Denver City Council to consider up to $289 million in bond spending

The Denver City Council will consider approving a sextet of construction contracts worth $30 million each ahead of their Tuesday meeting. Councilmembers are also scheduled to consider several other contracts and bond spending totaling close to $300 million. 

The Council did not meet on Monday, it's normal meeting time, as the city government closed in observance of Cesar Chavez day.

The major resolutions being considered by the council are six contracts with different contractors for bridge and culvert repair, as well as maintenance and repair of other city structures. The contracts with Ames Construction Inc., Flatirons Constructors Inc., Hamon Infrastructure Inc., Kraemer North America Inc., Sema Construction Inc. and Structures Inc. are all on call contracts and will not exceed $30 million, each. 

The city will also consider a loan agreement with the Second Chance Center for $5.35 million. The money will be used to assist with the creation of 128 income restricted units in Council District 7. 

Rounding out the resolutions under consideration is a one-year contract with the Denver Basic Income Project for $2 million. The contract will allow continued, direct cash assistance for homeless people and families citywide. 

In addition to the contracts up for approval, councilmembers will consider a bill that requires restaurants to offer healthy drink options for children. The bill was introduced by District 10 Councilman Chris Hinds and At-Large Councilwoman Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez. It is on its second and final reading before being ordered published.

The Colorado Restaurant Association offered a “neutral” position to Denver’s proposal, the group's lobbyist said in a previous Denver Gazette story.

The council will consider a bill authorizing up to $289 million in general obligation bond spending. Bills are required to be viewed and considered by the council at two sessions before being voted published.

The $289 million will fund projects as part of the voter approved RISE Denver and the Elevate Denver bond programs. These bonds fund parks and recreation projects, homeless sheltering and pedestrian safety, among others. For more information both the RISE Denver Bond and Elevate Bond have dedicated webpages. 

Finally, there will be a public hearing approving the name of a future park at 4301 E. Iliff Ave. as "Bethesda Park." Residents wishing to speak at the public hearing may sign up between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on the day of the hearing. Those who wish to provide written testimony may email dencc@denvergov.org with their statements. 

For a full list of items the council will consider, view the agenda here.