City Council - Regular Meeting

Tonight's coverage of Denver City Council starts now.

Thank you for joining us and taking the time to join us at our today's meeting. Today is Monday, 05/11/2026. Tonight's meeting is being interpreted into Spanish. Sam or Jasmin, would you please introduce yourself and let our viewers know how to enable translation on their devices?

Yes. Of course. Thank you. Hello, everyone. My name is Sam Guzmano with the CLC joining you virtually through Zoom and along with my colleague, Jasmine, who will be interpreting today's meeting into Spanish. Please allow me a quick minute while I give instructions in Spanish on how to access interpretation.

Thank you very much, Sam. Welcome to the Denver City Council meeting of Monday, 05/11/2026. Council members, please join me in the pledge of allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America for which it stands, one nation, your God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Councilmembers, please join councilmember Parity as they lead us in the Denver City Council land acknowledgment.

The Denver City Council honors and acknowledges that the land on which we reside is the traditional Terry territory of the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho peoples. We also recognize the 48 contemporary tribal nations that are historically tied to the lands that make up the state of Colorado. We honor elders past, present, and future, and those who have stewarded this land throughout generations. We also recognize the government, academic, and cultural institutions were founded upon and continue to enact exclusions and erasures of indigenous peoples. May this acknowledgement demonstrate a commitment to working to dismantle ongoing legacies of oppression and inequities and recognize the current and future contributions of indigenous communities in Denver.

Thank you. Madam secretary, roll call.

Alvidrez? Here. Flynn? Here. Gilmore? Gonzalez Gutierrez? Here. Himes? Here. Cashion? Here. Lewis? Terry? Here. Romero Campbell? Here. Sawyer? Here. Torres? Here. Watson? Here. Madam

president? Here.

11 members present.

There are 11 members present. Council has a quorum. And, madam secretary, just for the record, councilman Lewis stepped out. So she's here. So if we could acknowledge her when she gets back, I'll acknowledge her. Approval of the minutes. Are there corrections for the minutes of May 4? Seeing none. The minutes stand approved. Council announcements. Are there any announcements from members of council? Council member Torres, why don't you start us off?

Thank you

so much. You're all invited this Saturday to the Sun Valley Night Market. If you haven't already been, it is one of the most innovative ways that we are celebrating our neighborhoods and our communities under some infrastructure that just is. Right? The Colfax Viaduct.

And come join out with Sun Valley neighbors, Westwood neighbors, all of West Denver, with brinks, music, dance. I know we'll see the chief there at the Sun Valley Night Market. He's our emcee. He didn't know that until just but just a fun time, and it goes from 04:00 to 10:00. It is one of the ways that this community decided we are going to show how we can activate underutilized spaces in our community, knowing there's transformation coming no matter what it was gonna be, and it's just a really amazing time.

So four to 10PM this Saturday. And also happening this week, Denver Urban Gardens, I just wanna give them a shout out. They'll be doing a ribbon cutting this Thursday at Joe P. Martinez Park. They are establishing a food forest and community gardens and have just installed all the beds. And, this is part of their focus on West Area neighborhoods, in, a lot of their, food access work that they're they've been doing with us. So, that's on Thursday at Joseph P Martinez Park. Thank you, madam president. Thank you.

Carlos Gutierrez. Thank you, madam

president. Just a moment of personal privilege. I want to congratulate Redesel Salvidrez Rodriguez, East High school alumni. He will be he's been working in my office. Salvidres?

Yeah. Salvidres.

Oh, okay. He's been working in my office as a Claro Capital fellow. Claro is the Colorado Latino Leadership Advocacy and Research Organization, and he's been assigned to my office as a 2026 capital fellow for the first time was assigned to a city council office during the legislative session. I've had many capital fellows over the years as a state legislator, and they reached out and said, would you like a capital fellow at city council? I said, sure.

But I wanna thank for time in our office. He supported us during the state legislative process looking into bills and keeping track of positions. He assisted with the review, giving very valuable feedback on the r and o report that was published, as you've all seen. And he attended and supported events in our office that we hosted through the last few months, like the registered neighborhood organization feedback sessions and the office of independent monitoring events. So on behalf of our office, we wanna wish you the best on your future goals and cannot wait to see what you do next and hope that you stay in contact with us.

Awesome. Thank you. Thank you.

And I will also second the Sun Valley Night Market. It's amazing. Have been there. We'll be there. Wanna invite people that to come out for a bike ride in District 7. We'll be riding with the mayor's bicycle advocacy advocacy committee. We'll be meeting at 08:45AM this Saturday, the sixteenth. We'll roll out by 9AM. We're meeting at Rebel Bread at 675 South Broadway, and we will get a tour on 5767. So hope to see anybody that likes to bike there. Thank you, council president.

Thank you. Councilwoman Lewis, thank you. Welcome to the meeting, and please go ahead with

your announcement. Thank you. Present. And I would like to wish Elijah Merritton, you know, who's coming to my life a very happy birthday. Today is his birthday. Although we celebrated it over the weekend, I just wanted to take a moment to tell him happy birthday. He's five, and he is a terror, but

he's a good kid. Thank you. Thank you. Councilmember Watson.

Thank you

so much, council president. Wanted to uplift a a proclamation that's going through consent from my office. Byron Weiss was a lifelong resident of Denver. He passed away on 03/17/2026. In late nineteen ninety two, Byron toured the the property known as the Rock Drill located in the Cole neighborhood.

Many of you are familiar with that property, recognizing the immediate operational potential and long term re redevelopment opportunity of the Rockdale property. Byron and his family acquired the site in early nineteen ninety three. They thought it was gonna be a short process to get this property rezoned and put back given back to the people, but it wasn't. Despite interest from developers, Byron remained steadfast. This despite little interest from developers, Byron remained steadfast in his commitment to preserving the historic character of the Rock Drill site and honoring the significance to the Cole neighborhood.

And we just, last year, finally rezoned that and are building a site based on the hopes and dreams of the folks in the Cole neighborhood. So the Weiss family, on behalf of my team, and I I would say everyone that knew him in the city county of Denver, condolences and our thoughts, prayers to you, and thank you so much for your stewardship for this great property and this great space to convene folks in the Cole neighborhood. Thank you, madam president. President.

Thank you for doing that. Byron, you'd be greatly missed. I've known him for a really long time. So thank you for doing that. Next up, we have council pro tem Monroe Campbell.

Thank you, madam president. This is just doing a celebration and education on Arbor Day. So if you get a chance and you're walking in the park, come out and join us, but it'll be really nice. And I just appreciate Samuels Elementary engaging all of those third graders. So thank you. Thank you.

This Saturday in Council District 1, we're having a neighborhood cleanup on 10PM at it's really easy, 2222 West 32nd Avenue. Supplies will be provided and great memories are guaranteed. It's with the Highland United Neighbors. And last week, thank you councilman Alvidrez for giving me a shout out to council member Hines for his birthday. This week, we have councilman Torres who's having a birthday. So happy early birthday and hope you have a great celebration with your family. I see no other members in the queue. There are no presentations. There are no communications. There are two proclamations being read this afternoon.

Council member Watson, would you please read proclamation zero six four five?

Thank you, council president. Proclamation number twenty six zero six four five, a proclamation celebrating Denver Police and Sheriff Appreciation Week. Whereas the city and county of Denver recognizes that the safety and well-being of all who live in, work in, and visit our community depend on the dedicated service of the men, women, and the people of the Denver Police Department and the Denver Sheriff Department. And whereas the Denver Police Department, under the the leadership of chief Ron Thomas and Denver Sheriff Department under the leadership of sheriff Elias Diggins provide unified public safety services that safeguard our neighborhoods and ensure coordinated transparent and responsive service throughout the city and county of Denver. And whereas the Denver Police Department and Denver Sheriff Department are committed to maintaining public safety, reducing crime, and strengthening trust through community policing and strong partnerships with residents, businesses, and community organizations.

And whereas the mission of the Denver Police Department and Sheriff Department is to provide essential public safety services with professionalism, compassion, care, and integrity. And whereas Denver Police and Sheriff Appreciation Week coincides with the National Police Week, first established in 1962 from president John f Kennedy to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers across The United States. And whereas Denver Police and Sheriff Appreciation Week provides an opportunity for the residents and leaders of Denver to recognize and honor the dedication, professionalism, and sacrifices made daily by our law enforcement personnel. Now therefore be proclaimed by the city and county of Denver and I'll read that correctly. Now therefore be proclaimed by the council of the city and county of Denver, section one, that the Denver City Council recognizes May 2026 as Denver Police and Sheriff Appreciation Week in section two that the clerk of the city and county of Denver shall affix the seal of the city and county of Denver to this proclamation and that a copy be transmitted to Al Gardner, executive director of the Denver Department of Public Safety.

Thank you. Council member Watson, your motion to adopt.

I move that proclamation number two six zero six four five be adopted.

It has been moved and seconded. Comments by members of council? I'll start with you. Council member Watson.

Thank you so much, council president. And fellow council members, this is not just my fault. Now I assume this is from all of Denver City Council. When I look around this room of the public servants, the folks who've chosen to raise their hand to serve others, you are representative of all communities. Many of you are Denverites.

Many of you are transplants, but you all have that strict that shared commitment of putting our people first and ensuring that we're safe. Safe is not just dealing with guns. Safe is not just a police action. Safe is being willing to listen to community members in your service. Safe is making sure that we are putting into place different steps in collaboration and co creation with community, and I think that's what sets aside our Department of Safety from many others.

We are built with and listened to the voices of community, and I see that in your two great leaders in the 500 meetings a week. I see them sitting in and listening, not often often speaking, not often on the phone, but always present. That is important, and that's an important example for each of you standing and sitting in this room of the type of leadership that you have and the ways in which our community look at you, not just for safety, but security to make sure we have the great Denver that we deserve. So thank you all for this week and every week that you put your lives and your family family's lives, quite frankly, when you leave them every day on the line for each of us sitting here in Denver City Council, from the sheriff's team who support us on a regular basis, and the Denver Police and everyone else throughout Department of Safety. Thank you so much for your leadership, director Gardner, and thank you so much for each of you and the leadership that you provide.

Thank you. Councilmember Hines.

Thank you, madam president. Thank you, councilmember Watson, for the proclamation. I wanna I wanna try something. This will be slightly interactive. If if you in the audience could raise your hand if you're a city employee. I'll raise your hand. That's right. If you're all city employees. Keep your hand up if you've served more than five years here in Denver. Ten years. Fifteen years. Twenty years. Look at all these hands still. Twenty five years. Thirty years. Thirty five years. Chief? I like

this. Forty years.

Served since he was born.

Thank thank you. Thank you so much to all the city employees who who help keep us our jails safe, our cities safe, our streets safe, and and do it with a smile on your face when when that is appropriate and and with the attention when that is appropriate as well. So I just not only do I wanna thank you for for being here, for being Citi employees, I wanna thank you for the just the tenure, the amount of service that that the people here in this room have have provided to our great city. I think it's also commendable. So thank you. Thank you, madam president.

Thank you. Councilman Lewis. Thank you.

I'll be brief. I actually wanted to thank Sheriff Jenkins for your partnership with the clothing closet with the goodwill as well as the free phone calls for jail. I mean, you and I have worked on a number of projects together, and I just have a deep appreciation for it. As well as your staff, they're always a very friendly face, a wave in the hallway in the morning, a good morning, and so thank you all, as well as walking us out to our cars no matter how late we are here, and sometimes we're really late. We're here pretty late.

Then for you, chief Thomas, I wanna thank you and your staff as well for your responsiveness and community. Anytime I call you with something that's happening in District 8 or beyond, your folks are always responsive, always willing to have a conversation, always willing to be in partnership with whatever is happening in my community. And so just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you, your staff, for the both of you. So thank you for your time.

Thank you. Councilmember Parity? Yeah.

I just I have a couple of things to say to those same leaders. Chief Thomas knows this, but right when I was a brand new council member, my daughter and I witnessed a shooting right outside the elementary school in our in our neighborhood. My daughter was six at the time, and she was terrified. And I did not call the police chief because I had no way wanted to, you know, get special treatment. I just called 911.

But the chief got wind that this had happened and called and checked on me, and that kindness just has stayed with me. It's been a couple years, but I just want you to know how much that meant to me and my daughter, frankly, because she felt safer because of that conversation that we had. And I likewise, like council member Lewis, I've been over in the jail a number of times and could not speak more highly of the professionalism of the staff there and especially the folks that are here with us, staying alert through deeply boring things every Monday night and just speaking with us. Thank you.

Thank you. Council pro temer mayor Kemmel.

Thank you, madam president. Again, just deep appreciation for the partnership and for not only with myself, but with the entire d four d four team and how responsive and just so helpful with the team when they are working to try to, you know, get answers and also with our community partners. So I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you to everybody here in the room and also those who stay and help us through our council meetings and wait for us to enter into our cars. I know it's a it's a it's a lift, and we just really appreciate it and always accommodating. You know, we're here in Par Widener when we're up also in the chambers. It's just been really, really fantastic. So thank you all for

your time. Thank you. Councilman Gonzalez Gutierrez. Thank you,

madam president. I I'm glad that we're doing this proclamation this evening and wanna thank you all for your service and your work. I've had, you know, a lot of opportunity even before coming to city council and interaction with chief Thomas and sheriff Diggins. I said it right this time. I didn't call you chief.

It's a joke. You know, I think you all show up in a space in understanding that although we may not always agree when it comes to policy or how things are implemented, you still show up. You still show up for the tough conversations, whether it's in community or around a table where we're deliberating. And I do wanna just say I appreciate both of you for for always being willing to come to the table for that and also understanding that there are times that I think you all might remember this where, you know, even as folks in our roles are are seen as being a certain way. And you both came through and said, we no.

We know. We know that, you know, we work together, and we try to work together as much as possible knowing that, again, we may not always see eye to eye, but that I appreciate very much. And I know I can call either of you or any of, you know, the officers and and sheriff deputies.

If I

have a question about something because I've heard something about in community, I will say that you're pretty straightforward with providing that information, and I really, really appreciate it because a lot of times, it involves community members who are scared, who are upset, and I wanna be able to help them and and guide them on their path. So thank you so much.

Thank you, madam president. Thank you. Thank you to all of the uniformed up people in here today with us. I think all of our lives are better because of your service, and it's a calling to be able to be a public service. It's not something that you you literally have to have a calling. It literally has to fill your heart at night because a lot of what you all see, you take home with you at night, and it impacts your family. It impacts your personal health. It impacts your mental health. And just wanna say that I couldn't understand that. And to both chief Thomas and sheriff Diggins, thank you both personally for a lot of the help that you've given me personally.

I'll never forget chief Thomas when you you weren't chief, but you checked on me one night when something really egregious happened at my house. And you called me in the middle of the night and asked how I was, and I think I was sobbing. And you stayed on the phone with me tell I was actually better. And then you helped advocate for resources for me because I was working for the fire department, and I didn't know I had access to certain resources as a safety someone who's working for public safety. So thank you for that.

And chief Diggins, thank you. I know I've had some issues here with somebody who is trying to make themself known to me and have had to rely on your a little bit more than I like don't like to. You know, I don't like to ask for help. I have a very hard time asking for help. And just want you all to know that when I go home, I am a mom, and my family hears about these things. And I'm like, don't worry. It's okay. I'm gonna be okay. I'm at the City And County Building, or don't worry. I'm okay. We'll have extra patrol at the house. So it really does make a difference in these jobs that we also take home with us. So thank you all. And I just wanna give a shout out. Thank you all for your professionalism.

