[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6543326,"mediaKeyId","3636046-c0310f9cc928fec612636d364ab08ba3","parentId",3636046,"title","Westminster council backs work to develop tiered roadway improvement fee, aims to shift costs toward high-traffic businesses","audioSeconds",1427,"startMs",5899000,"endMs",4472000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3636046-c0310f9cc928fec612636d364ab08ba3&start=5899&end=4472","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3636046-c0310f9cc928fec612636d364ab08ba3/thumbnail_5899000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6543326/Westminster/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Westminster-council-backs-work-to-develop-tiered-roadway-improvement-fee-aims-to-shift-costs-toward-high-traffic-businesses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543326-45a286e23d14ce042995d55c4efabe01/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190097&Signature=CKCMpErx2FJP7aahTVNxpjHV6QwXKBMhUfWz5UiLEykXHLloj3I-To5BcaR1KgI8ULJaoq2FJR1KoND3nSdbMamF2Z91ezSNXRgMq9pmIUgrXKSXprhPxjSzl6tJTf2-PyvWRJeyM2TLdTuSqlyuumvHYqy-V38ip3h43nC-dFcKRCmvm7itL6vHSw06AZpLO1MvVoo4HHzlvtMYFko~ZczcmtcDR3uL3CTyjjAUv1blsF-MludIcUsXvNvcyXL-zEVqSYkaW3SCzpS-kRneIxMggBQbJSuSyEnOYzE2o0XpbBiMH-OHvezSC2BA0QHIPUmjtwOIfpv8LgzG07ThHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Westminster City, CO","date","2025-06-03T04:09:04.84Z","article","Westminster city staff on Monday presented a proposal to reshape the city’s roadway improvement fee, recommending a $2 monthly increase for residential accounts and a new tiered schedule for commercial properties intended to shift more of the cost burden to high-traffic retail and service businesses.

The proposal would raise the residential fee from $6 to $8 per water meter and create three nonresidential tiers — retail superstore, retail high-traffic and retail moderate-traffic — plus an “other commercial” category. Staff said the change would add about $4 million in revenue and reduce the city’s annual streets funding gap from roughly $9 million to about $5 million.

Why it matters: Westminster identified roughly $26 million in annual needs for pavement, curb and gutter, traffic-calming and signal infrastructure. City staff say the current funding sources — sales and use tax, external grants and the existing roadway fee — leave an on-going shortfall; the fee rewrite is intended to align charges with how much traffic different land uses generate.

City engineer and staff presentation: City engineering staff modeled traffic-generation by land use and proposed caps to avoid very large bills for a small number of businesses. The presenter summarized the recommendation: “we're recommending going to, raising it by $2 a month for the residential side to $8,” and said the residential revenue would rise from about $3.7 million to roughly $5.0 million annually under the proposal.

Council discussion and next steps: Councilors praised the tiered approach as a more proportional way to allocate road costs. Several members said they supported outreach to businesses and residents before any ordinance is introduced. One councilor urged an “indexed” or inflation-adjusted mechanism to avoid repeating large periodic increases, while others cautioned against automatic escalators without annual review.

Staff recommended drafting ordinance language this summer, conducting stakeholder outreach and aiming for implementation about a year after council direction to allow internal systems and billing to be built. Staff also flagged options for automatic adjustments and said those could be included in the ordinance if council desires.

Quote: Councilor Camilla said, “I think this makes so much sense,” expressing support for the tiered structure and the goal of shifting more of the burden to high-traffic retailers.

What council directed: Councilors authorized staff to move forward with stakeholder engagement on the proposed fee structure and return with refined ordinance language and outreach materials. No formal roll-call vote was taken; city staff characterized the outcome as council direction to proceed with public engagement and ordinance drafting.

What remains unresolved: Staff emphasized that the fee alone will not close the streets funding gap. Council members asked staff to include additional data in outreach — including trip counts and how specific delivery and service providers are accounted for — and to report back on options for indexing or caps before a final ordinance is introduced.

