13:04:27 Yes. So welcome in. In a second here, I am going to record. This is the May 28th public ideas advisory council meeting.
13:04:37 And so just be aware that I am now recording. Just a few things to kind of talk about before we start.
13:04:48 Go to the next site. This slides a little bit about who we are and it's very wordy.
13:04:53 We are the intellectual and developmental. Disability, equitable access to services advisory council. The ideas program manages local taxpayer dollars dedicated to funding services and supports for Denver residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
13:05:09 And the advisory council helps to bring community recommendations. Forward those funding. Opportunities. We do invite the public to attend and speak at our meetings.
13:05:22 However, during the meetings, we ask that all public guests Stay muted and to refrain from speaking unless you have signed up beforehand.
13:05:32 For public comments. We do have a public comment period scheduled for every meeting for 20 min. Allowing for 3 min per speaker to speak.
13:05:40 However, at this point, we are asking that people submit, written public comments. To us prior to speaking in that form.
13:05:51 This means that you can either email the ideas@denvergov.org email and ask to sign up.
13:05:58 Or you can submit a written comment. If you ever need anything, you can go to our website for more information.
13:06:05 The written comment form is linked on this slide itself and I will be sending this out all after. So if you are wondering how to get to that link, somebody could either put that into the chat or you can just wait for the email follow up after and I will make sure that you can see how to get that.
13:06:24 We do have a few expectations. The 1st and foremost is please be respectful. Of everybody attending the meeting.
13:06:31 This means remaining professional both during the meeting and perhaps afterwards. During the meeting we'll ask that only council members partake in discussion.
13:06:41 Unless somebody is specifically asked to speak. Or is presenting. And that means that while you are here, while you are attending, please remain muted.
13:06:53 Please listen in and participate how you can, but do that through just listening and staying muted so the council members can discuss and conduct their work.
13:07:05 While you're here, please meet yourself, raise your hand and unmute to speak.
13:07:08 Introduce yourself when you are speaking. This way people who have visual difficulties might be able to know who is talking at that time.
13:07:19 Try to remain on topic. We have an agenda. We always have a lot to do. And so the more that we can stay on topic, the better.
13:07:29 It's okay to get sidetracked. Sometimes it's okay to talk about different things.
13:07:31 But overall, we meet here to talk about the Denver community and people with IDD and what that community wants and needs.
13:07:39 So we try to keep that conversation. To those topics. All meetings are public and recorded. Cats are also posted publicly.
13:07:48 I would ask that if you have something to post in our chat. That's great and we welcome that.
13:07:54 Please don't post any personal or information that you wouldn't want to be made public. So refrain from putting out emails, phone numbers, addresses, anything else like that into the chat.
13:08:04 If you don't want other people to know it. Votes will always happen in chat. You council members will say yes, no or abstain.
13:08:13 This way we can record them and then post those publicly. Please always remain safe during meetings. I know that sometimes we have to get from point A to point B, our days are busy, but if you are driving and attending, I would ask that you either leave the meeting and turn off Zoom so that you can focus on the road.
13:08:29 Pulled to a safe space so that you can listen. And definitely refrain from participating in any kind of votes or anything like that while you're driving.
13:08:38 Be safe. And then last last but not least, have fun. We want to keep this. A good open space for council members to come and talk to really engage with our community here and to hear what's going on.
13:08:52 So that we can make the best decisions that we can. So. Keep it light, keep it fun, express how you need to express.
13:08:58 Do all the good things.
13:09:02 This is our agenda for today. I'm just gonna review this really quick and then I'm gonna turn it over to Brian, who is our co-chair for the day.
13:09:10 And then I will be quiet and we'll go on. So yeah, so we're gonna start with opening information to expectation settings.
13:09:18 We're gonna review and approve our meeting minutes for April. Council members. As well as the community advisory council member will give updates.
13:09:26 We will have a member spotlight for Brian, which will be great and fun. And then we will discuss, we'll have an open discussion for council members to talk about the center accessible events.
13:09:35 Such as worth of delay. Have a break. And then Michaela will go through, ideas budget project projections.
13:09:42 We don't have any written public comment submitted, so we will skip that section for this meeting today.
13:09:49 And then we'll get on to forecasting June.
13:09:53 And then we'll go, we'll go to interactions, Brian, I'm gonna turn it over here to you in a second.
13:09:58 But I'm going to ask that our introductions be kept to just the attending voting council members as well as the non voting company members.
13:10:07 And so we'll go introduce ourselves. Please visually introduce yourselves. If anybody would like to introduce themselves in the chat such as presenters or other members of public, you are welcome to do so.
13:10:19 So go ahead and put that in the chat and people can know who you are.
13:10:22 Go ahead, Ryan.
13:10:25 Hey, thanks so much, Cory. Lindsey is my co chair and Lindsey may be missing from today's meeting or perhaps listening but not able to interact.
13:10:39 So Cory has stepped up and filling in and thank you very much for helping. My name is Branby.
13:10:46 Like be who you are. I'm a middle aged white guy. Connecting in from home.
13:10:51 Today I've got a green shirt on. And a necktie with drums on it. And I am the 2024.
13:11:01 Elected co-chair. So prior to that, I was part of this council as a community member.
13:11:07 And someone who has both. A disability and received support services and also provided support services and I joined to this council as a voting member and then this year I was elected to be the coach here.
13:11:21 So who else would like to come forward voting? Members on this advisory group. Please come say hello.
13:11:33 Okay.
13:11:33 This is Kaley. I can introduce myself. I am off camera today because I'm on my phone.
13:11:40 Having tech issues on vacation, so I'm just kind of all over the place, but happy to be here.
13:11:46 I am, I work for Advocacy Denver as an advocate for adults with IDD in Denver County and I'm also the sibling of the young man with IDD who lives with my parents over in Mesa County.
13:11:59 I use she her pronouns. I'm off camera like I said, but I am a white lady with.
13:12:06 In my 30, s red hair, glasses, you'll see me another time. And yeah, that's about it.
13:12:11 Michelle, I think you were. Do you wanna?
13:12:16 Thanks, Kaylee. I'm Michelle Domain and I live in Denver.
13:12:21 I'm mothering a 2 kids, one of which is a member of the IDD community. Profound intellectual and physical disabilities.
13:12:33 Corey have to say how long I've been doing this because the time flies I'm having a great time and to the public like come join us because we're always looking for other folk to do this work and it's really just not work.
13:12:50 It really is exciting and impactful and so if you know somebody or you think you might know somebody then please you know, join us, raise your hand, join us.
13:13:00 We're always looking for folk. I am African American female. I use the pronouns she and her, but my
13:13:16 Yes.
13:13:16 Favorite pronoun is in me. I love those pronounced Muslims. So that means today I'm wearing a white and I have on a a red and white striped shirt and Let me see who else is with us.
13:13:29 Oh, my main man Chris Chris, would you like to go next? And I'm a voting member.
13:13:35 That's right. I forgot to say that part.
13:13:40 Hello? This is Chris Patton. Chris. I'm gonna be speaking for Chris to help him out.
13:13:49 Chris Patton is middle aged. White guy, he's got a white and blue shirt on.
13:13:56 We got curly hair and a mustache and a little goatee. I'm helping with Chris.
13:14:00 My name is Hunter. I'm another middle-aged white guy. With short hair and a white shirt with little pink.
13:14:07 Sun right here. Chris is ideas council member. Voting number and. Chris, get has gotten support with ideas council.
13:14:22 And Chris, a little bit about Chris is he likes. Poetry and writes poetry and then also likes And then a little bit about me is my name is Hunter.
13:14:33 I like music. And. That's my introduction. Thank you.
13:14:43 Welcome in. Poetry Chris. And music country. Michelle and I given our jazz hands.
13:14:52 Stephanie, would you like to say hello?
13:14:55 Yes, thank you, Hunter. Thank you, Chris. My name is Stephanie Gross.
13:15:00 I'm the founder of Move Through Yoga. We bring adaptive yoga.
13:15:05 Services and methodology to individuals with IDD as well as their families and their caretakers. We, I'm driving in my car right now, but don't worry, I am safe.
13:15:22 I am a white. 40 something year old female she her pronouns wearing My daily uniform of Yoga clothing.
13:15:36 And Although some people might call that not work gear, it is how I feel comfortable and I am super stoked to be a voting member of this council.
13:15:49 I agree with what Michelle said. We do meaningful work and it is an honor and a privilege to serve our community at large.
13:16:02 Thank you. Stephanie.
13:16:06 I think that just leaves Kisley and myself. Cause he was like to go.
13:16:11 Hi everybody, my name is Kisley Blue. I am the Mill Levy program manager at Rocky Mountain Human Services.
13:16:18 I'm here representing, that agency. I, my pronouns are she hers.
13:16:26 She heard, sorry, and I'm a black female that is sitting in my home office. I'm wearing an orange shirt and I have medium length hair and I am a woman in my forties.
