2016
february/march
News and information
Three Stations Getting
Ready for the Gold Line
hile much of the focus
of the coming Gold
Line commuter rail has
been on the Olde Town Station
and Transit Hub, work is also
underway on the Arvada Ridge
and Sheridan Stations. Each of
Arvada’s three Gold Line transit
stops have a unique story all their
own. See pages 4 and 5 for the
details!
W
Watch a time-lapse video
of the construction of the
Olde Town Transit Hub.
www.arvada.org
Have You Signed Up for
Arvada’s Electronic Newsletter?
Are you interested in getting timely news and information about your community? Subscribe to
ARVADANEWS, an electronic newsletter which is
emailed directly to you and contains timely news items
of interest, links to the latest video productions,
upcoming events, and more.
Subscribing is easy! Simply visit the City’s website at
www.arvada.org and search for “electronic newsletter”
on the home page. You will only be asked for your email
address and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Steady progress on the Olde Town Transit Hub: Above, in spring of 2015, and below, in December of 2015.
The Gold Line--and the Transit Hub--will open in late 2016.
The Arvada Report
February/March 2016
Get Connected with Arvada
City of Arvada – City Hall, 8101 Ralston Road, Arvada, CO, 80001-8101
720-898-7000 • www.arvada.org
KATV
Channel 8
24/7 Inquiries - ASK ARVADA at www.arvada.org. To sign up for alerts about City Council Meetings or Community Events,
register for
. Go to www.arvadanews.org
For more information, please contact Cindy Javelet, Communications Coordinator, at 720-898-7834 or [email protected].
City Government Phone Numbers
Emergency
9-1-1
Non-Emergency Dispatch 720-898-6900
City Hall Main Line
720-898-7000
Accounts Payable
720-898-7130
Accounts Receivable
720-898-7128
Animal Control
720-898-6850
Arvada Center Box Office
720-898-7200
Arvada Economic Development 720-898-7010
Arvada Urban Renewal
720-898-7060
Building Inspections
720-898-7630
Building Permits
720-898-7620
Mayor
Marc Williams
303-940-7593(h)
303-424-4486(w)
MWilliams@
arvada.org
Mayor Pro Tem
Councilmember
At-Large
Bob Fifer
303-929-4278
BFifer@
arvada.org
City Manager’s Office
Code Enforcement
Communications Manager
Fingerprinting Services
Housing
Lake Arbor Golf Club
Liquor Licenses
Majestic View Nature Center
Municipal Court
Park Pavilion Reservations
Passports
Planning and Zoning
Councilmember
At-Large
Don Allard
303-420-6559(h)
DAllard@
arvada.org
720-898-7500
720-898-7465
720-898-7507
720-898-6808
720-898-7494
720-898-7360
720-898-7550
720-898-7405
720-898-7150
720-898-7410
720-898-7550
720-898-7435
Councilmember
District One
Nancy Ford
303-325-3153
NFord@
arvada.org
Councilmember
District Four
David Jones
720-889-8860
DJones@
arvada.org
Police Records
720-898-6920
Sales Tax
720-898-7100
School Resource Officers - Contact Individual Schools
Special Event Permits
720-898-7435
Streets
720-898-7720
Traffic Signals and Signs
720-898-7740
Victim Outreach Line
720-898-6770
Voter Registration
720-898-7550
Water Bills
720-898-7070
Water Quality
720-898-7800
(after hours) 720-898-7820
West Woods Golf Club
720-898-7370
Councilmember
District Three
John Marriott
720-273-3912 (c)
JMarriott@
arvada.org
Councilmember
District Two
Mark McGoff
303-423-5258 (h)
MMcGoff@
arvada.org
City Council Meetings/Workshops - Arvada City Hall, Council Chambers - Mondays, 6 p.m.
February
1
8
15
22
March
7
14
21
28
2016
Business Mtg.
Workshop
No Meeting
No Meeting
2016
No Meeting
Workshop
Business Mtg.
Workshop
Televised
Televised
Televised
Televised
Televised
(Note: Times and dates subject to change. To confirm meetings go to arvada.org or call 720-898-7550.)
The Arvada Report is a newsletter published by the Arvada City Manager’s Office, 720-898-7500, 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.
Editor: Maria VanderKolk. Graphic Design: Steve Milke. Photography: Arvada Media Services.
2
The Arvada Report
February/March 2016
Arvada Section of
Rocky Mountain
Greenway Trail
Underway
he Rocky Mountain
Greenway Trail vision is a
system of uninterrupted trails
linking the three Metro-area National
Wildlife Refuges (NWR): Rocky
Mountain Arsenal NWR, Two
Ponds NWR, and Rocky
Flats NWR. The broader
vision is to extend this
Greenway Trail to Rocky
Mountain National Park,
linking thousands of acres of
public lands together.
This regional trail is
divided into various phases,
some of which are already
built and some of which are
just beginning to be studied.
The phase linking Two
Ponds NWR to Rocky Flats
NWR features an alignment
through Arvada and began
construction in January.
Within Arvada, the implementation phase consists of:
• Using existing Little Dry
Creek Trail from approximately W. 80th Ave. and
Wadsworth Blvd. to
Lakecrest Park.
• New trail from Lakecrest
Park to W. 86th Pkwy.
This trail will parallel Croke
Canal past Standley Lake
Library and through Arvada’s
Heritage Canal Open Space. A
new bridge will be built across
Farmers High Line Canal.
• Pedestrian underpass at
W. 86th Pkwy. at the Croke
Canal outfall into Standley Lake
Regional Park.
T
Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail
Project design and coordination
was undertaken by the Central
Federal Lands Highway Division
(CFL) of the Federal Highway
Administration. A Steering
Committee and a broad range of
agencies including Arvada,
Westminster, the City and County of
Broomfield, ditch companies, U. S.
Fish and Wildlife, and CFL have
guided project development since
2012.
A Federal grant is funding construction of this current phase,
which is expected to be complete by
June 2016. More information about
the Rocky Mountain Greenway
Project may be found at
www.fws.gov (search “Rocky
Mountain Greenway”).
3
The Arvada Report
February/March 2016
Three Stations; Three Visions
ong before FasTracks was approved, City leaders
were thinking about the benefits and impacts of
commuter rail linking Arvada to Denver Union
Station and beyond. Transit-oriented development (TOD)
plans began to come to fruition - the Water Tower Village
and Kipling Ridge, for example. When voters approved
FasTracks in 2004, Arvada launched a Transit Station
planning process, creating a framework for each of the
City’s three stations to be served by the Gold Line: Olde
L
Town, Arvada Ridge, and Sheridan.
