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 Announcements
Dog Park Master Plan

Denver Parks and Recreation wants to create healthy relationships between dogs and their owners… and non-dog owners in city parks.  Part of that effort will come through a Dog Park Master plan, and they need your input.  

Public input meetings will be held in June and the final master plan recommendations are expected in the fall.

 

Disabled Parking Enforcement Program (DPEP)

You can help protect the rights of the disabled by volunteering with DPEP.

The Disabled Parking Enforcement Program (DPEP) needs volunteers to enforce disabled and handicap parking within the City and County of Denver, on both public and private property.

If you are interested in applying for training, call the  Office of Disability Rights at  720-913-8482

 

"Keep it Clean from Drain to Stream" Campaign

Three Denver agencies are teaming up to promote clean water practices – and this means you can get a free supply of dog poop bags and a mini bag dispenser. Public Works, Environmental Health and Parks and Rec want you to help keep the City’s waterways clean and the giveaways are part of the campaign.  Pet waste that isn’t picked up leaves bacteria that washes into storm drains and waterways that might increase health risks to humans. Register for the bags and dispensers online at KeepItClean.org or by calling 311.    

 

Cash Back for Qualified Homeowners

Greenprint Denver is a partner in “2008 Insulate Colorado.”  The program offers cash back rebates to qualifying homeowners who install insulation and upgrade air sealing measures.  Rebates are on a first come, first served basis with about 100 available.  Go to www.EnergyScience.org or call 303-216-2026 to find out more.

 

Volunteers Needed

Denver depends on volunteers to serve on more than 100 City and County Boards and Commissions.  Several of these have openings for new members.  Some of those vacancies are on the Community Corrections Board, Denver Planning Board, Women’s Commission and Denver Housing Authority.  For more information on Denver’s Boards and Commissions, contact Anthony Aragon at 720-865-9034.

 

CFL Recycling Available

Compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, contain small amounts of mercury and must be recycled appropriately.  Drop-off used CFLs at any Ace Hardware store in the state.  And learn more about recycling the energy saving lights at the State’s Department of Public Health and Environment website.

 

Understanding Denver’s Foreclosures
Learn more about residential foreclosure filings in our City. The report is available online.  It’s called “Understanding Mortgage Foreclosures in Denver” and is available at:
www.milehigh.com.  For information about the study, call 720-913-1999.
 

Child Care Assistance
The Denver County Child Care Assistance Program can help low-income parents working full time to find adequate child care.   The program helps parents working full or part time, parents looking for work, teen parents in middle and high school, parents going back to school, and parents attending ABE, GED, or ESL classes.  Eligibility is also based on family size and income. 
 
To find out more call
303-604-1043, or go to www.DenverGov.org/CCAP.
 

  
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 Denver Update: November 13 - 19, 2009
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 City News Briefs

Medical Marijuana Regulations  

“This is the only industry that I know of that is begging to be taxed.  We want to be taxed.”

 

Robert Correy

Colorado Wellness Association

 

“Our economic development staff still gets more calls, inquiries on how to set up a dispensary than any other business,  which is an amazing thing that is happening.”

 

-   Charlie Brown

   City Council Member

   District 6

 

One of the fastest growing businesses in town - the dispensing of medical marijuana.  A new proposal would help to regulate this burgeoning industry.  

 

Starting December first, these medical marijuana dispensaries will have to start paying taxes, but the industry did not object to that.  It also agreed with many, but not all, of the regulations proposed by Councilman Charlie Brown.    

 

The proposal requires all Medical Marijuana Dispensaries obtain a license, and applicants would be subject to criminal background checks.  Those with a criminal history of any felony or drug-related offense would be disqualified. 

 

The dispensaries also must be secured and monitored, including using security cameras.  Law enforcement would be allowed access to security records on demand – but this raised questions of patient privacy. 

 

If I have to have all these cameras there and documentation, I’m thinking from the terms of the patient who doesn’t really need to be on camera all the time, what expectation of privacy for a medical situation should I be able to have?”

 

-   Jeanne Faatz

   City Council Member

   District 2

 

Councilman Brown explained the need for cameras…

 

“To see who’s purchasing the product, and to see as much as we can what is being sold to whom.   I think in studying other states that’s pretty basic.”

 

-   Charlie Brown

   City Council Member

   District 6

 

“This is first and foremost a medicine protected in our constitution and under federal law, HIPPA, by confidentiality.  The patient is entitled to complete and absolute confidentiality if he wants it.  So we can’t have cameras that are automatically turned over to law enforcement that is unconstitutional.”

 

Robert Correy

Colorado Wellness Association

 

The proposed regulations would also prohibit dispensaries in residential zones, and within 500 feet from schools, child care facilities, and within 1000 feet of another dispensary.  All mobile sales would be strictly prohibited.   Marijuana in prepared food would also be regulated.  And, on-site consumption of marijuana would be prohibited. 