Ending: Staff will meet stakeholders and return to council with a draft ordinance, recommended inflation/indexing language and a timeline for implementation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Westminster City Council Study Session | June 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Westminster city staff on Monday presented a proposal to reshape the city’s roadway improvement fee, recommending a $2 monthly increase for residential accounts and a new tiered schedule for commercial properties intended to shift more of the cost burden to high-traffic businesses.","taxTitle","Westminster, Jefferson County, Colorado","taxId",2385,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6543306,"Westminster joins other cities in lawsuit challenging state laws on home rule authority",84,2104000,2188000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3636046-c0310f9cc928fec612636d364ab08ba3&start=2104&end=2188","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3636046-c0310f9cc928fec612636d364ab08ba3/thumbnail_2104000.jpg","/articles/6543306/Westminster/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Westminster-joins-other-cities-in-lawsuit-challenging-state-laws-on-home-rule-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543306-5b0ece604d48abf505588f1aff878c83/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190097&Signature=GCorT5z1siT3X1GRdcBQt3Q2c~Rxbw3uxhpJsvoA05UG7cGEj5CO8rC2nMwXGQtHPJzpDto6ItCKN~PFzKpJahJtlRU9tcGKa84IVJ~RBkjr8wav4o-w4rnSt2P1uDh7ftGfXG2F739ohtz2IJLKBHpE~n8a5kqUOZHow-DhvoH6X35dpsp1iCUTaobsRlk3Z-iInc6GIZ1KzKdDlGjZHJd~0PL8bQ6aAVOoip65GZZd4AwmNKV4S3kTuBcyrdigpqsyquH3U-Ca~MoSXDWggNuUR7d5I6n9C5fBbxRceqHKQd8xjfG4IHqjNgEnD2M5vuoaL8sYOVVc2VzoHtlLgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Westminster city officials told council on June 2 that the city joined five other Colorado municipalities in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of two state laws the city says infringe on home rule authority over local planning and development.

Details and parties: City Manager Andrew Andrews said Westminster filed the case on May 19 alongside Aurora, Arvada, Glendale, Greenwood Village and Lafayette. The lawsuit challenges two separate bills enacted by the state legislature; city staff described the suit as a defense of Westminster’s home rule charter authority to plan and regulate local growth.

Why it matters: Council members described the action as a defense of local control over land use and development, which the city said is a constitutional home rule matter. The city posted a public update site (westie.news) for residents who want ongoing updates, and staff said they will provide further briefings to council as the litigation progresses.

Quote: “That lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of two laws that were created by two different house bills because they, in the city's views, infringe on constitution constitutional rights as a home rule jurisdiction,” the city manager said during his report.

Next steps: Staff will monitor the litigation, post updates to the city’s public information site and return to council with new information or requests for direction if required.

Ending: The city emphasized the litigation is part of protecting municipal home-rule planning authority and promised to keep the public informed through official channels.","City manager reported that on May 19 Westminster joined five other municipalities in litigation challenging two state laws that the city says infringe its home rule powers. The city provided a website for updates and said it will brief council as the case progresses.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6543311,"Westminster says RecTrac system blocked more than 50,000 fraudulent card attempts; system patched and restored",60,2156000,2216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3636046-c0310f9cc928fec612636d364ab08ba3&start=2156&end=2216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3636046-c0310f9cc928fec612636d364ab08ba3/thumbnail_2156000.jpg","/articles/6543311/Westminster/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Westminster-says-RecTrac-system-blocked-more-than-50000-fraudulent-card-attempts-system-patched-and-restored","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543311-5c0915f08a1e22be0cc2089008a89f72/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190097&Signature=QouArjmjRr9UIkqagyuPFYlJCgt4GOhG8nBUnNnYWABElk36N-vUpOjJK~~Bf6cjuYLp483cObYpysmr6Ltz7t3-XDR3sgDKgroZ6XaUsqZLoR8JZ92GIKxC2ynNmcnT4l3zCW2omTtxXtcDWibEFzmTDWEZalrrqVnjbMiLnmvNlxELBxGQjJhOJFZeiepfjAgdrK8FujQ92EYcwbrtXW9dfUuhkxPNI5~G65lvWHjrQlkosAM5EIlk6vxrbBhlzStXN3z0JnSwdkyE4YqKgMGtxRmC08J87jxoWIiL-Ypv81o-wsQh9snw0bueIRMi6D2KecN41zyO8h5-lxQbEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Westminster city staff notified council on June 2 that the city’s RecTrac registration-and-payments system experienced more than 50,000 fraudulent credit card transaction attempts. City information-technology and cybersecurity personnel detected and blocked the attempts, applied a security patch and returned the system to service the same week, the city manager said.

