Denver City Council Meeting - May 13, 2024

The Denver City Council convened on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 3:30 PM in the Cathy Reynolds City Council Chamber for its regular meeting. The session included the Pledge of Allegiance, a land acknowledgment, roll call, council announcements, the adoption of the consent calendar, proclamations honoring law enforcement families and a homelessness services leader, and required public hearings on four rezoning bills and a site development plan deadline extension.

Consent Calendar

• Resolutions and Bills (Block Vote): The council adopted a block of 26 items (resolutions 24-0544 through 24-0608 and bills 24-0537, 24-0541, 24-0542) by a 10-0 vote. These included contracts for WorkReady Denver ($2,250,000 with Centro Humanitario), fire code testing at Denver International Airport, Trimble license renewals for DIA, reappointments to the DOTI Advisory Board, mobile radiological detection units ($4 million), purchase of 24 Ford Police Interceptor Hybrid vehicles ($1,140,720), concrete repair contracts ($2,385,837.50 and $1,417,513), dedication of several public alleys and streets, amendments to the Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance (TRUA) program (adding $4,413,171 to Brothers Redevelopment and $6,641,651 to The Community Firm), a TRUA call center ($758,981 with The Community Firm), a contract with Second Chance Center for community corrections recovery services ($200,000 addition), a new case management contract at the MOORE Center ($1,721,863.97), a meal service amendment with Michael’s of Denver Catering ($1,082,668), and an intergovernmental agreement for DIA information booths ($800,000).

Proclamations and Presentations

• Proclamation 24-0641 – Honoring the Dill Family: Councilmember Flynn sponsored a proclamation recognizing Harold and Art Dill, the only family in Denver Police history to produce two chiefs. The council adopted it by a 10-0 vote. Current Police Chief Ron Thomas and family members accepted.
• Proclamation 24-0642 – Honoring the Haney Family: Recognized the Haney family’s combined 168+ years of service to the Denver Police Department. Adopted unanimously (8-0).
• Proclamation 24-0548 – Honoring Chris Conner: Declared May 13, 2024, as “Chris Conner Day” for his 12+ years of homelessness response work, including the House 1000/All in Denver initiative. Adopted 10-0. Conner spoke about his gratitude and the growth of the city’s homelessness response team.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 24-0369 (Salvation Army Contract): Councilmember Lewis expressed concerns about data accountability and oversight for the $8,006,556 contract to operate the Tamarac Family Shelter. Councilmember Romero Campbell (statement read by the President) supported the contract, citing positive community partnerships. The resolution passed 8-2, with Councilmembers Alvidrez and Lewis voting nay.
• Resolution 24-0607 (Second Chance Center Contract): Councilmember Lewis expressed support for the $1,721,863.97 case management contract at the MOORE community corrections center. No further debate; passed as part of the consent calendar.
• Bill 24-0419 (Rezoning at 3150 West Jewell Avenue): Councilmember Flynn explained the history of the Brentwood Shopping Center and the need to rezone a former PUD to S-CC-3x to allow mixed-use development, including up to 99 townhomes. No public speakers appeared, despite earlier neighborhood controversy. Passed 10-0.
• Bill 24-0420 (Rezoning at 4343 North Utica Street): The council held a public hearing on a proposal to rezone 3.2 acres owned by Holy Family Parish and Arrupe Jesuit High School to allow the school to expand from 420 to 500 students. Eleven speakers addressed the council: representatives and alumni of Arrupe spoke in support of the school’s mission; several Vrain Street residents opposed due to parking congestion. Planning staff noted the development meets parking requirements (107 spaces provided; 101 required). Councilmember Sandoval (via Councilmember Gonzalez-Gutierrez) expressed support, citing the school’s service to historically underserved students (92.5% Latino, 78% free/reduced lunch, 70% first-generation high school graduates). The PUD was tailored to preserve architectural features. Passed 10-0.
• Bill 24-0456 (Site Development Plan Deadline Extension): Emily Collins, Expanding Housing Affordability Administrator, presented an extension of the grace period for projects submitted before the 2022 mandatory affordable housing ordinance. The amendment sets a single deadline of April 18, 2025, and requires resubmittals within 90 days. Councilmember Watson sponsored the late-filed bill. Passed unanimously (10-0) after a public hearing with no speakers.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: The Salvation Army contract passed 8-2 (Alvidrez and Lewis nay). All four rezoning bills (24-0423, 24-0419, 24-0420, 24-0456) and companion bill 24-0455 passed 10-0. The consent calendar block passed 10-0. All proclamations adopted unanimously.
• Directives: Community Planning and Development will conduct monthly outreach to remaining ~220 grace-period projects. The 90-day resubmittal requirement will be enforced for projects seeking the extended deadline.
• Next Steps: The next regular council meeting is scheduled for May 20, 2024. Public hearings on pending rezoning items (2081 South Gilpin Street, 3358 York Street, and multiple properties in Berkeley/Sunnyside/Sloan’s Lake) are set for June 3, 2024.