Hey Denver, it's time for the weekly general session of your Denver City Council.

Tonight's coverage of Denver City Council starts now.

Thank you for taking the time to join us for the Denver City Council's meeting.

Today is Monday, August 18, 2025.

Tonight's meeting is being interpreted into Spanish.

Sam or Jasmine, would you please introduce yourself and let our viewers know how to enable translation on their devices?

Yes, of course.

Thank you for having us.

Hello, everyone.

My name is Sam Guzman.

With the CLC, and along with my colleague Jasmine, we will be interpreting today's meeting into Spanish.

Please allow me a quick minute to give instructions in Spanish on how to access interpretation.

Welcome to the Denver City Council meeting on Monday, August 18, 2025.

Councilmembers, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Council members, please join Councilmember Parity as they lead us in the Denver City Council land acknowledgement.

The Denver City Council honors and acknowledges that the land on which we reside is the traditional territory of the U Cheyenne and Arapahu peoples.

We also recognize the 48 contemporary tribal nations that are historically tied to the lands that make up the state of Colorado.

We honor elders, past, present, and future, and those who have stewarded this land throughout generations.

We also recognize the government, academic, and cultural institutions were founded upon and continue to enact exclusions and erasures of indigenous peoples.

May this acknowledgement demonstrate a commitment to working to dismantle ongoing legacies of oppression and inequities and recognize the current and future contributions of Indigenous communities in Denver.

Madam Secretary, roll call.

Council members Albitres.

Are there any corrections to the minutes of August 11th?

Seeing none.

Just want to give a heartfelt statement to the city employees who lost their jobs today.

So if we can all just offer each other a little grace during this time and offer each other a little space and offer each other some support.

And this will just be a time of transition for the city as we go through this together, and just want all the city workers to know I'm in solidarity with all of you, and I'm here however I can as council president in the future, and as we move through this time of transition, it is a loss for the city.

It's a loss for our residents.

For people I know in my family.

It doesn't feel great to be on this side getting phone calls or text messages.

And so, and for all of you city employees that I see sitting um in the chambers today, and you may have been having friends who are no longer next to you and your cubbies and no longer there for you.

Um we are in solidarity with you as well, and hopefully that you we can get through this, um, but it will be a time of adjustment.

Councilwoman Gonzalez Cutiades.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you for your words.

And sharing in that sentiment, I will just say there's not a really easy way for us as city council members to be able to talk to city employees, and sometimes unfortunately there is a little bit of a block there depending, and there are some employees that I think do reach out to us or we might know them, um, similar to what council president was saying.

If you've worked with the in the city, then you have people that you do know.

Um so there's not really an easy way to communicate directly with um our city employees.

And so I want to make sure that we're taking a moment um to address the layoffs taking place across the city this week, and it really does break my heart.

Having been a city employee myself, um, going through furloughs back in 2008, 2009, coming from a family of city workers for generations, and even recently, um, this really hurts.

Families are going to be hurt because of financial decisions of the city, and we cannot dance around the issue.

And so I'm still asking for the information, and I think that's something that we've heard from people on the dais here, we've heard from community members, is asking for transparency, and even though we have asked for the information and transparency about how we got here with the shortfall that we are facing, what contracts have been reconsidered, um, I cannot safely say that this is what these are the steps that needed to be taken direct hit to our city workforce.

I would have loved to partner with the administration and our department of finance to find some uh, you know, other creative solutions, find ways to mitigate employee impact if at all possible, and I do believe that that was at top of mind, but we were kept in the dark, and I will continue to ask questions.

I will continue to ask and advocate for more transparency.

I have been asking these questions despite not being part of this decision to cut our workforce, and I will continue to advocate and I'm here to be supportive to our city workers, and know that you can reach out to us if there are any needs, and I hope you all know that there are many different resources and supportive services, and I please uh I hope that you take advantage of anything that you absolutely need.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councilmember Gemmer.

Uh thank you, Council President, uh Sandoval.

Um, and thank you for my colleagues' words.

Um it is a really hard day um as an elected official, and especially um for those 171 uh city employees that were laid off because um unfortunately my husband, Scott Gilmore was one of those city employees laid off.

Um, and so, you know, 13 years of service to the city and county of Denver, that means that when he started serving, our youngest daughter was seven years old, and so she has grown up not only with her dad in service to the city and county of Denver, but she herself has been in the service to the city and county of Denver, and it is a sad day, and I would ask that people don't ever refer to this place, this building, these gross, gross racist chambers, these halls that we walk, as anybody's family, because it's not a family here, it's not a city family, it's not a council family, because you know what?

I have created in my life a family that is chosen and that is not toxic, and that is scared to speak back to power, to speak back, and the number of people on this dais that when the talk of furloughs of financial straits came up, a few folks, and you all know who you are because I know you know who you are, said.

Well, you know what, during ARPA, during the pandemic, we hired a lot of people, and so there's a lot of fluff in our city.

Well, you know what today, that fluff are human beings, and it's disturbing to hear fellow colleagues that we'll have to run again for these seats, share that with me.

And so my hearts and prayers and my strength, and yes, my rage, my rage, because as a woman in these positions, we all have to hold it together, and I will not let my voice falter.

I will not let it shake so much that you can't hear me, and that powerful men like to silence unruly, loud-mouthed, sassy women, and that is what I'm saying in these chambers today.

Because I have grown up with my whole life being told, don't say that, don't do that.

This city through the pandemic, the service, the service, my husband went to go pick up prisoners at the jail with plastic, duct taped around the back to go take somebody safe so they could respite care because they had COVID.

This is how this city family treats people.

It's a hundred and seventy-one people.

It is retaliation, it is ageism.

He is a 61-year-old man that only wanted to serve out the last four years of his time till he was 65, and because of his sassy loud-mouthed wife, he got let go.

Cool, cool.

I have always told anybody who runs for these positions, don't get it twisted.

Nobody hears your friend, nobody here, really at the end of the day, we'll stand out there and say, don't do that to those people, because that is wrong.

Couldn't find the way to keep a hundred and seventy-one people, because we have a 50 million and a 200 million dollar gap, I call BS on it.

But it's done, it's done.

But don't worry.

Because the truth will come out, more will come out, and I'm not concerned as much about my family as I'm concerned about the women of color who don't have another person in their household to take care of their kids or to go fill up the gas or or to help out with doctor's appointment.

They don't even have insurance now.

What's happening in Denver is reminiscent of what is happening across our nation.

And it's heartbreaking, and we will get through it.

And now the dog muscle is off of me.

Or Scott, go ahead.

Go ahead.

Game on.

Thank you, Council President.

Thank you.

Councilman Torres.

Thank you, Madam President.

I was in the city in the last actual recession in the mid-2000s.

I was a city employee in human rights and community partnerships for 18 years.

And it is heartbreaking to be with your team on Friday.

And they'll never they're not coming back on Monday.

So I just want to give my thanks to those individuals, 171 uh folks who uh gave incredible sacrifices to the city over the last several years.

Um have been working here for 20 years.

Um it isn't uh fair, it doesn't make sense, we don't have a lot of information.

Um, but I can only thank them because it is never easy to be um in the roles that we're all in throughout the city.

Sometimes you don't get thanked every day.

In fact, sometimes you get yelled at a lot.

Um, our city workers know that all too well, and um I just want to say thank you to all of them and to those who remain.

Um I can't imagine the stress that you've been going through, not knowing how many people it would be.

So um uh just my thanks um to you as well.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Councilmember Perity.

Yeah, so um on the same topic, um I'll just make the announcement that my office will be um co-hosting a couple of town halls for city employees, um, either people who have been laid off or who are still concerned about their jobs even after this week is done, um, it'll be just a know your rights session and then whatever resources we can gather, um, in um in conjunction with labor and some other outside groups.

We're hoping to have at least one attorney trainer there for the know your rights portion.

Um we did that for federal employees last February, um had strong turnout, and uh we'll do our best to sort of gather some of the same resources uh, including, for example, things like um for you know free coaching from a network of professional coaches, those kinds of things.

Um, none of that is a replacement for your job, but we'll see what we can gather up.

If anyone has resources, I would love to hear about that also, to the extent that there are um places specifically recruiting um city folks or job boards happening or conversational spaces.

I would love to know about that.

Um, and the best way for city employees to get the details, it should be, I believe we're gonna do this Thursday from 6 30 to 8 p.m.

via Zoom.

You'll be able to attend fully anonymously if that's your preference.

This Sunday from four to five thirty again via Zoom, fully anonymous.

Um, and if if you want that information, the best thing to do is probably just subscribe to my newsletter, or you can just reach out to my office, obviously, from your personal contact info.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next step, Temer Mario Campbell.

Thank you, Madam President.

Two things, one along the same lines.

I think as you've heard, today is a really hard day for a number of people, 171, but also for those city employees that are still showing up to work tomorrow.

And I just wanted to there have been requests for additional information that we don't currently have, but we'll be um looking for and hoping to have more uh more details as we go um down through this week.

I think uh when they're when you have people that you care about who have given so much to the city who are um not gonna be working for the city tomorrow.

Um I think it just it really um makes me I know that we are going to.

I'm thinking about how I want to say this.

For those that are concerned, um, you know, will will services still be provided tomorrow?

Will the trash be picked up?

Yes, but we will be losing um a lot of people who have given a lot to the city, um, who have contributed, who have made huge changes um in how we serve um our young people across the city, how we have served um our seniors, um, and uh just have been incredible partners.

I will leave it at that.

Uh I on a different note wanted to say thank you to uh all the community members who came out on Saturday for an event.

Um we had a number of booths and city employees that came and were interacting um and sharing information um with residents uh at Bible Park for a number of uh for hours.

We had the Colorado Symphony um through rain and some lightning, and they didn't leave, and it was it we ended up having the event, but I just wanted to say thank you again to all of those who came and thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councilmember Alvidres.

Thank you, Council President.

Um, I just want to echo the sadness that is expressed by my colleagues.

Um it is a very hard day walking into the office and watching people walk out with boxes all weekend.

I was thinking about what I would do if I would have been laid off today.

What would that be like as a single mother?

How would I provide for my family?

And I've had many friends that have been unemployed for long periods of time recently.

Um, and so I know 30 days is not enough time for someone to find another job, especially if they've been working in the organization like Parks and Wreck for 30 years.

Like that's not gonna be a very 13 years, it's not gonna be a very easy um job to fill or experience to capitalize after, and then I thought about who supports our moms.

Um, and I thought about the Office of Children's Affairs only to find out that they're gutted.

While we're trying to be a family-friendly city and get a UNICEF child's friendly city designation, we are slashing our Office of Children's Affairs.

Um, so I'm just deeply troubled and worried that this isn't about our values, that we should have waited for the budget conversation.

That's only a month away to really talk about these things.

Um just to the city workers, I'm sorry that we couldn't do more.

I'm sorry that city council didn't get a vote on this and that we didn't get our voices heard either.

Um, and we're here for you, whatever we can do.

Thank you, Councilwoman Parody, for having that town hall.

I like to support in any way that I can.

Um, and I don't know how we're going to move forward or what departments were cut.

There's still a lot of questions in the air.

So I want to express that.

And I also just wanted to share uh something totally separate, which should be something happy, but it is not uh a good day.

So it's hard to even uh share something positive, which is on Thursday, August 21st at 10 15 a.m.

We'll have the groundbreaking ceremony for the Joel Bridge, which will provide much needed connectivity in District 7.

So that will be at West Jewel and Cherokee Street Thursday, the 21st at 10 15 a.m.

Thank you, Council President.

Thank you, Councilmember Lewis.

Thank you.

I'll keep it brief because I've written about the layoffs and furloughs and my concern about this process in this administration administration's um process pretty extensively.

But I just wanted to thank the city employees for the work that you all have done, the partnership that you have had with my council office over um the last uh two years.

I deeply appreciate it, but also as a citizen of the city who benefits from the city services, the trash pickups, the recycle, um, you all making sure that there are potholes that are filled.

Um, I deeply um appreciate you all.

And in the same line as Councilmember Al Vegas, um, because our city needs to continue to run.

I do have announcements.

Tuesday, August 19th, which is tomorrow, they have the 17th and Monaco community meeting and the East Colfax block meeting.

August 23rd, we have our District 8 Town Hall from 11 to 1 p.m.

at the environmental learning for kids.

On Saturday, September 6th, we will have our office hours and our civic assemblies information meeting at our D8 office.

And then on Saturday, September 13th, we will have the Park Hill Park open house at the Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Watson.

Uh thank you, Council President.

Um as my colleagues shared, I mean, this is a difficult day for for all city employees, um, all of the electeds in in each of the um the capacities that we have that work with and rely on the knowledge and the strength of city employees to help us as we seek solutions um with community for issues impacting each of your families.

And I just wanted to take a moment to say to the 1710 folks who are who learn today and may be learning um throughout uh the next few days that they do not have um a job with the city.

I want to thank you so much for your dedication.

I want to thank you so much for your commitment uh to this city.

