Windsor Town Board Regular Meeting 11/25/24

Highlights

• The Board approved the 2025 budget of $144M, up from $142M in 2024.
• The Board tabled the approval of the Windsor Downtown Development Authority's 2025 budget due to resident concerns.
• A grocery sales tax rebate program for financially limited residents will be piloted in 2025.
• A special election will be held on Feb. 18, 2025 to vote on marijuana legalization and Home Rule Charter amendments.
• The 2024-2026 Strategic Plan was adopted, focusing on strategic growth, vital infrastructure, and economic vibrancy.
• The Town admitted to a $79,000 billing error due to water meter replacements; a resolution for waiving fees was not reached before the meeting recording stopped.

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Call to Order

Mayor Cline proclaimed the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday.

The Board members presented their Liaison Reports:

• Mayor Pro Tem Steinbach - Windsor Housing Authority: Jacoby Farms is progressing well and the Authority is working on an ordinance to update the code to account for a 7-member Board.
• Town Board Member Jones - Historic Preservation Commission: The Commission began discussing the possibility of designating Windsor Lake as a historic site.
• Town Board Member Peltz - Clearview Library Board: The board held its First Reading of its 2025 Budget. The community continues to use books, meeting rooms, and other resources provided by the library system.
• Town Board Member Symsack – Windsor Arts Commission: A Board member introduced a “sculpture on loan program” to place five sculptures around downtown as a “low cost, high impact idea” for 2025.
• Town Board Member Symsack – Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Board: The Forestry Team shared that they planted 89, pruned 752, and removed 70 trees, and cared for 95 flower pots this year.
• Mayor Cline - Poudre River Trail Corridor Authority: After gathering for a strategic planning meeting, the Authority decided the 2025 focus for the Executive Director will be fundraising.

Board Action

Sandra Mezzetti, Senior Planner, presented on An Ordinance Amending Chapters 14-17 of the Town of Windsor Municipal Code Concerning Land Use, which focuses on updating and clarifying land use language and definitions to be in accordance with House Bill 2452. The Board unanimously approved Ordinance No. 2024-1707.

Dean Moyer, Finance Director, presented the Town of Windsor 2025 Budget. He noted that the 2024 budget was $142M and the 2025 budget is $144M. Moyer said if constituents have questions about the projected 2025 budget, they can contact the Town Finance Department or view recordings of work sessions on their website. The Board unanimously approved the following:

• Resolution No. 2024-69 - A Resolution Summarizing Expenditures and Revenues for each Fund, and Adopting a Budget for the Town of Windsor, Colorado, for the Calendar Year Beginning on January 1, 2025, and Ending on December 31, 2025, and Appropriating Sums of Money to the Various Funds and Spending Agencies, In the Amount and for the Purpose as Set Forth Below for the 2025 Budget Year.
• Resolution No. 2024-70 - A Resolution Levying General Property Taxes for Larimer County for the Taxable Year 2024 to Help Defray the Costs of Government for the Town of Windsor, Colorado, for the 2025 Budget Year.
• Resolution No. 2024-71 - A Resolution Levying General Property Taxes for Weld County for the Taxable Year 2024 to Help Defray the Costs of Government for the Town of Windsor, Colorado, for the 2025 Budget Year.

Michelle Vance, the Executive Director of the Windsor Downtown Development Authority (DDA), presented the 2025 Windsor Downtown Alliance 2025 Budget. She recognized the completion of the Downtown Master Plan Phase I, National Accreditation through Main Street America, and the establishment of Volunteer Working Committees as a few highlights from the year. She said a 2025 priority is to market downtown Windsor as a destination by focusing on retail and restaurant promotions and continuing to rehab and redevelop certain properties. The DDA is funded by property and sales taxes as well as a mill levy, which has remained at 5 mills since 2017 and is currently insufficient to fund operations, according to Vance.

Residents expressed concerns about the mill levy and highlighted frustrations with the DDA Board, specifically DDA prioritizing events over development, the Board functioning more like a Downtown Chamber, their failure to uphold development promises, and the tax burden and perpetual asks of small business owners to participate in events by the DDA.

The Board voted 4-2 to table the following resolution until Dec. 9, 2024: Resolution No. 2024-72 - A Resolution Approving The 2025 Windsor Downtown Development Authority Budget; Making Annual Appropriations For The Windsor Downtown Development Authority For The Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2025; And Fixing The Mill Levy For The Windsor Downtown Development Authority District For The Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2025.

Moyer presented a yearlong grocery sales tax rebate pilot program for lower-income residents. The Board unanimously approved Resolution No. 2024-73 - A Resolution to Implement a Grocery Sales Tax Rebate Pilot Program to be made Available to Financially Limited Residents of The Town of Windsor, Colorado.

Kimberly Lambrecht, Senior Planner, stated that the spelling of “Yancey” has been corrected but otherwise, nothing has changed since the First Reading. The Board unanimously approved the following:

• Ordinance No. 2024-1705 - An Ordinance Designating 411 Main Street, Windsor, Colorado, as a Local Historic Landmark Pursuant to the Requirements of Article XVI of Chapter Fifteen of the Windsor Municipal Code - Chris and Annie Lloyd, Owners; Maya Barboa-Ojinaga and Sam Sedoryk (Town of Windsor Museum Education Specialists), Applicants.
• Ordinance No. 2024-1706 - An Ordinance Designating the Yancey Block Building, located at 513 Main Street, Windsor, Colorado, as a Local Historic Landmark Pursuant to the Requirements of Article XVI of Chapter Fifteen of the Windsor Municipal Code - Four Eyes Holding LLC (Dr. Brent Phinney), Owner; Maya Barboa-Ojinaga and Sam Sedoryk (Town of Windsor Museum Education Specialists), Applicants.

