Denver City Council Regular Meeting – Monday, July 22, 2024

The Denver City Council convened on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 3:30 PM, with all 13 members present. The meeting included the Pledge of Allegiance, Land Acknowledgement, approval of the prior meeting minutes, council announcements, two proclamations in the afternoon session, and a consent agenda of resolutions and bills. The evening session featured two additional proclamations, a public hearing on the Evans School Urban Redevelopment Plan (Council Bill 24-0851), and final votes on related items. The meeting adjourned at 6:52 PM.

Council Announcements

• Councilmember Alvidrez announced the passing of her dog and urged pedestrian safety.
• Councilmember Torres highlighted upcoming events in District 3 and praised contracts with local nonprofits (Papagayo, ViVe Wellness) for newcomer services, noting a shift from a multinational vendor.
• Councilmember Romero Campbell announced an affordable housing conversation with the mayor on July 25 and the South by Southeast Festival on August 17.
• Councilmember Parady invited constituents to coffee dates and raised awareness about a potential strike by unionized workers at Gate Gourmet at Denver International Airport, citing seven years of bargaining impasse.
• Councilmember Watson announced the Brick City Picnic and Resource Fair on July 27.
• Council President Sandoval added the Dragon Boat Festival on July 28.

Proclamations (Afternoon Session)

• 24-0933 – A Proclamation Celebrating America 250 – Colorado 150: Denver’s Commitment to Participate in Colorado’s 2026 Sesquisemiquincentennial Commemoration. Adopted 13-0. Speakers highlighted the importance of inclusive history and community engagement. Members of the America 250 Colorado 150 Commission accepted the proclamation.
• 24-0934 – A Proclamation Honoring Denver Police Officer Gene Steinmark. Adopted 13-0. The proclamation recognized Officer Steinmark’s 28.5 years of service, community policing, and his family’s legacy. Denver Police Chief Thomas and the Steinmark family accepted.

Consent Calendar

All items below were approved en bloc (13-0) unless noted:

• Resolutions (Committee-approved):
  • 24-0879: Opera Colorado rental agreement ($1,250,000, through 2026).
  • 24-0887: Amazon.com Services LLC cargo use and lease agreement at DEN (3 years, two 1-year options).
  • 24-0888: FlashParking parking access and revenue control system at DEN ($21,632,348.11, 5 years).
  • 24-0889: Flatiron Constructors runway pavement rehabilitation at DEN ($9,160,929).
  • 24-0877: Fonroche Lighting America solar lighting for trails and parks ($5,000,000, 3 years).
  • 24-0885: GOCO grant for Bluff Lake Nature Center improvements ($500,000).
  • 24-0890, 24-0891, 24-0892: Dedication of public alleys and a street (parcels in Districts 6, 5, 3).
  • 24-0894: Northeast Transportation Connections neighborhood transit pilot amendment ($341,019.96).
  • 24-0784: Head Start FY24-25 grant ($14,135,327).
  • 24-0896: Ryan White Part A grant for HIV/AIDS services ($7,674,296).
  • 24-0901: Papagayo contract for housing navigation and rental assistance for newcomers ($2,924,179).
  • 24-0902: ViVe Wellness contract for housing navigation and rental assistance for newcomers ($7,863,598).
• Bills on Final Consideration (en bloc):
  • 24-0864: Classification and pay plan amendment following annual market survey.
  • 24-0869: Climate Action and Sustainability Capital appropriation fund change.

Items Called Out and Postponed

• Resolutions 24-0880 and 24-0881 (Denver Navigation Center grant agreements totaling $24,437,719) – Called out by Councilmember Gonzales-Gutierrez for a one-week postponement to July 29, 2024, at the administration’s request.
• Council Bill 24-0813 (Auditor’s investigatory subpoenas) – Postponed to September 9, 2024, by a 13-0 vote to allow time for language amendments and consultation with the Auditor’s office.
• Council Bill 24-0850 (Evans School cooperation agreement) – Postponed until after the public hearing on Council Bill 24-0851, by a 13-0 vote.

