Councilman Wayne New | District 10
1437 Bannock Street, Office Room 493, Denver, Colorado 80202
|
We wish all of you the happiest of holidays and a joyous and fulfilling new year.
We are grateful for your ideas, feedback, and ongoing support,
and we continue to dedicate our best efforts to serving you.
|
|
District 10 City Council 2016 Report
2016 has been a busy and productive year throughout the City and especially in District 10. City Council has addressed many important City issues, such as new marijuana regulations, the short term rental program, storm water drainage project and fees implementation, affordable housing funding, and Citywide strategic planning processes onland use, transit / transportation / mobility, parks, and recreational resources – all of which impact our district.
Specifically, my office has been involved in many projects vital to District 10:
Colfax Re-Development
- Organized initial Colfax planning process with 5 other City Council members, business and community leaders, and City departments, resulting in dedicated City focus on Colfax development
- Helped lead a discussion on a 5 to 10 year plan for transit, commercial / residential development, and improved streetscape / safety
- Stressed high crime area improvements by funding LED lighting, promoting homeless outreach / transportation, and encouraging additional police foot patrols
Cherry Creek Design and Beautification
- Supported Cherry Creek Business Alliance initiative to improve the creek and raise $125,000 for a creek design by Greenway Foundation
- Participated with residents on several “Cleanup the Creek” events
Golden Triangle Creative District
- Involved with planning and approval of Golden Triangle as a State designated Creative District
- Assisted with fundraising efforts for Golden Triangle Partnership as a new community organization
Homelessness
- Co-led City Council Retreat on Homelessness with Councilwoman Kniech, recommending and supporting improvement in areas of housing, treatment, job training, shelters, and transportation
- Supported the City’s new Day Work Public Service for the homeless
Resident Participation in City Government
- Organized first ever City Council district short and long term community capital improvement requests as part of the annual City budget process
- Conducted resident surveys on key issues (Marijuana, Short Term Rental, Affordable Housing, Storm Drainage) with a normal participation of 700 to 800 residents
- Supported the “Open Mic” program initiated by Councilman Kashmann to allow citizens to address their concerns directly to City Council
- Strived to create informative and helpful newsletters and be responsive promptly to citizen concerns
- Initiated the Garden Court Building Form Moratorium and supported the Small Lot No Parking Moratorium
Looking Forward to 2017 Improvements
- Creation of a Colfax Re-Development Time Table with bus rapid transit, development opportunities, safety, and streetscape improvements identified
- Completion of the Leetsdale / Speer Transportation Study for community discussion on transit needs
- Initiation of an expanded homeless transportation system from community areas to emergency shelters
- Expansion of park ranger staff to help better manage the homeless use and safety concerns in parks
- Completion of capital improvement needs study for the next 10 year bond issue for citizen approval
- Promotion of a long range strategic financial plan for the City
- Improved Neighborhood traffic safety with added speed warnings and better pedestrian crosswalks
- Completion of the Cherry Creek Drive South street construction, improved traffic calming, and parking
- Completion the Cheesman Park east undergrounding cabling project
- Initiation of the East Central Neighborhood Planning Initiative for six neighborhoods
Other thoughts and feedback on District 10 priorities and initiatives would be welcome and appreciated.
|
Update on Marijuana Locations
The following chart illustrates the current number of marijuana locations in the City. Presently, there are 494 potential allowed locations with a maximum cap of 467 locations, assuring that no new locations can be approved until the maximum cap is approved.
Marijuana Locations and Licenses
Tracking the active and pending location to establish the cap
Unique Locations as of September 1, 2016
|
|
Cannabis Consumption Pilot Program
In the November General Election Denver voters approved Initiated Ordinance 300 that allowed cannabis consumption in places that are directly supported by an eligible neighborhood association and that allows persons in the city to obtain a cannabis consumption permit to operate a designated consumption area at any type of business or event provided they obtain the support of an eligible neighborhood association. The City’s Excise and License Department will be developing procedures to administer and regulate this new marijuana permit program.
Key highlights of the ordinance from the City Attorney are:
Hours of Operation – It shall be unlawful for a permittee to allow the consumption of cannabis in a designated consumption area between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.; however, an eligible neighborhood organization may designate more restrictive hours in the evidence of community support.
Consumption Area – The designated consumption area identified on a cannabis consumption permit may be (i) an area located inside of or adjacent to a licensed premise or other business, (ii) a temporary location inside of or adjacent to a licensed premise or other business, or (iii) a temporary location not located inside of or adjacent to a licensed premise or other business.
Sales – It shall be unlawful for any person to directly or indirectly sell, provide, transfer, or distribute cannabis for remuneration within a designated consumption area, unless otherwise permitted by state law.
Outside Smoking – The permit holder shall ensure that any outside smoking of cannabis occurring at the street level is not visible from a public right-of-way or a place where children congregate.
Community Support – An eligible neighborhood organization may, in its discretion, provide evidence of community support to an applicant for a cannabis consumption permit. An established business or registered neighborhood organization that has been in operation for 2 years can either support or oppose a permit within their designation area.
