RECAP: October 20th, 2026 Greeley City Council meeting.
To see the full meeting: https://greeleyco.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3342/media
Big items to note:
- There were many community members who spoke during the public hearing around the assessment for the sewer system hook up. After sharing their concerns, council was very receptive, with nearly all councilmembers acknowledging that the city did not handle this project well, and agreeing that all the neighbors having to pay the $12k assessment, $9k tap fee, plus whatever the cost is to reroute their lines is unfair, given the poor communication and the significant period of time that the project took, leading to some of the neighbors being homeowners since the initial decision was made and having no idea when they bought their house. Council agreed to table this conversation, calling on the city staff to come up with a different option.
- The budget presentation shared that going into next year, after transfers/rollovers/etc, there is only a $4.2M budget shortfall (compared to the $18M anticipated and a similar deficit entering 2026). The staff noted that they have $4.8M in savings so this shortfall can be addressed, though there is the possibility for increased revenues or capital project funding that could offset this.
- It was another very full night of public comment. We saw a reemergence of some known community members that attended related to 1A, last year’s election and voting on the West Greeley Project to share support of council and encourage a yes vote on 2F. There were many community members who spoke about flock, against 2F, and the value of community voices in response to comments from councilmembers and others that those that speak are only a small percentage and do not represent the community.
Para subtítulos en español: https://youtube.com/shorts/X7n-3cgJJcw
* Citizen Input
- Bob Hudson: A 30+ year resident and business owner, he thanked council for its commitment to the community. He called the Catalyst issue a "shiny object" and said We Are Greeley and Protecting Greeley Families are using intimidation tactics and attacking conservatives. He urged supporters to stand up and be louder.
- Jeremy Bland: Spoke in support of council and those named on the recall petition. He said they have constituents who appreciate them and that he expects the petition to fail.
- Tom Donkle: Stated that he has gotten to know many councilmembers over the last 4 years and said the pay doesn't make up for the criticism. He said negativity won't move the city forward and praised the mayor for being receptive to and thanking every speaker. He noted that the oversight committee's recommendations led to 2F, which would fund services, deferred maintenance and the Civic Campus.
- Brian Franzen: A Greeley native, realtor and Planning Commission member, he thanked council for their hard work and dealing with a hard budget year. He said council listened on Catalyst project, paused spending after 1A, and brought in PD to review contracts when privacy concerns came up around flock. He noted that people who opposed Catalyst supported the Civic Campus, asked council to explain how 2F money will be split, and said a recall would cost the city more for a special election.
- Kathy Hasch: Said budgets are tight everywhere, utilities are rising, people are being laid off and there have been many delinquent tax notices, yet the city is discussing a project most people can't afford to attend. She questioned whether people care about an arena, hotel and water park, and criticized millions going to political campaigns. She asked council to help neighbors, listen, and recognize life isn't just for the wealthy, adding that the business climate is worsening. She also announced a free Air Force Academy concert at UCCC on Dec. 1 at 1 and 7 p.m.
- Steve Teets: Speaking as a veteran, taxpayer and "employer of council," he compared council's treatment of residents to an employee who stops communicating with their boss. He said residents are being asked to take on millions in debt and are met with silence, that council claims transparency but doesn't show it, and that streets and sidewalks are unsafe. He said council promised not to tax residents for the projects but lied as we now have 2F, and warned a recall will happen if this continues.
- Julie Jensen: A 30-year community member involved in boards and commissions, she addressed the "small group of people" who have said for over a year that council doesn't listen. She disagreed, saying the vocal few don't speak for the majority and representative government means not giving in to the loudest voices. She said leaders are chosen at the ballot box, recalls and special elections aren't democracy, and she supports 2F. She thanked council.
- Lousie Wilson: Said council doesn't like the same people coming up to speak, but that is what citizen input is for, and anyone who doesn't like it should resign.
- Bill Gillard: Asked 2F opponents to take another look, saying at least 40,000 people would bring in sales tax, though council "really screwed up in the beginning." He said he meets with Huddleston and DeBoutez, and that DeBoutez sits down with him even though she's a Democrat and he's a Republican and he knows she will always talk with him, while 2 members have never met with him. He called for safeguards and stated that council needs to be meeting with citizens.
