| View this email in your browser (usually a better viewing experience) Election Reminder: Tuesday, Nov 2nd 2021 Ballots Mailed Friday, October 8thNew to Golden? Register to vote here by October 28th to receive a mail ballot. A positive Vision. Neighborhood Values.Visit WilliamFisher.com  Happy October! I hope this finds you enjoying the beautiful Fall weather this weekend! The cooler weather is also a sign of upcoming November elections, and I have enjoyed meeting Golden residents and business owners to better understand and be able to represent our priorities on City Council. I look forward to continuing with a positive vision and neighborhood values. Please note the following two opportunities to meet myself and other candidates for all the wards for Golden City Council. Candidate Forum Wednesday October 13th from 6-8pm at City Hall, 911 10th Street, hosted by Leadership Golden Alumni Association. Coffee with Candidates Sunday October 17th from 10-11am at Lions Park East Pavilion. Rain or shine, meet the candidates and enjoy coffee, donuts and conversation.Ward 4 Golden PrioritiesRead my thoughts in the October Informer about neighborhood values and community vision – and work to be done. Learn about all candidates running for City Council Election Issues for Golden and ColoradoGolden voters asked to weigh in on two major ballot measures referred by City Council. 2A & 2B – Retail marijuana. This is a two-part measure asking Golden Residents about allowing Recreational Marijuana shops in Golden (2A), and whether we should collect an excise tax to be spent on public health measures for our community (2B). 2C – Lodging Tax: City Council has referred a measure to ask visitors to help pay for all the amenities they use and enjoy, which currently are paid for by Golden residents. The actual language reads that funds “SHALL BE APPLIED TO ADDRESS VISITOR IMPACTS AND FUND COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS…” Endorsements: Yes on 2C Lodging TaxGolden City Council has unanimously endorsed a Yes Vote on 2C for Golden. As a Golden resident I am also endorsing this initiative to help offset visitor impacts and manage crowding and cleanup along Clear Creek and downtown.Colorado State Blue Book I’ll share more election ballot thoughts in a future newsletter.Read the Blue Book JeffCo / Golden Ballot Issues Golden voters are being asked about two major issues: Recreational Marijuana stores and a Lodging Tax. Review the Golden Ballot I’ll have more information on these ballot measures through the annual voter guide that I’ll share in mid October.I respect the trust that has been placed in me to represent residents of Ward 4. With your continued support, I remain committed to achieving results for you and all Golden residents. The more engaged we are, the better we will be – I want to hear from you!Please considering forwarding this newsletter with a neighbor and suggest they sign up by visiting WilliamFisher.com. Have thoughts to share? Email me or contact me at 303.588.3389.  Bill Fisher, RN Ward 4 City Councilor Golden, Colorado City Updates Join me tomorrow from 11am – 4pm for Golden History Museum’s first Autumn Fest! Located in the downtown History Museum and Park along Clear Creek.Free Family Activitiesincredible chalk arthourly puppet shows (plus hands-on stations to make your own show)4-H petting zoocraft stationsBIG TRUCKS (Streets, Fire, and Police Departments)costumed Civil War interpretationkarate demonstrationhands-on paper-making stationOther FunWesternaires pony rides ($3 per ride)CODA Brewing Company beer garden City Council October NewsIt’s Budget season! City Council has already reviewed the annual CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) budgets twice in September and will continue our review in October. Upcoming agenda items include: Community Garden Contract Renewal (Oct 12th) Healthy Beverages for Kids Discussion (Oct 19th) Budget: CIP discussed at two different meetings so far.Operating Budget review is up next, discussion slated for both Oct 19th and 26th. Both budgets will be reviewed again in November Clear Creek Management Update (Oct 26th) Strategic Action Plan Q3 progress (Oct 26th) Covid-19 Vaccine Update The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been officially approved by the FDA. There are many walk-in clinics and vaccination sites available around Golden. Booster shots are recommended for certain people with immune or other health issues. State of Colorado: Where to get vaccinated JeffCo Public Health: COVID-19 case count and vaccine info Vaccine Spotter: www.vaccinespotter.org/CO/ JeffCo Public Health Vaccine Clinic information Mobility Issues? Check here for Denver regional resources. State of CO voice hotline: 1-877-268-2926, staffed 24hrs a day.And thanks to everyone in Golden for staying safe! Wear masks when appropriate, continue physical distancing, recreate outdoors and use good hand hygiene. Feedback?Email bill@williamfisher.com and visit www.WilliamFisher.com for regular updates and to communicate your thoughts, ideas and concerns.Copyright (C) 2021 Bill Fisher for Golden Ward 4. All rights reserved.Update Preferences | Unsubscribe |
Category: Finance
Weekend Update: Black Lives Matter, City Finances, Astor House Options & More…
Weekend Update
Black Lives Matter
Many of us have been rocked by the overwhelming reality of systemic racism and inequality demonstrated so clearly and obviously the last several weeks. The death of George Floyd and others have focused our country on these longstanding issues.
Mayor Weinberg & Golden City Councilors have provided a strong initial response and appear committed to listening, learning and -most importantly- action.
WilliamFisher.com has details and links to responses by the Mayor, City Councilors and Police Department, and ways to get involved.