We we hear about these disputes, and it's usually probably on average 7%. There's 7% of us teachers, elected officials who are bad actors, and then you all get the rap of being bad actors. And I have not experienced that at my time here. So thank you all for your professionalism and for showing up every day when things aren't easy. We really appreciate that. Madam secretary, roll call.

Alvidrez? Aye. Flynn? Aye. Gonzales Gutierrez? Aye. Hines? Aye. Cashman? Aye. Lewis? Aye. Parody? Aye. Romero Campbell? Aye. Sawyer? Aye. Torres? Aye. Watson? Aye. Madam president?

Aye. Madam secretary, close the voting. Announce the results. 12 ayes. 12 ayes. Proclamation zero six four five has been adopted. We now have time for the proclamation acceptance. Council member Wilson, who will be lining up to accept the proclamation?

All of sheriff Dickens and chief Thomas. And if you wanna bring your brother from another mother, director Gardner with y'all, all three can come up and whomever else you choose. Okay.

Since he put

it like that.

These two have hair, so

I'll lay out.

But I think, you know, really, really briefly, you know, we all live in Denver, and I think we're blessed. That's to echo what everyone has heard. We're blessed to to have men and women that serve like this. One thing that's evident really, really quickly, once you start working very, very closely with police and sheriff and the rest of the Denver Department of Safety is how much they care. And I think that becomes evident in interaction.

As you find out how much they care, that level of trust begins to rise and rise and rise. And I think probably they're a victim of their own piousness, an inability to tell that story. But it's because their heart is truly in the work that they do, and it's been a privilege to work alongside them. So thank you. On behalf of Department of Safety, thank you.

I'll be brief as well. Good afternoon, counsel. Thank you all for the proclamation and for those words. It is a privilege for us to be able to do the work that we're called to do. And I met with our brand new class of recruits this morning and told them that this is not a job, it's a career.

And the work is hard and we're challenged physically, mentally, emotionally, and sometimes spiritually. But I wanna thank all of the members of our agency for showing up every single day despite the adversity that we have. As an agency, they never give up. They never quit, and we continue to move forward because of the good work of all the people who have decided that this is where they wanna serve the citizens. And we also thank the people of the city and county of Denver for all of their support as well because we could not do this work without them, and it's our privilege to be able to serve them. So thank you. Please feel free to continue to call on us whenever you need. Thank you.

Thank you, council president and councilman Watson, all members of council. I think normally I would say that you've saved the best for last, but I think maybe more appropriate that you've saved the oldest for last. Councilman Hines, I will forgive the ageism. But do want to thank you all. You have continued to show up and tell and celebrate the story of Denver PD and the city of Denver, so we certainly appreciate that.

Certainly appreciate everybody that has showed up today to receive this proclamation. It really is not for us. It is for all of us, and so I certainly are appreciative of that. And also I think in particular because you all, many of you normally attend our memorial ceremony, which is going to be on Thursday the fourteenth, I know that you all will be away at your budget retreat, so certainly you will be missed, but your thoughts will certainly be with us. So thank you.

Council member Flynn, would you please read proclamation zero six four nine?

Yes. I will, madam president. Thank you. Proclamation 26 dash zero six four nine, honoring the O'Hairs' multi multigenerational service to the Denver Police Department. Whereas in 1962, president John f Kennedy declared through presidential proclamation a week of May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Week in The United States, and whereas the Denver Police Museum has instituted its legacy program to honor and recognize multigenerational law enforcement service to our community, it has chosen to highlight the O'Hare family for police week twenty twenty six.

And whereas William O'Hare began the family's legacy upon joining the Denver Police Department on 01/01/1951, serving in Districts 2 And 3 and selling as a detective in the burglary division, solving numerous rape cases, and earning the Medal of Honor for his bravery during an attempted robbery of Western National Bank, and whereas William's brother, Paul O'Hare, joined the Denver Police Department in 1958 as patrol officer downtown, going on to work several undercover assignments to suppress street robberies and crimes against women, earning recognition and being awarded a fellowship from the College of Criminal Justice, and also serving as a patrolman, technician, sergeant, lieutenant working at the academy as a shift commander and as a community relations liaison. And whereas Dan O'Hare, son of William, joined the Denver Police Department as a cadet, graduating as the outstanding recruit of his class and going on to earn the Purple Heart in 1973 for a serious injury, he served with distinction in roles including patrol officer in districts two and four, detective in vice, narcotics, major peddler unit and the organized crime strike force, sergeant in patrol and the intelligence bureau, lieutenant in patrol and internal affairs, a captain aide to chief Savarez, commander of District 1, division chief of staff services, chief of detectives, chief of patrol, chief of technology and support, and deputy chief of administration.

Sounds like you couldn't hold a shot. Whereas Kelly O'Hare, daughter of Dan, joined the federal police department as a cadet in 1989 and went on to serve and patrol at districts three and four as a detective in domestic violence and homicide and as a lieutenant in the intelligence bureau. And whereas Carrie O'Hare, daughter of Dan, joined the Denver Police Department in 2000 and served as a patrol officer in districts four and five, a community resource officer in district three, a detective in district six, major crimes, and the firearms assault shoot team, and currently serves in major crimes sex offense investigations. And whereas David Quinones, husband of Kelly O'Hare, joined the department in January 1986 and served in district four patrol, the gang unit, as a sergeant in internal affairs and narcotics, as a lieutenant in district six, commander of district one, division chief for special operations and patrol, and as a deputy chief of the Denver Police Department. And whereas Paul Jimenez, husband of Carrie O'Hare, joined the Denver Police Department in 1998, has enjoyed a distinguished career marked by numerous citations, including the Medal of Honor for Bravery, and currently serves as commander of the investigations bureau.

And whereas Dan O'Hare Junior served two years as a volunteers and police service volunteer, staffing the 16th Street Mall kiosk and the Bear Valley cop shop, and whereas Ryan O'Hare, son of Dan O'Hare, joined the Lakewood Police Department in 2005 serving in patrol, investigations, and as a canine handler, and whereas John Nelson, a cousin, began his career in 2006 serving on patrol and as a corporal in district six, as a sergeant in district four, and currently serves as a sergeant at the airport, and whereas Aaron O'Hare, also a cousin, continues the O'Hare family legacy as a recruit in the current Denver Police Academy class. Therefore, be it proclaimed by the Denver City Council's section one that the Denver City Council recognizes the O'Hairs family family's outstanding twenty two hundred twenty years of cumulative public safety service to the people of Denver. Section two, that the clerk and recorder of the city and county of Denver shall affix the seal of the city and county of Denver to this proclamation and that a copy be transmitted to the O'Hare, Denver Police Department, and the Denver Police Museum.

Thank you. Council member Flynn, your motion to adopt.

Thank you, madam president. I move that proclamation 26 dash zero six four nine be adopted.

It has been moved and seconded. Comments by members of council? Council member Flynn.

Thank you, madam president. I'll I'll be brief. I I refreshed my memory about Dan mostly about Dan. I didn't know he had all these family members in the department, so many of them. I knew I knew chief Quinones, of course, and a few of the others.

So I had to refresh my memory over the weekend because a lot of your service in command overlapped with with my tenure at the Rocky Mountain News diagonally across from the headquarters. So I spent a lot of time in that building doing night cops and day cops as well as covering city council. And so I did have occasion to write a few things that had your name in them, and I hope you don't remember them. To have such a distinguished career and to be inspired by your father, by your uncle, to have your children and cousins and nephews and nieces be inspired by that also, is just a testament to how good it is to serve on the Denver Police Department. They've had some rough times, and your father probably witnessed a few of them during his tenure in the early sixties.

And so but to to have to establish that legacy, I think, speaks to the command and the the continuation of command and the and the pursuit of excellence of the Denver Police Department. Not always getting there, but always striving to be there. So I wanna thank you, Dan, and your extended family for two hundred and twenty years combined of you, your father, uncle, and your the rest of your family. So thank you. Please pass.

Thank you. Just wanna say thank you for your service. A lot of times in in what council member Flynn read, it impacted Northwest Denver, and I personally know some of your family members who have been tremendous to service to Denver. So thank you and all your family for all your amazing dedication to Denver. It it just I'm glad we're doing this proclamation. Madam secretary, roll call.

Alvidrez? Aye. Flynn? Aye. Gonzales Gutierrez? Aye. Hines? Aye. Cashman? Aye. Lewis? Aye. Parody? Aye. Romero Campbell? Aye. Sawyer? Aye. Torres? Watson? Aye. Madam president?

Aye. Madam secretary, close voting. Announce the results.

12 ayes.

12 ayes. Proclamation zero six four nine has been adopted. We have five minutes for the proclamation acceptance. Council Flynn, who will you be inviting up to accept the proclamation?

Thank you, madam president. I'd to invite Dan and also the chief to say some words about this proclamation and about the family.

Thank you, council president, councilman Watson. Again, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas. You know, certainly thankful for this proclamation. You know, remember a quote by, I can't remember the sports writer, but they talked about how the way that you identify people for entry into a Hall of Fame, whether it's the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame or NFL Hall of Fame, is you cannot tell the story of Major League Baseball or the NFL without that name. And so I think that there are a number of members of the O'Hare family, both past and present, that you cannot talk about the Denver Police Department without mentioning their names.

Specifically, know that members of that family, again, both past and present, have been significant mentors in my life, and so I'm certainly proud to be here to accept the proclamation on behalf of the O'Hare family, and thank you all once again for again recognizing our history. Thank you.

I think you wrote some good stories, Kevin. I never had any problems with any of them, but I don't remember ever giving you a statement about anything, unless the virus ordered me to. I guess first to introduce my family, Better Half Kathy, and my daughter Kelly, who's retired Denver PD lieutenant, My daughter Carrie, who's currently active, the sex assault detective. My brother Bill, who did a distinguished career with Parks and Recreation and is retired now, and his wife Laureen. And I didn't forget anybody, I hope.

I guess the most important thing is to thank you for recognizing us. The Police Museum was behind this effort, and Mike Hess has done a great job developing that whole project there. It's amazing. Talk about my dad, my uncle, and

you

know, were brothers in a family of 14 kids, and they were depression era babies. And so, like when my dad was 23 years old, he had two kids, My brother was one of them, and one on the way, me. And he was just looking for a steady job, a steady paycheck, and some secure employment, and probably hoping that maybe someday he would able be able to afford like a secondhand wringer washing machine and a clothesline or something. You know what mean? That's of course this Denver Civil Service was offering about 200 and some dollars a month, plus four days off a month, so who wouldn't jump on that deal?

I mean, his younger brother Paul, one of his younger brothers Paul, followed him a couple years behind. Paul was a true scholar. He had been a principal in Frazier before he came on the police department, but I'm sure he was thinking the same thing, that depression era mindset. You know, a steady job, steady paycheck, it doesn't matter how much you make, it's how much you save. And like twenty years or so after that, I was 21 years old with one kid, Kelly, another one on the way, Carrie, and more to follow, and I was hoping that maybe I could get on steady and actually be able to afford like a washer and dryer someday.

It all worked out great. My kids and grandkids now, instead of wringer washing machines and clotheslines, and I mean, they've got iPads and iPhones and electric cars, and this department and this city has treated us so well, and made us so blessed. Now, I was always told if you get on this job, it's like ticket to the greatest show on earth, and it was. And, some of the scenes, they were horrifying. There were things that you cannot unsee or unforget.

You can't forget them. But there were a lot of heartwarming things, a lot of successes, and a lot of good things that happened, and every one of us has suffered like a bunch of injuries that were potentially life threatening injuries and been in those life threatening situations, but we also had a lot of rewards and a lot of great people to work around. And, anytime I'm in a room where I'm surrounded by people in blue uniforms, most of them are gone now, I'm comfortable because that's the way I spent most of my adult life. So, thank you so much for this proclamation, recognizing our family. I thank all the council members, and I hope that all of you can attend the event on Thursday.

A number of those officers who were on that wall I knew and worked around, and so I feel it's important that we be there to honor them too. Thank you.

Madam secretary, please be read the bills for introduction.

From the community planning and housing committee, 26 dash zero five five seven, a bill for an ordinance changing the zoning classification for 8401 East Bellevue Avenue in Hampden South. 26 dash zero five six one, a bill for an ordinance amending chapter 27 article three of the revised municipal code concerning the preservation of affordable housing. From the finance and business committee, twenty six dash zero five six six, a bill for an ordinance designating certain properties is being required for public use and granting the authority to acquire through negotiated purchase or condemnation all property interests needed for the installation of the twenty twenty three pedestrian intersection improvements project, which property interests may include without limitation, fee interests, easements, access rights, improvements, buildings, fixtures, licenses, and permits as needed for the project. The project is loaded located at the intersection of East 13th Avenue and North Emerson Street and 1850 South Irving Street in Council Districts 2 And 10. From the governance and intergovernmental relations committee, 26 dash zero five five eight, a bill for an ordinance amending the classification and pay plan for employees in the career service and for certain employees not in the career service.

26 dash zero five five nine, a bill for an ordinance amending classification and pay plan for employees in the career service and for certain employees not in the career service. From the transportation and infrastructure committee, twenty six twenty six dash zero five six five, a bill for an ordinance amending chapter 10 article 14 of the Denver revised municipal code concerning high performance existing buildings.

Thank you. Councilmember, this is your last opportunity to call out an item. Councilmember Parity, will you please make the motions for us this evening? Yes, council president. Thank you. Now I'll do a recap. Under resolutions, council resolution zero five six two has been called out for postponement by council member Watson. Council resolutions zero five zero four and zero five zero five have been called out for postponement pursuant to rule 3.6 by council member Parity. Council resolution zero five five two has been called out for comment by council member Parity. Council resolution zero six four four has been called out for comment by council member Lewis.

Under bills for introduction, no items have been called out. Under bills for final consideration, under council bill zero five four two has been called out for amendments by council member Sawyer. Under pending, no items have been called out. Madam secretary, please put the first item on our screens. Council resolution zero five six two, a resolution to waive the city and county's right of first refusal and right of first offer provided by state law pursuant to CRS 29 through four through 12 o two and c r r CRS 29 through four through 12 o three respectively.

Council member Watson, what would you like to do with council resolution zero five six two?

Council president, I move to postpone council resolution two six zero five six two to Monday, 05/18/2026.

It has been moved and seconded. Comments by members of council. Council member Watson.

Council president. Council resolution two six zero five six two is a companion resolution to council bill two six zero five six one, which will be heard on first reading tonight. Postponing the resolution will allow the resolution to be voted on at the same time or at the same meeting as the second reading and final reading of the ordinance.

Thank you. Seeing now there are colleagues in the queue. Madam secretary, roll call on proof only of council resolution zero five six two. Alvedrez?

Aye.

Flynn? Gonzalez Gutierrez? Aye. Heinz? Aye. Cashman?

Aye.

Lewis? 11 ayes.

11 ayes. Council resolution zero five six two has been postponed to 05/18/2026. Madam secretary, please put the next item on our screens. Council resolution zero five zero four, a resolution approving a proposed agreement between the city and county of Denver and AFL Maintenance Group Incorporated to provide janitorial services for group five citywide excluding Denver International Airport. Council member Parity, what would you do like to do with council resolution zero five zero four?

Thank you, council president. Pursuant to rule 3.6, I would like to postpone resolution o five zero four for one week to the next regularly scheduled council meeting on Monday, 05/18/2026.

Thank you. No motion is required. Council resolution zero five zero four has been postponed to Monday, 05/16/2026. I'm secretary. Please put the next time on our screens. Council resolution zero five zero five, a resolution approving a proposed agreement between the city and county of Denver and CCS faculty services, Colorado Inc, to provide citywide janitorial services specifically for groups one, two, three, four, and six, citywide excluding Denver International Airport. Council member Parity, what would you like to do with council resolution zero five zero five?

