[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6551771,"mediaKeyId","5327670-43a73eec79afb7e7509d7164703f11b0","parentId",5327670,"title","Committee reports: inclusionary zoning work continues; economic development hiring, Head Start transition, and regional planning updates","audioSeconds",48,"startMs",3627000,"endMs",3675000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5327670-43a73eec79afb7e7509d7164703f11b0&start=3627&end=3675","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5327670-43a73eec79afb7e7509d7164703f11b0/thumbnail_3627000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6551771/Lakewood-City/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Committee-reports-inclusionary-zoning-work-continues-economic-development-hiring-Head-Start-transition-and-regional-planning-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551771-668a5d4cbe3b0cd836a400d5635ea241/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443126&Signature=PGxkvQUoipt1sR9DvmXevVB6zRADN2jTKUuuhns2O6LU7hphIwJBdKnwJKAaeh-uE~xsPQwFwZz7VZEMjC~ZEipcpyGXr0vBAHBMVIDZo9xS1v1jY24byu5fAOFXWrQOtQvjnVjykTbs0sPA2NQ0IjxxHhOFr7OnrNu~4AZRcnLiaRBwpCi-q7KfcGpg3fPKCdMqByATW5q6ChfpF-q82FMnxpEOY~6660Wft0O17t3gAalJnBl89XV~M7KIKJr47zMS4gHnCUx-lZprCnOj53uKbPsW2kG0Te7jwb0aBzS2yNFtROl04qrBUjRUsdCG111P6umGKfVZPVt4LCJVIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Lakewood CO","date","2025-07-08T04:07:51Z","article","Committee chairs and councilors gave brief reports on several ongoing items: the Housing Policy Commission’s inclusionary zoning work, regional economic development planning, Head Start transition, and local economic development staffing.

Housing Policy Commission: Chair Matt Guerrero said the HPC paused a meeting to give consultants more time to prepare example inclusionary zoning ordinances and that June recordings and materials are available online. The HPC is focusing on IZ options, percentages, and potential fee-in-lieu mechanisms and is preparing public engagement steps when proposals become concrete.

Regional planning and economic development: Mayor Pro Tem Sharad Bai reported that the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) will convene a committee on a comprehensive economic development strategy; Lakewood will play a leadership role. Council members also raised expanding urban renewal work (for example, Sheridan corridor) and working with regional partners such as the West Metro Chamber to collect data on BIPOC- and women-owned businesses.

Head Start and social programs: Councilor Sinks updated that Jefferson County Head Start has expressed interest in taking on certain local Head Start responsibilities and that the county is moving toward a decision; Lakewood has prepared to transfer operations if approved.

Economic development staffing and small-business support: Councilors discussed a protracted hiring process for the city’s economic development director and said candidates are in the final round; councilors asked staff to ensure the incoming director will address BIPOC and women‑owned business outreach and measurable goals. Councilors suggested partnering with the West Metro Chamber and improving data collection on certified and self-identified minority‑owned businesses.

Parks and capital projects: Councilors asked that Morris Park Pool and other north‑side park amenities be considered early in the budget process and flagged capital project needs and restroom access on Colfax as priorities for staff review.

Councilors and staff agreed to transmit committee meeting recordings and materials to the council and the public and to coordinate timing for policy items that require broader engagement or may need regional coordination.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-07-07 Lakewood City Council Study Session Video","oneSentenceSummary","Committee reports covered continued work on inclusionary zoning at the Housing Policy Commission, regional economic development planning with DRCOG participation, a pending Head Start transfer to Jefferson County, and near‑final candidates for the economic development director.","taxTitle","Lakewood City, Jefferson County, Colorado","taxId",5594,"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},6551780,"Council seeks clarity on inclusionary zoning, affordable housing fund and regional coordination",255,787000,1042000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5327670-43a73eec79afb7e7509d7164703f11b0&start=787&end=1042","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5327670-43a73eec79afb7e7509d7164703f11b0/thumbnail_787000.jpg","/articles/6551780/Lakewood-City/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Council-seeks-clarity-on-inclusionary-zoning-affordable-housing-fund-and-regional-coordination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551780-74f473797b4b5b6b6f65a6cd69cc2f38/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443126&Signature=huR0fj4fLIoCcXpxIAFQNW5l9n8A2wCEK-wpLq3gQBGZDXkWv80IZAZDkFmzpawkmAuEAWmz3h~gDCoaodQ1hw1mkeg4Bx5ScpqNd1pRF5dSEfAfovqchHzbGoDMcE4xvvJEbGYQGD024oTVWADOhK3Q6GcZH1FkRsiOM9TIBy7IVwh73Y9HQhYHdMkMXR9IGtxaa1QNPVTsFyLR3C7bBRqmSeRAAYSlMt6qWdE409FTq3hW3IjuH1hpdfL8skC1BlpSVc7MVlYF08Yv45d4iuid1qUMsEezomQU29pxqxiSHxQ9yefdsO2MLkiWuEl-7KSTN-cejc~ZTnmVuA~HTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lakewood councilors reviewed several retreat bullets on affordable housing, asked staff to correct or clarify references to committees, and reiterated that inclusionary zoning remains a priority.

