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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-07-12 (Special) Meeting MinutesSPECIAL MEETING: COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY OF ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO July 12, 1976 The City Council of the City of Englewood, Arapahoe County, Colorado, met in special session on July 12, 1976 at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Taylor, presiding, called the meeting to order. The invocation was given by Councilman Smith. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Taylor. Mayor Taylor asked for roll call. Upon the call of the roll, the following were present: Council Members Williams, Sovern, Smith, Mann, Clayton, and Mayor Taylor. Absent: Council Member Brown. The Mayor declared a quorum present. Also present wePe: City Manager Mccown Asst. City Manager Nollenberger City Attorney Berardini Acting Director of Community Development Romans Dir. of Finance/City Clerk James Deputy City Clerk Varner • • • • • • Mayor Taylor explained that the purpose of this meeting is to study the Five-Year Capital Improvements Program budget and to receive ideas and input from the citizens. He stated that the continuation of the one-cent sales tax will be considered, as well as the Tax Committee recommendations for 1977. COUNCILMAN MANN MOVED TO OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. Councilman Smith seconded the motion. Upon a call of the roll, the vote resulted as follows: Ayes: Council Members Williams, Sovern, Smith, Mann, Clayton, Taylor. Nays: None. Absent: Council Member Brown. The Mayor declared the motion carried. July 12, 1976 Page 2 City Manager Mccown made a slide presentation and reviewed all of the projects under consideration to be included in the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program. These projects have a total cost of $1.7-$2.0 million per year over the next five years. Mayor Taylor then acknowledged those persons in the audience wishing to speak. Al Quaintance, 4760 South Mariposa Drive, Chairman of the Public Library Board of Trustees, presented Council with updated figures on the use of the library facilities. He pointed out that the library has an urgent space limitation and requested Council's consideration of including the library expansion in the 1977 budget rather than the 1978 budget. Dan Davis, 1590 East Bates Parkway, stated that a large part of the budget could be cut away and still serve the City adequately and allow Englewood to grow and progress. He stated that improvements to the library are important because it deals with the youth. Mr. Davis expressed disapproval of the proposed occupational tax, as well as the extension of the one-cent sales tax. He further stated that one area in which the City could save money is by cutting down on traffic signal lights at intersections that have twelve to twenty lights. Robert Walker, 4115 West Floyd Avenue, Denver, stated he is the owner of Walker Industrial Center at 2650 South Zuni. Mr. Walker expressed approval of the Zuni Street improvements. He objected to the curb, gutter and paving of the 2000 through 2300 blocks of West Yale Avenue because it would be of no benefit to his business. Del Miller, 3020 South Marion, stated that the City cannot afford what it already has. He inquired about the property reevaluation and what is being done with the money. City Manager Mccown responded that the reevaluation is being done by the County and that the additional amount to the City is 3% or approximately $15,000-$20,000, which goes into the General Fund. Katherine Fischback, 4425 South Acoma, questioned the need for remodeling City Hall and relocating Fire Station #3. Maurice Jones, 5020 South Washington, Chairman of People In Action, read a letter from that Committee objecting to the manner in which this public hearing is being handled because each item under consideration should have a separate hearing. Mr. Jones suggested using either the term "public improvement" or "capital improvement" because they mean the same thing and are confusing the issue. He stated that the street overlay program should be classified as a maintenance item rather than a capital improvement, and that police cars July 12, 1976 Page 3 should not be considered as a capital improvement. Mr. Jones pointed out that City owned property does not produce tax revenue for the City; and that money spent for park expansion is misleading because it further involves maintenance, personnel, upkeep, and so on each year. He also stated that the citizens recreation center could be done without for the present because of the financial condition of the nation. Mrs. Roy Fontaine, 4475 South Washington, stated she is against the