When the Gold Line opens in late 2016, the community will have the opportunity to attend grand opening
celebrations at each station and absorb their unique character, including public art - part of the Regional
Transportation District’s (RTD) “Art-n-Transit” program
designed to create a sense of community and celebrate
the diverse cultural, ethnic, and historical richness of the
communities RTD serves. Here’s a preview:
Arvada Ridge Station
Location: between Lee St. and Kipling Pkwy. along Ridge
Road
Parking Spaces: 200
Initial Expected Daily Boardings: 500
Travel Time to Denver Union Station: 20 minutes
The Arvada Ridge Station is within easy walking distance of Red Rocks Community College’s Arvada Campus.
With the $22.5 million Health Sciences expansion at Red
Rocks underway, the Arvada Ridge Station is certain to
serve students accessing high-demand degree and certificate programs in the medical field.
With the assistance of the Arvada Urban Renewal Authority, the Arvada Ridge Market Place and 380 multi-family
units have been developed in the vicinity. An underpass is currently under construction at Kipling Pkwy. to improve
access to the Station for pedestrians and bicyclists, and a new park is planned for the area which will take advantage
of elevation gains by incorporating an incline trail.
The art selected for Arvada Ridge is titled “Chromatic Harvest” and takes its inspiration by connecting the past
with the present and the future using the themes of agriculture and movement. Geometric crop rows are reinterpreted in a contemporary way on ceramic steel panels, connecting Arvada’s agricultural past with its dynamic present.
Public Art: “Chromatic Harvest”
4
The Arvada Report
Olde Town Station
Location: Historic Olde Town Arvada, east of Olde
Wadsworth Blvd. on Grandview Ave.
Parking Spaces: 600
Initial Expected Daily Boardings: 1,100
Travel Time to Denver Union Station: 17 minutes
Located in Arvada’s historic downtown, the Olde
Town Station and Transit Hub will be the most prominent of Arvada’s stations and an important retail, mixeduse, and cultural destination for visitors from throughout the Denver region. The Station will include four
plazas, offering gathering spaces and enriching the
transit and shopping experiences for visitors. The Transit
Hub includes a 36,000 square foot “Festival Deck” to
accommodate community events.
The art selected for Olde Town is titled “Track Bone.”
It is a sculpture that reflects the fact that the railroad
was in many ways the backbone of Arvada when it was
founded in 1870. The sculpture is made of Red Colorado
Granite cut into sections of railroad track. At completion
it will be 28’ long, 4’ 6” high, and 7’ wide.
Watch a video about
the Colorado Artist
creating “Track Bone”
Public Art:
“Track Bone”
February/March 2016
Sheridan Station
Location: W. 60th Ave. and Sheridan Blvd.
Parking Spaces: 330
Initial Expected Daily Boardings: 800
Travel Time to Denver Union Station: 13 minutes
The Sheridan Station is intended to provide a diverse
range of employment opportunities within an easy
walk. The area is characterized by industrial buildings
with some residential and agricultural parcels within a
quarter-mile radius.
The art chosen for Sheridan is “Gold Pour” and commemorates the first documented gold strike in Colorado
at the nearby confluence of Ralston and Clear Creeks.
Shimmering gold made of glass and mosaic tiles will
appear to pour over the Station wall.
Public Art: “Gold Pour”
Conceptual visualizations for informational purposes only. Subject to change.
5
The Arvada Report
February/March 2016
Employee Corner
2015 Employee of the Year
2015 Team of the Year
Employee of the Quarter
Facilities Construction Team,
Public Works Department
Officer John Zubrinic
Police Officer John Zubrinic was
named the City of Arvada 2015
Employee of the Year. Officer
Zubrinic responded to a welfare check
on a woman whom a passerby
described as being very sick. Upon
his arrival he noticed she was having
difficulty breathing. She had walked
more than a mile to buy medication
and was having a difficult time walking back home due to fatigue from her
illness. Officer Zubrinic drove her
home and helped her into her apartment. The woman explained that after
she buys all of her medication, she is
only left with $14 to purchase food
each month. Officer Zubrinic went to
the store and purchased her groceries
with his own money, and connected
her with the Arvada Community Food
Bank and RTD Access-a-Ride to
transport her there. Since that day,
Officer Zubrinic has been back to
check on her multiple times and has
spoken with her neighbor about
checking on her as well.
6
The 2015 Team of the Year was
awarded to the facilities construction
team within the Public Works
Department. The team was recognized
for their outstanding performance and
tireless efforts in the renovation and
reconfiguration of Arvada City Hall,
and other City facilities.
Throughout 2015, the team demolished 600 linear feet of walls, created
70 workstations, constructed 700
square feet of new offices, remodeled
and enlarged two kitchen/break areas,
enlarged and remodeled the
Training/Emergency Operations room,
completed a full makeover of the
Chamber of Commerce Visitor
Center, and completed construction of
a new VIP lounge and new sales
office at the Arvada Center.
Nominations stated, “the team performed their duties with the highest
level of dedication and passion, and
with sincere consideration to not
impact the work of others. They consistently maintained a positive attitude
regardless of the many challenges
they faced. Their quality and quantity
of work is consistently outstanding!”
Officer Brad Gagon
Police Officer Brad Gagon was
named the Employee of the Quarter
for the fourth quarter of 2015. Officer
Gagon recently took on the role of
police liaison for Special Olympics,
continuing the Department’s long tradition of raising funds and participating in events including:
• Attendance at the Annual Special
Olympics Conference.
• Coordinating two Polar Plunges.
• Working the Regional Track Meet
at Jeffco Stadium and handing out
medals to the athletes.
• Planning and emceeing a benefit
concert with local high schools.
• Coordinating the annual Torch
Run.
• Planning a “Tip-a-Cop” event at a
local restaurant.
In 2015, he spent over 100 hours
working on events, raising more than
$11,500 for Special Olympics.
The Arvada Report
City Clerk Named “Clerk of the
Year”
Chris Koch was recently named
“Clerk of the Year” by the Colorado
Municipal Clerks Association
(CMCA). Koch received her award
at the CMCA annual conference.
In nominating Koch for the
award, City Manager Mark Deven
stated, “Chris has been Arvada’s
City Clerk since 1994 and has
earned the respect of not only her
Arvada colleagues but of clerks
across Colorado. She has made a
strong impact on Arvada due to her
incredible efficiency and competency. Due to the many systems and
processes that she has put into
place, agendas, postings, records
management, ballot preparation,
passport applications, and much
February/March 2016
more appear to those outside the
clerk’s office as effortless.”
Each year, CMCA honors and
recognizes the contributions of individuals who have made a noticeable
impact on their municipality or on
CMCA; Clerk of the Year is the
highest honor bestowed by the
organization.
The award was a complete surprise for Koch, whose entire family
showed up at the ceremony as well
as Deven and Deputy City Manager
Bill Ray. It has particular meaning
for Koch as she is retiring in early
2016.
“I am honored, and humbled, to
receive this award when there are
over 100 city clerks in Colorado
just as deserving,” Koch said.
