Full Text
April - May 2024 Cover Story: Celebrate Earth Day Every Day pages 12 and 13 In this edition: Celebrating our volunteers page 4 Arvada PD’s Weekly Activity Report and crime stats page 10 Mark your calendars for upcoming events in Arvada page 22 And much more! ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 2 I April - May 2024 Connect with Us Business Meetings: 1st and 3rd Mondays; Workshops: 2nd and 4th Mondays. For information visit the City of Arvada website. Engage with City Council Mayor Lauren Simpson [PHONE REDACTED] LSimpson@ arvada.org Councilmember At Large Sharon Davis [PHONE REDACTED] SDavis@ arvada.org Councilmember At Large Lisa Feret [PHONE REDACTED] LFeret@ arvada.org Councilmember District 1 Randy Moorman [PHONE REDACTED] RMoorman@ arvada.org Councilmember District 2 Shawna Ambrose [PHONE REDACTED] SAmbrose@ arvada.org Councilmember District 3 John Marriott [PHONE REDACTED] JMarriott@ arvada.org Councilmember District 4 Bob Fifer [PHONE REDACTED] BFifer@ arvada.org Visit the City of Arvada website. Inquire at the City of Arvada website. Engage at Speak Up Arvada Subscribe to ArvadaNews Call us [PHONE REDACTED] Follow us on social media Emergency 9-1-1 Non-Emergency Dispatch [PHONE REDACTED] Police Records [PHONE REDACTED] Animal Control [PHONE REDACTED] Arvada Economic Development [PHONE REDACTED] Arvada Urban Renewal [PHONE REDACTED] Building Inspections [PHONE REDACTED] Building Permits [PHONE REDACTED] City Clerk’s Office [PHONE REDACTED] City Manager’s Office [PHONE REDACTED] Code Enforcement [PHONE REDACTED] Communications [PHONE REDACTED] Engagement Hotline [PHONE REDACTED] Finance [PHONE REDACTED] Housing [PHONE REDACTED] Lake Arbor Golf Club [PHONE REDACTED] Liquor Licenses [PHONE REDACTED] Majestic View Nature Center [PHONE REDACTED] Municipal Court [PHONE REDACTED] Park Pavilion Reservations [PHONE REDACTED] Planning and Zoning [PHONE REDACTED] Sales Tax [PHONE REDACTED] Special Event Permits [PHONE REDACTED] Streets [PHONE REDACTED] Traffic Signals and Signs [PHONE REDACTED] Victim Outreach Line [PHONE REDACTED] Voter Registration [PHONE REDACTED] Waste Hauling and Recycling [PHONE REDACTED] Water Bills [PHONE REDACTED] Water Quality (business hours) [PHONE REDACTED] Water Quality (after hours) [PHONE REDACTED] West Woods Golf Club [PHONE REDACTED] The Arvada Report is a newsletter published by the Arvada City Manager’s Office, [PHONE REDACTED], City of Arvada, 8101 Ralston Road, Arvada, Colorado 80002. It is distributed to all residences and businesses in the City. The City of Arvada holds the ownership rights and copyrights in the design and articles contained in the Arvada Report. Articles may only be reproduced with the express permission of the City of Arvada. Editorial Staff: Rachael Kuroiwa, Cindy Javelet. Graphic Design: Steve Milke. Photography: Arvada Media Services. ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 3 I April - May 2024 City Council retreat: planning for the future In February, the Arvada City Council met for their annual City Council Strategic Retreat where the City Council and the City’s Leadership Team shared their ideas and made strategic decisions regarding future areas of focus for City resources. The outcomes from this year’s retreat are being compiled into the 2024 City Council Strategic Plan, which integrates the Biennial Operating and Capital Improvement budgets and takes into consideration results from the Community Survey. The strategic plan identifies key objectives, prioritizes change and addresses resource allocation, and it drives daily operations within the City. The plan will be formalized at a future City Council meeting and will be available on the City’s website and other communication platforms at that time. City recognized for excellence in financial reporting for 40th consecutive year The City of Arvada has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2022. This is the 40th consecutive year the City has received the certificate of achievement, which is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting and represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. The City remains committed to providing the community with a well-managed, fiscally-responsible and transparent local government to guide the organization in a manner that enhances quality of life. More information is available at the City of Arvada website. City of Arvada purchases building, Community Table to be tenant In late January, the City of Arvada closed on the purchase of a 15,000+ square foot building (4600 W. 60th Ave.) located near Tennyson Street and the RTD Gold Strike Station. The City intends to lease the facility to Community Table. The Community Table has been a tenant in a City-owned building for many years, most recently at 8555 W. 57th Ave. The location of the new building, close to transit lines, makes it an ideal location for Community Table. While the purchase of this property is now final, there will be renovation work to complete prior to Community Table relocating and offering services at the new location. Renovations are anticipated to take approximately eight months to complete. Clients, volunteers and interested community members are encouraged to join Communi ty Table’s email list to get periodic updates on the reloca tion process, new services and opening celebrations. ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 4 I April - May 2024 Celebrating City of Arvada Volunteers April is National Volunteer Month In April, the City team will be hosting a volunteer appreciation breakfast to recognize and celebrate the hundreds of volunteers who dedicate time to City efforts. Thank you, City volunteers! We appreciate you! Interested in volunteering? Are you interested in contributing to the well-being of our great community? Join the more than 700 volun teers who work in collaboration with City staff to deliver superior services to all in Arvada. There are many ways your skills and your time can benefit Arvada. From out doors to indoors, to individual and teamwork, find the best fit for where you can contribute. View the opportu nities and find the contact information for each one at City of Arvada website. The City of Arvada’s 700+ volunteers Hundreds of volunteers working thousands of combined hours across the many miles of our city make Arvada a special place to work, live and play. These volunteers include: • Adopt-a-Street - 102 