Thank you, council president. Again, rule 3.6, I'd like to postpone this resolution from one to the next regularly scheduled council meeting on Monday, 05/18/2026.

Thank you. No motion is required, and council resolution zero five zero five has been postponed till Monday, 05/18/2026. Madam secretary, please put the next item on our screens, council resolution zero five five two, a resolution approving a proposed second and mandatory agreement between the city and county of Denver and Colorado nonprofit development center in core coordination with the city and county of Denver to purchase a permanent facility to support critical work providing health access to Denver residents. No charge to contract capacity or to term citywide. Councilmember Parity, please go ahead with your comments on council resolution zero five five two.

Thank you, madam president. The Colorado nonprofit development center is a DBA in this case for the harm reduction action center, And this is funding that's rolling over for yet another year on that HRAC is attempting to use to purchase a building so that they can be out of the situation of renting. You all will recall that we passed an ordinance through this body that would have made it easier for them to do that by opening up the areas of the city where they were allowed to operate. They have still not been able to buy a building. And so I mostly wanted to ask if there's someone here from real estate or the mayor's office that could speak to how that effort is going because we've sort of coordinated various discussions trying to make sure that that these funds don't essentially expire and that this organization doesn't have to keep paying increasing rent where they're at when we've tried to fund them to buy a building.

Good afternoon, Councilwoman Perry. Tim Hoffman with the mayor's office. I've been in touch with DBPG, with the city attorney's office, as well as the mayor's office. The latest I have is that the city attorney's office has worked with HRAC on some specific questions they had about the contract for any future building that they might pursue, so I think that there was just some clarifying question going back and forth between HRAC and the city attorney's office. Sounds like the next step in the process is for ATRAC to work in conjunction with our real estate team and other folks to identify some possible buildings. So that's my understanding of where we are in the process.

That's a little dismaying to me because that's been the next step for quite a long time. And so I was hoping that there would be a better update by now, like buildings identified. And the thing that HRIC had to work out between sort of with the city, I suppose, was that unexpectedly unexpectedly to to HRIC, HRIC, the city asked for first position in front of the mortgage in any building purchase that they made, and that caused a building purchase to fall through. And so without commenting on the validity of that policy from the city side, that's what happened. That was really unfortunate that the communication even allowed a building purchase to get to that point.

They lost a down payment. And the hope has been that the city real estate team would work with them to actually identify a building. And so if the update is that they're still working together, then there's building identified. There's nothing else you can tell us about that other than that they're still supposed to be working together.

I'm not aware of

a specific building that's been identified.

Okay. I'd

love for my colleagues to reach out to HRIC for updates and keep your eyes on this because they are paying so much more rent than they used to be because they've had to continue just extending their lease indefinitely in the space that they're in, and they really just need our support in getting this done. Thank you, Tim. Appreciate it. Thank you, madam president.

Councilman Perry madam secretary, please put the next item on our screen. Council resolution zero six four four, a resolution authorizing and approving the expenditure and payment from appropriations account designated liability claims. The sum of $225,000 and no cents made payable to Klaushky Law PLLC in full payment and satisfactions of all claims related to the civil action captioned syndrome e t all versus Malone, which was filed in the district court for the city and county of Denver case twenty twenty five c v zero 30266. Council member Lewis, please go ahead with your comments on council resolution zero six four four.

Thank you. So after consistent feedback from my constituents, as it is my responsibility to ensure that the public is aware of every tax dollar being approved as an expenditure and payment of funds for a settlement with the city and county of Denver. My office is tracking every dollar by department and has a running total. With the approval of 26040644 tonight, the city will approve settlements in the amount of 225,000 to settle cases brought against the Denver Police Department. The approval of these items tonight brings the twenty twenty six total for taxpayer dollars and city settlements to $784,500.

This funding is drawn from a liability claims pool of money that is refilled when necessary from the city's general budget and does not come out of the agents does not come out of agency specific budgets, we must therefore pay extra attention in this budget environment that we are watching out for how the city spends our money and that we are making decisions for the future with

this knowledge. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Councilmember Parity? Yes. And I will just add as I also typically do that once this claim is fully resolved, it's no longer active in court and is, you know, discharged, and therefore, we're no longer a representative party because there's more action. I always appreciate hearing from parties of their attorneys to talk more about what gave rise to the claim and anything else they feel like they need to share with an elected official. Thanks, madam president. Thank you.

Madam secretary, please put our next item on our screen. Council bill zero five four two, a bill for an ordinance amending section twenty three seventy six division three article four. Is that right? Yeah. Article four chapter 20 of the Denver revised municipal code regarding prevailing wage. Council member Parity, will you please put council bill zero five four two on the floor for final passage?

I move that council bill twenty six zero five four two be placed upon final consideration and do pass.

It has been moved and seconded. Council member Sawyer, your first motion to amend?

I move to amend council bill 26 dash o five four two in the following particulars. On page one, line 33, insert quote three, this section shall not apply a, where the city transfers dedicated funds to a non city governmental entity including without limitation, a metro district, a general improvement district, a business improvement district, or b, two development projects related to or funded in accordance with the authorization provided by a downtown development authority established pursuant to section 31 dash 25 dash eight zero one CRS at Sequitur, end quote.

Comments by members of council on amendment one. Council member Sawyer.

Thanks, madam president. So the purpose of this amendment is to clarify that certain entities, and projects are exempted from the prevailing wage requirements. The sponsors and I totally disagree with the reading of the city attorney's office that this was ever part of the discussion or on the table. This is a prevailing wage ordinance that's been in place since 1950. That was most recently updated in 2023 and was also updated in 2016 after a year's worth of stake holding and conversation with the auditor's office and community. So we are happy to make this clarification in this ordinance in order to make sure that everyone is on the same page even if we don't feel like we

have to.

Happy to do it.

Thank you. Council councilmember Parity?

Yeah. Just echoing my cosponsor to say that, I don't believe there was ever, any question that these entities were excluded by this ordinance. This is a very old ordinance, and so I don't necessarily agree with the need for the amendment, but

here we are. Thank you.

Thank you all, and thank you for everyone who worked on this for I won't belabor how long we talked about this since Wednesday of last week. I serve on the downtown development authority, and it got brought to my attention that we this might be an interpretation error. And so I appreciate the sponsors willing to put this into ordinance so that we have clarity. You all know my my term, clearest kind. So I think that that we do that just so that the public who's watching what this amendment does is if you are a business improvement district, we are a pass through entity.

You cannot create a business improvement district without a city. And the city collects it, and we pass the money through so that you can do your work. If it's a if it's a general improvement district, we collect it. We pass it through so that general improvement district can do its work. And for the downtown development authority, we pass it through.

And as somebody who serves on the Downtown Development Authority, I have always said these aren't city projects. So when I heard the interpretation that it was it was because money was collected by the city, it became a city project. I was like, I disagree with that. So thank you councilman Sawyer and councilman Torres for texting all weekend and all since last Wednesday. And thank you for I just wanna say and thank you for the mothers who worked on Mother's Day on this.

I was one of them. So I just wanna say thank you for all the moms who had stepped away from celebrations to work on this. I really, really, really, really, really appreciate you. Madam secretary, roll call on amendment one to council bill zero five four two.

Alvidrez? Aye. Flynn? Aye. Gonzalez Gutierrez? Aye. Heinz?

Aye.

Cashman? Aye. Lewis? Aye. Parody? Aye. Romero Campbell? Aye. Sawyer? Aye. Torres? Aye. Watson? Aye. Madam president?

Aye. Madam secretary, close the voting. Announce the results.

12 ayes.

12 ayes. Amendment one to council bill zero five four two has passed. Council member Sawyer, your second motion to amend?

I move to amend council bill 26 dash o five four two in the following particulars. On page three line 19, insert, quote, section two applicability. This ordinance shall not apply to any project that has received an award letter from the Department of Housing Stability prior to 06/01/2026, end quote.

It has been moved and seconded. Comments by members of council on amendment number two. Council member Sawyer.

Thanks, madam president. So the purpose of this amendment is to clarify that the ordinance will not apply to the host projects that are currently in queue. So there are 12 projects that host was able to identify that are currently in, like, red line drafts or conversations where the capital stack has been put together, And the changing this ordinance, even though we're not changing any language of it, would potentially put those projects at risk, particularly for seven of them, and we don't want that. Right? We we all want.

We have what I have described over and over again at this point is competing social determinants of health, wages, and housing. And we want this to be a yes and, not an either or. And so it is important to us that we make sure that we allow for these projects, these seven projects that are truly at risk of no longer being viable, make sure that they continue to be viable because we are grateful for all of the affordable housing providers and builders that are in our city. We are grateful to host for the work that they do. This is something that we all wanna prioritize and feel really strongly about.

But we also wanna be very clear that this does not preclude the need for a memorandum of understanding with the auditor's office, that hosts in the auditor's office have outstanding issues that need to be addressed, and those can only be addressed in an MOU. It's not something city council can do. I think one of the things that has been very frustrating about this week has been the number of people coming to city council members and saying, you know, fix this, and we can't. There's just some things that we cannot fix. Legally speaking, the charter does not give us the authority to do that.

And so we really appreciate all of the outreach that we have received from people. We have taken your feedback. We hear you. I really wanna say thank you to the auditor's office in particular for moving on so many different things so quickly to ensure that this conversation continues, including committing to rule making over the next six weeks to update a number of the different processes, rules, and regs that need to happen with a public And And to to do

put into the law into their prevailing

that. Wage clarification document. They did that last week. So I really wanna say thank you and acknowledge the auditor's office in, the ways that they have worked to partner with the community, with city council, with the administration to to get this done because, like I said, we all have the same goals, and those goals are both wages and housing, for our community members. So this is you know, it has turned into, I think, a much more sticky situation than, we had originally anticipated, and I wanna be very clear again.

We disagree with the city attorney's office interpretation of this law, which is why we are taking the city attorney's advice, which was to clarify the law. What we did not anticipate was that at every turn, the city attorney's office would put roadblocks up to stop us from doing this, and that is not acceptable. That is not partnership. That is not okay. And so I wanna say that on the record right now, very clearly, I wanna ask for your support for this amendment and also for the prevailing wage ordinance as a whole, which does not change any language up until these two amendments, but instead simply changes the structure of the ordinance in response to the city attorney's memo saying that was not clear when it was written in 2016.

City council should not have to be the people in the middle of this conversation. We do not have the legal authority to fix every single one of these things. This needs to be a conversation between the auditor's office, the mayor's office, host, the affordable housing community, and anyone else who wants to be a part of it. And so I urge you all to participate in the upcoming rulemaking process. I wanna say thank you again to for all of you for participating up to this point, and, again, ask for your support tonight, not only for this amendment, but for the full prevailing wage ordinance. Thanks. Thank you.

Councilwoman Parity? Yes. I have one clarification I wanna make with our city attorney, and I think it's Brylin who's here tonight because the what I'm concerned about is just as councilor Sawyer said, to set the table for this ordinance. It is my understanding, that the and my reading that the prevailing wage ordinance, by its language, always should have been applied to housing projects that were receiving city funding. And I don't agree with the executive interpretations that have sort of avoided that.

And then this issue has been happening between the executive branch and the auditor's office, has enforcement authority here, has been percolating for years. And so it's finally come to this point where we're passing the entire point of this ordinance is to clarify language that we don't believe needs clarifying. In other words, we're restating it to take away any possible other interpretation despite the fact that we're on the same page about how it should be interpreted. So with respect to this amendment, my understanding of this amendment is that it will, as a concession to the administration, say that our new ordinance language applies to any host project that gets a letter on or after June 1. But I what I wanna be really clear about is that the old ordinance language still applies to projects that got a letter before June 1.

So they're not we're not exempting them because that would not be fair to workers on those projects. We're simply leaving the political dispute or the interpretive dispute that exists, such as it exists in the same place for those projects. Brieland, I'm hoping it was John that I actually spoke about this, and I know he had to go pick up his kids. So I'm hoping that you are you have had the baton passed to you sufficiently to speak to this.

Yep. He built me in, and you

are correct. This amendment just applies the existing language to everything that didn't that got the letter before June 1, and then the new language will apply after June 1. Okay. So in my view, that's the same, but,

you know,

we're here amending for clarity. Thank you. That was all I wanted to ask. Thank you, Riley. Thank you, madam president. Thank

you. Council member Cashman?

My question got answered in councilman.

Thank you. Councilman Torres? I'll take

myself out. Councilmember Alpiedras? Thank you. I did have a

question probably for Denver Labor. My question is I did get outreached by several city departments today, CASR and Denver Arts and Venues about grants, like small grants that they're giving out. And I was curious what your thoughts are if this would affect them in any way, not the amendment in particular, but the whole ordinance.

Thank you for the question. Matthew Fritz Mauer, executive director of Denver Labor. I would love to talk to those agencies to make sure that our system can be flexible and can evolve. It seems to me that if there's a grant by the city like to a private homeowner that that deserves a different kind of look than a multimillion dollar award to a developer for any reason. Those are really the projects that the prevailing wage ordinance was intended to apply to, was the big ones where a lot of money is being spent, lot of work is being done.

And so I think we can huddle and get together on that and not make sure that we aren't jamming up any good programs that are already in place, but making sure that we can fit within everything that's happening.

Basically, this doesn't set anything in stone about those projects. Those are things that conversations that can continue

to have.

Absolutely. Always. Wonderful. Well, I appreciate that, and I'll just point them to speak to you about those issues. You have my cell phone number. I appreciate it. Thank you, councilor for that, and thank you to the sponsors of the ordinance for their work on this.

Again, just wanna say thank you to the sponsors and shout out to councilman Sawyer and councilman Torres for working through this and listening to all of our partners. I wanna give a shout out to our affordable housing developers. You all know that you speak my love language. You're building affordable housing in Denver where it's so needed. And at the same time, when I've talked to each one of you, I think I've said that you're building the probably affordable housing for the people who are actually building the affordable housing.

They're not making a lot of money. You're also building affordable housing for a lot of our council aids, a lot the city workers in Denver who can't afford to live in Denver. Your teachers, entry level police officers, entry level firefighters, a lot of them can qualify for a lot of your projects. And thank you to Denver Labor for you answered something to me. Like, I asked you a question. You sent me the document. I asked you another question. You sent me a document. I asked you another question. You sent me an idea.

You I sent you another question. You showed up at a meeting. I sent you another question, and you showed up at a meeting. And so all of this is a lot of how the sausage gets made and the how it's gets done before all of you. And I would just ask everybody who reached out to your us, city council, please reach out to Matt because all I'm gonna do is forward you to Matt. I really am. And in I Matt's a lovely man. He he's so responsive. I know he was working all weekend at the Capitol. Thank you for working at the Capitol this weekend, and I'm sure you didn't have much of a weekend either.

And so we're all just doing something that we all love is representing Denver in our own very unique way. So I really just appreciate the sponsors, and I also will a 100% be supporting this amendment and just really appreciate the work on behalf of all of us to get here. And I'm gonna do one last shout out. We need an MOU. We have to have one.

We cannot have an MOU. So if there's not an MOU, you're gonna hear from me, and I'm gonna ask all my colleagues that you hear from them as well. I will not give up on this until that MOU is signed and in our inbox, and we can clearly understand that because as councilman Sawyer said, that is something we cannot control on the legislative side. Thank you all. Madam secretary, roll call on amendment two to council bill zero five four two.

Alvidrez? Aye. Flynn? Aye. Gonzalez Gutierrez? Aye. Hines?

Aye.

Cashman?

Aye.

Lewis? Aye. Parody? Aye. Romero Campbell. Aye. Sawyer. Aye. Torres. Aye. Watson. Aye. Madam president.

