| Summer Edition July 2012  Tour of Scott Systems, a Denver manufacturer In this Issue Welcome The Bottom Line Good Government In Memory We Mean Business Urban Tapestry City Snapshots Find Us on the Web www.denvergov.org/robinkniech In the Media Comcast Newsmakers Interview Westword Blog:Pubic Comment  Follow Robin Kniech, Denver City Council At-Large   Follow us on Twitter @KniechAtLarge 
Public Notices Public Comment on De-Brucing: Government and Finance Committee Wed. 7/25,10:30a (registration10:00- 10:15a) City and County Bldg. 1437 Bannock St., Council Committee Room, 3rd Floor Recreation Center Information for the free Open Houses Recyclers Corner: Changes to the Denver Recycles Program Upcoming Events Renaissance Festival June 9th- July 29th, Castle Rock Dragon Boat Festival July 28th- 29th, Sloans Lake Denver Shakespeare Festival June 8th- August 18th, Downtown Denver East Side Peace March August 11th 11:00am-3:00pm Fuller Park- NE Side 29th Ave & Williams St. A Taste of Colorado August 31st- September 3rd For more city events click here.
Useful Numbers Police Non-Emergency: (720) 913-2000. Denver Recycles: (720) 865-6900 Call 3-1-1 for: Graffiti Removal Non-Emergency & Info Parking Management Neighborhood Inspection Services Noise Violations Animal Control Permits & Licenses | A Message from Councilwoman Kniech As my first year in office comes to a close, the Denver City Council is in the midst of its 152nd year representing the people of Denver. Preserving the rich history of Denver is part of what makes our City unique for residents and visitors. However, unquestioned adherence to the status quo is no guarantee of the longevity of a cherished institution or tradition. Without breathing new life and bringing new perspectives, we can risk becoming less relevant for future generations. It wasn’t lightly that I took on the task of changing the culture of limited public input in meetings of the Denver City Council. It was sobering to learn that Denver lagged behind other major cities in Colorado and across the United States in having no general public comment period, and I was moved by the frustrations of constituents who wished to “address the Council” in ways more meaningful than a private email or phone call. At first, the prospect of expanding public comment in Council meetings met with some resistance. But my colleagues listened patiently, looked at the research examples, and vigorously debated alternatives and ways to best ensure the right outcome. After a trial public comment period on the proposed policy and three lengthy rounds of committee debate, a level of comfort and consensus emerged. The outcome isn’t a formal rule, but instead a new standard for automatic public comment on all policy changes heard in committee. Traditional committee chair discretion was preserved in non-policy matters, but made transparent for all the public to have an equal understanding of how it works. This modest step forward is still more conservative than the local government standard, but the culture of this 152 year old institution shifted during this debate. Shifted from whether to include more public input, to how best to do it. And that, my friends, bodes well for the next century of the Denver City Council. And it makes me proud. .jpg) Robin Back to Top
The Bottom Line: Delivering Denver's Future Through Structural Financial Reform On June 22, Mayor Hancock announced a package of fiscal measures to solve Denver’s budget gap and ensure a sustainable future for our City. The proposal focuses on continued efficiencies and savings, while pursuing a modest measure to phase out property tax credits that have been required under the state-mandated Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR). “De-Brucing,” as this measure requiring voter-approval is  called, will allow the city to restore library hours, police training, and critical infrastructure repairs such as repaving roads. The proposal, by seeking one modest, phased approach to repealing TABOR credits, while simultaneously rejecting the imposition of multiple fee or tax hikes, is responsive to the feedback I have received from residents and businesses over the past year. I also support its focus on shoring up Denver’s priorities, including economic development and families. I am especially pleased that two components I have championed are part of the package: 1) A significant increase in Denver’s low-income Senior/Disabled property tax refund to help mitigate the impacts of the lost credits on our fixed income seniors and disabled home-owners. 2) A break for up to four years on business personal property taxes for new investments in equipment, which will incentivize new investments in the city’s manufacturing and other equipment-intensive industries. Denver now faces a choice. We cannot continue to deliver the same caliber of city without a more modern finance structure. Beginning with Government and Finance, which I chair, the Council will next deliberate on the Mayor’s proposal. Pending Council approval, the choice would go to the residents of Denver, where it belongs. Notice: There will be a Public Comment period on De-Brucing scheduled for Wednesday, July 25th at 10:30am. Please arrive at 10:00am-10:15am for registration. The meeting will be held in the City and County Building located at 1437 Bannock St. Denver, 80202 on the 3rd floor in the Committee Room. Read More Back to Top