routes - Help keep roadways in your neighborhood clean. • Adopt-a-Trail - 59 routes - Help keep trails clean and maintained throughout the city. • Arvada Police Department - 5 volunteers - Assist with administrative functions and other day-to-day opera tions to better utilize police personnel. • Boards & Commissions - 170 volunteers - Study in formation and make recommendations to City Council and staff in specialized areas, such as festivals, sustain ability, parks, liquor licensing and others. • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) - 54 volunteers - Be prepared to help your neighbors respond and recover from emergencies and disasters. • Majestic View Nature Center- 30 volunteers - Teach science-based programs, maintain garden areas, moni tor wildlife and support staff with special projects. • Neighborhood Leader Network - 75 volunteers - Rep resent your neighborhood and collaborate with other neighborhoods through this Network of dedicated leaders. • Ralston House - 22 volunteers - Serve as an advocate supporting children and guardians in crisis and help with special events. • Reservoir Rangers - 50 volunteers - Assist anglers and reservoir visitors, while enjoying the tranquility of the Arvada-Blunn Reservoir. • Snow Buddies - 102 volunteers - Shovel snow for neighbors who are physically unable to do so, cannot afford to pay for services and do not have family or friends nearby to assist. Reservoir Rangers Community Emergency Response Team Arvada Festivals Commission ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 5 I April - May 2024 Neighbor Conflict Resolution training From relationshipes to jobs to neighborhoods, we all experience conflicts. Our neighborhoods are better places to live when we work through disagreements and gain stronger understandings of our neighbors. In February, Arvada’s Neighborhood Engagement Coordinator, Brady Porterfield-Finn (pictured top right), hosted a Neighbor Conflict Resolution training at the Standley Lake Library for the City’s Neighborhood Leader Network. The Network is made up of neighbors who volunteer to represent their neighborhood. They meet quarterly to trade ideas about how to increase connectivity in their neighborhoods. The conflict resolution training included guest speakers from the Arvada Police and Human Resources departments. The goal of the training was to empower Neighborhood Leaders to take resources back to their neighborhoods and work together to build bridges and resolve conflicts productively. About 50 neighbors, some new and some long standing, gathered to discuss scenarios of common sources of conflict between neighbors in Arvada. Neighborhood Leaders considered the dynamics and nuances of their neighborhoods and strengthened their capacity to resolve conflicts together. Want to learn more about conflict resolution, or are you interested in becoming a Neighborhood Leader? Visit the City of Arvada website to view our Neighborhood Leader Directory and learn how to register your neighbor hood in the Neighbors Connected program. You will also find our new Neighbor Conflict Resolution webpage with resources for all community members. Enroll in the Neighbors Connected Program! Be eligible to apply for Neighborhood Grants beginning April 8 and to reserve the Block Party Trailer/Outdoor Movie Equipment on May 25. Visit the City of Arvada website. ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 6 I April - May 2024 Save the date: 2024 Bulky Item Drop-Off events Did you know? Mattresses are the most commonly discarded item brought to the bulky item drop-off events. This service helps suitably dispose of yard waste, mattresses, furniture, home appliances and other bulky items to get them out of your way, off of our streets and properly recycled or disposed of. Saturday, June 8, 2024 Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. North Area Athletic Complex (NAAC) 19500 W. 64th Pkwy. Please bring proof of residency, plan to unload items yourself and expect wait times. These events are included in the minimum services of the City’s Waste Hauling Program. All Arvada residents are invited to participate. Visit the City of Arvada website for more information and a complete list of acceptable items. Meyers Pool Replacement Project update In 2023, the City of Arvada, along with partners Jeffco Public Schools and Apex Park and Recreation District, broke ground on a new aquatics facility. While the project is being referred to as the Meyers Pool replacement, this will in fact be a new facility. The new pool facility brings about the opportunity for a new facility name. Together, our partner organizations with the help of various pool user groups came up with a list of possible names. In February, the community shared feedback on preferred names. In March, City Council was presented with these options alongside the community feedback and selected a new name. At the time this publication went to print, the name had not yet been selected. Visit the City of Arvada website for the selected name and more information about the project. ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 7 I April - May 2024 2024 proposed Pavement Program work areas Each year, the City of Arvada designates a variety of roads citywide for both preventative care and repair work of aging roads. Proposed areas are dependent on available resources and weather impacts. This map highlights some examples of work proposed for 2024. For the complete map and more information about the program, visit the City of Arvada website. Connecting Arvada: Transportation System Plan updates In April 2023, hundreds of residents provided over 1,000 comments on Arvada’s transportation network. This information is being used alongside a variety of technical data to develop the City’s first Transportation System Plan. This plan will develop recommendations for the next 20 years of transportation planning citywide. Community feedback and data collection covered transportation topics including signal timing, congestion, speeding, safety, walkability, bikeability, and access to public transit. Recommendations for the plan are being developed. Once these recommendations are drafted, the public will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the priorities identified in the plan. Stay tuned and visit the City of Arvada website for more information. ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 8 I April - May 2024 City of Arvada celebrates Building Safety Month This May, the City of Arvada will once again celebrate Building Safety Month to raise awareness of the im portance of building safety and to commend the City’s Building Division for all they do to keep our residents safe. Building Safety Month, an international campaign celebrated each May, was developed more than 40 years ago by the International Code Council (ICC), the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions that include product evaluation, accredita tion, technology, training and certification. “Each year we celebrate Building Safety Month to draw attention to our primary goal of keeping Arvadans safe where they live, work and play,” said Justin Clark, Arvada’s Chief Building Official. “With each inspection that we conduct and our strict adherence to ICC codes, we can assure our residents that we are doing all that we can to keep people safe,” he con tinued. If you haven’t yet interfaced with the Building Division, you will come into contact with them if you add a deck to your residence or pursue a building expansion, etc. These are just two examples of when the team comes out to ensure project safety. In addition to their strong focus on safety, the Building Division also prides itself on solid customer interactions. In 2023, the team averaged an 83% survey rating of “good or excellent” in customer service. The City plans to celebrate Building Safety Month by issuing a proclamation during an upcoming City Council meeting in April and disseminating the International Code Council’s promotional materials around the 2024 celebration theme of “Mission Possible.” Be on the lookout for this content on the City of Arvada’s social media channels. For further information about Building Safety Month, visit the International Code Council website. 2023 Building Safety Awareness Month Ceremony. From left: Kyley former Councilmember David Jones and Justin Clark Arvada Chamber celebrates businesses, organizations and community leaders The Arvada Chamber of Commerce celebrated businesses, organizations and community leaders at the 99th Annual Dinner at Social Capitol in February. The 2023 Business of the Year was awarded to Echter’s Nursery and Garden Center. Founded in 1959, Echter’s is one of the largest retail plant nursery and garden centers in Colorado. The center offers over 2500 varieties of flowers each year in its 70,000 square foot display area and hosts many events each year to benefit local non-profits. The 2023 Entrepreneurs of the Year were awarded to Nick and Amie Costanzo, owners of Freedom Street Social. The 2023 Non-Profit of the Year went to both Foothills Regional Housing and CASA of Jefferson/Gilpin Counties for their innovative partnership in the opening of AVi Olde Town. Watch video profiles on all the award winners at the Arvada Chamber website. From left: Steve Echter, Dave Echter, Anne Echter, Julie Echter, and prior winners Rita and Ben Lawrence and Chair of Chamber Board, Vanessa Kendrick. ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 9 I April - May 2024 AEDA hosts Arvada CEO Forum Earlier this year, the Arvada Economic Development Association (AEDA) hosted a forum with Arvada business leaders, Mayor Lauren Simpson, City Councilmembers, and the City of Arvada Leadership team to discuss issues and concerns that business owners are facing as well as to celebrate business successes. The primary goal of the event was to generate pertinent feedback from the business community to help inform economic development-related decision making at the City level. Additionally, AEDA is most concerned with helping Arvada businesses succeed and grow, so gathering this feedback from business leaders is invaluable to implementing this work. This annual event, formerly called the Business Breakfast Roundtable (now CEO Forum), took place at Apex Field House and garnered more than 30 attendees. Issues related to transit and traffic, workforce and affordable housing, homelessness, and general economic development concerns were discussed. Understanding that the business community is now facing a variety of new chal lenges in this post pandemic landscape, Arvada City Man ager, Lorie Gillis, addressed the group highlighting that the City of Arvada and AEDA are here to support businesses and are going through this era of change with them. Mayor Lauren Simpson “You’re going through change management and we’re going through it with you and we support you,” Gillis said. “We have an internal team at the City that meets to discuss these challenges, so please loop us in on what you’re experiencing. We are here for you.” In addition to discussing issues that local businesses are facing in the post pandemic era, each business owner shared what they enjoy most about operating their business in Arvada and being a member of the Arvada business community. “It was really special hearing directly from our business owners why they love doing business in Arvada,” said Iza Petrykowska, Executive Director of AEDA. “Some businesses have been operating in our community for generations, and ultimately, our goal is to help businesses thrive so that people want to continue to live, work and play in this special community.” If you have questions about the event or are a local business and would like to get connected, please email [EMAIL REDACTED] and a member of the AEDA team will be in touch with you soon. For further information about AEDA, visit the AEDA website. The Arvada Economic Development Association (AEDA) is the Arvada community’s business-to-government contact. If your Arvada business has a question or needs support, AEDA staff is here to assist at [PHONE REDACTED] or [EMAIL REDACTED]. ---PAGE BREAK--- RESPECT, DEDICATION, RESPONSIBILITY. WE WILL ALWAYS STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE The Arvada Report I 10 I April - May 2024 Arvada Police Department Weekly Activity Report Launched in January 2024, Arvada PD’s Weekly Activity Report provides City residents with police information and data from the previous week. The report contains details about specific incidents, updates on significant cases, statistical data about crime types and calls for service, and more! Look for the weekly data snapshot to be posted on social media with a link to the full report on the PD website. Follow the Arvada Police Department on all social media platforms and