What happened: City Manager Andrew Andrews told council that the cybersecurity team detected and intercepted an automated series of payment attempts targeted at RecTrac, the city’s platform for parks, recreation and library payments. The city temporarily took the system offline, applied a security patch and reinstated services after confirming the patch mitigated the attempts.

Impact: Andrews said the city avoided all attempted fraudulent transactions and restored RecTrac earlier than initially expected. The city did not identify any successful unauthorized charges and thanked IT staff for the swift response.

Quote: “The city's cybersecurity team detected over 50,000 fraudulent credit card transaction attempts through RecTrac,” City Manager Andrew Andrews told council during his report.

Next steps: Staff said it will continue monitoring system security, notify customers as appropriate and report any further developments to council. The city also encouraged customers to contact the city if they have questions about transactions or account access.

Ending: City officials credited the internal cybersecurity team for rapid detection and containment and said RecTrac is back online.","City manager reported that Westminster's RecTrac registration and payment system experienced more than 50,000 fraudulent credit-card transaction attempts. City IT and cybersecurity teams blocked the attempts, applied a security patch and restored service with no successful fraudulent charges, the manager said.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6543316,"Council approves wording changes to Westminster strategic plan to emphasize childcare, senior services and housing accessibility",558,9202000,9760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3636046-c0310f9cc928fec612636d364ab08ba3&start=9202&end=9760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3636046-c0310f9cc928fec612636d364ab08ba3/thumbnail_9202000.jpg","/articles/6543316/Westminster/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Council-approves-wording-changes-to-Westminster-strategic-plan-to-emphasize-childcare-senior-services-and-housing-accessibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543316-e86c9f81241805d8697b7e058d6301f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190097&Signature=BoIa0KenLRWbBOgVCeuX7Qg9wIpEcl3iISqDXSX8hRw291itCNXML2BCZcWttmLVzOUE6uug0owdWWECuVKBaY0wHUB77UXwwU778IE6Xc7QF3bSy6nEWrZOwt~0UuxDcaR6RTbRkYJGUtuITABYrepZoSGsLtGDnRZfZ0cOP4ptK5LT5OUg2CE6JuXsa-a~aDK9uvb2gTpF-jJVdZ7lwq5XTBC1QNFBzkUQ4r1nOVaWfthh18oZ99WydCBPHNCcmDx10Cjo7WxvPTFMNAfVmw2ukMGm7VoSRvmRh~gTDVMd-jgqBK679ghFoQJhcRhIWVzZF8~niZGa8KqvqATvfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Westminster city council on June 2 reviewed a series of targeted edits to the city’s strategic plan and directed staff to incorporate wording changes that emphasize childcare strategy, senior-friendly policies and accessibility in housing.

What the council changed: Staff presented a redlined version of the plan and incorporated council-suggested language on multiple objectives. Councilors asked staff to: (1) research and develop a municipal strategy to expand access, improve quality and reduce the cost of childcare and identify partners; (2) inventory senior-friendly city policies and services to better understand barriers to aging in place; and (3) promote and support housing accessibility features in new developments.

Why it matters: Councilors said these edits reflect ongoing community needs — workforce childcare, housing options for older adults, and accessibility for residents with disabilities — and they asked staff to pursue partnerships with nonprofit and regional providers where appropriate rather than duplicating services.

Council direction and implementation: The council asked staff to finalize the revised objectives and publish the strategic plan as Westminster’s guiding document for the remainder of 2025. City leadership said many actions already underway will continue under the revised plan; staff will return to council if additional budget or staffing is required to achieve new objectives.

Quote: City Manager Andrew Andrews described the document as a living plan and said staff will act on the adopted objectives: “once all of these edits are made, the strategic plan revision becomes final and a living real document, in real time.”

