​Beginning on Monday, April 30th the next phase of work on Sanderson Gulch will begin.  The Denver Water and electrical utility lines running next to S. Platte River Drive have been relocated.  The open trench will be backfilled with dirt.
Excavation and soil testing will begin at two separate locations within the project site.  Both locations will experience traffic impacts.

In the vicinity of S. Platte River Drive:
S. Platte River Drive will close in both directions from S. Santa Fe Drive to W. Florida Avenue. S. Platte River Drive will be closed intermittently between April 30 and the end of 2018.  Northbound traffic on S. Platte River Drive will continue to be detoured onto W. Florida Avenue and north on S. Lipan Street.  Through traffic on southbound S. Platte River Drive will be detoured onto S. Huron Street.  

S. Huron Street, S. Inca Street, and S. Jason Street will remain open to business traffic at W. Louisiana Avenue, but will have no access to S. Platte River Drive.

Gas line relocation work will begin in S.Platte River Drive.  Drill rigs at this location will begin soil sampling.

In the vicinity of S. Lipan Street and W. Arkansas Avenue:
Crews will begin excavating Sanderson Gulch at the upper reach of the project site.  S. Lipan Street will remain open in both directions, but traffic lanes will be shifted to the west away from the active construction zone.  Flaggers will help direct traffic.  There will be no access to Lipan Street from W. Arkansas Avenue.  W. Arkansas will be closed for one block between S. Mariposa Street and S. Lipan Street.

Here's what this program provides:

• Thorough energy audit and safety inspection 
• New insulation in your attic, walls and crawlspace 
• Furnace replacement or repair
• Weatherstripping, air-sealing, and LED light bulbs 
• Refrigerator replacement

Renters and owners are eligible for this program. Learn more by downloading the PDF here. 
En espanol.

• The Housing and Homelessness Working Group will meet on Monday, April 23 at 12 p.m. 
• The Special Issues: Green Roofs Initiative meeting on Monday, April 23 has been canceled. 
• The Sidewalk Working Group meeting on Monday, April 23 has been canceled. 
• The FINGOV Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 25 has been canceled. 
• The Mobility and Transportation Task Force will meet on Wednesday, April 25 at 12 p.m.

Consent
No District 7 Specific Items

Council Meeting
No District 7 Specific Items

Committees
No District 7 Specific Items

The Southwest Denver Coalition would like to invite you to participate in the 10th Annual Safe Summer Kickoff Resource Fair scheduled for Saturday, June 2, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

50 private and public community organizations participated in last year’s event making it a great opportunity for providers to network with others and directly connect with and inform the community of services and resources available to them. Last year, the event had over 800 attendees and due to the event’s success they are changing the location this year from Kepner Legacy to Garfield Lake Park, 3500 W Mississippi Ave, Denver, CO 80219.

The purpose of the Safe Summer Kickoff is to build community cohesion and empower the community residents by providing them current and direct connections to providers that can address a variety of needs as well as promote a healthy and safe summer. The event is free to the community and offers a variety of free entertainment, activities and food. The event also offers the community an opportunity to meet governmental department personnel and to inform them of system-based services that will promote a more positive view and relationship.

In order to cover the expenses for this and future events, they are asking that agencies pay a small fee to secure your booth space and promote your business. A $25 minimum fee will secure your space at the event, and an additional $25 will list your agency’s name in the event pamphlet that is handed out to each family as they arrive. They also have a limited opportunity to display your agency logo on the event flier, which is delivered to over 1,000 individuals and organizations in the Southwest Denver community for an additional fee of $75.

$25 Booth Space
$50 Booth Space and Pamphlet Listing
$100 Booth Space, Pamphlet Listing and Flier Logo

The resource fair this year will be a max of 50 agencies. Participating agencies must provide 1 table and 1-2 chairs for their booth and are encouraged to bring a tent. Event organizers will not be able to provide a table, chairs, or tents. If you know of other organizations or agencies that you believe would benefit the community by participating in the event, please send contact information so that they may invite them, as well.