never miss a thing! X @arvadapolice Facebook @arvadapolice Nextdoor Arvada Police Department Ring Arvada Police Department 2023 Arvada Crime Statistics The table below shows crime trends for 2023 as compared to the three previous years and the previous three-year average. Person crimes include assault, homicide, kidnapping, human trafficking and sex offenses. In 2023, person crimes were 8.9% lower than in 2022 and 10.2% lower than the prior three-year average. Society crimes include animal cruelty, drug offenses, por nography, prostitution and weapons violations. In 2023, society crimes were 10.9% higher than in 2022 and 21.5% higher than the prior three-year average. Property crimes include arson, bribery, burglary, counterfeiting/forgery, destruction of property, embezzlement, extortion, fraud, motor vehicle theft, robbery, stolen property, and theft. In 2023, property crimes were 10.2% lower than in 2022 and 11.4% lower than the prior three-year average. Total crime in 2023 was 8.3% lower than in 2022 and 5.4% lower than the prior three-year average. Further detailed information by crime type is available at the Arvada Police website. Crime Types 2020 2021 2022 Three Year Average 2023 Person Crime 663 708 672 681 615 Society Crime 392 549 555 498.7 619 Property Crime 6,045 6,342 6,078 6,155 5,489 Total Crime 7,100 7,599 7,305 7,093 6,723 ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 11 I April - May 2024 Start a Community Pinwheel Garden Child Abuse Prevention Month, observed annually in April, serves as a crucial reminder of the collective responsibility we share in safeguarding the well-being of our children. This dedicated month seeks to raise awareness about child abuse, promote prevention strategies and encourage community involvement in creating a safer environment for children to thrive. By addressing this sensitive issue head-on, we can work together to break the cycle of abuse and ensure a brighter future for the next generation. In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Ralston House plants pinwheel gardens throughout our communi ties to show child victims and their families that they are not alone, and that their community supports them, and stands with them against child abuse. Communities play a pivotal role in preventing child abuse. Collective efforts, such as neighborhood watch programs and community events create a safety net for children. The community of Leyden Rock displayed a pinwheel garden of over 1,200 pinwheels with donations of $5 or more from their community members. Ralston House invites you to organize within your community to display a community garden on your block, your community entrance, or any location around your neighborhood. Each pinwheel planted helps a child victim. Pinwheel Gardens can be delivered to you or picked up at Ralston House for a donation of $250. Pinwheel Gardens include 50 blue pinwheels and a yard sign to display. Contact Jennifer at [EMAIL REDACTED] or learn more at the YOU can make a difference by displaying a pinwheel garden. If you suspect child abuse, please call 1-844-CO-4-KIDS or call 911. Ralston House website. Stamp Out Hunger On Saturday, May 11, the National Association of Letter Carriers is conducting the 32nd Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. This vital food drive helps us stock our warehouse for the busy summer months when food donations are traditionally scarce, and struggling families need more food to feed children who are not receiving meals at school over summer break. Donating is easy! Pick up extra nonperishable groceries and personal care products such as peanut butter, tuna, canned fruit and beans, shampoo, bar soap and diapers. Your postal carrier will leave a blue plastic bag with your mail. Fill the bag with your donations and place it by your mailbox no later than 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, for collection by your postal carrier or a volunteer. Please help us reach our goal of 75,000 pounds of donated food in a single day! Thank you for thinking of your neighbors in need. ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 12 I April - May 2024 Celebrate Earth Day Every Day Monday, April 22 will mark 55 years of Earth Day celebrations around the world, dating back to the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. However, you don’t have to wait for a specific day to show your appreciation for our planet. In fact, there are many simple, cost-free ways members of our community can celebrate Earth Day Every Day. Explore Energy Efficiency • Begin your energy efficiency journey with a home energy audit or business energy assessment. Visit the City of Arvada website to learn more. • Make energy efficiency upgrades such as switching to electric appliances, swapping in LED light bulbs, attic insulation and air sealing, and weather stripping doors. • Take advantage of energy-efficiency rebates available through Xcel Energy at the Xcel Energy website and federal tax credits at the Federal Energy website. Simple Lifestyle Choices • Try buying used to reduce fast fashion (clothes that mimic the latest trends but aren’t designed to last). • Invest in reusable items like water bottles and glass food containers that reduce waste and save money in the long term. • Remember to bring your reusable bags with you when you shop. Support Backyard Wildlife • Consider xeriscaping your yard with native plants or certifying your garden as a wildlife habitat. • Support pollinators by cutting out the use of pesticides. • Join the pollinator garden tour at the Majestic View Nature Center on Aug. 3. Be Water Wise • Pick up pet waste to prevent it from polluting our waterways. • Visit the City of Arvada website for ways to reduce water use and for resources on low-water landscaping. • Use a rain barrel to collect water runoff from your roof. It’s a great way to get free water to use in your landscape. Bonus tip: Attend the Nature Center’s Earth Day celebration for a chance to win a free rain barrel! Divert Your Waste • Help increase Arvada’s diversion rate of 16%, which is well below the national average of 32%, by knowing which items you can recycle and how at the City of Arvada website. Check with your waste hauling provider if you do not participate in the City’s curbside waste and recycling program. • Find out dates for bulky and seasonal drop-off events at the City of Arvada website. • Recycle odd items, such as leftover paint and electronics, at recycling centers. For more information visit the Sustainability website and rooney road recycling website. ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 13 I April - May 2024 Care About Air • Carpool, bike or consolidate errands to reduce car trips. • Avoid idling your car (even in the winter). • Sign up for local ozone alerts by texting “BetterAirCO” to 21000. • Switch to electric lawn equipment. Visit the Mow Down Pollution website for incentives to recycle gas-powered lawn equipment and replace them with electric alternatives. Support Arvada’s Urban Forest • Planting and protecting trees is a great way to support Arvada’s urban forest. Visit the Arbor Day website to learn more about the many benefits provided by trees. • Visit the City of Arvada website to learn more about the City’s commitment to urban forestry, including our Plant-a-Tree program, Trees Across Arvada and more! • Help fight the spread of emerald ash borer by 1. Determining if you have ash trees on your property, and 2. Hiring a tree professional to determine the best course of action if you do. Visit the City of Arvada website to learn more. The Majestic View Nature Center is hosting its annual Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 20. Turn the page for details about this year’s event and theme, “Planet vs. Plastics.” ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 14 I April - May 2024 Did you know about the City’s Short Story Dispenser? Perhaps you’ve seen it around town – at a coffee shop, brewery, or most recently, the Municipal Courts Lobby at City Hall – but you weren’t quite sure what exactly it was. Owned and maintained by the City’s Arts and Culture Commission, Arvada’s Short Story Dispenser is a free-standing kiosk that publishes and prints contemporary short stories, free of charge, at the push of a button. The dispenser is completely free and requires no login or account to use. Simply walk up and select your preferred length of story – either 1, 3 or 5 minutes. Arvada’s Short Story Dispenser will be at SomePlace Else Brewery (6425 W. 52nd.) through May. After that, the Dispenser needs a new home! So if you’re an Arvada business that is interested in hosting it – completely cost free – reach out to the Arvada Arts and Culture Commission by emailing Layla Diaz at [EMAIL REDACTED]. ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 15 I April - May 2024 Online pre-registration required for all classes. More programs available online! Kids Classes Let’s Go Fly! Make-A-Kite Classes Friday, April 12, from 5 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 13, from 3 to 4 p.m. Ages 6 and up, Assemble, decorate, and take home your own sled kite that you can take to the Kite Festival! Earth Day Poster Workshop Thursday, April 18, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Ages 6 and up, free. Learn about this year’s theme and spend the evening creating a poster to submit to the Earth Day Poster Contest. Winners will be announced at the Earth Day event and win a tree planting at the Arvada school or park of their choice. Nature Playdate Friday, April 12, and Thursday, May 9, from 10 to 11 a.m. Geared toward ages 2-12 years, free. Nature Storytime Wednesdays, April 17 and May 15, from 10 to 10:30 a.m. All ages, free. Family Classes Birding for Everyone Fridays, April 5 and May 3, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Adults, Locations will vary, register in advance to receive location. Meditation and Mindfulness in Nature First Sunday of the month from 1 to 2 p.m. Adults, $10. Join us to practice mindfulness and connection with nature. Beginners’ minds welcome! Garden Workshop Saturday, April 13, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.: Landscaping for the Future of the Front Range. Saturday, May 4, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.: Small Space Gardening. Saturday, May 18, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.: Gardening for the Birds and Bees. Adults, Nature Lovers Book Group Wednesdays, April 24 and May 29, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Ages 10+, free. Adult Classes Nature Skills for Families with Hutch Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Tracking Skills. Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Navigation Skills. Ages $20 includes all supplies. Join Colorado Survival Instructor "Hutch" Hutchings as he guides your family through learning nature skills. Star Walk Saturday, April 13, from 8 to 9 p.m. All ages, free. Join us to learn about the spring constellations on a night time stroll through Majestic View Park. Astronomy Night: Crescents and Clusters Saturday, May 11, from 8 to 9:30 p.m. All ages, free. Watershed Cleanup Thursday, May 16, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Ages free. Join us for an afternoon of keeping our watershed clean by picking up trash along Ralston Creek. Registration required. All supplies provided. Citizen Science Training: Become a Monarch Monitor Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ages 12 to adult, free. Optional monitoring items available at cost. Join the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project or visit the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project website to learn about monarchs and get training on how to monitor milkweed for caterpillars. ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 16 I April - May 2024 Final plans revealed for Gold Strike Park Over the past two years, the City has been working with Wenk Associates to complete a schematic design for Gold Strike Park, the 7.6-acre park located in southeast Arvada just off Ralston Road and Sheridan Boulevard. The site design project included a robust public engagement process throughout 2023 that collected and incorporated feedback that directly informed the final design plans. Some of the desired and incorporated features that are part of the final design plans include a natural splash pad, nature play, formal event lawn, as well as a paved parking lot with bus drop-off and plumbed restrooms. In addition to providing a regional nature playground and community space, the design of this park will provide flood mitigation through widening of the Ralston Creek channel and extensive habitat restoration. The next step in the project is for the City to hire a consultant to take the schematic site