Westminster staff seek resident input on streets, sidewalks, traffic signals and funding for 2026 budget

Paul Knoeple, Westminster’s director of public works and utilities, told residents at a 2026 budget town hall that the city’s pavement condition and traffic infrastructure need steady investment and that preventive maintenance is generally far less expensive than full replacement.

“We are at a at a score of 55. And so, or actually 54 right now is what our score is,” Knoeple said, adding that the current pavement quality index places Westminster’s streets in fair condition. He said the city aims to “keep good pavement in good condition” because full replacement can cost roughly 10 times more than preventative maintenance.

Knoeple described the city’s responsibility across the public right of way: asphalt pavement, concrete curb and gutter, sidewalks and curb ramps, traffic signal controllers and detection systems, and (city‑maintained) street lights. He noted the city pays for maintenance and operation of street lighting even where poles or power are owned by an electric utility.

Topics raised by residents in the small‑group exercises included pedestrian crossing safety, sidewalk gaps and root damage, faded or missing signage, lighting at crosswalks, speeding in neighborhoods, narrow entries like the parking garage at Westminster Station, and concerns about evacuation routes in higher‑density areas.

Community members discussed several funding ideas. Suggestions included a renewed sales tax or an increase toward a 4% sales tax rate, modest property tax increases, targeted bonds for time‑limited capital projects, a marijuana sales tax, short‑term rental fees, and using new downtown development revenue. Several participants said the city should provide clearer, dollar‑amount estimates of projects on ballots and in outreach so voters can better evaluate measures.

Why it matters: Knoeple said a one‑third share of signal intersection work last year was funded by grants and city dollars, and that corrosion‑protected equipment is now the standard for new signal poles and mast arms even though much of the existing system lacks that protection. Residents expressed a desire for better advance communication about ballot measures and specific project costs; several said prior fire‑funding ballot language had been unclear.

Knoeple also described traffic calming tradeoffs and the city’s need to examine effects before implementing changes: “Every time we do something in the right of way, it has an opposite effect,” he said. The city evaluates solutions such as narrowing roadway sections, pedestrian improvements and other engineered changes rather than ad‑hoc fixes like stop signs.

The town hall was an informational workshop; no formal votes were taken. City Manager Jody Andrews said the event was an early step in building the 2026 budget and that residents may submit proposed budget requests through May 3.

Clarifying details from the presentations and table reports: • Pavement quality index: reported at about 54–55, described as “fair condition.” • Traffic signal maintenance: controller cabinets and detection equipment require ongoing repair; roughly one‑third of intersections had work funded through grants and city funds in the past year. • Sidewalk/ADA ramps: staff said upgrades to curb ramps are performed when work occurs in an area to meet current ADA standards.

What’s next: Staff will analyze the town‑hall feedback and present funding and project options to City Council as part of the 2026 budget development schedule. The city also encouraged residents to use the QR codes provided at the event to submit project requests.

Sources: Paul Knoeple, City of Westminster Director of Public Works and Utilities; Jody Andrews, City Manager; resident reports compiled at the town hall.