In the meantime, if you are interested in having a booth at the fair, please use the following Google Docs link to sign up and provide the following information:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EjDI167s0i9ObbWk3BzDKcBIsu8mLhOBJBNRNkbZaqQ/edit?usp=sharing

1. Agency name, main contact’s name, phone number, email address.
2. Please provide a brief description of your organization/agency.

If your agency or organization is interested in having a booth at the fair, please let them know no later than May 4th.
Additional instructions and payment information will be provided after confirmation.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you and they look forward to seeing you at the Safe Summer Kickoff.

CONTACT:
Michelle McDaniel
Outreach Worker, GRASP (Gang Rescue and Support Project)
Program Manager, Denver Health AIM (At-Risk Intervention and Mentoring)
Mobile (720)429-3299
michelle@graspyouth.org

​Notice of Public Hearing on Proposed Rules and Regulations City and County of Denver Board of Public Health and Environment
All interested parties are hereby given notice that the City and County of Denver, the Board of Public Health and Environment, will hold a public rule-making hearing to consider rules and regulations governing PRIVATE OFF-LEASH DOG ENCLOSURES

The hearing will be held at the meeting of the Board of Public Health and Environment (BPHE) at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at the Permit Center/Elections Building, located at 200 W. 14th Avenue, Suite 200, 2nd Floor in the Grand Mesa Conference Room. Any change to the meeting location will be posted prior to the meeting on the BPHE website.

Please notify us via email at BEH@Denvergov.org of your intent to speak at the public hearing no later than Monday, May 7, 2018, or submit comments in writing to BEH@Denvergov.org by Monday, May 7, 2018. Comments can also be mailed or hand delivered to the Department of Public Health and Environment (DPHE), Administration Offices, Attention Kathy Houston, 200 W. 14th Avenue, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80204-2732 no later than Close of Business, May 7, 2018.

The proposed rules and regulations can be viewed here or in person at the DPHE Administration Offices, (200 W. 14th Avenue, 3rd floor, Suite 300) or by calling 720-865-5484.

Mayor Michael B. Hancock today released a proposed framework that partners with the Denver Housing Authority (DHA) to double the Affordable Housing Fund annually – from $15 million to $30 million – and generate a new estimated $105 million funding surge for affordable housing in the next five years.

“Denver’s need for more affordable housing is critical. Since our creation of Denver’s first dedicated Affordable Housing Fund, we’ve been working on ways to leverage those dollars to expand the fund’s capacity and broaden its impact,” Mayor Hancock said. “This proposal will deploy more funding quicker to support our residents and families without increasing costs on the very households we are working to serve.”

The Mayor continued, “We can all agree – more resources are key to addressing this challenge. The Housing Authority has been a trusted partner in building and preserving high quality affordable homes for those who need them, and this partnership will allow us to do more, faster for residents who are working hard and need support.”

The proposal would improve the alignment of Denver’s Affordable Housing Fund with the five-year housing plan. Ultimately, Denver would double its creation and preservation estimates from 3,000 units to at least 6,400 units over five years. The proposal directs about half of the newly doubled Affordable Housing Fund to support those most burdened by housing costs (0-30% AMI and those experiencing homelessness) and allocates the other half to fulfill other priorities within the Housing an Inclusive Denver five-year plan.

The construction of the utility trench along S. Platte River Drive is complete.  Construction crews will now begin working around the clock, 24 hours a day, Monday through Saturday, to relocate the Denver Water line and the electrical utility line in the new trench.  ​

Soil sampling using drill equipment will continue in Sanderson Gulch between S. Platte River Drive and the BNSF railroad.

People in the area will notice heavy construction machinery, construction trailers, and more crews moving into the vicinity of S. Lipan Street and W. Arkansas Avenue.  With the utility line relocation coming to a close toward the end of April,  construction crews are preparing for excavation work on Sanderson Gulch itself.

S. Lipan Street is open to traffic in both directions.  S. Platte River Drive remains closed northbound at W. Florida Avenue.

