The council then acknowledged the upcoming Lakewood 121 Day proclamation, celebrating Wadsworth Boulevard and local businesses, which was read by Councilor Roger Low. Following this, the council addressed the appointment of the Mayor Pro Tem for 2026, reconfirming Jezelyn Sherzai. The meeting proceeded to initial public comment, where one resident, Connie Reddic, addressed ongoing concerns regarding ADA compliance, building safety, and alleged law violations at the Cityscape property. Another speaker, Tom Thatcher from Royce Industries, voiced significant concerns regarding the negative impact of homeless encampments near his business due to an increase in activity while the Lakewood Navigation Center is under construction, and discussed past difficulties obtaining a perimeter fence permit.