Aye. Madam secretary, closed voting. Nonsense the results. 12 ayes. 12 ayes. Amendment two to council bill zero five four two has passed. Council member Parity, will you please put council bill zero five four two on the floor for final passage as amended?

I move that council bill twenty six zero five four two be placed upon final consideration and do pass as amended.

It has been moved and seconded. Comments by members of council as amended? Alright. Is everyone good? Council member Parity?

Yeah. I just want to respond because I have heard affordable housing partners expressing concern about this. And, again, first of all, although it has gone under enforced, I do believe this has been the law of the city and should be the law of the city. These kind of laws are common at all levels of government because we try to make sure that we're paying prevailing wages when we're putting public money into things. That's the basic principle.

I know everyone knows that. But I have heard a lot of concern about the perception that this will be a huge administrative burden, and I just want folks to know that I spoke to the auditor's office to understand more about how this works. And one thing I know about the auditor's office is that they are exemplary at they really lean into all of their their oversight roles and their educational roles. And so on these kind of projects, they will work directly with subcontractors who aren't familiar with having to submit their payroll for prevailing wage. They do that all the time with subcontractors who haven't done it before and bring them, you know, into that ecosystem.

They their approach is educational, not punitive, and it is not the general contractor's role to be the one that has to check all of that payroll that happens through the portal that the prevailing wage administrator has set up. And so I just I'm hoping that some of those concerns I understand why, especially for smaller organizations, it feels concerning to see any kind of new requirement, but I'm hoping folks will be very pleasantly surprised that this this would, in fact, rock the boat in the way that people have expressed and that they were afraid that it would. Thank you, madam president. Thank you. Council member Hines?

Thank you, madam president. Council member Sawyer talking about, talked about competing social determinants of health, and I I see that. I see that, making giving someone a living wage is a determinant of health. Also, housing is a determinant of health. I see one other dimension, if I if I may, and that is we wanna make sure that that affordable housing is quality and is built right the first time.

It doesn't have change orders. And and one way we can do that is making sure that the the people who build this housing are getting paid an appropriate wage so that they can focus on doing things right the first time as opposed to having to to correct things on the back end or just saying accepting a lower quality of of work. So so I agree that we we wanna make sure that people have paid a living wage. We also wanna make sure that people have appropriate housing. One of the things I would say a slightly different dimension is we just wanna make sure that that housing is built right the first time with people who are trained and understand how to build housing as opposed to the lowest common denominator of of salary for a worker.

Thank you, madam president. Thank you.

Seeing no other colleagues in the queue, madam secretary, roll call on council bill zero five four two as amended.

Alvidrez? Aye. Flynn? Aye. Gonzales Gutierrez? Aye. Heinz? Aye. Pashman? Aye. Lewis? Aye. Parady? Aye. Romero Campbell? Aye. Sawyer? Aye. Torres? Aye. Watson? Aye. Madam president?

Aye. Madam secretary, close the voting and announce the results.

Twelve

Twelve ayes. Council bill zero five four two as amended has passed. This concludes the items to be called out. All bills for introduction are ordered published. Council members, remember that this is a consent or block vote, and you will need to vote aye. Otherwise, this is your last chance to call out an item for a separate vote. Council member Parity, will you please put the proclamations and resolutions for adoption and the bills in final consideration for final passage on the floor.

I move that the proclamations and resolutions be adopted and bills on final consideration be placed on final consideration and do pass in a block for the following items. Twenty six zero all all series 26. Zero five five two, zero six four four, zero five six seven, zero six zero one, zero five six three, zero five six four. And

the proclamation 043. 0643. Thank you. It has been moved and seconded. Madam secretary, roll

call. Rodriguez? Aye. Flynn? Aye. Gonzalez Gutierrez? Aye. Hines? Aye. Cashman? Aye. Lewis? Aye. Parody? Aye. Romero Campbell? Aye. Sawyer? Aye. Torres? Aye. Watson? Aye. Madam president? Aye.

Madam secretary, Clozovoni announce the results.

12 ayes.

12 ayes. The proclamations and resolutions have been adopted, and the bills have been placed upon final consideration and do pass. Tonight, there will be a required public hearing on council bill zero three eight nine changing the zoning classification for 1057 South Gaylord Street in Washington Park with a reasonable condition, a required public hearing on council bill zero three nine two changing the zoning classification for 5101 Through 5115 North Milwaukee Street in Elyria, Swansea, and a required public hearing on council bill zero four eight six, approving a resolution requesting the renewal and continuation of the 5 Points Business Improvement District for an additional ten years. If there are no objections from members of council, we will recess until 05:30. Before reconvening the regular meeting, city council will provide half hour general public comment session to hear from the public on city matters except for any matter that is scheduled for a legally required public hearing.

The general public comment session will begin at 5PM. Thank you.

Hey, Denver. Here's what's happening around the mile high this week. Denver Parks and Rec is excited to introduce adventure hub, offering a variety of equipment rentals from kayaks, stand up paddle boards, to beach cruiser bikes, and series that can seat from two to six people. No reservations are required. This year marks marks CEC's CEC's fiftieth year.

This film festival celebrates the creativity and legacy of the film CTE program. Come support student storytellers as they showcase their work and sharpen their craft. Early College is a high school where students can get a head start on college and career at the same time. Singing bowls bring harmony and balance to life and make meditation easy, fast, and fun. Sound energy practitioner Ann Martin teaches modern ways to clear the mind and relax the body using singing bowls.

In these hands on classes, experiment with many types of bowls and experience ways to use them for self care and helping others. Grab your glass for a one of a kind sip and stroll in the aquarium and enjoy wines from Washington State. You'll get to enjoy underwater exhibits with live entertainment, hors d'oeuvres, and visits from ambassador animals. This 21 plus event is perfect for a date night, ladies night out, or a post dinner gathering. Welcome to emo night Brooklyn, a late night DJ driven dance party emo and pop punk jams that raised us, ruined us, and somehow still define us.

Take over the Federal Theater for a night of screaming every word, moshing with strangers, and feeling absolutely everything. One hundred and thirty five years after it was first performed on the historic theater stage, the pirates of Penzance returns this May. The performance is part of the theater's Elich Encore series, bringing live theater back to Denver's oldest stage. Mark your calendar to make sure you don't miss the Denver Master Gardener plant sale at Harvard Gulch Park. You'll find tomato and New Mexico chili plants, as well as native, annual, and perennial plants.

And there will be master gardener volunteers on hand to answer all your questions. Stay up to date with what's happening in Denver by following our socials, and you can always ask our chatbot, Sunny, online or by text.

Still in denial, those of us around are saying sort of like, wow, what a shame. You know, that's too bad. Some of these final goodbyes and being able to say all the words that we hope we could get to say.

My first experience at a death cafe was actually the one at Park Hill Library. I felt nervous to try to go attend something new, also given the topic of death and loss and grief is like not a small thing to try to welcome in, but you could tell that everyone had a really open energy and, like, open heart. The whole environment felt really supportive. I just think that I keep coming back because of the community and sometimes you see the mail in your faces and just the opportunity to, like, share your own part to also, like, see other people. I think something that I've gotten out of coming to the Deaf Cafes is really able to form my own community around people that are open and interested around the topics of death and grief and loss.

Some of the most heartwarming conversations that we've had have been around early losses that people have had in their life. What did that teach you about death? How did that inform how you saw things for the rest of your life? Some people are still dealing with loss. Maybe it was a loss of a spouse, a sibling, a friend. So how, as you grow does your relationship change to death? And then your own death. People have come because they've been really afraid of death. Other people have come because they want to talk about it, and they don't know anyone else to talk to. It is a really unifying topic.

Nobody gets out of here alive. And that one of the things that happens in this process is is is that we have two common experiences. We we have our birth and and then we have our death. To come in, we had to be born. To go out, we have to die. And in between is the experience of our life. And and that's what we're sharing, and that's what we want to have people come to that place, prepare for the for the going out, and then live your life.

Every time it's different people coming from different places in their life with different topics, a different group of people, different things that are in the news, what's going on in the outside world definitely comes into the smaller circle. Hopefully, you're leaving with a a lighter heart and feeling less alone in the world and maybe with more questions than you came in for. If you wanna be more active in Deaf Cafe, definitely go to the deafcafe.com website. You'll be able to search internationally all of the different Deaf cafes that are happening. Maybe getting out of the house is a little bit tricky, so try a virtual cafe as well.

You could be shy. You don't have to turn your camera on. Also, come to the library. If there isn't one happening near you, talk to your local librarian. See if that might be something that they're able to offer in your area.

Thank you.

So when I learned my trade, could do anything. And to this day, I can do anything. My name is Sam McNeil. Originally from Savannah, Georgia, and been living here since I was 10 years old and taught at Emily Griffith Opportunity School for some years. I've always had a interest in art.

I built, like, security doors, right arm fences, and stuff like that. And every now and then, a customer would ask me if to design something. What inspires me is just what you can you see a lot of these things are made out of scrap material, stuff that's actually been found in the alleys, gone to scrap yards, and sometimes people have left at this front door because they know what we do.

It doesn't take that much to be a kind person. And I think that most of the work that we do here is emulating that simplicity. The art is where we're standing. We cannot fix the world entirely, but we can bring that inspiration. We can bring out that that magic that is art to others. I think when

you see the work that is done here, you can see that resilience. You can see that softness. You can see that, like, almost comedy come through, and that's what attracts me. The characters actually come alive.

We have a lot of black history here. A lot. And a lot of people don't realize that. They've taken part of the history away from here. So the things that that we designed kinda speaks on that, even, like, with this bench here, with the Rossonian Hotel that's built into it, and even doing this piece of Charles Burrell, who just recently here, well, a few months ago. And knowing you know, realizing that he was a big part of this neighborhood.

Obviously, representing where our mission in this shop is. History of Five Points is quite important for us, for the community, for our new generations. It's a full circle on teamwork.

What's really cool about Sam is that he has a nose for images and icons that immediately get your attention. And he's been talking about this clock for a while, and I think the Rasonian just made sense as an icon of the neighborhood and what this neighborhood really means and its history and its special history and because it symbolizes something that's really cool for the neighborhood, which is Afrofuturism and that idea of timekeeping, how people's experiences within the times that they live in, you know, can change and evolve and develop and regress.

It's like the piece out back with the Frederick Douglass. I wanted to put something there that would be in your face, and it draws attention. And and we designed it in mind of the kids because you see the little swing that he holds in his hands.

I had a lot of fun with it. I'm afraid of heights. I did not do the height part, yeah, representing the artistic part of it was a joyful thing.

When we make it, it'll be an art piece, and it'll be a functioning art piece, but it'll have a story behind it. And that's that's that's real important to us down here. People talk, and people realize that here's somebody that stood for

session. If we did not get to you today, please join us at our next session or submit your comments in writing. The next session will be held on Monday, May 18. Sign up begins at 5PM on Thursday, May 15. We look forward to hearing from you again, and thank you for attending.

Council will now reconvene from our earlier session. There are there is no unfinished business from the earlier session. There are two proclamations being read this afternoon. I will now read proclamation zero six four seven. Proclamation zero six four seven honoring police detective Cody Davidson.

Whereas in 1962, president John f Kennedy proclaimed the week of May 15 as National Peace Officers Week in The United States. And whereas the Denver Police Department was officially organized on 12/09/1859, and since that time, nearly 8,000 men and women have taken an oath to serve the citizens of the city and county of Denver. And whereas these officers have served our community with a deep commitment to helping others, protecting the public and pursuing justice, and whereas Cody Davidson was born on 03/31/1973 to Michael and Susie Davidson, grew up in Denver and attended East High School. And whereas after graduating from high school, Cody attended Stefan f Austin University in Nachadovirus. Nachadovirus.

Nachadovirus. Say it again.

Nachadovirus. Say it again. Nachadovirus.

Nachadovirus. What council member Heinz said? Because he's from Texas. Texas. That's where grew up. Oh, okay. So he he went to college there. How do you say it one more time?

High school. Nagaroches.

When he went to college, he says.

Oh, where? I went to

high school. I'm sorry.

Yeah. University of Nastrodoches. Is that right? Did I say it right? Texas, where he majored in criminal science justice.

And whereas Cody later returned Colorado to complete his education at the Community College of Aurora and begin his law enforcement career. First serving as a police officer in the town of Bomar and later the Parker Police Department, the Douglas County SWAT team, and the Douglas County Drug Task Force. And whereas in January 2004, Cody joined the Denver Police Department serving district one as a police district one as a pro patrol officer and later serving for seventeen years as an undercover detective in the narcotic narcotics bureau, where he was remembered by fellow officers as a respected teammate, a beloved family ma'am, and a cherished friend. And whereas on 08/28/1999, Cody married Malene Lima, and together they raised two sons, Traeger and Brody, who now serve the citizens of Parker as police officers. And whereas Cody deeply loved his family and treasured the time he spent with them.

An addition and in addition to his police work, he coached football and baseball, leaving a lasting impact on young people in our community. And whereas Cody retired from the Denver Police Department on 09/20/2024 due to an illness and tragically passed away on 09/14/2025. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Denver City Council that the Denver City Council honors detective Davidson for his many years of service and recognizes his legacy of honor, dedication, integrity, and commitment to justice for victims of crime, that the clerk and recorder of the city and county of Denver shall affix the seal and of the city And county of Denver to this proclamation and that copies be transmitted to the Davidson family, the Denver Police Department, and the Denver Police Museum. I move that proclamation zero six four seven be adopted. It has been moved and seconded.

Just wanna say I when I was asked to do this proclamation, from what I understand, Cody worked in police district one, and so I started asking around, like, anybody who knows me. I started doing act like an investigative reporter. And all I heard were fantastic things about Cody and all his work in the Denver Police Department. People had really great stories to talk about him. And then I did a little bit more research, and I found that he had passed away in September 2025.

So it hasn't even been a year since he has tragically passed. And as somebody who has had lots of friends and my father and lots of people who've died of illness, it's just a such tragedy when you pass so young and you leave a legacy of love. So to his family and to all of the members who are here to represent to honor Cody, just know that he will he's deeply missed. And I'm sure this proclamation doesn't even do justice to all of the things that you feel about Cody and all his service to Denver. And I just wanna say thank you for sharing him with the residents of Denver, and thank you for his service to Denver.

I've been it's an honor for me to ex to put forward this proclamation. Council member Hines?

Thank you, madam president. This just underscores the the the reason why we issue proclamations like this. I grew up outside of a very small town in East Texas that is named after a Caddo Indian chief, Nagadoches. And I never get to see the name of the town, you know, the the big city. It's 30,000 people. The big city where, you know, outside of where I grew up. I actually grew up in unincorporated or unincorporated land in the middle of nowhere. So I apologize. I should have said it slower. I was just connecting.

I was like, wait. That I clearly have some confusion because I was like, oh, that's where I grew up. I didn't go to college there. Went to high school there, but you were talking about Cody. And it's I mean, this is this is the reason why we have the proclamations, why we read the proclamations is that we learn so much about Denver. We learn so much about Denver's history. We learn how how connected Denver is to the world, and and we learn a bit about ourselves too. I would never have thought that someone else would have gone to Stephen of Austin State University SFA. One of his nicknames was Sun, Fun, and Alcohol, so I

hope you had a lot

of fun. And, Nagato, just there were it was a it was a great school for criminal justice. It was a school great for nursing. It was a great school for forestry. There are four national forests there.

And it's a great school for partying. So if you're not in criminal justice, nursing, forestry, you're there to party. So but but there's there's definitely a lot of connection there to to making sure that people have access to education. And so, anyway, this clearly, started paying more attention and and that's that's part of the reason why we do this out loud is it's on camera so it's preserved for the record posterity, but it's also helping us see the world around us and how really it's really not that big. So thank you for thank you, council president, for for reading the proclamation.