 

Councilman Brown also made it clear the City would not pit itself against Federal marijuana laws; for him, the most important part of the proposal.

 

“Anything we do as a City Council anything we do as the City and County of Denver, if we approve a regulatory scheme here, that nothing in this ordinance would give someone a shield if you will, that they can hide behind if the Federal government moves in a different direction.”

Brown

 

“We do not need government to step up and become the HMO of the 21st century in the denying of proper care or regulating care, or deciding care or questioning the capabilities of a physician.”

 

Bob Hagedorn

Colorado Wellness Association

 

“More importantly than the legal issue, this is a life or death issue for Coloradans, for your constituents, for people who live in Denver.”

 

Robert Correy

Colorado Wellness Association

 

The Safety committee will discuss the proposal again on December 2nd, and hopes to make a decision at that time.  If it goes on to full Council, a courtesy public hearing will be scheduled and limited to 1 hour. Councilman Brown blatantly urged any opposition to organize, as Council will strictly enforce the 1 hour limit.  Colorado voters approved the use of medical marijuana in the year 2000.

 

New Zoning Code - New Concerns 

The new zoning code is in its third draft – but it’s not finished yet.   Denver City Council hopes to pass the new code in the next month or so.  This week came a last chance for the public to put their views in front of both the Council and Planning Board – That came in the form of two Public Listening sessions.

 

People from various neighborhoods all over Denver showed up to share their concerns with those decision makers about code changes that might impact their neighborhoods.  

Their concerns ranged from potential changes in solar access, to parks.

In the case of solar power, several homeowners asked to preserve the rights to generate their own power and contribute to the power grid in Denver,   which might be threatened by their neighbor’s rights to build higher and taller. .

 

“Up until now the zoning committee has considered mainly the right to develop one’s property to the maximum, the zoning committee must also consider the rights of Denver homeowners to use free and widely available sunlight to heat and cool our homes passively, gen hot water electricity grow our food and power our cars… in addition, must protect the viability of the legal solar reward contracts that we have entered into with Xcel energy.”

Dale Theil
 

“I put up solar voltaic panels and had great results the first year and then through the activities of my neighbors I lost nearly 30% of the output.”

Ben Lager
 

Other homeowners are concerned about zoning designations - that may have the potential to compromise the integrity of historic neighborhoods in the form of over-zealous building.

One example – a new GMU-5 designation which would allow five story structures in some neighborhoods.
 

“Do you know what that does, that gives me the opportunity to level my home, level my garage, tear up my garden and build a 5 story condominium unit overlooking Cheeseman Park, it would be beautiful.  How many millions could I make doing that? Singlehandedly I could destroy my block."

Nancy Reeves Yeaman
 

The final draft is expected before council before the end of the year for implementation by February 2010.

 

Buy Local Shopping Season  

One might more precisely refer to the upcoming holidays as the “Shopping Season’.  And if you did, the Mile High Business Alliance wouldn’t disagree – as they kick off the Third Annual Buy Local Week.

The goal is to encourage Denver shoppers to buy their holiday purchases in local and locally-owned stores rather than on the internet - or make shopping trips outside the city.

 

By shifting just 10-percent of the region’s holiday spending to local companies, residents could generate three billion dollars in the Colorado economy in just two months. – and it keeps money circulating in our community rather than to other states.

 

Each dollar spent here will circulate at least three times before leaving the state – giving a boost to jobs and tax revenues.

 

The Third Annual Buy Local Week kickoff is a free event on Saturday, November 28th – at Swallow Hill Music Association at 71 East Yale  - at 6:00 p.m.  – featuring a live auction of items from local businesses  - and the release of the 2009 Buy local Shopping guide which offers special discounts.

 

There is even more information online at Colorado Local First.com  - including a message from Mayor John Hickenlooper about the benefits of supporting local businesses…

 

“The more people are involved in the community, connected to their suppliers and their customers, the more successful they are.”

 

-   John Hickenlooper

   Mayor

   City of Denver

 

Gateway Art

A new sculpture becomes the gateway to the Morrison Road and Sheridan Boulevard streetscape. The piece is called Un Corrido Para Gente – by artist Carlos Frequez.  It’s inspired by the items you might find in…

 

The nearby neighborhood shops of the Mercado district. The oversized guitar, topped by a wheel and a crown – connects to a sculpture of a shovel by a string of Mexican banners.. swinging in the breeze.

 

Carlos Fresquez is a Denver native, who studied at both the Metropolitan State College of Denver and the University of Colorado, Boulder.  – and has exhibited his work in at least 25 states, and eight countries.

 

You can learn more about his inspiration for the sculpture by calling 1-800-DEN-ARTS

 

2009 Mayor's Design Awards

From a remodeled classic airplane hanger, to some of Denver’s private residences… the Mayors’ Design Awards celebrate architectural design excellence on a smaller scale.

