Weekly Digest Nov. 29, 2016
City of Golden /  911 10th Street  /  Golden, CO 
(303) 384-8000
A night of sustainability & a weekend of holiday joy

Candlelight Walk
Tomorrow night is a special one for anyone concerned about a more sustainable Golden. Golden Sustainability Night at the American Mountaineering Center kicks off at 5 p.m. and features a Sustainability Expo, a knowledgeable keynote speaker, fun educational activities for kids, prizes, and food and beer from local breweries. Scroll down to read more about the event, and plan to join us this Wednesday. 

This weekend is also special as it marks the first weekend of Olde Golden Christmas fun! We're talking Christmas parade, holiday concerts, and on Friday night, the beloved Candlelight Walk. Join us for this annual tradition in front of Foothills Art Center at 6:30 p.m. and stick around for all the holiday festivities that follow. This is truly a magical time to enjoy Golden!

Your friends at the City of Golden
Current Projects
Linking Lookout Logo
Linking Lookout (US 6 & 19th St. Interchange)
 
Paving on US 6 north of 19th Street has been completed and will reduce project mud tracking.
 
The elk crossing lighting are complete. The lights for the Elm Street roundabout are a priority to complete over the next few weeks.
 
Work continues on bridge deck rebar placement. The first of 5 deck pours is complete. The rest will be done approximately at one pour a week.
 
All bridge girders are complete.
 
Earth work for the pond, next to the glider landing field
Girders on Linking Lookout
and the Chimney Gulch trails will start this week.  Watch for heavy equipment in that area.
 
There will be some intermittent lane closures on US 6 over the next few weeks watch Twitter for closure notices.
 
Watch the Linking Lookout web page for closure information and detour maps.
 
There is a construction viewing in the northwest corner that can be accessed from Parfet Estates Drive, and will be an excellent location to view the girder placement. Please park legally. 

Follow us on Twitter!
Follow us on Twitter for real-time updates! You can also get lots of project information, including maps and long-term plans at LinkingLookout.com.

2016 Utility Replacement

Arapahoe Gulch sewer work is complete. The contractor is completing commitments outside of the City and will return in a few weeks.
Stormwater

Diamond Contracting is replacing two boxes and a storm line crossing on Washington between 17th and 18th Streets, and a failing storm line crossing that parking lot. Work began yesterday in the parking lot. In addition, crews are installing a concrete spillway on pond along Kinney Trail. Concrete pouring should take place on Wednesday.
19th Street Improvement Project Delay

The 19th Street project schedule has experienced some setbacks. Crews had to wait almost 4 weeks for the inlet that was installed at Pinal to arrive on site. Crews are now fabricating the permanent traffic signs for the islands, and once they are installed, will remove all temporary traffic control (cones, orange panels, etc) and open the bike lane. The islands at Smith and Goldenvue are the next to be constructed, and the remainder will be cleaned out and graded in preparation for landscaping in the spring.
New Water Meter
Water Meter Replacement project

Replacements continue citywide with approximately 3,800 meters replaced to date. More than 600 residents have signed up for the Aquahawk water meter customer portal.
 
Contact Les Major at 303-384-8170 or Keith Mehls at 303-384-8171 with questions regarding this project.
Upcoming Events
Golden Sustainability Night
Golden Sustainability Night


Don't miss Golden Sustainability Night from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at the American Mountaineering Center.

The event will kick off with a sustainability expo in the AMC Conference Center, and will feature refreshments from area food trucks and beer from local breweries. During the expo, attendees can browse a variety of sustainability vendor booths, learn about local green resources and chat with industry experts. Featuring drawings, giveaways, and hands-on learning activities, Golden's Sustainability Night is the perfect event for families to learn about the City's green initiatives.
Local Licensing Authority Meeting (Rescheduled)
 
The Local Licensing Authority will meet November 30 at 2:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

For more information on this or other upcoming board meetings, please visit our Agendas, Minutes, Web Casts and Schedule page
Public Art Commission Meeting
 
The Public Art Commission will meet December 1 at 9 a.m. in Council Chambers.

