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Denver Update November 14 - 20, 2008   City News Briefs Finger Pointing   Denver City Council members are clashing over a proposed moratorium in West Washington Park and some are pointing the finger at the City’s planning department. The heated discussion spilled over to the weekly Mayor Council Meeting from one the night before at City Council.   Council Member Rick Nevitt wants an 18 month moratorium on combining lots to create large enough parcels for duplexes and other multiplexes.   “The sorts of tests for the city attorney’s office are that it is limited in time, that it was directed to address a specific problem and a solution to make the moratorium no longer necessary was imminent.”   -    Chris Nevitt    City Council Member    District 7   Nevitt says his proposal will only be needed until the zoning code update is implemented.   “I think this is a limited measure that provided some degree of control and predictability for the next 18 months until we’re able to implement a context sensitive zoning category that will then open up the entire area to appropriate redevelopment.”   -   Chris Nevitt    City Council Member    District 7   Council member Rick Garcia said he thinks the zoning code update is taking too long , and hasn’t been presented to the community for feedback so the moratorium idea has come been raised.    “There’s going to be a tremendous amount of controversy associated with what we’re proposing to do with the update, it could take longer than 18 months.  I think the rest of us could face similar requests coming from our respective communities.”   -   Rick Garcia    City Council Member    District 1   Council member Brown doesn’t like the idea. He quizzed the Mayor about the last time there was a moratorium in a Denver neighborhood ….. and then directed his question to Council member Nevitt   “I just can’t believe the city is allowing this to happen.  Why don’t we just do it city-wide – why just our district – that’d put pressure on them to finish the update.”   -   Charlie Brown    City Council Member    District 6   The Blueprint Denver Committee will re-visit the moratorium proposal on Denver 10th and City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on December 15th.   Settlement Approved In Rice Case   “It was unquestionably a terrible tragedy for the Rice family, our hearts go out to the Rice family...”   David Fine Denver City Attorney   At Monday’s meeting of Denver City Council, a legal settlement of $3 million dollars, one of the largest in City history, was approved.   Resolution 198 came about in the aftermath of the 2006 death of Emily Rice.  The 20 year old woman was injured in a car accident and subsequently died of those injuries while being held in jail on suspicion of driving while impaired.  Before approving the measure City Council members sought additional background about the settlement from the City Attorney.    “This case in particular I think is one of the most difficult cases that we’ve had to analyze given the complexity of the case factually from a legal perspective and the very very terrible tragedy that happened in this case which is a relevant factor when you are assessing the risks of a case and the risks going forward versus settling...   David Fine Denver City Attorney   The settlement calls for the city to make policy changes in the Sheriff’s department regarding the treatment of people detained at the Denver jail.  The changes were requested by the Rice family as part of the settlement.   “A new system to monitor rounds, a renewed emphasis on the urgency of getting inmates to nurses when they come from the hospital, emphasizing this case to recruiting classes, upgrading surveillance...  it’s hard to value human life, my heart also goes out to the family, clearly mistakes were made and I appreciate the Sheriff’s department new protocols that have been negotiated through this agreement so that hopefully this won’t happen again.”   David Fine Denver City Attorney   The new procedures will be known as “Emily’s Protocols.” Council approved the resolution with an 11-1 vote.     Vacancy Filled   Denver County Court will have a new Judge November 30th when Judge Melvin Okamoto retires.    Kerry Hada has been appointed by the mayor to fill the vacancy.  He has had his own law firm since 1989, specializing in criminal, family law and civil trial work.  He is a founding member and past president of the Asian Pacific-American Bar Association. He graduated from C.U. Boulder, got his masters in Business Management from C.S.U. and his law degree from the University of Denver.       Naming Decisions   You’ve been watching the construction – now you can help name the buildings in the City’s new Justice Center Complex.   The Mayor is looking for suggestions for both the Detention Center and the Courthouse.   City ordinance states public buildings have to be named for outstanding people who have been influential in the cultural, political, economical or social life of the community – or to recognize an individual or corporation who has contributed substantial funding.   Your suggestion must include 100 supporting signatures and a reason.  Contact Anthony Aragon at 720-913-8462 for a petition form.  A Task Force will meet December 15th to finalize the nominees and City Council will get the list at the end of December.

