Council sets tentative 2026 meeting calendar items, names NLC voting delegate

Thornton City Council discussed the proposed 2026 meeting calendar and selected delegates for the National League of Cities (NLC) business meeting during its Oct. 7 session.

Kristen (staff) walked council through the 2026 calendar, which follows the city's pattern of planning sessions on the first and third Tuesdays and council meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays. Staff asked council to select dates for the annual strategic planning conference and proposed either Jan. 30'31 or late-January/early-February alternatives. Councilors asked staff to confirm with newly elected members after the Nov. election; the body tentatively favored Jan. 30'31 but said the date will be finalized once new council membership is known.

Council also confirmed adjustments for months with conferences and holidays (e.g., June CML conference, November election day conflicts and Thanksgiving week) and agreed to keep a potential floating meeting date in case an additional session is needed. Staff will return the formal resolution adopting the schedule next week.

Regarding the NLC business meeting, council policy requires the body name a voting delegate and an alternate for the national organization's business session. Council identified Councilmember Justin as the voting delegate for the NLC business meeting (Saturday session) and named Councilmember Cherish as the backup alternate. Staff will memorialize the delegate selection in the required resolution.

Councilors asked staff to be mindful of conflicts with fall NLC committee schedules and to keep a flexible approach to finalizing the calendar and any November meeting that may conflict with national conference activities.

The calendar decisions were procedural and informational; staff will return a formal schedule resolution for adoption.