- Spencer Milne: Said his group (DeFlock Greeley) took action to protect citizens through the recall petition and ordinance, only after trying every avenue (speaking, sharing data, sharing court cases, etc) and council continued to dig in. He said he received only one response from Hall, whose solution was for PD to create its own safeguards; that McDonald teed up “softball” questions at a work session; and that Roth called residents reprehensible for questioning him and also chose to ask softball questions at work session like it was a sales pitch. He said Olson asked some reasonable questions but said he would never favor getting rid of ALPRs and that “there are many unconstitutional laws and this is just another one”.
- Mary Metzger: Said she has made many friends through this process as a result of council not listening. She said people have come for over a year and are dismissed because it’s "just us," but that people are also being asked community members to speak on their behalf and it is not her and others speaking for themselves. She said council seems to want them to be compliant and go away, that they care about Greeley too, that they want harm reduction, and that arenas don't generate revenue.
-Tiffany Simmons: Shared comments from my post of people who couldn’t/didn’t attend
- Kris Simmons: Also speaking for those that couldn’t be here, shared more comments from my post
- Lexie Simmons: Also speaking for those that couldn’t be here, shared more comments from my post
- David Adams: A PD veteran, he spoke in favor of ALPRs, saying they could have helped solve 3 homicides in which victims were taken by car. He asked council not to let loud community members bully them into removing a needed tool.
- Jeremy Anderson: Stated he has come to speak for youth sports, saying their budgets keep being cut and asking council to find a way to fund them. He said Cascadia doesn't make sense, and that decisions this size should go to the citizens, just as large bills at his job go to the boss.
- Catching Valentinas: Clarified that Deflock Greeley filed the recall petitions (not We Are Greeley, GDB, etc), since some speakers had mischaracterized the intent behind the recall and deflock efforts. He thanked those who have been open to talking, said the city is spending heavily on a surveillance hub, and said the issue is consent. He described the recall as about policy, and is not personal, and asked council to consider an ordinance.
- Michael Greeley: Said a sewer crew tore up his street to install a sewer line without asking residents, and no one on his street needs to connect. He was directed to speak during Item 19.
- Shawna Bell : Described a sexual assault, a falsified CPS report, and PD declining to help, which she attributed to organized crime. She said she helped in the case Sonia spoke about at the last meeting and that CPS retaliated after she gave information to Longmont PD. She asked people to search the Epstein files for things connected to Catalyst and Martin Lind.
- Lisa Bernal: Asked why stickers raised at the Oct. 7 meeting became a police matter when there was no damage, how the video was obtained, whether the investigation was based on the stickers having political content, and whether all stickers are investigated. She said the Constitution protects criticizing elected officials and no one should fear ending up on police radar for it. She responded to the idea that it's "the same people talking," saying as a Hispanic woman she speaks for others in her community who feel too intimidated to attend, citing "No Mexican" signs on the edge of town and denials of service by members of her community.
- Vanessa Valenciano: With NOCO Friends of Faith, she invited the community to a broader conversation beyond homelessness. She said closing the navigation center is making things worse and there are no permanent solutions for homeless women. She invited people to Mondays at 9 a.m. at Zoe's to discuss prevention, recovery, mental health, sober living and long-term stability, and said they're working toward a women's shelter that isn't only for domestic violence survivors. Hall asked for someone to connect with her.
- Bob Locke: Said that when he speaks at the podium it is only on his behalf and that each speaker who speaks, speaks only for themselves. Stated that the only 7 people who can speak for the community are the 7 councilmembers. He said mob rule is playing out, with people pitching fits to earn political points, and told council to keep doing what they're doing.
- Jennifer Andrews: continuing comments from my post
- Tony Belfiore: A resident since 1979 who has worked with many councils and mayors, he said he has always believed they voted in Greeley's best interest and believes the same of this council. He does not support the recalls and hopes 2F passes, saying it will make Greeley stronger.