13:16:37 So yeah, I'll hand it over to you, Cord. Thanks.
13:16:41 Hi everyone. My name is Cory Boyle. I am the Denver Human Services staff liaison, aka the secretary for the advisory council.
13:16:50 Attend and help set up the genres as well send out the emails. So if you ever need anything, please reach out to me. I can send you.
13:16:58 Resources and materials from all of our meetings. My pronouns are they them I am a white male presenting individual with stubble.
13:17:09 I guess a little mosses go to kind of thing. Dark glasses, short dark brown hair in an office.
13:17:16 With a red shirt. Yeah, and I'm stoked that you are all here. So thank you all for joining us.
13:17:26 Thank you, Cory. So 2 comments go back one slide if you would just briefly 2 comments one I couldn't help but notice the theme did you notice that nearly everybody that spoke up said middle-aged Just noticing a thread, that's all, okay.
13:17:44 And then also on this slide, thank you, Corey and any others that helped. I know that our names are not in alphabetical order and I don't know why, but I appreciate that.
13:17:55 You know, the people with the Z are always lasting with the A, always first, st but this is not an alphabetical.
13:18:00 Just, I notice things. So thanks, Cory. Okay, we can go to our next slide.
13:18:06 Oh, well good. I'm glad I did it. I'm glad it didn't, cause it just, it just is.
13:18:04 It was attempted to be. Just messed up and put Chris first.st I can shuffle up the name.
13:18:12 It just is. Alright, so our 1st order of business is to approve the minutes from last month. These were sent out by Cory, the council coordinator by email, and they were emailed to people individually with a carbon copy to Michaela.
13:18:30 As well as myself and Lindsey, my co chair. So let's start by asking. Are there any requests?
13:18:39 To change those. Minutes. Please take a moment to go pull them up and Have a glance.
13:18:50 Especially if you were here last month and your name. Has a section.
13:19:03 After a brief pause out. Entertain a
13:19:09 Motion to approve those minutes.
13:19:14 Yeah.
13:19:20 Is that a long enough pause, Brian?
13:19:23 Let me ask, thank you, Michelle. I appreciate your courtesy. Let me ask once again, any requests to do any changes on the meeting minutes for last month?
13:19:31 That would be 30.th Of 2024.
13:19:37 I might not see you in the chat, Cory might, and then of course you can unmute.
13:19:42 Thank you.
13:19:44 Alright, hearing no requests for changes. Yes, Michelle, please go ahead.
13:19:48 I like the motion that we accept all 6 of those glorious pages.
13:19:53 Okay. And.
13:19:55 This is Kayley. I'll second that motion.
13:19:58 And can you sing it for me? Cause it's me.
13:20:05 Whoo!
13:20:05 Thank you, Kaylee. Give it up for Kayley. Please, gentlemen, and others welcome.
13:20:02 I will second the motion. There you go. Okay.
13:20:11 Alright, alright. Alright, so in the chat if you would just put, yes. Or no for.
13:20:19 The voting members.
13:20:23 We're approving.
13:20:27 Last month's minutes.
13:20:31 And I'm just gonna do a brief editorial. I often don't, I often refrain because I'm like, I didn't read it all.
13:20:39 And if I did, I don't know that I wanna vouch for all of it. And this month I was like, alright, I scanned it.
13:20:44 It looks right. So I'm saying yes.
13:20:48 Alright, motion to approve from voting members. Carries, we can go to our next agenda item, which I think is me.
13:20:58 Is that right? Oh no no, we have the community advisory council update. Yes. So the CAC, sometimes pronounced CAC.
13:21:09 Yeah.
13:21:08 Is related to Rocky Mountain Human Services, one of the community center boards in our Metroplex that's over Denver County.
13:21:16 So Michelle please take it away.
13:21:18 Oh, it's easy and fast. Coming in fast and fierce. I can probably do this in 30 seconds because we just continued our work of working on our flyer working on our application process to get more folk in.
13:21:32 And then at the end, we did a little bit of some more. I'd like to table that, hold it for the next time when we actually go into it and it sort of makes sense.
13:21:46 Okay, well thank you for being liaison from that group to our group.
13:21:53 Absolutely a pressure.
13:21:55 Yeah, yeah, it's a cool group. I've visited and and they were recruiting new members that they will be doing so again.
13:22:04 So think about giving service there when you're done giving service here.
13:22:12 Other. Updates. That the council has. These could be happenings in our Denver.
13:22:20 And IDD community. Or things with the advisory council. Who has any updates?
13:22:39 We actually do have a few updates from DHS and so we can share those, but before we do, I just wanted to throw that out there.
13:22:46 If any of the council members do, please buy all means go ahead and go first.st
13:23:00 Okay. I'll go. So a few updates on our end. One is that our director, Justin Sykes.
13:23:10 Who actually some folks might remember as the original ideas. Program manager back. We, back when. He has taken another job in the city and he is no longer working with us.
13:23:23 And so just an update there. He has come on, so a few of you may have seen him both in recent years as well as years past.
13:23:30 We wish him well and congratulate him on his career movements, but he'll be working now in different spaces at different agencies for the city.
13:23:41 And then another update for the council is that Bree Wode has resigned. So she, we miss her, but, she just has other time commitments at this point.
13:23:55 And so she is gone and and done that. And so She won't be joining us. Any further as a council member but she's always welcome to come and share her opinion as a member of the public.
13:24:06 And we wish her well as well. And we have 4 open seats. Which we are recruiting for.
13:24:13 We are still in the process of that. We are, we will be scheduling interviews starting for next week.
13:24:20 Yes, we'll miss free. She did have a great perspective. Yeah.
13:24:27 Yeah. Just another little update. The autism resource fair was held recently. And so that was a great turnout and a ton of fun.
13:24:37 DHS did table there and we put out information about the advisory council as well as advisory council recruitment.
13:24:44 As well as just general information about ideas and the programs that we're doing and then we're human services.
13:24:49 In the programs that Tender Human Services offers, such as food benefits and. Other things like that. And it was great to connect with the community.
13:24:59 Always does a great job of bringing people together, getting resources into each other's hands and all that.
13:25:06 And part of those resources are now also the ideas that advisory council, which is really fun. So. Thank you to Shannon from Autism Community Surfer.
13:25:13 Having us there and letting us have a table and give out that info. I think that those are all of my updates right now.
13:25:24 Thank you, Cory, for those updates and thank you for your service to be at that resource fair.
13:25:29 And others that have been there with you that day. To be available to the public. In particular our population, the families and communities that we serve.
13:25:41 Any other updates? Community happenings.
13:25:47 I see we did have someone join on the phone and we don't have your name. I believe it's star 6 to mute and unmute if you wish to share your.
13:25:57 Voice if you'd like to tell us the caller ending in 1 3 or it starts in a 7 2.
13:26:06 Rename you and put your name there rather than having it display your phone number or you can remain.
13:26:11 As you are, that's fine as well.
13:26:15 I think it's me, Arni Swenson, our MHS missions of course.
13:26:18 Oh, hey, Arnie. Welcome, and yeah.
13:26:20 Hey. Aren't working at all so I'm I called it
13:26:25 Yeah, welcome in. Would you like us like us to rename you or are you okay with your phone display?
13:26:33 You can rename me if you'd like. You don't have to. Thank you though.
13:26:34 Okay. Alright, sounds good. Alright, welcome in.
13:26:41 Last call for updates, counsel. Community announcements. I'm going to participate in a sensory friendly training because I'm 1 of the trainers at the Aurora Library.
13:26:55 And that is partly funded by the work that happens here. And I'll share more about that after we do it.
13:27:01 It's like a month or more away.
13:27:07 Alright. Next we're going to go to a council member spotlight. And it's me.
13:27:16 But let me just tell you why we're doing this. It was my idea that why don't we feature some of the people that are here and kind of get to know each other.
13:27:25 So here we go. I'm Brian B, like. Be who you are be as you are.
13:27:33 Oh, I'm gonna read this. Cory print the effort together. In hopes of promoting connection, access, and a sense of community.
13:27:39 I'm going to try something new. Thanks to a suggestion from Brian. During this time, one council member will be featured to tell their stories, share their history and experience and express themselves to better connect.
13:27:51 With the rest of the council. So I'm the guinea pig to kick it off, but we'd like someone else to be willing to be spotlighted, to share your story.
13:28:04 So, I look forward to hearing. You're lovely voices and C you express. So as I mentioned earlier and I also put in the chat, I am an autistic artist advocate.
13:28:18 What I did not share earlier that I just put in the chat now is that I also work to do things like what I'm here to do.
13:28:28 And I do that for JFK partners who is connected with the School of Medicine. At Henshoot's medical campus.
13:28:36 I put my work phone and my work email in the chat. Please reach out. Many of you even have my personal cell number.
13:28:44 I think one thing that really makes me unique here is that I have both received and provided services.