4 Year Sunset Provision – This article shall be effectively repealed December 31, 2020 or when the city passes comprehensive regulations governing cannabis consumption that further the intent of this law, whichever first occurs.
The State of Colorado has ruled that it is violation of State marijuana regulations to allow a permit to be issued to any establishment that sells alcohol.
|
|
City Budget Highlights
The 2017 City budget was approved by City Council in November with the following funding highlights:
- Public Safety – 48 new police officer positions & 100 new recruits; body camera expansion
- Public Works – 50 additional paved street miles compared to the number of 2016 miles
- Homelessness – replacement of the Peoria emergency shelter (300+ homeless capacity); doubling the number of outreach staff; new circulator transportation system
- Permit and Inspections – 13 additional staff to manage large increase in building permits
- Affordable Housing – $15 million from property tax, new impact fee, and reserves for an increase of 100 affordable housing units from the 500 unit 2016 budget
- Parks – additional staffing for parks management; Carla Madison Recreation Center opening
- Recycling and Composting – completion of trash cart standardization; expansion of recycling and composting programs
- Mobility – additional funding for the Colfax Bus Rapid Transit planning, Vision Zero’s traffic fatality goal, and bike lane and pedestrian improvements
- Traffic Safety and Calming – added funding for traffic safety improvements
- Colfax Streetscape – streetscape improvement funding for four individual Colfax business districts
|
|
Star Wars and the Power of Costume Exhibit
The Denver Art Museum is giving visitors the opportunity to take a unique journey into the Star Wars universe as characters are brought to life through a dramatic presentation of more than 70 original costumes. Star Wars and the Power of Costume closely examines the captivating process of costume design for iconic outfits featured in all seven films of the Star Wars series.Explore the artistry of the world’s most recognized cinematic costumes, including Queen Amidala, Chewbacca, X-Wing Pilots, and Droids, including C-3PO and R2-D2.
Councilman New, shown here with Stormtroopers and other Star Wars characters, enjoyed the exhibition which will continue through April 2. Don’t miss this amazing event!
|
2017 General Obligation Bond
Thank you to those residents who attended and participated in the 2017 GO bond community meetings. In the community meeting at Teller Elementary School, which was so-hosted by Councilmembers New and Susman, residents were invited to view City presentation materials and provide their input in the areas of transportation and mobility, parks, street improvement, and city building. Approximately 500 people attended the community meetings, and over thousand project suggestions have been submitted on the GO Bond website from all across the city.
|
In early 2017, the next phase of the 2017 GO bond will begin. The Mayor-appointed stakeholder committee will review the existing identified capital improvement needs on the current Elevate 2020 Six Year Plan work list and address ideas submitted from residents during the public engagement phase and by other city-owned facilities. All improvement ideas will be considered and the committee will recommend a package of improvements that will be then presented to the public next spring. The 2017 bond funds for this 10-year program is estimated to be between $500 and $600 million. Some ideas can also be considered in the annual City budget process that includes funds for capital improvements.
|
|
Garfield Neighborhood Bikeway Projects at Dakota and Alameda
As part of the Denver Moves Bicycle Plan, Garfield Street was identified as a neighborhood bikeway because it would provide great connectivity to neighborhoods between and adjacent to City Park and the Cherry Creek Trail. In 2015, Denver Public Works led a study to explore Garfield Street and received a significant amount of public support for the improvement projects that were developed through this public process. Two of the top priority projects are pedestrian and bicycle improvements identified for (1) the intersections of Garfield at Alameda and (2) Garfield at Dakota and Cherry Creek Drive North. These two projects are essential for developing a low-stress bicycle and pedestrian connection to the Cherry Creek Trail from locations north of Alameda.
Last month, a meeting was held where design details were shared and feedback was collected from the public. If you were unable to attend that meeting you can view the project and submit your comments until December 31, 2016 by clicking here.
Proposed Improvement Exhibits:
|
|
Neighborhood Planning Initiative
Denver residents, community groups and city leaders have been beating a steady drum for more neighborhood planning across the city, and Community Planning and Development is ready to deliver. This month, city planners are rolling out the Neighborhood Planning Initiative (“NPI”) – a new commitment by the City and County of Denver to provide area plans for every neighborhood in the city. Currently, only about 20 percent of Denver has an up-to-date area plan. The rest of the city either has a plan that predates 2002’s Blueprint Denver land use and transportation plan, or has no plan at all.
The new approach to neighborhood planning, crafted with community input, will combine multiple neighborhoods in a planning effort. As an example on the map, the east central area in Districts 9 and 10 will include the neighborhoods of Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Congress Park, North Capitol Hill, West City Park, and City Park. Common area elements and individual neighborhood characteristics will be addressed and include much resident involvement and discussion. This combined area process will allow a more efficient use of planning resources to increase area planning for the City and in less time -10 to 14 years rather than about 80 years if each neighborhood is addressed separately.
