Sentinel Northglen 9-26-2013
Northglenn -Thornton
September 26, 2013
50 cents
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ournorthglennnews.com, ourthorntonnews.com
Adams County, Colorado • Volume 50, Issue 7
DRIVING AROUND
Northglenn mayor faces opposition Councilman Wieneke challenges Downing for seat By Tammy Kranz
EIGHT CANDIDATES VIE FOR FOUR SEATS
tkranz@ourcoloradonews.com
Northglenn golfer Nick Lewis hits the ball during the Regionals Tournament Sept. 19 at Broadlands Golf Course in Broomfield. See full story on Page 21. Photo by Kate Ferraro
Sewer rates to increase next year Metro charges Thornton more, city passes on cost By Tammy Kranz
tkranz@ourcoloradonews.com Thornton residents will see a 3.5 percent rate increase for sewer in 2014. With the passage of the 2014 budget, City Council approved the rate increase during its Sept. 10 regular meeting. This increase is reflects the only increase in the revenue side of the budget, said City Manager Jack Ethredge. “The 2014 budget does not call for any increases in sales use or property tax,” he said. “There are no water rate or tap fee increases. There are no fine or fee
increases included in this budget either. There is one increase in the sewer rate of 3.5 percent that results from an increases in charges from the (Metro Wastewater Reclamation District) that is passed through the city to its customers.” Metro increased its charges to the city for treatment processes, and the city is passing on that cost to the residents. Metro increased its charges to 4.5 percent. An increase of 3.5 percent will result in an average monthly residential bill increase from $18.66 to $19.31. There are no water rate increases for 2014. Council unanimously approved the 2014 budget, which includes pay increases, 13.5 new staff positions and a significant
POSTAL ADDRESS
amount of funding dedicated to capital improvements that were deferred during the recession. Total budget for all funds totals $198,183,702 — which is almost $13 million, or 6 percent, less than the 2013 budget, Ethredge said. Of the larger funds in the budget, the Water Fund saw the largest decrease — going down by 38 percent to more than $40 million from the 2013 budget of $65 million. Ethredge said the decrease is due to the city funding several reservoirs that it was in the middle of constructing in 2013. The largest increase in the budget comes in the Governmental Capital Improvements Fund, up 25 percent from last year’s allocation. The city has set aside $16 million for capital improvements in 2014.
Northglenn Mayor Joyce Downing faces opposition during the Nov. 5 election for her seat by Ward IV Councilman Gene Wieneke. Downing said she has accomplished much in the past four years as mayor — including ongoing development projects like the Webster Lake Promenade at 120th Avenue and Grant Street and the revitalization of Wieneke the Garland Center with the Walmart Neighborhood Market. “Our current development and redevelopment projects will bring enhanced financial stability to the city, Downing and I want to be there to make sure that every opportunity that comes to Northglenn is evaluated and pursued in order to respond to our citizens’ needs,” she said. Wieneke said staff does a good job running the city, and that the elected leadership needs some encouragement to provide oversight, guidance and initiative to the process on behalf of the residents. “The council deserves a mayor that will remember that the position is one of nine and for the staff, one that they can respect for not meddling in their operations,” he said. Among his top priorities if he is elected as mayor are maintaining revenue stream, protecting residents’ lifestyles and property values and increasing police patrol of the neighborhoods. Downing also cited maintaining a balanced budget and supporting the police department if she was reelected. Also on her list of priorities were other redevelopment projects. “High on my list of priorities is business retention and economic development citywide, but especially the vacant Albertson’s on Huron,” she said. “We also need to develop a long term and short-term strategy with the owners of the Marketplace.” Downing has lived in Northglenn since 1969. She and her husband have six children, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Downing was appointed to serve as Ward II councilwoman in 1990 and
NORTHGLENN-THORNTON SENTINEL
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Along with electing a mayor, Northglenn voters will get to choose one council member from each of the city’s four wards during the Nov. 5 election. Eight candidates are vying for the four seats — only Ward I incumbent Carol Dodge is unopposed. In Ward II, Loyal “Herb” Barstow and James Klingensmith are challenging incumbent Joe Brown for his seat. Angelia McConico and Kyle Mullica are vying for the Ward III seat, which will be vacated by Mayor Pro Tem Susan Clyne, who is term limited. Incumbent Kim Snetzinger will run for reelection for her Ward IV seat, against Antonio Esquibel. The Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel will have special coverage of the candidates who participate in its Oct. 10 issue. Voters will also be asked during the election to extend the 0.5 percent sales tax to be used to enhance or increase the city’s water supply. The election will be by mail — all voters will receive a ballot in the mail the week of Oct. 15. Ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. Nov. 5 to be counted. Ballots can be mailed back or dropped off at sites specified in the ballot.
re-elected in 1992, 1996 and 2000. She was elected as mayor in 2009, beating out two other candidates at that time, including Wieneke. Prior to her service on council, Downing was a manager for U.S. West. Downing serves on several boards and commissions, including The Metro Mayor’s Caucus, The Denver Regional Council of Governments, vice chair of The Rocky Flats Stewardship Council, vice chair of North Area Transportation Alliance, vice chair of Smart Commute Metro North, secretary for Urban Drainage Flood Control District, National League of Cities Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee and Steering Committee, Women in Municipal Government, chair Northglenn VALE Board, chair Adams County Cultural Council, Adams County Blue Ribbon Committee Executive Board, Adams County Economic Development Board Member, chair Northglenn Historic Preservation Commission, chair Northglenn Historic Foundation and president Northglenn Build A Generation.
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Mayor continues on Page 17
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