From left to right: City Manager Mark Deven; Kristen Rush, Teri Colvin, Chris Koch, Judy
Lydick, Jill Jolton, Janet Newman, and Larry Petersen of the Arvada City Clerk’s Office;
and Deputy City Manager Bill Ray at the November 19 awards ceremony.
Volunteer in Your Community
For the second year, the Arvada Chamber of Commerce’s non-profit
committee, Organizations Serving Arvada (OSA), is challenging residents and businesses to get involved! The 2016 challenge will run in
April with a goal to reach over 12,000 volunteer hours. There will be
cash prizes for local organizations for submitting hours. Visit
www.arvadachamber.org, or call 303-424-0313, beginning
February 1 for more information and get ready to volunteer starting
April 1. The 2015 inaugural challenge resulted in 10,343 hours of volunteerism.
Healthy
Relationship
Series for
Teens
The Arvada Municipal Court,
through its Teen Services Coordinator,
has collaborated with The ROAD Dropin Center for Youth, a Division of
Jefferson Center for Mental Health, to
provide a series of Healthy Relationship
classes to Arvada teens. The program is
open to any Arvada teen and has been
fully funded by the Jefferson Center.
This 12-week course is open to anyone 13 – 16 years of age. Participants
explore options for creating and maintaining healthy successful relationships
with peers, family, and the world
around them by discussing topics
ranging from dating and consent, bullying, social media, loss, drugs and
alcohol, and others.
Classes are on a “drop-in” basis, and
participants may attend any or all
classes in the series. The classes take
place in designated conference rooms
at City Hall, 8101 Ralston Road, on
Wednesdays from 4 – 5 p.m. through
March 16, 2016. Advance registration is
NOT required.
The curriculum for this series of
classes was created in part using feedback received from youth. For a curriculum overview or more information, visit arvada.org/ healthyrelationships-classes-offered-toteens-and-young-adults or contact
Tami Rice, Municipal Court Teen
Services Coordinator: 720-898-7171,
[email protected].
7
The Arvada Report
The Arvada Police
Department’s section of The
Arvada Report is published by
the City of Arvada with content
provided by the Arvada Police
Department as a service to the
citizens of Arvada.
Contact Numbers
Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . .911
Non-Emergency
Reporting . . . . .720-898-6900
Office of
the Chief . . . . .720-898-6650
Records
Department . . .720-898-6920
Investigations . .720-898-6700
Media
Relations . . . . .720-898-6654
Arvada Police Department
8101 Ralston Road
Arvada CO 80002
720-898-6900
www.arvadapd.org
8
February/March 2016
Correction to Lockbox Story
n the December 2015/January2016
edition of The Arvada Report, we
incorrectly reported that lockboxes are
installed INSIDE the house. In fact, the
lockbox is securely located OUTSIDE the
house for emergency services personnel to
access. The lockbox combination is
provided solely to police and fire
dispatch centers.
The lockbox offers you peace
of mind if you are unable to
answer your door when police
or fire respond to your home,
as they will not have to
damage your house to gain
access. Seniors or residents
with handicaps can request
a lockbox from Senior
Liaison Officer Tom
VanderVeen by calling
720-898-6724.
Officer VanderVeen
will come to your
residence and
install the lockbox
free of charge,
in approximately
15 minutes.
The only thing
you will need to
do is provide him
with a spare key to
your front door.
For more information, contact
Officer VanderVeen at 720-898-6724.
I
The Arvada Report
February/March 2016
Register with CodeRED Emergency
Northey
Notification AND Smart911
TM
E m e r g e n c y
C o m m u n i c a t i o n
rvada residents and
businesses are reminded
to register their phone
numbers – land, cell, text, and other
– with the CodeRED emergency
notification system.
The CodeRED system is used to
send critical communications, from
evacuation notices to missing child
alerts, to everyone who registers. In
addition to telephone messages,
CodeRED can also send emails.
There is even a CodeRED
emergency notification app for
smartphones.
Residents and businesses are
encouraged to visit the CodeRED
registration web site at your911.net
to add additional contact information,
including phone numbers, SMS (text)
and email address preferences. This
is especially important for those
addresses without a landline, as
residents and businesses must register
if they want to receive emergency
notifications. Residents should make
certain their information is correct.
Residents wanting more information or with questions should contact
the dispatch non-emergency number
at 720-898-6900.
M a d e
Scholarship
Applications
E a s y.
A
Smart 911 is a free national
service currently being used by
Arvada 9-1-1. Rave Mobile Safety’s
Smart 911 is a public/private partnership creating a first-of-its-kind,
critical caller database that is already
helping citizens and emergency
responders across 40 states.
When 9-1-1 receives a call, only
a phone number and minimal levels
of location data are displayed. With
Smart 911, citizens create a Safety
Profile online consisting of additional data about themselves and
family members which is automatically displayed to 9-1-1 call-takers
(telecommunicators) during
emergency calls. The result is
far greater emergency response
effectiveness and saved lives.
Safety profiles can include the
vital personal and medical information for each member of the home.
Participants may also include a
photo for each person, and list any
pets that may be in the home.
Registration is free, easy and
secure. Visit www.smart911.com
and create your family’s safety
profile. It could save your life, or
the life of someone you love.
The Northey Foundation
is accepting scholarship
applications for the 2016-2017
school year.
The W. Michael Northey
Foundation honors the memory
of Arvada Police Officer Michael
Northey by investing in the
youth of Arvada through the
scholarship program. Students
can be awarded up to $2,000
per calendar year.
Applications are due by
March 15, 2016. For more
information or to download an
application, visit arvada.org/
residents/crime-prevention/
northey-foundation.
9
The Arvada Report
February/March 2016
Keep Your Furry Friends Safe
in Cold Weather
oothills Animal Shelter offers
tips to keep in mind to help
your pet stay safe during the
colder months:
• Don’t leave your pets outside in
cold weather. They are much
happier, healthier, and safer
indoors. Remember, if you are
cold and ready to go inside, your
pet probably is, too!
• Salt and other snow-melting
chemicals are very harmful to
pets if ingested. Be sure to use
pet-friendly ice melts that are
available at many pet supply
stores. If you walk your pet on
pavement that may be treated with
chemicals, wipe their feet thoroughly when getting back inside.
• Make sure your pet always has
access to fresh and unfrozen water.
• Warm engines in parked cars can
attract cats and other small
animals that may crawl under the
hood to keep warm. Always bang
F
10
•
•
•
•
your hood before starting your
car to avoid injury of any animals
hiding underneath.
Antifreeze is a poisonous toxin,
but it tastes sweet and often
attracts animals. Be sure to clean
up any spills. To be extra safe, do
not leave a pet unattended in a
garage or driveway.
DO NOT take your dog off leash
during cold weather as it’s the
most common time for dogs to
become lost. They can lose their
way because their sense of smell
can be diminished in snow and
cold temperatures.
