Denver City Council Meeting – August 19, 2024

The Denver City Council met on August 19, 2024, at 3:30 PM (recessed and reconvened at 5:30 PM) in the Cathy Reynolds City Council Chamber. Major actions included referring a 0.5% sales tax increase for affordable housing to the November 2024 ballot, approving three large master purchase orders for parks and golf landscaping equipment after debate on electrification, and adopting numerous resolutions and bills en bloc. The meeting adjourned at 6:31 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of August 12, 2024, after a correction regarding vote tallies for amendment votes on Council Bill 24-0972.
• Approved a block of resolutions and bills on final consideration (including items 24-1002, 24-1020, 24-0996, 24-0999, 24-1014, 24-1017, 24-1018, 24-1007, 24-1010, 24-1011, 24-1012, 24-0799, 24-0801, 24-0824, 24-0976, 24-1003, 24-1004, 24-1005, 24-1006, 24-0986, 24-0987, 24-0819, 24-0918) – all carried 13-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were heard during the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Parks Equipment Master Purchase Orders (Resolutions 24-0919, 24-0920, 24-0921): Councilmember Parady called out these items for debate. Parks Director Joel Clark presented an extensive overview of the department's electrification efforts, including past transitions to electric/hybrid equipment (e.g., golf carts since 2012, handheld equipment), pilot programs, and a planned 2025 facilities assessment to support charging infrastructure. Discussion focused on the balance between gas and electric purchases, potential state subsidies (e.g., a reported 30% state incentive for electric equipment), and the need for accountability. Councilmember Parady expressed concern over approving up to $25 million for gas-powered equipment without a concrete plan to shift to electric, given possible future air quality regulations. Other council members (Flynn, Kashmann, Hinds, Alvidrez) emphasized trust in the department's direction and the necessity of the contracts to also purchase electric equipment.
  • Vote on 24-0919: Adopted 10-2 (Lewis, Parady nay) with one abstention (Romero Campbell due to a family member working for Colorado Golf & Turf).
  • Votes on 24-0920 and 24-0921: Adopted 11-2 (Lewis, Parady nay).
• USDA Tree Planting Grant (Resolution 24-1020): Councilmembers Alvidrez and Lewis highlighted the $5 million grant from the USDA Forest Service for the Inflation Reduction Act Denver Community Tree Planting Initiative Expansion to plant over 1,500 trees in low-canopy, climate-justice neighborhoods. Unanimously adopted as part of the consent block.
• Affordable Housing Sales Tax Referral (Council Bill 24-0972): This bill referred a 0.50% sales tax increase (estimated $100 million annually) to the November 5, 2024, ballot to fund affordable housing and housing support services. Extensive deliberation occurred, with four amendments adopted:
  1. (Councilmember Lewis) Required a first-year plan for council approval by January 30, 2025, and a HOST strategic plan for council approval in 2026 and 2029, including prioritization. Adopted 13-0.
  2. (Councilmember Lewis) Set the primary income target at 80% AMI, with an exemption for mixed-income projects averaging 100% AMI. Adopted 9-4.
  3. (Councilmember Sawyer) Added a 40-year sunset (through December 31, 2064) to replace the perpetual structure. Adopted 12-1 (Lewis nay).
  4. (Council President Sandoval) Cleanup amendments to improve clarity (non-substantive). Adopted 13-0. Following amendments, the bill was placed on final consideration and passed 9-4. Ayes: Gonzales-Gutierrez, Hinds, Kashmann, Lewis, Parady, Romero Campbell, Sandoval, Torres, Watson. Nays: Alvidrez, Flynn, Gilmore, Sawyer. Councilmembers Gilmore, Alvidrez, Flynn, and Sawyer voiced concerns about the regressive nature of sales tax, lack of specificity, and rushed process. Supporters (Parady, Watson, Kashmann, Romero Campbell, Hinds, Lewis, Sandoval) argued that the housing crisis necessitates bold action and that voters should decide.

Key Outcomes

• Referred Ballot Measure (24-0972): Voters will decide in November 2024 on a 0.5% sales tax increase for affordable housing (estimated $100M/year), with a 40-year sunset, council oversight of spending plans, and income targeting at 80% AMI (with exceptions).
• Approved Parks Equipment MPOs: Three master purchase orders totaling $25.5 million: Colorado Golf & Turf, Inc. ($2M), Potestio Brothers Equipment, Inc. ($6.5M), and Pattlen Enterprises, Inc. ($17M), over terms up to 5 years, enabling both gas and electric equipment purchases.
• Approved USDA Tree Planting Grant: $5 million grant to expand tree canopy in low-canopy neighborhoods.
• Postponed Resolution 24-0988: Agreement with Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc. ($1.7M) postponed one week to August 26, 2024.
• Ordered Publication of Bills for Future Hearings: Including zoning changes for 3801 East Florida Avenue, 1920 South King Street, and 4050 North Colorado Boulevard (public hearings set for September 16, 2024), and a bill for a DDDA bond vote (November 2024).
• Appointments and Contracts Approved: Reappointment of David Vaughn to arbitration panel, reappointment of Steven White to Metro Football Stadium District Board, various contracts for homeless services, Head Start, behavioral health, and energy conservation.