LOCAL

Federal assistance, betterthan-expected revenues boost fi nancial reports

BY LIAM ADAMS LADAMS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Despite the pandemic, Westminster, Thornton, Northglenn and Brighton all increased their net fi nancial position by the end of 2020.

Year-end fi nancial reports show that all four cities performed better fi nancially last year than in 2019, though only after some fi nancial maneuvering and government assistance. The pandemic still caused cities to alter plans originally laid out in the 2020 budget, but nevertheless positioned them well as the pandemic winds down.

“We’re doing better than was expected overall. This is a result of moderate, revenue recovery efforts,” said Westminster City Manager Don Tripp at an April 26 city council meeting. Tripp’s analysis is similar to Westminster’s neighbors.

Westminster, Brighton, Northglenn and Thornton all adapted to the pandemic when it started last spring. Westminster, Thornton and Brighton enacted hiring freezes, while Westminster and Thornton deferred maintenance projects. Many cities reduced parks and recreation programming. Westminster used 2019 carryover revenue to backfi ll 2020 revenue losses.

Meanwhile, all cities received substantial help from the federal government in COVID-19 relief funding. Revenue in the “operating grants and contributions” category went up in Westminster by $11.5 million from 2019, $9.4 million in Thornton, $2,955 in Northglenn and $4.3 million in Brighton.

The federal relief money wasn’t just extra spending money, though. The pandemic introduced new expenses for cities, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and implementing safeguards to keep city facilities hygienic. Thornton, Northglenn and Brighton all spent more money than they had budgeted for pre-pandemic, according to a comparison of year-end fi nancial reports and 2020 adopted budgets.

Cost-cutting measures and federal stimulus money made a difference for the cities, but so did the better-than-expected performance of regular revenue streams. Earlier in the pandemic, sales and use tax revenue, the largest revenue streams for cities, was down. City fi nance staff were nervous that would continue given the overall slowing of the economy, although that trend ultimately reversed.

“We were very pleased in the end how well we did with sales and use tax revenue,” said Westminster Finance Director Tammy Hitchens at a Westminster City Council study session June 7. Sales and use tax revenue in Thornton and Brighton increased from 2019. It was down in Westminster and Northglenn, but not by a substantial amount.

Despite the fi nancial hardships that all four cities faced, net positions, or end-of-year balance, increased in 2020 from 2019. Thornton’s increased by $72.3 million, Westminster by $57.9 million, Brighton by $45.8 million and Northglenn by $11,267.

WATER

ment plant is. When the city exceeded its daily peak demand last week, it did so a month ahead of schedule, Mingo said.

When demand surpassed the projected peak last week, the city immediately reduced its water use and purchased more treated water from Thornton than it usually does. Still, city staff was alarmed, so Bais DiSessa informed council members of the situation and that she was considering issuing mandatory restrictions.

Johnston, seeing Bais DiSessa as taking unilateral action and violating the city charter, called the June 18 special meeting out a sense of urgency. The mayor pro tem said at the meeting, “We’re here because we have to be. We have to make sure that the residents have power in this community. They have not had enough power for too long, and here’s where we sit with a new council and we’re not going to allow that.”

Three members of the council, including Mayor Greg Mills, were not able attend the Friday evening meeting, resulting in Johnston’s overseeing it. The mayor pro tem allowed other councilors and public commenters to speak but limited Bais DiSessa’s comments. On several occasions, the city manager raised her hand to try and explain the situation, but Johnston didn’t allow it.

Bais DiSessa had one chance to talk at length, saying that she wasn’t skirting the council’s authority. In an emergency, she has the authority to move the city to a higher drought stage in the city’s drought management plan, she said. She also refuted a claim Johnston made that the city was imposing additional costs on customers by issuing mandatory water restrictions because of fi nancial penalties assessed to people who violate the restrictions.

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Reverse osmosis water treatment equipment at Brighton’s water treatment plant. Due to the plant’s age and condition, city sta are concerned the plant will have diffi culty treating and providing enough water to meet peak demand. A debate ensued amongst sta and members of city council over issuing mandatory water restrictions to lessen demand on the treatment plant. PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

talk at length, saying that she wasn’t skirting the council’s authority. gency, she has the authority to

Brighton Mayor Pro Tem Matt Johnston.

