Broomfield Taxpayer Matters

December, 2024

Follow us on facebook

Merry Christmas!

This newsletter contains the following stories and information:

• Join us at our Holiday Party on December 7th
• Why Council Didn't Put Single-Hauler to a Vote
• Could It Be? Are Regulations Increasing Costs for Citizens?
• Council Agenda for December 3 and December 10, 2024
• City Council member contact information

Pay Attention to these upcoming items in the Broomfield Council Agendas:

• December 3 - Regular Meeting



• 6B. Continuation of Partial Property Tax Refund Program
• Cost to taxpayer $502,000
• 6F. Assignment of Rights under HB 24-1175 to Broomfield Housing Alliance (BHA)
• The assignment of the right of first refusal and right of first offer to purchase to BHA.
• 6I. 4th Quarter Budget Update
• $2,894,934 of additional revenue
• $1,761,500 of additional expenditures.
• 6J. 2025 Air Quality Monitoring Program
• Ajax Contract: $467,707
• Boulder A.I.R. Contract: $415,140
• Oil and Gas Penalty Revenue: $85,644.20
• 7D. Delegating Penalty Assessment to BPHE for violation of the Food Protection Act - Second Reading
• 7E. Amendment to the BHA IGA for 2025 Operational Support Funding
• Cost to Taxpayer: $400,000

• December 10 - Regular Meeting - No details, draft only

• 6D. Ordinance Amending and Restating Certain Agreement Related to the 2005 BURA Bonds
• 7A. Public Hearing - Ordinance Village of Westview Tax Sharing Reimbursement Agreement - Second Reading
• 7B. Public Hearing - Ordinance Tree Preservation Second Reading (The "damaged tree fee")
• 7C. Proposed Resolution Approving Council Sponsorship Policy 
• 8A. Mayor Castriotta - Regarding the Creation of a Human Rights Ordinance
• 8B. Councilmember Henkel - Regarding Steps Toward Creating an Immigrant-Inclusive Environment in Broomfield
• 8C. Councilmember Ward - Regarding the Creation of a Structure of Governance

Please let us know if you plan to attend by registering here.

As we wrap up 2024, we would like you to join us at the

Broomfield Taxpayer Matters Holiday Party on December 7th.

Saturday December 7, 2024 from 2-5pm.

(Event Location will be sent after sign up and RSVP verifications are completed.)

Please take a moment to register here. You won't want to miss it!

Local News

Why Didn't the Council Put Single-Hauler Trash to a Vote of the People?

The City and County of Broomfield's single-hauler program is drawing some attention, and not necessarily in a good way.

In our last newsletter, we shared a community post on Nextdoor as well as an online petition that people are signing to protest against the ordinance that Broomfield Council voted to implement. These responses from the community are in addition to the public comments at the September 10 City Council Meeting, where single-hauler was passed on second reading. Written correspondence, was heavily weighted against the program.

So, why didn't the Broomfield Council, that claims to be for "democracy", let you vote on this in the last election where they put seven ballot measures on the ballot? A recent Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) request by a resident asking what the Broomfield Council and City Staff discussed on this topic is very revealing as to why.

What are the Broomfield Council and Staff saying behind the scenes?

From the CORA request submitted to the City and County Broomfield, a July 25, 2022 email revealed some interesting and disturbing information. The email was between Abby Yellman (Former Deputy City Manager) and Councilmember Todd Cohen (Ward 5) regarding the potential trash hauler program The City Council and City Manager's Office is copied on the email.

In the email (which you can read for yourself here), Ms. Yellman responded to Councilmember Cohen about softening the public position and NOT put the trash hauler question on the ballot. Here is an excerpt from that response:

So, it's clear that the Broomfield City Staff and Broomfield Council deliberately avoided giving you the opportunity to vote on the trash hauler program, and acknowledged that downplaying the opt-out fee (bait and switch?) would help with them positioning the passage of the program. And, they've been thinking about this deceptive approach for more than two years before they passed the single hauler program by through a local ordinance.

They knew this was negatively charged policy that would fail if you were allowed to vote on it. And they shoved the policy through anyway.

They had seen the opposition to this in previous years and they didn't really care about your concerns. They just knew they wanted to pass it, and forcing it through with an ordinance was their solution. The Broomfield Council and Broomfield Staff intentionally steered the narrative on the single hauler program, postured that they had support, and dismissed the feedback that opposed the policy; the feedback was exactly what the email between Ms. Yellman and the Broomfield Council indicated they wanted to counteract. Councilmember Cohen eluded to this in the email when he wrote "Decline to put the question on the ballot and move forward with a Community Recycling and Composting Ordinance and procurement package without voter input. Believe me, we will hear from voters. More neutral wording would be appreciated." (emphasis added)

To the Broomfield Council, public opposition to their policy was something to be dismissed. It's not something to be overcome, it is to be ignored to get what they want. They manipulated the public discourse, including downplaying the opt-out fee necessary for the City to provide the service, and dictated the policy on Broomfield residents.

This is the latest example of the Broomfield Council not listening to all the voices and opinions of the public. They don't respect those opinions, and ignore the concerns of the public and act surprised when that opposition is voiced. In their mind's eye, they knows better than you how to run your life. The council wants you to..."Sit down, do what you’re told, because we said so. We know what’s best for you."

You deserve to be respected and heard. It is well past time for the Broomfield Council to do just that.

Just as one resident did, you have the right to ask the hard questions, demand truth and accuracy.