• There will be a special SAFEHOUSE Committee meeting on Monday, April 16 at 10:30 a.m.
• The Economic and Workforce Development Working Group will meet on Monday, April 16 at 3 p.m.
• There will be a 30 minute general public comment session held before the meeting of Council on Monday, April 16 at 5 p.m.- sign up begins at 12 noon on Friday, April 13.
• The FINGOV Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 17 has been canceled.
• There will be an Operations meeting on Wednesday, April 18 at 12 noon.
• The BIZ Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 18 has been canceled.
• There is a Review and Comment Period on Thursday, April 19 at 9 a.m.

Consent
18-0381 Approves a $24,000 agreement with South Broadway Station Apartments LLC through 12-31-18 to use City-owned vacant land as a temporary parking lot at 1134 and 1136 South Broadway in Council District 7 (FINAN-201840879-00). 
18-0382 Sets a public hearing before City Council on 6-11-18 on the 101 Broadway Urban Redevelopment Plan in Council District 7. 
Council Meeting
No District 7 Specific Items

Committee Agendas
No District 7 Specific Items

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Annual Paint-A-Thon -- one of the state’s largest volunteer events that serves seniors – Brothers Redevelopment is hosting a big, brush-related bash.   Join us from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8, for “The Paint Party,” at the Edgewater Plaza, located at 2250 Eaton St., in Edgewater.
 
Tix are just $40 for The Paint Party, which is a carnival night of games, prizes, live music, festive food and lots of fun!   That’s right, carnival games – only better! No heavy sell, no silent auctions, none of that “stuffy” stuff. 

They are celebrating an event that over 40 years has seen more than 130,000 volunteers paint the homes of some 7,250 fixed-income seniors statewide – saving them hundreds of thousands in home maintenance costs annually!!!!  Many of you have participated, along with your friends and families over the years.  

​Go to brivents.org to get your tickets today! 

Today, the nonprofit organization Citizens Appreciate Police (CAP) recognized 10 Denver Police officers for going beyond the call of duty to help members of our community. Formed in 1978 by Mayor Bill McNichols and District Attorney Dale Tooley, CAP is a nonprofit organization that recognizes Denver police officers who serve the public above the regular call of duty. Since its inception, more than 400 officers have received the CAP award. The officers honored today are:
 

• Officer Alicia Martinez
  
• Officer Monique Sedberry

 
Officer Monique Sedberry was dispatched to a southwest Denver school on a report that a student was being bullied. On that call, she befriended the young man named Victor. Victor is legally blind and was being teased by other students for his vision impairment. Since that initial meeting, Officer Sedberry has maintained their friendship, visiting Victor at home on a regular basis and introducing him to other officers. As the new school year approached, Officer Sedberry and Officer Alicia Martinez learned that Victor’s family was struggling to equip him and his four siblings with school supplies for the year. So, the crime-fighting duo bought five backpacks, loaded them up with various school supplies and delivered them to family, who were all very grateful for the officers’ kindness and generosity.

Denver Parks & Recreation's (DPR) alcohol policy was established in September 2007, and amended in May 2011, February 2012 and May 2012, resulting in the current policy which is overly-complicated and inconsistent. In an effort to simplify how rules and regulations are enforced at DPR facilities across the city, a revision to the DPR Alcohol Policy is being proposed and your feedback is wanted. 

Website access to survey: http://www.denvergov.org/parkrules
Direct link to survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DPRPolicy

The intent of these proposed revisions is to:

• Simplify the policy
• Provide more clarity to park users and permit holders
• Consistently implement policy requirements in facilities throughout the city
• Accommodate upcoming changes to state liquor laws.
  
