Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer | District 5
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Dear Neighbors,
As the holiday season approaches, we are busy wrapping up the 2019 year down at the City & County. Most importantly, City Council approved the 2020 budget this week. I personally advocated for more funding for mobility infrastructure buildout, including $1.4 million in additional funding for sidewalks and an extra $500,000 for Denver’s Safe Routes to School program. I also supported my colleagues who advocated for more supportive services like public restrooms, more trash cans, and more funding for wraparound services for Denver’s aging population. While there are certainly things I would change, I believe that this budget is a good reflection of our priorities as a city.
I look forward to seeing you out and about in our neighborhoods over the holiday season!
Gratefully,
Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer
Denver City Council, District 5
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District 5 Community Survey
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If you haven’t already done so, please fill out our community survey
here
. It will close at the end of the year so that we can use the information to create a strategic plan that will guide my priorities for District 5 over the next year.
There are a lot of changes taking place in our community and your voice can make the difference in how Denver is shaped for future generations. I look forward to partnering with each of you as we work to empower our thriving community
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Come and meet with Amanda to discuss issues and have coffee.
The Councilwoman holds office hours in the community weekly at different district locations. She will meet with people by appointment only for the first hour and then is available for drop-in discussions for the second hour. The upcoming office hours are as follows:
Please contact the office at
[email protected]
or 720-337-5555 to set up an appointment or just stop by during the second hour. If you're unable to make any of these times, please contact our office to schedule an appointment at another time.
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We’re so thrilled with how our Imagine 2020 project turned out! Our office worked with Art Gym member and muralist Katerina Vuletich to transform a plain, concrete bus stop partition into a vibrant mural that represents the past and future of East Colfax Ave. and its community.
The mural draws inspiration from the unique signs that have lined Colfax over the years. This project was brought to us by concerned neighbors who live adjacent to the stop. From their idea - and with their help - we transformed the RTD Transit Stop at the Southwest Corner of East Colfax Ave. & Monaco Pkwy. into a piece of art that our community can be proud of! Thank you to all of the neighbors who helped bring this to life!
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Montclair Park Open House
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Montclair Park will soon see upgrades to the tennis courts, horseshoe pits and picnic area. With the community’s input, these improvements will make the park safer and more accessible. Join Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR) for a public open house to discuss these improvements and your priorities for Montclair Park—please share this message with your network and encourage your neighbors to attend!
WHEN:
Thursday, Dec. 12 | 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
For more information, visit
denvergov.org/ParkProjects
or email the Project Manager
[email protected]
. This project is funded through the Elevate Denver Bond program, approved by voters in 2017 to enhance mobility, safety and quality-of-life across Denver.
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East Area Plan Community Feedback Session - November 23rd
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The next opportunity to share your thoughts on the future of the East Area is here! Several potential options have been released, and the city would like your feedback.
Attendees will have the chance to weigh in on new alternatives for building heights and housing options, and on updates to draft plan recommendations that cover the local economy and housing, mobility, land use and urban design, and quality of life, including open space.
East Area Plan Community Workshop
10 AM to Noon, Saturday, November 23rd
Johnson & Wales University Academic Center
Can't make the community feedback session? Meeting materials and opportunities to share your voice online are also posted at
Denvergov.org/EastPlan
. For those unable to attend this workshop, there will be additional meetings planned. Times, dates, and locations will be posted to the website as they become available.
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Concerned About Speeding? Request a Speed Van!
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Did you know that you can request a speed van in our neighborhoods? Especially if you're concerned about pedestrian safety, photo radar enforcement is a tool that has been proven to be very effective.
If you would like to request a photo radar van in your neighborhood, email the Denver Police Department at
[email protected]
. Photo radar vans can operate on streets with speeds less than 35 miles per hour that border parks, school zones or work zones.
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Mayfair Street Sweeping Signs Update
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In the spring of 2019, Public Works began installing street sweeping signs in Mayfair. They will continue that work this winter ahead of the next street sweeping season, which begins again in April. While we understand that this is a somewhat contentious issue in the neighborhood, it was a policy started by former Councilwoman Susman's office, in conjunction with Public Works. It will provide healthier air quality for our community, and we appreciate your understanding. Phase I signs were installed last spring. Phase II signs will be installed this winter. Phase III signs will be installed in early 2021, which will complete the project. Please don’t hesitate to contact our office with any questions or concerns.
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Current District 5 Rezoning Requests
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10353 East Mississippi Avenue
- Zoning change from B-1 to S-MX-3
- Case Number 2019I-00048
- Any questions or comments regarding this proposed rezoning may be directed to Ella Stueve, Senior City Planner, at [email protected].
- This rezoning is scheduled to be heard before Council on December 9th. Click here to find out more details or sign up to speak at the public hearing.
1369 Quince Street
- Zoning change from E-SU-Dx to E-SU-D1x
- Case Number 2019I-00111
- Any questions or comments regarding this proposed rezoning may be directed to Theresa Lucero, Senior City Planner, at [email protected].
- This rezoning is scheduled to be heard before Council on December 9th. Click here to find out more details or sign up to speak at the public hearing.