13:28:51 I'm both a person with a disability. And get housing supports or mental health or. Vocational supports and I'm also somebody who has provided supports to such people and other ones with disabilities such as being a case manager or a peer advocate.
13:29:13 Or a trainer for the sensory friendly. So there's a little bit about me and.
13:29:21 One of our members here last month when I said autistic artist advocate sent me a text and said, oh, A.
13:29:28 That's right. Triple A, baby. So I'm a pretty open book. If you wanna ask me something, this is your chance.
13:29:35 I started a timer to stay time aware and Cory all rely a little bit on you, but we're about halfway through the spotlight.
13:29:41 It's about 5 min. And what do you want to ask me? What do you want to share?
13:29:49 I could do a canned prepared stuff or we can be live and interact. We'll, we'll open it up to voting members first.st
13:29:54 Anything you'd like to know about me?
13:30:02 Rock it off.
13:29:59 This is Cayley. I have a couple questions. Yeah, Brian, where did you grow up?
13:30:07 I didn't.
13:30:11 That one was easy.
13:30:07 And I mean, yeah, I guess. Where did you, where did you age? Where did you come into adulthood?
13:30:14 Yeah. I am a product of the Cherry Creek School Public System. So Southeast Denver Metro Aurora.
13:30:25 Nice. A local. A local. Friend.
13:30:29 Thank you.
13:30:31 Second question. Did you always? Think you would go into advocacy work like disability adjacent work, autistic adjacent work or did they kind of just just happen like it does?
13:30:45 Just so many of us with connections to the community.
13:30:47 Yeah, okay, 1st I'll request your permission. May I answer that in my weird Brian B.
13:30:55 Way?
13:30:55 I don't want any other way. So.
13:30:57 I don't want to okay council can I can I go off book a little bit here
13:31:02 If you put a gun to my head and said, do not do stuff with folks with disabilities. I would be gone because I can't stop it from happening.
13:31:13 And so the short answer to your question is it just it just happens even when I tried to do medical stuff when I said, oh, I hate medical stuff.
13:31:20 Let me go over and do. You name it, construction. Still ended up doing access and inclusion.
13:31:31 I love it. Thanks for sharing.
13:31:26 It just. It's how I be. When I said I'll just do artist stuff, just artist always had this like.
13:31:37 Yeah, but as in fact, arts I believe is like this beautiful platform for inclusion. Like, yeah.
13:31:46 It will of disability or other marginalized communities or or disenfranchised or different language or different cult like arts is like.
13:31:55 It's come be be a person.
13:31:58 Absolutely.
13:32:01 Thank you, Kaylee. Being willing to speak up and just real briefly anybody else wanna offer a question or a comment.
13:32:17 Okay, well I will wrap it up with saying Thank you. Thank you for letting me be spotlighted and I hope that's a bit of service for you.
13:32:27 I'm the co chair for this year, which means We're going to need a cochair for 2025.
13:32:33 If you think you might be willing to coach here in January, start getting ready and maybe be willing to feature yourself.
13:32:40 Coming up
13:32:45 I did my best to withhold from giving you guys some of my poetry. Or a monologue.
13:32:51 But you can ask me another time. I don't know. We'll see.
13:32:57 Michelle, Beth, Chris. Jessica cochair. Next year. I ended up stepping forward and it was kind of a combo.
13:33:06 Effort between me and Michelle Michelle's like well she'll take care of that one and I'll take care of this one.
13:33:13 More leadership. Thank you for being. Fellow Earth citizens and and culture stewards.
13:33:24 You know, both for Denver County and IDD residents as well as a soul to help beautify this planet and make life forth breathing.
13:33:36 Next, we're gonna go to this, a general discussion about community. When we had a chance to talk last month, it was kind of quiet.
13:33:47 So I just threw an idea out there. Which ended up populating this next topic that we're talking about.
13:33:55 So what's coming up in community? And. Particularly, what about sensory issues?
13:34:04 And community spaces. And celebrations that are common in the area or happenings or holidays. We have one coming up that's really common in this area.
13:34:16 Of the world called 4th of July, we just had one a month ago, Cinco de Mayo.
13:34:24 We've got Bronco's games. We've got We've got noise happening things.
13:34:28 And that can affect this council. When it comes, no go, Cory, I was just gonna read.
13:34:33 Since you put the effort to put those together.
13:34:40 Yeah, thank you. This council just wants to discuss things that have noises and sites and occurrences.
13:34:47 That may be challenging for us or just cause us to navigate life a little bit differently. So I said enough to introduce the topic.
13:34:57 What would any of you like to ask? Or share.
13:35:12 Well, May.
13:35:12 This is Kaylee Brian. Could you I guess kind of collect I guess I'm not sure what I'm being asked is this like a time to share event to discuss.
13:35:21 Like issues with like potential sensory things have I guess I'm just like unsure. What to be thinking.
13:35:27 Yeah, yeah. Yeah, this is just a community interaction and in particular, noisy or loud or crowded events and how you're navigating life.
13:35:40 For some of us, we might just stay home. Stay away. And it could be due to sensory processing that that we think of.
13:35:50 Related to IDD, but it could also be related to some other labels. And I'll give you an example.
13:35:56 When I grew up here in this area, I grew up by a war veteran And so when these noises went off, it was common for me to see my dad dive behind a couch.
13:36:11 That changes a person, you know, like it obviously changed him and then. And that was like my standard in my norm.
13:36:18 And my dad wouldn't call himself. Sensory friendly or sensory challenged or whatever and yet.
13:36:26 He would use, you know, maybe trauma. Or high alert or something like that.
13:36:37 So, Kayley asked a great clarifying question. What do you want from me right now, Brian?
13:36:41 And it's, it's, it's flexible. It's open. I'm asking you folks, what's coming up for you?
13:36:46 Or do you have a
13:36:50 You have some way that you're navigating life when there's crowds when there's noises.
13:36:55 When there's events, something you'd like to share, maybe a challenge. Or some of the people you serve.
13:37:16 Well, why don't I kick it off with just sharing some resources that I'm aware of?
13:37:22 And then. If you have something to share, feel free. Cori, I trust you, you got my back with the like the chat if somebody voices up in there.
13:37:32 I'm not seeing that right now. The Denver Art Museum has a sensory friendly.
13:37:40 Programming? I see their last one was April. 14th of this year. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
13:37:49 As and I can, if somebody else is presenting, that might afford the opportunity to throw some links in the chat if you want.
13:37:56 The Denver Museum of Nature and Science has a sensory friendly movie night. Wednesday, May, oh tomorrow, Wednesday, May, 29, th 5 30 to 6 30.
13:38:07 Hey, $8 for members and $6. This ad is not sponsored by the Denver. What was the other one I found?
13:38:19 See, I don't know who this group. Oh, family theater. They have sense sensory friendly performances.
13:38:26 And.
13:38:29 I did notice that when, when I went to online resources, if I try to phrase like, sensory friendly and then did something like Denver.
13:38:40 Or Colorado. I know some of those resources that came up, but also some outdated stuff came up.
13:38:47 And so. The World Wide Web, not necessarily the most useful or. Up to date, being able to talk with us and among the council.
13:38:57 Could be more useful. Could be more up to date.
13:39:03 Any others that would like to ask or share?
13:39:07 Brian, we do have someone, Tim Dolan in the chat as a member of a public that has something to share.
13:39:15 Not sure if this is just for voting members or if. The public can join in on the conversation.
13:39:19 Thank you. Michaela. Cory, I am fine to open it up to visitors. Did you have a set?
13:39:30 Yeah, so, we.
13:39:27 I don't know that we. Oh, oh, got it. They'd be through the chat about through the chat.
13:39:42 Okay.
13:39:35 I think it might be fine to share a resource. That then we can share and disseminate. I don't, you know, I'm not trying to quell voices or anything like that, but we've, have kind of restructured this council.
13:39:52 To keep conversation between council members. Including voting and non voting council members. Though I often try to abstain from these conversations.
13:40:05 With the thought being that Members of the public, their space and their time is now allocated to the public common period.
13:40:14 And therefore could be signed up for beforehand. That way we can just kind of structure it, keep things good, keeping flowing.
13:40:20 All that kind of stuff. But I'm not opposed to Tim, if you want to send those over to me.
13:40:28 I can look them over and then kind of send them out and tear them with folks. Oh, and then, and Michael is already in the chat quicker than I am, which is great.
13:40:38 Sending out that email. Which is wonderful. Yeah,
13:40:44 And so that those we can definitely share those out. I would love to do that. And so thank you, Tim, so much for having those and for bringing those to us.
13:40:54 Makaya, did you want I saw you come off? Did you want to add in? Okay, cool.
13:40:59 Thank you, Cory. Thank you, Michaela. Thank you, Tim.
13:41:05 Something came to mind while Cory was speaking and that is Pascoe. Personal Assistant Services of Colorado is a fantastic local organization that does stuff throughout the Denver Metro and they may have something related to sensory friendly or inclusion, either related to July 4th or just throughout the year.