Be sure you have a current license
tag securely fastened to your dog’s
collar in the remote chance he/she
would get away from you in the
snow. Identification is important
and makes it more likely your pet
will be returned to you immediately
if found
Refrain from taking your dog in the
car with you when you run errands
in bitter cold temperatures. Just as
a car can act as an oven during
summer months, it can also
act as a freezer in the cold
and can sometimes be as
frigid as being outside in
the weather.
• Use common sense
and keep your pet
indoors as much as
possible during
dangerously cold
temperatures.
Board Members
Needed for the
Walter Michael
Northey
Memorial
Foundation
The Walther Michael Northey
Foundation is looking for citizens
interested in supporting the
community by participating on
the Board of Directors.
The Foundation, named after
an Arvada police officer who was
killed in the line of duty, provides
scholarship money for Arvada
high school students who wish to
pursue a degree in higher education. It also donates, on behalf of
the Arvada Police Department, to
officers and their families who are
injured or killed in the line of
duty. Board members participate
in the selection of scholarship
recipients.
Citizen appointments to the
Board are for a two-year term
and require participation in the
quarterly meeting as well as the
coordination of the Foundation’s
two major fundraising events: the
Northey Drug Take Back (second
Saturday in April) and the
Northey Shred-a-Thon (second
Saturday in October).
For more information about
the Northey Foundation or
to apply for a Board position,
contact Bridgette Roberts at
720-898-6653 or
[email protected].
The Arvada Report
February/March 2016
Limited Spaces Available in Spring 2016 Citizens Police Academy
ave you ever wanted to learn
more about the Arvada
Police Department or
wanted to get an inside look at
policing? Now’s your chance—sign
up for the Spring 2016 Arvada
Police Department’s Citizen’s Police
Academy (CPA).
The Academy meets on 12
consecutive Wednesdays between
March 16 and May 25, 2016.
Classes are held in both classroom
and field settings, and give
participants insight into many
aspects of police work including the
opportunity to do a ride-along with
an Arvada officer.
CPA instructors include police
officers and other police department
employees who lecture, teach, and
H
provide hands-on participation in
areas such as traffic stops, crime
scene investigation, building searches,
and officer survival. Other topics
covered include internal affairs,
media relations, preserving
evidence, SWAT, and dispatch.
The CPA also educates
participants about community
problem solving, availability of
police resources, law enforcement
tools, and community programs.
To register for the Spring 2016
Citizens Police Academy or for
more information, contact Alicia
Gomez at 720-898-6660 or visit
arvada.org/residents/crimeprevention/citizens-policeacademy.
Plant Pinwheels with Ralston House and Help
Plant Hope
nce upon a time there was a
little girl and a pinwheel. The
little girl lived in a home that
was pretty on the outside, but inside,
where she should have been safe and
cared for, she was being hurt by
someone who was supposed to love
her. And
every time
the hurting
started, the
little girl
would
close her
O
eyes and think about her pinwheel
and imagine it whirling around so fast
that if she held on tight it would fly
her away to a safe place.
It is difficult to think about kids in
our own community being hurt in the
very places that we believe should be
safe. If you think it is unrealistic for a
pinwheel to be strong enough to carry
someone away to safety, imagine how
desperate someone must feel to cling
to that hope. Pinwheels have become
a symbol of hope.
In April, for Child Abuse
Prevention Month, Ralston
House is asking you to plant
pinwheels to show kids they
can be safe and that there is
healing after abuse. Each
pinwheel planted represents
a child or teen survivor of
abuse or trauma: One for the
little girl who survived sexual
abuse by her uncle. One for the
little boy who survived watching
his mama nearly beaten to death by
his daddy. One for the teenage girl
who survived her mom giving her
away to a pimp in order to make
money. These are not made-up tales.
These are real kids that came to
Ralston House to tell their story.
In 2015, more than 1,000 young
survivors came to Ralston House
Child Advocacy Center, a safe place
where children can talk about their
abuse, and where people help to stop
the abuse and start the healing.
Ralston House works with law
enforcement, social services, and
health professionals to investigate
abuse in a safe, child-friendly place.
Go to www.ralstonhouse.net to learn
more about how you can help. And
when you see pinwheel gardens
springing to life in April, think of the
children who survived abuse and trauma and have somewhere safe to go
because you cared.
11
The Arvada Report
Arvada
Fire Protection
District
The Arvada Fire Protection
District’s section of The
Arvada Report is published by
the City of Arvada with content provided by the Arvada
Fire Protection District as a
service to the citizens of
Arvada. The City of Arvada is
not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained in this section of The
Arvada Report.
February/March 2016
Letter from the Chief
t is that time of year to share the
Fire District budget highlights for
2016 (pending approval of the
Board of Directors).
2016 is going to be the first year
that we will collect more revenue
from property taxes than we did in
2011, meaning that we have some
catching up to do. For example, we
have added another ambulance to our
fleet which will be housed at Station
4 (W. 68th Ave. and Pierce St.).
I
Board of Directors
Edward G. (Ted) Terranova
President
Thomas D. (Tom) McAdam
Vice-President
Robert (Bob) Loveridge
Secretary
Mathew M. (Matt) Kramer
Treasurer
Jeffrey E. (Jeff) Van Es
Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
Arvada
Fire Protection District
7903 Allison Way • Arvada, CO 80005
303-424-3012
www.arvadafire.com
12
We therefore have hired six additional paramedics, who began training in
January and will be ready to start
their positions by the end of April.
The 2016 budget includes:
• Purchase of a new high-pressure
air compressor to fill our SCBA
bottles. Our old compressor is
about 25 years old and cannot
achieve the necessary air pressure,
5,000 psi, to fill our new bottles.
• Construction of a new kitchen at
Station 1 in Olde Town Arvada, to
replace the 30-year old kitchen
which is in terrible shape.
• Replacement of the siding on the
outside of AFPD headquarters,
which is pulling away from the
building and taking on water.
• Purchase and installation of a
state-of-the-art video and audio
system at the training center.
• Establishment of an ongoing vehicle replacement fund, allowing for
the future replacement of fire
apparatus that cost well over a
million dollars per year.
• Contribute to reserve funds in
order to hopefully hold off the
need for an increase to the mill
levy if we face another fiscal crisis in the United States.
As you can see, there is a tremendous amount of activity at the Fire
District, and we are grateful to have
the funds necessary to provide the
equipment necessary to ensure you
receive the best possible service.
The entire Fire District budget is
available for viewing online at
arvadafire.com; click on “important
district documents.” Please let me
know if you have questions.
Thanks for letting us be your fire
department. We know that when you
dial 911 you don’t have a choice on
who will respond, and that is our
responsibility to make sure you get
the best. !
The Arvada Report
February/March 2016
National Poison Prevention Week is March 20 - 26
ore than two million poisonings are reported
each year to the nation’s poison centers.
According to the American Association of
Poison Control Centers, approximately 90 percent of poisonings happen at home, and 51 percent of poisonings
involve children under the age of 6. The majority of fatal
poisonings occur among adults, especially older adults.