Multiple councilors flagged a paragraph describing the city manager and mayor “bringing council’s ideas to an HPC meeting.” Members said that phrasing was inconsistent: the Housing Policy Commission (HPC) is composed of council members, so council’s ideas do not need to be “brought” to it in that way. Several members suggested the facilitator likely meant the Jefferson County Housing Steering Committee or another regional forum. Staff said they will confirm the intended reference with the facilitator and amend internal implementation notes accordingly.

Councilors and staff discussed inclusionary zoning (IZ) and an affordable housing fund together. Members said the HPC is currently focused on drafting potential inclusionary zoning language; consultants are preparing model ordinance examples for the HPC to review. Council members emphasized that inclusionary zoning has been discussed in multiple forums and asked that it be explicitly listed among retreat priorities and implementation bullets.

Councilors also discussed the possible funding mechanism for an affordable housing fund, noting that decisions on funding sources and cost centers are still under consideration. Staff said the Housing Policy Commission and the city’s finance team have been coordinating and that funding decisions would come to council for direction when options and costs are clearer. Several councilors raised the possibility that larger funding initiatives could require regional coordination or a ballot measure and that timing and scope remain undetermined.

The council directed staff to confirm committee references in the retreat summary, to reflect inclusionary zoning explicitly in the affordable housing priority bullets, and to return to council with clearer sequencing and a timeline for when funding options will be ready for decision.","Councilors asked staff to clarify whether retreat notes referring to the Housing Policy Commission (HPC) actually intended the Jefferson County Housing Steering Committee, reiterated that inclusionary zoning remains a priority, and directed staff to return with clearer funding options for an affordable housing fund.",{"_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},6551784,"Lakewood council reviews retreat summary, asks staff to publish dashboard and proceed with priorities",5483,29000,5512000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5327670-43a73eec79afb7e7509d7164703f11b0&start=29&end=5512","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5327670-43a73eec79afb7e7509d7164703f11b0/thumbnail_29000.jpg","/articles/6551784/Lakewood-City/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Lakewood-council-reviews-retreat-summary-asks-staff-to-publish-dashboard-and-proceed-with-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551784-5bbf4d8f983e93479885ed0a5cc2acbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443126&Signature=RbUkPq7sOE7BfFXGGh4ikXbH7DbX~KHmuzi0dic4PjLM2YRAOzsBtGOgcW7usOul1ws5WEj7ebxyARh8hYGgBuylcygG8oV84ZdnDZgwjc6Aav3Nhb~pS6AuWoQZRC20I15PEJzh0u5ljfwEZeU5r0UItGTE9KLl8Oeq0un2pin6hA8EiZM0AaBrFqhJ3BpbFNJRZZ8928QdpjMLMjDpsTQZ2OexL3jElGy3se3hvLFftcskXZptbZJa2iA6bXAs2RQh24mLjLF3OW8blEJEKfwWfoKWNbgpWwuEjOtKLT-3uoooH7aXF740HZRVc3rKvwOXaaxmje2jwPFmMeyW9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lakewood City Council met in a study session to review the summary of its April 26 strategic planning retreat and to agree on next steps for staff implementation.

Council members said the session’s purpose was to confirm that the contractor-written summary accurately captured the retreat’s decisions and to make limited clarifications where the facilitator’s notes did not reflect the council’s intent. The council agreed it would not edit the summary line by line or focus on grammar; instead, staff will use the discussion to shape a workplan and post a progress dashboard for council and public view.

Councilors asked staff to clarify wording about an “ad hoc committee” referenced in the summary; members said the passage was intended to refer to the forthcoming Charter Commission and to early planning work that could begin before the formal commission work in 2026. Staff agreed to note that clarification so the public would understand the reference.