Proclamation. Thank you to the family and friends who are here that give us a little time to to share in the commemoration. So thank you. Thank you, madam president. Thank you.

Madam secretary, call on proclamation zero six four seven.

Council member Sawyer? Aye. Alvedras? Aye. Flynn?

Aye.

Gonzales Gutierrez? Aye. Hines.

Aye.

Cashman.

Aye.

Lewis. Parody. Aye. Romero Campbell.

Aye. Madam secretary, close the voting and announce the results.

11 ayes.

11 ayes. Proclamation zero six four seven has now like to call up to accept the proclamation chief Thomas and Malene Davidson.

Thank you, council president. Again, Ron Thomas, Denver police chief. And I'll be brief before I turn it over to Cody's family. But, you know, every proclamation that you present to the Denver Police Department celebrating the Denver Police Department is meaningful. But this is particularly meaningful, understanding that, you know, his career was short, relatively speaking, and it's just been a very short time since he passed and left us all.

But I think it just speaks to how meaningful he was to those that he left behind. I mean, he was a special individual. I worked with him for a number of years when he first began his career in District One. So I'm very familiar with the service and just the impact that he had on the Southwest Denver community and the Denver Police Department. So thank you.

Today I would like to sincerely thank the city of Denver for sponsoring this proclamation in honor of my husband Cody and his twenty years of dedicated service. It means so much to our family to see that his commitment, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication recognized in this way. For two decades, Cody served and protected the citizens of Denver with pride, courage, and integrity. He gave so much of himself to this city and to the people who call it home. This proclamation is a reminder that his service mattered. His work made a difference, and his legacy will continue to live on. On behalf of our family, thank you for honoring Cody and for remembering the impact impact he had on this community. We are truly grateful.

Council member Alvidrez sorry. Council member Alvidrez, would you please read proclamation zero six four eight? Yes.

Proclamation 26 dash zero six four eight, recognizing May 13 as world facilities management day. Whereas facilities management is a vital profession that ensures the safety, functionality, sustainability, and resiliency of the built environment, including offices, schools, hospitals, public buildings, transportation facilities, and critical infrastructure across the city and county of Denver. Whereas the built world depends on facilities managers to plan, operate, maintain, and continuously improve the spaces in which people live, work, learn, and gather, supporting the health, productivity, and well-being of Denver residents and the workforce. And where whereas facility managers play a crucial role in emergency preparedness and response, energy efficiency and sustainability, regulatory compliance, workplace safety, and stewardship of public innovation and advocacy. And whereas the Denver chapter of the International Facility Management Association is a recognized leader in furthering the facilities management profession through its dedication, providing continuing education to its members, enabling professionals attain industry recognized credentials, including facilities management professionals, sustainable facility professionals, and certified facilities manager.

And whereas the Denver chapter of the IFMA provides local leadership, professional development, mentorship, and community engagement for facilities management professionals who support organizations and institutions throughout Denver Metro Region. And whereas the city and county of Denver's facility management professionals and public workers play an essential role in maintaining and operating municipal buildings, rec centers, libraries, public safety facilities, cultural institutions, and other public safety other public spaces that residents rely on every day, often working behind the scenes to enable these spaces remain safe, clean, functional, accessible, and welcoming to the community. And whereas World Facilities Management Day recognized globally each celebrates the contribution of facilities management professionals and raises awareness of the essential role they play in sustaining the built environment and strengthening communities. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Denver City Council section one that the Denver City Council hereby proclaims 05/13/2026 as World Facilities Management Day in the city And County Of Denver and recognizes and commends the members of the Denver chapter of the IFMA and the city and county of Denver's facility management team and all facility management professionals for their dedication, leadership, and service in ensuring that the built world upon which our city depends remains safe, functionable, and sustainable and prepare for the future.

Section two, that the clerk and recorder of the city and county of Denver shall affix the seal of the city and county of Denver to this proclamation and that a copy be transmitted to the Denver chapter of the International Facility Management Association.

Thank you. Council member Alvidrez, your motion to adopt.

I move that proclamation 26 dot zero six four eight be adopted.

It has been moved and seconded. Comments by members of council. Council member Alvidrez.

Thank you, council president. I wanna thank Dennis Supple for bringing this every year to recognize facility managers, and I'd be remiss if I didn't. Also, the past years, I haven't acknowledged the facilities managers we have here in the building. So I'm really grateful that facilities managers here in Denver will also be here to accept it alongside the IFMA today. Thank you. Thank you.

Seeing no other comments, madam secretary, roll.

Councilmember Sawyer? Aye. Almiedras? Aye. Flynn? Aye. Gonzalez Gutierrez? Aye. Heinz? Aye. Cashman? Aye. Parody? Aye. Romero Campbell? Aye. Torres? Aye. Watson?

Aye.

Madam president? Aye. Madam secretary, close the voting and announce the results.

11 ayes.

11 ayes. Proclamation zero six four eight has been adopted. We now have time for the proclamation acceptance. House member Alvidrez, who will you be inviting us to accept the proclamation?

Thank you. I'll start with Dennis Supple from IAFMA, and then I will go to the city staff that's here.

Good afternoon. My name is Dennis Supple. I am the past president of the Denver Chapter of ESMA. I want to thank councilperson Alvedrez and all the council members for this proclamation. FM is a profession that is not in the eye of the public all the time, but we're the ones who make your buildings run.

We're the ones who make it warm. We're the ones who make it cold. And we're the ones, just like the lunch lady, that you gotta keep happy. So thank you to counsel for the recognition of World FM Day. Your support is very much appreciated by us and I believe Denver's going to be, we're going to be holding our national convention here again in about five years and that'll bring 4,000 FMs into town and all our money. So thank you.

Thank you, Scott.

And now I'd like to invite Mac Broughton and Tom Fenstermuck.

Thank you, counsel, for passing this proclamation. It's great to see. I've been with the city for eighteen years with FM, and I take great pride with the buildings that I run because the vast majority of the buildings that I do run and my team runs is critical and essential operations of the city. So they cannot go down. My team works very hard. I will pass this proclamation on to let them know that they're being recognized for all the hard work that they do and all the buildings that they keep running so the city can keep running. Thank you.

Sure. And thank you. Mike Bratton with General Services. Just a note of thanks again. We'll be sure to pass this along to both our FM teams as well as other teams within the city and county. It means a lot to our folks, the trades folks that are working in these buildings every day, it means a lot to us at budget time when you think about us and and maintaining some of these facilities. So thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you. We have three required public hearings tonight. As a reminder, council members need to turn their video on during the vote. For those participating in person, when called upon, please come to the podium. On the presentation monitor monitor on the wall, you will see your time counting down. For those participating virtually when called upon, please wait until our meeting host promotes you to speaker. If you are promoted, please accept the promotion. Turn your camera on if you have one and your microphone. All speakers should begin their remarks by telling the council their names and cities of residence, and if they feel comfortable doing so, their home addresses. If you have signed up to answer questions only, state your name and note that you are available for questions of counsel.

Speakers will have three minutes. There is no yielding of time. If translation is needed, you will be given an additional three minutes for your comments to be interpreted. Speakers must stay on the topic of the hearing and must direct their comments to council as a whole. Please refrain from a profane or obscene speech and refrain from individual or personal attacks. Attacks. Council member Parity, will you please put council bill zero three eight nine changing the zoning classification for 1057 South Gaylord Street in Washington Park with a reasonable condition on the floor for final passage.

Move the council bill twenty six zero three eight nine be placed upon final consideration and do pass.

Been moved and seconded. The required public hearing for council bill zero three eight nine is open. May we please have the staff report?

Good afternoon, council. My name

is Abner Romo Saltillo. I'm here with Community Plan Development to present the rezoning at 1057 South Gaylord Street. Really quickly, this is the agenda for the presentation. We'll start with the request. We'll move on to location and context, which is which is just the existing conditions. Then we'll talk about the process to date. Then, lastly, we're we'll go over the review criteria. Starting with an aerial image of the property, it is located, on South Gaylord Street. It is 5,555 square feet, and currently, it is a two story mixed use building. Location and context, it is located in Council District 6, which is represented by council member Cashman.

It's it is in the Washington Park neighborhood, and the waiver that would be included as part of this rezoning is to waive the not permitted use for lodging accommodation, all other specific use type, and instead shall be permitted with a zoning permit. So it'll go from NP to PZP. On the site, the current zoning is U M S 2, and so is the surrounding area. The general purpose of the Main Street Zone District is to promote safe, active, and pedestrian scaled public streets of frontages. So it is meant to serve primarily within residential areas.

This is a capture of the Denver zoning code with a graphic showing which building forms are allowed. So that would be the shop from building form and the townhouse. The waiver, this is just showing the change that would happen that would go from not permitted to permitted with a zoning permit. Currently, the only lodging accommodation use that is permitted is a bed and breakfast lodging use. Whereas with the waiver, the lodging accommodation, all other use would be permitted.

So this is just saying that hotels would be allowed in addition to bed and breakfast. So here's a definition of a bed and breakfast. It is a manager occupied residential structure, whereas a hotel or just any lodging accommodation, all other use does not have the requirement for a manager to live on-site. The land use on the site is mixed use, and then the surrounding properties are commercial retail or office. And then outside of the Gaylord Block, it is primarily residential being single or multiunit.

Here oh. Oh, there we go. So on the top, we have the property itself. That is a two story building, and then the surrounding properties are all primarily single single story. The process to date, this property was noticed back in December.

It had its planning board hearing on March 18, and then it went to committee late last late March, so March 31, and then we are here today for the city council public hearing. The the board voted eight zero unanimously to support this rezoning to move forward for consideration by the full city council. To date, we have not received any public comments outside of what was collected during the engagement process from the RNOs. So that would be Washington Park East Neighbor Association and the South South Gaylord Street Business Improvement District, which both provided a larger support. Now getting into the review criteria starting with the consistency with adopted plans.

Looking at comprehensive plan 2040, it is consistent with the vision statements that are outlined here, but also in more detail in the staff report. It is consistent with Blueprint Denver guidance. So starting with the future neighbor context, this is a mixed use building that would be situated in a pedestrian friendly manner, which that is what this rezoning would accomplish. Similarly, the definition of the local corridor future place provides that heights are generally up to three stories. This request is to stay at two stories and the scale is intimate and with a focus on the pedestrians.

Lastly, the growth area strategy from Blueprint Denver has this area mapped as all other areas the cities, which is meant to accommodate 20% of housing and 10% of employment growth. Additional strategies that are outlined are those that focus on the uses that would be provided by this rezoning, which would allow for hospitality that would meet the needs of this this commercial node. Lastly, there is language and blueprint number that is consistent with the request for this waiver and this custom zoning. This this rezoning is consistent and meets the public interest review criteria given the extensive outreach that is done to meet the needs and requests of the the registered neighborhood organizations as well as the council offices. And then lastly, consistency with neighborhood context, purpose, and intent statements.

This property does meet all three of those statements. And given that, based on the criteria for review in the Denver zoning code, staff recommends approval of the application 2025 rezone 0000027 by the full city council. We

have one individual signed up to speak. First up, we have Jesse Paris. Okay. Producer. Is Jesse on? Yes.

I have to wait for you to promote me and the panelists as usual. Yes. My name is Justin Lashawn Paris, and I represent for Black Star Action Movement for self defense, positive action coming from social change, as well as the Unity Party of Colorado, the Northeast Denver Residence Council Frontline Black News. Why am I not showing up? I won't see myself on the video, but I'm a continue.

You could see your slide, Jesse, to see it up.

Okay. I can't see it on my end, but okay. And I represent for Frontline Black News, the revolutionary agenda, so boxers by experience enhanced the unity party of Colorado. I'm also a candidate on the ballot for House District 8, as you can tell from the background. And I reside at the roach and bedbug infested legacy laws in Darryl Watson's district of District 9 defined District 9, historically black district of five points.

You all should be ashamed of yourself giving all these proclamations to the race soldiers, especially after all the money that you've had to pay out. But getting back to this rezoning, I'm in favor of it, a bed and breakfast. That's a that sounds really nice. I thought it was gonna be more gentrification as usual, but a bed and breakfast just sounds good, especially for Washington Park. So I'm in full support of it. I wanna get to the the the proclamation after this. So I I'm a end my statements there. It it meets all the criteria, so I don't see where no reason why this won't pass. See you on the next one or the next two.

That concludes our speakers. Do you have questions from members of council on council council bill bill zero zero three three eight eight nine? Nine? Seeing none, the public hearing is closed. Do we have comments by members of council on council bill zero three eight nine? Councilmember Flynn?

Thank you, madam president. I actually hit that accidentally since you called on me.

I'm gonna go to get your counsel person, but you're in the queue.

Thank you. I I always find it odd when the waiver being requested is to waive something that you're prohibited from doing to allow you to do it. So I know I've seen several of these, but looking at the context in the neighborhood and at the at the report, I just wish there were an easier way to to do this. Right? Usually, when someone waives something, they're waiving something they're allowed to do. And I wish I could could have done that through much of my life. I'd like to waive the prohibition on me doing that. So it's it's kind of an unusual position. I appreciate your presentation, and and I'll support it.

Thank you, council member Katherine. Jake, do you have anything else to add?

Well, as as chief Thomas said earlier, saved the best for last.

There you go.

No. I'm I'm I'm in full support of this. It is a little bit unusual, but there was a lengthy negotiation process between the Wash Park East Neighborhood Association and the property owner to limit other possible notices that might have been asked for in favor of the switch. The neighbors find it is reasonable use of property. So full support. I hope my colleagues will do the same.

Awesome. Thank you. Madam secretary, roll call on council bill zero three eight nine.

Council member Lewis?

Aye.

Sawyer? Aye. Alvedrez? Aye. Flynn? Aye. Gonzalez Gutierrez? Aye. Heinz? Aye. Cashman?

Aye.

Parody? Aye. Romero Campbell? Aye. Torres? Aye. Watson? Aye. Madam president? Aye.

Madam secretary, close the voting and announce the results.

12 ayes.

12 ayes. Council bill zero three eight nine has passed. Council member Parity, will you please put council bill zero three nine two changing the zoning classification for fifty one zero one through fifth 5115 North Milwaukee Street in Elyria, Swansea on the floor for final passage.

I move that council bill twenty six zero three nine two be placed upon final consideration and do pass.

It has been moved and seconded. Are we really postponing this? Okay. Council member Parity, your motion to postpone.

I move the council bill 26 o o three nine two be postponed to a date certain of 06/22/2026.

Has been moved and seconded. Comments by members of council. Council member Parity? So community planning and develop

or sorry. Community planning and develop. That's the committee. Sorry. It's also agency. CPD has requested that this eight item be postponed because there was a noticing error, and so they have to postpone it in order to get the notice legally correct. Got it.

Madam secretary, roll call on the postponement of council bill zero three nine two.

Council member Lewis. Aye. Sawyer. Aye. Almendras. Aye. Flynn. Aye. Gonzalez Gutierrez? Aye. Hines? Aye. Cashman? Aye. Parody? Aye. Romero Campbell? Aye. Torres? Aye. Watson? Aye. Madam president?

Aye. Madam secretary, Clozaboni announce the results.

12 ayes.

12 ayes. Council bill zero three nine two has been postponed to June 22 to to sorry. 2026. And you're very rude. Oh, that sentence got me tongue tied. Sorry. Council member Verdi, will you please put council bill zero four eight six approving a resolution requesting the renewal and continuation of the 5 Points Business Improvement District for an additional ten year period on the floor for final passage.

I move that council bill twenty six four o four eight six be placed upon final consideration.

I do

pass. It has been moved and seconded. The required public hearing for council bill zero four eight six is open. May we please have the staff report?

