Click on the agenda item in the menu to the right of the video to go to that part of the playback.
While the summary below 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 summary is not comprehensive but notes highlights from the session.
Update Session
Council Member Sandgren will join virtually for the council meeting but is not at the update session. Council Members Acunto and Bigelow are absent.
State Legislative Update
The council received an update on state legislation with two weeks left in the legislative session.
The briefing spent time on HB25-1296, which would provide reciprocity for food truck licensing and permitting between municipalities. At the time of the update, the city was opposed to the bill, but the bill has also received late amendments. The person briefing council indicated that the amendments do address previous concerns but that concerns remain.
The mayor reported hearing rumors about a summer session to which she and the lobbyist agreed would be sad if true (said sarcastically).
Update on the Environmental Sustainability Task Force & Master Plan
Staff shared an estimated project schedule with completion for the master plan by the start of 2026.
The city will create opportunities for community engagement and feedback, including a community-wide survey and workshops (with one potentially in May).
Parks, Recreation, & Community Programs Visioning Plan
The plan considers what the department and programs should look like in 20 years.
The city only has one full-time staff for events like festivals. All other staff are taken on an overtime basis from other roles (26:00).
Council Member Martinez suggested that there was insufficient opportunity for the council to provide feedback on the visioning plan (32:00).
Staff explained that there will be opportunity as the process gets underway for council feedback, including feedback on drafts at 50% and 75% completion.
Council Member Martinez suggested that the council do a workshop in a future planning session to give some big picture feedback early on in the visioning plan process. Council Member Russell supported that approach.
Outdoor Pool Update
The City Manager is requesting a budget adjustment to address short-term repairs to the city’s outdoor pools that came to light in recent audits. The pools are also approaching end-of-life. The immediate repairs would provide 3-5 years of continued use.
Council Meeting
Council Members Bigelow and Unrein were absent.
The council recognized May 9, 2025 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day in Thornton.
Audience Participation
The first speaker praises the city for the Eggstravaganza event the past weekend, which the city at late notice had to move indoors for weather. She also thanks the Parks and Recreation Department for working with the community.
The second and third speakers spoke in appreciation of past support for the Thornton Tennis Association and asked the city to expand lighted courts at the city.
The fourth speaker encouraged the city to continue to work on accessibility for autism. He stated that he supports a code of conduct for the council in general but cannot support the code as currently written for consideration of the council later in the session.
The fifth speaker continued his ongoing condemnation of the city’s land acknolwedgement.
The sixth speaker expressed thanks for the child care worker resolution. She reminded the council of the lack of capacity in the childcare sector due to low wages.
Council Comments
Council Member Sandgren said, “I think we all celebrated Easter last weekend.”
Staff Reports
The fire and police departments gave public safety reports.
Council Member Martinez asked the interim police chief about efforts in the 88th Ave. corridor where residents have reported feeling unsafe. The chief explained that police are engaged in active efforts in that area and that the staff split between south and north Thornton is approximately 66/33%.
Action Items
The council considered adopting a code of conduct, which is the same language as was considered Dec. 3, 2024.
Mayor Kulmann moved to require a two-thirds vote instead of a simple majority vote to censure a council member.
Council Member Ayala supports Kulmann’s motion. Council Members Salazar and Martinez voted against the motion; the motion passed 5-2.
The council unanimously passed the code of conduct.
Thornton Civic Observatory 