Looking back at this year's accomplishments & looking forward to next year
Can you believe how fast this year has flown by? 2022 was an exciting and busy year at Denver City Council. I serve on the Business, Arts, Workforce & Aviation Services Committee; Finance & Governance Committee; and Budget & Policy Committee. It was a busy year that kicked off with Denver City Council taking steps to reduce gun violence in our community. Carrying a concealed weapon was banned in city-owned or leased buildings and our city parks. Privately made firearms that have no serial numbers or markings known as "ghost guns” were also banned. I know these measures will not end gun violence, but will assist prosecutors in holding people responsible.
To increase safety in the community, I supported expanding the pilot Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) program to a citywide program. 9-1-1 can now dispatch a team that incudes behavioral health clinicians and emergency medical technicians to appropriate calls instead of police officers. There are several benefits to this approach. First and foremost, the goal is to help people with crises related to mental health and homelessness by providing appropriate intervention and connecting them with resources such as water, food, clothing, and basic living support. This frees up police and emergency medical providers to respond to 9-1-1 calls where their expertise is needed. Shifting to a non-criminal justice system response resulted in no arrests, no injuries, and no need for police response during the first year of the program. 1,396 people were served in the first year without arrests, injuries, or police backup.
Furthermore, I served on the Opioid Abatement Council. The Council provides oversight of the funds Colorado received as the result of the settlement between the states and some opioid manufacturers. The Council is charged with distributing the settlement funds for substance use disorder treatment, recovery, harm reduction, law enforcement, and prevention/education programs. The first round of funding from the settlement will be made in early 2024. I’m also a member of the Crime Prevention Control Commission; recently moved back under the Safety Department. The Commission will be soliciting proposals to address prevention and intervention services and “boots on the ground” programs for people in our justice system.
Legislatively, my office is currently working on a Construction Careers Ordinance that will set goals for local hiring of residents and for the use of apprentices on city projects. Councilwoman Kniech and I worked with the Mayor and City agencies to establish a pilot program four years ago. The pilot demonstrated that contractors can meet the established goals. It assists contractors in addressing their worker shortage by assisting and supporting new hires in the skilled trades to ensure their success.
Significant progress was made in 2022 on addressing potential impacts caused by the transport of hazardous materials across the freight railroad corridors in our city. I contributed funding for a study and risk analysis of these corridors. The report will be presented in January 2023, identifying our most vulnerable areas of risk with recommendations to guide city agencies. The ordinance I filed in 2022, will also be revisited in January; which will authorize city agencies to address life/safety issues on new developments or major redevelopment projects in these identified vulnerable areas.
I know housing affordability and the challenges of providing housing for folks living on our streets is a top priority. We are not going to solve this overnight. The City is funding development of new affordable housing and supportive housing. We devoted one-half of new American Rescue Plan Act funds to housing stability and homelessness programs. This included $20 million for down payment assistance, $23.5 million for a housing navigation center to help people exit homelessness, $20 million to supportive acquisition of properties for supportive housing units, and $14.8 million for the Safe Outdoor Spaces, Safe Parking programs and rehousing assistance. Over the last 18 months, I also devoted my time and energy to bring together governments, private businesses, and a number of non-profits to explore the creation of a regional center for housing and job training. If we are going to address the homeless issue, we must move people from crisis housing to supportive housing where they can receive assistance they need to become self-supporting.
I am sad to report that my time serving as Councilwoman At-Large will wrap up in July. Term limits preclude me from seeking another term. I am proud of my time as a district Councilperson and Councilperson At-large. While much has been accomplished, my final months on Council will be busy-I will be working on the adoption of an ordinance to make the pilot construction careers permanent. Providing our residents the opportunity to enter a profession that pays good wages and a career path is imperative. Councilwoman Kniech and I plan on introducing the measure in January. I will also be introducing an ordinance providing Community Planning and Development the authority to develop measures to mitigate risks from railway operations to nearby properties as development and redevelopment occurs. The rapid increase in the number trains carrying crude oil and other hazardous materials requires the city to act now.
Les deseo a usted y a su familia un Feliz y Próspero Año Nuevo!
Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year and Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
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