13:41:28 I have attended their annual picnic, for example, and they do their best to pick a location.
13:41:34 That is going to be the most welcoming. Financially accessible. Oh, physically accessible the ground and not with platforms and stairs.
13:41:51 Brian, if you don't mind my jumping in. In in hopes of kind of helping conversational ones.
13:41:54 Please.
13:41:57 I guess I have a question for the council. I know that we're talking, we're thinking about 4th of July, that's what's coming up.
13:42:05 Oh, Michelle's got her hand up. I'll just finish this question, but Michelle, go ahead.
13:42:09 One of the things too, you know, that we can also talk about. Different ways to promote sensory accessibility.
13:42:16 There aren't always for the summer holidays. I think it's a big one. However, I know Halloween is also one.
13:42:23 And trick or treating, trunk or treating, things like that might be also worthy kind of throwing into this conversation that's a fully fully different season.
13:42:32 But I don't know if anybody here on our council members have ever helped people access that, helps people deal with more people on the streets ringing door bells house people's kind of participate in parties or anything like that.
13:42:44 And maybe they want to share their experiences or recommendations for that or questions about how better to do that. That's 1 thing that I'm thinking of.
13:42:52 And so maybe that can help spur some conversation along. Thinking about different holidays and different events where sensory accessibility might be.
13:42:59 Might take a different shape. But go ahead and.
13:43:03 Oh, mine was very short, maybe 15 seconds. I was going, this is Michelle.
13:43:09 I was going to say to Tim and anyone else, it's listening in the email that Michaela put into the chat.
13:43:16 It's not a typo, it is actually ideas to D's so we just want to make sure that we get your your your your your feedback your input but it is ideas with 2D's.
13:43:33 Thank you. Michelle. Stephanie, please.
13:43:38 Hi everyone, this is Stephanie Grow speaking. I am off camera but visually.
13:43:47 White female again, and I think that's what we're supposed to do. But, you know, I live in a new development.
13:43:58 Fairly close to the rapid stadium. And, I. I have to say what I was so proud of was this one mother.
13:44:11 And I don't remember her name. I wish I got her card. But she was making signs she put on the Facebook group for our neighborhood she said I'm making signs for anyone who has someone with sensory issues.
13:44:30 If you would like me to make you assigned to not ring the doorbell or, you know, welcome to join in our festivities, but we are sensitive to due to autism in our home.
13:44:43 So if you would like a sign to be made, I'm happy to share that love and and and spread the goodwill forward.
13:44:52 So I think that there is a Mission of mothers out there to say like, oh, we are a sensory, sensitive home, but I would love it almost if there was some like way that we as a council could reach out and support other people who might need that like additional You know, I don't know if it's a sticker, like I'm picturing like no soliciting, but you know.
13:45:25 however, however, it's best. Designed maybe we do something cool as a council together that can be Created in cost effectively, to ensure that those with IDD are seen and heard even though they might not be seen and heard.
13:45:46 During those festivities.
13:45:53 Thank you. Thank you so much, Stephanie.
13:45:57 Michaela, a curry if you want to comment on this. So.
13:46:05 To augment or edit or whatever, but my sense is that you would. You would refrain or recuse from talking about this.
13:46:10 So I'm gonna say what I know. There is some funding that this mill levy.
13:46:16 Group does towards sensory friendly Denver. And I can tell you that I've just been in the sensory friendly movement for Wow, over 10 years.
13:46:28 And like it's a thing. It's a conversation and people have talked about what Stephanie said.
13:46:34 How do we standardize this? And I'll say is that it's in. It's in process, different cities and different regions and boroughs and provinces and municipalities are doing.
13:46:45 Some of the efforts that they can.
13:46:49 We've got roughly 4 more minutes. For chats about this. Who else would like to say something about
13:46:59 Cars, for example, I've noticed that the cars, the, you heard those cars that are right next to you.
13:47:05 Still where they were before they made the noise like why why did we do that? You know
13:47:16 This is Kayley, I guess I can share something now that I've been sitting here thinking about it for 10 min.
13:47:23 But, maybe this I would consider this like a consideration that maybe people don't often think of, but I have.
13:47:30 Personal experience with growing up with my brother who has a lot of sound sensitivity himself. And it was really difficult as kids when we would walk into birthday parties, walk into various celebrations and there were balloons in the room.
13:47:47 Because he was so terrified of the sound of balloons popping. It would you know he would just immediately nope out of there be like no I'm not even gonna be near and it would take so much you know consoling and reassurance that no that's not gonna happen a lot of feelings of being slighted when it would happen is we can't always control when a balloon pops.
13:48:11 So maybe that's just something. To think about. For different organizations, agencies hosting community events is considering if balloons are a necessary part of your decor or not because there may be folks that have an aversion or fear or just yeah sensitivity to that.
13:48:28 Thank you, Kaylee. So fitting. And it's not that there's a standard, you know, there's not a checklist.
13:48:36 Definitely no balloons. Not necessarily. You know, it depends. Just be aware.
13:48:44 Michael has shared in the chat as part of the Denver Commission for People with Disabilities. We were instructed to the city will not support stickers.
13:48:52 You can create signage as long as it is not a sticker. You lessened.
13:48:59 Learn because we paid for stickers at the city. Stopped us from distributing.
13:49:05 When I fully support helping people getting some signage as it may not be something family will think of. Putting up on their home.
13:49:16 Thank you for putting that in the chat.
13:49:21 Yeah, I remember. Even a seat belt. This was like a Velcro thing that you put over the seat belt and it said, I have autism.
13:49:29 And that was for basically a 1st responder coming to the scene of an accident or something and I've seen similar stickers in the window.
13:49:40 But sensory friendly applies to dementia and new to the area, maybe English and the culture around here is different to you like it.
13:49:52 Stroke recovery posts post any kind of surgery or event or you know, all of us get stressed out and traffic is just.
13:50:02 Too much, whether you're taking the bus, walking, driving.
13:50:18 Take a breath. I know how rudimentary that sounds and I just I'm just telling you if I see somebody who's wigging out I want to go help them.
13:50:29 Take a breath. If I see 1st responders and they're making it worse, they're not making it better and I want to
13:50:41 Anything that I can do to just. Allow that processing, allow that moment, allow that breath. Supports for whatever I'm going to do next or decide.
13:50:53 Not to do. Well, thanks for holding space for this. We'll move on to our next.
13:51:00 Oh, Cory, please.
13:51:01 Hey, this is Cory Boyle speaking. I did want wanna kinda just mention a few things. We've, got a little bit of time since nobody signed up for public comments.
13:51:13 We can skip that. So we do have like an extra. Few minutes. I wanna make sure Michaela gets her time, but just before we move off of this conversation, I do think it's an important and good conversation for the community to kind of hold.
13:51:23 And so I want to give it's due diligence. I wanted to make sure Chris and Hunter that you had a chance to chime in if you wanted to share a story, comment on anything or just express.
13:51:34 Any kind of expression on this. I wanted to make sure that Chris you had the chance of the voting member and Hunter you had a chance as his support.
13:51:48 We were going back and forth on, do you want me to share that stuff or not?
13:51:54 Yeah. So you said something about cars are loud and we've been talking about fireworks.
13:52:02 And I'm just gonna kind of mesh, I think Chris's ideas because he's wanted to share and not wanted to share but in the past week.
13:52:14 There was that storm, I believe, last actually I think it was a week ago on Tuesday. And generally Chris does get a little worked up when there's the thunder and the lightning anticipation of it.
13:52:26 And I'm newish to working with Chris, so I wasn't really here the last thunderstorm season.
13:52:34 So this is kind of the new thing as well, but I was. Told you know to be you know that is something and Chris has told me about that but when it happened he did Go downstairs for a little bit, but came quickly back up 20 min later and was I felt like you asked me are you okay?
13:52:53 The storms here. I think I was cooking dinner or something like that. And he was okay.
13:52:59 He stayed in the kitchen with me and it was a it passed pretty fast even though the storm was going on outside of his raining it was thundering I would think that kinda what Brian was talking about, taking a breath.
13:53:13 That's something that Chris does a lot. We call it a lion's breath. And it's just kind of the for both of us, for everybody, I think it applies to me too.
13:53:23 Like it's feeling stressed out or too much. We do the lions breath. And it kind of helps, you know, like we talked about resets.
13:53:32 I think we were on the same page, we kind of do something similar. And I think like Chris was saying, you know, taking that breath and then facing it and you know.
13:53:44 Would you agree Chris is that? I think it's kind of. We talked about. I think that's what we have to say, right?
13:53:55 But thank you. Yeah.
13:53:58 Thank you, Hunter. Thank you, Chris. And thank you, Cory, for that specific invite.
13:54:05 I'm popping some resources in the in the chat that include the children's museum. The Denver Art Museum.
13:54:13 The Museum of Nature and Science.