Good Government: Council to Schedule Automatic Public Comment for Policy Changes For the first time, the Denver City Council will publish public comment instructions on all weekly meeting calendars. Language will be finalized and published beginning on August 1, and will be based on the following concept: For committee meetings where changes to the municipal code or policy are proposed, a public comment period of 15 minutes shall be provided on the proposed change to the municipal code or policy, with 2 minutes per speaker, and equal opportunity for opposing perspectives. Public comment will happen after presentations and before discussion at each committee meeting. For all other items scheduled for committee (i.e. contracts, briefings, and presentations), public comment is at the discretion of the chair and members of the public wishing to speak should contact the Committee Staff in advance to request an opportunity with which will be communicated to the chair for final decision. Back to Top
In Memory Councilwoman Kniech joins our entire community to mourn the loss of Officer Celena Hollis, who lost her life in the line of duty protecting and serving the people of Denver on Sunday, June 24. Our thoughts also extend to her surviving daughter and family, and to the men and women of the Denver Police Department and their families who serve our city every day. We support Mayor Hancock’s admonition that violence will not be tolerated in Denver, and that community events like Jazz in the Park must continue to serve as spaces where community can come together in ways that strengthen our bonds with each other, rather than threatening them. Our office has been attending community meetings on gang violence and we will continue to support our colleagues and partners in efforts to expand prevention efforts and economic opportunity with a goal of preventing violence before it occurs. We also call upon our neighbors and businesses to be a part of the solution, to unite in spite of our sorrow, and broaden our effort to protect our community through alternatives to violence. Join the East Side Peace March on August 11th at Fuller Park located on the Northeast Side of 29th Ave and Williams St. from 11:00am-3:00pm. Back to Top
We Mean Business: Small Business Tips Here are a couple of tips from the Small Business Workshop we hosted in June. The group discussions were broken down by stage of business whether you are a beginning business or looking to expand. Read More Back to Top
Urban Tapestry: A Photo Collage of Denver’s Diversity Small Business Workshop Co-Sponsored by Councilwoman Kniech and the Ethio-American Advocacy Group. The workshop was held for those interested in starting or expanding a small business.      Breakfast of Scholars event, hosted by Summer Scholars. A program dedicated to promote after-school and summer programs for at-risk DPS students.  Pride 2012, the annual event welcoming and celebrating diversity throughout the City and County of Denver. Courtesy of WonderWorks Studio. Back to Top
City Snapshots ► Denver Urban Renewal Authority Creates Low Interest Home Repair Programs Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DURA) created two worthy programs to help low- and moderate-income Denver homeowners make vital home repairs through zero- or low-interest loans. Beyond simply getting the important home repairs completed, the programs also help in preserving Denver's older housing stock, reducing the amount of foreclosures, improving living and safety conditions and helping people stay in their homes. Learn More. ► South Platte River Clean Up Project More than 100 volunteers attended on April 21, just as spring was rolling in, to help clean up the South Platte River. In just four hours, volunteers collected a total of 40 cubic yards of trash, with an estimated 50 percent of the waste attributed to food, Styrofoam packaging and plastic bags. Volunteers are needed for the two remaining river cleanups scheduled for Saturday, July 21 and Saturday, September 29. The cleanup locations are along the South Platte River in the following areas: Cherry Creek to City of Cuernavaca Park, Johnson Habitat Park, AquaGolf Pond to Santa Fe Ave, Bear Creek to Hampden Blvd. Click to volunteer. ► Natural Disaster Readiness: Evacuation Kit There's no such thing as being 100% ready for a natural disaster. However, there are some things to you can do to make the evacuation process a little easier. In addition to the basics such as, drivers license, passport, social security number, other items to bring along include: homeowner's (or renter's) insurance policy, policy number for the mortgage company, car insurance information, contact information for family and friends, photos and flash drives. It's a good time to start thinking about what can be replaced or re-issued and what can not. ► Produce Pantry In response to the growing number of people visiting Denver area food pantries and to increase access to healthy and fresh produce for all, area organizations have come together to create Produce for Pantries. Produce for Pantries connects food pantries with school gardens, community gardens and home gardens in their neighborhoods to provide locally-grown and healthy food and nutrition education to those in need. Through Yardharvest food pantries will also be connected with fruit gleaned from resident’s trees who have an excess they would like to donate. Contact Produce for Pantries to donate your excess food at pompomdana@comcast.net. ► Free Open Houses: Denver Rec Centers/Denver Police/Denver Fire Denver Parks and Recreation will be hosting Open Houses in Recreation Centers all across Denver in the upcoming weeks. Make plans to bring a friend and stop by a Recreation Center near you to check out the great opportunities and amenities available for you to take advantage of right in your own neighborhood. Here's the list: Denver Police Department and the Denver Fire Department will be hosting community outreach events along with an open house. It's just around the corner so click here to see the dates and time. Back to Top |
.jpg)
0 comments:
Post a Comment