Wellington Board of Trustees 5/14/24

For more information (including members in attendance) see the full notes document here.*

View the meeting agenda and packet.

A video recording of the meeting is available here.

From the Town of Wellington website: “The purpose of this board is to provide outstanding municipal services for the community of Wellington both today and tomorrow.” 

Trustee Cannon invited Executive Director of the Colorado Municipal League Kevin Bommer to explain and answer questions about Home Rule during a one-hour work session prior to the regular board meeting. At the April 23 board meeting, newly elected Trustee Cannon, said he wanted Wellington to consider changing from a State Statutory town to Home Rule, which many other communities in Northern Colorado have established. 

Executive Director Bommer said Home Rule gives the citizens greater flexibility and quicker response time to solve problems specific to their community. He listed these points to consider:

• A solid framework is needed, but it’s not as strict as a Homeowners Association (HOA).
• Home Rule decisions are not easy to repeal, and any legal considerations would have to go through the courts. 
• It is costly to set up Home Rule and maintain it going forward. 
• Sometimes it is better to use State Statutory decisions instead of Home Rule. 

Bommer said the Board of Trustees decides the number of Charter Commissioners the town will have, and State Statute says it must be at least 9 and no more than 21.  Bommer said the average in Colorado is thirteen. Once candidates are chosen by the board, 69% of residents must participate and elect each of the board’s candidates. Bommer said there is a Home Rule Handbook with all current Colorado Charters and resources needed to set one up. He encouraged the board trustees to read it and take a deeper dive before making any decisions. 

Trustee Tietz asked about cost. Bommer was not able to give a cost due to the different variables of setting up Home Rule, but he cautioned the board not to skimp on any costs. He also said to learn from those who have gone through the process. Bommer suggested the board contact the town of Severance because its leaders recently created and adopted their Home Rule Charter. Bommer said any contracts the town had with vendors, such as the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office would not change, and property tax rates would remain within State Statutory rules.

Mayor Chausee made four proclamations:

1. Mental Health Awareness Month – May 2024
   1. The mayor calls upon the citizens, public and private institutions, businesses, and schools in the town to recommit to advancing understanding of mental health issues in the community. He encourages the residents to support the need for appropriate access to services for those affected with mental health issues.
2. Peace Officers Memorial week – May 12 to May 18
   1. This recognizes the deputies of the Larimer County Sheriff’s Department who stand watch over our citizens, selflessly risking their lives to protect individuals, families, neighborhoods, and property against crime. 
3. Public Works week – May 19 – May 25
   1. The mayor urges all Wellington citizens to join with representatives of the American Public Works Association in the celebration of the public works professionals and their contributions to protecting the health, safety, and quality of life of this community.
4. Kids to Parks Day – Saturday, May 24
   1. This day empowers kids and encourages families to go outdoors and visit local parks, public lands, and waters.

Community Impact Deputy Zachery Anderson from the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office spearheaded a pilot program in Berthoud using Flock cameras from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Anderson is now expanding the program to the rest of Larimer County including Wellington. Flock is the vendor for the cameras. Three cameras are in use in Wellington with an additional 2-3 more coming. The cameras are placed in the ground and take photos of vehicles and license plates only. There are no drivers seen in the photos. The officers use the photos to initiate an alert in these instances: 

• if any photo shows a stolen vehicle, 
• if they are looking for a felon, or,
• if a vehicle is associated with an amber alert.

Deputy Anderson gave an example from Berthoud. There was a drive-by shooting in one of Berthoud’s neighborhoods where a camera was in place. The officer was able to ID the license plate and an arrest was made within 30 minutes. Anderson said Berthoud showed a 9.1% increase in clearing outstanding cases using the camera system. 

Deputy Anderson said this is a 60-day trial period at no cost to Wellington. If the board decides to continue the program, each camera costs $3,000. Anderson said Colorado has the second highest number of auto thefts in the nation. Officers believe the use of Flock cameras could reduce auto thefts. 

The board unanimously approved four items on the Consent Agenda. 

1. April 23, 2024, regular meeting minutes.
2. Resolution No. 19-2024: A resolution of the Town of Wellington, Colorado considering a contract for asphalt construction services.
3. Resolution No. 20-2024: A resolution of the Town of Wellington, Colorado considering a contract for concrete construction services.
4. Resolution No. 21-2024: A resolution of the Town of Wellington, Colorado establishing liaisons to the town’s boards, commissions, and councils.

The board unanimously approved the endorsement of Trustee Ed Cannon as a nominee for the Colorado Municipal League (CML) Executive Board. The CML has three key priorities: 

• Protect and promote municipal interests and priorities.
• Ensure that municipal leaders have the information they need and the opportunity to inform others.
• Demonstrate leadership and provide opportunities for leadership from members. 

Cannon thanked the board for endorsing his nomination. Cannon said this could bring information and resources to the town of Wellington. He said the CML evaluates restrictions and limitations that may negatively affect Municipality’s. Trustee Daily said she thinks his participation is a fantastic idea and will get Wellington’s name recognized alongside other municipalities.

At 8:42 p.m. the regular board meeting adjourned and the board voted 6-1 to go into Executive Session (Trustee Tietz voted against). All online and in-person attendees had to leave the meeting. 

Executive Session

“Conferences with an attorney for the Town pursuant to § 24-6-402(4) (b), for the purpose of receiving legal advice relative to pending litigation related to the appeal of a site plan approval. The executive session will not be recorded and an attorney certification will be provided as required by C.R.S. §24-6-402(2)(d.5)(II)(B) that discussions in the executive session constitute privileged attorney-client communications.”

Next Meeting: May 28, 2024, 6:30 p.m. online Zoom, or in-person at The Leeper Center, 3800 Wilson Avenue, Wellington, CO

Questions To Consider

Have any cameras been stolen or damaged in other towns using Flock? If so, is there insurance for this?

Is there a target date for the board to decide on Home Rule?

*Citizen Observers further the commitment of the League of Women Voters to its principle of Citizens Right to Know, however, we are not acting as journalists. Omissions and errors are possible. It is assumed that users of this information are responsible for their own fact-checking. This could include contacting a government clerk, conversing with an elected official or staff, and/or asking us to speak to the Observer who attended.