The Denver City Council on Monday will consider putting three measures on the Nov. 5 election ballot: one that would create an improvement district around Coors Field, one that would add the Department of Human Rights and Community Partnerships to the charter as a cabinet agency, and one that would allow collective bargaining for certain city employees.
All three ballot measures are up for a final vote on Monday.
Ballpark improvement district
A new Ballpark Denver General Improvement District designation would allow the area around Coors Field to collect an extra tax based on the assessed value of properties within its boundaries, creating a revenue stream for funding improvements.
Much of downtown Denver is covered by improvement districts, but not in the area around Coors Field.
Such a district is run by a board of business or property owners who manage services, such as beautification projects and private security to meet the needs of the neighborhood.
Coors Field is surrounded by three business improvement districts in RiNo, Upper Downtown and Five Points, making it a “donut hole” that is lacking services, a city presentation alluded to during a committee meeting earlier this month.
Ballpark’s business leaders and others have already tried and failed to become a district twice, once in 2016 and then in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
As the pandemic delayed efforts, the neighborhood’s problems worsened.
Some businesses’ employees and customers didn’t feel safe, they said, because of the rise in homelessness and violent crime. And with it, Ballpark’s reputation sank.
It’s become essential to invest in the area to avoid urban decay, city officials said.
New cabinet agency
The Department of Human Rights and Community Partnerships would become a new cabinet agency under the city charter and be tasked with creating general administrative policies for the city.
The new cabinet would consist of managers from participating agencies: the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Department of Finance, Parks and Recreation, the Department of Environmental Health, the Department of Safety, the Department of General Services, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Community Planning and Development, the Department of Human Rights and Community Partnerships and the City Attorney’s Office.
Among administrative tasks, the agency would have a say in other city initiatives including city-conducted programs, nonprofits, human rights protections, issues facing marginalized communities, community group assistance and enhanced work environments.
Collective bargaining
City employees in certain departments could soon, through their respective unions, negotiate employee contracts.
If a ballot measure is approved, collective bargaining would become “the method for setting compensation and other terms and conditions of employment for certain city employees including employees of Denver Water and the Denver Library,” according to the council’s proposed measure.
The proposal adds that the agreement allows workers a “qualified right to strike” during bargaining negotiations.
Collective bargaining involves pay, benefits, hours and leave.
The council expects to hold a public hearing and second vote on the matter during Monday’s meeting.
In other action Monday, the council will consider:
- A $620,000, two-year contract extension with Mark Anthony Brands, Inc. for additional sponsorship rights at Red Rocks, Colorado Convention Center, Denver Performing Arts Complex and the Denver Coliseum.
- A $510,000, six-month contract extension with Colorado Hospitality Services to provide meals at city immigrant shelters, resulting in a new total of $1,935,000 spent with the nonprofit for immigrant meals at shelters.
- A $929,794 grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to fund the “Continuum of Care Spectrum 2025-25” permanent housing program. The program provides housing resources and relevant case management to youth, seniors, women and transgender people.
- A bill transferring $6,464,092 from the Coronavirus Emergency Response Special Revenue Fund to the Homelessness Resolution Fund.
- A second reading for a bill authorizing $500,000 for Denver Health and Hospital Authority to provide behavioral health services for people living with HIV.