Denver City Council Regular Meeting - April 21, 2025

The Denver City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, April 21, 2025, from 3:30 PM to 4:16 PM in the Cathy Reynolds City Council Chamber. The meeting included council announcements, two proclamations, approval of minutes, and adoption of 28 resolutions and one bill via a single block vote (12-0) with Councilmember Lewis absent. Three bills were introduced for publication.

Council Announcements

• Councilmember Torres announced a public meeting on Saturday, April 26, to review the draft Southwest Area Plan (covering Westwood, Marley, Ruby Hill, Athmar Park, Overland) at Goldrick Elementary School, 10 AM to noon.
• Councilmember Gonzales‑Gutierrez condemned the detention of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an immigrant with legal status, and urged support for immigrants and due process.
• Councilmember Sawyer invited residents to District 5’s biannual community cleanup on Sunday, April 27, at 8:30 AM at Montclair Rec Center (over 60 volunteers signed up).
• Councilmember Alvidrez thanked colleagues for visiting the future soccer stadium site and echoed concerns about human rights; announced an event at Athmar Park Rec Center on Saturday, 10:30–11:30 AM.
• Councilmember Hinds thanked thousands who attended a democracy rally at the state capitol; announced a legislative town hall on Wednesday, April 23, at 5:30 PM at Central Presbyterian Church.
• Councilmember Watson invited residents to a virtual town hall on proposed scrap metal legislation on Tuesday, April 22, 6–7:30 PM.
• Councilmember Parady noted that subcommittee meetings for the 2025 Vibrant Bond issuance are open to public observation; encouraged following the 2025 Vibrant Bond subcommittee schedule.
• Council President Sandoval invited residents to an Earth Day cleanup at Sloan’s Lake Park on Friday, April 26, 9–10 AM, and acknowledged the passing of Pope Francis.

Proclamations

• 25‑0561 – Earth Day 55 (April 22, 2025) – Councilmember Kashmann read the proclamation, which highlighted the urgency of climate change, criticized the current federal administration for exacerbating the crisis, and recognized local actions (Office of Climate Action, expanded recycling/composting, microtransit, Green Code, etc.). Councilmembers Kashmann and others expressed support for local climate efforts. Liz Babcock (Director of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency) accepted the proclamation, noting continued progress despite federal challenges. Rachel Hutchins (Bluff Lake Nature Center) and Derek McCoy (Groundwork Denver) also spoke in support of environmental stewardship. Adopted 12‑0.
• 25‑0562 – Child Abuse Prevention Month (April) – Councilmember Gonzales‑Gutierrez read the proclamation, emphasizing prevention through family strengthening, home visiting, and community partnerships. She thanked Denver Human Services staff and community providers. Councilmembers Gilmore, Pro Tem Romero Campbell, and others spoke about the need for mental health and substance misuse programs to break cycles of trauma. Anne‑Marie Braga (Director of Denver Human Services) accepted the proclamation, reminding the public to call 844‑CO4Kids if concerned about a child. Adopted 12‑0.

Consent Calendar (Block Vote)

All resolutions and bills below were adopted or placed upon final consideration en bloc by a 12‑0 vote (Lewis absent). No items were called out for separate votes.

Business, Arts, Workforce, Climate & Aviation Services Committee:

• 25‑0344 – Grant agreement with U.S. Department of Labor for $6,250,000 to fund H‑1B job training (Building Pathways to Infrastructure).
• 25‑0449 – Concession agreement with Mission Yogurt, Inc. (d/b/a PF Chang’s) on Concourse A at DEN; minimum rent $792,000/year plus percentage rent; 10‑year term.
• 25‑0450 – Concession agreement with Mission Yogurt, Inc. (d/b/a Que Bueno! Suerte) on Concourse B at DEN; minimum rent $540,000/year plus percentage rent; 10‑year term.
• 25‑0451 – Concession agreement with MB Creation, LLC (Timberline Steaks & Grille / Einstein Bros Bagels) on Concourse C at DEN; minimum rent $2,200,860/year plus percentage rent; 10‑year term.
• 25‑0452 – Concession agreement with InMotion DEN‑B, LLC for kiosks on Concourses A and C; minimum rent $656,549/year plus percentage rent; 9‑year term.
• 25‑0453 – Contract with Apex Multifamily Builders, LLC for exterior painting/coating at DEN; $5,000,000 over 5 years.
• 25‑0454 – Contract with Quality Linings & Painting, Inc. for exterior painting/coating at DEN; $5,000,000 over 5 years.
• 25‑0462 – Amendment to contract with Sukle Advertising for climate action marketing; extends end date to July 18, 2027 (no cost change).

