Denver City Council Meeting Summary – July 8, 2024

The Denver City Council met on July 8, 2024, in two sessions (3:30 PM and 5:30 PM) to consider a wide range of legislative items, including resolutions, bills for introduction and final passage, public hearings, and a charter amendment to establish collective bargaining for certain city employees. Key actions included the republication of a collective bargaining charter amendment after amendments, the creation of the Ballpark Denver General Improvement District (GID), and a vote to authorize the Auditor to issue investigatory subpoenas to city contractors.

Consent Calendar

• Resolutions adopted on consent (block vote, 13‑0): Included items 24‑0876 (Kibler Addition plat), 24‑0415 (Sukle Advertising climate marketing contract, $3M), 24‑0790 (Daifuku lease at DEN, $4,680), 24‑0791 (Johnson Controls data center support, $4.86M), 24‑0792 (Textron lease at DEN), 24‑0816 (Westover/Albreco library upgrades, $83,078 amendment), 24‑0826 (Mark Anthony Brands sponsorship, $620,000 amendment), 24‑0835 (Aer Lingus incentive, $4M), 24‑0836 (Viva Aerobus incentive, $1M), 24‑0837 (Tom Richardson utility locating, $900,000), 24‑0754 (Adam Rice reappointment to Board of Adjustment), 24‑0786 (LP Propane vendor name change), 24‑0787 (Alison Abraham appointment to Commission on Aging), 24‑0789 (Daisy McGowan appointment to Commission on Cultural Affairs), 24‑0810 (Nossaman legal counsel, $1.2M), 24‑0825 (ConvergeOne Viper 911 support, $1.42M), 24‑0834 (Verizon fiber upgrade), 24‑0575 (AHW Construction emergency fencing amendment, $1.3M), 24‑0785 (OV Consulting neighborhood planning, $1.8M), 24‑0793 (Cutler Repaving, $4.19M), 24‑0794 (Brannan Sand & Gravel street maintenance, $2.92M), 24‑0796 (Central Platte Valley Metropolitan District revocable permit), 24‑0797 (CP VII Wynkoop revocable permit), 24‑0071 (HopSkipDrive transportation, $1.5M), 24‑0598 (VIVE shelter staffing, $1.21M – adopted 10‑3, with Councilmembers Parady, Lewis, and Alvidrez voting no), 24‑0788 (Resolute Youth Services amendment, $112,725), 24‑0829 (Colorado Hospitality Services migrant meals amendment, $510,000), 24‑0830 (Michael’s of Denver migrant meals amendment, no dollar change), 24‑0831 (Brothers Redevelopment foreclosure assistance, $25,000), 24‑0832 (HUD Continuum of Care grant, $929,794), 24‑0838 (Smoke‑Free Housing grant, $250,000), 24‑0839 (Combat Vaping grant, $541,158), 24‑0873 (settlement – Brenton Benson, $100,000), 24‑0874 (settlement – Regan Benson, $30,000), 24‑0854 (workers’ compensation appropriation), 24‑0715 (charter amendment to add Dept. of Human Rights and Community Partnerships), 24‑0758 (easement vacation), 24‑0764 (Denver Health behavioral health IGA, $500,000).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ballpark GID (Bill 24‑0766): Eleven speakers voiced strong support, including business owners, residents, social service providers (Step Denver), the Colorado Rockies, and the district’s formation consultant. Testimony highlighted needs for safety, cleanliness, beautification, and a unified neighborhood voice. A representative from the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless noted the importance of collaborative outreach. No speakers opposed.
• Collective Bargaining Charter Amendment (Bill 24‑0716): Eleven speakers testified. Several Denver Public Library workers and union members urged approval, citing low wages (e.g., a custodian making $18.25/hr, unable to afford living in Denver), unsafe conditions, and lack of voice. One employee opposed, arguing unions create inefficiency, politics, and divisiveness. Other speakers represented the Working Families Party and Teamsters, calling collective bargaining a fundamental right.