Ending: Staff will publish the final plan to the city website, begin implementing the prioritized objectives and report back to council with progress updates and any resource requests.","City council reviewed and directed staff to incorporate edits to the strategic plan that add emphasis on childcare capacity, senior-friendly policies and accessibility in new housing. Staff will publish the final plan and proceed to implement the objectives during the 2025-26 work program.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6543320,"Westminster council directs staff to pursue ballot measure to fund fire and streets; polling and rapid timeline authorized",2178,5282000,7460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3636046-c0310f9cc928fec612636d364ab08ba3&start=5282&end=7460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3636046-c0310f9cc928fec612636d364ab08ba3/thumbnail_5282000.jpg","/articles/6543320/Westminster/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Westminster-council-directs-staff-to-pursue-ballot-measure-to-fund-fire-and-streets-polling-and-rapid-timeline-authorized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543320-81f8bf76e45c16dc6f31f0ea48fb58e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190097&Signature=hDrmAHk31IJEdSgtmvgFucXCdnHpqimDeyC0BqdZBsFkHhfO22znBmx4SqOliSoAiKlwo1KT~0rcV85CsrU760HvBadjKKAln9l8VuU~AQL8JpzLgy2v5YCXpRV9fwUKYV7u2M3JXXnna8rxcdU5zO9cznG-fn0R90nWuLSMNOg8UfjKc3vYbd6p2CeQwhTfOON1~sTgtoF9pUw15V6~xSjAknM2QNTE1KI3Zh1a3tajj7Y63-SmnXCOCyrCupUiGMnhqCk~2sVz7MRZnc0MamHkn33JTuffif2Q85ZSEITfvcMLhIIiRvak82yEbD4GLzfShG8N9SsdWHrKYpQxkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Westminster city council on June 2 directed staff to pursue a ballot measure to raise revenue for fire and streets infrastructure and to begin polling and public outreach on a compressed timeline.

What council directed: After hearing staff analysis of capital shortfalls, council asked staff to engage a polling consultant and return with proposed ballot language and an outreach plan. Staff said the work could follow a rapid path that would require finalized language by late August 2025, or a more methodical path that would push finalization to August 2026.

Staff presentation and numbers: Staff reported combined annual gaps of about $18 million (roughly $9 million for fire and $9 million for streets). With the proposed roadway improvement fee reducing the streets gap from $9 million to $5 million, the remaining combined shortfall would be about $14 million annually, staff said.

Polling and consultant engagement: Staff briefed council on a recommended role for a polling firm to test voter receptivity and language. Council instructed staff to seek a short presentation from Magellan Strategies and to include polling of both sales tax and property tax options so the council would have a decision point. Staff reported a preliminary price range for polling and consultant support in the $8,000–$26,500 range depending on the scope and mode (text, phone, or mixed-mode).

Council debate and rationale: Supporters urged a rapid approach. “I do not want to kick the can on something that's life and safety to the next council,” Councilor DeMott said, linking the proposal to service levels for emergency response. Others recommended a more methodical outreach program and stronger education, citing the need for multi-channel paid outreach (mail, digital and in-person) to reach average voters.

Outcome and next steps: Council gave staff direction to proceed on a rapid path contingent on a polling decision point and asked staff to bring Magellan Strategies to a council session (staff targeted the next regular meeting) to review potential questions and timeline. Staff said the ballot combinations being tested may include sales-and-use tax increases and could also examine accommodation or marijuana tax options; staff noted that different tax choices change how much increases would be required to close the gap.

Quote: Staff summarized the challenge this way: “The gap that we're seeing for fires annually about $9,000,000 Streets is about $9,000,000 totaling 18,” underscoring why council considered a ballot measure.

Forward-looking: If council pursues a rapid timeline, staff said outreach and polling would have to occur immediately to meet an August 2025 deadline for ballot language; if the council prefers a more methodical path the timeline would extend into 2026. Councilors asked staff to prepare an outreach budget and flagged the importance of clear, repeated public education on safety and service impacts.

Ending: Staff will arrange a presentation by the recommended polling consultant, begin drafting polling questions and prepare a rapid outreach plan; council retained final authority to approve any ballot language and timing.","Councilors agreed at a June 2 study session to pursue a ballot measure that would fund fire and street infrastructure, instructing staff to engage a polling firm (Magellan Strategies) and begin a rapid outreach timetable aimed at finalizing ballot language this summer.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Westminster council backs work to develop tiered roadway improvement fee, aims to shift costs toward high-traffic businesses

Westminster joins other cities in lawsuit challenging state laws on home rule authority

Westminster says RecTrac system blocked more than 50,000 fraudulent card attempts; system patched and restored

Council approves wording changes to Westminster strategic plan to emphasize childcare, senior services and housing accessibility

Westminster council directs staff to pursue ballot measure to fund fire and streets; polling and rapid timeline authorized