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Talks eye grievance panels, teacher schedules Next Jeffco negotiations set for first Monday in May By Crystal Anderson
canderson@colorado communitymedia.com In their April 20 meeting, negotiators for the Jefferson County School District and the Jefferson County Education Association furthered discussions around griev-
ance committee structures and teacher schedules. “Collaboration at both the district and the school level is going to become a cornerstone for the new framework of this agreement,” said Jim Branum, a member of the district’s negotiating team. “Hopefully, an evolution in behavior throughout the district where people are coming together as respected professionals to work out differences in the best interests of students.” The conversations centered around
finding a solid, streamlined and collaborative grievances process for teachers, principals and school and district staff that allows for all parties to find and feel comfortable with a resolution. Along with that, the sides disagreed on how those committees should be structured, as well as how teacher schedules should be laid out. The district advocated for a minimalistic approach, while union representatives wanted more detail to be written into the contract.
“There has to be clear expectations and clear parameters around some of the scheduling so everybody’s on the same page, so it doesn’t create these gray areas,” said Barb Aswege, a North Arvada Middle School seventh- and eighth-grade social studies teacher and union negotiator. Negotiations will continue through May. The next meeting will be 4-8 p.m. on Monday, May 4, at the Jefferson County Education Center, 1829 Denver West Drive, Golden.
Trees honor Earth Day
The team from Natural Grocers and Lakewood parks staff pose with a soon-to-be planted tree. To celebrate Earth Day and its 60th anniversary, staff from Natural Grocers worked with Lakewood urban parks staff to plant trees in Addenbrooke Park April 23. City staff planted five English Oaks in the park, paid for by Natural Grocers. The company, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, sponsored similar plantings across the metro area last week, including in Golden and Wheat Ridge.
PHOTOS BY CLARKE READER LOCALLY FOUNDED AND STILL GROWING Natural grocers, formerly known as Vitamin Cottage, was founded in Golden in 1955 as a door-todoor business. Today, the grocery and vitamin retailer has stores across the western United States in nearly 100 locations, including stores in Golden, Wheat Ridge, Lakewood, Arvada and Westminster. The company’s health and ecology ethos extends to the checkout line, where the store uses no paper or plastic bags and the receipts are Bisphenol A (carbon-based synthetic compound) -free.
Jeremy Johns with Natural Grocers worked with Lakewood’s urban parks staff to plant English Oaks in Addenbrooke Park on April 23.
Council approves updated comprehensive plan Residents want focus on neighborhoods, historic preservation By Clarke Reader
creader@colorado communitymedia.com City council voted to approve the city’s new comprehensive plan by a vote of 7-3 (the no votes were Ward 1 councilwoman Ramey Johnson, Ward 3 councilman Pete Roybal and Ward 4 councilman David Wiechman. Ward 4 councilwoman Cindy Baroway was absent from the meeting) April 27. The comprehensive plan update has been in the works for several years, and presents a guiding document for the next decade in Lakewood, said Travis Parker, director of planning. “We’ve had a lot of public input on the plan, with open houses, meetings and we received input from the ACIC (Advisory Commission for an Inclusive Community),” he said. “This plan shows where we see the city going — it’s not a regulatory document, but instead gives guidance when making decisions.” The plan includes 401 implementation
steps, which provide information on the responsible party and timeline for each step. Parker made it clear these steps will not necessarily be taken in the coming decade, but rather provide a work guide for staff to use. It will ultimately be up to future councils to decide what steps (if any) should be taken. Residents who spoke during public comment were mostly in favor of the document, but the majority spoke in favor of adding language that made it clear the city will protect established neighborhoods (or “stable neighborhoods” as they are called in the plan) from future development. “The plan is an acceptable blueprint for the next few years, but it stops short of addressing the people who already live here,” said resident Charley Able. “Our neighborhood plans have been gobbled up into this document, and we want to ensure there is protection and respect for our stable neighborhoods.” In response to concerns from neighborhoods, Parker said staff went through every existing neighborhood plan and broke it up into three elements — goals already achieved, goals that are the responsibility of the neighborhood, and goals yet to be achieved. All the goals that still need to be accomplished were put into the new comprehensive plan.
SECTIONS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Lakewood Lives “Lakewood will be a safe, healthy, diverse and vibrant community with strong and unique neighborhoods.” Focuses on issues residents have said are important in neighborhoods, including housing, arts and culture and public services. Lakewood Innovates “Lakewood will invest in its future by proactively pursuing a thriving and sustainable economy with a variety of employment, investment and mixed-use opportunities.” Focus on growth in local economy through attention on growth, community activity and industrial areas.
Several residents also spoke about the importance of historic preservation in the community, and wanted the clearest possible language that advocates for holding on to the city’s history. “I found a lot to like in this plan, and we’re really looking forward to great things,” said resident Vicky Peters. “We need to make sure we’re protecting our city’s landmarks. We don’t want to lose the character of places like West Colfax.” In response to comments, Ward 4 coun-
Lakewood Moves “Lakewood will support connectivity through a variety of transportation options and encourage residents to utilize multiple transportation modes.” Focus on transportation issues in the city, with emphases on a multi-modal transportation system that includes bicycling, car shares, public transportation and walkability. Lakewood Sustains “Lakewood will be a leader in sustainability principles, practices, and education.” Focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly practices in the city. The city’s sustainability plan will focus on specific goals and practices to employ.
cilman Adam Paul proposed amendments that changed the language in the several places in the plan to emphasize historic preservation and to protect the character of neighborhoods. Before the final vote for approval, Mayor Bob Murphy hailed both the plan and its development, which he said demonstrated the city’s dedication to including residents in the decision making process. “This is an extraordinary vision for the city,” he said.