Uh this city runs because of you.

Um this city has been able to deliver um for our families and for small businesses because of your care, your thoughts, and your good work.

Um, this is not an easy time, and as many have stated, there's still so much more information that needs to come out.

Know that we will ensure that that information is clear, it's consistent, and that there's accountability for decisions made.

So uh hearts go out to you.

Um I do believe the uh town hall discussions on knowing your rights, understanding what opportunities you have for um uh job employment, um, I think is essential.

Um taking on um counseling and making sure that you are speaking with folks that love and care for you as well is essential as well.

And so um this is a tough time, but we absolutely thank you for your service uh to the city, and thank you for um being there for folks um who now your focus has to be there for your families, and as a city council member, I commit to working to find ways to make sure we continue to support you.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councilmember Cashman.

Yeah, thank you, Madam President.

I uh very, very, very difficult day.

Um, all of our city employees uh, and I'll use the word all go above and beyond at different times, um, past the hours they get paid for.

But since the name brought up today, Mr.

Gilmore, I met Scott and and Stacey.

Uh 25 years ago, 30 years ago.

I think was he working for wildlife at the time.

I was publishing the Washington Park newspaper, and uh there was a problem at Wash Park, the little duck pond by the fire station on the north edge, was not getting the uh aeration it needed, and fish were dying.

On a weekend, the Gilmores showed up with buckets and strainers, and we carried fish from the duck pond across the park road, dumped them into Smith Lake so that they could survive.

So, like I say, I mean that's one of Scott's stories.

I think you could probably take every one of the 171 city employees that lose their job and tell similar stories about them.

But uh, like I said, his name came up.

So I want to thank Scott for for his service and in uh and the same for all those who uh uh getting tough news this week.

Thank you, madam president.

Thank you.

Seeing no other colleagues in the queue, there are no presentations, there are no communications.

There's one proclamation being read this afternoon.

Council members Cashman, Perry Gonzalez Cutieres, please join me in reading proclamation 25 1205.

Proclamation 1205, 2025 Smart Week Proclamation, whereas guns are the number one killer of children and teens in the United States, and whereas Colorado Office of School Safety is committed to creating a safe environment, contributing to the safety and well-being of our children, and whereas almost every single day a child gets their hands on a gun and unintentionally kills or wounds themselves or someone else in the United States.

And whereas research shows that the most effective way to prevent children from accessing firearms is by making sure all guns are stored unloaded, locked, and separate from anumission and whereas there are steps we can all take, gun owners and non-gun owners alike, to make sure kids cannot access guns and put themselves and others in dangers and whereas more than half of gun owners don't lock all their guns securely, and an estimated 4.6 million children live in a home with at least one unlocked and loaded gun in the United States, and whereas where guns aren't properly stored, tragedy can strike, whether it's a child finding a firearm and wounding or killing themselves or someone else, or someone stealing it and using it to commit crimes in our community, and whereas protecting public safety in the communities it serves is the Colorado Office of School Safety's highest responsibility, and whereas schools, hospitals, state agencies, and community organizations are committed to their crucial role in reducing injuries and deaths by promoting secure gun storage and safety.

Whereas Smart Week raises awareness and promotes efforts to educate the public secure about secure gun storage, the state of Colorado commends Be Smart, a program developed by the Every Town for Gun Safety Support Fund, and all involved in their endeavor to keep communities safe.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Denver City Council section one that the Denver City Council declares August 25 through 29, 2025 to be smart week.

Section two, that the clerk and recorder of the city and county of Denver shall affix the seal of the city and county of Denver to this proclamation.

Thank you.

I move that proclamation 25-1205 be adopted.

It has been moved and seconded.

Comments by members of council.

Other colleagues, would you like to make any other comments, Councilmember Cashman?

Yeah, thank you, uh Madam President.

Um, as the proclamation says, whether you're a gun owner or or not a gun owner, uh we're we're all affected by those who handle their uh who do have firearms and handle them irresponsibly.

This is not a second amendment discussion.

This is a common sense discussion.

Um talking to uh our police chief.

Um so many of the crimes uh committed with firearms or commit committed with stolen firearms.

If you own a gun, don't leave it in your vehicle.

That's probably the most frequent place where uh uh thieves uh find available firearms.

So I I very much appreciate uh be smart bringing this to our attention so so we can raise uh the topic.

Uh you know, I was given uh a dozen uh gun locks by uh district three police department about five years ago, and uh would go month after month to my neighborhood meeting saying, Hey, if you need a gun lock, I got some gun locks.

I ended up giving them back to district three after a couple of years.

Folks didn't take the opportunity, so uh I would just uh beseech those who do uh have weapons, just make sure they're secure, please.

Thank you, madam president.

Thank you.

Councilmember parody.

Yeah, I just wanted to recognize that um we are offering this proclamation in support of this um state level office in every town because it's um you know something that they're pushing for this week for this recognition and awareness, and I think we may have neglected to invite and include our own um public health department, which also has um gun safety experts, including um uh gun violence as a public health issue, of course, um, as well as DPD as Councilmember Cashman mentioned, so I just wanted to um recognize their work as well.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councilmember Gonzalez Cutieres.

Thank you, Madam President.

I'll be very brief, um, but I did want to thank you, Councilman Cashman, for asking me to join you on this proclamation, um, you know, bringing awareness to this issue and um looking at it from a lens, it it is it is a public safety issue, but looking at it from a lens of like this is just very common sense, right?

Um you have something that um is a deadly weapon, then it should be treated as such, right?

Which means that we should make sure it's kept out of the hands of the people it's not supposed to be in the hands of.

Um, you know, having worked in the juvenile justice system for a few decades and having seen our young people gain access to guns, um, you know, by for the means of, you know, oftentimes for protection, right, because of of safety concerns that they're experiencing in their communities, but they're gaining that access because of people who are leaving their guns in, as we heard, in in unlocked um cars, in you know, unlocked spaces in homes and things to that effect.

And so um I'm right there with you, and and thank you so much.

And and thank um our folks here from B Smart for um your advocacy and awareness and making sure that people are aware of this issue.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Yeah, thank you to the other co-sponsors.

Um, I think education is behind this movement and saying that if you choose to have a gun, make sure it's locked up.

Make sure that it's out of the harm's way, and making sure um that you use exhaust every single resource to keep the other people safe around you.

So appreciate being part of the proclamation as well.

Madam Secretary, roll call, council members Albitades.

Flynn.

Aye.

Gilmore?

Aye, Gonzalez Gutierrez.

Hines?

Aye.

Cashman.

Aye.

Lewis?

Aye.

Parity.

Aye.

Premier Campbell.

Aye.

Sawyer.

Aye.

Thoras?

Aye.

Watson.

Aye.

Madam President Sandoval.

Aye.

Madam Secretary, close the voting and announce the results.

13 ayes.

Thirteen ayes.

Proclamation twelve zero five has been adopted.

We now have time for the proclamation acceptance.

Councilmember Cashman, who are we inviting up?

I'd like to invite up uh our friends from B Smart to who've joined us and uh please come to the podium.

And if you'd introduce yourselves and the floor is yours.

Yes, bring it down.

Hi, I am Krista Overly, the Denver B Smart Lead.

I'm Leslie O'Brien.

I am the Colorado State V Smart Lead.

Hello, I'm Sheila Wheeler.

I participate in the Denver B Smart team.

Have any comments you'd like to make?

Feel free.

Yes, thank you.

Thank you, Denver City Council members and staff for your support and leadership around secure firearm storage and for acknowledging B SMART Week during August 25th through 29th of 2025.

The SMART acronym stands for S, secure all guns in your home in vehicles, M.

Model Responsible Behavior around guns.

Ask about unsecured guns in other homes.

R.

Recognize the role of guns in suicide.

And T, tell others about and how to be smart.

Why is BSmart important?

Firearms are the leading cause of death for American children, ranking higher than both motor vehicle and cancer deaths.

Every year, 350 American children under the age of 18 gain access to a firearm and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else.

More than 700 children living in America die by a gun suicide every year, and secure storage can play a crucial role in preventing those deaths.

75% of school shooters acquired their firearm from the home of a parent or close relative.

According to a new study by researchers at the Colorado School of Public Health, nearly one-third of kids in Colorado say they could access a loaded firearm without adult permission.

We clearly have more work to do, but that is exactly why proclamations such as this are so important.

We are increasing awareness, which leads to the actions of securing guns and firearms, and that will save lives.org website if you wish to learn more.

Thank you again for this proclamation.

All right, thank you all.

Madam Secretary, please read the bills for introduction.

From the community planning and housing committee, 25-1071, a bill for an ordinance changing the zoning classification for 1717 East 39th Avenue in Cole.

25-1091, a bill for an ordinance changing the zoning classification for 4626 East Louisiana Avenue in Virginia Village.

From the Health and Safety Committee, 25-1106, a bill for an ordinance approving a proposed third amendatory intergovernmental agreement between the city and county of Denver and Colorado Department of Human Services to provide continued access to Equifax Verification Services, EBS, through the state's the work number agreement for employment verification services and 25-117, a bill for an ordinance amending Article 18 of chapter 2 of the code.

Council members, this is your last opportunity to call out an item.

Councilmember Parity, will you make the motions for us this evening?

Yes, I will, Madam Proten.

Now I will do a recap.

Under resolutions, Councilmember Lewis has called out council resolution 25-1082 for comments and council resolution 25-1095 for questions.

Councilmember Sawyer has called out Council Resolution 25, 11 13 for a vote.

Councilmember Alvidres has called out Council Resolution 25-1126 for questions, comments, and a vote.

Under bills for introduction, Councilmember Lewis has called out Council bill 25 1106 for questions.

Under bills for final consideration, Councilmember Torres has count has called out council bill 2509 20 for a vote under pending no items have been called out of secretary please put the first item on our screens council resolution 25-1082 a resolution approving a proposed amendatory loan agreement between the city and county of Denver and Kappa Towers to LLP to allow for the partial release of the vacant parcel for the content contemplation of the future development as planned in council district eight.

Council okay thank you council member Lewis please go ahead with your comments on council resolution 1082 I actually had a few questions but it doesn't look like um representatives from Kappa from the Cappos or from the property management company are sitting in the chambers and I had a meeting with them yesterday they assured me they'd be here in person no I don't see anyone is there anyone online Tim that has their hand up is there anyone online um associated with the Kappa Tower Al LP if you are please raise your hand seeing none council member Lewis what would you like to do phone a friend to see procedurally what you what you want to do?

Yeah because I don't want to postpone it necessarily but if they're not here to answer questions kind of makes it difficult to can we hi Angela Casias Mayor's office we can if you guys want to put put this at the bottom of the queue I can try and see if we can get someone on the line okay cool thank you.

Can we bring this back up council um secretary?

I believe we can motion to take it out of order.

Okay.

Can you put that in the teams for me that motion?

Because then we we have to vote on that motion correct yeah that's what I thought I moved to take it out of order hold on one second she'll put it in teams for us the exact language okay move to delay the next session is probably on the floor.

Thank you madam secretary Jonathan Griffin deputy legislative council while this is going on we can just move to the next item and then the motion to take it out of order will occur at the end of the call outside so we can just move on.

Okay madam secretary please put the next item on our screens council resolution 1095 a resolution approving a proposed amendment to a master purchase order between the city and county of Denver Vance Brothers LLC to increase funds for track oil used at the Denver asphalt plant citywide councilmember Lewis please go ahead with your questions on council resolution 1095.

Okay thank you so much so this is a contract for track oil for the use and the divert as belt plant and I don't actually have an issue with the contract itself but I had a question about similar contracts um for goods does the city have a way of tracking contracts for goods to city departments that may have been impacted by the layoffs because I would hate for the city to be spending funds on things that cannot be installed or use or implemented because they are not positions in place that no longer exists is that you is there anyone from Dotti who could answer the question I believe this is with Dottie cool.

Good afternoon.

Thank you, Madam president, members of council.

I would actually defer this as a general services contract.

I think it's probably, of course, we have our own methods of tracking, and we'll be tracking all of those things throughout this this layoff process on here, but I would defer.

I don't want to speak for general services on this item.

Is there go ahead?

Is the process for general services the same as what your department would be doing?

Because I think I'm just interested generally in if there's any tracking in general for us to be able to figure out how the furloughs and the layoffs impact services.

Absolutely, in the contract system that we have, of course, it has staff assigned to that.

Part of this process will be going after the process, the layoff process is complete, making sure that all of those projects, programs, all of those things, of course, that are expected to still move forward are still moving forward and staffed appropriately.

I would assume that General Services that I know they use the same contract um uh tracking processes that we do on there, but I could only speak for Dottie, of course.

Okay, thank you.

I think Carolina might have something to add.

Very similar to what Nick shared.

Hi, Carolina Flores, Department of Finance.

Um, each agency manages their own work plans and they'll work with general services to procure goods.

So whenever they're procuring goods, it's in line with their work plans.

Okay, thank you.

Anything else, Councilmember?