Dear members of council, I apologize. I was over at the web getting some work done and those went so quick I had to run over. So I'm not nervous. I'm just a little out of breath. Yeah. Anyway, good evening. My name is Dennis Wojciek. I'm an analyst on the capital management and financing team in the department of finance. I'm here today give a brief staff report on council bill 26 dash o four eight six, a bill for an ordinance approving a resolution requesting the renewal and continuance of the rhino biz sorry, the 5 Points Business Improvement District. For support, we have representatives from the city attorney's office remotely attending on Zoom and 5 Points and representatives of the Five Points BID here in person.

The Five Points business improvement district was created and established pursuant to ordinance number o three four one of series twenty sixteen, which became effective on 06/02/2016. The district encompasses roughly 42 acres in Denver's historic 5 Points neighborhood. The district's boundaries and service area are generally described as all parcels along Walton Corridor Walton Street, sorry, beginning at the north side of 20th Street going northeast along Walton, terminating at Downing Street and 30th Avenue. It also includes additional parcels at the corner of Washington Street and 26th Avenue and along California Street between 26th And 27th Streets. The district was created to support enhanced marketing and events, physical improvements, safety and advocacy, and safety and advocacy on behalf of property owners to promote the district and its businesses.

The district's creation ordinance establishes that the district will have an initial ten year term. The board of directors of the district will provide notice and conduct a public hearing during the ninth year of the district's existence to obtain property owner's comments on the district's effectiveness and success. If the district is deemed to be successful, then the board will request that city council renew the district by providing public notice, holding a hearing, and adopting an ordinance prior to the end of the initial term. If the district is not considered to be successful, then it will sunset at the end of the initial term and terminate after it has wound up its after it has wound up its affairs. So specifically, on 02/18/2026, the board of directors of the district held a public hearing to obtain public comments on the district's effectiveness and success.

After this hearing, the board determined that the district was a success and adopted a resolution seeking a ten year renewal of the bid. The the board of directors for the district submit that resolution to the city seeking a ten year renewal and extension, and this resolution was filed with the city clerk on 03/03/2026 under city clerk filing number number 2026DashOO35. The the renewal resolution as filed with the city clerk satisfies the threshold established by the district's creation ordinance and demonstrates support for the renewal and extension of the district in accordance with the creation ordinance. With that, the department of finance recommends the renewal and extension of the five points bid in accordance with ordinance number 26 dash o four eight six. Thank you.

Made it right on time. So let me go back to my script because I think I have a we have a

lot of public

speakers. We have 48 individuals signed up to speak this evening. So first up, we have Keith Pryor virtually. Keith, are you with us? Are you, sir? Yeah. On the way? Great. Would it be easier for me to read all five? I or I think we have room in here now. So the first five we

have Hello. Thanks so much for taking my comments.

Hey. Keith, hold on one second. One second. Let me read all five so we can get more people in here who are in the overflow room, and then I'll

I'm sorry. One more time?

Will you hold on one second so I can just make an announcement? Sure. Okay. Awesome. Thank you. So first five are Keith Pryor, Nina Roop, Renee Cousins King, James Coleman, and John John Hayden. Okay. Go ahead, Keith.

Great. Thank you so much, for taking my public comment on this. This bid is critical, to and having it renewed to the 5 Points community, and its surrounding neighborhoods. It has been very vital, and it has done a great job in executing its mission, to date. And so it would be critical given the groundwork groundwork that has been laid by the current bid, and the bid board to continue its momentum and really fully envision what the 5 Points bid can be and has done the work to get us to this point.

So I, really encourage city council to understand and know that the bid has been diligently doing its work, very hard outreach with the business owners along the corridor to fulfill its mission, and I think that it succeeded in that. But to take this corridor and this community to the next level, it would need a renewal at this time. And so I am very much in support. I live in 5 Points. I also have a business adjoining that Five Points bid on Downing Street at 33rd.

And everything that the bid has done has further developed the area and supports adjoining business corridors to succeed. And so as a small business owner and a resident in this neighborhood, I do ask that you do support this resolution and do renew the bid for the next ten years. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Next up, we have Nina Roop.

Good evening, council member. I'm Nina Roop, a woman minority owned Denver Legacy business and a property owners at 2025 And 2032 Walton Street in Denver for over twenty five years. I'm president of Colorado Chinese Chamber of Commerce and vice president of Nevada Sister City International. I traveled with the Colorado and Denver government officials to present Colorado business and attract international business investment. Here I am.

I'm five points five points business improvement district assessment tax from 2024 to 2025 was total 19,289. This amount is in additional to my Denver property tax. I have paid FVID assessment fee for the last ten years with no benefit. This additional FBID assessment tax is a financial burden and a serious hardship for me to stay in business. Our block consists of parking lots, rental cars, industrial, and service businesses.

We are geographically far away from the heart of 5 Points, and we are excluded from all Five Points culture activities and no benefit for our business and properties. Our twenties in Walton Street block of business and property owners are here. And we are here respectfully and formally request an amendment to withdraw from FBID. Attached is our letter to city council members to formally withdraw from FBID. Thank you for your concern to this matter.

Thank you.

Next up we have Renee King.

Good afternoon. My name is Doctor. Renee Cousins King and I own several properties along Wilton Street in the 5 Points Business Improvement District. My purpose in speaking to you today is to advise you that the Five Points BID is not benefiting most property owners. Further, it has hurt many small business owners in this historical and cultural Welton Street corridor.

I ask you not to renew the 5 Points BID as is. While I understand the dismantling and recreation of a bid is not politically practical, I ask that you consider the following three points. It is a financial burden with nominal return on investment for many of us paying taxes. Since its inception ten years ago, I have, with my properties and tenants, paid over $100,000 into the bid with nominal benefit. A particular hardship occurs when there are festivals along Welton Street and local businesses are fenced off and unable to benefit financially.

One of my tenants, Mr. Ivan Ochitikov, who runs the Roxy Entertainment venue at 2549 Welton Street says, We lose a weekend and sometimes two in the same summer month, and that costs us between 5,000 and 15,000 in revenue. BID doesn't pay rentals for closures to businesses they affect, makes lots of money from outside businesses and food vendors that are not based in our neighborhood, which helps their businesses and themselves. I don't see what real benefits our businesses get. The second point I wish to make is that electors are not allowed to vote on BID board members.

While city council and the mayor may have good intentions, it would be much more fair for those of us paying taxes to have a say in those who represent us. It's a closed loop system when only BID board members get to recommend candidates, and so far, there have been no enforceable term limits on board tenure. Also, it's important, I think, to follow not only the letter of the law, but the spirit of the law. This is just one aspect of lack of transparency. This meeting is held at 05:30 when most citizens can attend or tune in.

Our meetings are held at 10:00 on Wednesday mornings in the middle of the month, and it's difficult for people to participate. So thank you for listening to my comments and concerns, and I appreciate your consideration.

Senate President

he just texted me.

Okay. Next up, we have John Hayden virtually. John, you have to accept the promotion. You have to you can't decline it. The only way that we can allow you to speak is you accept the promotion. So we'll ask you one more time. Our producer will provide the promotion to you on Zoom. I don't know how else to say that. He keeps denying he keeps the kind. Okay.

Medallia Stigger Stiger?

I'm a property owner at 2755 Welton Street. Been there fifty years. And with our councilman, we we haven't had any problem problem with him. He doesn't come by in none of the business places to let us go know exactly what what's going on. And I'm a board member.

And like I said, I've been on the board for ten years. It's time for a replacement for the new board members that's coming up. That's about it.

Next up, we have Devindra Williams.

Good evening. My name is Devindra Williams. I am a property owner, and I live in District 9. I am also the property manager for doctor Renee Cousins King. I am here to address the facts and data of the 5 Points Business Improvement District.

In 2025, FBI D assessment fees brought in $276,101.05 from the Welton Street 10 blocks business property owners. The FBID management was paid $122,652 salary. That's 45% of the total business property owners paid to the FBID assessment tax. These management positions are part time jobs. This is not in our best interest of business property owners to be charged 45% of our dollars for one part time manager and his assistant. Thank you.

Next up, we have Audra Williams. Audra, if you'll accept the promotion.

I thought I did.

Okay. Perfect. There there you go.

Hi. My name's Williams. I am a resident of Washington DC, and I also grew up in Denver. Spent from elementary school all the way to Colorado State University. And I'm here to ask in support of renewal for the five point improvement district for another ten years.

And as someone who spent years away from Denver, and is now in the process of establishing a dual residency with the intention of ultimately making Denver home again, I can honestly say that it's through, the reasons I felt called back to the city of energy and culture and momentum happening in 5 Points. The neighborhood feels alive in a way that reflects both the deep history and future potential and something that is very nostalgic to me. And as, you know, I've I work in communications. I do PR. I here in the nation's capital for two decades now, I've worked with, bids and main streets, across.

And I can honestly say that, you know, from the work that I've seen with the bid and have had the pleasure of supporting them on, it's made a a strong difference. Literally, some of the resources and partnerships that that bid has introduced to me and to and through just the neighborhood activations have called me back to the city. I have it seems like of ease, and I'm really happy to see that even from a national perspective that the bid is positioning this important neighborhood and its story so that it can be seen from a broader for a broader audience. So I ask for the council to please, renew the five points bid for another ten years.

Thank you. Next, please, I have Jesse Paris.

Good morning, William.

I can

see myself this time. Yes. My name is Justin Lashawn Paris, and I represent for Black Star Action Movement for Self Defense, Positive Action Commander for Social Change, as well as the Unity Party of Colorado, the Northeast or North Park Hill residence council or coalition, Sunline Black News, the revolutionary agenda, Shabbat is black experience enhanced. And I am a candidate on the ballot for House District 8, the elections in November. And I reside at the roach and bedbug infested legacy laws in Darryl Watson's District of District 9, defined District 9.

I would say no. Do not renew this bid. Bids have historically not done communities of so called color as I love to say any good. My experience with bids is not good. I'm not seeing any any good come from the bids. All I've seen bids do is push out our unhoused neighbors. My term, I coined it back in 2016. I said they're unhoused, but they're still part of the community. This bid in particular goes out of their way to make sure that our on house neighbors are terrorized and disturbed every single night. They do not provide any security to the businesses along the corridor.

As you just heard from business and for tea owners, the bid is not doing any good. So I don't see why you will renew this unless you just wanna continue the gentrification, the ethnic cleansing, and the just rampage disrespect of a historically black cultural district known as Fire Points. I have met with the head of the bid. He has tried to get me to persuade try to persuade me to support the renewal of this bid. I don't see no reason to renew this bid.

It's not doing anything to incubate black owned businesses along the corridor. It's not providing any security to the businesses along the corridor. It is allowing our murals and other historical artifacts to be vandalized and just utterly disrespected. It's not keeping black owned businesses along the corridor. Yes. I understand there's gonna be a whole bunch of new black owned businesses that are opening up along the corridor, but that doesn't negate the facts.

I see.

And there's nothing funny or hilarious about anything I'm saying. It doesn't negate the fact that this bid is doing them no good. So I would ask a no vote on renewing the 5 Points Business Improvement District is not benefiting the black people, the foundational black Americans who have called this area home for generations or their businesses. Thank you.

Thank you. And just want to remind the public that you don't have to use your full three minutes if your sentiments have already been expressed. Next up, we have oh, curse of us look cute. Natasha De Verona? Varna? Virtually? Natasha?

My name

is Natasha De Verona. I've lived in the San Rafael neighborhood in Five Points for almost seven years. And I feel so grateful that I get to live in such a vibrant neighborhood and arguably the most historically and culturally significant neighborhood in all of Denver. And it's for that reason that I feel a great sense of responsibility to advocate for the thoughtful growth and especially for the preservation of the rich culture that it already exists in 5 Points. Over the past several years, the bid has played a really important role in providing or improving cleanliness and safety along the Welton Street corridor, which is really the heart and soul of the neighborhood.

It's also worked to enhance public spaces. It helped it helps to facilitate business growth, and it and it sponsors multiple community events such as First Friday Jazz each month, and the Juneteenth Music Festival to just name a few. And these events not only draw in people from the neighborhood, but people from all over the Denver Metro Area and beyond. But there's still important work to do. The Welton Street Corridor continues to face some challenges with multiple retail vacancies.

And one of the bid's crucial roles is to facilitate business growth and to support small local businesses in order to ensure that the cultural identity that defines Five Points continues to have a strong presence in the neighborhood. So renewing the bid is imperative in order to allow us to continue to invest directly in this historic Denver neighborhood to ensure that Five Points continues to be a welcoming place where businesses, culture, and community can all thrive together. So thank you.

Thank you. Next up, we have Dan Crane. Dan? Next up we have Beth Mayoski. Beth?

Good evening,

Council President Sandoval and members of council. My name is Beth Moysky and I'm a Denver resident and I reside in District 10. I'm also the executive director for the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District and I also work for the downtown Denver partnership. Tonight I'm speaking to express my support of the proposed renewal for the 5 Points Business Improvement District. The Welton Street corridor and 5 Points area hold a special place in the hearts of this city and its rich history.

The 5 Points bid helps to support and honor this legacy. What makes a business improvement district a bid unique is that it's created and funded by the very stakeholders it serves, the local businesses and property owners who choose to self assess in order to deliver services that go beyond what the city can provide alone. To self assess, or I'm sorry, this structure empowers the community to set its own priorities and guide implementation with clear accountability to those who fund it. Annual work plans and budgets are reviewed and renewed publicly ensuring transparency and providing meaningful opportunities for input. Since its formation, the 5 Points bid has played a critical role in strengthening the district through branded streetscape elements, enhanced maintenance, landscaping, snow removal, and coordinated marketing efforts, all drawing people to the district and serving those within it.

These investments build on and maximize the city's existing commitments to public safety and infrastructure. Bids do not replace public investment, they enhance, protect, and extend its impact. Renewing a bid is one of the most effective tools available to support a commercial corridor. It leverages private funding to deliver public benefits and support small businesses, fostering community identity, and provides a reliable partner in advancing economic vitality and livability goals, all at no additional cost to the city. I strongly encourage you to support the Five Points bid renewal so that it can continue serving this vital corridor. Thank you.

Thank you. Next we have Noble.

Good morning, counsel, and thank you for the opportunity to join virtually. My name is Joel Noble. I live two short blocks from the Welton Street corridor where this BID exists. I've lived here for several decades and have seen several iterations of a business association from the Five Points Business Association to the 5 Points Business District and then now the Business Improvement District. I'm happy to report that across that time, this organization, the Five Points Business Improvement District, with the funding that comes from the businesses on the corridor itself, has been the most engaged in the community, really closing the gap between the surrounding residents and the life of the corridor that I've ever seen.

I do not own a business on the corridor, so I'll keep my time short since I don't weigh in as a taxpayer to this district. But I just want to encourage the continuation of this district and the great partnership that's been unlike anything we've had in preceding times. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Next up, we have Doris Lee.

Good evening. My name is Doris Lee. I currently live

in Cypress, Texas. However, I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and I am speaking in favor of the proposal to renew and continue the 5 Points Business Improvement District for an additional ten years and beyond. Although I no longer live in Denver, I do visit family and friends every year, and the 5 Points Corridor is a destination place for me due to the tireless efforts of Norman Tariq Harris and others to make it an incredible an incredible area to visit and enjoy. I'm also encouraged by their passion to continue to improve the entire corridor. Thank you for your consideration.

Thank you. Next up, we have Arturo Gomez.

Evening, council members. I'm extremely nervous. I've never been in such a position before. I'm not a very good public speaker. I'm Mike Dudeau Gomez, recently retired from KUVO Jazz, K U V O.