  

PROPOSED revision summary:

1. Permitted events (public, private, races/walks, and athletic tournaments) would be treated the same when it comes to selling and serving alcohol. Events would be allowed to sell or serve all types of alcohol, ending restrictions in some parks where beer, wine and champagne only are allowed (with a liquor license from Excise and License).
2. All DPR parks would be able to host permitted events where alcohol is served or sold (with a liquor license from Excise and License). Other standard restrictions would remain in place, such as permit requirements, public event rules, rest periods, noise regulations, and capacity limits.
3. All permitted events held at DPR buildings (event facilities, golf clubhouses, and recreation centers) would be treated the same when it comes to serving or selling alcohol. Events would be allowed to sell or serve all types of alcohol, ending restrictions in some buildings where beer, wine and champagne only are allowed, with the exception that such permitted events in recreation centers must occur when the building is closed to the public.
4. Events such as demonstrations and assemblies (protests, marches) will be prohibited from acquiring a permit to serve or sell alcohol.
5. References to 3.2% beer will be removed from DPR rules and regulations. Public consumption in Denver parks and open areas will follow Colorado State law. In 2019, state law will no longer require a designation for 3.2% beer, likely ending the distinction from full-strength beer.

If you have any questions as you complete this survey, please email parksandrecreation@denvergov.org. 

The survey should take approximately 10 minutes and is anonymous. Your input will shape how the alcohol policy is adjusted, so please help by sharing with your neighbors. The survey will close April 20, 2018.

To review proposed changes in more detail, visit denvergov.org/ParkRules

With April designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the City and County of Denver and partners continue educating the community about the importance of believing victims of sexual assault. With the momentum of the #MeToo movement, everyday more and more survivors are bravely telling their stories. Do you know how best to react if a loved one tells you they were sexually assaulted?  Your reaction matters. Please, start by believing victims.

Because you probably won’t know when a coworker, sister, brother, friend, or child may tell you they were sexually assaulted, everyone is encouraged to visit www.Denvergov.org/StartbyBelieving to prepare themselves for that important conversation.

After being sexually assaulted, survivors may find it difficult to tell someone or talk about it for a number of reasons — fear, shame, doubt.  It is critical that they understand it’s not their fault and that friends and family members know how to start by believing when someone confides in them, which is why Denver’s campaign continues with “Know Action”:

• No Doubt. Know Action.
• No Blame. Know Action.
• No Judgement. Know Action.
• No Shame. Know Action.

In its fourth year, Denver’s Start by Believing campaign is a collaborative effort between the following agencies: Denver District Attorney’s Office, Department of Public Safety, Denver Police Department, Denver Marketing Office, Sexual Assault Interagency Council, and The Blue Bench. The Start by Believing campaign was developed by End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI).

Additionally, thanks to the following sponsors for their contributions to Denver’s Start by Believing campaign: Lamar Advertising, which generously donated billboard space; Outdoor Promotions LLC, which donated bus shelter advertising space; 5280 Magazine, which donated space for a full-page ad in a coming issue, and Westword, which is running Denver’s Start by Believing ads.

If you or anyone you know has been sexually assaulted, there are many resources available:

• www.Denvergov.org/StartbyBelieving
• The Blue Bench - Sexual Assault Hotline - 303-322-7273
• Denver Health Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners or at 303-602-3007

When: Thursday, May 17 | 10a.m. – 2p.m.

Where: Washington Park | Franklin & Mississippi
2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the most powerful and important bird-protection law ever passed. We’re celebrating this milestone during World Migratory Bird Day which also brings attention to one of the most spectacular events in the Americas-- bird migration! Join Denver Parks & Recreation, Audubon Society of Greater Denver, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Washington Park on May 17! We’ll have fun, educational activities for all ages including crafts, nature walks, games & more!

Learn more at MigratoryBirdAct.org, and share the Facebook event with your friends and neighbors!

Relocation of the Denver Water line and utility line is ongoing. Crews continue to build the water and utility line trench by inserting steel plates to shore up the trench walls.

Soil sampling will begin in the southeast portion of Sanderson Gulch Park. Residents and business owners will notice heavy equipment on site boring for soil samples.

Northbound traffic on S. Platte River Drive at W. Florida Avenue will continue to be closed, with a detour to S. Lipan Street. The timing of the traffic lights at S. Platte River Drive and W. Florida Avenue has been adjusted to move traffic more efficiently. 

 S. Lipan Street will, at times, be reduced to one lane at W. Arkansas Avenue. Flaggers are on location to keep traffic moving safely in both directions.