 

“The big projects, however beautiful and important aren’t necessarily what create the fabric of our communities and I think we are, our lives are just as enriched from many discreet and beautifully designed smaller projects as they are by bold civic gestures.”

 

-   John Hickenlooper

   Mayor

   City of Denver

 

In addition to having good design, some of this year’s award recipients were also good for the local economy.

 

One example was Root Down, which took a 1950’s service station and turned it into one of Denver’s most popular restaurants… – and created 60 jobs in the process. 

 

Denver is vested, in my opinion, in the success of its businesses.  And I experienced that first hand with the Office of Economic Development to that was an integral part to make this happen.   So thank you Office of Economic Development, there at the critical time when I don’t even think I would lend myself money.”

 

Justin Cucci

Root Down 

 

Altogether, there were 15 recipients of this year’s awards.

 

“Tonight’s winners are shining examples of the often times, discreet ways that good design enhances our neighborhoods.”

 

-   John Hickenlooper

   Mayor

   City of Denver

 

The 2009 Mayor’s Design Awards was the fifth annual, and was held last week at the L2 Design Center.

  
 Weekly Council & Council Committee Meetings

Denver City Council Meeting

 

 

Rec Center Racket 

Of the millions of dollars of cuts made to the 2010 budget, nothing sparked as much discussion and passion as sacrifices to recreation centers and their impact on youth.

 

So a bill to raise fees and admission for various Parks and Recreation amenities throughout the city, struck some member of City Council as another painful hit.

 

“I’m okay with other fees going forward and being raised, but as it relates to children and youth I would like for us to have a conversation about how we can keep those fees flat… and look at a way that it’s budget neutral for the coming year.”

 

-   Judy Montero

   City Council Member

   District 9

 

Councilwoman Judy Montero proposed postponing the bill to allow for efforts to keep the rates unchanged. 

 

The bill would raise daily admission fees to city rec centers for youth from $2.00 to $2.25.  Three month memberships would jump from $8.75 to 10.50.  Six month memberships from $17.50 top $20.00 – and Annual membership would remain the same at $35.

 

“Those were changed to provide folks that do buy... and incentive to buy the annual pass if we make the three and the six month a little more expensive, then perhaps that will get people to buy more annual passes and get them into the centers more often rather than this is something we just do over the summer.”

 

            Kevin Patterson

            Manager

Parks and Recreation

 

Some members felt the incentive stood in contrast to the recommendations of the Recreation Center Task Force which met for 18 months, ending earlier this year. That group determined that youth fees should be lowered down to $5 per year. 

Recreation managers said that scholarships provide opportunities for any family that could not afford admission costs.

 

In the end, Council decided not to delay the bill – approving the fee increases with a nine to three vote. 

 

Denver City Council Preview

That completes our look back – looking ahead, there are no public hearings on the agenda for the Monday, November 23rd meeting of Denver City Council.   

.


 
 

FasTracks Committee

 

41st & Fox Station Area Plan

The 41st and Fox Station Area Plan for RTD Light rail will connect the Sunnyside, Globeville and Highlands neighborhoods – which now rely on congested street arteries.

 

The plan also emphasizes pedestrian and bicycle access – with goals to improve not only transportation needs, but the health of Denver citizens.

Part of the station area plan includes a grant to study the effects of neighborhood mobility on health - which has become a priority in community planning.

 

The combined efforts to get travelers out of their cars, on their feet and then to public transportation – are intended to ease both traffic congestion and health concerns.

 


Public Works
 
Committee

 
Privatization of Parking Meters

Denver’s parking meters are safe for now.  There had been some talk among council members of the possibility of privatizing the City’s 5,500 meters – representing a revenue stream of $9 million a year.  But a number of flaws in the plan quickly came to light. 

Estimates of the sale price for meter privileges range from $100 to $110 million for a twenty-year period, depending on the number of rights granted to the purchaser.  But the long-term loss of this asset may have unintended consequences. 

 

After hearing arguments on both sides, members of the Public Works Committee recommended against the adoption of parking meter privatization. 


 

Finance Committee

 
Checking the Prognosis for Denver Health Agreement 

Denver is looking to recoup $3 million that Denver Health owes to the City’s retirement plan.  It all came about when Denver Health started its own plan for hospital workers in 2001 but allowed existing members to remain on Denver’s plan. 

 

Denver Health has paid half of its obligation but is lax in paying the remaining amount.  The problem came to a head this week as Denver Health sought to have a new operating agreement approved before the current one lapses at the end of this year.  In an effort to force the issue, Council member Faatz is suggesting incorporating language into the operating agreement itself – stipulating a payment structure. 

 

Still, City officials are insisting that the problem be resolved in some way by December 2, the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Finance Committee. 

 

 

  
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