Council asks staff to prepare charter amendment to add open space protections; picks July 28/Aug 11 schedule

Council instructed staff to prepare a charter amendment ballot ordinance that would add "open space" to Article 13.2 of the Longmont Home Rule Charter so that the sale or conveyance of city‑owned open space would require voter approval.

Danielle Cassidy, the city's open space manager, presented draft sample language and explained the purpose of the change. "Shall Article 13.2 of the Longmont home rule charter be amended to extend existing voter approval requirements for the sale or conveyance of city‑owned land used for park purposes to also include land used for open space purposes..." Cassidy said, and noted the staff recommendation included exceptions for public rights of way, utilities and open space operations.

Council voted unanimously to direct staff to prepare a ballot ordinance for the November 2026 election. Council then selected the reading schedule that staff had proposed to meet election deadlines; after discussion about pacing and bundling ballot measures, the council adopted the July 28 (first reading) / August 11 (second reading) schedule by a 6–1 tally (Kristen opposed). Parks & Recreation Advisory Board had earlier recommended support for the council motion.

Staff cautioned that parts 1 and 2 of the original three‑part motion (conservation easement ordinance and strengthened disposition protections) will be returned separately and may be adjusted to align with the charter language depending on the outcome of the ballot question. Staff said the July/August schedule gives time to draft final legal language consistent with state election deadlines and to republish the ordinance for public notice if it is amended on second reading.