Denver Mayor and City Council Briefing - October 24, 2023
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Denver Mayor and City Council Briefing - October 24, 2023
The Mayor and Denver City Council held their weekly session on October 24, 2023, featuring announcements from council members, discussions on the budget and migrant support, and a vote to enter an executive session.
Announcements
- Councilman Chris Hines celebrated the designation of "Championship Way" outside Ball Arena, noting it is the only venue in American history to have three champions in two years.
- Councilwoman Diana Romero Campbell promoted two upcoming events: a "Pupper Treat" at Eisenhower Rec Center and a Dia de los Muertos event at Shoemaker Elementary.
- Councilman Paul Cashman highlighted the ribbon cutting of a new playground at Cook Park, funded by a voter-approved bond issue, thanking Parks and Recreation for delivering the project.
- Councilwoman Serena Gonzalez Gutierrez invited the public to a Dia de los Muertos parade on Santa Fe Drive and festival at Civic Center Park on October 28th.
- Councilwoman Romero Campbell also recognized a proclamation for "National Lights on After School" and the importance of out-of-school programs.
- Council President Pro Tem Sandoval was recognized for her birthday.
- Council President Jamie Torres provided an update on the City School Coordinating Committee, stating it will be on first reading November 6th and final adoption November 13th.
- The Council President also recognized the 50th anniversary of Colorado's Stonewall, noting that over 300 people from the LGBTQ+ community addressed the council in chambers 50 years ago.
Discussion Items
- Budget Process: Councilman Cashman noted the collaborative nature of the budget process, describing it as a "wrestling match" and a "closed bucket" where all parties act in good faith. The Mayor affirmed the administration's commitment to working collaboratively with the council to deliver a balanced budget on time.
- Migrant and Newcomer Support: The Mayor provided an update on the city's response to the influx of migrants. He stated the city is part of a coalition of mayors from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., Houston, and El Paso pushing for federal support. He highlighted President Biden's announcement of $1.4 billion in additional funding and noted the coalition is releasing a letter advocating for expedited work authorization, faster asylum case adjudication, and a coordinated arrival strategy.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to Enter Executive Session: Councilman Hines made a motion to enter an executive session pursuant to DRMC 2-34 to discuss ongoing negotiations for real property acquisition or use for shelter or housing, and related legal advice. The motion passed unanimously, with no opposed votes.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to this meeting of the mayor and Denver City Council. At this weekly session, city agencies brief the mayor and council members on various proposals and projects across the city. This meeting of the mayor and city council members begins now. Really? And you're going to be able to do that. Do we do the main? Don't do this again. Good morning, raucous crowd. Welcome to Mayor Council. Thank you also being very much for being here. Already starting off on a good note on Tuesday morning. We'll start with introductions. Councilman, you want to start us off? Thank you very much. Good morning, Mayor. Paul Cashman, South Denver District 6. Good morning, Diana Romero Campbell, Southeast Denver District 4. Good morning, Amanda Sawyer, District 5. Hi, folks, Sarah Parady. I represent the city at large. Good morning, Serena Gonzalez Cutieres, also representing the city at large. Good morning, Mayor, City Council members. Chris Hines, Divers perfect 10. Good morning, Chantal Lewis, District 8. Good morning, Stacey Gilmore, District 11. Good morning, everyone, Kevin Flynn, Southwest Denver's District 2. And Jamie Torres, West Denver District 3. Great. Well, good morning. Thank you all so much for being here. So a shorter agenda on the general session. And so I don't have anything in terms of updates on general session. Um so I'm gonna turn it over to announcements right now for folks that have announcements for any council because I happen to know there must be at least one announcement waiting in the wings. Councilman Hines, are you are you waiting for an announcement? Yes, thank you, Mayor. Um I heard a statistic yesterday. Uh you might know that statistic better than I do, but um is it true that uh ball arena has had three champions uh in the last two years? It is entirely true. Not only is that true, I discovered we are the only city in American history to have both the Stanley Cup and an NBA finals in the same 12 months in the same city in the same arena. And the only uh ball arena is the only venue to have three champions in two years in American history. Correct. We credit you entirely, Councilman Heinz, with that success. Yeah. Uh I was not here then, so it's not you. Maybe uh a shout to Cranky as well, Cranky Sports Entertainment and uh and the fans. Um we call them constituents here in District 10, but uh the fans also helped uh make that a reality. So um thank you for coming yesterday uh to the unveiling and dedication of Wawada and Spear uh calling it Championship Way, and um also thanks to John, who is a constituent uh in District 10. This is what democracy looks like. He reached out, uh he contacted the office and he said, uh, look at these amazing teams in Ball Arena and uh can we celebrate those teams? And uh and yesterday at noon we did.
openpublica.com