Key points (see blog for details)
o June 4: City Council responds to George Floyd & many black citizens’ deaths during Regular Meeting
o June 7: Mayor & Council attend Golden United Vigil & March in Golden. Almost all attendees wearing masks!
o June 11: Mayor & City Council unanimously approve Resolution 2736 declaring Racism A Public Health Crisis. Proclamation read for Pride Month (GLBTQ).
o JULY 16: Committed to action – Golden City Council Study Session with Police Department on next steps… stay tuned!
City Finances & COVID-19
Golden Pandemic Financial Crisis Review
The short answer: Revenues are down, but not as much as we predicted. Sales Tax revenues are down about 5.5%, we anticipated 7-8%. Restaurants, retail and lodging has suffered. Groceries, Home Depot, and online sales are up (Amazon, Wayfair, etc.).
As a former City Councilor I faced the 2008-2009 Great Recession with Golden, and we actually improved financial reserves during that time. We worked closely with Golden’s Finance Director Jeff Hansen and his team.
Fortunately, Jeff remains at the helm for Golden. I trust his thoughtful guidance and deep thinking about how to protect and maintain Golden, weather the current storm, and maybe even come out ahead.
City Manager Jason Slowinski has taken a conservative line on spending since March – City Council has approved the following efforts:
- Hold non-critical expenditures (travel, training, upgrades, fireworks, etc.)
- Freeze on employee travel
- Soft hiring freeze (e.g Park Rangers hired for COVID-19 safety)
- The City has identified over $2.6 Million in cuts/holds through the end of the year, which should more than match expected losses. There is a 2nd level of deeper cuts identified if necessary.
- Asphalt/street/sidewalk replacement for this year will be limited, with the ability to make further cuts.
- It’s also (already) time to start planning the 2021-2022 bi-annual budget, and City Council will be reviewing priorities to share with Staff.
- Golden is receiving $1.6 Million from Jefferson County for COVID-19 related expenses. The City Manager and Council discussed plans to ensure it is spent appropriately to benefit our community!
- Listen and watch the June 11th City Council Financial report and discussion.
COVID-19
The City is hoping to partially open the Splash water park. Golden Community Center opening details are still pending. Summer camps for kids are opening.
Want the latest on what’s open or closed in the City? (e.g. parks & rec, Fossil Trace golf course, City buildings and Court, Clear Creak, tubing, etc.). Visit the new Status of City Services webpage.
Jefferson County received a variance from Safer-At-Home orders affecting gatherings, graduations, gyms and other G words, review all variance updates.
Mayor Weinberg & City Manager Slowinski continue video updates: Latest update June 10th with Special Guest Councilor Jim Dale.
The BGoldN program continues serving those in need of food assistance as well as our community businesses.
(NOTE Updated Link) Volunteer Golden website now online.
NEW! Questions, concerns or thoughts on the City’s COVID-19 response and temporary road and parking closures Downtown? Email Recovery@cityofgolden.net
Masks
Back in March it was not clear face coverings mattered.
More and More evidence supports the value of Masks and
Face Coverings to reduce COVID-19 transmission!
Education on use of masks is a team effort. Residents, Businesses and the City all have roles to keep us safe and open.
The City of Golden just received a shipment of 5,000 masks! 2,500 have already been distributed to help businesses provide education and masks for visitors.
Along with staying safer at home and social distancing, masks and even homemade face coverings are proving valuable in reducing transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
The more we keep this under control, the more we can open our businesses and get back to life enjoying Golden – and it keeps more people alive. Period.
Read updated Mask and Face Covering guidance.
(image: Wikipedia)
Astor House
I’ve been clear that Golden is not some desperate City needing to sell off our heritage. This certainly includes the Astor House!
At the June 11th City Council meeting, City Council reviewed Staff recommendations on a thoughtful process to accept offers from long-standing Golden non-profit and other organizations interested in partnering with the City. We authorized Staff and a subcommittee of Councilors to work with community members to make progress and ensure the Astor House doesn’t end up sitting abandoned and decaying.
Our Community Goals include the City retaining ownership and partnering for the greatest public benefit and access (read the memo for details). This dovetails well with the citizen-led recommendations of the Astor House Alliance (Aha!). Read the AHA surveys and suggestions here.
Community Events
I’ve encouraged Staff to take a deeper dive this Fall into what we as a community want for Events. They’ve agreed. (To be led by Deputy City Manager Carly Lorentz).
Staff report we will have Movies in the Parking Lot (drive-in) in August and September!
Golden Farmer’s Market had a good start last week with new guidelines and safety measures.
Most event holders through summer have chosen to cancel – notably Buffalo Bill Days and Golden Fine Arts Festival
July 4th – The Lions are going virtual all day on the 4th, check out their Facebook Page for details.
Thanks for everyone who has provided comments on Black Lives Matter, the Astor House, events, the budget, wearing masks and more – keep them coming, and don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly.
Cheers,
Bill Fisher, RN
Ward 4 Councilor
Golden, Colorado
Ward 4 FeedbackEmail bill@williamfisher.com and visit www.WilliamFisher.com for regular updates and to communicate your thoughts, ideas and concerns.