Denver Update - Weekly Council & Council Committee Meetings Denver City Council Meeting   Bee Bill Creates a Buzz    “There are bee hives on the roof of the Paris Opera House, there are bee hives in London, there are bee hives in New York City.”   David Brand Beekeeper   And now there will be legal bees in Denver...   This is one of those stories where the possibility of puns is high...but I will press on...The third of four Public Hearings at Monday’s City Council meeting was all about bees and the keeping of bees in Denver. Council Bill 548 would amend the Municipal Code to allow 2 domestic honey bee hives per residential zone lot. It also includes where on your lot you can locate the hives and requirements for screening. Council chambers were a-buzz with 17 loyal bee backers testifying in favor of the bees and the practice of keeping hives.  The hearing really wasn’t contentious and quickly developed into educational session for Council.   “Bees do not bark or make noise at all times of the day, they do not squawk or repeat cute phrases, they do not carry disease like pigeons.   David Brand Beekeeper   “Only 5% of the stings that come into Colorado emergency rooms are honey bees, the other 95% are other stinging insects including wasps, ants, and yellow jackets.”   Liz Wicherd Beekeeper   “The zoo, the Botanic Gardens and a range of our City urban gardens and beautification projects...none of these would be what they truly are year after year without our bees in the City.”   Joe Morrow   Some in attendance came prepared with ‘bee-wear’ and promotional signs, while others offered revenue producing ideas for the city.   “Chicago has bee hives on the roof of its city hall. Three hives that produce several hundred pounds of honey a year.  Mayor Daley auctioned it last year and earned $5 thousand dollars that went to a job creation program for the City.”   John Hershey Beekeeper   All of this support for the ordinance, however, did not lessen the sting of a few citizens, including a Police Officer, who opposed the measure on the grounds of being allergic to bee stings and not being notified of new hives near where they live.  But this sentiment was not enough to sway the other legislators.   “I want to have the people that have them to be legal, but I don’t see a lot of other people going out, it’s never going to replace the family dog.”   -   Carla Madison    City Council Member    District 8   The measure passed on a 12-2 vote, which was sweet news to the beekeepers. Other Business   Turning to other business… Council also gave approval to C.B. 550 which will allow churches and religious institutions to sell items such as Christmas trees and pumpkins as an accessory use but only on an occasional basis.                             Meeting Preview:  Monday, November 24th     Council Bill 564 would change the zoning at 3200 Brighton Boulevard for mixed use development.   And Council Bill 565 calls for a zoning change at 2612 W. 32nd avenue in the highlands to allow for expansion of an existing restaurant there.    Greenprint Committee Great Plans for the Future   Two programs that are certainly part of our City’s plans for a great future were discussed at the Greenprint Committee this week.   The first was a briefing on the Sunnyside Neighborhood’s Blitz Pilot. An effort to reach out to residents – educate them about ways to save energy, recycle, reduce junk mail – and offer energy audits and CFL porch lights.   Initial data indicates the savings per household will be substantial.  The program will be piloted in other neighborhoods as well – and then perhaps rolled out throughout the city.   The other program is the Denver Compost Project - there are 3 thousand 300 homes involved.     The more organic material gets composted, the less waste gets sent to the dump, and the less harmful methane gas is produced.  The Greenprint Committee will continue to be updated on both pilots.    Safety Committee   Safe Routes – Safe Kids   From traffic congestion to childhood obesity… these are some of the problems resulting from kids being driven to school, instead of walking.  The solution?  Safe Routes to School.  And that’s what the Safety Committee discussed this week.    In 1975, 50% of US Children biked or walked to school.  In 2005, it was down to 10%.  In the same period, the percentage of overweight children rose from 8% to 25%.    In 2007 the City created the Denver Safe Routes to School Coalition.  The goals of the program are to encourage primary and secondary school children to walk and bicycle to school… to provide a safe and appealing environment for walking and biking… and to improve the quality of children’s lives by reducing traffic, fuel consumption and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.  It is estimated that 20 – 25% of morning traffic is from driving children to school.   Twenty two Denver Public Schools have received over $500,000 in federal funding, for both infrastructure and educational programs. The Public Works Department has been working on sidewalk and roadway improvements as part of the solution.  The Safe Routes to School program depends on many partnerships, including the City, DPS, health organizations, law enforcement, and public and private organizations.    Vehicle Impoundment Fee   In other business, the Safety Committee approved a $30 bond processing fee to implement Initiative 100, the vehicle impoundment measure which was passed by voters in August.      Economic Development   Real Estate Reality Check   In an effort to stay informed about our current roller-coaster economy, the Economic Development Committee has instituted a series of updates presented by leaders in the financial field.  This week, Your Castle Real Estate, LLC gave an overview of Denver’s real estate market.    Our current ‘correction period’ is bringing about some extreme dynamics of change in the market.  Right now in Denver, homes priced at the high end are taking a beating, while homes on the low end are coming back strong.    According to the presentation, the market tends to correct itself.  Often, government institutions take measures to regulate the market, which may have consequences of their own.    Though the presentation offered no action item to the committee, there was general interest in encouraging educational sessions for the general public, to raise the level of awareness of home buying practices.       Finance Committee   Supplementals   At this week’s Finance Committee meeting, the Denver Health & Hospital Authority requested some amendments to its operating agreement with the City.  Originally Denver Health was a part of the City & County of Denver – until 1997 when they became the Denver Health & Hospital Authority, an independent State authority.  The City entered into an operating agreement for certain services that they provide.  The parties amend the Operating Agreement annually to adjust funding for the next fiscal year.  Due to current economic troubles, this year’s requests received close scrutiny, with Council members seeking assurance of real fiscal responsibility.    And the health issues that Denver Health concerns itself with go beyond the treatment of sickness.  They also cover public health in general – water quality, restaurant inspection, childcare inspection, immunization and more.    The committee also looked at requests for supplementals.  Throughout the year, increases in costs within City departments and agencies often arise due to unforeseen events or emergencies.  And though the intent is to absorb as much of these impacts as possible, agencies often need to request supplemental funds to cover unexpected costs.  At this meeting, supplemental requests were heard for Parks & Recreation and Career Service Authority.