Centennial Council of Neighborhoods – August 2006 Minutes

The meeting was called to order by Cathy Noon at 6:48 p.m. and adjourned at 8:55 p.m. with a total of 16 members present.

Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office - Captain Mark Fisher

• The Sheriff’s Department has acquired six new Dodge Charger vehicles.
• The ‘Back to School’ plan to enforce traffic safety and posted speed and has been completed and was successful.
• A new internet web site for crime mapping at www.arapahoesheriff.org is available. It is accurate up to the day for what is happening in your neighborhood. Click on your HOA to determine crime data in the neighborhood. Information is recorded as crimes occur. The data dates back to 2004. Overall data for Centennial show crime is on the decrease. www.arapahoesheriff.org

Arapahoe Library District - Eloise May

• Election materials may be place on election tables in the libraries beginning September 5, 10:00 a.m.
• September 9, 1:00-5:00, Voter registration tables, September Project, A Day of Democracy at the four libraries in Centennial.
• The Used Book Sale at Koelbel Library, September 8-10. A preview night is scheduled on September 7, Sept 8-10.
• Volunteers are needed for the Begin with Books program for kindergarten children. Information is available in the newsletter or by calling 303.220.7704 x 287 for information.
• A brochure listing events to celebrate the Arapahoe Library District’s 40^th anniversary is available. www.arapahoelibraries.org

Arapahoe Park & Recreation - Rebecca Nash

• Three major construction projects are underway in the district. In October construction will begin in Village Park to add a playground and a shelter at a cost of $150,000.
• Bids are currently being accepted for the Spring Creek Park for three additional play fields. 150 off-street parking spaces are being added to the Spring Creek play fields.
• Construction of a large shelter and a restroom at Piney Creek Hollow Park will cost $500,000.
• The district would like to put trails through Saddle Rock Ridge which involves negotiations with Conoco Phillips on the shared easement. Results are yet to be determined. Work on Copper Leaf Park is also underway.
• A new federal requirement requires that no new asphalt trails should be built in open space and wetland areas to allow for storm water control. www.arpd.org

Fire District - Chief Jerry Rhodes, Cunningham Fire Department

• The new fire station at Buckley & Smokey Hill Road will be operational in mid-September.
• On October 7, an Open House will be held at the above fire station from 9:00-12:00 a.m. with a pancake breakfast.
• There are three new recruits from Cunningham Fire District at the Parker Fire Academy. Training concludes in late September at which point the recruits will be assigned to their fire stations.
• The development of the Arapahoe Road Station remains on track. Station 76 will open in October in the Parker Fire District.
• A new ladder truck at Station 32 (Quebec and Orchard) is a Sutphen aerial truck
• The week of October 9 is National Fire Prevention Week. Check your fire district website for activities.
• www.cfpd.org www.littletongov.org www.parkerfire.org www.southmetro.org

South Suburban Parks & Recreation - Jean Flynn

• The district is in the midst of the budget process. On Wed., Sept. 13, 7:00 p.m., the Board will take public comment. At the October 4 meeting at 7:30 p.m., the Board will discuss fees for the coming year.

• A 30 Punch Card with 5 free punches is available for admission to park facilities and offers substantial savings. Other savings will be available in the future.
• Puppy Paddle will be open at Holly Pool, on Sat., Sept. 9, $5.00/dog from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m.. Family members are free. Dogs must be supervised by someone 16 years or older. Information is available on the web site.
• Walnut Hills Park reconstruct has been completed and it is lovely. www.sspr.org

City of Centennial

• A special meeting to hear public comments on the budget process is scheduled on September 11.
• At the September 6, Study Session, the Council will have a briefing on the neighborhood traffic policy and procedures and will hold a public hearing on a proposed ordinance on possession of tobacco products by minors. It was authored by the Centennial Youth Commission.
• Havana Street north of Arapahoe Road has been reopened to traffic ahead of schedule. Peakview is now a through street east of Havana.
• Light Rail Stations will be opened on November17with a ribbon cutting. On November 18, family festivities are scheduled up and down the line for visitors. www.centennialcolorado.com

Storm Water Authority (proposed) -Steve Gardner

The creation of the Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority is being proposed to close the funding gap and meet stormwater needs and to meet current regulations. Mr. Gardner described the challenges related to stormwater management in Centennial including flooding, safety concerns, aging infrastructure, and others. Current funding needs annually are $6.5 million -$8million with current spending on average of $1million - $1.5 million leaving an annual gap of over $4 million.