At this meeting, the following will be considered:
  • Art in Society Grant application update
  • Review and refresher on Loan Policy for Public Art collection
  • Staff updates
For more information on this or other upcoming board meetings, please visit our Agendas, Minutes, Web Casts and Schedule page
City Council & Golden Downtown Improvement District Meetings
 
City Council will meet on December 1 at 6:30 p.m. in Golden City Council Chambers at 911 10th Street in Golden.

At the meeting, the following will be considered:
  • Consent Matters (all items listed will be treated as one item and one vote. For a full list of items included, please see the Meeting Agenda.)
  • Ordinance No. 2043 - Council will consider amending the 2016 budget as recommended as a result of various projects and events occurring in 2016 that require adjustments to the budget.
  • Public hearing on Resolution 2533 - As required by the City Charter, the City Manager has submitted his recommended budget for 2017.  The proposed budget has been provided to Council, discussed at a number of council meetings, and several Public Hearings on the budget and CIP have been held.
  • Public hearing on Resolution 2534 - As part of the annual budget process, Council is required to establish and approve the mill levy, which is then certified and sent to the County for inclusion in the annual property tax assessments.  The proposed mill levy remains at 12.340 mills. Council is also required to establish and approve the mill levy for the Downtown Development Authority, proposed to remain the same at 5.000 mills.
  • City Council will review a summary of the November 9 initial meeting of a subcommittee of certain boards and commissions, scheduled as an initial step in a more comprehensive review of official duties and collaboration opportunities.
  • City Council will review an update to the Municipal Sign Code, found in Chapter 18.32, in advance of the public hearing process. City Council may wish to provide questions or direction prior to scheduling a first reading of an ordinance in early 2017.
  • City Council will review the Draft North Clear Creek Neighborhoods Plan and provide questions and/or direction prior to the initiation of the public hearing process.
Following the regular meeting, Council will serve as the Golden Downtown General Improvement District board (see more information below).

Following the Golden Downtown Improvement District Board meeting, City Council will meet in executive session for the City Attorney's annual review.

Golden Downtown General Improvement District
  • City Council, sitting as the board of the Golden Downtown General Improvement District (GDGID) will consider a contract for the ongoing operations of the pay stations associated with the City's downtown parking management system, slated to begin in January 2017.    The operations contract is presented to the district since the pay stations have been purchased by the district and operating revenues and expenses will pass through the district.
  • The GDGID Board of Directors will consider the 2017 annual budget and a resolution setting the district mill levy. 
  • The GDGID will consider appropriating Sums for Defraying the Expenses and Liabilities for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2017 and Ending December 31, 2017
  • The GDGID will consider a resolution of the Golden Downtown General Improvement District Setting the Property Tax Mill Levy for Taxes to Be Collected in 2017.
For more information on this or other upcoming board meetings, please visit our Agendas, Minutes, Web Casts and Schedule page.
 
Candlelight Walk
 
Candle Lighting
Experience the beauty of the holiday season as you walk through downtown Golden, candle in hand, singing holiday carols. Golden's traditional Candlelight Walk on Friday, Dec. 2 offers an old-fashioned way to start the season of lights and is open to everyone.

Gather at 6 p.m. at Foothills Art Center for pre-walk caroling. The Golden Chamber of Commerce will be selling candles and glow sticks for $1 each. The walk will begin at 6:30 p.m. and ends in front of the Golden Visitors Center at 10th Street and Washington Avenue for the tree lighting. Stop by the Visitors Center after the walk to see Santa & Mrs. Claus, sip some hot cider and see this year's special holiday ornament of the old music hall at Heritage Square. Warm up by the fire at the Golden Library, and stroll through the Golden History Center for a free look at the new exhibit, Epic Events and listen to music played on a vintage piano. Take the bridge across Clear Creek to the History Park for roasted chestnuts and warm cider. While there, explore the inside of the Pearce/Helps Cabin, smell freshly baked goods from the wood-fired oven, watch live blacksmithing, and enjoy music and singing.
Bean Fosters
Coffee with a Councilor South Neighborhoods
 
This is a great opportunity to talk with representatives and residents of the South Neighborhoods, as well as any issue related to the "good of Golden."

Meet on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. at Bean Fosters, located at 720 Golden Ridge Road.