No, thank you.

All right, Madam Secretary, please put the next item on our screens.

Council resolution 1113, a resolution granting a revocable permit to RB Sherry Creek LLC to encroach into the right of way at 245 North Columbine Street.

Council Member Parity, will you please put council resolution 1113 on the floor for adoption?

I move that council resolution 25113 be adopted.

It's been hold on the systems catching up, it's been moved and seconded.

Comments by members of council.

Councilmember Sawyer.

Thanks, Madam President.

I called this out to vote against it.

This is a tier three encroachment, and so for those of you watching at home, um, the city charter sets up uh three tiers of encroachments into city owned right of way.

Um the first two tiers go directly to our Department of Transportation and Infrastructure or Community Planning and Development to determine um permitting for those tier three encroachments are the really big ones, and those are the ones that come before and are voted on by council.

So that's what this is doing in front of us today.

Um, this is a tier three encroachment request for the land in front of the quality Italian restaurant between 2nd and 3rd Avenue on Columbine in Cherry Creek.

And um, for those of you council members who had an opportunity to check your email today, you received an email from the neighborhood association, the Cherry Creek North Neighborhood Association, which represents this area.

It had a number of things in it, was pretty big packet.

Um they're pretty thorough, which I very much appreciate.

Um it had a number of things in it, including almost 300 signatures from residents who live in the Cherry Creek Business Improvement District area.

Now that is a huge number, especially given that there are only about 700 residences total inside the Cherry Creek bid area.

So we're talking about, I'm not gonna do math on the fly here, but we're gonna say more than a third of the residents in this area are extremely concerned about this tier three encroachment and extremely against it.

And I don't blame them because this was um formerly the this is the second time that this request has come through.

The first time was during COVID, and during COVID, um, we allowed as a city restaurants to put up um outdoor patios across the city in order to make sure that we had um for you know open air spaces for people to be able to access our restaurants um to help support our restaurants and keep our restaurants in business and also to keep people safe, right?

To find that balance.

Um and that was a really good um opportunity to do that in front of the quality Italian, and so they did.

Um the problem came when they didn't take it down, and they didn't take it down for 532 days after they were told by Dottie to take it down.

And there are some pretty specific reasons why, which I won't go into.

Um, but uh suffice to say um that both the both council offices, because this happened in 2023.

So this was the time when the neighborhood of Cherry Creek was moving from the District 10 office to the District 5 office in redistricting.

So it switched over in July of 2023.

So in 2023, this issue was the number one constituent service issue for both the District 10 and the District 5 offices.

And remember, we each both represented them for only six months of the year.

So imagine the volume of complaints and concern that went on during this time.

Cars were running into it, people were running into it.

It was wild.

Both council offices had to spend 532 days receiving complaints and questions from our communities about why this had happened.

His order was directly undermined by a Dotty supervisor in allowing that structure to stay for an additional 532 days.

The neighborhood organization reached out over and over and over and over again.

They were undermined by not having this taken down for 532 days.

So I say all of this to say when I say that the community is angry, they have every right to be angry about this.

So you will see that reflected in the packets that you received in your email from them.

I will also say that I will be voting no tonight to represent my constituents who want me to vote no on this tonight, and they have very good reasons for that.

But also because this is a community safety issue.

So if any of you have had an opportunity to drive up and down Columbine, good luck with that.

It's incredibly dangerous.

We are talking about the area in front of the Halcyon Hotel, right, between second and third on Columbine.

This is the area where the valet parking for the Halcyon Hotel exists.

And for those of you who spend any time in Cherry Creek, we have a lot of sports teams and a lot of bands that come to Cherry Creek and they pull up in their giant buses right there in front of the Halcyon Hotel, where the application for this right-of-way encroachment will sit.

So while this one, to be fair, is smaller and removable, unlike the one that was there in 2020, 21, 22, 23, and into 24.

So this one's a little bit better, it is still a community safety issue.

This is the only space in all of Cherry Creek where on the west side of the street you have a valet and parallel parking, and on the right-hand side of the street, on the east side of the street, you have diagonal parking spaces.

So these diagonal parkers are backing up into this patio.

It has happened over and over and over again.

To allow this patio to exist in this space is flat out a community safety issue, and it's not something that my community wants, and it's not something that I can support.

I think it is incredibly important that we support our small businesses by allowing for these tier three encroachments for these patios to exist in places where they're appropriate, but they are not appropriate everywhere, and this is clearly one of the places where they are not appropriate.

And so I will be a no tonight and I will ask fellow council members to consider being no tonight as well.

It is what the community wants, and it is our job to make sure that we are ensuring a safe community, and this is not it.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Heinz.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, as the District 10 representative who represented Cherry Creek from 2019 to 2023, um, I uh want to support uh Councilmember Sawyer in um uh in opposing this.

I'll be also voting no tonight.

Um I did uh chat with the uh quality Italian folks because I did not represent them as of July 2023.

So I wanted to uh make sure that there was a um a path for me to vote yes, and that was I wanted to get a letter of support from the neighborhood organization, uh the Cherry Creek North Neighbors.

Um they have submitted a letter of opposition.

So um that is uh that is something that I shared with Quality Italian um at the time uh when they were asking for my uh yes vote, and uh so I just want to share that um I recognize that I don't represent the people of Cheery Creek now, and so maybe my information was dated, but uh or uh out of date, um but uh it appears that my information is just as current as uh as as can be.

Um we did get some emails in uh and one thing just kind of um uh is is worth um reciting.

I know that we had some letters in support of Quality Italian saying that the structure could be fully removed in 24 hours, um, the more than 500 days that it was not removed, despite my interest in uh representing the people of Cherry Creek um back in 2020 through 2023 um suggests that um that it could be removed within 24 hours um or it could remain for um for more than 500 days.

So uh I um I think the Quality Italian for giving us the opportunity to vote on this.

I I also will be voting no, and I thank Councilmember Sawyer for uh representing the people of Cherry Creek.

Thank you, Councilmember Cashman.

Yeah, thank you, Madam President.

Is there anyone from Quality Italian here?

Their representative is in the back with his hand up if you want to come up and introduce yourself for the record.

Josh Hampling representing Kawhi Italian, my apologies.

The general manager of the plan vacation was family, and based on the potential outcome this evening, he chose not to cancel his vacation.

Um they were told my understanding from my colleague is the business was told to close their patio and chose not to for an extended period of time.

Is that true, Josh?

I don't remember the term or the the exact term, but there was some problems with the patio, and we resolved those problems, and we're allowed to keep the patio.

Um, thank you.

Uh Dottie.

Uh like Dottie's version of things.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councilman.

Yet just want to clarify here, went back and actually went back to some emails from 24 and previous.

I think what we're seeing with uh the 500 days is um the at the time, and councilman you referenced the uh the out, well, whatever the name was out there, outdoor patio program at the time, and that was a below curb permit that we developed in response to COVID uh at that time.

As we got out of COVID, uh there was first a move for Dotti to develop a new permanent program.

The original one was always intended to be a pilot on there, and then to develop a permanent one.

That permanent one was then ultimately done in conjunction with CPD.

So it was both below curb, Dotti's domain, and above curb, primarily CPD's domain on there.

That you will not be shocked to learn, uh, took longer than we expected that process.

During that process, we did not revoke anyone's permits, anyone's permits.

This was not unique to Quality Italian.

And I think the the interaction, this was I think with between our previous legislative affairs person, the councilwoman, and it was a request to remove this.

That person then talked to our chief operating officer at the time who decided no.

If we're not going to revoke this one, we're not going to revoke any of the other ones.

So that was why the delay was.

So, yes, it certainly took us longer than we expected, considerably longer than we expected, but I really don't want it to seem like either our permit reviewers, our staff was making individual decisions based on anything other than um what was out there.

Also, during that time period, we did send an inspector out.

There were adjustments made to make it safer.

I do know there's incidents on that, cannot comment on on the why that happened, but but just want to be very clear about what happened in that 500 days.

So we did not tell them to shut down their patio.

We didn't tell anyone to shut down their patio.

And then in April of 2024, we did, and we issued a notice of removal on that.

They did comply in April of that.

At that point, they were told you can now apply for the open spaces program, which is what brings us to today.

Okay.

What's what's the reality of how many times did buses run into it?

Did cars run into it?

I don't have those specific statistics.

We made sure that it was up to our current standards at that time for an encroachment of that standpoint, did not go beyond that.

And that's really what this team does.

We honestly, whether it passes or fails, that makes no difference to us, but I just want to be very clear that there was no inconsistent process for quality Italian that wasn't afforded just by a delay of that regulatory development to other.

And how much size-wise, how much smaller is what is being proposed now compared to what was there?

It is so that should be in your your packet on there, and that's my way of saying I don't know exactly the dimensional differences uh on there.

But what was from Dottie's perspective, what they see here is something that complies with what is now the open spaces program, and that's a thumbs up, thumbs down uh process.

We've worked with I know I know a number of your offices on these types of things, and really that is where that department or that division of Dotti, that is their engagement on this.

It is not as long as it meets those requirements, goes through the view process, it then will move forward to you all for approval or denial.

So just as a matter of uh process is Dottie comfort, I mean, uh councilwoman makes some good points.

I mean, it's a very busy thoroughfare, buses, so on and so forth.

Is Dotti comfortable it's safe for the community for this newly sized uh patio to be there?

So by this uh permit making it to you all into full council.

What we are saying is this complies with our standards for safety and mobility.

Of course, then it is entirely your prerogative whether to approve or deny based on those outside factors.

But yes, to answer your question directly, we are comfortable.

I understand it fits some guidelines for patios in the street, but what I'm asking is has Dotti looked at this and said, yeah, it fits our general guidelines, but we've got these buses, we've got this diagonal parking.

We still think it's it it's it's we're comfortable it's safe.

Yes, sorry.

To clarify, I would say yes, we are comfortable based on the transportation impacts as it relates to safety and mobility.

Thank you.

Thank you, madam president.

Thank you.

Councilmember Perity.

Yeah, don't sit down yet, Nick.

Um, just to follow up on that a little bit, what council member Cashman was asking.

Um, could you explain a little bit more what the um safety and mobility standards are for a below curb patio?

It it really takes into account basically what we've talked about.

Basically, how can traffic move?

Can traffic move safely, can vehicles move safely without backing into things.

Certainly, as we all know, that doesn't guarantee those things aren't going to happen.

Um specific standards I would have to defer to our traffic engineers that are the ones that review this on there, but those are the type of factors that they look into.

Again, we're not I under I don't denigrate or or or discount the actual experiences that folks have had out there uh on here, but really with this process, we're trying to be as consistent on a citywide basis as possible, hence we apply these standards around safety and mobility uh on there, and we found this this one met those standards.

Okay, and just I guess part of what I want to be clear about for people watching is that it was the road traffic engineers that went and this is part of this process.

Okay, and I have pulled up the um the outdoor spaces program um and the standards, which yeah, anyway.

Um, um I will also ask a little bit differently than Councilmember Cashman.

I'm guessing you you still may not have this info.

Do you have any knowledge of just the um rate of any accidents on that block?

It's not in the higher injury network, which you wouldn't really expect because it's not a, you know, like a main corridor, but I'm just curious um if it has a record of any accidents, you know, where people were injured.

I do not have that specific information, but I'd certainly be happy to get it to everyone.

Again, I'm not discounting what folks have observed or seen uh on there, but I'm certainly happy to get that information.

Okay.

Um I think those are my questions.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Councilmember Heights.

Thank you, Madam President.

Uh uh Councilmember Cashman.

Um I think everyone bel uh would agree or has agreed that there was at least one point of time when the patio is out of compliance with the outdoor spaces program.

Um, how far or narrow that time is uh might be up for discussion, but um uh I would also say that I reached out to Quality Italian um because I was representing my community, and my initial response was from an attorney.

Uh, as an officer of the city, I um am not gonna engage pro se uh with uh with quality Italian's council, and so um that uh confounded my ability to represent my constituents.

I I'm just talking to you because you happen to be at the diet.

I'm not yes um so uh sorry, this isn't a question for you.

So um uh I I want to make sure that we can have construction uh constructive dialogue with stakeholders and um I I just feel uncomfortable uh saying that this um uh this tier three encroachment will be for the best interest of the people of Cherry Creek or of Denver, and uh and I'm also concerned that we may not have a um a robust and honest dialogue um should there be issues that uh that arise.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

See no other colleagues Councilmember Lewis, go ahead.

I just had a quick question because I became aware earlier today um that in addition to the letter that was circulated to Council members.

There was also a poll that um occurred over the weekend, and I wondered if you could speak to that, Josh.

Uh thank you, Councilman Josh Hampling, representing quite Italian.

Um we found out on Thursday night at 8 45 p.m.

that the neighborhood association sent it on mailing for 24 hours that was open to their members, um, which obviously showed those 250 plus negatives.

So we uh had a Facebook poll done.

Granted, it was not targeted for just Cherry Creek North because we can't do that, but it was a radius close to it, and we had over 100 people that were in full support of this.