13:54:17 No endorsement of those is particularly implied. By the council at large. I can tell you from my experience that there's good people out there trying to do and the sensory friendly events, the things that where they they use the sticker or the banner or the or the phrase it has another component to it that Even if they haven't been trained on the lions breath, somehow they're just.
13:54:43 It's welcoming. It's like, it's like cool people. You know, yeah.
13:54:50 Alright, we will transition now to a break. For 5 min feel free to turn your camera off. I will stay available if you'd like to chat the recording will go, will continue.
13:55:03 So it's 1 0 5 so at 10 min after we will reconvene please take care of yourself please.
13:55:12 Network with other people return a text to use the bathroom. We are on a 5 min break. I'm going to stay available.
13:55:19 If you need me.
13:55:18 Yes. Yes. So we'll return at 2, sorry, this is probably speaking. We return at 2 o'clock p.
13:55:24 M. And yeah, and then we'll invite people to re initiate their cameras and everything.
13:55:29 Thank you. My eyes are at the time wrong. Thank you very much.
13:55:31 You're good. No worries. Yeah, cool. Alright, thanks everyone. Enjoy your break.
13:57:20 Brief and unofficial comment. Bye bye and V not as co chair just as. A person involved in community here.
13:57:33 Taking a break. Like we're doing now. May have its intent to help people. With ID.
13:57:46 And yet in today's world having a break. Pretty much supports anybody.
13:57:55 Lions breath.
13:59:15 We'll come back in about 1 min.
13:59:19 Putting another resource in the chat list somewhere is Family Theatres Show. And they have sensory friendly program and they have.
13:59:29 What's it called a tactile tour? A day that they do the show or Folks, that may not see the stage, get a chance to go experience the stage before the show happens.
13:59:40 And an ASL interpreter.
13:59:57 I didn't know about the tactile tours. That's really cool.
14:00:01 It is really cool and it's intended for those that are blind, but come on, like how cool is that?
14:00:07 I want to go touch things now and get a 1 state. I mean like Like how many?
14:00:10 Right as a former slash current theater nerd. That sounds so fun.
14:00:16 You know, how many of us that are that are regular sighted love watching the sign language interpreters were like, oh, I got more out, you know, so.
14:00:28 No doubt, have fun. The inclusion community is good people.
14:00:33 I love the interpreters that like, big. Artist concerts and rappers and stuff and oh my gosh yeah they're mesmerizing.
14:00:42 Yeah.
14:00:45 Alright. Next up, we are coming back from break. And we invite Michaela Henning.
14:00:54 Department of Human Services ideas program manager. To share with us a important. Aspect of why this council even exists.
14:01:05 The ideas. Budget projections. This is a mill levy funded. Group and we are here to advise this money.
14:01:14 Michaela, you have our attention. Welcome in.
14:01:19 Thanks so much, Brian. Hi everyone. This is Michaela Henneck speaking. I am a white female in my mid thirties with long brown hair.
14:01:28 I use she, her pronouns. And I am the program manager for the ideas program.
14:01:37 And see it sharing. Yeah, there we go. Thanks so much, Cory. Really appreciate you.
14:01:45 So for this section of our advisory, Committee, I'm going to provide you all with an update on our.
14:01:52 Funding stream. Where we're at looking at projections for this year's financial picture, including our fund balance.
14:02:02 And for those of you who are new to the council or members of the public that might not be as familiar.
14:02:06 With how our funding stream works. I'm going to kind of provide a little bit of a background on this mill levy and how it came to be.
14:02:16 And how it is that we, the ideas program at DHS. Manage it so we're gonna kinda look at 3 different questions today.
14:02:26 The 1st is where does this money come from? The second is how much is there and then the 3rd which is really what you all on the advisory council help us answer is how we should spend it.
14:02:41 Thanks so much, Cori. You can go ahead and go to the next slide. So we, before we go into the kind of the history of the Melody, just going to review a few key concepts.
14:02:53 That I'll be referencing, throughout the presentation. The 1st is, revenue.
14:03:00 So when I'm speaking about revenue for the purposes of the ideas fund. I'm talking about money that is received each year from the voter approved Denver, developmental disabilities, millivy property tax.
14:03:16 So that's really the money that's coming in that's generated from that property tax and going into the developmental disabilities fund or ideas fund.
14:03:30 And then I'll also be talking about expenditures and that is money that has been spent already and there's there's 2 categories of expenditures that we can have so we can either spend services directly for people in Denver and their families with IDD.
14:03:47 Or on the administrative costs to manage that fund. So those are the 2 categories. Administrative costs include things like, My salary and the salary of my team.
14:04:01 Time reports for the folks that help us with the auditing and the contracts and the invoice review over here at DHS.
14:04:09 Any sort of trainings that we may take or assessments that we're conducting like the landlord builder assessment that helps us make better informed decisions about the contracts that we enter into.
14:04:22 And then finally, we have the fund balance. And the fund balance really just, consists of any unspent revenue from prior years.
14:04:33 So anytime that we bring in more dollars, more revenue from taxes than we spend, we end up with a little bit extra.
14:04:41 And that becomes a fund balance. So pause right there. Any questions from any of the council people?
14:04:56 Thanks so much, Cory. You can go on the next slide.
14:05:00 So where's where's this money that we're talking about during this meetings come from and really it's it's a and it's a type of tax called a property tax.
14:05:12 And property taxes, generate revenue that support local programs and services like our schools, our libraries. Our affordable housing and in Denver services for Denver residents and their families within intellectual and developmental disabilities.
14:05:30 And so all of those services, all those dollars stay within the county, they can't go and support.
14:05:37 State or federal projects. And the services are local within the county. So real quick for you a question, Brian on that note.
14:05:46 You mentioned earlier that you were engaging in a training. For aurora libraries. I know you've done some work with Sensory Friendly Denver on Denver Libraries, so I'm wondering if maybe the work that you're doing.
14:05:59 Aurora Libraries, you mentioned that it was funded by some of the work we do here.
14:06:03 Would that perhaps be the mill levy from? Arapaho or Douglas that was or I guess it would be Arapaho that was doing the the Aurora Library.
14:06:13 Yeah.
14:06:12 Yeah, thank you for asking. I do not administrate the, contract so I don't necessarily see how much money and where the lines are.
14:06:24 So you're right, I may be doing something that is not in fact funded by this group. I just I don't have that clarity.
14:06:28 Gotcha.
14:06:30 I just have been asked to be one of the trainers and then so I'm gonna could do it but I have done.
14:06:33 And that's fantastic.
14:06:35 I have done sensory friendly training that I know is funded partly by this group. Is that particular one funded here?
14:06:43 I don't have that clarity.
14:06:44 Yeah, yeah, and I know that you're, a very in demand entity in the Denver metro area.
14:06:54 So not surprised that you're working in different municipalities. Part of our job here at the ideas program is to make sure that the dollars that are generated by the Denver intellectual and developmental disability mill levy tax.
14:07:08 Stay within Denver and benefit the residents of Denver and their families. So I'm guessing if you're working for the Aurora Library, Brian, it was probably funded by another funding stream.
14:07:18 Since all the work that we do here in the services and supports that we. Fund stay within Denver.
14:07:26 Okay, so we've got property taxes. We know that they're local. We know they serve local services and supports.
14:07:33 And then our property tax is a mill levy. And a mill levy is a special type of property tax that's based on the assessed value of a property.
14:07:43 And the rate of that tax is expressed in mills. And The word mill is taken from the Latin.
14:07:49 I think it's, or if you think of Spanish. The word for a thousand is own mill.
14:07:55 And so we're talking about $1 for every $1,000 of the assessed value of a property.
14:08:03 I'm going to what took me oh, while to understand being new to this is that the assessed value of a property is very different than the market value of a property.
14:08:12 And the Denver assessors office is the office that determines what an assessed values of property is and it's usually they reduce it by amount and then they multiply it.
14:08:22 And you get that. So. The assessed value of what the Denver says assessors office.
14:08:31 Said was a typical property or typical home in Denver in 2,023. Was only about which so at the fair market value was about $630,000 for a typical home the assessed value would only be 38,000.
14:08:48 645. And then you take one dollars for every 1,000 of those. $38,640 and so you get your end one mill tax is $38 and 65 cents for a typical home of about $630,000.
14:09:07 That's what about the typical family. $1,000 home would be paying. Towards this special revenue fund.
14:09:13 And then the tax rate for commercial properties is a little bit different, but we still do generate revenue from commercial properties.
14:09:21 So that just to kind of I know a lot of you on the council are already real familiar with all that.
14:09:27 But just to make sure that we're making this clear and kind of revisiting that for all of us who may have seen it before.
14:09:34 Wanted to provide that for you all. Any questions, thoughts?
14:09:41 Hello, I appreciated the Latin. And Spanish breakdown. Of Mel.
14:09:47 Alright, the Latin. Don't, don't know about my pronunciation there.
