Wounded Warriors on Bikes, Good News on the Historic Golden Post Office, and Other Items

This little bike will be joined by hundreds of others on Tuesday, August 4, when the Wounded Warriors Ride to Recovery comes through Golden.  The Wounded Warriors, members of the armed services who were injured in action, will be biking from Cheyenne to Fort Carson.  In  Golden, they'll stop for lunch at Coors, then ride on to Denver to spend the night. We admire the Wounded Warriors for this remarkable effort and honor them for their sacrifices.

The Wounded Warriors may ride by the Downtown Golden Post Office.  They probably won't notice that there's no "For Sale" sign in front, but alert Golden residents will.  The USPS has decided to take it off the market.  Thanks to all who lobbied for this great result.  

As an extension of the Golden vision project, neighbors all over town will be invited to join and participate in I-neighbors.org.  This is an e-message board that has already been successful in several neighborhoods.  For instance, it has brought Beverly Heights-ites together as they contribute news and comments on  wildlife sightings, city issues, garage sales, references and recommendations, and wandering pets.  The Golden Informer and City Councilors will soon be sharing more information about this community-building tool.  For a preview, visit http://www.i-neighbors.org/80401 and choose a Golden neighborhood from the drop-down menu.

Opening day for the new Foothills Animal Shelter on the Sixth Avenue frontage road at the fairgrounds will be Saturday, August 28.  Join in the celebration for tours, live music, free food, face-painting, and very nice animals available for petting and adoption.  And, along the same lines,  make sure your dog is licensed in Jefferson County.  You can download a form on-line and mail it in with the amount due.   (The annual fee for a spayed/neutered dog is $15; the fee for an unaltered dog is $30.)  The website is http://jeffco.us/sheriff/sheriff_T62_R210.htm.  The fees go toward building the shelter and your pet will benefit from having "a ticket home."

At the risk of belaboring the issue -- there are still  misconceptions about the City's efforts to keep truck, car, and motorcycle noise within reasonable limits, particularly in downtown and Beverly Heights.  The point is simple:  everyone should be able to enjoy spring and summer in Golden.  No one will be ticketed unless an officer notices noise so deafening that people on the streets and in our businesses, shops, restaurants, homes, and yards cannot hear each other speak.  Officers will not be looking for exhausts that are illegal under state law, but they will be listening for them.  Citations may be issued to individuals who draw audible attention to their illegal mufflers.  There is some officer discretion involved, but no more so than in any other aspect of law enforcement.   A detailed explanation of the policy and program can be found at http://ci.golden.co.us/News.asp?NewsID=750.

Marjorie Sloan
District 1 councilor

More Ward 1 News

When I posted my last blog, it cut off the last part due to a lost connection.  So I took a break and went down to Woody's for the monthly cruiser bike ride, the most fun event of the summer in my opinion.  It was another great evening with a couple rainbows to shine on our ride.

That was probably enough said about the neighborhood meetings.  I wanted to mention a couple other recent developments.  At last Thursday's Council meeting, we approved a rezoning for 2200 Jackson St., the senior housing project of the Jefferson County Housing Authority.  It is now a PUD (Planned Unit Development).  The architects have met with the neighbors surrounding the project and tried to ensure that the new housing fits into the neighborhood and minimizes any negative impact.  There will be 50 mostly one bedroom units.  The applicant will now have to submit a detailed site plan to the planning commission, and there will be more opportunities for public input.

Earlier today I went over to the Jeffco fairgrounds and took advantage of a pre-opening tour for city officials of the new Foothills Animal Shelter.  On August 9th, staff will move all the animals from the Table Mt. Animal Shelter in Applewood to the new facility.  It is a beautiful, very practical and functional shelter.  Those of you who have visited the old facility know that it was old, completely outgrown and inadequate.  You will be thrilled to see the new one which is far superior for people and animals.  They should be able to care for more animals and provide for many more adoptions.  The City of Golden contributed to the cost of building the facility along with the county, private contributions, and 4 other municipalities and it also helps with operating costs through issuing dog licenses.

Also over in the fairgrounds area, a new connector bikepath is being constructed that will tie the C-470 bikepath to the Golden Hills/Hts. neighborhoods, fairgrounds, and Denver West/Colorado Mills.  On September 19th there will be a walk, run, bike event for the Second Wind organization that was founded to help prevent teen suicide.  3200 participants are expected for this event, and it will be a nice way to break in the new trail for a worthy cause.

Marcia Claxton
Ward One Councilor

What's New in the Neighborhoods?