So if we had more time, I can play this game too.

Okay, thank you.

That was Councilmember Alvidres.

Um, thank you so much.

I think your mic is off.

Thank you.

Um I did have a couple of questions.

Uh one being um, and this is for Josh.

Obviously, we had layoffs today, so thinking about sales tax revenue, I'm curious if they have an approximation of how much money they would lose not having the patio.

Um it's been a long time.

Sorry, Josh Hampling again, Representative.

Thank you, Councilman.

So you don't have to do that.

Yeah, we're good, okay.

Thank you.

Uh thank you, Councilman.

Um, the last time, and I I don't recall, but it was about a hundred thousand dollars a month that that patio generates in revenue.

So I mean you can picture the number of jobs and wage staff and other people that is, and I can't calculate the taxes off of that.

Uh thank you.

And then I was looking at at Google Maps, and I'm not sure if this is an accurate picture of the current patio, but there's cars, a tree lawn, and then a sidewalk, and then the patio.

Is that still the order of things?

So there's no patio on the curb below the curb today.

What you're looking at, there's a small patio in front of Quality Italian that's right up against the building, then you have in Cherry Creek pretty much everywhere, you have sidewalk, then landscaping, then a few feet of brick where the parking meters are, and then the patio.

And the patio would be on the street and on that brick uh portion.

Okay, so it's not in this motor, okay.

And that that's all I have for you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um, I'm curious if anyone from the RNO is here.

Councilmember Sawyer, do you see anyone from the neighborhood?

Yeah, I believe that they're online um to answer questions.

But I do you have their name?

Uh Lou Raiders.

Lou Lou Raiders.

Yeah, she should.

Lou, raise your hand, please.

Thank you.

Thanks.

And then Council Member Abbey that I said still you when to get Lou through the system.

Okay, great.

Give me one second.

Lou, can you hear us?

Yeah, I think I can hear you now.

Okay.

Can you hear me again, please?

Yep, we sure can.

Councilwoman.

Councilmember Alvidas.

Go ahead.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Lou, for making time to be here.

I know it's not easy, and it is the work day still.

But I'm curious just to hear from you firsthand of like your experience with this and why the RO has decided not to support this.

This has as councilwoman uh Sawyer and Councilman Hines have pointed out.

One of the largest problems I think we've seen in the neighborhood.

I'm immediate past president and chair of the Cherry Creek Steering Committee, and I also chair the zoning committee for Cherry Creek North.

This block is the only one that has the kinds of issues that have created, you know, the opposition uproar that you're seeing from residents.

There is only one point of access for all of those condominiums for their parking structure.

Right now, and you have this compounded by the reconstruction of the um of the property that is just south of second in Columbine, but there is only one access point that they can get to their garage.

When this backs up and it backs up often, they can't even reach their garage.

It also is interesting that when people come out of angled parking, they seem to walk to the other side very directly as opposed to going to the corners to cross.

So you have people crossing, you also have a post office there.

People drive up constantly looking for a quick place to park so they can bring their packages in.

Then you have Bromwell School whose uh parental pickup is right at third and columbine.

So all these cars back up while parents come to pick up their children.

The confluence of these issues creates a tremendous burden on the street.

Now I will also say that people in Cherry Creek North during COVID, through our organization, sent out flyers to support our restaurants.

We bought gift certificates.

We've um always been incredibly supportive of the symbiotic relationship that the residents have with those restaurants.

And personally, we love quality Italian.

These are great operators, but this is not the street.

I also sat on the committee that uh looked over these rules and regulations for the new below curve patio and outdoor patio structures and pointed out several things that were that were problematic.

Some of these uh check the box.

These are subjective conclusions that are being made.

And unless you really spend time in this area, I happen to live on fourth and clayton, so just a block away from this, and the congestion at that intersection of third and columbine, where this is just immediately south of there, is a tremendous buildup.

So I I do want to say that we have been incredibly open to supporting our businesses.

We um we we don't want to say that quality Italian has been a bad neighbor.

Uh they certainly have not, but this patio in this location is not right.

And somebody is gonna get hit by a car, or you're going to have people so frustrated, you hear horns honking constantly because people can't get by to access the only way that they can get to their parking structure.

So I I respect Dottie, and I I don't know how they're looking at this because it is difficult.

Uh Councilwoman Perry, I know you pulled up the rules and regulations, but there are subjective elements on this, and it is not a by the count, how many traffic issues are there.

It this is a new program, and this is just not the right location for them to include this in a way that will uh put this neighborhood again the the residents, the visitors at risk.

So I I'm happy to answer any specific questions, but we've studied this for a long, long time, and uh participated with many of you on different issues in the city.

This is just a wrong conclusion that this is the right place for this structure.

So thank you.

Thank you so much.

That's all I had, Council President.

Thank you, Councilmember Parity.

Yeah, sorry to get back in queue, but realizing that Lou is available.

I want to ask her a question as well, and I'll give a second for her to be come back up.

Um my question, I guess is the same for um for you, Lou, as the um is a board member of the neighborhood association, which is whether you can give us a sense of whether there have been any injuries on this street.

I don't know about physical injuries.

I will tell you that I don't know who it is, but somebody said they had scraped part of that when they went by with their car.

That is, you know, this uh I'm I'm a former lawyer, I'm not gonna say that's proper evidence.

But when people complain to you, they just complain about these issues.

So uh councilwoman, I don't know of any specifics.

I know that myself when I go to events at the Halcyon, I cross straight across that street.

Why?

Because that's where the door is to the Starbucks.

So it is um it's a it's a very difficult block, but um I'm sorry, I don't have any really specific information for you.

No, that's okay.

I just thought it was a king.

Um but not that anyone is required to have come here with that.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

See no other colleagues in the queue.

Uh hold on just one second.

Adam Secretary will call on council resolution 1113.

Council members Albitres.

Aye, Flynn, aye.

Gilmore.

Nay.

Gonzalez Gutierrez.

Nay.

Heinz?

No.

Cashman.

Lewis.

Aye.

Parity.

Aye.

Romero Campbell.

Nay.

Sawyer.

No.

Toris?

Nay.

Watson?

Nay.

Madam President Sandoval.

Nay.

Madam Secretary, close the voting and announce the results.

10.

10 nays.

Sorry.

Three eyes.

10 nays.

Council resolution 1113 has failed.

Madam Secretary, please put the next item on our screens.

Council resolution 1126, a resolution declaring the intent of the city and county of Denver to use its best efforts to issue housing revenue bonds or mortgage credit certificates to provide financing of residential facilities for low and middle income families or persons.

Prescribing certain terms and conditions of such bonds and certificates and containing other provisions relating to the proposed issuance of such bonds and certificates.

Councilmember Parity, will you please put council resolution 1126 on the floor for adoption?

I move that council resolution 25-1126 be adopted.

It has been moved and seconded.

Comments by members of council.

Councilmember Alvidres.

Thank you, Council President.

I did have a couple of questions left, and thank you so much to host for talking to me about this earlier.

Is anyone from host here?

There is Derek Woodbury online as well.

Adam I know that Derek has had his hand up, so I don't know if maybe to let you all know the capital.

Okay, okay, perfect.

That's what I was wondering.

Okay, if you just introduce yourself.

It's Adam Lyons, Deputy Director of Housing Opportunity for host.

Thank you so much, Adam, for being here.

Um I did have a couple of questions.

One was I'm just curious if these funds that I've rolled over can be used for um uh voucher program that's tied to developments in the future.

Yeah, so these are really their product activity bonds, they're not actually a direct cash subsidy.

So there are a variety of uses that can be done with them, most traditionally affordable housing development, and even so uh tied with the 4% low-income housing tax credit program.

So uh there's a rule under the tax code that uh some percentage it was 50%, now it's down to 25% for future years, that the private activity bonds have to finance that percentage of the eligible project costs.

So it couldn't be something that the city could actually use as a cap subsidy for things like vouchers, they would have to go to a private entity for a private development with a public purpose.

Okay, great.

And then um once these funds are allocated to city council vote on these.

They do.

There's a couple different actions that city council will take.

First is an inducement resolution.

That's basically our commitment to formal commitment of the bonds, and then a few months following that when the project's ready to close and uh break ground, there would be another action by council for the full kind of uh bond regulatory agreement and other agreements tied to the bonds.

Okay, and is it normal for us to have these leftover funds for housing in this way?

They are just the way that the projects naturally uh kind of their timelines are set.

That, you know, we are in the practice at host of forward committing bonds, and we just went through a process now where we were forward allocating 2026 private activity bonds so that the projects can put their full capital stack together.

Like I mentioned, that it's the required uh to go after the 4% low income housing tax credit.

So by having a commitment or a pre-reservation of bonds, projects could apply for tax credits with the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority now or early next year, um, knowing that they have a commitment of bonds from the city so they can get that award from CHAFA.

Great.

Thank you so much.

That's all I had.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council President.

That's all the questions I had.

Thank you.

Madam Secretary, we'll call on Council Resolution 1126.

Council members Albitres.

Aye.

Flynn.

All right.

Gilmore.

Aye.

Gonzalez Gutierrez.

Aye.

Hines?

Aye.

Cashman.

Aye.

Lewis.

Aye.

Parity?

Aye.

Romero Campbell.

Aye.

Sawyer.

Aye.

Torres?

Aye.

Watson.

Aye.

Madam President Sandoval.

Aye.

Madam Secretary, close the voting announcement results.

13 ayes.

13 ayes.

Council resolution 1126 has been adopted.

Madam Secretary, put the next item on our screens.

Council Bill 1106, a bill for an ordinance approving a third amendment amendatory.

Let me start over.

A bill for an ordinance approving a proposed third amendatory intergovernmental agreement between the city and county of Denver and Colorado Department of Human Services to provide continue access to equifax verification services through the states the quote the work number agreement in quote for employment verification verification services.

Councilmember Lewis, please go ahead with your questions on Council Bill 1106.

Thank you.

Um I wanted to know how hey Will.

I wanted to know how this contract contract works.

Um from the file materials, it looks like the city contracts with the third party who provide the lookup request to the agency.

Is that thank you for the question?

Will Finn Denver Human Services?

So we contract with the Colorado Department of Human Services to utilize their contract with the third party for employment and income verification.

So is the price of this contract determined by the number of employees who may use it in Denver?

Uh it I think there's a few factors, but it's it's mostly how much we use the online base tool to for income and employment-based verification.

Was it say that again?

Yeah, so it's it depends on how much we use the program, which is a lot, which is why it's such a high number.

Okay.

Maybe I'm confused about how it's used.

So maybe talk me through that, and then I might understand the answer to the question that you have.

Of course.

Yes, and forgive me, I'm not quite a subject matter expert on this programming, but there's two main functions that we use.

So there's batch functions where we we send a batch of folks where we need to verify their employment and their income.

Okay, or kind of um if we need to use an online tool for that's not part of the batch, but just to use like some one-offs, we can do that as well.

And so based on the amount of orders essentially, or um folks whose information we're to verify uh dictates part of the the the price that we pay.

So do you anticipate that there will be any impacts to the amount that you all use with the recent announcements of the layoffs?

No.

Why not?

Do we anticipate based on the from the recent layoffs?

No, that would change the amount of usage.

No, we do not.

Okay.

And then the last question I have for you is this contract is paid out through the state settlement agreement?

I noticed that too.

That's just referring to the reconciliation process whereby they the state is billed and then they build the individual counties since many counties use this service through the state.

Okay, thank you.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Uh Madam Secretary.

Um see.

So do we have time for the other bill that was called out by Councilmember Lewis out of order?

I don't see that in the script.

Am I missing something?

Just one moment.

I can move it back up.

Councilmember Lewis, we have like four minutes.

Do you want me?

Do you think you'll be able to do it, or do you want me to come back after?

I'll come back after.

You want to come back after?

Okay.

All right.

Okay.

So let me go.

All right.

Um we have.

All right.

We have general public comment beginning at 5 p.m.

We will continue the consideration of unfinished business at the 5 30 session once general public comment has finished.

Tonight there will be a required public hearing on Council Bill 250948, changing the zoning classification for 8015 Street in the central business district, and a required public hearing on Council Bill 0628 concerning recycling and organic material diversion and in connection there within repealing and reacting Article 10, Chapter 48, adding a new Article 11, Chapter 48, and adding a new Article 15, Chapter 10, and amending Article 1, Chapter 24 of the code.

But this sort of obsession with black violence does not come from black people.

And so for me, as an artist, as a black artist specifically, one of the most important things is to communicate the humanity of black people.

And if you read my dearfield story, uh the part of the reason that I centered it on the relationship between a father and son, is because one, I wanted to homage what my father has contributed to my life, but more importantly, I wanted to show black vulnerability and black humanity.

So that's the number one message for me.

Thank you for that question.

Okay, guys, uh, I think we're pretty much at our time.

Uh, can you give Amanda and Bob another round of applause?

And Alan.

All right.