M
It is vital that people arm themselves with basic information on poison prevention in the home, such as keeping chemicals out of the reach of children and carefully
reading the labels and dosages on all products. In case of
a poison emergency, contact your local poison center at
1-800-222-1222. !
13
The Arvada Report
February/March 2016
Scalds - A Burning Issue
cald injuries are painful,
require prolonged treatment,
and may result in lifelong scarring or even death.
Prevention of scalds can be
accomplished through simple
changes in behavior and the home
environment. In conjunction with
Burn Awareness Week, (February 17) we would like to provide you with
some safety tips.
S
Apply for
Permanent
Absentee Voter
Status
An Application for Permanent
Absentee Voter Status form specific
to the Arvada Fire Protection
District is available for download at
www.arvadafire.com. This form is
for citizens and/or property owners
of the District, who are registered to
vote in the State of Colorado and
wish to vote by mail. Electors may
also call 303-424-3015 or email
[email protected] to
request an application be sent by
mail, email, or fax.
If you live in the District, but are
not yet registered to vote in Colorado,
you may register at www.govotecolorado.com or in person at the DMV
Office at 6510 Wadsworth, #320. !
14
Although anyone can sustain a scald burn, certain people are more likely to be scalded: infants, young children,
older adults, and people with
disabilities. These high risk
groups are also more likely to
require hospitalization, suffer
complications, and experience
a difficult recovery.
Most burn injuries occur in the
person’s own home and the vast
majority could have easily been prevented. Tap water scalds are often
more severe than cooking-related
scalds.
The American Burn Association
recommends the following simple
safety tips to decrease the risk to
yourself and those you love from tap
water scalds.
• Set home water heater thermostats to deliver water at a temperature no higher than 120º F. An
easy method to test this is to
allow hot water to run for three to
five minutes, then test with a
candy, meat, or water thermometer. Adjust the water heater and
wait a day to let the temperature
drop. Re-test and re-adjust as necessary.
• Provide constant adult supervision of young children or anyone
who may experience difficulty
removing themselves from hot
water on their own. Gather all
necessary supplies before placing
a child in the tub, and keep them
within easy reach.
• Fill tub to desired level before
getting in. Run cold water first,
then add hot. Turn off the hot
water first. This can prevent
scalding in case someone should
fall in while the tub is filling. Mix
the water thoroughly and check
the temperature by moving your
elbow, wrist, or hand with spread
fingers through the water before
allowing someone to get in.
• Install grab bars, shower seats, or
non-slip flooring in tubs or showers
if the person is unsteady or weak.
• Avoid flushing toilets, running
water, or using the dishwasher or
laundry machine while anyone is
showering.
• Install anti-scald or tempering
devices. These heat-sensitive
instruments stop or interrupt the
flow of water when the temperature reaches a pre-determined
level, and prevent hot water that is
too hot from coming out of the tap.
Cooking-related scalds are also
easy to prevent. Some things you
can do to make your home safer
from cooking-related burns
include:
• Establish a “kid zone” out of the
traffic path between the stove and
sink where children can safely
play and still be supervised. Keep
young children in high chairs or
play yards, a safe distance from
counter- or stovetops, hot liquids,
hot surfaces, or other cooking
hazards.
• Cook on back burners when
young children are present. Keep
all pot handles turned back, away
from the stove edge. All appliance cords should be coiled and
moved away from the counter
edge. During mealtime, place hot
items in the center of the table, at
least 10 inches from the table
edge. Use non-slip placemats
instead of tablecloths if toddlers
are present. Never drink or carry
hot liquids while holding a child.
Quick motions may cause spilling
of the liquid onto the child.
For more information contact
the American Burn Association
at 312-642-9260 or visit
www.ameriburn.org. !
The Arvada Report
February/March 2016
Smoke Alarms Have a Birthday
hen we teach in the classrooms to youth about
smoke alarms, our message is, “Smoke alarms have a
birthday!” It can be a useful analogy for all of us to remember how to
maintain our smoke alarms.
W
“What do you get on your birthday?” we ask the students.
“A present!” they exclaim.
“Well, for smoke alarms we
want to make sure that they get a
present as well. Smoke alarms get a
new battery once a year.”
The other thing to remember is
that smoke alarms are only good for
10 years (or 10 birthdays). Like all
devices with electronic components,
smoke alarms have a limited effective service life. As electronic
devices, smoke alarms are subject
to random failures. In 10 years there
is roughly a 30% probability of failure before replacement. After 15
years, the chances are better than
50/50 that your alarm has failed.
That is too big a risk to take.
Replacing alarms after 10 years protects against the accumulated
chance of failure, but monthly testing is still your first and best means
of making sure your alarm will
work.
Here are some more safety tips on
maintaining your smoke alarms:
• Install smoke alarms inside and
outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Install alarms on every
level of the home. Install alarms
in the basement.
• Large
homes may
need extra
smoke
alarms.
• It is best to use
interconnected
smoke alarms. When
one smoke alarm sounds they all
sound.
• Test all smoke alarms at least
once a month. Press the test
button to be sure the alarm is
working.
• There are two kinds of alarms.
Ionization smoke alarms are
quicker to warn about flaming
fires. Photoelectric alarms are
quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use of both
types of alarms in the home.
• A smoke alarm should be on the
ceiling or high on a wall. Keep
smoke alarms away from the
kitchen to reduce false alarms.
They should be at least 10 feet
from the stove.
• People who are hard-of-hearing
or deaf can use special alarms.
These alarms have strobe lights
and bed shakers.
• Smoke alarms are an important part
of a home fire escape plan. !
Arvada Fire Receives Financial Award
The Certificate of Achievement for
Excellence in Financial Reporting has been
awarded to Arvada Fire Protection District by
the Government Finance Officers Association
of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its
comprehensive annual financial report
(CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the
highest form of recognition in the area of
governmental accounting and financial
reporting, and its attainment represents a
significant accomplishment by a government
and its management.
The Award of Financial Reporting
Achievement was awarded to AFPD Controller
Lacey Jackson, as she was primarily responsible for preparing the award-winning CAFR.
The CAFR was judged by an impartial
panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive
“spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential
users and user groups to read the CAFR. The
GFOA is a nonprofit professional association
serving approximately 17,500 government
finance professionals.
AFPD Controller Lacey Jackson
15
The Arvada Report
February/March 2016
Get to Know Newest Members of City Council
District 4 Councilmember
David Jones
Growing
up and raising my family in Arvada
is a privilege. It’s a
great place
to work and
play and
offers so
many amenities that we
have to safeguard. I love
the countless miles of trails, our parks,
and being snuggled up against the
mountains. I love the home town feel
and that people are connected to their
communities. I love that our police and
fire departments are staffed with men
and women who truly care about our
safety and welfare.