14:09:54 But that's a good way to remember it for least for me. Alright, thanks so much, Cory.
14:10:00 I can go on the next slide now.
14:10:03 Yes.
14:10:06 Yeah, of course.
14:10:02 Michaela. This is Michelle. I have a question, just a clarifying question. So do commercial folk.
14:10:10 Sure.
14:10:13 Pay a higher? Wait?
14:10:20 Okay.
14:10:17 They do. Yeah, commercial properties have a higher assessed rate than residential properties.
14:10:24 Do you happen to know what is the breakdown for Denver? Like do we get most of it commercial?
14:10:32 Most of it residential 50 50.
14:10:34 That is a super great question and I, I don't know, but I can look into that and follow up with you.
14:10:42 Yeah, absolutely.
14:10:40 Please then thank you.
14:10:45 Anyone else?
14:10:52 Okay, so the Denver Developmental Disabilities Mill Levy was approved by a ballot measure in 2,003.
14:11:02 And 70% of folks that vote in that, or almost 70, I think it was just over 69% of Denver voters voted yes on that which is a huge margin.
14:11:13 So we know that it got a lot of support and that Denver was really enthused about supporting our neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
14:11:22 Which is really fantastic. And so we're one of many metro area counties that have a similar male levy to support residents with IDD alongside arapaho, Douglas, Boulder, and Jefferson.
14:11:35 And they all work to. Bring in dollars to support folks with intellectual developmental disabilities within their own counties.
14:11:44 So all the money generated by ours by Denver's ID dedicated, levy tax, all of our revenue is put into a special human services revenue fund.
14:11:55 Which is oftentimes referred to as the intellectual and developmental disabilities fund or the ideas fund.
14:12:03 And so that's why the Department of Human Services manages this money because ordinance and code says that this money should go into this human.
14:12:15 The ones that are operating the ideas program and managing those dollars. Anyone else? On that slide.
14:12:25 Okay, good to go, Cory. Thanks so much.
14:12:30 All right, so a little bit of history on this, Melavi. So for the time the, was passed in 2,003, all the way up into 2,017.
14:12:46 All the way up into 2,017 all of the dollars that went into that fund were spent exclusively by Rocky Mountain Human Services, which is formerly Denver.
14:12:52 Options on behalf of Denver residents with IDD. So Denver Human Services, still managed the fund that those dollars went to, but all of those dollars went to Rocky Mountain, Human Services.
14:13:04 And then in 2,015, so just a. Couple years before that ended.
14:13:10 There is a city audit of Rocky Mountain Human Services and Denver Human Services and they recommend made some recommendations to shift the ways that We were managing the funds and made some recommendations to recognize human services on the ways that the funds could be better managed and better spent.
14:13:28 In that same year, there was some change in leadership at Rocky Mountain Human Services. And then we also at Denver Human Services got a new executive director that year.
14:13:39 So that really, 2015 was a pretty, pivotal year where there was a big shift in how these dollars were being managed.
14:13:46 And therefore how they were being spent. And so immediately after the year after. As both of these organizations recommend human services and Denver Human Services, we're evaluating all these recommendations from the audit.
14:14:00 They had new leaders. And we're trying to really be very thoughtful and intentional and responsible about how these dollars were raised so that they were in compliance with ordinance and spent.
14:14:11 And the way that voters intended on Yeah. Folks with IDD and their families. A fund balance started to crew because it becomes a little bit harder then to, to program out those dollars when you're going through that shift and trying to make sure that you're.
14:14:26 Monitoring and spending them in these different ways.
14:14:31 And in partly in response to that, a couple years later, ideas sat this advisory council so the advisory council that you all are on today to say to our community.
14:14:45 We we've had these dollars that We haven't been able to spend. We want to spend them in a way that is responsible, that on services and supports that you want to need.
14:14:56 And we want to hear from you about how best to do that. And so that's kind of a brief high level history of what brings us here today.
14:15:04 Is that we're really trying to figure out how to how to spend these fund balance dollars and making sure that we're being.
14:15:12 Possible to the community. In using these, you know, the developmental disabilities, MLA funds and the fund balance that had occurred in this past few years in a responsive way to meet community needs.
14:15:26 I'm Brian, thanks so much. I see your hand I'm gonna hit 2019 and then I'll come right back with you.
14:15:31 Is that okay? Awesome. So then, 2019, We codified, we put into code, this, male levy then.
14:15:45 It kind of listed different ways that. DHS could spend those dollars. So before you'll remember the very 1st line up that you see on the PowerPoint, the dollars were only spent by RMHS, but after 2017 with the advisory council and then 2,019 with the new city code.
14:16:02 The city said, OK, Denver Human Services, you can now. Contract with other vendors outside of Rocky Mountain Human Services, which was at the time with the community centered board.
14:16:17 Now the community. Case management agency for Denver County. Still you still can contract with rocking out in human services.
14:16:24 Indeed, that's where the book of our funding goes. But you can contract with other vendors.
14:16:27 And Denver Human Services hired their 1st ideas program manager to kind of help shepherd and steward those funds.
14:16:35 And so that was kind of a really high level overview and Brian, Any questions you have on that?
14:16:43 Not a question, just a,
14:16:50 Just I feel like compelled to to just summarize even higher level that The reason we're all here in 2024.
14:17:00 Or even last year is built on things that were from 2,003. And, and, and it will continue or it may not.
14:17:12 Because this idea is advisory council have not has not always been around. And it's just, it's a.
14:17:20 To privilege to be involved in my own. Community in various ways. So, we're including here.
14:17:29 Thanks, Brian. It's certainly a privilege to work with you and all the members of the advisory committee.
14:17:35 I think it's just critical piece of what we do. And so I very much hope that.
14:17:42 The advisory council will continue to exist. And, in a very meaningful way. And I'm excited to kind of share these budget updates with you.
14:17:52 Any other questions before I move on?
14:18:00 Okay, I think I'm ready for the next one.
14:18:04 Okay, so we went over, where our money comes from. It comes from the mill levy and then We'll talk a little bit more about how much money there is now.
14:18:13 So, for. This year and we're just talking about projections. So what our best guess is because we don't know for sure.
14:18:25 We anticipate that we'll get about 26.7 7 million dollars in revenue this year from the intellectual and developmental disabilities tax fund.
14:18:37 We anticipate that we will spend about 29.3 million dollars about 97% of that on services and supports for folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities and that's the solid orange line you're seeing.
14:18:55 In the middle of the screen and then. We're anticipating, we'll spend about. A little over $830,000 on those administrative expenses.
14:19:05 So that's that. Hash little orange line that you see at the very top. And those are gonna be what we anticipate to be all of our expenditures.
14:19:14 And so you'll see that our expenditures, we're spending more than we are bringing in this year.
14:19:21 And so that means that our fund balance will retract a bit and so we are anticipating by the end of this year.
14:19:28 We should have about 16.5 1 million dollars in our fund balance. So that's all of the unspent money that has not been spent from previous years.
14:19:40 Any questions there?
14:19:44 Okay, go ahead to the next slide, Cory. Thanks so much.
14:19:52 Alrighty, so this is a look kind of at 10 years of what accountants call, well, sorry, I should say we're looking at both actuals and projections.
14:20:06 So actuals are what accountants. Call spending that has actually happened. So for 2018 to 22,023.
14:20:18 For those 6 years we were looking at those actuals and then from 2,024 to 2028 we're looking at projections our best gas at how much we money we think will come in as revenue how much we think we're gonna spend and then what the fund balance will be at the end of the year.
14:20:37 So. You can see that from 2018 up until 2022 our revenue the green bars were always exceeded was more than our expenditures, the orange bars.
14:20:54 And as a result, you'll see that blue line, the fund balance going up and up and up.
14:20:58 And actually the fund balance we didn't were able to get the data in there but the fund balance actually started in the end of 2016 so we had this fund balance building because for all those years from 2016 to 2022 we weren't able to spend.
14:21:14 All the money that we're coming in and we want it to be very responsible and community informed about the way they spent that.
14:21:21 We just didn't want to spend dollars to spend them. But then by last year, 2023 was the 1st year where you'll see a shift in that.
14:21:30 So in partnership with you all our community, we were able to really start spending those dollars in ways that were responsible.
14:21:41 Or aligned with the ordinance. And we're responsive to the expressed needs of the community.
14:21:48 So you'll see that we spent about 28.2 8 million dollars but only brought in about 23.2 and so then you'll see that line started to dip.
14:21:58 And our projection, so looking at, our contracts that we have in place now.
14:22:04 We're projecting that that trend will continue. So we'll see a little bit more expenditures than we are revenue for the next 5 years.
14:22:14 And that our fund balance will continue to decrease and so that is really a success because we don't want to have lots of money sitting in the bank that could be benefiting Denver residents with IDD.
14:22:27 We want to be out there doing good things for the community and partnership with you all. And we wanted to do it in a really responsible, informed way.