Thank you guys.

And also, you did a great job cheering.

I'm proud of you all.

I'm proud of every one of you.

I hope you all come to Brackdom.

You're coming to Blackton with me.

Are we past tipping points?

That is a very big question.

Because what I see is that humanity, especially right now, we have been very bad at living within our means.

I think that question really depends on people.

It doesn't really depend on how much water there is or isn't in Colorado.

Growth is gonna continue in the West.

So water for municipal use is much more valuable than water for agricultural use.

I think that's why you're saying a lot of buy and dry, where they're buying up farms and moving that water to the city.

You can support much more humans on an acre foot of water than you can agriculture.

So there's a lot of pressure on agriculture to change and to move.

There's a lot of pressure just in terms of people wanting those resources, both the land and the water for a different purpose.

We in this community of Denver need to understand that we've been drying up farms that produce food and fuel to sustain our life so we can plant bluegrass.

Because bluegrass uses about the same amount of water as crops.

If you came from outer space and saw a society doing that, you'd say these people are stark raving mad.

When I thought to myself as a young person, what is the most important job that there is?

Farming was the first thing I came to because I'm like, you're growing food and you're growing products for people to use.

But that conversation that I had within myself is not something that we're having on a national level.

Farmers are having to rationalize why they're important.

We're all in competition.

So the problems of meeting everyone's demand and of having a quality of life that continues, creating a place where people want to live and where we have agriculture, where we have strong and healthy streams, where we have thriving communities.

Those problems are complex and complicated.

Council will now convene from our early session.

Madam Secretary, please put the next item on our screens.

Council resolution 1082, a resolution of approving a proposed mandatory loan agreement between the Sydney and County of Denver and Kappa Tower 2 L L L P to allow for the partial release of the vacant parcel for the contemplation of the future development as planned in Council District 8.

Councilmember Lewis, what would you like to do with Council Resolution 1082?

Thank you, Madam President.

I would like to take Council Bill 251082 out of order, delaying consideration of the item until after the rest of the call-outs this afternoon.

Thank you, Madam Secretary.

The motion to consider resolution 1082 out of order.

Aye.

Heinz?

Hi.

Cashman.

Aye.

Lewis.

Aye.

Parity.

Aye.

Romero Campbell.

Aye.

Torres?

Watson.

Aye.

Madam President Sandoval.

I'm Secretary.

Close the voting.

13 ayes.

The motion to consider resolution 1082 out of order has passed.

Councilmember Lewis, please go ahead with your questions on Council Resolution 1082.

And I do believe Derek Woodbury is here on virtual to help answer questions.

And then producer is there in person named Larry Williams.

That's another name I got offered.

No.

Okay.

Can you offer?

Can you promote Derek?

And then Councilmember, go ahead.

Thank you.

So I had the opportunity to have a number of conversations with community members at Kappa Towers 2.

And this is being proposed as Capital Towers 3, which would be right next door to Capital Towers 2.

And there were a number of concerns that were expressed by the residents, and which this Sunday we had the opportunity to meet.

And there were some assurances and commitments by both Kappa as well as the property managers to the residents at Kappa Towers 2.

And I just wanted to make sure we had those on record before we move this forward because there were concerns that were addressed that the property managers committed to, and I think Mr.

Williams can speak to those.

Can you please raise your hand?

So that we can thank you, Tim.

Can you accept the promotion?

Yeah, they're coming.

Okay, thank you.

Can you hear me?

Yeah.

Yes, my name is Larry Ward.

I am the chairman of the border of Denver House.

Uh yes, I we had a meeting with uh council and lewis and the property.

And Larry, you're breaking up.

I understand.

Trying to get a big better volume.

I think you have two devices connected.

If you can just connect to one device, okay.

Yeah, you have some feedback, so you just have to connect with one device, either your computer or your phone, please.

So you have oh oh, sorry.

Can you hear me now?

Yes, that's better.

Thank you.

Go ahead, councilwoman Lewis.

Okay, uh, the uh property manager agreed.

Wait, why is this volume?

The property manager agreed that it would provide some filters for the property.

Uh it was also discussed about the fence that was an issue, and uh we provide information to councilwoman Lewis that the homeowners association, uh would not permit uh increase in the fence size, and that that I was taken off basically the table.

The second issue was regarding uh the payment system, the new rent payment system, and I we show that the uh management company, the uh coordinator uh would help and assist the tenants with any issues, so the two issues that we believe was holding this project up has been uh satisfied.

Um can you speak, Mr.

Williams?

Can you see the issue around the gates and the fences?

Because the process is that they could ask for a variance, but you have had conversations with the MCA as well as with the property managers regarding two aspects.

One the variance um with the HOA, and then the second is that you all even if you could provide the variance that you don't actually have the money to put in a gate at this property.

Okay, we spoke with Jack Stewart of MCA, and he wrote a letter saying that the stable design criteria have been in fixed since 1999.

The design criteria are legally enforceable pursuant to the restrictive covenant last amended in two thousand two.

The design criteria only permits to fence up to 42 inches.

Your property is currently compliant with that requirement.

And furthermore, the regulations from the MCA, rule number seven point seven point three one, states that dates.

But if they made the exception, the position of the property managers is that if the exception was made by the HOA, you all still couldn't afford to put a gate out at this location.

That is correct.

We did we did research and to put a gate around a property would cost about a hundred thousand dollars.

You need a monthly income of excess funds of between six and maybe ten thousand dollars based on the fact that the gates are run into and destroyed regularly by people entering the property.

Furthermore, gates do not stop a thief from jumping the fence, stealing the caliber converter or the car, and driving out the property.

So we have suggested and stated that uh we will try to add additional cameras in the parking lot area.

Thank you.

And then finally, you could speak to the commitments made during construction for the elf air filters as well as the um additional handicap parking.

With regard to air filters, the proper property manager said that we could uh that he would provide additional filters for the tenants, um, to make sure that there's no um deaths or entering the property.

I believe that's what is just stated.

And further with regard to uh handing to have parking, I'm not sure there was any agreement on that because it was determined that the handicapped parking spaces are determined by the city.

No, Larry, in the conversation that we had yesterday, the determination is was supposed to be by the property managers, and they said that they could increase the parking by two to three spots.

That was the commitment that was made yesterday in that meeting.

Well, if that's if that's what they as you heard, then they will do that.

All right, thank you.

That's a Larry.

You have yourself a good evening.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is that it, Councilmember?

Yeah, thank you so much.

I really appreciate being able to chat with this.

This is a bunch of seniors in my community, and so I heard a bunch of concerns with them about security and being able to access payment systems, and so just want to make sure that as we're moving forward in additional development that we're taking care of the folks who are currently in these um facilities.

So thank you for the opportunity to speak.

Thank you.

Madam Secretary, please put the next item on our screens.

Council Bill 0920, a bill for an ordinance submitting to a vote of the qualified and registered electors of the city and county of Denver at the General Municipal Election on November 4, 2025, a proposed amendment to the charter of the city and county of Denver concerning the manner in which at large council members are elected.

Councilmember Parity, will you please put council bill zero nine two zero on the floor for final passage?

I move that council bill twenty five zero nine two zero be placed upon final consideration.

It has been moved and seconded comments by members of council.

Councilmember Torres.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, just wanted to make sure that I um call this up for a vote.

I'll be continuing to vote no uh on this particular item.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Councilmember Flynn.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um this amendment is uh common sense data-informed change that aligns all of our elected offices into the same method so that all officials are elected by majority, and as we learned in the research uh into how the seats were established and the council was expanded in the first place, this is how they were intended to be elected.

They were intended to be elected by a two-round election process that, as we heard at the public hearing, was overturned by the Colorado Supreme Court.

And so we were left with uh just plurality uh for these two seats.

Uh but this proposal is based on hard data analysis of past election results and the historical record into the intent of the voters.

It empowers more voters to cast all of their votes, and it brings us into alignment not only with all city elected offices, but also with 75% of large cities that have at-large members.

I know that there's been some concern raised recently that separating the two seats onto separate ballots will somehow result in a flood of so-called dark money into that race.

That's a complete red herring.

There's no scenario imaginable where putting the seats on separate ballots would make this happen, while keeping them on the same ballot would somehow hold big money at bay.

It makes no sense that independent expenditure committees would pull back any of their spending by saying, whoa, wait a minute.

Uh the candidates we're supporting or opposing, they're on the same ballot.

We better not get involved, and we're not going to spend that money.

It just doesn't happen.

In fact, one could more easily argue that the opposite is true.

The way we're set up now, with the two seats elected only by plurality, the influence of big money is magnified.

When a candidate can win with just 20 or 30 percent of the total vote, big money can leverage that minority pretty quickly and get the first or the second seat.

This amendment can literally reduce the impact of big money by preventing special interests from getting someone elected with just 25% of the vote.

That's easier than having to get a majority, and it's less expensive for the dark money people.

But more importantly, hard data, once again, refutes this fear.

Outside spending in city races, city council, excuse me, races already has skyrocketed.

Uh over the last couple of months, I began pulling data from our searchlight app at the clerk and recorder's office, and I looked at all of the independent committee spending in the last three city elections.

2015, zero, zero dollars.

There was no independent committee, no dark money uh in any of the council races in 2015.

In 2019, 216,000 was spent in five races.

More than half of it was on behalf of an unsuccessful district candidate.

But in the 2023 election, the dam broke.

We went from 216,000 in outside spending on city council races till two years ago, more than 2.3 million dollars in independent committee spending went into our races more than 10 times what was spent in 2019.

You know, the horses left the barn or the corral or whatever it is, the horses leave.

This money was touched all districts and at-large.

In fact, more than half a million of that 2.3 million alone went into the at-large race.

Uh most of it backed a candidate who finished fourth.

Big money doesn't always win elections, as we know.

But the top five vote getters in the at-large race all had some outside spending backing them.

Every single member up here on the dais, and many of the unsuccessful candidates also were supported or opposed by outside spending to some degree.

So the idea that the simple act of placing each at-large seat on separate ballots will result in some flood of outside spending is a little late.

The flood has already occurred, and unless Citizens United is overturned, there's no reason not to elect all of our elected officials in the same way.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Councilmember Heinz.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, uh let's be clear about what we're voting on today.

This is not to change uh how Denver elects its out-large council members by itself.

What it does is refer the question to the people of Denver this November.

So if voters believe this isn't the right reform, they'll have the opportunity to say no.

Our role tonight is uh whether to give them that chance.

So I've I've heard concerns that this proposal will weaken progressives or invite more dark money into elections.

I take those concerns seriously.

Uh I just can't come to the same conclusion.

As Councilmember Flynn said, um, i.e.

our independent expenditure spending is already here.

Uh in 2023, over a half million dollars were spent in the at-large race alone.

Uh that surge wasn't caused by debt ballot design, it came from broader changes like the Fair Elections Fund, which uh redirected big money into outside committees.

Uh changing how we elect at-large members doesn't invite more dark money, it ensures whoever wins speaks uh with a true majority mandate.

Speaking of uh dark money, I received an interesting text over the weekend asking me to contact my council member to ask them to vote no on the at-large referral.

It was from an out of state group, and I cannot find information about who their funders were.

Again, Dart money's already here, and DART money can cut in many different ways.

Uh and Denver's history shows the turnout is not hurt by runoffs as Councilmember Flynn also analyzed um uh many times it it even grows.

Um uh there are four 44 runoffs since 1983.

Turnout is higher in 24 of them, uh, with some seeing increases of 15 to 20 percent on average.

All of uh the average of all 44 runoffs, the uh turnout and runoffs had been 5.6% higher.

But more voters participated in the decisive round, which means majority winners both reflect and strengthen our democracy.

Uh finally, I want to highlight the testimony of those who know this job best.

Former uh four former council members spoke in favor of this change.

Kendra Black and Elba Wedgeworth were district council members, and two former at-large members, Doug Linghart and Davy Ortega, also all four spoke in it in favor.

Debbie Ortega, woman of color, and longtime labor champion believes this is the right answer.

With when leaders with that lived experience say the system is broken.

I'm listening.

This isn't the end of the conversation.

This is part of a bigger vision for reform.

Uh I believe Denver should ultimately move our elections to November to increase turnout, adopt rain choice voting, stagger council elections for continuity, and split at-large races so winners are chosen by a majority.

While I'm not excited about this particular order, I'm concerned that I won't get the opportunity to review all three or four choices in my lifetime if I wait for the order I believe is best.

Tonight we make one important step by letting the people of Denver decide whether this reform belongs on that path.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Councilmember Cashman.

Yeah, thank you, Madam President.

Um dark money ain't going away, unfortunately.

Um it's a nightmare that we uh need to figure out.

I don't think this particularly helps or hurts.

It certainly doesn't help that situation.

Um, but what bothers me about this is that uh, you know, I I see no coherent way that candidates get into column A or column B, and we're faced with the the real possibility of our two favorite choices being in the same uh box.

Uh for me, the relatively simple solution to that would be to uh create um uh rather than two citywide at-large, uh an east side at large and a west side at large or north side and south.