head tax. She stated approval of the continua- tion of the one-cent sales tax to go into the General Fund with the use tax going into the Public Improvement Fund. Mrs. Fontaine noted that it would be better to tax unnecessary items such as liquor, cigarettes and amusements rather than increasing sales tax and property tax. She further stated that such items as remodeling City Hall, park expansion, and the golf course could be put off; but she expressed approval of expansion in the police and fire departments, as well as salaries. Myrtle Jones, 5020 South Washington, stated she is opposed to a new community center. Harold A. Stoner, 2966 South Shoshone, was present regarding the widening of the 2900 block of South Shoshone. He stated that every property owner involved is opposed to the widening because it will take away from their property and lower the value. s. Bud Brady, 2680 South Winona Court, Denver, Presi- dent of Brady Corporation, 2900 South Shoshone, appeared regard- ing the widening of the 2900 block of South Shoshone. He stated that he is opposed to this because it is only one block which dead ends and because it would put the street too close to the buildings on either side. Regarding the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program, Mr. Brady stated that the budget and five-year plan are a good conservative approach for the next five years. He expressed approval of the extension of the one-cent sales tax, and he objected to the proposed head tax. Walter Freeman, 2980 South Shoshone, objected to the widening of the 2900 block of South Shoshone because it is unnecessary since the street dead ends, and also because it would require too much of his property and make his business too small. Earl Stoner, 4301 South Emerson, objected to the widening of the 2900 block of South Shoshone because it is unnecessary and all the property owners are against it. He pointed out that this block does not line up with the balance of Shoshone and that it dead ends. July 12, 1976 Page 4 Oliver Giseburt, 3171 South High, stated approval of a five-year budget for planning purposes. He stated that the proposed budget should be altered because of the conditions of the country, such as doing without the recreation center. Mr. Giseburt proposed a concept of "those who use -pay", such as charging for use of tennis court lights. He stated that he supports the extension of the one-cent sales tax but suggested completing projects before new ones are started. Earl Ladewig, 3235 South Lincoln, stated that an essential item which should be included in the budget is for improved street lights. Allen Fritz, 4861 South Cherokee, stated he is in favor of the overall program as well as the extension of the one-cent sales tax. He stated that such improvements should be kept up for the City's future. John Kramer, 4235 South Pennsylvania, stated he supports the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program and the extension of the one-cent sales tax. Mrs. Edward White, 2977 West Tanforan Drive, stated she is against the Senior Citizens Recreation Center because it is not designed for all the people. She stated that Englewood should encourage young families to settle here. Mrs. White also stated that she is in favor of the extension of the one-cent sales tax but that she is against putting it in the General Fund. Jim Lucero, 3150 South Delaware, stated that the capital improvement program sounds good but hopes there are proper methods of funding it before commitments are made so that additional taxes will not have to be imposed. William Anderson, 4981 South Washington, stated that utilities are a necessity and need to be improved. He pointed out that the water main in Clarkson and Belleview needs repair. Mr. Anderson also stated that Englewood should not service outside residents with utilities unless they pay their own way. Paul Rumbaugh, 3801 South Grant, stated that there should be a recreation center designed for everyone rather than just the senior citizens. He stated that he would like to see taxes kept at a minimum and is against unnecessary improvements such as playgrounds and parks. Mr •. Rumbaugh added that the people who use these improvements should pay for them. Mrs. George Allen, 2799 South Downing, stated she is in favor of a community building for all the citizens of Englewood for activities and recreation. July 12, 1976 Page 5 Mayor Taylor declared a recess at 9:30 p.m. Council reconvened at 9:45 p.m. Upon a call of the roll, the following were present: Council Members Williams, Sovern, Smith, Mann, Clayton, and Mayor Taylor. Absent: Council Member Brown. The Mayor declared a quorum present. COUNCILMAN SOVERN MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. Councilman Smith seconded the motion. Upon a call of the roll, the vote resulted as follows: Ayes: Council Members Williams, Sovern, Smith, Mann, Clayton, Taylor. Nays: None. Absent: Council Member Brown. The Mayor declared the motion carried. • • • • • • COUNCILMAN SOVERN MOVED TO OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE TAX COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS. Councilman Smith seconded the motion. Upon a call of the roll, the vote resulted as follows: Ayes: Council Members Williams, Sovern, Smith, Mann, Clayton, Taylor. Nays: None. Absent: Council Member Brown. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Tax Committee Member Bill Howard presented the goals, objectives and reconmendations of the Tax Committee to City Council and the City of Englewood. Lee Jones, 2740 South Cherokee, stated he is opposed to transferring the one-cent sales tax from the Public Improve-I ment Fund to the General Fund because there would be no earmarked funds for public improvements. He stated that this could place the City in a position to have to sell bonds to accomplish the improvements discussed earlier. Mr. Jones noted that revenue sharing could be cut off in the future, and that ~he real estate transfer tax and the occupational tax would be an additional burden for the citizens. He added that the City's expenditures must be reduced. July 12, 1976 Page 6 Jim Lucero, 3150 South Delaware, inquired about the occupation tax. Tax Conunittee Member Howard explained that it would be $1.00 for each employee and $1.00 for the employer for a total of $2.00. Councilman Sovern noted that the occupation tax would also affect those employers in the City that are tax exempt but still receive City services. Oliver Giseburt, 3171 South High, stated that he agrees with a five-year plan and goals to strive for; but he questioned if the figures presented are realistic because of conditions continually changing. He also stated that some of the budget could be cut because of waste, such as flower planting in July. Mr. Giseburt added that he feels these hearings should not have been held all in one evening. Connie White, 2977 West Tanforan Drive, stated that a good way to balance the budget is to quit spending so much. She complained about their double taxation because of being located in the Valley Water District, and she also pointed out that they have poor water service. Ed Smith, 632 Washington Circle, stated that the one-cent sales tax should be left in the Public Improvement Fund. Tax Conunittee Member Howard explained that nothing was taken away from the Public Improvement Fund that was not replaced, and that it will be funded by revenues affected by the times. Mrs. Coffin, 3057 South Galapago, stated she feels the head tax is unfair and unconstitutional because the working person has to pay for having a job. Bob Currier, 3725 South Forest Way, Denver, noted that the figures presented reflect a 6% inflation factor. He stated that the real estate transfer tax could be added to the price of the home when it is sold. Jackie Schmidt, 4275 South Pennsylvania, stated she is in favor of the budget. She stated that the water lines from each house to the main line is the responsibility of the owners, but that the City could do a much better job of taking care of this than the individual. Phil Vieira, 4777 South Jason, stated that the real estate transfer tax would probably be reflected on the seller rather than just being added to the price of the property. Mr. Vieira suggested taxing liquor and cigarettes because they are unnecessary items. July 12, 1976 Page 7 Tax Conunittee Member Howard explained that the real estate transfer tax is a sales tax on the sale or property and would be shared by the buyer and the seller. He also noted that many real estate transactions in Englewood involve out-of- town buyers or out-of-town sellers. COUNCILMAN CLAYTON MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. Councilman Smith seconded the motion. Upon a call of the roll, the vote resulted as follows: Ayes: Council Members Williams,Clayton, Taylor, Mann, Sovern, Smith. Nays: None. Absent: Council Member Brown. The Mayor declared the motion carried. • • • • • • City Council scheduled a study session for August 9, 1976 at 5:00 p.m. to consider the comments made at this public hearing and requested the City Manager to compile the informa- tion. COUNCILMAN SOVERN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. Council- man Williams seconded the motion. Upon a call of the roll, the vote resulted as follows: Ayes: Council Members Williams, Sovern, Smith, Mann, Clayton, Taylor. Nays: None. Absent: Council Member Brown. The Mayor declared the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 11:10 p.m. ~'~ c1tiTirk