The PDF packet for the session is available here. The video replay is available here. Click on the agenda item in the menu to the right of the video to go to that part of the playback.
While this summary is intended to be fair, it may contain errors and is ultimately one person’s interpretation. All interested parties are encouraged to view the relevant portions of the meeting recording to come to their own conclusions.
The packet for this planning session included a couple of informative documents, which are included in the above-linked PDF:
- The summary report from the strategic planning conference
- The 2025 legislative agenda, listing the city’s lobbying priorities
On paper, the strategic planning summary has good commitments to housing and multi-modal transportation options, including pedestrian safety.
The Legislative Agenda documents specific asks for state and federal lobbying priorities in 7 areas:
- Local Control
- Local Funding
- Transportation
- Public Safety
- Water Security
- Housing
- Sustainability
Session Highlights
Council Members Absent: Bigelow and Sandgren
The first item was interviews of two applicants for the Thornton Arts, Sciences, and Humanities Council (TASHCO).
The second item was an informational update on the Ward 1 special election (election day March 25). The presenter compared municipal elections and elections coordinated with the county.
While not required for municipal elections, the city is providing an in-person voting center, access to 24-hour ballot drop boxes, and translation of ballot materials in Spanish.
The new council member will be sworn in April 8, 2025 (assuming no recount is required).
The third item was a discussion of the city strategic plan framework—the big picture, long-term strategic focus areas that emerged from the conference the council members attended at the end of February:
- Connected Communities
- Vibrant and Purposeful Development
- Organizational Excellence (city administration)
- Safe, Supported, and Livable Communities
The presenter asked for the council’s feedback in terms of phrasing, the definition for each focus area, and any additional priorities that should be considered.
Council Member Martinez noted the importance of the city’s regional collaborations for support of connected communities (e.g., work with the Colorado Department of Transportation).
The fourth item was another informational presentation to provide council travel date options for a federal lobbying trip to Washington, D.C. Traditionally, council has met with house and senate offices on one day and federal agency offices on the second day.
The council discussed which member would be responsible for which of the seven priority topics.
There was an update on state legislation, starting with a construction defects bill introduced by Representative Shannon Bird (HB25-1272). The presenter noted that many defect bills have been introduced in recent sessions. Other defect bills are also active this session.
The fifth item was updates from council members at various regional boards, councils, and committees.
Mayor Kulmann talked about her positive experience at a state of the city event at Brighton that was co-run by their chamber of commerce. Kulmann wants to do something similar in Thornton with our chamber of commerce.
Thornton Civic Observatory 