Bills for Introduction (Ordered Published)

• 24-0897: Renewal of Colfax Mayfair Business Improvement District (10 years).
• 24-0898: Renewal of Santa Fe Business Improvement District (10 years).
• 24-0907: Charter amendment to provide binding arbitration for firefighter collective bargaining (ballot measure for November 5, 2024).
• 24-0893: Revocation of revocable permit for Peerless Apartments, LLC.
• 24-0882: Agreement with Colorado Department of Public Safety for reentry services ($8,212,671.40).

Proclamations (Evening Session)

• 24-0974 – A Proclamation Honoring the Cultural Impact of the Underground Music Showcase (UMS): Recognizing the 24th Annual UMS on South Broadway. Adopted 11-0 (Gilmore, Sawyer absent). Speakers praised UMS for its economic impact, youth programming via Youth on Record, and support for artists. Organizers accepted.
• 24-0975 – A Proclamation Celebrating National Summer Learning Week. Adopted 11-0. Councilmembers highlighted the importance of out-of-school-time programs and called for sustainable funding. Youth representatives from Struggle of Love Foundation spoke about their summer camp experiences.

Public Hearing – Council Bill 24-0851 (Evans School Urban Redevelopment Plan)

The council sat as a Committee of the Whole at 6:08 PM.

• Staff Report: Tracy Huggins (Denver Urban Renewal Authority) presented the proposal to redevelop the historic Evans School (built 1904, vacant since 1972) into a mixed-use community space with a restaurant, beer garden, coffee shop, retail, and event space. The 0.8-acre site in the Golden Triangle was found blighted due to deferred maintenance, environmental contamination, and underutilization. Tax increment financing (TIF) of up to $3.3 million (13% of project cost) from property and sales tax increments over 25 years would cover the gap. Denver Public Schools and Mile High Flood District agreed to allow increment. The plan was found consistent with Plan 2040 by the Planning Board.
• Public Testimony:
  • In Favor: Louise Martorano (RedLine Contemporary Arts Center) noted that the building has housed 47 affordable artist studios at 25% of market rate for four years, and the redevelopment will continue partnerships with nonprofits.
  • In Opposition: Robert Bailey called the blight finding “bullshit,” argued the building is beautiful and already restored, and accused the developers of “stealing” tax dollars from citizens and schools. Jesse Paris echoed concerns, questioned taxpayer burden, and asked for clarity on the plan’s uses.
  • Developers: Joe Vosteras and Jerry Glick (Schoolhouse Investors) stated they bought the building in 2019, conducted community focus groups, and designed the project to meet neighborhood desires for public access, a beer garden, and community event space.
• Council Discussion:
  • Councilmember Hinds (sponsor) defended the TIF mechanism as capturing only new tax revenue and noted the independent condition study. He emphasized the building’s structural soundness but need for interior upgrades.
  • Councilmember Flynn supported the project, noting decades of failed attempts to redevelop the iconic building.
  • Councilmember Lewis opposed, citing lack of long-term affordability guarantees for artists and concerns about displacement patterns seen in other neighborhoods.
  • Councilmember Parady expressed support but questioned the overall urban renewal criteria and called for a deeper review of DURA’s role.
  • Councilmember Gonzales-Gutierrez supported but called for ongoing conversations about displacement.
• Vote on 24-0851: Passed 10-1 (Lewis nay; Gilmore and Sawyer absent).

Key Outcomes

• Council Bill 24-0850 (Evans School cooperation agreement) was then taken up and passed 10-1 (Lewis nay), finalizing the TIF parameters.
• Future Hearings: On July 29, 2024, council will hold public hearings on the renewal of the Colfax Mayfair Business Improvement District (24-0897) and the Santa Fe Business Improvement District (24-0898).
• Postponed Items: Resolutions 24-0880 and 24-0881 for the Denver Navigation Center grants will be considered on July 29. Council Bill 24-0813 will return on September 9.