Denver City Council: Scooters, syringes, fancy airport lawyers
The Denver City Council returns this week with a 24-page agenda packed with a variety of interesting items for consideration.
From the Community Planning and Housing Committee comes a $3.4 million contract between the City and Jewish Family Service of Colorado to provide rapid rehousing support for at least 55 homeless individuals or families living with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
The council will also consider authorizing and approving an $80,000 liability payment to settle a claim involving the Denver Police Department.
Then there’s a proposed amendment to add $200,000 and two years to a contract between Denver-based Kaplan Kirsch LLP and the City for “professional legal services for aviation and airport-related legal items.”
City Council documents filed on behalf of the resolution indicate that the noted law firm, which specializes in airport law, governance and Federal Aviation Administration regulatory issues, “will provide legal services for transactional, regulatory and litigation matters as determined by the City Attorney.”
Earlier this year, three of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s top political appointees were named in a lawsuit alleging retaliation for spotlighting possible FAA violations over the City’s Park Hill Golf Course land swap, possible revenue diversion, and its decision to vote down an airport lease with Key Lime Air.

Elsewhere on the agenda is a resolution to hold a public hearing on changes to the Welton Corridor redevelopment plan, a move that could open new development opportunities and spark debates over growth and displacement in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood.
Documents filed by the city signal the hearing would be set for 5:30 p.m. June 1, or as soon as possible thereafter, in the Parr-Widener Community Room, Room 389, in the City and County Building.
Council Resolution 26-0488, if approved, adds more than $239,000 and three months to a contract with Colorado Nonprofit Development Center, dba Harm Reduction Action Center, to supply behavioral services, syringe access and naloxone.
And then there’s the long-awaited three-year license agreement with Veo to operate Denver’s shared bike and scooter program. The resolution approving that license made three trips through the Denver City Council Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, but it is on deck for consideration on Monday.
There is one proclamation scheduled for the 3:30 p.m. session recognizing the Colorado Spartans and honoring the professional indoor football team’s commitment to community, accessibility and athletic excellence.
There are two public hearings set for the 5:30 p.m. session on the following matters:
Council Bill 26-0230: A bill for an ordinance changing the zoning classification for 4211 N. Hooker St. in Berkeley.
Council Resolution 26-0471: A resolution approving a proposed agreement between the City and County of Denver and Dream Center Denver to occupy and provide programming at the former Globeville Recreation Center in Council District 9.
Denver City Council meetings continue to be held in the Parr-Widener Community Room as renovations in the council chambers progress.
Seating is limited, and the room will fill quickly.
The Denver City Council’s regular meeting begins at 3:30 p.m., with the general public comment session scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