And I arrived to Denver in the beginning of two thousand and three, twenty three years ago, and at that time KUVO was located on 29th And Welton, and I immediately fell in love with the Five Points area because it reminded me of where I grew up in Southern California. And I became actively involved with everything 5 Points shortly after my arrival when I saw the first Five Points Jazz Festival that took place at the Blair Caldwell Library. I immediately became a member of the organizing committee of the Five Points Jazz Festival the following year and was a member right up until its demise. I also became more involved in other civic affairs when I became a member of the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs, the now defunct DOCA, which morphed into Denver Arts and Venues of which I was a member until the demise of the Five Points Jazz Festival. And I can say that even though the Five Points Jazz Festival was terminated, I think it was a mistake because beyond dollars and cents, looking at it from a cultural standpoint, the impact it made for the district and for the entire community and the city, it goes way beyond dollars and cents.

However, the new policy that Arts and Venues initiated in funding first Fridays of every month, I've seen a great improvement along the historic 5 Points Corridor and I don't agree with others that says that it doesn't benefit the businesses there because you can go to black owned businesses such as Tea Leaves, such as the Spangalang Brewery, such as Brother Jeff's Cultural Center, which has a food pantry, and all of those have greatly improved with the first Fridays of every month that I attend religiously since its beginning. I've seen the improvement not only in those businesses but of other non black owned businesses. Every first Friday those businesses are standing room only and many times have people outside waiting to get in. So, I'm in favor of the renewal of the bid in order to continue this improvement. And yes, there's a lot of holes that need to be filled, but when you look at it, the pros and cons in my opinion, I think it is important that this is renewed and keeps on moving the greater 5 Points District corridor into the future.

Thank you.

Thank you. Next up we have Jones.

Good evening, counsel. I'm Risa Jones, and I'm a business owner, and Teeley's is located at 611 22nd Street on the Welton Corridor. I've since in the excuse me, eight years since we've been there, in the block I'm in, I'm in the old Melbourne Hotel, and in that block, that's a renovated hotel that's over 115 years old. I'm at 611. At 609 is now Moyo and Google Cultural Center, which is a thirty five year old cultural center that reestablished itself in the Melbourne, next to the Little Bodega, and then next to that is Chakra Tattoo, which was on California and then intentionally moved there

as

well. On the corner, which was the original address, 2201 Welton Street, there is now a new cultural center that's getting ready to open there, and then Paradise Bar that exists in that building. And there are nine living spaces above those businesses, so it's mixed residents. Recently, there is a Latino cultural center that's in the old Climax Building in the same block. I support the renewal of the bid.

I have seen events and activities. Five Points Jazz has been mentioned, and yes, I am a beneficiary of Five Points Jazz, but that has also generated other and encouraged other musicians. This past Friday, we supported the nonprofit Intervisions with probably 20 to 30 blind artists that were at tea leaves. I'm in support of it because of the activities and events that have been brought to the community, and I am also experiencing people who come from out of town. So, since I've been there, the Five Points Corridor has been featured on PBS Startup.

When Denver was the place for the largest amount of growth in North America for small businesses. And National Geographic has been on the 5 Points with specific interest in the Rossonian and in Tiwis. And also, the historical aspect, I've had customers sometimes from all over the country who have come into TLEs, and on some days there are as many people in there from out of state as there are from in state. So, I am in support of the bid and what it's brought to the small businesses there in five points.

Harding? Hillary? Next up, we have Darryl Newland. Newland? Darryl? Hi.

Good evening. My name is Darryl Newland, and I'm a native Denverite who grew up in the 5 Points area. So I have firsthand knowledge of the history and the culture of the 5 Points. In addition to that, my family ran a supper club at 21st And Downing for over fifty years called Pierre's supper club. I am speaking this evening on behalf of the Thomas w Bean Foundation, a major stakeholder and property owner on the 5 Points Strip.

They have been in the area for a generation. The Bean Foundation has been instrumental in the development of the 5 Points Strip by upgrading their several properties along the strip, which include Cervantes, US Bank building, the 715, and the Marigold. The Bean Foundation wholeheartedly supports the bid, and its representatives of the Bean Foundation make sure that we attend most of their monthly meetings and activities. Several things come to mind when we think of the importance of the bid. The Five Points bid has played an important role in improving the Welton Street corridor through marketing, maintenance, beautification, events, and business support.

The bid has helped activate the neighborhood, with cultural programming, live music, community activities, and participation, in historical events from the of the along the 5 Points. The organization has helped bring resources, grants, partnerships, and positive attention to the neighborhood. Renewing the bid is crucial. Another ten years will help them, continue to build upon the base that they've established, hopefully convince some of the folks who do not see a benefit in the bid now, see that benefit. And for those reasons, we support and request that you renew the bid for another ten years.

Thank you very much.

Thank you. Next up, we have Stephen Bennett.

Good evening, council president Sandoval, members of city council, and specifically, councilman Watson from the Fine District 9. My name is Stephen Bennett. I live on the Corner Of 20 9th in California. I'm here representing myself as a resident of Five Points and also the Curtis Park Neighbors r and o. The r and o board voted in February to provide a letter of support for the bid renewal that passed fourteen zero with three abstentions.

And then as a resident of Curtis Park, I am encouraging you to renew the bid for another ten years. Someone who lives a half block off Welton Street and works on Welton Street and commutes by foot, I appreciate the work of the bid to keep the sidewalks clear, free of debris and snow. And then I it's been echoed by Art Arturo, really applaud the work the bid did after Five Points Jazz Fest went away with the help of the grant from Denver Arts and Venue, that one day festival, which was fenced in, has now been replaced by 10 activations, thereby benefiting many of the businesses on the corridor. And with that, I'll pass. Thank you very much. Please renew the bid.

Thank Next up, we have Norman Harris.

Good evening, council president, members of city council, and members of the community. My name is Norman Harris, and I serve as the executive director of the Five Points Business Improvement District. Tonight, I stand in front of you in support of the renewal of the 5 Points bid for another ten years. 5 Points is one of the most historically and culturally significant African American communities in the Western United States. It's a neighborhood built on legacy, resilience, music, entrepreneurship, and culture.

And while work is far from complete, I believe the bid has played an important role in helping stabilize and reactivate the Welton Corridor during a critical time in its history. Over the last decade, the bid has worked to support small businesses through marketing, activations, corridor maintenance, beautification efforts, safety partnerships, and cultural programming. We've helped create events and experiences that bring people back to Welton Street. We have advocated for investments, supported legacy businesses, collaborated with city agencies, and worked to position 5 Points as a destination rooted in community and culture. We are proud of initiatives like First Friday Jazz Hop, Jazz Roots, Juneteenth, public art installations, streetscape improvements, business support efforts, and our continued work to elevate the cultural identity of the corridor.

But I also wanna acknowledge something clearly tonight. We still have work to do. And I have heard the concerns expressed by stakeholders regarding governance, representation, transparency, and engagement. Following renewal, the bid board intends to initiate discussions around proposed amendments to the bids creation ordinance for board consideration and adoption. Once approved by the bid board, those amendments would then be presented to city council through the appropriate ordinance or resolution processes consistent with the same procedural steps followed for this renewal process.

Potential amendment topics for board consideration include expanding the number of bid board members, strengthening the bid board code of conduct to include clearer expectations regarding attendance and public participation, increasing transparency around the board appointment and election process, which is currently a mayoral appointment process. And upon renewal, we intend to prioritize these discussions at the board level while also gathering additional input from business owners and community stakeholders regarding any proposed amendments to the creation ordinance and board of code board code of conduct. I want this council and this community to know that I take these responsibilities seriously. I also want to personally assure you that I will continue working fervently to advance the Welton Corridor into a thriving cultural marketplace, one that honors a legacy of Five Points while creating opportunities for the future. A corridor where black culture is not erased, but amplified.

A corridor where small businesses can thrive. A corridor where where residents, visitors, artists, entrepreneurs, and families all feel connected to the spirit of this historic neighborhood. Renewing the bid is not the finish line. It is the opportunity to continue improving, continue listening, continue building. Thank you.

Maureen Tolbert.

Alright. Good evening, Denver City Council and residents. Thank you for your opportunity to speak for in favor of renewing 5 Points Business Improvement District. I'm an Alabama native, I've been a resident and worked in 5 Points in 5 Points community for about three years now, and I have no intentions of leaving anytime soon. I've fallen deeply in love with the residents of 5 Points and enjoy patronizing businesses in the area and participating in community events.

Though I haven't been a lifelong resident of the area, it doesn't take long nor does it nor nor do you need a microscope to see the impact that the bid has made and continues to make in the Five Points community. Coming from a small stagnant stagnant community in Alabama with little community guidance and programming, I have firsthand experienced the detrimental direction an area can take with no centralized leadership or guidance. Five Points not only provide support for the businesses and residents of 5 Points, but it gives the community a centralized platform to connect business owners, community leaders, stakeholders, residents to work alongside each other and focus on the important issues that affect the area. Furthermore, the the cultural program that the bid supports and promotes gives residents an opportunity to celebrate the great history and legacy of 5 Points while also acting as an economic stimulant for business businesses in the community. The bid has the bid has a boots on the ground approach, and it's not uncommon for me to see the bid director walking around the community, giving tours, or engaging with residents and community business owners.

One aspect about the five points bid that I truly admire is that the sole focus is not only just attracting new investment, but also focus on preserving existing businesses and strengthening strengthening the historical attributes that already make this community special. Ultimately, the bid gives the community a stronger voice and allows individuals to see firsthand how community resources are used to positively benefit the community for all. Supporting the 5 Points Business Improvement District is an investment in economic vitality, cultural preservation, and community partnerships. I encourage you to support its continued work and the positive role it can play in helping 5 Points thrive for generations to come. Thank you.

Next up, we have Tony Henderson virtually. Next up, we have King. King. Next up, we have Gerald Horner.

Thank you, counsel, for the opportunity to speak tonight. My name is Gerald Horner. I'm a resident of Five Points. I live just a block off of, the Walton Corridor on California Street, and I'm here to express my enthusiastic support for renewal of the 5 Points bid. As an as a neighbor living off the corridor long before the bid was formed, I've seen the effectiveness, the positive changes in terms of cleanliness, safety, events, and business activations.

And as the bid has been further established and most recently led by Norman Harris, we're seeing tremendous strides being made to further elevate the corridor. As like neighbor spoke earlier, Norman has done extensive outreach with the surrounding communities and neighborhoods abut the 5 Points Wellington Corridor, so that's been very much appreciated. Renewing the bid for another ten years is critical to ensure that continued investment, coordination, and momentum for the hard work ahead for 5 Points. Thank you for voting to support the renewal.

Thank you. Next up, we have Harold James.

Alright. Good evening, counsel. Thank you for allowing us to speak tonight, myself as well. My name is Harold James. One of the things I appreciate the most about the work being done by the bid is that the way that they're doing their best to thread the needle between advancing the Welton Corridor while also preserving the culture and history that makes 5 Points so important.

Growth and change are happening across Denver and we all know that that can create challenges for historic communities like 5 Points. But I believe the bid understands the progress cannot just be about development, it also has to be about protecting the identity, the culture, and people that give this neighborhood its soul. So what excites me is that I'm seeing intentional efforts to create future where economic activity, local businesses, art, music, cultural legacy can all exist together as one. I can see more activation on the corridor, more community engagement, and more reason for people to invest their time and energy into the 5 Points where maybe a few years ago that wasn't the case. I truly believe that the bid is a necessary component for equitable advancement in this neighborhood.

And without organizations focusing on balancing growth with cultural preservation, communities like Five Points risk losing the very thing that makes them special. So I'm excited about the future of Five Points. I support renewing the bid so the progress can continue in a thoughtful community centered way. Thank you all.

Next up, we have Tina Cartagena. Tina?

I'm Tina Cartagena, and I'm here to speak on my own. But I I do support the bid and wanna let you know that I work for KUVO Jazz for Kubo and was lucky enough, to work from 29th in Wilton in Five Points for over twenty five years. Five Points is rooted in bridging the legacy talents from our communities and the up and coming musicians for all of us to enjoy. You can count on being introduced to tomorrow's standout performers. There simply isn't anything like a live music performance open to the public.

I'm sure these events have drawn in thousands of people and created countless experiences. Long term sustainable success happens from supporting the people, the traditions, and the businesses that have shaped the 5 Points neighborhood. It's the culture that drives people in. The 5 Points businesses and organizers have created a destination for the people in the in the neighborhood, but they've also drawn in so many people from across Colorado who may not have wanted to come to 5 Points before, but now willingly come and enjoy, rediscover what Wilton Street has to offer. Norman Harris invited me to participate in a shark tank competition at the University of Denver's Daniels College of Business.

The students' goals was to increase foot traffic, stimulate economic activity, and support the expansion of a vibrant cultural marketplace in 5 Points. I witnessed the commitment and the passion that he has shown for this neighborhood, and I wanted to let you know how exciting that was for me. We all appreciate a coordinated citywide investment to improve the safety of 5 Points. A multiyear investment will pay off in the long term and for decades to come. We've witnessed at Cuvo, the building of various neighborhoods and corridors for many years, And we've witnessed the growth of Santa Fe, Rhino, Stapleton, The Highlands, and 38th Street.

Wilton must be part of Denver's long term prosperity, and it could only happen if you support the bid. Thank you.

Thank you. Next up, we have Jennifer Harris.

Good afternoon, members of city council. I am Jennifer Harris. I am a fourth generation Coloradawan, born and raised here in Denver,

and a

proud graduate of Manuel High School and Colorado State University. I'm here today to speak in support of the renewal of the 5 Points Business Improvement District. Over the course of my lifetime, I have seen 5 Points go through a tremendous amount of change. I've seen periods where the neighborhood struggled, where businesses were leaving, where there wasn't a lot of activity, and where many longtime residents felt disconnected from the community they loved and grew up in. Like many people who were raised in Denver, I've also watched the impact that growth and gentrification have had on historically black neighborhoods like 5 Points.

But today, I can honestly say that I am excited about their direction of the community. When I come to 5 Points, which is regularly, probably at least five, six times a week, I see energy. I see people gathering. I see culture being celebrated. I see businesses that reflect the history, music, food, creativity, and the spirit that made Five Point special in the first place.

I also feel safe in this neighborhood. The corridor feels more welcoming, more activated, and more connected than it has been in years. I appreciate seeing organizations and businesses working together to create experiences that honor the cultural legacy of 5 Points while also building a future for the next generation. I believe the bid has played an important role in helping create that momentum through maintenance, events, beautification, and support for local businesses. 5 Points has always meant something special to Denver's black community.

And I believe renewing the bid will help continue the positive progress that we are seeing today. Thank you for your time.

Joe Mayer. Joe? Thank you.

Good evening, Denver City Council. My name is Joe Meyer. I'm a resident of District 9, and I live just off of Welton Street on Glenarm and 26th Street in Five Points. I'm speaking in support of renewing the 5 Points Business Improvement District because 5 Points and especially the Welton Street corridor has a rich history and identity and can and should continue to be a cultural touchstone for Denver. Preserving the elements and culture that made this neighborhood what it is while also positioning the corridor for future growth is a really difficult task to balance.

This requires centralized coordinated effort, and the bid is the right organization to make this coordination happen. The music and cultural events to activate the corridor have made Welton Street lively and vibrant, things like First Friday Jazz and Juneteenth. In addition, ongoing streetscaping and beautification efforts will continue to improve the walkability and pedestrian environment in the corridor. New housing, business openings, and opportunities for community engagement are also building momentum and growth in a way that supports the residents of the neighborhood. Coordinating all of these efforts and continuing to build on and expand their positive impacts will be most easily done through the continued work of the bid, And I asked council to support the renewal of the 5 Points Business Improvement District so that 5 Points can continue to benefit from continued investment, growth, and activation while staying as true as possible to the culture, identity, and people who built the neighborhood.