For detailed information on the Neighborhood Planning Initiative and its planning areas, phasing, analyses of planning needs; planning process; and what you can do to prepare before planning begins in our area, visit www.Denvergov.org/neighborhoodplanning.
|
|
Denver Preschool Program
Now is the time to select your child’s preschool for the coming school year. Denver families can find and compare quality preschool options for their children, learn about the tuition support available to their family, and talk with preschool resources in the Denver area all in one place during the fifth annual Preschool Showcase events presented by the Denver Preschool Program (DPP). These FREE events take place on two dates in three locations so families can choose a location close to home or work:
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:
Dahlia Campus for Health and Well-Being, 3401 Eudora St., Denver, CO 80207
~ or ~
J. Churchill Owen Boys & Girls Club, 3480 W. Kentucky Ave., Denver, CO 80219
Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.:
Quigg Newton Community Center, 4440 Navajo St., Denver, CO 80211
In addition to the preschool programs, the Preschool Showcase will feature:
- Free food and refreshments
- Family-friendly activities and entertainment
- Online preschool locator demonstrations
- Spanish translators on site
- Photo opportunities with PBS characters like Clifford and Curious George
- Free giveaways
The Denver Preschool Program makes quality preschool possible for all Denver families with 4-year-old children through a dedicated sales tax first approved by voters in 2006 and renewed and extended in 2014. DPP has provided more than $79 million in tuition support to help more than 41,000 Denver children attend the preschool of their families’ choice, establishing each child’s foundation for lifelong learning and success.
|
|
Third-party Residential Re-roof Inspections Extension
The policy allowing third-party inspections of residential re-roofs in Denver has been extended to Feb. 28, 2017. Details regarding inspector qualifications and owner responsibilities are provided in the ADMIN 130.2B policy. CPD policy now allows the use of third-party roof inspections for re-roofs on existing one- and two-family dwellings and accessory structures in response to a record-high number of inspection requests. |
|
Treecycle Program
This year Treecycle collections will occur on the weekends of January 7 and January 14, and there will be no weekday collections. Recycling your Christmas tree is as easy as 1, 2, 3 with Denver Recycles/Solid Waste Management’s annual Treecycleprogram. By recycling your tree through Denver’s Treecycle program, you can help keep trees out of the landfill, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help create mulch that is available to Denver residents for free at the Annual Treecycle Mulch Giveaway & Leafdrop Compost Sale in the spring.
Here’s how easy it is to recycle your Christmas tree:
- Remove all decorations, lights and tree stands. Only natural (real) trees are collected for recycling during Treecycle. No artificial or flocked trees are accepted.
- Set your tree out for collection no later than 7 a.m. on Saturday, January 7 or January 14.
- Reclaim free mulch made from your tree at the annual Mulch Giveaway & Compost Sale in May!
Remember:
- All Christmas trees must be set out at your regular trash collection location by 7 a.m. on Saturday, January 7th or January 14th. Trees may be collected on Saturday or Sunday.
- Do NOT place trees inside bags, carts or dumpsters.
- Be sure to set trees at least 2 feet away from trash or recycling containers carts, and all other obstacles.
- Trees will not be collected by Extra Trash crews during the first two weeks of January.
- After January 15th, trees can be dropped off for recycling at the Cherry Creek Recycling Drop-off.
Last year, Denver residents recycled nearly 20,000 trees. Participate in this year’s Treecycle program and help us recycle even more!
For more information about Treecycle, the Annual Treecycle Mulch Giveaway and LeafDrop Compost Sale or other Denver Recycles programs, visit DenverGov.org/DenverRecycles or call 311 (720-913-1311).
|
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:
|
|
Station
|
Commander
|
Phone #
|
Meetings
|
Boundaries (Approx.)
|
|
|
Commander Michael Calo |
720-913-1000 |
First Thursday, Bi-Monthly |
E of York, N of 6th |
|
|
Commander Magen Dodge |
720-913-1300 |
First Tuesday, Monthly |
S of 6th |
|
|
Commander Ronald Saunier |
720-913-2800 |
Contact District 6 |
W of York, N of 6th |
|
|
Community Projects and Recognition
|
Salvation Army Holiday
Gifts for the Needy On December 10, over 50 residents of the Cherry Creek North neighborhood including Councilman Wayne New (shown here) volunteered at the Salvation Army warehouse. The annual event helps organize and prepare clothing, toys, and food for needy families in Denver. This service event has been held for over 10 years and is one of the volunteer highlights for residents each year.
|
Paul Ramsey and Liz Vehko Proclamation
At the November 19th City Council meeting Councilman Wayne New presented a proclamation honoring Paul Ramsey and Liz Vehko, owners of the Shaver – Ramsey Gallery in Cherry Creek North. City Council recognized their long standing service to the community, the Cherry Creek Theatre, and their customers for over 40 years.
|
|
In Plain Sight, New Photographic Series
|
|
|
|
Clyfford Still:
The Works on Paper
|
|
|
|
Star Wars and the
Power of Costume
|
|
|
|
The Happiest Song
Plays Last
|
|
|
|