For details, call Councilor Saoirse Charis-Graves at 303-709-7529 or   scharisgraves@cityofgolden.net.
Golden High School 3rd Annual Holiday Bazaar
 
Come do some Christmas Shopping at the Annual Golden High School Holiday Bazaar held by the PTA of Golden High. With plenty to choose from and a variety of goods from over 60 different vendors, you can make a big dent on your holiday shopping list.

This is a fund raiser for the students at Golden High School, helping with scholarships, after prom party, grants, and more.

The craft fair will be held at the Golden High School, 701 24th St, Golden on  Saturday, December 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Includes free parking and admission.
Olde Golden Christmas Parade
 
Saturdays in December, authentic and historic downtown Golden becomes a festive holiday center with traditional decorations and fun family events. The free Olde Golden Christmas Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. with cowboys on horses, floats, marching bands, old cars, elves on unicycles, the Grinch in his corvette, and of course, Santa Claus. The parade winds down Washington Avenue with lots of activities before and after including snappy barbershop quartets, hot cider, Victorian carolers, and antique fire trucks. Presented by the Golden Chamber of Commerce.

Holiday Choir Concert
 
Jingle All the Way this holiday season with the Golden Concert Choir at 7 p.m. Saturday, December 3 at Clear Creek Church on 10555 West 44th Avenue. Enjoy Irving Berlin's White Christmas and other old favorites plus old favorites such as Silent Night and Handel's very uplifting Hallelujah Chorus.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at  www.goldencommunitychoir.org: $10 for adults, $7 for seniors/students, $3 for children over 6 years and under 6 free.
JSO Holiday Concert & Silent Auction
 
Come celebrate the holidays with the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra!

Their annual Holiday Concert & Fundraiser takes place December 3 starting 7 p.m. at the Colorado School of Mines Green Center, and will feature Johannes Brahms, Symphony no.2 as well as traditional holiday favorites.

Learn more and  purchase tickets online.
Jefferson County Public Library
Golden Library Events - Nov. 29 to Dec. 6
 
To learn more about or register for these and other events happening at the Golden Library, visit JeffcoLibrary.org.
  • Lego Play and Build - Nov. 29 & Dec. 6, 4 p.m.
  • Social Networking Basics - Nov. 30, 12:30 p.m.
  • Homework Help - Nov. 30 & Dec. 1, 4 p.m.
  • DIYLab: Light-up Holiday Cards - Nov. 30, 5 p.m.
  • Public Meeting - Ubuntu Contributionism - Nov. 30, 6:15 p.m.
  • Candlelight Walk - Dec. 2, 4 p.m.
  • PAWS for Reading - Dec. 3, 2 p.m.
  • Teens After Dark: Krampus - Dec. 3, 5 p.m.
  • FamilyLab: Holiday Hacks - Dec. 5, 4 p.m.
  • DIY Lab: Golden Fleece Fiber Fellowship - Dec. 6, 5:30 p.m.
For more information or to register for programs that require pre-registration, please visit the Golden Library website .
Around Town
Turn a Fine into Philanthropy

Whether it's a traffic violation, parking ticket or something else, it's no fun to pay fines. However, during this holiday season, if you have to pay court costs in the City of Golden, you have the opportunity to turn it into something good. Each year Golden's Municipal Court gives defendants the option to donate court costs to charity rather than paying them to the City. The Holiday Charity Drive begins the week before Thanksgiving and runs for four weeks.

For those who opt in, the standard $30 court costs you pay will go to the  Golden Backpack Program (GBP). The GBP helps children from low income families in Golden enjoy free, balanced meals on weekends and during the summer when school is not in session. Last year voluntary donations totaled $2,160. "I think the idea is incredibly creative," said GBP President Peggy Halderman. "This gives an individual an opportunity to feel really good about a difficult situation." Additionally, Halderman said the donations help the GBP tremendously. "Food donations are great, but money allows us to better leverage the types of food we give out, and use it where we really need it."
Participation in this drive is completely voluntary and is not a factor in the judge's sentence. The judge does not solicit these donations, but defendants make the choice once they exit the courtroom to pay their fines.