Mayor and Denver City Council Meeting: October 15, 2024

This weekly session of the mayor and Denver City Council featured a presentation from Denver International Airport (DEN) on the Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation (CIA), followed by Q&A and announcements from council members. The meeting took place on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

Announcements

• Councilmember Paul Cash (District 6) announced the Broadway Halloween parade on Saturday at 6 p.m. and a virtual academy on roadway safety at 6:30 p.m. that evening.
• Councilmember Matt Watson announced a delegation from Austin, Texas focusing on homelessness resolution visiting the Dream Center, and a ballot preview event in Globeville on Thursday, October 17 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at KOMAL Heritage Food Incubator.
• Councilmember Serena Gonzalez Buquerez announced a similar ballot discussion event at Brother Jeff Cultural Center on October 16 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Presentation: Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation (CIA)

Denver International Airport Chief of Staff Maria Meliandes presented an update on the CIA, which is both a physical space (under construction, nearing 50% completion, expected by 2026) and a suite of programs launched in 2022. The presentation covered three main areas:

• Business Development Training Academy (BDTA): A nine-week program for minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses, with 100/200/300 level courses. Since 2022, 32 student businesses had graduated; in September 2024, the largest cohort graduated 66 businesses. Tracks include concessionaires and AEC (architecture, engineering, construction).
• Career Pathways: 15 workforce development programs, including:
  • DEN Academy: Summer program for ~95 high school students each year.
  • Internship program: 28 annual interns (high school and college) completing 1,500 hours with a 10-week research project.
  • New Heights program (with Bayod Enterprises): 14-week program for justice-impacted individuals; 70 graduates with a 57% placement rate.
  • Leadership DEN: 7-month leadership academy; 81 employees served since 2022.
  • Eno Air Max program: First-of-its-kind knowledge exchange with other airports (Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia).
• Research and Innovation: Focus on mega trends, innovation learning, and piloting. An innovation council was launched in 2024.

Meliandes also noted that CIA is part of DEN's Vision 100 strategic plan to prepare for 100 million annual passengers (up from 78 million in 2023 and an anticipated 82 million in 2024). A child care feasibility study is underway in three phases, with a small facility planned within the physical CIA space, and the study aims to address the broader child care desert.

Discussion and Q&A

• Councilmember Amanda Sanval (District 1) asked how to ensure access for the most in-need residents from the west side. Meliandes responded that the team engages with community advisory committees and shares information via website and council.
• Councilmember Manuel Metal Campbell (At-Large) asked about procurement training for small businesses and partnerships with higher education. Meliandes confirmed that procurement professionals are involved in BDTA, and that the research and innovation team works with CU Denver and other local universities. Campbell also suggested collaboration with Metro State's aviation program.
• Councilmember Matt Watson inquired about DEN's community-facing partnerships with nonprofits. Meliandes explained that corporate responsibility is handled by the government affairs team, but there is collaboration with the CIA team.
• Watson also asked about the child care study's progress. Meliandes stated that the team is still in the assessment phase, forming an advisory committee that includes council members, airline partners, and employers, with no data yet to share.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes or decisions were taken; the presentation was informational.
• Next steps: Continued development of CIA programming and physical space, with completion expected in 2026. The child care feasibility study will proceed with advisory committee engagement. Council members expressed interest in broader outreach and collaboration with local educational institutions.