design and create construction documents for Phase 1 of the project. This phase includes the 3.4-acre eastern portion of the park and is anticipated to start construction in 2025. The full Schematic Design Report is available online on the project webpage at the City of Arvada website. The report outlines a phased approach the City will use to construct the park along with an overview of how community engagement shaped the final site plans. The City is currently applying for multiple grants to help support the construction of this emblematic park. We look forward to building what has been a long-awaited dream for many Arvadans, and to creating an historic park for our community and the region. Sunday, April 14 Stenger Sports Complex 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Arvada Festivals website Be part of one of Arvada’s best annual traditions! Suitable for all ages and kite-flying abilities, the Arvada Kite Festival is the perfect way to welcome spring. Bring your own kite or buy one at the festival. Activities: • Kite Demos by Rocky Mountain Kite Association • Over 70 Vendors • Food Trucks • Face Painting • Inflatables • Kite Flying All Day! Parking gates will open at 9:45 a.m. Parking is first come, first served. Bar and Grill Open to the Public Southwest Favorites Happy Hour Weekly Specials Private Events West Woods Golf website [PHONE REDACTED] 6655 Quaker St. ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 17 I April - May 2024 AURA tackles environmental blight Redeveloping a site that contains environmental contamination is difficult. The costs and risks associated with cleanup can make even a prime real estate location unattractive to developers. Environmental regulations were less comprehensive in the past. Older developments can create environmental challenges when it is time to breathe new life into the site. Arvada Urban Renewal Authority (AURA) often takes on difficult environmental challenges to deliver first-rate projects for Arvada. Petroleum, dry-cleaning chemicals and other contaminants can remain long after a business has closed. Many older buildings also contain asbestos that must be removed before demolition can begin. Older sites may contain more unique environmental concerns as well. For more information, visit the Arvada Urban Renewal website. Arvada Ridge AURA has a long track record of cleaning up environmental blight. One of AURA’s greatest accomplishments was redeveloping the abandoned Ridge Home campus. The State founded Ridge Home in 1909, and the campus grew to more than 50 buildings on 68 acres on Kipling Pkwy. Ridge Home closed abruptly in 1992 due to budgetary and safety issues. The facility closed so quickly that beds, medical equipment, toys and classroom materials remained. The vacant buildings posed many difficulties to redevelopment because of environmental issues. In 2006, AURA stepped in to help create and fund a path forward. This included removing the unsafe, crumbling buildings that were a magnet for crime. Today the Arvada Ridge G Line Station, SuperTarget Shopping Center and 680 new apartments occupy the once-blighted site. Ralston Creek More recently, AURA cleaned environmental contamination from 70 acres of land in Ralston Creek near Kipling and 58th Avenue. The cleanup prepared the sites for mixed-use developments, four new parks, affordable housing, for-sale townhomes and a future beer garden. Investing in redeveloping contaminated sites has environmental benefits beyond the immediate project. Infill redevelopment can prevent the need to develop raw land located further from services, preventing urban sprawl and shortening commutes. AURA is helping to create a more sustainable Arvada. Arvada Ridge before Arvada Ridge after - AURA environmental cleanup areas ---PAGE BREAK--- Board of Directors Jim Whitfield Leah Martin Ted Terranova Joel Kingham Bob Loveridge President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Director At Large 7903 Allison Way - Arvada, CO 80005 I [PHONE REDACTED] I www.arvadafireco.gov Content provided by the Arvada Fire Protection District, an entity separate from the City of Arvada. The Arvada Report I 18 I April - May 2024 Lock sworn in as new Fire Chief of Arvada Fire Arvada Fire is pleased to announce that Kirk Lock has been promoted and sworn in as the district’s newest Fire Chief. A highly regarded leader in the fire service, Lock joined Arvada Fire in May of 2020 and has previously served as Deputy Chief and Interim Fire Chief. As Fire Chief, Lock is tasked with implementing the strategic vision of the district while overseeing all aspects of its administration, operation and finances. Arvada Fire is an accredited, ISO Class 1 fire district with nine stations that proudly serves more than 133,000 citizens. “Chief Lock is not only highly respected for his leadership, knowledge and experience here in Arvada, but throughout the entire country,” said Jim Whitfield, president of the Arvada Fire Board of Directors. “We are confident that under Chief Lock’s leadership, Arvada Fire will continue to deliver EMS and fire protection services to the community with the highest level of professionalism and efficiency.” Chief Lock joined Arvada Fire after 30 years with the Memphis Fire Department, where he held the ranks of Engineer, Lieutenant, Battalion Chief, Division Chief and Deputy Chief. Lock has eight years of experience serving as Deputy Chief, including five with Memphis and three with Arvada Fire. Chief Lock has three years of experience as a division group supervisor with Colorado Task Force 1, a FEMA urban search and rescue task force. He previously served as a task force leader and had 13 years of service with Tennessee Task Force 1. “It’s an honor to be the next fire chief of Arvada Fire and con tinue serving our citizens,” said Chief Lock. “I’m looking forward to building upon the history and high standards of the department while ensuring the safety of our residents and our firefighters.” Chief Lock holds the designation of Chief Fire Officer from the Center for Public Safety Excellence and is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in fire science from the University of Memphis and a master’s degree in executive business from Bethel University. Chief Lock replaces Mike Piper, who retired as fire chief in January after more than 30 years of service in the fire service. ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 19 I April - May 2024 What you should know about home fire sprinkler systems Home Fire Sprinkler Week is May 12-18, uniting fire services like Arvada Fire and safety advocates throughout the nation around the extreme risks of home fires and the need for home fire sprinkler protection. Today’s homes are more dangerous for residents and first responders, burning faster and failing quicker. A home fire can become deadly in as little as two minutes. Homes burn faster due to modern home furnishings, more open spaces, and unprotected lightweight wood construction. When fire sprinklers are installed, the threat is automatically diminished, preventing injuries, saving lives, and preserving property. By activating quickly upon heat detection, sprinklers provide much-needed time to evacuate and contain the fire, if not completely extinguishing it. Home fire sprinklers reduce fire damage by 97%. Most importantly, according to the NFPA, the civilian fire death rate was nearly 90% lower and the firefighter injury rate was 60% lower in fires with sprinklers than in fires without sprinklers. How do they work? If a fire occurs, the sprinkler closest to it activates automatically in response to the high heat from a fire. That controls and often extinguishes the flames, reduces the spread of toxic and damaging smoke, and provides time for occupants to escape. Even though our firefighters are fast, sprinklers will always be faster. By activating automatically, they can control or extinguish a blaze before it turns into a larger uncontrolled fire. Despite the benefits of sprinklers, many homeowners are hesitant to retrofit their homes with them or incorporate them when their next home is being built. Here are a few that may be preventing you from seriously considering sprinklers. Myth: Fire sprinklers can easily be activated acciden tally: Home fire sprinklers don't activate due to smoke, meaning that burnt food or steam from a shower will not activate the system. Instead, sprinklers activate upon heat detection of at least 150 degrees. Myth: If one goes off, they all go off. One activated sprinkler will not activate the entire sprinkler system. They are activated independently and only the sprinkler nearest the fire with the heat detection will activate. Most fires are typically contained by just one sprinkler. Myth: Home fire sprinklers will leak and be difficult to maintain. Sprinkler systems are very reliable and are not any more susceptible to breaks than any domestic plumbing. They also require very little maintenance — you just need to ensure they aren't obstructed or painted. Myth: The damage from home fire sprinklers is worse than fires. By catching the fire early, sprinklers use a lot less water to control a fire and lessen water damage. They also extinguish the fire earlier and reduce smoke damage. In our service area, the average financial loss to a home due to a fire is around $60,000. In homes with a sprinkler system, it’s just over $2,000. Myth: Residential fire sprinklers don't make sense fiscally for most homeowners. Adding a residential fire sprinkler system to a house isn’t prohibitively expensive, either. The average expense to install sprinkler systems in new homes is about $1.35 per square foot. Multiple financial incentives may also be available to you and most insurance companies reward customers who protect their home with fire sprinklers. Learn more at the Home Fire Sprinkler website. ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 20 I April - May 2024 “What is a Type 3 fire engine and what does the type classification mean?” Earlier this year, Arvada Fire placed its newest apparatus into service — Brush 59, a Type 3 fire engine. Brush 59 will be housed out of Station 9 and will protect homes in our Wildland Urban Interface from threats posed by wildfire. Engines are classified into their type based primarily on their size, type and function. When you imagine a standard fire engine, you are probably picturing a Type 1 fire truck. It’s the most common type of fire engine in use throughout the country. Commonly referred to as wildland fire trucks or brush trucks, Type 3 engines are smaller than Type 1 engines. With four-wheel drive and rugged suspension, the Type 3 can fight fires in areas unreachable with a common Type 1 engine. The Type 3 has a few requirements to meet its classification, including the ability to carry at least 500 gallons of water and transport at least three crew members. Our Type 3 engine can not only protect lives and property in Arvada, but it will also be available to be deployed throughout the region and country through a wildfire resource ordering system. Have a question for Arvada Fire? Whether you want to ask a firefighter, paramedic, chief or fire marshal, email us at [EMAIL REDACTED] with the subject line “Ask Arvada Fire” and we will answer in the next edition of the Arvada Report! The unseen fire hazard in our homes If you look around the room you’re currently in, chances are you will find one or more devices that use lithium-ion batteries; from the cell phone in your pocket or the tablet on your table, or even a power tool or eBike in your garage. Lithium batteries store a large amount of energy in a small space, making them effective sources of power. As the use of these items has increased in recent years, so has the number of fires associated with them. When these devices are damaged or improperly used, they can overheat, catch on fire, and even explode. Fire departments like Arvada Fire are raising awareness about these risks due to the unique characteristics of lithium-ion battery fires. They burn hotter and longer than other types of fires, posing significant challenges for firefighting efforts. When thermal runaway occurs, a battery will burn until all its stored energy is released. Normal fire extinguishers won’t work on these fires. Even when firefighters arrive with a hose and water supply, it’s still a challenging fire to extinguish. These fires also quickly expel a large amount of toxic smoke, making evacuation difficult. Given the serious dangers posed by these fires, we want to equip the public with knowledge of how to properly use and charge these batteries to avoid a fire in the first place. • Only purchase and use devices, batteries and charging equipment that are listed by a nationally recognized testing lab and labeled accordingly. • Use charging equipment that is only compatible with your device. To be safe, use only the charging equipment that is supplied with your device and store it at room temperature. Chargers available online or at gas stations may be cheaper, but they might not be compatible with your device. • Do not keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged. • Stop using your device if the battery shows signs of damage, such as an unusual odor, excessive heat, popping sounds, swelling or change in color. • Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed or on a couch, and don’t leave large batteries charging unattended or overnight. Just like you would for any other fire, if a battery catches fire in your home, immediately evacuate to a safe outdoor location and call 911. ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 21 I April - May 2024 Firefighter of the Year Congratulations to Lt. Dave Thomas on being named 2023 Firefighter of the Year. Thomas serves as the officer on Station 1 C Shift. He joined Arvada Fire in 2012 and has provided 12 years of stellar service to our community. Lt. Thomas graduated from paramedic school in 2016 and won the classes’ Laura Michelle Thornton Paramedic Spirit Award. Later, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2021. Throughout his career, Lt. Thomas has always performed at the highest level. He’s passionate about the training and success of his crew and others throughout the department. He served as an instructor for a joint recruit academy in the spring of 2022 and 2024. Above all else, he carries out his duties with a positive attitude and true commitment to those around him and the community. Employee of the Year Congratulations to Brady Johnson on being named our 2023 Employee of the Year. He joined Arvada Fire in the spring of 2021 and serves as a communications specialist, which also includes the duties of public information officer. Brady contributes to our mission by sharing fire and life safety information with the public, aiming to reduce risks and make the community safer. He has contributed to the growth of our social media channels and the development of our new website at the Arvada Fire website. Originally from Iowa, Brady enjoys sharing the stories and impact of our department and firefighters. He ensures the community remains informed about the multitude of services and programs offered by Arvada Fire. ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 22 I April - May 2024 APRIL 1 Arvada Reservoir opens Visit the City of Arvada website for more information 14 Arvada Kite Festival (see page 16) 14 Spring Fling Prairie Dog races Visit the Prairie Dog Half website for more information 19 State of the City Visit the Arvada Chamber for more information 20 Earth Day Celebration (see page 14) Arvada Community Gardens free garden classes throughout summer by visiting the meetup website Bike Friendly Arvada group rides May - November Visit the meetup website to sign up MAY 4 High Tea for Seniors Visit the Arvada Festivals for more information 11 Stamp Out Hunger (see page 11) 11 Second Saturdays Visit the Olde Town Arvada website for more information 25 Splash Pad opens Visit the City of Arvada website for more information 25 Olde Town Fountain opens Visit the City of Arvada website for more information 25 Apex Pools open (Apex, Fitzmorris, Secrest, Lake Arbor) Visit the Apex website for more information CONGRATS TO ARVADA’S 2024 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES! COMMUNITYCALENDAR ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Report I 23 I April - May 2024 Hospitality Heroes of Arvada Brought to you by the Arvada Visitors Center Lee Kauffman Head Golf Pro, Lake Arbor Golf Course We are proud to feature Lee Kauffman as our April/May Hospitality Hero. Lee is a special individual who effortlessly makes it a priority to welcome, assist and engage with guests at Lake Arbor. It is part of who he is and a big reason why he is being recognized in this way. Nominated by Arvada resident, Mary Kvamme, she said “Lee is ALWAYS friendly and pleasant, with a smile on his face – very hospitable and eager to help in any way he can . . . wherever he can.” Congratulations, Lee, and thank you for making the Lake Arbor Golf Course such a special place in our community just by being you! How long have you been with Lake Arbor? 30 years What is the favorite part of your job? As a Golf Professional, I get to do lots of different tasks. I could be teaching golf, meeting with the Men’s and Women’s clubs, training or helping staff, and greeting guests, all in one day. Every day seems to be different – which I love! What type of culture do you try to instill at Lake Arbor? Our culture is warm and welcoming. Lake Arbor is the kind of place where our team greets guests when they come in the door, not ignore them. We want each person who visits us to know we are excited to see them. We do our best to treat everyone with respect and care. What is your favorite way to connect with guests? I have an open-door policy in my office. Guests and employees are always welcome to come in and talk with me. I treat our guests as my friends and I wouldn’t have it any other way. What is one thing you wish more people knew about your role as a front-line/guest-facing HERO in Arvada? I do my best every day to help guests have a great experience at Lake Arbor. That is important to me. Also, I could not do what I do without my amazing staff. Hospitality is defined as “the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.” In this section, the Arvada Visitors Center and the City of Arvada are recognizing a few of the amazing hospitality ambassadors in our community and thanking them for making our city a place that has a reputation for amazing hospitality for residents and tourists alike. Do you know of a Hospitality Hero in Arvada that deserves some special recognition? Please email [EMAIL REDACTED] to nominate them. Each Hero that is recognized will be featured in an upcoming issue of the Arvada Report and receive a $250 gift card to an Arvada restaurant or retailer. The Arvada Visitors Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that works to inspire travel to our community and provides key information to people considering a visit or relocation to Arvada. They have proudly welcomed thousands of guests from around the world since their doors opened on 7305 Grandview Ave. in November 2012. ---PAGE BREAK---