Discussion Items

• Auditor Investigatory Subpoenas (Bill 24‑0813): Council debated whether to grant the Auditor authority to issue subpoenas to city contractors during audits. Auditor Brian O’Brien and staff noted that in five years, only two of ~125 audits reached an impasse where a subpoena would have helped (Weston Hotel and Denver Art Museum). Opponents (Councilmembers Flynn, Gilmore, Sandoval, Watson) argued the power was unnecessary and could burden small partners; supporters (Councilmembers Parady, Sawyer, Lewis) stressed it provides a neutral dispute‑resolution mechanism and improves transparency. The bill passed on first reading (9‑4) and will return for final passage.
• Liability Settlements (Resolutions 24‑0873 and 24‑0874): Councilwoman Lewis highlighted that the two settlements ($100,000 and $30,000) involving Denver Police Department bring the 2024 total taxpayer‑funded settlements to $3.156 million. Councilwoman Parady noted she often follows up after civil‑rights claims to understand the full impact.
• Collective Bargaining Amendments (Bill 24‑0716): At the 3:30 PM session, the council adopted five amendments to the charter amendment that would put collective bargaining on the November 2024 ballot. Key changes: (1) binding arbitration for Denver Water and Denver County Court employees instead of the right to strike; (2) phased formation of bargaining units for executive employees, starting January 1, 2026, with a minimum of 50 employees per unit; (3) removal of “imminent” from the strike‑prohibition standard, and a court review standard of “abuse of discretion”; (4) an alternative method for certifying a bargaining agent; (5) removal of discipline as a subject of bargaining for career‑service employees (only disciplinary appeals are negotiable). Because the word “imminent” appeared in the bill title, republication was required. The bill was postponed to the 5:30 PM session, where it was republished unanimously (13‑0) after additional public testimony.
• Zoning Changes:
  • Bill 24‑0630 (West Colfax, Villa Park, Barnum): Staff presented a legislative rezoning to allow higher‑density mixed‑use near transit, affordable housing (Habitat for Humanity parcels), and a main‑street environment in Barnum (EMS‑3 with design overlay). Unanimously approved (13‑0).
  • Bill 24‑0663 (1055 Clermont Street, Hale): Rezoning from CMP‑H to C‑MX‑12 for adaptive reuse of the former VA hospital, enabling mixed‑use development with affordable housing commitments under the city’s EHA program. Unanimously approved (13‑0).
• Ballpark Denver GID (Bill 24‑0766): The council created the Ballpark Denver General Improvement District after a required public hearing. The district will provide enhanced maintenance, safety, and beautification, funded by a mill levy (up to 5 mills) subject to voter approval in November 2024. An advisory board will oversee operations. The ordinance passed 12‑1, with Councilwoman Parady voting no over concerns about oversight of security contracts.

Key Outcomes

• Collective Bargaining Charter Amendment (Bill 24‑0716): Amended and republished (13‑0). Final passage is scheduled for July 15, 2024. If approved, the measure will appear on the November 5, 2024 ballot.
• Auditor Subpoena Power (Bill 24‑0813): Ordered published (9‑4) after first reading. Returns for final vote July 15.
• Ballpark GID (Bill 24‑0766): Passed 12‑1. The district will begin operations subject to a special election in November to authorize the mill levy.
• Zoning Bills 24‑0630 and 24‑0663: Both passed unanimously (13‑0).
• VIVE Shelter Contract (Resolution 24‑0598): Adopted 10‑3, with Councilmembers Parady, Lewis, and Alvidrez voting no due to data‑tracking concerns.
• Settlement Resolutions 24‑0873 and 24‑0874: Adopted as part of the consent calendar (13‑0). Council noted the running total of 2024 settlement payments: $3.156 million.
• All other consent items: Adopted or passed in a single block vote (13‑0).