14:22:35 And I think we from this year we're really seeing that we're starting to do that. Any questions on this slide?
14:22:46 Yeah.
14:22:45 Brian. My cameras off.
14:22:51 Sometimes I try to say things back to you. Just to help me. I've heard other people say that it helps them.
14:22:59 So, there was a lot of money and leftover money. And so this council was created.
14:23:05 And then now in just checking back on that, that lot of we've done what we're here to do, which is advise where to go spend the money.
14:23:14 And we've done that. We've spent some of the money and now the money is coming down a bit.
14:23:18 That's correct. Perfect. Thanks, Brian. Beautiful.
14:23:19 Thank you.
14:23:26 Anyone else? Okay, I think we're ready to go to the next slide.
14:23:34 So one of the questions, that's the tough one is, how long will this fun balanced laughs, this, leftover money.
14:23:44 And so we have different projections. Showing that the fund balance will be in range anywhere from 1.4 million dollars.
14:23:52 By 2028 to 12 million dollars by 2,028. Which is a pretty wide range.
14:24:01 That's because there's a lot of unknowns that play that we can try and predict, but we don't really know for sure.
14:24:07 So one of those things is how much revenue will actually come in because this is a based on property tax.
14:24:13 A lot of it has to do with, you know, The economics of real estate, commercial and residential, and that can change as we, you know.
14:24:23 Even in the last 10 years pretty dramatically. Sometimes in ways that we can't always anticipate. We also don't know how much money our contracted partners will actually spend, you know, when we go through the negotiating process, we try and work very carefully with them to make a responsible budget where you know, they think this is what they'll need.
14:24:41 Need this is the cost of providing these services but especially when we are working with some of the pilots that we have in place.
14:24:49 These pilot projects the 1st time these services have ever been done. And so we don't really know, exactly sometimes what these services and supports will cost because it's a learning experience.
14:25:01 So sometimes our contractors end up spending pretty much all of their contract and then sometimes they're under spec.
14:25:09 And so those are kind of one of those variables that can impact what our fund balance will be and by what year.
14:25:15 And then another question that we will face and probably have some conversations about. You all is how much will we be spending on our current pilots after their contracts have ended?
14:25:27 You know, what other revenues sources will be made available to support them? What will the outcomes and objectives be?
14:25:33 And and how do we want to continue to prioritize those along with other needs or on gaps that you all identify for us.
14:25:46 Any questions on that? That point.
14:25:56 I do my high-level comment.
14:25:59 Yeah, that'd be great, fine. Thanks.
14:26:02 The money is going down and yet as we watch the trend and see it going down, it's still looks to be around and.
14:26:12 As we try to prepare for how the money will go. We have an expectation, oh, these amount of dollars.
14:26:19 It might be accurate. It might not be accurate. We have to learn as we go.
14:26:25 Thank you.
14:26:24 Exactly. And we have a really talented team of budget analysts and accountants here that are, you know, helping inform those projections and yet because of there's all these unknown variables again we No one can really say for certain even with that, you know.
14:26:43 The best financial analytics, there are some kind of unknowns that are beyond our control.
14:26:50 Alright, think for good for the next slide, Cory.
14:26:56 So these are all of the active contracts that we have as of this month. And so you'll see on the very left what kind, what's the primary pillar that this contract pillar of needs.
14:27:09 So we've got gaps, housing. Inclusion, mental health, and technology are kind of the 5 pillars of service that you all the advisory council in.
14:27:20 Collaboration with some of our assessments. Have identified as the top needs. But these contracts are seeking to address.
14:27:26 It's on the left side, then you'll see the vendor. So who has the contract to provide these services.
14:27:32 The name of the contract. Under project The term is when that contract starts and when it.
14:27:41 Stops and then the amount. So that's not necessarily the amount that will be spent. It's the amount that's encumbered in the contract so that means that these contracts.
14:27:55 These vendors can spend up to that amount in that contract on the things that we have, you know, specified when the contact these can spend the money on, but it doesn't necessarily mean that all the money will be spent during that time period.
14:28:11 So you'll see, for example, the The 1st contract is under gaps and services with Rocky Mountain Human Services as our CMA.
14:28:21 We still, we've referred to it as the CCP, of the project. If you go to Rocky Mountain Human Services website, you'll see what are the categories on their website is is their Mill Levy program.
14:28:30 So that's what it's they're referring to is this contract. And we just negotiated a new contract with them.
14:28:36 That started in January of this year and we'll go through December of 2,027. And so the amount encumbered in that contract for those 4 years is just over a hundred 8.
14:28:48 108 million dollars. You'll also see our pilot programs. The bee home IDD Housing Navigator program, resulted out of a recommendation that you all made.
14:29:01 In addition to the Denver Start pilot program also with RMHS also related to recommendations made by this advisory council.
14:29:12 And in Tandem with that, we're also working with the National Center for Start Services that is working to train them up, get them certified so that they're ready to go.
14:29:22 We contract directly with them. For those services. And then addition to that we have the landlord builder assessment with the Kelsey.
14:29:31 That's doing some further resource. Research to teach us how we can best spend these funds to address some of the gaps that we have in housing for our community.
14:29:44 You all heard from Shannon Sullivan with the autism community story yesterday talking about one of the many sites that she's assessed through sensory friendly Denver to kind of help create more inclusive sensory friendly public spaces for our community to enjoy.
14:29:58 And then we have, we also heard from Nate Stone last month with the Denver Public Libraries, and we're funding the IDD digital navigator position to provide technological support, for our community through the library.
14:30:15 And then finally, We're working with, our partners over at ground floor media and center table to assist with marketing communications.
14:30:24 And we do that on a purchase order every year. Estimated right now that we're going to spend between 50 to $75,000 with them.
14:30:33 Any questions on that? I know that I It's a lot of information to breeze through it, but I wanted you also to have kind of the snapshot picture of all the contracts that we have in place now.
14:30:44 Approximately how long they last and the amount in those contracts.
14:30:59 This is prime me. I'll just I'll just say thank you for presenting and transparency and education.
14:31:06 As well as as you mentioned the highly skilled. Projectionists. That helped put this together.
14:31:13 Thank you. I will pass that along. Yeah, they're pretty wonderful. I guess I should say too, you'll notice that we are there's a little kind of cross symbol next to the term date for our contracts for Denver start, which is a blue line and then just below it, the National Center for Start Services.
14:31:33 So those were set to end in August of this year, when we're currently working to extend those.
14:31:42 By just under another year. So that they have the time to achieve certification and really build up their full infrastructure.
14:31:55 And we can, you know, you'll be hearing from Denver start later this year.
14:31:59 They can tell you more about that journey. And then the asterisk that you'll see.
14:32:04 After our contracts with Bayad for the bee home program the Kelsey the landlord builder assessment sensory friendly Denver without Justin Community Store and Denver Start.
14:32:15 Those all represent competitively awarded. Contracts that we put out for a for procurement. You'll notice that our contract with Rocky Mountain Human Services for the CCB Mail levy is not competitively procured.
14:32:29 That means that we didn't put out a press for proposals or requests for applications. We conducted what's called a soul source contract with them.
14:32:41 Because they are the, case management agency and community center board. Which is pretty in line with what many.
14:32:50 Metro area counties do in funding the their own CCBs and CMAs for these services.
14:32:57 Denver is really kind of at the foreground of working to diversify that funding source and kind of really bring this eco system up different service networks together through a diversified funding stream.
14:33:13 Okay, I think we're ready to go to the next slide. Thanks so much, Cory.
14:33:19 So in the next couple of slides, I wanted to talk to you all a little bit on a very high level about what we hope to do next.
14:33:27 So you heard that we're spending down our fund balance, which is a success that we still have a fund balance.
14:33:34 We just don't know exactly how much it'll be and by when, but we wanted to continue to evaluate the recommendations that you've made and take action on those.
14:33:43 And so what we are exploring currently is doing a new mini grants program that is called Voices and that stands for Vital.
14:33:54 Opportunities or inclusion. Choice, empowerment, and self-advocacy. So voices mini grants.
14:34:02 So this will be the 1st time we use grants instead of contracts or purchase orders. And this is a new way that we can partner with oftentimes smaller, more grassroots community agencies to provide services and support to our community through a way that the because it's not a large contract, the application process is a little bit more streamlined, a little more accessible, the invoicing process, the reporting process
14:34:33 there. You know, they're all a little bit different than contracts. So. We're actually hoping to use, are the cradios fund through point b which you all remember was a project that wrapped up late last year as a model for making and accessible funding process with community informed decision making.
14:34:55 And we're looking at a couple different recommendations you all made to us in creating this program. And the 1st was back from, 2,019, which was to implement programs, trainings, campaigns, and or invents to inspire, drive, and incentivize true inclusion for residents with IDD.
14:35:13 And so point B was one of those contracts that we executed as a result of that recommendation. We also see the autism community store sensory friendly Denver.
