The Capital Improvement Project (2013-2018) Continued

Aug 262012
 

One of the most important topics for citizens at this time was discussed during the city council meeting-the budget. Every government, whether it is federal, state or local is trying to decide what projects are worth the cost and that will benefit the community the most while trying to not drown in debt in the process. Unfortunately it is not as simple as just removing some projects to curb the debt. Many projects are actually required on every level of government. The federal government has medicare and social security, two entitlement programs which the government must fund, even if it sinks the government into further debt. The Greenwood Village City Council also had to deal with similar situations during the meeting on August 20th. The council had every funding program on The Capital Improvement Project listed with the numbers 1-4. Programs with a 1 were a requirement that the council had to fund no matter what whether it was for a legal requirement, contract obligation, or other reason. A 2 was what the city needed to do, a 3 was what the city wanted to do, and a 4 was to be removed from the Capital Improvement Project. Some projects that may not seem like a big deal were considered to be a 1 due to a legal requirement. These projects included High Line Canal Trail Crossing Signage Improvements, Pavement and Concrete Rehabilitation Programs, and the I-25/Arapahoe Road Interchange Reconstruction Design. These projects were just some that most of the council labeled as category 1. Many more were labeled as 2 and 3, with very few being labeled as 4. This made it difficult for the council to decide what to keep and what to eliminate. While the council did cut off a good amount of debt during the meeting, there was still debt remaining at the end, which will have to be cleared up at a future date. The difficulty that the city council encountered is a stark reminder of urgency and direness of the financial problems in the United States. As one of the richer cities in not only in Colorado, but the in country it shows that even cities that are better off than most still have trouble dealing with debt in this financial crisis. This council meeting shows how hard it is to reduce debt when the government must pay for so many required programs and it shows how much reform is needed in the United States’ budget

  •  Posted by on August 26, 2012 at 9:42 pm
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Art, Youth, and Education: Values to Govern By

Aug 152012
 

If you were in attendance at the city council meeting on August 6, you may have had trouble finding a seat. The chamber was standing room only, filled to the brim with citizens young and old. Yet the reason for this was not what one might expect–no contentious issue was brought before the council, no complaints were voiced–rather, the atmosphere was one of camaraderie and joy. On that night, the city of Greenwood Village displayed its true values, celebrating science, art, education, and youth.

There is something to be said about the fact that our city is willing to take the time from its busy schedule to honor certain individuals for their contributions and to teach others about their role in the community. Last Monday, the city council welcomed a troop of Boy Scouts, showing them all the best parts of City Hall and answering their seemingly endless questions. The council also awarded two individuals,  from opposite ends of the age spectrum, for their efforts to advance the arts in our city. Finally, Tasha Schoenstein, a brilliant young woman with whom I have had the pleasure of taking some classes, was honored for her scientific successes. Often, government is perceived as simply wanting to take our money and to give itself more power, but after last week’s meeting, I know this is not true of Greenwood Village. Watching the Mayor and the Chief of Police walk young scouts through City Hall, observing the pride in the eyes of the council members as they looked down upon the people being honored, it was hard not to be amazed at our community. At a time when so many are concerned with financial woes or other problems, our city came together so as not to forget some of our most basic values: education, art, and youth. That our city government is so aware of these things and so concerned with their continuing growth is more than I could ever hope for. As I prepare myself for my last city council meeting as an intern, I have a new found respect for the people and the government I have gotten to know over the past few weeks. I am happy to say that the decisions they made last meeting are ones I would have made in a heartbeat.

  •  Posted by on August 15, 2012 at 10:44 am
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Summer 2012

Aug 142012
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Councilmember Presley’s Interns Summer 2012. Ryan Patton and Zak Kayal, Seniors at Cherry Creek High School.

  •  Posted by on August 14, 2012 at 6:12 pm
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The Master Development Plan and Liquor Licensing

Aug 132012
 

In this week’s meeting two major subjects were discussed. One concerning zoning, and the other concerning the right for a restaurant to serve liquor.

A city-initiated request to amend The Master Development Plan was To the council during the meeting. This amendment proposed to rezone Westlands Park, from TC (Town Center) to O-2 (Open Space). Some real Property was also zoned from TC to R-1.5 (Residential-1.5), while some R-1.5 Planned Unit Development was zoned to O-2. There was some concern that the open space would be ruined by becoming a playground or a sports field. The applicant stated the the open space would continue to be open space with no construction. The council ended up voting for all of the ordinances included in the amendment.

The Hotel and Restaurant, Tilted Kilt, requested a liquor license for its DTC location. The council approved this decision with the condition that the applicant could not be the registered manager for two Liquor License establishments at the same time as law requires. The mayor also made it clear that the Greenwood Village Government would punish the applicant severely if it violated its liquor license by serving alcohol illegally, such as to a minor, like the Senor del Sol restaurant did earlier in the year, which the council has dealt with this year in previous meetings.

  •  Posted by on August 13, 2012 at 11:04 pm
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