COURTESY OF CITY OF BRIGHTON

Voting on the block

At the June 18 meeting, council voted 4-2 to temporarily block Bais

Brighton City Manager Jane Bais DiSessa.

COURTESY OF CITY OF BRIGHTON DiSessa’s ability to issue mandatory water restrictions. Johnston and Councilors Tim Watts, Mary Ellen Pollack and Adam Cushing approved the resolution, Councilors Mark Humbert and Ann Taddeo

voted against it.

The June 22 meeting -- with all nine council members were in attendance -- picked up where the council left off. This time, the resolution under consideration would permanently give city council the sole authority over declaring drought stages and water restriction issuances.

The meeting got intense at mo-

ments. At one point, Johnston was engaged in a heated debate with Mingo over certain information that city staff presented to the council about the situation. Sherman jumped in, saying, “Mayor pro tem, I would appreciate it if you would stop bullying Mr. Mingo.” The council debated everything from the city’s water situation to the city manager’s authority to claims about the mandatory restrictions being a means to impose additional costs on customers. “That kind of ridiculous behavior to scare people, those scare tactics, that is wrong,” said Taddeo, alluding to the previous controversy in the community over water rates. Meanwhile, Councilman Clint Blackhurst, who served as the city’s utilities director at one point, said DiSessa’s ability he doesn’t think the city should to issue manda- issue mandatory water restrictions tory water restric- and that the city should consider tions. Johnston other alternatives fi rst. and Councilors But Blackhurst also said doesn’t Tim Watts, Mary think the city manager’s authority Ellen Pollack and should be limited. Adam Cushing ap- Ultimately, Taddeo, Blackhurst, Humbert, Mills and Councilor Kris Jordinelli all expressed disfavor for the resolution to limit Bais DiSessa’s authority. Seeing that a majority of the council would vote against the resolution, Johnston decided that he wouldn’t make a formal motion for its approval. No decision was reached on the water restrictions, but Bais DiSessa said she would consult with her staff about some of the alternatives that Blackhurst suggested.

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STAFF REPORT SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Jenni Grafton has been named Director of the Adams County Community and Economic Development Department. Grafton will begin on Tuesday, June 29.

“The remarkable growth in the county brings challenges and Jenni is well equipped to lead our CED team as they navigate high-profi le land use, zoning, and oil and gas regulations,” said Adams County Manager Raymond Gonzales. “Having local experience and expertise will certainly shorten the learning curve for Jenni in this critical role.” Grafton has worked in housing and landuse planning roles in non-profi t and governmental organizations, including as the Economic Policy and Development Manager at the City of Westminster. There, she led longterm economic recovery efforts. Those efforts included $3.6 million in business assistance grants and over $600k in housing assistance funds with CARES Act funds; over $1 million in Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds; and over $540k in Tenant Based Rental Assistance with HOME funds.

In her new role with Adams County, Grafton will focus on the “Advancing Adams” trio of plans, including updating the Comprehensive Plan, creating a Transportation Master Plan and updating the Parks, Open Space, and Trails Plan. In addition, Grafton will be responsible for overseeing development and enacting strategic overlays and enhancing the development review process.

Jenni Grafton

ams County Manager Raymond Gonzales. ence and expertise will certainly shorten the learning curve for Jenni in this critical

Sakata campus to open in time for 2021 school year

With family resources and health clinic, campus to replace North Elementary

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Bob Sakata’s name will adorn a new education campus in the 27J Schools system in Brighton.

The Bob Sakata Education Campus will occupy the space where North Elementary School stands. Students there will attend other schools in the district because of declining enrollment.

“Repurposing the facility and its grounds to better serve our students is a tribute to Bob Sakata, who spent his life serving his family and those around him,” said Superintendent Chris Fiedler in a statement.

Sakata grew up in Japan where, according to a statement, his family earned “a meager living growing vegetables and trees on a small plot of land.” He moved to America when he was 18 and with $30 in his pocket.