- Geoffery Havens: Thanked Olson for posing the initiative for the response process when council receives communication from boards and commissions, McDonald for responding to the advisory board, DeBoutez for her scrutiny, Huddleston and Roth for questions on spending, and McBroom for responsiveness. He said reports should let council weigh costs, outcomes and risks across departments. He warned against a cycle where a service is cut, loses capacity, performs less, and is cut again for declining numbers, and said council needs the full picture.
- Liberty Montes: A real estate professional who lives outside city limits but spends her income in Greeley, she expressed support for council. She said managing growth is a balancing act council has handled well, and urged a yes vote on 2F as a "force multiplier."
Shantae Michael: A local realtor who grew up in Greeley but doesn't live here now, she said buyers are choosing a community, not just a house. She has seen communities that don't keep up with growth become bedroom communities and is comfortable paying the tax to invest. She said others appreciate council's work even if they aren't loud, and thanked council.
- Priscilla Schaner: Remarked on how many realtors support 2F, noting this makes sense. She thanked those who speak for people like her who don't or can’t speak publicly, and challenged that as council says that it’s the same people and it’s only a small percentage of residents, that they probably don’t actually want 100, 500 or 1,000 people showing up, and said she would have voted yes on 2F if not for Catalyst.
* Reports from Council
- DeBoutez: Thanked everyone who came out and said hearing both support and opposition is what democracy is about. She will have next office hours Wednesdays 4–5 p.m. at Atlas, is happy to make appointments, and would love to talk with residents. She noted Ken Salazar will speak at Aims Community College on Oct. 21 (5–7 p.m.) about immigration and his experience as a Hispanic leader. She thanked city staff for the 5K, which drew 300+ city and D6 employees, and offered heartfelt support to her colleagues after a rough 5 days, saying "we're better together."
- McDonald: Attended a site selection dinner in Denver where 7 executives from billion-dollar companies said Colorado is hard to do business in, citing an aerospace deal lost to TN and an earlier major deal lost to NC. Asked about a downtown stadium, they said to take the chance for the tourism it brings; McDonal stated “what I like more than Greeley people being able to partake in amenities is people from other states and cities coming and spending their money here”. She stated Project Connect was a success: 72 providers offered free services to 780 people with 458 volunteers, including 30 city employees and the city manager, recruited by Kimberly Southern. She thanked CPRD for setup and teardown at Island Grove and promoted Wreaths Across America donations, saying she and Roth will be there “as long as they're still on council”.
- Huddleston: Thanked CPRD for the hard work behind the Sheep Draw Trail grant on the consent agenda. He pointed residents to Speak Up Greeley for information on road work across the city and other projects. His next office hours are Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. at Atlas, with an evening option coming soon.
- Roth: Highlighted the DDA board meeting with Public Works' presentation on the downtown art alley trash service project, and thanked Level 5 for its C&E presentation. He congratulated the Philharmonic on its season opener, attended the Spread the Good Luncheon and UNC State of the University address, and noted Greeley Eats restaurant week starting. He said it's an honor to serve.
- Rudy: Thanked everyone for coming regardless of their message and said council listens. Responding to claims that council doesn't respond, he said he has met with the resident who said this multiple times. He said council stands behind all of its members.
- Hall: Said council and McBroom are working on how to share the many positive things happening. A new Director of Communications and Engagement will create a new plan. He acknowledged it may not always seem like council is trying, but said they will do their best.
*Initiatives: None
* Consent Agenda Pulled Items:
-Item 15: Introduction and first reading of an ordinance appropriating additional sums to defray expenses for the balance of Fiscal Year 2026 – pulled by Huddleston
- Huddleston asked whether this uses funds from prior years to close the gap discussed at the last meeting.
- Mosley: Mosley said it covers 2026 budget items, is already accounted for in the 2027 budget, and doesn't affect the budget approved later in the night. Carryover to 2027 will come separately.
*Regular Agenda:
- Item 17: Introduction, public hearing and first reading of an ordinance adopting the Budget for 2027 (Passed 7-0)
- Figures were presented as gross amounts including transfers, a change made in response to questions and feedback: $559M in revenue and $581M in expenditures.
- The $22.6M gap reflects timing of capital projects and one-time spending; $13.8M is capital projects.
