News Letter: May 2016
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Councilman Wayne New | District 10
1437 Bannock Street, Office Room 493, Denver, Colorado 80202
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Community Need Budget Process
On May 23 the first ever District 10 budget meeting was held with the City Budget Office and eight neighborhoods and six business community groups. Capital improvement project requests were submitted by each participant and were well described, represented legitimate 2017 and long term capital improvement needs, and included supplemental information and many photos to illustrate and explain needs and issues. All of the City and community group discussions were informative and collaborative with the Budget Office giving budget process explanations and community presenters describing their needs. 34 community requests for 2017 budget funding were presented, totaling between $9 – $14 million. Seven long range funding requests were discussed for consideration in the upcoming 10 year bond funding in 2018.
Some of the key needs discussed for 2017 budget consideration fell into the following categories:
Examples of expressed long range needs were: 1st Avenue – Steele to Colorado streetscape redesign, Cherry Creek East Bayaud Wastewater Outfall project, and a new District 6 Police Station.
I especially want to thank Brendan Hanlon (City CFO), Stephanie Adams (Budget Director), and representatives from Public Works, Traffic Engineering, Community Planning and Development, Parks and Recreation and Denver’s Road Home for their participation and discussions on the issues with the presenters. Participants understood that all requests would need to be prioritized for funding. It was truly a great opportunity for neighborhood and business leaders to discuss their community and neighborhood needs with our City budget and department leaders.
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Wastewater
At two May meetings of the City Council Infrastructure and Culture Committee, Public Works and Finance presentations were made on the need for storm drainage improvements and funding. The cost for this storm water drainage infrastructure improvement plan is significant, totaling $383 million and requiring an increase in residential and business storm drainage and sanitary sewage fees over the next five years.
The reasons for the proposed storm drainage system improvements are to:
1. Proactively protect against serious flooding and drainage problems;
2. Update aging infrastructure;
3. Improve Platte River water quality;
4. Be able to manage a 100 year flood; and
5. Ensure financial health and cash reserves for future capital improvement investments.
This $383 million six year capital improvement plan is comprised of the following storm drainage project areas and their associated costs.
Both storm water and sanitary sewer fees are requesting increases, and all funds from both increases will be used to fund the $383 million storm water drainage project. City Council must approve these fee increases. The recommended new five year fee schedule for both storm drainage and sanitary sewer services is illustrated in the following chart. |
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Our recent survey indicated the following results:
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Aging infrastructure and new developments are creating major improvement expenses in most growing cities. This is surely true for Denver. These storm drainage projects are surely costly to us, but are essential to protect our resident, homes, and businesses from flooding. For more information go to http://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/wastewater-management.html.
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Cherry Creek Businesses Continue to Prosper
The Cherry Creek Area Business Alliance (CCABA) recently reported its retail sales tax collections by business category. The business boundaries are 6th Avenue on the north, Colorado Boulevard on the east, Cherry Creek Drive on the south, and University Street on the west. The total increase in the Cherry Creek retail tax collections was 5.4% compared to the City’s 2.8% increase. The total increase in the retail trade (eight components under Retail Trade on the chart) actually increased 6.7% versus 3.3% for the City. Congratulations on the excellent 2015 business increase and best wishes for continued success.
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Denveright – Planning for our Future
Encompassing four distinct citywide plans and guided by input from the community, Denveright will establish a vision for Denver for the next 20 years. Denveright will shape Denver’s future in a coordinated, comprehensive planning process for the following four important areas:
Denveright will be a community-driven process from start to finish. Our community will be able to share ideas via a series of surveys at denvergov.org/denveright, and via other online methods and can participate in community workshops and public meetings. Additionally, anyone interested in playing a more active role in planning can apply to join the “Community Think Tank” to help guide the planning process. All are invited to join the conversation via the hashtag #denveright on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Strategies from Denver’s existing plans have served the city well: guiding transportation choices; promoting mixed-use development; creating and enhancing parks, trails and recreation centers; and catalyzing areas of change while preserving the character of stable neighborhoods. Bringing these four plans under one umbrella will not only maximize resources and make the planning process more efficient, but also will ensure that the core areas – land use, mobility, parks and recreational resources – work holistically, according to the community’s priorities and guidance.
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Public Comment Session
Before Council Meetings Denver City Council has approved a resolution establishing a 30-minute general public comment session before the first regularly scheduled Council meeting each month. This session will allow members of the public to address full Council on any city matter through a signup process.
The first general public comment session will be held in the Council Chambers starting at 5 p.m. on Monday, July 11, 2016. For more information please see the
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Cheesman Park Auto-Free on Second Sundays
Want more fun in the sun this summer at Cheesman Park, free from the roar and pollution of cars and buses? Then mark your calendar for Second Sundays in the Park – one day each month when motorized vehicles are banned from park roadways.
In 2012, auto-free days moved to the second Sunday of May through September so as to minimize conflict with holidays that fall on or near first Sundays. 2016 dates are May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14 and September 11. Park roads will be closed from 5:00 am to 6:00 pm to enhance the pedestrian and biking experience in the park. If possible, please walk or bike to the park, but if you can’t, Sunday parking is available on 8th Avenue. While cyclists will have free reign of park roads, trails are reserved for pedestrians, strollers, walkers and wheelchairs.
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Denver Water’s 2016 Summer Watering Rules in Effect
Denver is drought-free in 2016, but using water efficiently is still critical in Colorado. From May 1 to October 1, Denver Water officially implemented its annual summer watering rules. Citizens are asked to abide by the following regulations.
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Interested in getting to know your neighbors better? Denver Days is an initiative Mayor Michael B. Hancock created in 2013 to help neighbors do just that by hosting block parties, social events and service projects. Denver Days 2016 will take place July 30 – August 7.
Knowing your neighbors creates a stronger community. Organizing events and interacting with those who live closest to you helps to build a sense of belonging and camaraderie that will foster a happier, healthier place to live. A few benefits to participating in Denver Days are: waived park permits and free street barricades for block parties. For more information or to register, visit www.denvergov.org/denverdays
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Don’t forget about the train to the plane! The Denver Airport station, which is the eastern end-of-line station for the A Line, is located at the airport’s new transit center, underneath the new Westin Denver International Airport hotel and conference center. Passengers stepping off the train need to walk only a short distance to an escalator, elevator or stairs that lead directly to the south entrance of the Jeppesen Terminal and the security checkpoints. Tickets for the A Line to the airport or for a day pass are $9 and may be purchased at the ticket vending machines located on the train platform using cash or credit cards. Senior citizen tickets are half price. Passengers may also drop off their luggage at the convenient bag drop location on level 1 of the transit center for participating airlines. With the opening of the A Line, Denver is now one of fewer than 20 cities in the United States that can claim a direct rail connection from downtown to the airport.
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Police District Contact Information and Advisory Meetings
The Denver Police Department has three police districts within portions of the boundaries of our District as follows:
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Wayne New – Community Office Hours
In order to facilitate greater face time with my constituents, I am coming to you. On Friday, June 17, I will be available to discuss issues from 10:00 am -12:00 pm at the Cherry Creek Ross Library. 10 AM – 11 for general group discussion and 11 AM to 12 Noon for individual appointments. Please call my office (720-337-7710) if you would like to schedule a brief individual appointment during this time. I look forward to meeting you and hearing your concerns and suggestions.
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Upcoming Events
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Community Organizations
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