And, you have the right request changes in the public policies of our municipal government and elected officials that limit citizens’ economic and personal freedoms.

Remember, they work for you, not the other way around.

Could it be? Regulations Increasing Costs for Citizens?

The business leaders in the Colorado Chamber of Commerce are "calling for regulatory reform" as the cost of doing business is increasing and key business metrics are in decline.

A group of economists from outside Colorado found that Colorado is the sixth most regulated state in the nation. There are 165,000 regulations implemented by the legislature with 45% of them begin duplicative or excessive.

In Broomfield, the Council raised water tap fees in 2022, and we warned you about the decline in the revenues coming into the city in 2023 and now 2024. There have also been a number of ordinances passed this last year that increase the costs to developers (mandatory EV chargers in homes, mandatory fire suppression systems, mandatory landscaping, fines for damaged trees) and ultimately will be paid by the consumer.

Maybe it's time for the Broomfield Council to decrease their regulatory ordinances, fines, and fees and give businesses a reason to do business in Broomfield. More and more it looks like Broomfield is "closed to business".

Upcoming City Council Meetings - Please let us know if you plan to attend by registering here.

December 3, 2024

Regular Meeting - 6:00 p.m.

Agenda

Meeting Commencement (1)

1A. Pledge of Allegiance

2A. Review and Approval of Agenda

Petitions and Communications (2)

2A. Recognition of Holy Family High School State Champion Soccer Team

2B. Holiday Tree Lighting Presentation

2C. Brian Mason, District Attorney, Presentation

Councilmember Reports (3)

Public Comment (4)

Reports (5)

Consent Agenda (6)

6A. Approval of Minutes

• November 12, 2024

6B. Proposed Resolution - Continuation of Partial Property Tax Refund Program

• Resolution No. 2024-105

6C. Proposed Resolution - Broomfield Heights Stormwater and Pedestrian Improvements - Construction Agreement

• Resolution No. 2024-84

6D. Proposed Resolution - IGA Amendment with CDOT for the US287/120th Sidepath Infill Project

• Resolution No. 2024-157

6E. Proposed Resolution - Third Amendment and Restated IGA for Secure Transport; Ordinance to Repeal the Ambulance Program - First Reading

• Resolution No. 2024-170
• Ordinance 2260

6F. Proposed Resolution - Assignment of Rights under HB 24-1175 to Broomfield Housing Alliance (BHA)

• Resolution No. 2024-161

6G. Proposed Resolution - Brother's Redevelopment Home Rehabilitation Contract

• Resolution No. 2024-167

6H. Proposed Resolution - approving an IGA with the Judicial Department

• Resolution No. 2024-172

6I. Fourth Amendment to the 2024 Broomfield Budget

• Resolution No. 2024-156

6J. Contract Renewals for the 2025 Air Quality Monitoring Program

Action Items (7)

7A. Public Hearing - Palisade Park Filing 1 Replat E (QuikTrip) FP & SDP/URSP

• Resolution No. 2024-143
• Resolution No. 2024-168-UR

7B. BURA - Public Hearing - Palisade Park Filing 1 Replat E (QuikTrip) FP SDP/URSP

• Resolution No. 2024-143
• Resolution No. 2024-168-UR

7C. Public Hearing - Ordinance for Wadsworth Station Reimbursement Assessment District - Second Reading

• Ordinance 2250

7D. Public Hearing - Ordinance Delegating Penalty Assessment to BPHE for violation of the Food Protection Act - Second Reading

• Ordinance 2258

7E. Proposed Resolution for an Amendment to the BHA IGA for 2025 Operational Support Funding

• Resolution No. 2024-162

7F. Proposed Resolution Rescheduling Certain Regularly Scheduled Meetings of the City Council For 2025

• Resolution No. 126

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

December 10, 2024

Regular Meeting - 6:00 p.m.

Agenda

Meeting Commencement (1)

1A. Pledge of Allegiance

2A. Review and Approval of Agenda

Petitions and Communications (2)

Councilmember Reports (3)

Public Comment (4)

Reports (5)

Consent Agenda (6)

6A. Approval of Minutes

• December 3, 2024

6B. Proposed Resolution - Social Services Expenditures

• Resolution No. 2024-171-BSS

6C. Proposed Resolution - Revocable Permit for Interlocken Owner's Association, Inc. - Installation of Traffic Security Cameras

• Resolution No. 2024-169

6D. Ordinance Approving a Business Incentive Agreement with Peak Energy - 1st Reading

• Ordinance 2263

6E. Ordinance Amending and Restating Certain Agreement Related to the 2005 BURA Bonds

• Ordinance 2261

6F. Proposed Resolution -Authorizing the First Amendment Between Broomfield and Almost Home, Inc.

• Resolution No. 2024-173

Action Items (7)

7A. Public Hearing - Ordinance Village of Westview Tax Sharing Reimbursement Agreement - 2nd Reading

• Ordinance 2259

7B. Public Hearing - Ordinance Tree Preservation - 2nd Reading

• Ordinance 2240

7C. Proposed Resolution Approving Council Sponsorship and Ticketing

Mayor and Councilmember Requests for Future Action (8)

8A. Mayor Castriotta - Regarding the Creation of a Human Rights Ordinance

8B. Councilmember Henkel - Regarding Steps Toward Creating an Immigrant-Inclusive Environment in Broomfield

8C. Councilmember Ward - Regarding the Creation of a Structure of Governance