7:30AM The Citizens Budget Advisory Committee will meet in City Council Chambers. The City Engineer will tell them about the Utility Rate Study and the proposed changes in our rates. If I’m reading the meeting packet correctly, water rates for single family homes will go up a bit but our sewer and drainage rates will go down a bit, resulting in a small-ish net rate increase. If you use a lot of water (over 15K gallons), you will move into a higher tier with higher water rates. Multifamily and commercial rates will go down. Rates for Pleasant View residents who use Golden water will rise sharply–from $2.61 per thousand gallons to $10.35 per thousand gallons in 2020. See the meeting packet for more information.
The City Manager will talk about the proposed Civic Center. Based on what I’ve heard in recent meetings, I believe the current thought is that the Coors office building may be unusable, but they plan to buy it and the other property in Goosetown anyway. They think they’ll be able to re-sell whatever they don’t need, and control what the property will be used for. They plan to embark on a public engagement process to find out what citizens want in a new Civic Center. (I hope they will also ask if citizens want a new Civic Center.) They are also eyeing the old Coors Porcelain building on Ford Street with interest, thinking that might be an even better location for a Civic Center. Coors plans to move out of that building into their newer buildings in the Coors Tech Center within the next few years. I will be interested to hear Mr. Slowinski’s latest thoughts on this subject.
Parks Director Rod Tarullo will discuss recreation fees and charges. City Management has been putting pressure on the Parks Department to raise revenues or lower costs. For reasons that I don’t quite understand, the costs of running that department are deemed “subsidies” from the City’s General Fund, while the costs of running Public Works, Finance, Planning, Economic Development, Human Resources, the City Manager’s office, etc. are regarded as normal operating costs–not subsidies. References to closing the History Museum (part of the Parks Department) are frequently tossed around, and the Front Porch (senior services) section of the Community Center has seen significant service cuts. See the meeting packet for more information.
5:30PM – Chamber Ribbon Cutting – Epoque Luxury Senior Apartments
If you have been curious about the large new apartment complex on Highway 93 at Golden Gate Canyon Road, here’s your chance to see them!
6PM – The Planetary Diet at Natural Grocers (map)
Learn about a planetary diet and how it can save you and the planet. Join the discussion of sustainable eating practices and learn ways to transition into this lifestyle for long-lasting wellness. The diet that is healthiest for you is, in turn, healthiest for our planet.
6PM Jeffco Open Space will continue their Land Stewardship Series tonight with a discussion of Forest Pests. Dan West, CSFS Entomologist, will speak about Western Spruce Budworm and other forest pests. Recently isolated populations of WSBW have developed. This presentation will provide information about how to identify and manage this and other forest pests. Ages 16 and up. Free. 700 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 100 (map)
6:30PM The Planning Commission will meet in City Council Chambers. They will consider a request by Kong (manufacturer of dog toys) to expand their manufacturing operation in the Coors Tech Center.
After that case, they will discuss the Capital Improvement priorities for 2020. When the new development on 8th Street (72 apartments and a 49 room hotel) was approved, nearby neighbors expressed a great deal of concern about traffic volume and safety on that street. The Commission agreed to give 8th Street high priority when deciding where to spend 2020 funds for walkability & bikeability improvements. The meeting packet includes a proposed redesign of 8th street that would remove the bike lanes but add a planting strip and widen the sidewalk on the north side of the street. Bicyclists would have the option of sharing the traffic lane with cars or the sidewalk with pedestrians. See the meeting packet for more information.
Live Music:
Dirty Dogs Roadhouse – Peter Fletcher, 6-9PM
Miners Saloon – Lindsey Saunders, 6-9PM
Mountain Toad Brewing – Tail Light Rebellion, 7-9PM
Rock Rest Lodge – Dave Frisk, 5-8:30PM
Thursday Preview:
8AM Safety in Faith Summit
12PM Chamber Lunch & Learn: Estate Planning
6PM Cheese Night with Cheese Ranch at Mountain Toad
6:30 Pixar Movie Trivia at Holidaily Brewing
6:30 City Council Business Meeting