“You’re learning every day, and every day is like going to school. Every day,” Sakata said in the statement. “Life experiences gave me perspective. Learning becomes something you do subconsciously if your mind is sharp.”

Sakta talked with students in their schools about his story and gave children the encouragement to stay strong “in the face of struggles,” the press statement said.

“Bob embodies many of the values of the students we stress today,” Fiedler said in the statement. “We’re so fortunate to have a role model in the community whose life shows us how to be successful in our hearts, in our work and in our lives.”

The Sakata Campus will be at 89 N. Sixth Ave. The statement said it will have support for families and students, including:

Specialized education services;

Advisors for middle-school students who have had challenges in traditional classrooms;

A family resource center;

A health clinic;

A transportation hub; and

Meal distribution

“Giving back to your community, for me, hasn’t been an issue because of motivation,” Sakata said in the statement. “It’s just natural. When you get something, you give back in some way.”

A back-to-school and grand reopening event is on tap for Tuesday, Aug. 7, according to 27J spokeswoman Janelle Asmus.

TRI-STATE

Powder Ball Challenge at Anythink Library

Anythink Library o ers outdoor games for families

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Families participated against each other in the powder battle challenge June 22, dodging powder balls fi lled with colorful chalk at the Anythink Library Huron Street in Thornton.

“We were looking for something to do for the summer with the transition from being locked up in our houses last year,” said Renee Bohn, children’s guide for Anythink Libraries. “We wanted to focus on activities that would bring us outside and, hopefully, bring the families together to enjoy the time.”

Bohn’s goal was to create a game that families and friends could play outside while being silly and getting dirty. They settled on the powder ball battle, with participants in white T-shirts throwing and dodging thrown powder balls. They get to have fun while creating unique art on the T-shirts, even though the designs might be temporary.

“Originally, it started with a spray paint gun game and evolved into the powder. The powder was more environmentally safe and easier to clean off bodies. So, it’s what we came up with,” Bohn said.

The powder ball program is a new one at the Huron branch, and Bohn said the library hosted the game a few times in June. It was a success each time, so the library plans to add three more powder ball battles to the programs in July. Sign up for the program is available two weeks in advance for groups up to six and it’s for all ages.

To sign up for powder battle visit https://www.anythinklibraries.org/ location/anythink-huron-street. Anythink at Huron Street, 9417 Huron St. Thornton.

Melanie Eversman threw some powder at Easton Gonzalez who is taking a duck.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

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A view of a Frederick neighborhood with two other balloons fl oating. PHOTOS BY BELEN WARD

Slowly rising from 200 feet above to 400 feet.

Hot air balloons in the process of being assembled and infl ated for fl ight. Balloons in fl ight at the Frederick in Flight Hot Air Balloon Festival.

BALLOON

an hour, with its hot air blowing up into the balloon -- it was ready for fl ight. I got into a basket that was is 52 inches long and 42 inches wide -- a bit smaller than I’d expected.

The hot air balloon started to rise slowing to 200 feet above, 400 feet above, then I was 2,000 feet above. It was incredible and I was no longer afraid. I cried because it was so amazing. It was peaceful and therapeutic.

While we were in fl ight Libel said his balloon can do up to 15 miles an hour in fl ight, “...but when you land you would rather land with fi ve to 10 miles an hour because it’s fast when you’re trying to come down.”

Libel can carry up to two passengers -- about 300 pounds for about an hour, depending on altitude and temperature.

We fl ew 1.97 miles for 50 minutes then it was time for landing. To land Libel pulled a rope that releases the envelope, letting out the hot air out of the top of the balloon to take us down.

So I bent my knees hung on and braced for impact to land on the ground. It was not a hard landing and a smooth drag because there was no wind and good weather. loon. It was quite involved and detailed to pack the balloon perfectly without getting it tangled.

After the fl ight Law, Steve and Carol celebrated with champagne where I kneeled in front of the pilot, he said a beautiful prayer blessing for a safe landing and poured champagne over my head. It’s tradition once a passenger completes a fl ight.

I can mark this adventure off my bucket list. What’s next maybe jump out of a plane? I think not!