Um, you know, I believe our current at-large, we have uh east side and a west side.

Um so that would eliminate uh the problem of two two favorite candidates being in the same column.

And uh I don't see that that is we're faced with that uh um in in every council race in every race, you may be debating between two candidates.

Uh but in this case um where we're we're picking two for the same job, um, I think uh our current system is better than the one proposed.

Thank you, madam chair president.

Thank you.

Except Councilman Gonzalez Gutierrez.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um I uh uh am joining along um with Councilwoman Torres and continuing to oppose um this uh proposed change.

Um I'll say some of the things that I said last week is that it appears that we are making an assumption that this will actually fix the issue of undervoting.

Um people's we can't we can't force people to vote a certain way, we can't force people to um pick more than one or to pick anybody at all, right?

That is a voter's choice.

So right now, voters can choose to vote for two, they can vote for one, or they could vote for none.

And that will be the same regardless if uh if there is um two different ballot questions um on the ballot.

I do want to make a point, um, councilman Heinz, you bring up a an interesting thing about you know, thinking about all these different um pieces, right?

Um, and I know you and I had talked about this before as well, and you mentioned staggered elections, something that the clerk in recorder's office has actually brought up as a um something to be considered to address this very issue.

And and what I would say to that is if you are a proponent of staggered elections, if you staggered elections, then automatically at large would be separated into two ballot questions at that at that time.

So why are we taking an additional step to further cause confusion to spend more money on voter education, um, to try to address this when we don't have money, we're wanting to spend more money for that very purpose when we should actually be putting in efforts to look at what are all the options before us to actually make this change more um more possible and and more um easier for folks to be able to grasp onto rather than trying to do this, let's do this little fix here, and then in a couple years we're gonna make it change again.

That just that just seems to be more confusing than actually trying to address the issue.

And as I stated last week, I'm not opposed to to having the at-large members elected um uh, you know, 50% of the vote.

I'm not opposed to that.

But I don't think there has been enough research.

I don't think there has been proper stakeholding done.

We talk about, and I've heard one of my colleagues who is sponsoring this last week say why they didn't support another piece of uh another uh ballot measure to be referred was because they didn't think there was enough community conversation about it.

I don't think there's been enough community conversation about this.

And so I am for those same reasons not willing to support this, not willing to send it to the voters, because I don't think there's been enough work done to say we want to see what the voters think.

I think there needs to be more conversation and more thought around are there some other options that we should be thinking of and rule out before rolling something out hoping, hoping that it will address the issue.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Councilmember Parody.

Yeah, I just um I feel like this is falling on deaf ears, but the difference between every single other elected position in the city and the at-large seats is that we have two people in the exact same role doing the same job for the same constituency that is different than a district council member.

There's one member for each district that is different than the mayor, that is different than the clerk, that it's different than the auditor.

And so it makes sense for people who are electing these two voices that are supposed to be citywide voices, which is a huge job.

Our districts are the size of a congressional district, um, to be appealing to for for the voters to get to consider everyone who is in the mix for those two seats, and say, these two people are all going to represent me, and I want to vote for both of them.

The other thing that I'd only just now got my head about around is that um it's not clear to me.

Well, the intention of the sponsors is, because this is how it is in the draft, that everyone in the city would vote for one person for each of those columns.

But you're essentially then like, well, it's just another way of saying that you can't choose the people that you want for you in those two seats.

And so you're looking at um two seats where everybody in both columns is someone that you're considering to be able to represent you in the exact same job, and yet you might not be able to pick the people that you actually want.

It just makes no sense to me.

Um I understand the concerns with runoffs and other structural issues, but the idea that you would be artificially restrained in your choices when you are electing two people to represent you in the exact same job, um, I just think is really damaging, really artificial.

Um, and it's a rope that I'm I'm so sad that we're apparently um sending to the ballot because I don't think it's ready.

I don't think it makes sense.

Um, and that's all I'll say about that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Wedon.

Uh, Council President.

I don't think you see, yeah, there you go.

Uh thank you, uh Council President.

I wanted first to to thank my co-sponsors of this bill.

Uh Councilmember Flynn, uh, Councilwoman Albidras, Councilmember Gilmore, Councilwoman Sawyer.

Um, uh we've had eight months of this discussion, and I think um one of the things that I have um have leaned into as the co-sponsor of not just this piece of legislation but the co-sponsor of the um changes to the fair election fund with my um colleague councilwoman Sawyer and then co-sponsor of Rank Choice Voting is that I do believe that we need to, as city council, we have an opportunity to look at uh changes in ways we elect our officials and ways we support them.

Uh I supported uh ranked choice voting because I think it's the right decision.

Uh that did not receive seven votes last week.

It is my expectation that that will be on the ballot again uh next year, um, or try to get to the ballot next year.

Strongly support this um uh bill before us for two reasons, and uh I shared them before, and Councilmember Hines um spoke a little bit about the council members who have led this process for for 15 years, um, have spoken about this.

Uh when in January I began work with legislative services to research um the viability of this bill.

Um I was made aware that councilmember Flynn was doing the same thing at the same time, and then we were also both both were broad aware that council member Linkard about 15 years ago um wrote a bill to separate the council seats, the seat that he actually was seated in as an a large council member.

And he wrote a bill to state that it was important that 50 percent plus one of the vote goes to elect him as an a large council member and goes to to elect the large um council members going forward.

His rationale is the same as ours.

Um when these seats were created, they were created for two vote, a two-vote process.

First, you identified a candidates within a primary, and then those candidates run, and those candidates are elected by 50% plus one.

Nothing unique.

The supermajority of all of our elections are elected that way.

This is not a complex process or complex ask.

Um, this is bringing continuity to a process that each of us participate in every time we vote for a single city council um race, every time we vote for any of our citywide elections.

I'd like to thank the clerk from the quarter's office as well.

We worked hand in glove with uh clerk Lopez and his team, and they provided us clear direction, as a matter of fact, the clerk sent us an email uh yesterday or this morning, I should say, communicating um that they have worked collaboratively with us and offering that if this goes to the to the ballot in November and if it passes, his team is ready to execute on the outcomes of that election.

We are not asking for a big change.

We're simply asking for the voters to decide and not a district judge on how we elect our large council members.

I have trust in you, the voters who are watching, and the folks in this audience to make the decision, and once that decision is made, it will no longer be a standing based on a judge's actions, but on the actions of the people.

And so I thank everyone here on the dais for this robust debate.

I thank the sponsors, and I look forward to us voting tonight.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Councilmember Lewis.

Um, yeah, I just wanted to say a few things and I'll keep them pretty brief.

I received the same um text message um that Councilman Hines mentioned, and I wanted to read it on record.

Chantel, tomorrow Denver City Council votes on an appropriate proposal to change how we elect at large members.

It would narrow voter choice, plus make it easier for dark money to dominate our local election elections.

Will you send a letter to your council member today urging them to vote no?

Signed Sam with working families party.

So they you actually can identify who that was.

I also just wanted to say that this proposal and the proposal for ranked choice voting are actually in conflict.

And if we wanted to solve the issues that the sponsors have said that they were solving for, we could have we could have solved that through rank choice voting, not in this way.

Um in committee, which was pretty recently, and we actually haven't been working on this for eight months.

Maybe the sponsors have had been in communication, but I wasn't notified of this discussion until just merely a few months ago, right before it came to committee.

I think it's important that when we were having our conversations in committee, that there were members of the multitude of sponsors who gave exact different reasons as to why they were supporting these.

Some were interpersonal, um, that they didn't feel like they worked well with their council members at large, that for the past 12 years, which remind you all our council members that are in these seats currently that are sitting at large have been in those seats for two years.

I find it interesting that we have quoted the previous council members as the experts and their desire to want to uh move this legislation forward because if it was so important for them when they were in office for 12 years, why didn't they do it?

It begs the question, and so um I think we have to be honest about what this is and what this isn't, and this isn't solving for what the sponsors have put on the table.

We know that this is a direct attack on our council members, and it's actually very disappointing um to serve on a body in which we would treat each other in such an irresponsible and unkind way.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Seeing no other members in the queue.

Madam Secretary will call on council bill zero nine two zero.

Councilmember Sawyer, I'll be there.

Flynn.

Gilmore.

Aye.

Gonzalez Cutieres?

Nay.

Heinz, aye.

Cashman?

Nay.

Lewis?

Nah.

Parity?

No.

Romero Campbell.

Aye.

Torres.

Nay.

Watson.

Aye.

Madam President Sandoval.

Nay.

Madam Secretary, close the voting and announce the results.

Seven ayes.

Seven ayes.

Council Bill Zero 920 has passed.

This concludes the items to be called out.

All bills for introduction are ordered published.

Council members remember that this is a consent or block vote, and you will need to vote aye.

Otherwise, this is your last chance to call out an item for a separate vote.

Councilmember Parity, will you please put the resolutions for adoption and the bills on final consideration for final passage on the floor?

Sorry, I will I navigate it away from the list.

All right, I move that the resolutions be adopted and bills on final consideration be placed upon final consideration and do pass in a block for the following items.

Numbers 25-1082, 1111, 1095, 1092, 1093, 1094, 1096, 1107 0810, 1104, 1105, 1109, 1112, 1099, 1100, 1115, 1064, 1065, 1066, 1067, and 1068.

Thank you.

It has been moved and seconded.

Madam Secretary will call.

Council Members Sawyer.

I'll be three.

Hi.

Flynn.

Aye.

Gilmore.

Aye.

Gonzalez Gutierrez.

Aye.

Hines.

Aye.

Cashman.

Aye.

Lewis.

Aye.

Parity.

Aye.

Romera Campbell.

Aye.

Aye.

Watson.

Aye.

Madam President Sandoval.

Aye.

Madam Secretary, close the voting.

Announcer results.

13 ayes.

13 ayes.

The resolutions have been adopted and the bills have been placed upon final consideration and due pass.

There are no proclamations being read this evening.

We have two required public hearings tonight.

As a reminder, council members need to turn on their video during the vote.

For those participating in person when called upon, please come to the podium on the presentation monitor on the wall.

You will see that your time counting down.

For those participating virtually when called upon, please wait until our meeting host promotes you to speaker.

When you're promoted, please accept the promotion.

Turn on your camera if you have one and your microphone.

All speakers should begin their remarks by telling the council their names and cities of residence, and if they feel comfortable doing so, their home addresses.

If you have signed up to answer questions only, state your name and note that you are available for questions in council.

Speakers will have three minutes.

There is no yielding of time.

If translation is needed, you will be given an additional three minutes for your comment to be interpreted.

Speakers must stay on topic of the hearing and must direct their comments to council as a whole.

Please refrain from profane or obscene speech and refrain from individual or personal attacks.

Councilmember Parity, will you please put Council Bill 250948 changing the zoning classification for 801 15th Street in the central business district on the floor for final passage?

I move that council bill 2519048 be placed upon final consideration and do pass.

It has been moved and seconded.

Oh, it has been moved.

And seconded.

The required public hearing for council bill 0948 is open.

May we please have the staff report.

Good afternoon.

Uh my name is Matthew Bossler, and I'm a senior city planner and urban designer from the community planning and development department.

Today I'm presenting a rezoning request for 801 15th Street.

This is an applicant-driven application to request a zone district that allows for large format sign installations.

So let's start with the request.

The property is occupied by home two suites, which is a high-rise hotel building.

The request is to rezone the property from DC U01 to DTD U01.

DC stands for Downtown Core, while DTD stands for Downtown Theater District.

Each of these are in the downtown neighborhood context and contain identical standards related to the building form, height, and use.

The only difference between the two is that the DTD allows large format sign installations according to additional standards of the Denver Theater District sign plan.

U01 is the adult use overlay district, which is not proposed to be changed.

The purpose of the rezoning, as stated in the application narrative is to allow for digital signage with off site advertising in a manner that serves as a gateway to the theater district.

Off site advertising is where a sign on a property is advertising a service or a product that is not located on that property, but instead is available somewhere else.

Now let's take a closer look at the location and context of the property.

Zooming out, the property is located in Council District 10, which is represented by Councilman Chris Hines.

The statistical neighborhood is the central business district.

In regards to signage, the existing downtown center zone district allows for signs permitted in all districts.

One constraint on signage that it has is a maximum illumination of 25 watts or less per bulb.

This applies in the DTD district as well.

The existing land use is commercial slash retail, and it lies within a diverse matrix of land uses in the surrounding blocks.

The existing building is a high rise with contemporary colladding, where the ground floor is a lobby and retail units with high transparency.

The next five floors are a screened parking garage and hotel rooms lie above that.

Looking down Stout Street, which you can see in the upper left hand corner of the screen here, is an important gateway view with a terminal vista to the primary entrance of the Colorado Convention Center.

This is experienced by pedestrians approaching from 16th Street.

The existing and proposed zone districts are the same, but with a major difference in that the DTD allows special types of signs, including billboards, as further regulated by the Denver Theater District District Sign Plan.