Thank you.

Thank you. Next up, we have Chelsea Harris.

Hello?

Yeah. Go ahead. Go ahead.

Hi there. My name is Chelsea Harris. Thank you so much for allowing me to speak. I am a proud Denver native, fifth generation Colorado native, and I grew up in the 5 Points on 24th in California. My late grandfather, Norman Harris senior, was one of the first black owned business owners in the 5 Points, and he was known as the godfather of the 5 Points.

If my grandfather was living today, he'd be very proud to see the direction that the 5 Points is going. I'm here to speak today in support of the bid. Growing up as a young child in 5 Points, I had firsthand experience in terms of the history, and now I get to witness the growth as as an adult. I believe that bid has done a good job at improving marketing and the overall swagger of the 5 Points. It's truly the most special neighborhood in Denver, and I enjoy seeing all the diversity when I attend First Fridays.

I truly believe the bid under the leadership of Norman t Harris has helped activate a new vibrant five points, and I humbly ask counsel to please support the bid. Thank you so much for allowing me to speak.

Thank you. Next up, we have Melissa. Producer, anyone? Yeah. Awesome. I

apologize. Okay. Can you hear me now?

You sure can. Go ahead. Thank you.

K. Good afternoon. My name is Melissa Afflein. I'm the owner of Culture Cocktail Lounge coming soon in the 5 Points corridor. I am here today in support of renewing the 5 Points business, 5 Points bid. I'm in support of ruining sorry. Renewing it. I'm here to speak on the impact that it had for me. I currently own another business in Aurora, and I can see the impact is how necessary it is to have a bid. I don't have the support here in Aurora.

And then just even from the start to to finish, the bid has helped me out tremendously. I wouldn't be in five points if they weren't there. When I had this vision of culture, I didn't even know where to start. I shared my vision with the director, with Norman, and he didn't just listen, but he actually took the time to guide me. He walked me over to the Melbourne where Tealys is, showed me a building that would fit my vision.

And after speaking with a broker that he was able to connect me with, I was able to take the first steps to making it a reality. And now here in a few months, I'll be open. So the the vision is has come to life because of the bid, and I do wanna say that they are a good resource. I've been able to get resources from, like when I've asked for contractors or guidance that I needed in just even the simple any question that I have, they have been able to guide me, and they actually reach out. And he's very accessible.

So if you walk down the street every morning, he's there. So I'm in favor of it, and it's been a meaningful role has played a meaningful role in my journey as a business owner.

Awesome. Thank you. Next up, we have Anita Runner Runners? Reynolds. Reynolds. Okay. Thank you. Hi.

So my name is Anita Reynolds, and I am from Louisiana. I lived here before from 1979 up until '91, and I frequent Five back then. I moved back here in 2020, and it warmed my heart to come back to see that Five Prince was still alive. I am a every sunder Sunday goer at the Spring Lane Brewery, first Fridays. And even when there's nothing else really going on that that brings the people out, I am there.

So I am very much so in favor of the Five Barns Bed staying alive because this gives somebody like myself somewhere to go, somewhere where I feel safe, and somewhere where the hospitality of the people is just so warming. And the diverse of the people that I've met since I've been going back into five parts, it it really warms my heart because I've met a lot of people from a lot of walks of life. You know, I've met teachers, attorneys, business owners right down to 5 Points District. Everybody's trying to have a good time, you know, and the the safety of it. I can go there on a Friday night.

I can walk up and down 5 Points with no problem. I can park my car with no problem. I can get back to my car with no problem. So again, I really appreciate it, you know, that if this bid do continue. So someone like myself at my age can still have somewhere to go. Thank you.

We have Lanny Rush.

Hi. Thank you for your tone.

Oh, I see you.

Okay. There we go. Hi. My name is Lainie Rush. I'm a resident of District 9. I live a couple blocks from Welton, and I'm here in support of the business improvement district also. I definitely hear legitimate grievances from folks who have who are property owners who feel that their bill is high, and I respect that it's been a very tough economic situation we've been in. But I think that even highlights how great the bid is doing. Right? That we see new businesses coming in even at a very difficult time to, start a restaurant, to open a cocktail lounge.

Right? The bid has done a great job of reaching out to neighbors, doing their best to include all, and I think responding to the changing circumstances of our city and of our nation. We've heard a lot about people talking about Jazz Fest and how it's pivoted to First Friday Jazz as a great example. Again, I think that there's it's always difficult to work together on a big group project, and that's what this business improvement district is. Right?

There's a lot of stakeholders. People want different things. But at the end of the day, I do think that the results are worth the effort and the difficulties to get it right. I think that it's been it was kind of a bumpy start for the first couple of years, and, obviously, the pandemic has changed retail as we know it, but the bid deserves another ten years to keep seeing what they can deliver for our corridor. I think that they will absolutely knock it out of the park because they're engaged. They care about our corridor's history and its future. So please vote in favor of the 5 Points Business Improvement District. Thank you for your time.

Thank you. Next up Next up, Helen Bradshaw.

Thank you so much for listening and being here to enjoy this moment with us and sharing what people are saying. My name is Helen Bradshaw. I'm a member of 11 organizations on the board of four. And for those that are saying they don't want this, I challenge them to give me a call so that we can collaboratively work together on some issues. Okay? Everybody We'll

give you a call.

Exactly. Because it is about collaboration. I got this big thing I was going to read to y'all, but I'm just going to speak from my heart. My heart says history is important. My heart says culture is important. My heart says working together is important. Not how much money somebody spent. I'm sorry, y'all. I got to go there. But I got to see, tell me how much money you've made.

When they have the festivals and etcetera and they have the fences up that's the first time I was able to go behind the fence and go to the different businesses in the community when I wasn't behind the fence. Okay? So be truthful, be honest, and be faithful to your community and vote yes.

Have Rob Ladis Ladisan. Rob?

Rob Olisan.

Good evening, council members and community. My name is Rob Alisan. I am a fourth generation Curtis Park resident of Five Points. I just launched The Cipher, a 6,000 square foot brick and mortar storefront in the heart of Five Points on 2847 Walton Street. The Cipher is rooted in traditions of BIPOC culture.

My mandate is to serve, renew, restore the cultural and economic growth within the community of the 5 Points. Norman Harris, the Five Points bid, have been an essential force in the actualization of my vision. Their support, their guidance, and investment in the cultural and economic vitality of the community played a pivotal role in making my dream a reality. What once lived as only a vision has now become a sacred and intentional storefront rooted in purpose, healing, creativity, and connection. Their belief in my mission helped create the foundation for the Cipher to emerge as a space dedicated to empowering the people, honoring tradition, and cultivating meaningful impact within the community and beyond.

After personally speaking to Norman Harris and sharing my vision with him, he immediately jumped into action by making calls to help secure my lease with Van West Partners and ensure I had the support that I needed to make my dream a reality. I could not have accomplished this without their belief and support. This is the true definition of community coming together to help co create a greater foundation for our city. We can never go back, but we can create something new so that we can pass that wealth of culture and community to the next generations to carry that legacy of our great city forward. The Five Points bid serves an example of true leadership that we need in order to ensure the success and legacy of our city.

Thank you.

Have Robert Gray. Robert?

Yes, ma'am.

Go ahead.

Hi. My name is Robert Gray. I live in District 9. I am so happy to be in support of the 5 Point Business Improvement District. It is a fun place to go. I live more on the right side of 5 Points, and I travel across the bridge just to hang out in the 5 Points area. I love what you all done with the beautification, the safety. I feel welcome there. I actually love that I get to get to meet the business owners, and it's not just big box retailers where people just feel like employees at this big box store. So there's a lot of benefit that I've seen in 5 Points from the live music. I don't wanna get tea at tea leaves at 09:00 at night because this area is activated. It's very live. It's very vibrant. So I appreciate a lot of things that they have done. I felt safe there.

I've seen the Denver Police Department there, monitor the area. I even seen the unhealthy community be in that area, but they're they're nice. They're friendly. They're welcome. I don't feel like we're pushing people out of that community. They are our peers. They are our neighbors. So it's been such a joy to be able to go to Five Points and be able to patronize those businesses. And the reason why I do it is because of activations. It's a public art that has been put on display there.

I've seen the artwork grow over the last few years, and it tells a story. So it makes me feel engaged. It makes me feel inside to be a part of this community. I'll often sit at the 5 Point Intersection and just be able to enjoy a coffee from the recent coffee shop that opened up, which I'm a big fan of. So I've seen them take some of these vacant spaces and enable the local community, the local artists to have opportunities.

It's a gathering spot where you get to meet people and you get to engage with your community. I'm also the director of program for a nonprofit called Big Green. I reached out to the Five Point Business Improvement District because I had an idea how we can beautify this area, and Norman was open to those idea. He was open to collaborations. So he has been very welcoming, not only as a community member, but people who also wanna get back and open and help this area. So I am in full support of the renewal of the 5 Point Business Improvement District. I am dedicated to keep spending my hard earned money in this area, and I'm even dedicated to bring my resource from my nonprofit into this area so we can make sure 5 Point is vibrant, lively, and it is constantly improving. That's end of my time. Thank you.

Thanks. Next up, we have Sean Bryce.

Hi. Thank you

for allowing me to make comment tonight, counsel. My name is Sean Bryce. I relocated from New York City to the Five Points area fifteen years ago and have called Denver home ever since. I believe that Five Points is the most culturally significant neighborhood in this entire metro area. The history there, the continuation of music and art and culture, food unlike anywhere else in the city, and an aspect of hospitality that, in my opinion, is unrivaled, all make 5 Points an incredibly, incredibly special place, not just in Denver, but any city you travel to.

I am deeply in favor of the renewal of the 5 Points Business Improvement District. I believe that in order to preserve and protect culture and history and also move forward and evolve thoughtfully, you have to have an organizing body that can bring people together rather than have them work in silos, and that's when things will really fall apart. So I encourage the city council to, vote yes on the renewal, and I thank you for

your time.

Thank you. Next up, we have Alvis Brooks.

Hey,

city council. How are you? Albus Brooks here. First and foremost, I wanna say thank you for your service. Love that you, stay late into the night every Monday, taking on the concerns of the city.

I'm the former city council representative for District 9, Defined District 9, taking over, but there's a great leader there, councilman Watson. Thank you for leading that. But today, I'm talking about my heart. I've been in the Five Points community for twenty years, as a community organizer, as a city council representative, city council president, and also, the person who got a chance to start in 2016, this bid. And we initiated this bid because, the residents, the business owners said we want the same tools that our neighbors downtown, Cherry Creek and Rhino.

We want all those tools to be able to, be able to get business here, recruit business here, clean up our community, make sure our community is safe. And for the last ten years, we have endured, COVID and so many other things, a change in businesses closing, businesses coming. But what I will say is that leaders like Norman Harris, who, by the way, is a third generation, Five Points leader, business leader, has brought attention and leadership to this community in ways that we haven't seen before. Just last week, the leaders from DNC were here looking at Five Points because some of the things that they have heard is that African American businesses have not been there on on The Points, and they got a chance to meet some of these business leaders. I'm excited to say that the Rasonian, I'm a part of that development, will be breaking ground in June.

I'm excited to say that the point redevelopment, the 30 to 40 apartment units, will be revitalized. I'm excited to say because of the 5 Points Business district, we have sustained great business in that area for the last ten years despite everything that everybody has gone through, despite all the hard, I would say, you know, times that businesses have had. And to the individuals who are and there a lot of them are friends in there. Businesses who feel like, hey. This is just a lot of money.

We are seeing a lot of bids, Rhino being one of them, who have business owners who are pushing back. And I get that because these times are very, very hard for business. But I will say, no one has asked the question, what if we didn't have the bid? What if we didn't have someone advocating for businesses on Welton? There will be no Welton Street Cafe. There will be no all these other businesses that are starting to curse up. So I just I just pray that you guys will support this. Thank you.

Thank you. Next up, we have Alan Feltman.

Yes. Hello. My name is Eileen Feltman. I'm actually standing on Welton Street at the moment, but I guess it doesn't you can't really see what's in the background. I was hoping it would be.

I've been a resident of Five Points and within, more specifically, in the Curtis Park section of 5 Points for over forty five years, and I've always viewed Welton Street in Larimer as instrumental, a very much part of the community, not separate. I come to Welton Street all the time. I have since I've moved here in the late seventies, and I think it's essential that the bid is allowed to continue. I am always so impressed by the type of activities, especially Norm Harris has been really instrumental in in fueling the excitement and energy that's been going on. I see people come from all over to come hear music, to come to restaurants.

Right now in the background, even though it's blurry because the way the Zoom thing works, we have trees. We have development. It's it's it's, it's amazing. It's amazing to walk down here and see all the energy that's going in. But to keep these streets clean, to keep these trees green, to do the kind of infrastructure that attracts both businesses and the the the patrons that will come into this business takes money, and a bid is a correct and efficient way to do this.

I think it's been managed very well, and I 100% support the bid be being able to continue, in its, I think it's for the next ten years or whatever that time frame is. So I highly encourage you to do this. I do not think I have seen any efforts in any part of the neighborhood so concentrated any, any place like I've seen on Welton Street. I know there's been a lot of times through the almost fifty years I've lived in the neighborhood where there's been some false starts, but this is not a false start. This is going strong. I would like it to continue, and I hope you guys vote yes to support this bid. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Next up, we have Michelle Laoli.

Good evening, everyone. My name is Michelle Laoli, and I'm actually a resident of Westminster, Colorado. I thought it would be nice to have some anecdotal evidence from someone who does not live directly within the Five Points community. So I am here to speak in strong support of the bid renewal. So for council president Sandoval, council members, also audience members president, I thank you all for allowing me a few remarks this evening, in support of such.

So from personal experience of having many reading days, at the Blair Caldwell Library. You heard from miss Risa Jones earlier, over the couple months past couple months, I've been spending many a remote workday, at Tea Lea's Tea House and Bookstore, breakfast at Welton Street Cafe, many live music events at Spangaland Brewery as well as Marigold. As someone who does not live in the actual area of Five Points, let alone the city of Denver, I spent about one to two days, sometimes one to three, it depends on average, in the 5 Points area, specifically with respect to Welton, the Welton Corridor. And I I think it's incumbent upon me to to mention that because I am spending my time driving into the city to spend my dollars with these small businesses that make up, the the five points bid. And so a couple things from their website that I actually want to, highlight, there are five points to the five point bid renewal, but there are two that were close to me.

So the first one, I'm gonna truncate some of the statements here, but streets and public spaces feeling more active and long standing community priorities finally translating into funded plans and visible improvements with measurable progress. I think it's key to highlight that, because infrastructure takes time. Building trust between new business owners and legacy built, business owners, takes time. Being able to reward the good faith of early investors and those who are continuing to pour into their community and individuals like me outside of the community who have no direct benefit other than the cultural progression of this area, I think it's important that we basically be able to highlight that faith and return on that faith of that investment by allowing the bid renewal to go forward for another ten years. And as another caller said, and beyond because you wanna make sure we see the full realization of the 5 Points area with respect to especially the Welton Corridor.

Next, I want to say activating culture and community. Cultures returns Welton Street from a place people pass through to a place they stay. This is very incumbent to me as a future homeowner. I was only looking at metro areas of Denver. With my experience in 5 Points, I'm really looking forward to perhaps being a future contributor to that, to that neighborhood. So, my name is Michelle Lolly. I am a resident of Westminster, Colorado. This concludes my remarks. And council members and audience members, again, I wanna thank you all for your time in hearing my remarks this evening.

Thanks. Next up, we have Monica Ortega.