I ran for City Council because I am
committed to keeping Arvada one of the
greatest cities in the nation. While I have
several priorities, I believe that growth
in northwest Arvada and around the
coming Gold Line present increased
service level demands which we must
quickly address, including additional
resources for public safety, infrastructure, schools, parks, etc. There are also
several capital projects that must be
addressed, including our streets, the
Jefferson Parkway, and several aging
assets within the City. As a member of
City Council I will do my part to ensure
that plans are developed, projects are
funded, and that implementation is
streamlined.
As a new member of Council, I am
amazed at the number of moving parts
of City Hall and how well City employees at every level perform their duties. I
have never been inside of a beehive but I
can only imagine what it must be like
now that I have been behind the scenes
at City Hall. I stand and applaud each
and every employee of our great City
and the work—both visible and invisible—they provide every day!
District 1 Councilmember
Nancy Ford
I ran for
City Council
because I
believe that
my diverse
life and work
experiences
will benefit
the Council’s
decisionmaking and
leadership.
As Arvada
continues to
grow, I would like to ensure that new
growth compliments Arvada’s past while
meeting the City’s changing needs. I feel
Arvada should encourage sustainable
growth that enables us to maintain our
infrastructure while supporting economic prosperity and overall well-being for
Arvada’s residents.
I receive a lot of joy from living in
Arvada. My home and gardens provide a
physical space to be creative and I love
my wonderful neighbors who are like
family to me. I have developed friendships from the many knowledgeable and
warm-hearted City volunteers who give
their time and talents to make Arvada a
great place to live. I love my neighborhood park and close proximity to a variety of great stores and businesses, including the Arvada Center.
In addition to my regular responsibilities as a Councilmember, my top priority for the beginning of 2016 is to establish a venue such as a monthly meeting
that will foster consistent communication
between my constituents and me. I
would like to reconnect with some of the
wonderful people I met while campaigning, as well as start a conversation on
what it means to be a good neighbor and
how we can increase our pride for
Arvada.
Since becoming a Councilmember, I
have been pleasantly surprised by the
creative pursuits of many City employees. We have a lot of talented and dedicated employees in Arvada and I am so
happy and proud to be a part of Arvada’s
City Council.
Looking for a New Years’ Resolution?
Get Fit with the Couch to 5K Run/Walk Program
The Healthy Places Initiative, in partnership with Feat on the Street, is ready
to help you keep your fitness resolutions and reach your 2016 fitness goals with
the Arvada Couch to 5K Run/Walk Program!
Beginning in March and for three Saturdays per month through June, join us
in Columbine Park and at Foster Elementary to establish your fitness goals and
train for the Arvada Park to Park Half Marathon, 10K/5K, and Family Fun Run.
Participants who complete the program are eligible for a scholarship to cover
registration and participation in the Park to Park races in June.
This program is FREE and open to all!
For more information contact Rose Chavez, Healthy Places Coordinator at 720-898-7535 or [email protected] or Nick
Sterner at 720-369-1097 or [email protected].
16
The Arvada Report
720-898-7405
www.arvada.org/nature
www.facebook.com/majesticviewnaturecenter
7030 Garrison Street
Open Year Round
Monday through Thursday,
and Saturday
October-May: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
June – September: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Located in 80-acre Majestic View Park we
offer public, school, scout, home school
and community group programs, and
rentals.
Pre-Registration Required for all classes: Call 720-898-7405 or stop by the
Nature Center. Full class descriptions
available at www.arvada.org/nature
Story Times
First Thursday and Third Monday at 10 a.m.
All ages, Free.
No registration necessary.
February/March 2016
Mammals: Nose to Tail
Tuesdays, February 16 and 23, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Ages 8 – adult, $15/person.
An interactive workshop. Covers most of the Boy Scout
Mammal Study Merit Badge.
Watercolor and Tea
Wednesdays, February 17, 24, and March 2
6 – 7:30 p.m.. Adults, $40.
Tai Chi at Majestic View
Mondays, February 22 – March 28
Beginning 6:15 – 7:15 p.m.
Continuing 5 – 6 p.m.
Adults, $60 for 6-week session.
Training 101 with The
Downtown Aquarium
Saturday, February 27, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
All ages, $3/person, $10/family.
Watch live animals and their trainers in action.
Hunters in the Sky: Night with a
Naturalist Series
Tuesday, March 1, 6 – 7:30 p.m., All ages, Free.
What is a raptor and why are they important.
Preschool Fun with Animals
School Field Trips: Elementary
Exploration Program
Topics are science standards based, specific to grade level.
After Nappers Club
Wednesdays, February 3 - 24, 4 – 5 p.m.
Ages 2 – 5 with adult, $12 for all four classes.
A naturalist will guide your tyke through fun, outdoor
adventures.
Wednesdays, March 2, 9, 16 and 23, 10 – 10:45 a.m.
Ages 3 – 6, $15 for four week session.
Learn about snakes, porcupines, ants, frogs.
Private Eyes - Pollution Patrol
Saturday, March 5, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Ages 4 – 10, Free.
Hands-on fun discovering the sources of pollution.
Campout Crash Course:
Campfire Series
Wednesday, March 16, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
All ages, $3/person, $10/family.
Brush up on your camping skills with this class and
marshmallow roast.
Birds Up-Close
Saturday, March 19, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
All ages, $5/person, $15/family.
Presented by David Leatherman, an experienced forest
entomologist and avid birder.
Spring Break Half Day Camps
with Sarqit Outdoor Living
School
Tuesday through Thursday, March 22-24
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Ages 10 and older. Come to 1, 2, or all 3 days.
Register at www.sarqit.com.
Tuesday, March 22: Clay Beads, $30
Wednesday, March 23:The Power of the Rope, $20
Thursday, March 24: Natural Pigment Painting, $20
Majestic View’s Egg-tacular
Saturday, March 26, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
All ages. $3.
See different eggs and nests, and bring your own basket
for the Majestic View Egg Hunt!
Butterfly Gardening and
Monarch Mania
Wednesday, March 30, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Ages 10 – adult. $3/person, $10/family.
Seed Starting – Garden Ready
Nature Art Around the World
Wednesdays, February 3 - 24, 4 – 5 p.m.
Ages 6 – 12, $12 for all four classes.
Fun, nature themed exploration with a naturalist.
Saturday, March 12, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Adults and teens, $3.
A CSU Master Gardener teaches how to start plants
from seed.
Wednesdays, March 30 – May 18, 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Ages 6 – 12, $72 for 8-week session.
Use techniques and materials from unique cultures.
Avian Arvada - Bird Walks in
Local Spaces
Herbs: Adding Flavor to Your
Garden
Saturday, February 13, 8 – 11 a.m.
All ages, Free.
Join an Audubon Master Birder at Jack B. Tomlinson
Park (51st and Garrison).
Tuesday, March 15, 5 – 6:30 p.m., Adults, $10.
Pioneer Farmsteaders will help you integrate herbs into
your garden, landscape, and containers.