Local governments must implement Federal Environmental Regulations and NPDES requirements of the Clean Water Act. Fines exist for non-compliance.

Studies recommend formation of an Authority. Feedback was solicited from several organizations including CenCON, Stormwater Advisory Committee (SWAC), Stormwater Steering Group (SSG). Enabling legislation was passed to allow the formation of an Authority through an IGA (Inter-Governmental Agreement) between these entities: Centennial, Arapahoe County , ACWWA (Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater Authority), Inverness Water and Sanitation District and East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation. 20 such Authorities exist in Colorado. By creating an Authority, one entity would bear the burden of regulatory compliance/permitting and reduce liability for the City, County and the Districts involved.

Authority Board: The entity would be governed by a six-member board: three appointed by the City, [Council Members Bart Miller, Ron Weidman and Andrea Suhaka] and two from the County [Commissioners Rod Bockenfeld and Bernie Zimmer], and one member from the Special Districts.

Stormwater Fee & Financial Analysis: The fee would be determined by the extent to which each property contributes to stormwater runoff, amount of impervious area on property, level of service provided, and program needs. An average single residence will likely range fro $5-$6.25 per month. This range is in-line with other Metro Denver stormwater rates.

The rate will be finalized following public comment/feedback. The proposed rate is somewhat high due to the aging infrastructure and other needs. Comparison rates from other cities were available.

Boundaries: City of Centennial, parts of unincorporated Arapahoe County out to the Coal Creek watershed boundary and a small portion of Douglas County. CIP /maintenance would be regular and equitable within the boundaries.

Scheduled implementation: The County and City have approved the IGA and Special Districts are considering the IGA. Fees finalized in October. County tax bill would be the mechanism for tax collection. January 1, 2007, is date for Authority to begin stormwater operations. Tax bills are received in the first quarter of 2007. Fee is not subject to TABOR.

TABOR Ballot Issue (Centennial) - John Pazour and Bob Widner

Bob Widner, City Attorney, presented the history of TABOR stating it was designed to restrain growth in government and to provide voters the opportunity to approve fiscal policy. Voters approve: new taxes and tax increases, debt, limitations on types of taxes [no real estate taxes] and limits spending by limiting revenue collection. He explained the implications of the base year of revenue for Centennial, the next year of spending is limited by increase in property values and CPI. He also described the ratchet effect, De-Brucing [gives the voters’ the authority to allow governments to keep excess revenue]. Voters may approve both waivers and to increase the revenue limits.

John Pazour, City Manager explained that City revenue from the property tax, sales tax and use tax is already debruced. He described the current City budget. [Figures may be found in the recent mailing of the Centennial Connection, the city newsletter] of City services and revenue. The items in the budget not deBruced include Road Funds, Fees & Fines, & Franchise Fees which represent 39% of the budget. He discussed the implications of a refund on the ability of the City to provide services and said the refunds can only come from exempt revenues. He did a comparison of Centennial services with other metro area cities with Centennial having 1/3 fewer staff than those cities. He noted that streets and roads had not been adequately funded and the projected 2007 costs of materials would increase [asphalt +25%, concrete +50%, and increases for fuel uncertain].

Projected Refund: 

Note: Administrative costs are not included and would come out of the refund.

Proposal: Council will likely seek to DeBruce all revenue sources not already DeBruced for a period of time and could earmark those revenues for items such as street repair, maintenance, open space, and public safety. Leaving any revenue source on the table puts the City in the possible position of a Tabor excess and need to refund a possibly very small dollar amount. Council will consider this topic on September 6, 2006 for the November ballot.

NOTE: Council has since approved placing a debrucing question on the November 2006 Ballot.

www.citizen@centennialcolorado.com or 303.754.3412.

CenCON Reports President -Cathy Noon

• Working toward Neighbor to Neighbor Roundtable on September 20 at the City offices. RSVP at CenCON.net.
• Plans from the City of Littleton will now be forwarded to CenCON.

Minutes - Gerry Cummins

• Moved by Betty Ann Habig and seconded by Frank Green to approve the minutes of the June meeting. Motion carried.

Treasurer - Don Strickland

Page last updated on: 10/05/2006