For more information on proposed rezonings in Denver please click
h
ere
.
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Be a great neighbor! Everyone enjoys safe, clear sidewalks. It’s everyone’s responsibility to keep the sidewalks adjacent to their home or business clear and accessible. Shovel all sidewalks, wheelchair ramps, and bus stops around your home as soon as it's practical and safe.
Businesses have 4 hours after the snow stops to shovel, and residents have 24 hours. (RTD only shovels bus stops that have a shelter. If it’s just a sign with no shelter, the resident/business is responsible for this sidewalk.)
Show kindness and offer to help your neighbors if they aren't able to shovel! Neighbors helping neighbors is one of the things that makes Denver great. You can volunteer to be an official
“snow angel”
at or just do a neighbor check. There are all sorts of reasons why people may need assistance, or they may just not know what the city’s rules are for keeping sidewalks clear. A simple conversation with a neighbor or just lending that helping hand will almost always resolve a snowy sidewalk faster than the city can, and it will preserve city resources for the rest of Denver’s 3,000 miles of sidewalks.
Tips:
- Use the shovel to push the snow; don't lift it.
- Shovel early! When snow isn't shoveled, it gets packed down and becomes ice. Shoveling all the way to the pavement will also prevent ice from forming.
- Shovel into your yard, so the snow plow doesn't push it back onto your sidewalk.
- Shovel away from roadways and bike lanes, so plows don't push the snow back onto your sidewalks.
- Salt can be damaging when it runs off into your lawn or the storm sewer with the snow-melt. Look for eco-friendly and pet-safe deicers.
- Be proactive and come up with a plan for addressing sidewalks now, before it’s snowing.
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Councilwoman Sawyer is proud to have introduced a change to the City Charter for the 2020 ballot. The initiative will require the Mayor’s appointments to the Mayoral Cabinet to be confirmed by the City Council. You can look at the proposal, see how other cities with a strong Mayor system work, and view a draft copy of the bill
here
.
The charter change would be part of a package of proposed changes being put forth by several City Council members that will be reviewed by the City Council’s Finance and Governance Committee before being referred to the voters by a vote of Council. Stay tuned for more information.
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Cranmer Park Leaf Drop Survey
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Based on the feedback we received from our community survey, our office will ask Public Works to bring back the Leaf Drop site at Cranmer Park. Currently, over 80% of the respondents to our survey support this action; however we would still like more feedback. Please take our brief survey and share your thoughts about this with us
here
, before the end of the month.
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Last year, Denver residents voted overwhelmingly to put 25 cents from every hundred dollars spent into a community fund for mental health and substance misuse issues. Caring for Denver Foundation is the new nonprofit founded to identify the priorities for these dollars.
We need your help figuring out where the dollars should be focused and what the needs are in Denver.
Please attend one of the following conversations to participate. Enjoy dinner and childcare at the in-person forums. Additional accessibility options provided as requested (see registration). For Spanish-speakers, all in-person forums will have interpretation available. No ID is required to participate.
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In-Person Forums:
- Saturday, November 16th – 5:00-7:00 pm – Re:Vision
- Wednesday, November 20th – 6:00-8:00 pm –Caring for Denver
- Thursday, November 21st – 6:00-8:00 pm – TBD in Far NE Denver
- Tuesday, December 3rd – 6:00-8:00 pm – Cross Purpose
Virtual Forums
- Sunday, November 17th – 2:30-4:00 pm
- Wednesday, November 20th – 10:00-11:30 am
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Robinson Park Open House
Tuesday, November 19, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
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LUN Night at the Theater
Friday, November 29 @ 6:45 PM (Showtime is 7:30)
Come early, enjoy a glass of wine, meet some LUN Board members,
and stay for the show! For information and tickets, click
here
.
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Police District 2 Citizen's Advisory Board
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Wednesday, November 27th, 6:00 to 8:00 PM
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Police District 3 Citizen's Advisory Board
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Tuesday, December 3rd, 6:00 to 7:30 PM
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LCMA Annual Meeting
Thursday, December 5th, 6:00 to 8:00 PM
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Friday, December 6th, 8:00 PM
Saturday, December 7th, 6:00 PM
Downtown Denver, click
here
to see parade route and for more details.
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Holly Jolly Lowry Holiday
Saturday, December 7th, 2:00 to 5:00 PM
Visit with Santa from 2:30 to 4:30!
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District 5 Neighborhood Organizations
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Denver is a unique city in promoting greater citizen involvement through organized neighborhood associations. Currently, there are 78 statistical areas represented by more than 200 registered neighborhood organizations (RNOs), Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and Homeowner Associations (HOAs).
In its defined geographic area, an RNO will normally address neighborhood quality of life issues, such as traffic, development and zoning, crime, communication, and licensing, and promote social activities to enhance residential spirit, developing a sense of community, and encourage resident participation. RNOs meet regularly and many send out newsletters to keep residents informed on neighborhood issues and events.
Get more involved in your community by joining your Registered Neighborhood Organization (RNO). Below are a list of Council District 5 community community organizations. You can also find out which RNO you belong to by clicking
HERE and entering your address or selecting a location on the map.
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