Friday, April 1, 4-5 p.m. and Saturday April 2 at 9, 10, and
11 a.m., and 1 and 2 p.m.
Ages 4-10. $4 per person (materials included in fee).
Assemble, decorate your own sled kite, then come out
and fly your new kite at theArvada Kite Festival on April 3.
After School Club
Kite Making
17
The Arvada Report
February/March 2016
The Arvada Urban Renewal Authority Making Great Things Happen Throughout
Arvada
he Arvada Urban Renewal Authority (AURA)
was involved in several undertakings in 2015.
Continuing its commitment to strengthen the
community and grow the local economy, AURA has
successfully navigated several public/private partnerships this past year. Demolition and clearing began at
two sites, construction is in its final stages at Park
Place Olde Town, and three agreements were executed
for new projects starting in the next few years.
Two of the most visible projects currently underway
are the demolition and clearing of the former Arvada
Plaza—now part of the Ralston Creek Development—
and Solana Olde Town Station. Both of these sites presented difficult conditions including environmental contamination, aging infrastructure, and unique topography.
Walmart will begin construction in early 2016 at the
former Arvada Plaza and is anticipated to open in late
2017. On the north side of Ralston Road, Ralston Creek
North will be developed as a mixed-use project including retail and multi-family units.
Solana Olde Town Station, located just east of the
Wadsworth Bypass and south of Grandview Ave. will
bring 352 market-rate apartments to the Olde Town
area.
Construction is wrapping up at Park Place Olde
Town. Located on McIlvoy Park’s eastern fringe at the
corner of Ralston Road and Wadsworth Bypass, this
project marks a major milestone in the Olde Town community, achieving a pedestrian friendly, transit-oriented
development (TOD) with access to the future transit
hub and commuter rail opening in October 2016.
Arvada Hotel Investors, LLC will break ground on
Arvada’s first branded hotel, a Hilton Garden Inn, in
early 2016. Featuring 137 rooms, 3,000 square feet of
meeting space, and a full service restaurant, the hotel
will create 60 – 80 jobs.
Finally, a significant project is planned adjacent to
the Olde Town Transit Hub. What is currently the nineacre RTD Park-n-Ride will be redeveloped by Trammell
Crow Companies into 40,000 square feet of retail and
restaurant space, along with multi-family housing.
T
The former Arvada Plaza, cleared and preparing
for the construction of Walmart.
Park Place Olde Town at Ralston Road and Wadsworth Bypass.
Rendering of Solana Olde Town Station.
18
The Arvada Report
Project
Details
Walmart
138,000 square foot Super
(Former Arvada Plaza) Walmart
Ralston Creek North
Mixed Use – Residential,
Retail, and Commercial;
approximately 250 multifamily units
153 unit market-rate apart-
Park Place Olde Town ments
February/March 2016
Breaking Ground
Opening
Spring 2016
Spring 2017
Summer 2016
Phased 2017 - 2018
Fall 2014
Opening in Phases now;
completion early 2016
Solana Olde Town
Station
15 acre development site; 352
unit, garden style apartments; 1.4 acre public park
Winter 2015 - 2016
Spring 2017
9-Acre TOD Site
Mixed Use – Residential,
Retail, and Commercial;
40,000 SF retail/commercial;
180-280 multi-family units
2017
Phased 2017-2020
19
The Arvada Report
/InvestInArvada
@InvestInArvada
February/March 2016
/InvestInArvada ArvadaEconomicDevelopment.org
Arvada Company Profile: Premium Panels
(Left) Ryan Stachelski, AEDA Director; and (right) Don Rosier,
Jefferson County Commissioner presented Jeff Patch, owner of
Premium Panels, a proclamation recognizing them as a 2015
Colorado Companies to Watch Award winner.
The Arvada Economic Development Association
(AEDA) is profiling primary employers that are conducting business in Arvada. A primary employer is
defined as a company that sells the majority of its
product or service outside the community, thereby
bringing in new dollars to Arvada. In this issue,
AEDA is showcasing Premium Panels Inc. located
at 6270 Joyce Drive.
that in 2001 the business had to move to a small
storage unit. When 9/11 hit, PPI lost every position
and had no work for five months, almost bankrupting the company. As things were turning around, the
flood gates opened and PPI started to gain momentum. The company was hired for job after job after
job. In 2002, they invested in a roll forming machine
to make commercial roofing panels. Business was
good; in order to keep up PPI moved locations from
Lakewood to Wheat Ridge. In 2008, PPI moved to
Arvada to find its permanent home (or so Jeff
thought), moving into a 14,000 sq. ft. facility.
However, in 2011, PPI had out-grown the building
and the search was on for a new site. With help from
AEDA, PPI recently moved into its new location at
6270 Joyce Street.
“Arvada has been a wonderful place for our company to grow,” said Jeff Patch. “The City is wonderful to work with and the Arvada Economic
Development Association has been more than
accommodating - it’s one of the main reasons
Premium Panels was able to stay in Arvada. We love
it here and plan on staying and providing metal roofing for homeowners and business owners for many
years to come.”
Premium Panels Inc. (PPI) is a family-owned and
operated metal roofing manufacturer, and custom
sheet metal fabricator.
PPI makes products from standard edge flashings
to complete metal buildings. The company specializes in concealed fastener standing seam metal roofing panels, wall panels, and aggregate panels, and
everything in between. From one piece to as many
pieces as the customer needs, PPI can manufacture
it.
In 2000, the company started in owner Jeff
Patch’s garage and grew so much in the first year,
20
Panels installed.
The Arvada Report
Today PPI is a thriving Arvada
company with over 30 employees.
The company has more than
doubled the size of its manufacturing space with its recent move,
and is maintaining a rate of double
digit percentage growth. They
were also recently honored as a
2015 Colorado Company to
Watch, one of only 50 winners.
To learn more about Premium
Panels and its business model, go
to www.YouTube.com/investin
arvada and watch the video.
AEDA Announces 2016 Board
Appointments
The Arvada Economic
Development Association
(AEDA) would like to introduce
its 2016 Board Officers: Dave
Doherty with Piper Electric, president; Paul Heller with Sopheon
Corporation, past president; Jodi
Thomas with FirstBank, vice
president; and Alicia Svaldi with
Faustson Tool, treasurer. AEDA
added three new Board members:
Scott Marcum with Marcum
Commercial Advisors, City
Councilmember John Marriott,
and Ron Slinger with Red Rocks
Community College.
AEDA also appointed two new
Retention Committee Members:
Andrew Heesacker with Arvada
February/March 2016
New Arvada Businesses
From left to right, Dave Doherty,
Jodi Thomas, and Paul Heller.
RentAlls, and Cynda Trudell with
Bread Winners.
“We are all expecting 2016 to
be another big year for Arvada. I
look forward to working with the
AEDA Board and Retention
Committee on a variety of vibrant
projects that will take the community to new heights,” said
Ryan Stachelski, AEDA Director.
