Denver City Council Meeting - August 5, 2024

The Denver City Council met on Monday, August 5, 2024, at 3:30 PM in the Cathy Reynolds City Council Chamber, with Council President Amanda P. Sandoval presiding. Twelve members were present (Councilmember Kashmann absent). The meeting included proclamations, resolutions, bills for introduction and final consideration, and two public hearings on zoning changes. Several items were postponed, and a robust discussion occurred regarding the Downtown Area Plan and parks equipment purchases.

Proclamations

• 24-1022: A proclamation honoring the grand opening of "The Mothership," a shelter for youth operated by Urban Peak, was adopted unanimously (12-0). Councilmembers expressed gratitude for the trauma-informed design and services.
• 24-1021: A proclamation recognizing the Annual Brothers Redevelopment and Denver Employee Volunteer Opportunities Paint-A-Thon Day on August 10, 2024, was adopted (10-0, with three members absent during the vote).

Consent Calendar

• The following resolutions and bills were adopted en bloc in a single vote (12-0):
  • Resolutions: 24-0950 (HUD grant for teen library space), 24-0953 and 24-0954 (Denver Foundation mini-grants and technical assistance), 24-0945 (Kone Inc. elevator maintenance), 24-0946 (Solutions Mechanical LLC appliance repair), 24-0947 (CPS Distributors backflow replacements), 24-0948 (Graybar Electric AV equipment), 24-0955 (set public hearing for DC Metropolitan District), 24-0957 (Emergency Food and Shelter Grant), 24-0959 (FEMA Shelter and Services Program), 24-0960, 24-0961, 24-0962, 24-0963, 24-0965, 24-0967 (various appointments and reappointments), 24-0938 (revocable permit at 16th and Champa), 24-0941, 24-0942, 24-0943, 24-0944 (street and alley dedications), 24-0798 (Bayaud Enterprises TANF services), 24-0800 (Goodwill of Colorado TANF services), 24-0818 (Clayton Early Learning Head Start), 24-0922, 24-0923, 24-0924 (amended agreements for recovery and RISE programs), 24-0936 (Community Services Block Grant), 24-0949 (Carfax crash reports), 24-0951 (Criminal Justice Early Intervention Grant).
  • Bills for Final Consideration: 24-0897 (Colfax Mayfair Business Improvement District renewal), 24-0929 (charter amendment on elected officials' salaries), 24-0912 (vacation of right-of-way at Colfax and Knox), 24-0882 (community corrections program agreement).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Hearing on 24-0795 (2449 North Newport Street rezoning): One speaker, Jesse Parris, spoke in favor of the rezoning to allow an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) but expressed concerns about potential displacement and short-term rental use. The applicant explained the ADU is intended for aging parents. The bill passed 10-0.
• Public Hearing on 24-0694 (nine properties in District 6 rezoning): The same speaker, Jesse Parris, testified in support of ADUs generally but raised concerns about short-term rentals and lack of affordable housing guarantees. Councilmember Flynn questioned the primary residence rule. The bill passed 11-0.

Discussion Items

• 24-0913 and 24-0914 (Downtown Area Plan contracts): Resolutions to approve a $1,000,000 contract with Sasaki Associates and a $1,000,000 funding agreement with Downtown Denver Partnership for updating the Downtown Area Plan. Councilmember Lewis expressed concern that the funds should go directly to struggling small businesses, and voted no. Councilmember Torres thanked staff for addressing her previous concerns about the Burnham area. Councilmember Hinds supported the update, noting the 2007 plan is outdated. The resolutions were adopted 11-1 (Lewis opposed).
• 24-0919, 24-0920, 24-0921 (Parks equipment purchase orders): Councilmember Parady raised climate concerns about large purchases of gas-powered equipment for parks and golf courses. She referenced conversations with the Regional Air Quality Council, which noted that small engines are a growing source of ozone precursors and that state regulations may restrict future use. All three resolutions were postponed to August 19, 2024 (11-0 on 24-0919, with Romero Campbell abstaining; 12-0 on 24-0920 and 24-0921).
• 24-0957 and 24-0959 (FEMA grants): Councilmember Alvidrez asked about funding amounts ($2.8 million and $4.8 million, respectively) and whether they replace existing local funds. Dan Fechter of Finance explained these are reimbursement grants covering costs from December 2022 and October 2023, supplementing local resources. No further action needed.
• 24-0952 (Denver Youth Employment Program): Councilmember Lewis praised the doubling of funds to $3,000,000 for the summer youth employment program. The bill was ordered published.
• 24-0909 (Santa Fe Pedestrian Mall dissolution): Councilmember Alvidrez moved to postpone to August 26, 2024, to allow time to return remaining funds to small businesses. The motion passed 12-0.
• 24-0964 (Community Corrections Board appointment): Councilmember Parady requested a one-week postponement to August 12, 2024, to ask questions about screening for conflicts of interest. The motion passed 12-0.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted: Proclamations 24-1022 and 24-1021; all consent calendar items; resolutions 24-0913 and 24-0914 (with one nay); bills for final consideration 24-0897, 24-0929, 24-0912, 24-0882.
• Postponed: Resolutions 24-0964 (to August 12), 24-0919, 24-0920, 24-0921 (to August 19), and Bill 24-0909 (to August 26).
• Passed Following Public Hearings: Council Bill 24-0795 (rezoning at 2449 North Newport Street) and Council Bill 24-0694 (rezoning nine properties in District 6) were both placed upon final consideration and do pass.
• Next Meeting: The Council will hold a public hearing on August 12, 2024, for Council Bill 24-0915 designating 5086 Vrain Street as a structure for preservation.