Finance & Governance Committee:

• 25‑0429 to 25‑0432 – Reappointment of Jonathan McMillan, Dr. Jennifer Gafford, Lisa Thompson, and Orlando F. Salazar III to the Crime Prevention & Control Commission (terms through 2027).
• 25‑0433 – Emergency on‑call security services contract with Aquila Services Corp. (Denver Metro Protective Services); $1,000,000 through April 30, 2028.
• 25‑0436 – Third amendatory agreement with American Mechanical Services for emergency plumbing; add $250,000 (new total $750,000).
• 25‑0437 – Third amendatory agreement with Solutions Mechanical for emergency appliance maintenance; add $100,000 (new total $600,000).
• 25‑0448 – Second Amended Revival Amendatory Lease with Quebec Hospitality LLC for non‑congregate sheltering at 4685 Quebec Street; add $5,067,360 (new total $17,432,700) and extend to December 31, 2025.
• 25‑0461 – Purchase of insurance policies for FY2025‑26; not to exceed $14,002,905.

Land Use, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee:

• 25‑0373 – On‑call professional services contract with CONSOR North America for traffic engineering/Advanced Mobility; $3,000,000 over 3 years.
• 25‑0435 – Purchase order with Wagner Equipment Co for a cold planer asphalt paver; $584,934.
• 25‑0438 – Food/beverage concession license with Legacy Hospitality & Entertainment Group at Evergreen Golf Course; $100,000 minimum annual guarantee plus 15% of monthly gross; 12‑year term.
• 25‑0439 – Amendatory agreement with Bedrock, LLC to increase vendor fee rate by 3% for material placement in parks/medians (no total amount change).
• 25‑0443 – Street dedication: East 23rd Avenue near North Uinta Street.
• 25‑0444 – Alley dedication bounded by West 45th Avenue, North Julian Street, West 44th Avenue, North King Street.
• 25‑0446 – Street dedication: North Yates Street near West 13th Avenue.
• 25‑0460 – Name change on bridge construction contract: Flatiron Constructors, Inc. to Flatiron Dragados Constructors, Inc. (no financial change).

Safety, Housing, Education & Homelessness Committee:

• 25‑0434 – Amendment with Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver to expand summer programs; add $30,000 (new total $925,500).
• 25‑0440 – Amendment with SoundThinking, Inc. (formerly ShotSpotter) for gunshot detection; decrease contract amount by $200,000 (new total $4,500,000).

South Platte River Committee:

• 25‑0445 – Contract with BNSF Railway for construction access/easement at Jewell Avenue pedestrian bridge; $988,757.

Bills for Final Consideration (en bloc):

• 25‑0417 – First amendment to the property exchange agreement with Allied Waste Systems, extending due diligence through May 2025.

Bills for Introduction (Ordered Published)

• 25‑0457 – Ordinance extending sunset dates in Chapter 28 (Business, Arts, Workforce, Climate & Aviation Services Committee) to October 31, 2026.
• 25‑0456 – Ordinance authorizing purchase of a Type 3 Wildland Fire Engine from the Wildland Fire Reimbursement Fee Program Special Revenue Fund.
• 25‑0335 – Ordinance changing zoning at 4634 & 4638 North York Street (Elyria Swansea) from E‑TU‑B to U‑RH‑2.5. A public hearing is scheduled for May 19, 2025; protests must be filed by noon on May 12, 2025.

Key Outcomes

• All items on the consent calendar (28 resolutions plus 1 bill) were adopted or placed upon final consideration and do pass by a vote of 12‑0 (Lewis absent).
• Three bills were ordered published; the zoning bill (25‑0335) will have a public hearing on May 19, 2025.
• The meeting adjourned at 4:16 PM.