14:35:25 Being created as a result of that recommendation. And so after point B, finished their contract, we really appreciated all the work that they did in that space.
14:35:36 We wanted to continue it and so this is kind of one of our answers to address that initial recommendation that was made.
14:35:44 In addition to a recommendation you all made for us in July of last year, which was to explore potential programs for empowerment.
14:35:51 Self-advocacy, identity, and choice for folks with IDD in various events. Trainings.
14:35:57 And other potential modes of inclusion. So that will be our next step. We're still really trying to iron out all the details of total amount number of awards will make the process for that.
14:36:10 But we were really excited to share that out with you and bring you into the loop and we'll probably be coming back to you.
14:36:16 In future meetings to talk about, you know, what your recommendations are, for, you know, different selection criteria or what you'd like to see, what types of services and supports you'd like to see through these mini grant program.
14:36:30 And that you know might be. Meeting gaps that you're experiencing in your own lives or professions or circles.
14:36:38 And then Cory, we can go ahead and hop on to the last slide. And so in the long term, We want to keep working in partnership with you and the broader community of folks with IDD in the Denver Metro area.
14:36:55 To revisit and prioritize existing recommendations and any new recommendations that might came our way based on new and emerging needs and priorities.
14:37:05 We are going so excited to hear from the Kelsey during our advisory council meeting next month. They'll be presenting on their findings from their advisory council meeting next month.
14:37:16 They'll be presenting on their findings from their landlord builder assessment. And what other potential projects we might be able to fund.
14:37:20 Through those recommendations, in alignment with other housing related recommendations that you've made in the past.
14:37:26 And then on an ongoing basis, we're going to continue to work with our really talented group of accountants and budget analysts.
14:37:33 Over here at the city to analyze the financial information. As it comes in and the more and more information we get, the better and better our projections are as we over time.
14:37:42 We're gonna be doing that all together all at the same time. In partnership with you to figure out how we should continue to spend these dollars in a way that makes sense.
14:37:51 For you and your communities and your families. So thank you so much for allowing me this time to present this update for you.
14:38:02 It really means a lot and I am looking forward to answering any other questions or hearing your thoughts.
14:38:12 Thank you, Michaela. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
14:38:16 Giving us an update, high level overview.
14:38:21 Thank you, thank you.
14:38:23 Absolutely, my pleasure.
14:38:26 So are you entertaining questions and comments right now? Is that correct?
14:38:30 Absolutely, I knew that was a lot of information. So I also understand a folks might wanna just take a while to kinda let that percolate.
14:38:40 But if there's anything that for our voting advisory council members that's top of mind, please don't hesitate to let me know.
14:38:47 If I can't answer it now, I'll do my best to get those answers and get back to you.
14:38:58 Can I share with you allowed just a reflection that I'm having?
14:39:02 Please.
14:39:05 This will sound very basic and But for me, it takes some effort to get there. To be here now may.
14:39:13 28th 2024 is built on the backs of many people to lead up till now. Ideas advisory council, the male levy funding.
14:39:23 Spending, the building up of the money, the property tax. Commercial residential and then the gathering of this council and For the reason that this council exists for the reason that money exists and then for deciding where that money to go.
14:39:42 Is to be spent. Is a lot more than May of 2024 and one reflection that I'm having is how much it's about.
14:39:52 Not just what I do when I'm here. But who else am I talking to? Either to, just be a person in community.
14:40:02 How is this service or this supports working or not working for you? And to continue to having that kind of networking organic.
14:40:09 And then also networking in terms of. If I think that what this group is doing is valuable, whoever, whoever we are will only be here for a limited time, whether we're DHS staff or whether we're co chair or visitor.
14:40:25 And so what can we do to involve others in the conversation? What can I do to involve others? To Visit to share.
14:40:37 To have a voice, to let us know what they know from experience. Yes.
14:40:51 This is Kayley. I'd like to One, thank you again, Michaela, for all that great information and.
14:40:58 I'm really hopeful and excited to see that I think like a Okay, a common like concern or something we've heard from folks in community in the past.
14:41:08 Is that they're used to what has been so much. Monday left over at the end of every year.
14:41:15 And so to see that is projected to start shifting and that that just means more dollars or going out and less is kind of just sitting there and building up.
14:41:25 I think. Is a really good thing and it's gonna really. Not only support our community but but make people happy too and kinda calm some of those concerns we've heard in the past.
14:41:36 So I'm really glad to see that.
14:41:38 Yeah, and that success is, it's really a shared success and one that, you all should feel some, pride and ownership in as well. You're all a huge part of that.
14:41:50 So. Thank you for, joining with us to make that happen. For the community.
14:42:10 A couple of thank you messages in the chat for you, Michaela.
14:42:15 You're welcome, everyone.
14:42:23 Okay, well, are we? Going to our next agenda item then. Alright. We are in our final.
14:42:35 Little more than 15 min. From our meeting. 2 42 and our target is to conclude by 3 o'clock.
14:42:46 Cory, do you wanna pull up any agenda? Maybe you're. Navigating that now.
14:42:51 The slide.
14:42:55 Right on.
14:42:53 Yeah, sorry, I was just getting that going. This is Cory speaking. So. Just, for everyone's awareness.
14:43:02 We didn't have anybody signed up for public comments. We have moved through that agenda item. And I just want to make sure that I'm clear on that.
14:43:10 At this point to join public comments, you're welcome to sign up and we have a few different ways to do that.
14:43:16 And I'll make sure to kind of pop those into. My follow up communications.
14:43:22 Cory, I'm so sorry to interrupt. Your, your voice is very faint. I'm wondering if you can turn up your microphone.
14:43:28 Interest.
14:43:30 Thank you. So sorry.
14:43:36 Hello.
14:43:40 Give me a second.
14:43:50 Okay, how's this?
14:43:54 No, no change. Okay.
14:44:00 I'm hearing Cory clearly, so, but Killy, don't know if it's your speaker or if anyone else having the same problem, but I can hear Cory.
14:44:11 Thank you, Kelly, for speaking up. Yeah, I can hear Cory clearly as well. It's when you said faint, like I noticed that, but I'm, but I'm still, Okay, that's starting both for me.
14:44:25 Theater voice.
14:44:22 Okay. The universe, Eric, started everybody else in the office. I guess I'll try to project a little louder.
14:44:33 But. Yes, so I just wanted to make it clear for everyone that at this time we are requiring that people sign up for public comments.
14:44:43 And there's a few different ways to do that. I put those links. In the agenda that I send out.
14:44:49 I also put them in this PowerPoint. And we'll make sure that it's also concluded on our website.
14:44:58 We'll make sure that that's out there for everyone. And so if you ever have anything that you wanna bring.
14:45:01 To make sure that we do hold the public comment. Just go ahead and sign up on those, send this an email at IDD EAS.
14:45:10 Denvergov. Org and we can. Make sure that you get on there and then you can tell us your stories.
14:45:18 So the next thing is just forecasting next meeting. This our next meeting is June, 25, th 2024.
14:45:27 If that date doesn't work for anybody, please let me know ahead of time so I can. Make sure that I'm on the ball to reschedule it.
14:45:32 We will have some predicted agenda. We will have a presentation from one of our contract partners who as needs to give that and that should actually be a fun share out about the assessment that they're doing.
14:45:45 I won't go further into it right now. But that'll be on the agenda for then.
14:45:50 Is there anything else that you want to make sure that I include either for next agenda or for future agenda?
14:46:11 Okay, well if there's nothing then that's great. You're always welcome to reach out to me at Cory.
14:46:19 Dot boil at Denvergov. Org or you can also email our ideas email at IDEAS.
14:46:26 At denvergov.org. And please see our website for upcoming meetings and everything else.
14:46:33 Brian at this point, you are welcome to motion for adjournment.
14:46:38 Okay, thank you for forecasting and thank you for your openness and availability for ideas. I know I have sent 2 ideas and said, why don't we do this as a council?
14:46:49 Why don't we talk about that or watch one of the user?
14:46:53 Let's see what's going on in the chat here.
14:46:57 Yeah, thank you, Caitlin, for visiting. And, just to iterate, we had a time where Public comment, you did not have to sign up.
14:47:12 Now you do need to sign up for public comment and some of that is a. Protocol that we need to do.
14:47:18 For why this group exists and how we Keep it a safe space together.
14:47:27 I will entertain. A motion to adjourn.
14:47:42 Voting member.
14:47:44 This is Kaylee, on motion to adjourn.
14:47:48 Thank you, Keeley.
14:47:52 And I'll take a second.
14:47:55 So this is Michelle. I'm I'm gonna second that motion. No, Brian, I'm not going to sing it.
14:48:02 Okay. So if you, approve of including our meeting or adjourning, please say.
14:48:14 Adjourn. Or or yes. As a voting member in the chat.
14:48:29 If you're a voting member here and you agree that we can conclude now.
14:48:36 Right on, myself. Michelle said to adjourn and rock your days.