Between 40 and 50 people attended my three recent neighborhood meetings held at Pizza Hut, Golden Hills/Hts. Park, and Southridge Park over the last couple weeks.  It was a great opportunity to meet more people in Ward 1 and to see familiar faces.  There is no substitute for face to face communication with Golden citizens and we had some lively discussions.  I was impressed with the gamut of good questions and ideas we received, adding further to my opinion that the people, who live here, are our greatest assets.

It was a good opportunity for people to weigh in on the new trash/recycling program.  Representatives of EDS were at each meeting, as well as city staff responsible for implementing the program.  We had sample trash carts there that people could look at and into; some people signed up at the meetings after having their questions answered and discussing their individual situations with EDS and the city.  You are encouraged to call EDS and the city for clarification and explanations on why we are going this route and what will work best for you and your family.  Whenever starting something new like this, it is understandable that there will be some resistance.  The new program will save most people money while providing almost unlimited recycling and reduce the amount of trash going to the landfill.  Please call and   sign up today.  If you find that you chose the wrong level of service, you can simply change at any time within 90 days with no additional charge.  Customer service at EDS and Chris Naber at the City of Golden are prepared to work with you and are committed to success.

We did a lot more than "talk trash".  Chief Kilpatrick and the police department attended every meeting, and it was obvious that there is a good relationship between the citizens and the department.  Discussions revolved around noise, traffic and speeds, especially pertaining to motorcycles and the supercruise.  Bicycle etiquette was also debated.  There were many more supporters of the supercruise than detractors when one attendee asked for a show of hands.  A few people were concerned about traffic and difficulty getting around town, also about noise and speeding through the neighborhoods.  The police are keeping these problems in mind and trying to control the event in a reasonable fashion.  Generally, the feeling is that the supercruise brings a lot of business to South Golden Rd., and considering the very large numbers of people participating, the problems have been few.  That doesn't mean we won't stop paying attention to the valid concerns expressed.

The really nice thing about the meetings was the willingness of people to bring up contentious issues and discuss them in the open while being respectful of other's opinions.  People expressed gratitude to me and other city staff that we were there to listen

Headlines--Fireworks! Buffalo Bill Days! Henry Awards! Gold Medal Video! and Important Golden Issues

     The postponed 4th of July fireworks are rescheduled for Friday, August 6, after the downtown First Friday Street Fair and "Music in the Park" at Parfet Park but before the "Movie in the Park" begins.

     Buffalo Bill Days happen this weekend, July 21-25.  Friday highlights include children's rides & activities, food, beverages, arts & crafts, and entertainment in Parfet Park from 5-10:00 p.m..  Saturday's schedule is even busier:  the firehouse pancake breakfast (6-10:00 a.m.), the parade (starting at 10:00 a.m.), wild west events at 12th & Washington (12-3:30 p.m.), and activities and entertainment  in Parfet Park (until 10:00 p.m.).  Sunday is packed with events, from church at 9:00 in Parfet Park, through car shows on Washington from 10 a.m. -3:00 p.m., to the end of entertainment at 5:00 p.m.  The complete schedule can be viewed at http://www.buffalobilldays.com/schedule.php.

     Miners' Alley Playhouse  Golden's Miners' Alley Playhouse may be out-spent by larger theater companies (like the Denver Center Theater Company and Arvada Center), but it's never out-classed.  This year it has been honored with Henry Awards for outstanding season by a company; outstanding production and outstanding ensemble (A Picasso); best lead actor (Chris Kendall in A Picasso); best lead actress (Billie McBride in Grace & Glorie); and best direction (Robert Kramer for "A Picasso").  Its 2010 season continues with a presentation of Steve Martin's adaptation of the social comedy The Underpants through August 29, with performances every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m.  Going-out gurus agree that the combination of a downtown stroll, dinner, and award-winning live theater within blocks of home is a great way to spend a summer evening. 

     The agenda of City Council's regular business meeting on Thursday, July 22, includes a showing of a 12-minute video prepared by the Parks & Recreation Department for the Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation and Parks Association.  For the second year in a row, Golden is a finalist for the prestigious award.