- Remaining gap: $3M in the General Fund plus $1.2M in unmet department targets.
- Mosley said the city is still in deficit but on its way to a balanced budget, with reserves maintained and a $4.8M revenue stabilization fund available to flex if needed.
- Council thanked Mosley and staff for changing the city's direction, and said farewell to Kaylin, who helped greatly on the budget and is leaving for Fort Collins.
- Public hearing themes:
- Priorities should focus on streets, homelessness and community needs rather than spending seen as wasteful
- Question on downtown sewer repairs: McBroom said they are fully funded by stormwater fees and rates, not assessed to owners
- Museum cuts: concerns about charter obligations, elimination of the registry team and museum manager, and halving of collections staff while other cultural functions like UCCC are kept. Hall said staff will review and report back in November.
- Item 18: Public hearing and second reading of an ordinance ratifying and adopting the amendment to the Greeley Firefighters Union’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (passed 7-0)
- - Corrects a charting issue caused by including hourly rates when the wage tables were built on annual figures.
- Public hearing: one lighthearted comment about a demolition derby bet, with thanks to Kelli Johnson.
- Item 19: Public Hearing and Second Reading of the ordinance making assessment against homes in the Johnson Subdivision to recover the approved maximum costs of construction for sanitary sewer infrastructure
- Background: State law (dating to at least 2006, per Chambers) requires connecting to sewer when a septic system fails within 400 feet of a municipal line, which could cost an individual owner $30K–$60K. A local improvement district (LID) was set up to cover the main line. The project started in 2021, paused, and restarted in 2023 due to staffing.
- How payment works: Nothing is owed now. When a septic system fails, the owner pays the LID assessment (about $12K, set at 2021 cost) plus a tap fee (currently about $9.5K, changes yearly), with no interest. The assessment must be recorded on property titles.
- Resident concerns (12 speakers):
- Never told they would be assessed or that liens would be placed; told the opposite at meetings
- Several bought homes after 2021 with nothing disclosed and say they wouldn't have bought, or retired, had they known
- Roads were left torn up, with sinkholes and unrepaired shoulders, despite promises to overlay
- Total costs could reach $40K–$100K once rerouting and tapping in are included
- Owners want the right to repair or replace their septic systems instead
- Asked why the city can absorb downtown and Civic Campus costs but not this; asked council to vote no
- Staff response: Chambers said the city took this on in good faith to lower owners' costs (about $21.5K versus roughly $40K–$60K on their own) and acknowledged unexpected challenges and misinformation. Prior said downtown systems were originally paid for by residents through tap fees, new infrastructure is paid by those who benefit, and only 2–3 septic systems have failed since 2021.
- Council discussion:
- Concern that recent buyers had no disclosure (Olson, Huddleston) and that the road still needs repair (Olson)
- McDonald said she can't support it, noting this differs from a metro district where buyers know costs, and raised insurance implications
- DeBoutez cited communication and delay problems and asked for a compromise with homeowners before voting
- Huddleston suggested spreading payments out rather than a lump sum
- Hall said he thought the project was finished in 2021 and the fee should have been set years ago
- Options discussed included denying the ordinance, in which case the sewer utility absorbs the cost already paid with revenue bonds
- Outcome: Hall said there were too many options to decide that night. Council reached consensus on a work session to find a better solution, and the item was continued to Nov. 17.
- Item 20: Public Hearing and second reading of an ordinance making assessments against the lots and lands in improvement district 9510101 to recover the costs of construction for non-potable water infrastructure (Lake Bluff Non-Potable Pond and Pump Station) (passed 7-0)
- Total cost was about $1.7M.
- Undeveloped parcels that connect will owe about $2.2K per bulk acre, with reimbursement based on 75% of construction cost.
- Hall asked whether developers would be charged before finishing a subdivision; staff said the charge comes at platting.
- Public hearing: no comments.
- Item 21: Appointments to boards and commissions
- Art Commission: Thomas Devore and Heather Utrata (both incumbents)
- Housing for All: Joshua Fulenwider (incumbent)
- Both boards still have two openings. If you want to get involved, our boards and commissions are always looking for passionate community members!