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What's Happening in Golden - Tuesday, Oct. 8th, 2024

News and events in Golden, Colorado. Tuesday, Oct. 8th, 2024

,   and  Barb Warden
10 min read
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Clayworks, 10/6/24

Photo by Patrick Klein
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What's happening in Golden today?

Events for Tuesday, Oct. 8th

Golden History Tours
Golden Seniors - Coffee Klatch
Team Trivia Tuesday
Trivia Tuesdays

For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar

7PM City Council Business Meeting @ City Hall

CONSENT MATTERS
Topics on the "Consent Agenda," will not be discussed unless one or more of the Councilors requests discussion.

PROCLAMATION
Indigenous Peoples' Day - October 14, 2024

PUBLIC HEARING - BUDGET
The 4 Day/32 Hour Workweek is now being called the "Compressed Work Week." As a result of the lower number of hours required in a week, some employees have been reclassified from part-time to full-time, and thus qualifying for benefits.

The Fire Department plans to hire two additional firefighters. The City is asking council to fund 3.5 new full time employees.

Staff recommends spending $8 million on several infrastructure projects such as sound walls, bike lanes, ADA and pedestrian improvements, public restrooms, wildfire mitigation,and solar installation.

The largest expense (p.5) would be putting $5 million of the general fund towards the proposed $65 million new city hall. They hope to borrow an additional $60 million (p.17) to fund the remaining cost of the proposed building.

Other major expenses include

  • $8.5 million redesign of Ulysses Park (p.19)
  • $6.3 million contribution to Lena Gulch flood control (p.19)
  • $3 million for affordable housing (80% covered by grants) (p.17)
  • $6.4 million for a pumping station at Fossil Trace (funded by selling water revenue bonds) (p.18).
  • $6.17 million in 2026 for Fossil Trace irrigation system (funded by selling revenue bonds)

The Operating Budget in spreadsheet form begins on p.21 and shows 2022-2026.

The Capital Improvement Plan begins on p.54 and shows 2021-2034. The proposed new City Hall appears on line 25. The $60 million would come from "Bond/Loan Proceeds" (debt).

You can send questions or comments about the budget to PublicComment@cityofgolden.net. The City also has a Budget Open House scheduled for October 29th.

PUBLIC HEARING - AMENDING PUD FOR G-FOURS,INC.
The owners of the property west of Hwy 6 and north of Clear Creek want to change their PUD to allow duplex and row houses. The current PUD allowed up to 40 one bedroom condominiums. The proposed change would instead allow a maximum of 22 new dwelling units. The Planning Commission approved the change.

PUBLIC HEARING - VACATING THE RIGHT OF WAY FOR ARAPAHOE STREET BETWEEN 14TH AND 15TH
With this ordinance, the City would vacate (give up) the right of way for Arapahoe Street between 14th and 15th Street. The street doesn't actually exist at that point: it's a steep hill that goes up to the Mines campus. The vacation will allow Habitat for Humanity and Calvary Church to build affordable housing-for-purchase on that site. Learn more.

EXECUTIVE SESSION (NO PUBLIC, NO CAMERA)
City Council will discuss buying a 4-unit multifamily property at an undisclosed location for an undisclosed purpose "within the city limits in south Golden."

5:30-7:30PM Elements of Design @ Foothills Art Center


Meeting on Tuesday evenings 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., our group of artists takes on advanced explorations in the elements of art, with an emphasis on refining skills, building on strengths, and supporting areas for improvement. Experienced artists working in any medium, including drawing mediums, are welcome as we meet and support one another in a spirit of fellowship with the intent of finding and/or enhancing our own personal voices.

October 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th

Explorer & Creator Members $40 / Catalyst Members $80 / Non Members $110

Become a member | Register

Foothills Art Center
809 15th Street (map)
(303) 279-3922

5PM City Council Study Session @ City Hall

CREEK RECAP
Staff will provide their annual update on steps taken to control the creek traffic during tubing season. They made some infrastructure changes (p.3), which included widening the trail by the RV park and remodeling the beach area to make it less conducive to large gatherings. They built hard surfaces at some ingress and egress spots. They installed gates to keep people away from some parts of the creek bank.