Staff reported they and the leadership team had already started aligning department work to retreat priorities and would publish a dashboard summarizing tasks, status, and monthly city manager updates. The council asked that the dashboard avoid confusing status labels used previously and that it show whether items are done but ongoing versus truly complete.

Councilors and staff discussed logistics for the council’s next annual retreat in February and asked colleagues to notify staff immediately of any weekend conflicts; the mayor’s office said it will book the facilitator unless dates are flagged.

The session closed with the council directing staff to proceed with the priorities discussed at the retreat, to post the dashboard and related materials on the city’s public site, and to capture clarifying notes from tonight’s review so future work aligns with council intent.","At a study session, the Lakewood City Council reviewed a contractor-produced summary of the April 26 strategic planning retreat, clarified several items (including a future Charter Commission ad hoc), and directed staff to post a dashboard and continue work on priority tasks rather than revising the document line by line.",{"_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},6551775,"Budget chair outlines schedule: Sept. 15 study session, Sept. 23 public Budget & Audit review, Oct. 6 first reading",227,3738000,3965000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5327670-43a73eec79afb7e7509d7164703f11b0&start=3738&end=3965","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5327670-43a73eec79afb7e7509d7164703f11b0/thumbnail_3738000.jpg","/articles/6551775/Lakewood-City/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Budget-chair-outlines-schedule-Sept-15-study-session-Sept-23-public-Budget-Audit-review-Oct-6-first-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551775-f31a9fa33fbede3992e0089b8aa08904/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443126&Signature=QjPkjVdDShC3GkxY0Uzqi0Vq4MfwsnFrykKzer-ZJ1b2dg9M6d5qzNAkIHXpzPNaCPimHeiqL786iypfnqHwSJww79SmXRT2iOsEmmB4wmgvg2eU5Ab-R2e~xX~hFOZ5A3~SFLou~92-nfonG9kYv2v1fQHkoM7auCzktN-4g~JetjxJWhdTPTPWDN-lG1W8z6ST9fw7-a3GB0QzTqy0kdS3HMDpBG22axbo1ZtTeNHKGFkcb1vywC4Qg-892uYsyZTZKI1qA3ZgbEj2fzQywHyX~hAFTgYZHlcBli7AdiujqJuNWseh0DGf6JfSNZIKcxt7r69YyHog5o9ZKbu5Cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilor Isabel Cruz, chair of the Budget & Audit Board, reviewed the upcoming budget calendar and planned materials improvements during the study session.

Key dates and process items: staff and the council will hold a joint study session on Sept. 15 to walk through the proposed budget; the Budget & Audit Board will meet on Sept. 23 at 5:30 p.m. to review and will accept public comment at that meeting; the first reading of the budget ordinance is scheduled for Oct. 6 and the second reading for Oct. 20. Councilors were advised that the Oct. 6 first reading is the primary opportunity to introduce amendments and that the Oct. 20 second reading ties up final items ahead of charter deadlines.

Staff described improvements for this year’s materials: a searchable, ADA‑compliant digital budget book; department one‑pagers for cross‑cutting goals (for example, homelessness and sustainability); and adding FTE counts to department operating summaries. The administration also said it will change its dashboard approach to avoid confusing status labels and will provide monthly city manager updates to council.

Councilors asked for more opportunities earlier in the process for policy input and suggested a mechanism to flag priorities for staff well before the budget is finalized. Staff said they will accept written feedback and will work to incorporate clearer summaries in the proposed budget materials.

The Budget & Audit chair encouraged councilors to provide written feedback ahead of the September meetings and said the board’s public meeting on Sept. 23 will be a key venue for community input before first reading.","Lakewood’s Budget & Audit chair reviewed the 2025 budget calendar, said staff will provide a redesigned dashboard and improved budget materials (ADA digital book, FTE detail, one‑pagers), and that the Budget & Audit board will welcome public comment during its Sept. 23 review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee reports: inclusionary zoning work continues; economic development hiring, Head Start transition, and regional planning updates

Council seeks clarity on inclusionary zoning, affordable housing fund and regional coordination

Lakewood council reviews retreat summary, asks staff to publish dashboard and proceed with priorities

Budget chair outlines schedule: Sept. 15 study session, Sept. 23 public Budget & Audit review, Oct. 6 first reading