This sign plan sets standards for high quality design, mitigation of impacts to neighbors, and a revenue sharing program for off-premise advertising that supports public art in the district.

The main mechanism is that it allows for specific types of signs in specific locations that are specific to each property.

In general, these include special types of wall signs that are attached to buildings, and in some cases, lower scale kiosk style ground signs adjacent to the building and sidewalk, or standalone signs on posts along Spear Boulevard.

So now that we've provided a frame of reference, let's review the rezoning process that has led us to today.

At that hearing, nine people spoke, all in favor.

Planning board voted unanimously to approve.

Questions and ensuing discussion centered on how the theater district came to be, the process of amending the district sign plan that will follow this rezoning if it is successful, and the various zoning tools that could be used to grant this allowance.

In addition, planning board encouraged the city to consider a more comprehensive approach to future changes to the Denver Theater District boundary.

Staff noted at the time that this is being considered through the Denver area, pardon me, the downtown area plan update process that is ongoing right now.

On July 8th, I brought this presentation to the land use transportation and infrastructure committee, which forwarded the case to consideration by the full city council.

And today we're holding this City Council public hearing.

Prior to Planning Board, we received two public comments from residents of the SPIRE condominiums to the West.

One is opposed, expressing concerns for the impact of light on their sleep and therefore their health.

The other expressed similar concerns and asked for more information, which I provided.

In addition, the applicant received letters of support from the Denver Theater District, the Colorado Convention Center, the Downtown Denver Partnership, and the Upper Downtown Neighborhood Association.

So taking a closer look at the rezoning review criteria, we have three.

The first of these is consistency with adopted plans.

The second is that the rezoning be in the public interest, and the third is consistency with neighborhood context, zone district purpose, and intent.

For plan consistency, we have three plans to consider complan, blueprint, and the downtown area plan.

While there's no direct mention of large format sign installations in Comp Plan, there are several goals that pertain to this rezoning.

These describe high quality urban design, acceleration of economic vitality through the arts, and expanding participation in the arts.

Similarly to Comp Plan, Blueprint also does not mention large format signage, but several maps and recommendations are worth considering as they relate to this rezoning.

Starting with the maps, the subject property is in the downtown neighborhood context.

The future place is regional center.

The future street type of both streets that touch the site is downtown arterial.

And lastly, the subject property lies within the regional center growth area strategy.

All of these are among the most urban categories in the city, which align with the fundamental idea of the theater district zoning and off-site advertising opportunities further guided by the district sign plan, being limited to a special and intensely urban area within downtown.

In addition, Blueprint Denver also includes a couple of policies that should be considered with the proposed rezoning.

The first of these is the quality of life infrastructure goal, under which there are supportive strategies to ensure attractive streets in centers and corridors, and guidance to work with private partners to increase access to entertainment.

The second of these is the land use and built form goal.

And there's a policy supporting this goal that emphasizes resource efficient practices for design and construction of buildings.

So while this rezoning changes nothing about building technology, contemporary electronic signage technology is resource efficient in comparison to the incandescent bulbs of the past.

Moving on, the downtown area plan from 2007 explicitly describes the theater district, but the guidance it provides is pretty limited and a bit fuzzy.

The plan from 2007 was the original city document that recommended the establishment of the theater district.

And in the same year, the DTD was enacted in code, separating it from other downtown zoning.

While that plan is light on details, it does describe a conceptual boundary between the theater district and the visitor district.

The subject property, which is where the red arrow is pointing, is at the edge of where the two come together.

Further details on how this boundary is described in the plan can be found in the staff report.

Another strategy of the downtown area plan that is consistent with the proposed rezoning is to strengthen downtown Denver as the downtown of the Rocky Mountain region.

A specific policy identified within the strategy is to create a brand identity that promotes downtown.

Another policy supporting the strategy is to cultivate arts and culture as key economic drivers by expanding the clusters of world-class arts, cultural, and performance facilities in downtown.

Now, as a baseline, a bright lights district created by on-premise advertising can contribute to the vitality of an arts and cultural district.

The more creative signage outcomes in off-site advertising that we expect as a result of the DTD district sign plan and subsequent review processes could potentially contribute to this vitality as well.

In addition, there is a significant anticipated positive impact on arts investments in the public realm resulting from the revenue sharing requirement for off-premise advertising.

So, in summary, staff finds that the proposed rezoning is consistent with the downtown area plan, based on consideration of the plan's development concept map and strategies.

Staff finds that the proposed rezoning to minorly re to minorly grow the DTD signage program in an appropriate visitor-rich location in the city's entertainment core meets the second review criteria as well, in that it is it is consistent with the vision strategies and recommendations of adopted plans, which are essentially centered on the public good.

And lastly, staff finds that the proposed rezoning is consistent with neighborhood context, zone district purpose and intent, which is further detailed in the staff report.

So with all this in mind, CPD recommends approval of this proposed rezoning based on meeting all the criteria for rezoning.

Both me and the applicant are now available to answer your questions.

There will be some comments also provided by the applicant.

And David Ehrlich, the uh director of the Denver Theater District, is also here and available for questions.

Um that concludes my presentation.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We have six individuals signed up to speak this evening.

First up, we have Lisa Pope and then Matthew Nielsen.

Lisa.

Hello, how are you tonight?

Hope everyone's well.

My name is Lisa Pope.

I live in District 10.

I'm the president of the Upper Downtown Neighborhood Association, a registered neighborhood organization representing Upper Downtown.

Our mission is to advocate for residents and businesses with the goal of enhancing the quality of life and the overall experience in our community.

In alignment with that mission, we fully support the rezoning of home to suites to be included in the Denver Theater District.

This initiative represents a meaningful opportunity to restore the vibrancy that we are all working so hard to recover, particularly following the challenges of the pandemic.

Rezoning would allow for a proposed digital sign that contributes to thoughtful street activation, reinforcing downtown's identity as the cultural and entertainment entertainment hub that it has long been known for.

Importantly, the location poses no negative impact to nearby resident residential property while offering clear benefits to the surrounding community.

Revenue from the signage would support community enhancements such as public art and lighting, amenities that improve safety, aesthetic appeal, and pride in our neighborhood.

In addition, at a time when upper downtown is reimagining itself, moving away from being referred to as the central business district to becoming known as a true neighborhood.

Expanding the theater district will draw more attention, drive more visitors, and highlight a very important area of our neighborhood.

We believe this is a smart, future-focused investment in downtown's recovery and growth, and we strongly urge your support for this project.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next up, Matthew Nilsson.

Good afternoon, Madam President and City Council members.

My name is Matthew Nilsen, and I'm Landy's counsel for the applicant.

Thank you for taking the time to hear our comments this evening.

We provided a cover letter that goes into great detail on how we believe the application meets each of the rezoning criteria, and tonight I briefly want to touch on a few points.

As Matthew Bossler noted, the application is for rezoning from the downtown core district to the downtown theater district.

The purpose is to facilitate the construction of digital signage on the existing home to suites building, which will activate the pedestrian realm, enhance cultural vibrancy in the downtown core, and serve as a gateway to the Denver Theater District.

The applicant conducted extensive community outreach to council members, neighboring properties, and organizations representing downtown throughout this process.

The Upper Downtown Neighborhood Association, Colorado Convention Center, Downtown Denver Partnership, Denver Theater District, and Four Freedoms, a National Art Collective, all submitted letters in support of the rezoning.

Representatives from DDP and the Denver Theater District are also here today to testify in support of the project.

Consistent with staff's review and analysis, we are confident the application meets all three of the rezoning criteria.

And in particular tonight, I want to highlight the first criteria, consistency with the city's adopted plans.

The application is consistent with over 30 goals and strategies of the comprehensive plan, including enhancing neighborhoods with high-quality urban design, creating people-oriented places with an engaging public realm, leveraging art to support creative placemaking, and accelerating Denver's economic vitality through arts and cultural partnerships.

The application is also consistent with over 15 similar policies and goals from the Blueprint Denver.

Tonight, I want to highlight that the application is also consistent with eight key elements and policies in the current downtown area plan, as well as multiple policies and goals in the draft downtown area plan that is currently open for public comment and review.

While the application tonight is only subject to the currently adopted downtown area plan, we view this rezoning as a pilot expansion of the Denver Theater District as envisioned by the draft plan, and are excited to help implement both the current and city's future vision.

The draft downtown area plan includes the property as planned potential expansion site for the downtown for the Denver Theater District with a corresponding goal to allow limited expansion of the district to strategic locations where signage, enhanced lighting, and digital art installations can support active street street activation and visual interest along entertainment focused corridors.

That is exactly what the application is proposing tonight.

The rezoning will facilitate digital signage that will enhance and reinforce the downtown brand and neighborhood identity, while highlighting arts and culture, all an improvement from the existing blank facade of structured parking that currently exists on the property.

Thank you.

I'm available to answer any questions you might have.

Thank you.

Sean Lu.

And then after that, Anna Bearman.

Good evening.

My name is Sean Liu.

I live in Lone Tree, and I am an owner's representative of the home to true suites in Denver Downtown.

So we clearly support the proposed expansion of the Denver Theater District to include our neighborhood.

We are deeply invested in the future of downtown Denver, and this rezoning represents an opportunity to enhance the walkability and visibility of our surrounding neighborhood.

So importantly, the site previously did feature two billboards, so we're not asking for a major change, but rather the ability to thoughtfully reactivate the space as downtown continues to recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic.

We see this as a valuable step toward revitalization.

So we remain committed to preserving the character of this neighborhood and ensuring that any changes are in harmony with the streetscape.

This rezoning is, it draws foot traffic to our neighboring restaurants, retails, and entertainment venues.

It is a smart investment in the district's future.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next up, we have David Erlrich.

No, actually Anna Berman, sorry, virtually.

Producer Anna.

Good evening.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak today regarding the rezoning request for the home to suites property, which would allow it to be included in the Denver Theater District.

My name is Anna Behrman, and I'm here with Orange Barrel Media, a media company that would build and operate the proposed digital sign, should this rezoning be approved by council today and subsequently by the Planning Board.

Orange Barrow Media is a 21-year-old media company specializing in non-traditional outdoor advertising in the urban cores of major U.S.

cities.

We've been active in Denver since 2009, making it one of our very first markets outside of our hometown of Columbus, Ohio.

Since then, many cities have followed Denver's lead in establishing sign districts like the Denver Theater District.

Today we also operate in similar districts in Atlanta, Baltimore, Washington, DC, and West Hollywood, to name a few.

You may already be familiar with some of our existing signs in the Denver Theater District, including installations at the U.S.

Bank Tower, the Weston Hotel, the Denver Performing Arts Complex, and most recently, the two new digital signs at the Brooks Tower residences.

We also operate the ICIOS along the 16th Street Mall, which were upgraded as part of the mall's renovation in partnership with the downtown Denver Partnership.

As you may know, 15% of all gross revenue generated within the Denver Theater District is reinvested into the community through the nonprofit that oversees the district.

These funds support exciting public art initiatives like the projection projection mapping installation on the historic DNF clock Tower.

The proposed project at home to suites would directly contribute contribute to this fund, helping make more of these projects possible.

At Orange Barrel, we are deeply committed to public art and display it in a highly accessible democratic way across our signs and kiosks around the country.

In Denver, for example, we've collaborated with MCA Denver and artist Nari Ward to feature his work across our signs and kiosks downtown.

And we look forward to more collaborations in the future.

We are proud to be part of the down of the downtown Denver community and are excited for the opportunity to further invest in its vibrancy through this project.

Thank you again for your time and consideration, and I will be available for questions as well.

Thank you.

Next up we have David Rich.

Thank you.

David Ehrlich, executive director of the Denver Theater District, uh 216 South Milwaukee, 80209.

Both my kids went to GW and they were both on the debate team.

And you're taught on the debate team, uh, GW and all the other high schools around here to spit facts as fast as possible.

And that's kind of what this feels like, but I'm not gonna do that.

I'm too old, I can't talk that fast.

And I'm just gonna give you a few highlights about the Denver Theater District, and I'm here to answer questions.

We were created to bring more light, art, and activity to the streets about 15 years ago, and it's been a huge success.

Denver was the first city to focus on using commercial media very carefully in order to bring more light, art, and activity to downtown.

Um since our inception, we've reinvested over seven million dollars with the local arts community.

Um we've also uh provided free marketing for local nonprofits and culturals throughout the city and downtown.

Very valuable advertising for free.

Um and we've also created infrastructure in downtown that brings more light, makes people feel safer.

So for example, uh, if you're walking up and down the mall tonight, uh you'll see the DNF tower lit up with local artwork.

That's us.

Uh we do that seven nights a week.

Uh we actually started at five nights a week, and the city came to us during COVID and said, hey, we need more activity, we need more light, and uh it's been a huge success.

We work with schools, we work with local artists, and Denver has become an international platform for projection art.

Uh we also just launched our second projection installation at the Kidderidge Building, which is the oldest building in downtown Denver.