They used cameras and software (p.4) to watch, count, and identify visitors. They were also counting attendees at summer events (p.6), including the Scandinavian Festival, Arts Week Festival, 4th of July, Movies and Music in the Park, Farmer’s Market, Buffalo Bill Days, and the Golden Fine Arts Festival.

They provided shuttles at special events (p.6) to bring people from remote lots to the event. This was more successful at newer events, where people weren't as set in their ways. The best example was the Scandinavian Festival (new this year), where 1,530 people rode the shuttles. The average cost per rider was $5.47. The worst example was ArtsWeek in June, where only 56 people rode the shuttle, resulting in a cost per rider of $97.15. They estimate that the shuttles kept 1,000 vehicles out of downtown.

They posted park rules (p.8) in both English and Spanish in many place, both on- and offline.

The new third party parking enforcement company has freed up Golden's code enforcement officers to work on other issues. We're making more money from parking violations than from paid parking fees (p.9).

Citations (p.11)along the creek were: Alcohol (369), Fires/Grills (6), Off-leash dogs (65), Smoking/Vaping (29).

The cost of managing the creek (p.12) has grown year by year. This year was extra-expensive because of the infrastructure work at the beach and RV park.

2022: $95,350 | 2023: $295,672 | 2024 (projected): $604,975
2025 (proposed): $450,316 | 2026 (proposed): $469,495

RENTAL REGISTRY DISCUSSION
The city is considering establishing a registry of rental property. This would help staff understand the available stock and might help with affordable housing. They have done some community outreach and so far property owners are expressing concern over possible government overreach. They have spoken to other cities (p.4) who have registries. Boulder has 4 full time staff members working in licensing, management, and compliance. Fort Collins is just creating their program and they anticipate 6.5 full time people. They will continue to study the issue, in partnership with Golden United, the School of Mines, and Foothills Regional Housing Authority (p.9).

EVENTS DISCUSSION
Staff is working to identify the necessary elements to ensure successful events of various sizes. This will help them plan appropriate police, traffic management, parking, shuttle service, bike racks, trash/recycling services, toilet facilities, etc. They are using sensors and software to count attendance at the events (p.9).

5-7PM VIBE@Five with the Golden Chamber


VIBE@FIVE is Golden's Happy Hour! Come join other members of the Golden Chamber of Commerce for this "Very Important Business Event" - VIBE!

This event is for members of the Golden Chamber of Commerce and their guests as well as for members of the Golden Young Professionals. Become a member

Stop in for a quick hello and a refreshment right after work and a chance to get to know fellow members of the Golden Chamber of Commerce and Golden Young Professionals. This is a great networking and socializing event. 

This month's VIBE@Five will be hosted at: 

Morris & Mae
18475 W. Colfax Avenue (map)

Live Music for Tuesday, Oct. 8th

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For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar

Golden History: Putting the "I CAN" in "AMERICAN"

Colorado Transcript - October 8, 1942
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82 Years Ago
The October 8, 1942 Colorado Transcript gave several updates on the scrap drive. The War Production Board had put out a call, asking all citizens to collect unneeded metal so it could be used for war materials (guns, ammunition, ships, tanks, etc.).

The War Production Board Chair announced that any county that collected more than 100 pounds per capita would received a “salvage victory pennant” to fly at the courthouse.

The high school had collected a substantial pile, which was growing on the school grounds. The City had a mountain of scrap behind City Hall on 12th Street. “Seven big truck loads, averaging 3 tons each have already gone to fight the Japs.”

Colorado Transcript - October 8, 1942

The Transcript put their own spin on the drive. They were collecting stray locks and keys. Apparently many Goldenites had a collection of mystery keys. “Dave Johnston brought in a box full of old locks and keys, no two of which fit; and we have the large key ring, big enough to hang a man, that Fred Robinson turned in full of keys of all sizes, last week.”

