Thornton City Council Planning Session - April 7, 2026

The Thornton City Council Planning Session on April 7, 2026, covered several key topics including updates on animal control, the use and audit of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology, and the McAllister Park Master Plan. Significant procurement-related discussions focused on the ALPR system, including contract renewal plans for the Flock Safety system, which is budgeted for renewal in 2026 without requiring additional council approval. The council discussed audit enhancements, cybersecurity reviews, and comparisons with other vendors like Motorola and Axon. The McAllister Park Master Plan presentation detailed proposed park improvements estimated between $3.9 and $4.6 million, with potential grant funding to offset 40-50% of costs. The council also reviewed a feasibility study for relocating community services to McAllister, with estimated costs around $4.5 million for building renovations or new construction. Additionally, the council discussed fireworks ordinance updates to improve enforcement and presented alternative options for the 4th of July fireworks show, including drone and laser shows, with a preference to proceed with the traditional fireworks display under enhanced safety measures. Other topics included potential volunteer programs for code enforcement and a legislative update on a proposed RTD special district affecting local taxation. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, but several action items and policy directions were discussed regarding procurement, budget allocations, and community engagement.