It's spectacularly beautiful.

There's no impact on the building because it's projection.

But again, as you're walking up the mall and upper downtown, where we need more light and activity, you have a whole block lit up by local artists.

Uh, the other thing I would tell you about is our local arts incubator under study.

So we took over a space in the Colorado Convention Center that wasn't being used.

Uh, city was nice enough to give us a 30-day lease, and it's been going for seven years now, which we appreciate.

Uh, and we only focus on local artists from all over Denver that are not normally represented in downtown.

So if you look at our slate of activity, you're gonna see artists that come from every single community in downtown, and again, many of whom have trouble showing downtown, don't often get that exposure.

Um, so the bottom line is we're we're we're very thankful for your support.

Uh this was the first city to do that, as I said, and the key is landlords and media companies that by contract give us a revenue share and enable us to bring more light art and activity to downtown.

So uh we're very supportive and appreciate your support and uh happy to answer any other questions on behalf of the Denver Theater District.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next up we have Jesse Paris.

Yes, good evening, members of council, washing at home, those in the council chair.

My name is the Paris and I represent for Black Star Action for self-defense, positive acting commercial teams, as well as the United Party of Colorado and Northeast Member West Council to Quebec Free Test Fourth, Corridor Task Fourth, From Long Black News, the Revolutionaries and the Subaxes Black Squares Enhanced, and I reside at the CCA's own legacy loss and counseling Daryl Watson's district.

Okay, I'm trying to figure out why this is even necessary at this point.

Um last time I was downtown, it was very bright, very, very bright.

I don't know how much more bright you can make it down there, but apparently it's something that you think that's need to attract more tourism to downtown.

All the lights, camera, and is not gonna get people back to downtown Denver.

All the spending money on lighting and projections and uh advertisement, the O boards, it's not gonna uh bring more people downtown.

So if you ask me this is a waste of time, waste of money, the waste of effort.

But nothing I'm gonna tell you is gonna change your mind on this like a fit previously, numerous time.

You have already reminds them before you come to the time.

Um I would like to know how this is actually gonna benefit the city.

Um how much is this going to cost the city?

And who's really gonna benefit from this?

If somebody could please answer those questions, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

That concludes our speakers.

Questions from members of council on Council Bill Zero 948.

Councilmember Sawyer.

Thanks, Madam President.

Um I do have a question for CPD about um expanding the area that is currently allowed for for these lighted signs.

And I guess what I'm asking you is are we setting a precedent that is in the public interest by approving something like this?

Um I understand that there were two billboards there before, which makes me significantly more willing to consider it than I think I probably would otherwise.

But um I love downtown Denver.

I want Denver to be safe.

I want Denver to be well lit.

I want people to enjoy the experience of coming down to Denver.

Um I also don't want to live in New York City, or I live in New York City, right?

Or I don't want to live in Las Vegas or I'd live in Las Vegas.

So I'm just, I guess, curious about the the CPD's take on the precedent that we might be setting by approving this.

Sure, thank thank you for the question.

So I think I can answer that by uh first starting back with the the origin of the district in 2007 with the downtown area plan.

Uh the boundaries of the district in that plan are imprecise.

Um they're generally described as being located between uh Curtis Street and California Street.

Uh, but there's not a specific boundary that it that is uh described in text.

There's a a grainy map that's in that plan, uh, but generally uh it's described as being a a connector uh between some significant um kind of draws of downtown being Auraria campus, uh 16th Street and the convention center.

Um so the the concept I think was really the initial uh precedent, if you will, uh to uh upon which the uh initial boundaries of the zone district were were drawn.

Um now the expansion to this potential site is uh within kind of that fuzzy boundary uh that was described in 2007.

Uh it's a single property uh that would uh you know be contiguous with the the current boundaries of the of the zone district.

Um now while there are conversations that are happening within the downtown area plan update uh currently uh in regards to expanding this beyond just a single property and to other blocks, uh that is a separate process.

Um so this is really more so a question of what do we have currently on the books in our plans and uh you know what uh whether or not this particular site's expansion is consistent with uh the the very general plan guidance that we have.

Uh I wouldn't uh particularly think of it as a as a precedent setting um for you know significant number of other properties, but rather that uh CPD is conducting a public process that is considering those larger questions.

Hopefully that will uh answers your question.

Yeah, thank you, Matthew.

That was great, and it answered my next question too, which is um which was you know, what kind of public conversation are we having?

I know that um Denver's lighting plan in our zoning code in general, um, it is very, very old, has not been updated for a very, very long time, um, is really challenging, particularly for infill developments because um, like for example, when ninth and Colorado came, uh, you know, and there's a big AMC theater there, there were houses that were there before.

Um, you know, and the and trying to find the right balance between um new build infill development and the lighting, bright lighting that comes with that that might disturb the existing um kind of experience of living there is a tough balance.

So, next question is um, is Denver's lighting zoning code section on the table to be considered at the same time as these conversations around the downtown area plan and additional um like lighting and signage there, uh the process that's occurring right now with the downtown area plan update uh does not have specifics about whether uh any sort of revision to the uh sign code would be a part of that.

Um, it's more focused on where the um expansion may or may not occur um and for what purpose.

Um so it's general in that nature.

Um the the system that we do have in place uh, you know, beyond the stage of review that we have right now before you um as city council for rezoning also includes review by the planning board at a later stage in the um district sign plan amendment process.

So that's another touch point that not only can staff and planning board be involved, but also the public can weigh in on uh the extent to which uh the proposed locations within uh a property that might accommodate signage could or could not occur uh is kind of held up against a set of review criteria that are uh protective of residential impacts or uh you know mitigating a residential impacts, I should say, and contains several other criteria that that seek to uh limit the um the impact you know towards neighbors.

Um, the third process is is then after that sign plan is adopted, then both staff and uh the Denver Theater District nonprofit are given an opportunity to review incoming sign applications and to determine whether they kind of meet those uh those criteria as well.

The criteria that are in place for the planning board to revise the sign plan are very similar to the criteria that are within the sign plan itself, uh that are then uh used by staff and by uh the nonprofit to assess the appropriateness of signage.

Uh uh Yeah, okay.

No, I really appreciate that.

I will just say our zoning code still refers to lumens.

So um the signing signage section of our zoning code needs to be updated significantly.

Um but really appreciate that information that you just gave me, and that's it for me for questions.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember seeing do we have any other colleagues in the queue for questions?

See no other questions in the queue.

The public hearing is closed.

Comments by members of council on 0948.

Councilmember Hines.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um thank you uh CBD for the presentation, and um, I think this is a fabulous uh use of our downtown.

Um obviously uh we have 78 neighborhoods in throughout our city, um, two of them are downtown neighborhoods, and likely they'll they're gonna look a little different than uh the other 76 neighborhoods in the city, probably for for good reason.

So we don't want um Times Square in all 78 of our neighborhoods.

Um we might not even want Times Square in any of our neighborhoods.

Um maybe we'll leave that for New York City.

Um, but uh, but I do see that there are things that we can put in our center city, um, that that maybe makes sense there that doesn't make uh you know might not make sense anywhere else.

Um in many ways, the two downtown neighborhoods are everyone's neighborhoods.

It is uh everyone's uh opportunity to come see things that they don't get to see anywhere else in the city or frankly in the state.

And um, and this is our opportunity to share uh restaurants and um uh other uh installations and exhibitions that might be from artists that are from all over the city, uh, but you discover them by coming downtown.

And uh and so maybe there's a fine um uh uh there's a fine restaurant, say in Whittier uh that has a second location downtown, and then you learn about that location uh by going to the downtown one, and then you go to Whittier for the uh for the next uh for your next meal just to explore to see more about Denver, that um the things that are special about Denver.

I uh really care about 16th Street.

I don't know if we're ever be able to not call it them all.

Um that's a four-letter word that'll stick in my head for the rest of my life.

Um, but uh uh but I think that uh that having uh connectivity to 16th Street is is critical.

Uh so connecting Golden Triangle and the thousands of units that just went online in the last couple years um to uh to 16th street by um uh revisioning the way Civic Center looks important.

Uh making sure that Wine Coop, uh the connection between Union Station where the A-line is, and Ball Arena and Coors Field, I think is really important.

And and solving that jog between Union Station and the 16th Street, not mall.

Um I think that's critical.

And then there's a third connection, and that is with the theater district.

Um the performing performing arts complex is just two blocks from 16th Street.

Um, and we see so many people there, heavily activated with all the amazing performances that we get in in that complex, which is the largest complex outside of uh New York City in the nation, and um and connecting those two blocks um so that uh the performing arts complex has connectivity to 16th Street, I think will also be huge.

I see so many ride chairs picking up people and dropping off people right there at the performance arts complex.

Wouldn't it be great if they went right by the AyATSI office and um and kept going to 16th Street and they gave more of their taxpayer uh dollars or or rather the um give more sales tax dollars to the city by frequenting all the the businesses that are there along 16th Street and the way we can make sure those folks maybe delay a little bit of their ride share or they come a little bit early is to have this this connection and so I think the theater district is a fabulous idea.

I want to thank Mr.

Ehrlich for um for spearheading the theater district and uh helping its vision uh stay true and come alive, and I'm very supportive of this.

Um should there be others, uh I think that would be fabulous as well if we can actually connect those two blocks.

So, Mr.

Ehrlich, if you can help us make that happen, that'd be lovely.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Councilmember Watson.

Uh thank you, that's the very quickly.

I think you have to turn your mic on.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council President.

Um, I was gonna say, Councilmember Hines, you are always welcome to come to Whittier.

You don't need a excuse to come on over and join us over there.

I've got to say, uh when I first moved to Denver back in 1987, uh, my first place that I lived in was Brooks Towers.

Uh we um went to CU Denver, we didn't have dorms.

Uh the um the apartments, uh two-bedroom apartment was 450 dollars, four of us stayed in a room.

Um I fell in love with 14th and 15th and 16th uh streets.

Um those are the places we roamed and played and love and met our friends.

Um the connectivity that Councilmember Hines speaks to is essential for the success of all the good work that we're doing from the Denver area plan to all of the different steps we're taken to ensure that folks who come and visit this amazing city and folks who live here and work here.

Um they actually um have ease of space, and they actually have placemaking to understand.

This is a theater district, and there's clarity as to just how amazing these spaces are, and so um I I love the idea of the theater district.

Thank you so much and Lisa and team and the neighbors for being so engaged um and active in all the good work that happens downtown.

I am ecstatic um Councilmember Hines to support you and and others on the zoning change and then to continue the dialogue within the Denver area plan process that we're just um getting involved in.

So thank you, CPD, for your um consideration.

Really thoughtful process in this dialogue expanding um but not excessive.

I think this is uh a right move, a right process, and uh I look forward and encourage everyone to come on downtown and join us in the theater district.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Madam Secretary, roll call on Council Bill 0948.

Councilmember Sawyer.

Aye.

Albitres.

Aye.

Flynn.

Aye.

Gilmore.

Gonzalez Gutierrez.

Aye.

Hines.

Aye.

Aye.

Lewis.

Aye.

Parity.

Aye.

Romero Campbell.

Aye.

Torres.

Aye.

Watson.

Aye.

Madam President Zandeval.

Aye.

Madam Secretary, close the vote and announce the results.

12 ayes.

12 ayes.

Council Bill 0948 has passed.

Councilmember Perity, will you please put Council Bill 0628 concerning concerning recycling and organic material diversion and in connection there with repealing and reenacting Article 10, Chapter 48, and adding a new Article 11, Chapter 48, and adding a new Article 15, Chapter 10, and adding Article 1, Chapter 24 of the code on the floor for publication.

I move that Council Bill 250628 be ordered published.

I move to postpone this bill and the associated public hearing to a date certain of Monday, September 8th, 2025.

Comments by member council.

Yes, we had requests from numerous colleagues for more time both to hear from the public on this item, because there are amendments that have been drafted and circulated, but just not with a huge amount of time to review.

So basically it's a we need more time.

Council members Lewis, apologies, Sawyer.

Aye.

Albitres.

Aye.

Aye.

Gilmore.

Gonzalez Cutieres.

Aye.

Heinz?

Hi.

Cashman.

Lewis.

Aye.

Parity.

Aye.

Romero Campbell.

Aye.

Torres?

Aye.

Watson.

Aye.

Madam President Sandoval?

Aye.

Madam Secretary, close the voting on announce the results.

Twelve ayes.

Twelve ayes.

The motion to postpone Council Bill 0628 to a date certain has passed.

On Monday, September 15, 2025, Council will hold a required public hearing on Council Bill 1071, changing the zoning classification for 1717 East 39th Avenue in Cole and Council Bill 1091, changing the zoning classification for 4626 East Louisiana Avenue in Virginia Vale.

Any protests against Council Bill 1071 or 1095 must 10 sorry 1071 or 1091 must be filed with the council offices no later than noon on Monday, September 8th, 2025.

There being no further business before this body, this meeting is adjourned.