Many thanks to an anonymous donor for sponsoring Golden History Moments for the month of October.

Weather

Overnight's Weather

Overnight: Patchy smoke. Clear, with a low around 54. West wind around 7 mph.

Tuesday's Weather

Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High near 79, with temperatures falling to around 76 in the afternoon. South wind around 7 mph.

Tuesday Night's Weather

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. West wind around 8 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly Cloudy, 56°F

Wednesday: Sunny, 79°F

Wednesday Night: Mostly Clear, 56°F

Thursday: Sunny, 82°F

Thursday Night: Partly Cloudy, 57°F

Friday: Partly Sunny, 79°F

Friday Night: Mostly Cloudy, 56°F

Saturday: Mostly Sunny, 81°F

Saturday Night: Partly Cloudy, 53°F

Sunday: Mostly Sunny, 72°F

Sunday Night: Partly Cloudy, 53°F

Columbus Day: Sunny, 76°F

Supporters

Many thanks to the people and organizations who support What’s Happening in Golden?  If you would like to support local news, please CLICK HERE!

Sponsors:
($100/month and up)
Buffalo Rose, Buglet Solar, Foothills Art Center, Golden City Brewery, Golden Cultural Alliance, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, The Golden Mill, Golden Chamber of Commerce, Golden History Tours, Morris & Mae Market, Miners Saloon, Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden Hayride Outpost, Kona Bowls, Unite Fitness, Tom Reiley, Michael Mason, and Esther Kettering

Friends:
($50-99.99/month or $550/yr)
Tall Pines Painting, Baby Doe’s Clothing, Goozell Yogurt & Coffee Paul Haseman, Donna Anderson, Carol & Doug Harwood, Beth Bidwell, Stephanie Painter, Greg Poulos, Joy Brandt, Ann Norton & Jonathan Storer, Mary & Don Parker, Saré Merrigan, and Nannette Johnson

Supporters:
($25-49.99/month or $250/yr)
Laura King and Scott Wilson, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Forrest Jones, Barry & Liz Bettis, Cheryl & Tom Schweich, Marjorie Sloan, Chris and Joyce Davell, Rick Flint, Forrest Jones, AC Development, Cynthia Merrill Tamny, Stephen Pero, Meg Van Ness & Steve Kalasz, Steve & Karla Schaefer, and Bud Rockhill

Members:
($10-24.99/month or $110/yr)
Brad Miller & Julie Bartos, Holly Thomas, Jim and LouAnne Dale, Ann Pattison, Thomas Hoffman, Carol Abel, Brian Quarnstrom, Sandra Curran, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Kathy Smith, Karen Smith, Carlos & Nancy Bernal, Robert Storrs, Michele Sannes, Elaine Marolla, Dixie Termin & Ron Miller, E Tom Hughes, Crystal M Culbert, Patrick A. Madison, Alice Madison & Jim Kalivas, Deb Goeldner, Christopher Ball, 6th Chair Home Services, Dot & Eric Brownson, Rosemary Coffman, Emeline Paulson, Casey & Gina Brown, Sandy Schneider, Mark and Cathy Pattridge, Cheryl G Leidich, Jen Rutter, Carol Abel, Frani R Bickart, Jennings and Litz, Bill Sedgeley, Nancy Hughes, Justin L Wade, Kathi Eggers, Traci Case, Donna Owen, Leslie D Lutz, Karen Oxman, Catherine Skokan, Ross Fraser, Lynne Haigh, Elizabeth Hilliard, Frank Young & Terre Deegan-Young, Kathy Hirons & Jack Markin, Jess & Anthony Monasterio, Ella Lyons & Jeanne Fritch, Heather Duncan, Lee Ann & Pete Horneck, Carol Cameron, Cheryl Williamson, San Daugherty, Jim Garner, John and Carol McEncroe, the Golden Welcome Center, the Golden Transcript, Koshare Eagle, and Ken and Colleen Krantz.

Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser

Highlights