Wheat Ridge insurance salesman William Peterson asked Mayor Gretchen Cerveny to scold two city councilors for not supporting Wheat Ridge businesses at the April 28 City Council meeting. Peterson said credible sources informed him that District 1 Councilors Jerry DiTullio and Vance Edwards often are spotted eating at the Lakewood Perkins.
ìTheyíre giving Lakewood that money for taxes,î Peterson said. Upon realizing that they were busted, Edwards and DiTullio hid their faces in embarrassment and giggled behind the dias. The pair used to eat at the Wheat Ridge Perkins before it closed. Apparently they didnít eat there often enough.
$50 donation
After scolding his councilors, Peterson moved to a more serious subject and told the council how much he appreciated the work done on West 38th Avenue. He told the council how he walks the street and enjoys the benches along the way. In gratitude, Peterson gave the city a $50 check.
Psychic fallout continues
The City Council will need to see a psychic to determine when the backlash from the psychic advisors and tattoo parlors ordinances will cease. Wheat Ridge Recreation Center lifeguard Amber Rae spoke at the April 28 meeting and asked that the council repeal the ordinances. ìI wish the City Council would allow the free-market economic system to work,î she said. Rae said the city should only step in and limit business when the business is endangering its neighbors.
Pet Village to expand
The City Council approved a request from Pet Village, to build a new kennel building on its lot. The request came before the council because a special use permit had to be secured before construction could begin. The new air-conditioned building will feature 60 kennel spaces and should reduce the noise and smell from the older building. Once the new building is finished the kennel will look at rebuilding the older building as well. Councilman Jerry DiTullio voted against a variance request, stating that without the variance the business could still build a smaller building.
Recycling bins exempt
The council also approved an amended Dumpster-screening ordinance that exempts community recycling trash bins from having to be screened.
City supports light rail
The Wheat Ridge City Council threw its support behind the Regional Transportation Districtís West Corridor Draft Environmental Impact Statement at the April 28 meeting. The vote to support the light-rail line from downtown Denver to Golden was unanimous.
Salary debate continues
The debate over the clerkís and treasurerís salary continued April 28, as Edwards made a motion to give each position the same salary of the mayor ó $10,000 a year ó if the elected official has no certification or masterís degrees. If the official is a certified public accountant, or in the clerkís case, a certified municipal clerk, or has one of the accepted masterís degrees, the salary jumps to $22,000 a year. Attorney Gerald Dahl was asked to draft an ordinance on the matter for the council to consider at another meeting.
Study sessions canceled
All study sessions have been cancelled for the months of May, June, July and August. Study sessions will continue in September.
District 2 FMM moved
The District 2 First Monday Meetings have been moved from Holy Cross Lutheran Church to the lobby conference room at City Hall.