Denver City Council Meeting – July 15, 2024

On Monday, July 15, 2024, the Denver City Council convened at 3:30 PM (adjourned at 4:21 PM) with all 13 members present. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a land acknowledgement. The Council elected a new President and President Pro Tem, approved a consent agenda of resolutions and bills on final consideration, debated and postponed one bill, and set future public hearing dates.

Election of Council President and Council President Pro Tem

• Councilmember Amanda Sandoval was elected Council President by a unanimous 13–0 vote. She succeeds Council President Jamie Torres, who served the prior two years. President Sandoval gave remarks thanking her family, mentors, and staff, and emphasized her commitment to social justice and community.
• Councilmember Deanna Romero Campbell was elected Council President Pro Tem by a unanimous 13–0 vote. Councilmember Watson nominated her, praising her collaborative leadership and work in Southeast Denver. Both winners are Denver natives and first-generation Latinas.

Consent Calendar

All items below were approved en bloc by a 13–0 vote, as moved by Councilmember Sawyer and seconded by Councilmember Flynn:

Resolutions Adopted:

• 24-0861 – Third Amendatory Agreement with Aramark Sports and Entertainment LLC for food/beverage services at Denver Coliseum and Red Rocks Amphitheatre (extension to 1/31/2025, no cost change).
• 24-0868 – Exclusive marketing partnership with Denver Region Toyota Dealers Advertising Group Inc. at Red Rocks and Colorado Convention Center ($1,230,000 through 5/31/2027).
• 24-0858 – Amendment to master purchase order with Bear Communications Inc. for emergency vehicle lighting ($2,000,000 addition, new total $5,000,000).
• 24-0859 – Amendment with Haertling.com LLC for Flagstone “Piece of the Rock” awards at Red Rocks ($80,000 addition, new total $575,000).
• 24-0860 – Master purchase order with Fisher Scientific Company LLC for DNA testing reagents and lab supplies ($1,000,000 through 2/28/2029).
• 24-0863 – Fourth Amendatory Agreement with Dominion Voting Systems Inc. for software license and warranty ($689,000 addition, new total $1,602,700 through 12/31/2026).
• 24-0870 – Mayoral appointments of Lynnea Green Hutton and Jorge Avendano to the Career Service Board (terms to 6/30/2029).
• 24-0866 – Plat approval for 38th and Huron Subdivision in Council District 9.
• 24-0867 – Grant agreement with Colorado Department of Transportation for FY24/25 Denver V2X Communication Devices ($1,700,000 through 5/21/2034).

Bills Placed Upon Final Consideration and Passed:

• 24-0716 – Charter amendment to establish collective bargaining for certain city employees, including Denver Water and Library staff, with a qualified right to strike. To be referred to voters in the November 5, 2024 special election.
• 24-0802 – Adjustment of allocations in the Administration and Recovery categories and allocation of interest earnings to support the “All In Mile High” Program (American Rescue Plan Act funds).
• 24-0803 – Cash transfer from Coronavirus Emergency Response Special Revenue Fund to the General Fund for housing stability.
• 24-0804 – Cash transfer of $6,464,092.66 from the Coronavirus Emergency Response Special Revenue Fund to the Homelessness Resolution Fund to reimburse pandemic shelter expenses.
• 24-0805 – Rescission and appropriation of $2,000,000 from Parks Legacy Fund to Parks Legacy Improvement Projects Fund for acquisition of the 167-acre Tibaldo Property in Evergreen.
• 24-0807 – Authorization of expenditures for the “Denver Great Kids Head Start FY 2024-2025” program based on a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant.
• 24-0840 – Supplemental appropriation of $6,535,000 in the Denver Arts and Venues Special Revenue Fund.
• 24-0841 – Fourth Amendment and Revival to IGA with Denver Health and Hospital Authority ($24,480,730.93 total, extended to 12/31/2024).
• 24-0849 – Charter amendment to remove U.S. citizenship requirement for classified service (police, fire, sheriff). To be referred to voters in the November 5, 2024 special election.
• 24-0776 through 24-0782 – Park designations for multiple properties: Axton Ranch Mountain Park (448 acres), Carla Madison Recreation Center (2.89 acres), Great Lawn Park (50.10 acres), Lowry Open Space (32.77 acres), Sand Creek “Bulk Fuel Farm” (23.39 acres), Sand Creek “Swift Parcel” (9.53 acres), Sand Creek Trunk Open Space (11.02 acres).
• 24-0827 – Fourth Amendatory Agreement with Urban Drainage and Flood Control District for South Platte River drainage/flood control improvements ($5,250,000 addition, new total $20,718,816.59).
• 24-0828 – Amendment with Colorado Department of Human Services for Equifax Verification Service ($865,981.50 addition, new total $3,350,528.09 through 6/30/2025).
• 24-0833 – Fourth Amendatory Agreement with Colorado Division of Youth Services for detention screening and pre-trial services ($1,751,023 addition, new total $5,103,766.17 through 9/30/2025).

Discussion Items

• Bill 24-0813 – Auditor Investigatory Subpoenas: Councilmember Watson moved to postpone this bill (which would authorize the Auditor to issue investigatory subpoenas to city contractors) until July 22, 2024. Councilmember Parady questioned the need for further delay, noting thorough vetting. Watson cited possible amendments and the significance of granting new powers to an agency. The postponement motion passed 9–4, with Councilmembers Gonzales-Gutierrez, Lewis, Parady, and Sawyer voting nay. The bill will be reconsidered on July 22.
• Bill 24-0849 – Classified Service Citizenship Requirement: Councilmember Torres spoke in favor, noting co-sponsorship with President Sandoval and support from Police Chief Thomas and Fire Chief Fulton. The bill would allow legal permanent residents and DACA recipients to apply for police and fire positions. It was included in the consent calendar and passed without further debate.

Key Outcomes

• Elected: Amanda Sandoval as Council President (13–0) and Deanna Romero Campbell as Council President Pro Tem (13–0).
• Postponed: Bill 24-0813 delayed to July 22, 2024 (9–4).
• Scheduled Public Hearings:
  • July 22, 2024 – Required public hearing on Evans School Urban Redevelopment Plan (Bill 24-0851).
  • August 12, 2024 – Required public hearing on zoning change for 4340-4350 South Monaco Street (Bill 24-0617). Protests for the zoning change must be filed by noon, August 5, 2024.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 4:21 PM. A half-hour general public comment session follows the meeting.