     Policy-related decisions before council that night include:  (1)  a proposed height limitation on infill multi-family construction projects in neighborhoods--30 feet (similar to single-family and duplexes) rather than the current 35 feet (though Planning Commission would be authorized to grant a bonus back to 35 feet under certain criteria), see http://goldenco.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=26; (2) a resolution of support for a joint County-Golden open space purchase of about 14 acres of  "the Bachman Property" (east of Heritage Road and south of West 4th  Ave.), see http://goldenco.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=26 ;  and  (3) an extension of the moratorium on medical marijuana licenses until the State completes its rule-making process.   I am presently in favor of all these proposals because:

• The height limitation will contribute to Golden's neighborhood focus;
• Purchase of the Bachman property will protect an important gateway and backdrop for the entire city and provide parkland for South Golden.  On a related front, a group of Golden residents have banded together to support "a commitment by the City to preserve and enhance the significant natural lands that are important to us now and that will be even more so in the future. Natural areas give our city the distinctive character we value,  see  http://naturalareasgolden.org/; and
• Continuing the medical-marijuana moratorium while statewide regulations are worked out just makes sense.

As usual,  public comment on any of these issues is welcomed, either by e-mail, the e-comment function on cityofgolden.net, or in person during the meeting. And all councilors are more than willing to discuss matters with you in a private conversation.  (Some of us (not I) have even been known to tweet.).      

     Council will also deal with a quasijudicial matter, a request to rezone the old Big Tree Trailer Court property at 2200 Jackson Street from the R2 zone district to the PUD zone district in order to permit construction of a specific senior housing project.  As a matter of law, council's decision on this issue will be based on the public record and not on individual contacts.

     And finally, council will receive a 2d quarter financial report.  According to the summary, revenues exceed expenditures year to date by approximately $1.5 million and revenues up are 12% over last year's downturn, with building-related revenues making up a large portion of the increase.  (And it's good news that folks are confident enough to invest in their Golden homes and businesses.)   

Marjorie

More Neighborhood Meetings

Thank you for all of you who turned out for the meeting at Pizza Hut on last Monday evening.  We had a rousing discussion on trash and recycling and covered other topics as well.  Representatives of EDS and the City staff person in charge of the new program were there to answer questions, as well as to sign people up.  There were actual carts available to look at and into -- 32, 64, and 96 gallon.  Chief Kilpatrick was there to talk about supercruise and to interact with residents about other concerns.

There are two more get togethers scheduled for Monday, July 19 and Weds. July 21.  They will be held at the Golden Heights Park (near fairgrounds) and Southridge Park (behind Halu Sushi) respectively, both from 6:30-7:30 pm.

Hope to see you there!!

Marcia Claxton
Ward One Councilor

Happy Independence Day Weekend - PAYT Comments

Happy Independence Day Weekend -- Golden's always a great place to celebrate the Fourth even when rain puts a damper on some of the best-laid  plans.  And some good news about Golden's economy-- sales tax revenues for May sales (collected in June) are up 2.9% over last year.  Our restaurants showed a large increase--and people going out to eat more often is viewed as a sign of consumer confidence.

City Council has received lots of  messages about Pay-As-You-Throw Trash Hauling.  Some are against the concept; others are neutral, raising questions about implementation issues; and  most are very favorable.
Here's a great example of  the last category, written by long-time resident Alice Atkins:

My Top 6 Reasons Why I Like the New Pay-As-You-Throw Trash Hauling in Golden

1. I save a lot of money. My most recent invoice for second quarter trash hauling with my current hauler was just over $80; for an entire year that’s $320. With the PAYT program, I’ll pay about $18.50 a quarter (for the 32 gal trash cart) or about $74/year. That’s a $246 annual savings!
2. Single stream recycling. While we already recycle, our current hauler requires that we put light cardboard, paper, and plastics/glass/metal in three separate bins which each have to be taken to the curb for pick-up and returned. PAYT is single stream recycling and will take corrugated cardboard. Single stream will save me time, is more efficient, and will eliminate trips to the dump. Some current haulers only limited items for recycle. PAYT will take virtually all my recyclables.
3. Fuel surcharge fixed for a year. The fuel surcharge is figured into the monthly rate and is set for a year, not variable as is currently the case with my existing hauler.
4. Ease of participation. PAYT makes it easy for all to participate: a) as the monthly cost is low, b) if a resident needs assistance in getting containers to and from the curb, there is a carry out/carry back service, and c) not all existing haulers offer recycling or if they do, for some, the price is exorbitant.
5. Making a contribution to the environment. With the PAYT program I feel that I’m making a contribution to ameliorating the environment and helping to create a sustainable living community in Golden.
6. Pride. I’m proud of our City Council’s leadership on this issue in voting to undertake the program on behalf of the city and its citizens. I’m proud to live in a town that cares about the future as well as what it leaves behind.

Times of the Meetings!

Oops!  I knew that I dashed off that last news item a little too quickly.  All three get-togethers will be held from 6:30 - 7:30 pm on July 12, 19, and 21.  Light refreshments will be served.  Hope to see you soon.

Marcia Claxton

Ward One Councilor