Jess Humphries, Information Services Director, presented on increased water and sewer rates. The Board unanimously approved the following:

• Resolution No. 2024-74 - A Resolution Establishing Rates for Town of Windsor Water Service Customers and Authorizing the Implementation of Such Rates
• Resolution No 2024-75 - A Resolution Establishing Rates for Town of Windsor Sanitary Sewer Service Customers and Authorizing the Implementation of Such Rates

Humphries presented on water plant investment fees, noting that the majority of fee increases would be for 3-inch water meters, which are primarily found in large industrial buildings. The Board unanimously approved the following:

• Resolution No 2024-76 - A Resolution Approving and Adopting Revisions to the Schedule of Water Plant Investment Fees Imposed by the Town of Windsor
• Resolution No 2024-77 - A Resolution Approving and Adopting Revisions to the Schedule of Sewer Plant Investment Fees Imposed by the Town of Windsor
• Ordinance No 2024-1708 - An Ordinance Repealing, Amending and Readopting Portions of Article III of Chapter 13 of the Windsor Municipal Code with Respect to Stormwater Basin Fees Imposed by The Town's Stormwater Drainage Utility Enterprise

Doug Roth, Civil Engineer, presented the First Reading of an ordinance to approve the transfer of fee ownership of a 20-foot strip on Weld County Road 72. The Board unanimously approved Ordinance No. 2024-1709 - An Ordinance Approving Deed of Dedication for Public Road Right-of-Way Between the Town of Windsor and Weld Concerning Weld County Road.

Dan Money, Town Attorney, presented on a plan to deed the land to Cobb Lake Regional Water Treatment Authority. The Board unanimously approved Ordinance No. 2024-1710 - An Ordinance approving the execution of a quitclaim deed between and among the Town of Windsor, the Town of Eaton, the Town of Severance and the Fort Collins-Loveland Water District to grant real property rights to the Cobb Lake

Regional Water Treatment Authority.

Money presented on a special election for residents to vote on the legalization of marijuana. The Board agreed that the residents should vote; however, they said they would create a statement opposing the legalization of marijuana. The Board unanimously approved the following:

• Resolution No. 2024-78 - A Resolution Calling a Special Election for the Purposes of Referring to the Voters an Initiative that Seeks to Amend the Windsor Town Code to Allow the Cultivation, Testing and Retail Sale of Marijuana within the Town of Windsor, Colorado

Money stated that a special election will be held on Feb. 18, 2025 for residents to vote on 10ballot amendments to the Home Rule Charter related to 10-year term limits, separating Mayor and Town Board entities, special elections, 2/3 vote for second reading of ordinances, and effective dates of ordinances. Board Member Jones noted that the Ad Hoc Committee is creating a blue book and corresponding plan to educate voters on the amendments. The Board unanimously approved the following:

• Ordinance 2024-1711 - An Emergency Ordinance Referring to the Voters Amendments to Article III Sections 3.1(C), (D), 3.3(A), (B), 3.5, 3.7(A) and (B), Article IV Section 4.7(B), Section 4.9(B) and Article VI Section 6.4(B) of the Town of Windsor Home Rule Charter

Shane Hale, Town Manager, presented considerations for the adoption of the 2024-2026 Strategic Plan. He said the focus areas continue to be strategic growth, vital infrastructure, and a vibrant and healthy economy. The Town Staff surveyed the community on the strategic plan and received 63 responses. The Board unanimously voted to Adopt the Strategic Plan.

A Town of Windsor Staff representative said 300 water meters were replaced in spring of 2024, which created a billing issue for users. The Town admitted it was their mistake that resulted in $79,000 worth of fees and requested to waive the fees for users. They described a process to mitigate against this error occurring again in the future.

The recording cut off at 11pm without a resolution to the water billing issue and communications from the Board.

Next Meeting: Monday, Dec. 9, 2024 at 7 p.m. -- Town Hall Chambers (3rd floor), 301 Walnut St., Windsor, CO 80550 or live on WindsorTV

Questions to Consider

• How might the tabling of the Windsor Downtown Development Authority's 2025 budget affect downtown revitalization efforts and business relations?
• What potential impacts could the marijuana legalization vote and Home Rule Charter amendments have on Windsor's governance and economy?
• How will the town absorb waiving $79K in water fees?

Documenter: Shannon Murphy

Links

• Agenda & Agenda Packet
• View Board Meeting Broadcasts
• All Agendas and Minutes
• Town Board Website: The Town Board serves as the community’s legislative body, having responsibility for enacting town ordinances, appropriating funds to conduct town business, appointing members to boards and commissions, and providing direction to town staff.

Board Members

• Present: Ron Steinbach (District 1 / Mayor Pro Tem), Brian Jones (District 2), Lainie Peltz (District 3), Mayor Julie Cline, Rick Klimek (District 5), Jason Hallett - virtual (District 6)
• Absent: Ken Symsack (District 4)

*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.