AEDA would like to thank
departing Board members Fred
Baker, Bob Dyer, and Janet
Steinkamp for their years of
service. AEDA would not be
where it is today without the
leadership and initiative of these
three people. AEDA would also
like to thank outgoing Retention
Committee member Luke
Heesacker with Arvada RentAlls,
for his dedication and support of
the organization.
The following are new businesses that have either opened,
are under new ownership or plan
to open soon in Arvada. For a
complete listing of Arvada businesses, visit arvadaeconomic
development.org – Business
Directory.
Alameda Burrito
5273 W. 64th Ave.
Applewood Our House
6435 Garrison St.
Big O Tires
6510 Indiana St.
General Nutrition Store
12326 W. 64th Ave.
Iora Primary Care
8175 Sheridan Blvd.
Jersey Mike’s Subs
15530 W. 64th Ave.
Junkspirations LLC
6660 Wadsworth Blvd.
Olde Town Exchange
5782 Yukon St.
Pietros Cleaners
7867 Wadsworth Blvd.
The Digital Frontier
5910 Ingalls St.
Wallace Beattie Law Firm
6390 Gardenia St.
Wells Fargo Advisors
7375 W. 52nd Ave.
Wendy’s
9600 W. 58th Ave.
Western Architectural Metals
LLC
5685 Gray St.
Invest in Arvada is the community’s shop local program. The
program encourages Arvada residents to shop Arvada first. It
is important to shop Arvada first because 3.46% of each purchase made in Arvada goes to pay for City services such as
police, parks, and street maintenance. Keeping the dollars in
Arvada helps create and retain quality jobs, supports the environment and encourages a strong community economy.
21
The Arvada Report
February/March 2016
Public Works, Utilities Departments
Awarded APWA Accreditation
rvada’s Public Works and
Utilities Departments were
recently awarded the prestigious American Public Works
Association (APWA) Accreditation.
The APWA Accreditation program
recognizes public works agencies that
go beyond the requirements of the
management practices established
nationally in the public works
industry, as contained in the APWA
Public Works Management Practices
Manual. Arvada began the
Accreditation process in October,
2011 and was awarded Accreditation
on December 10, 2015.
Accreditation indicates the
Departments have met all applicable
Accreditation documentation and practices. “The awarding of the APWA
Accreditation shows we have dedicat-
A
water treatment, storm water management, and safe building construction
services to the community.
For Arvada’s Accreditation review,
a team of public works professionals
from across the country completed a
thorough evaluation of operations
during their November, 2015 site visit.
“It’s great to have the Arvada reach
full compliance with their practices,”
said APWA Accreditation Director Ann
Daniels. “I commend their continued
and renewed commitment to the
detailed review of the agency’s
policies and procedures to qualify.”
Arvada is the 106th agency in
North America to receive APWA
Accreditation, and is the fifth in
Colorado, joining Aurora, Golden,
Greeley, and Cherry Hills Village.
ed ourselves to concepts of improvement and in-depth self-assessment of
department policies, procedures, and
practices,” said Public Works Director
Bob Manwaring. “The heroes of this
prestigious APWA award are the
Public Works and Utilities staff, whose
mission is to provide services and programs that contribute to making
Arvada a great City.”
Arvada’s Public Works Department
plans, maintains, and improves City
infrastructure, maintaining more than
1,440 lane miles of paved streets;
1,000 miles of curb, gutter, sidewalks,
and medians; 2,300 storm and irrigation ditches; and nearly 600,000 square
feet of facilities. The Utilities
Department provides City fleet
services, safe drinking water, waste-
New Bus Benches Coming to Arvada
ou never know how much
you’ll miss something until
it’s gone. That’s what many
Arvada-area mass transit riders discovered in November of 2014, when bus
benches began disappearing.
The Regional Transportation
District (RTD) does not install or
maintain bus benches at most bus
stops, nor does the City of Arvada. In
fact, for many years, a company called
Outfront Media (formerly known as
CBS Outdoor) had provided the
benches, making revenue through
advertising. Unfortunately, Outfront
Media decided to get out of the bus
bench business, and with little notice,
removed 153 bus benches from stops
throughout the community. City staff
were not even aware of the change
until tired bus patrons began calling to
complain.
Y
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City Manager Mark Deven looked
for a solution. “We do not want to get
into the ‘bus bench’ business with the
resulting maintenance issues
involved,” he stated, “but we were
nevertheless concerned for bus
patrons, particularly the elderly or
disabled, who now had no place to
rest.” As an interim solution, the City
installed old park benches at some of
the community’s stops, while reaching
out to the private sector to identify a
new company to provide the service.
In addition, with the coming of the
Gold Line commuter rail in 2016,
RTD is re-routing their bus service and
that plan needed to be finalized before
a new company could be chosen.
On December 7, 2015 the Arvada
City Council approved an agreement
with Creative Outdoor Advertising of
America Inc. for the installation and
maintenance of bus benches. The first
priority will be to fill in the areas
where benches were removed and
work towards having a uniform design
across the City.
“This agreement will provide our
community with high-quality transit
amenities, improving the experience of
Arvadans who use transit services,”
Deven said.
Installation of new benches is
anticipated to commence in February
of 2016.
“Creative Outdoor Advertising of
America Inc. is excited to introduce the
Lexington bench to the Arvada community,” said Marc Ossterholt, Creative
Outdoor Municipal Affairs Manager.
“We look forward to upgrading the
existing benches to provide the transit
rider with a functional yet distinguished
and attractive transit bench.”
The Arvada Report
February
A Chocolate Affair
Saturday, February 6
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Olde Town Arvada
www.arvadafestivals.org
Sample chocolate-based food and drink
while raising money for a worthy cause!
Activities include a treasure hunt, booth
decoration contest, cake decorating contest, balloon artists, face painting, storytelling, chocolate playdough creations,
and more! Tickets are $1 each. All proceeds benefit Ralston House, an advocacy center for children who are victims of
abuse or neglect.
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Art for the Young at Heart
4 - 6 p.m.
Community Recreation
Center
6842 Wadsworth Blvd.
303-425-9583
Arvada Heart Throb 5K
10 a.m.
Memorial Park
www.heartthrobrun.com
Arvada Vitality Alliance’s
Time Traveler’s Ball
7 p.m.
Arvada Center for the Arts and
Humanities
www.arvadavitality.org
February/March 2016
March
19
St. Patrick’s Day
Festival
Saturday, March 12
12 – 6 p.m.
Olde Town Arvada
Celebrate all things Irish at the St.
Patrick’s Day Festival. This free, familyfriendly event includes live music, Irish
dancers, arts and crafts, kids’ activities,
food booths, green beer, and more! Visit
www.oldetownarvada.org for more
information.
High Tea for Seniors
90+ Years Young
Saturday, March 12
2 – 4 p.m.
Apex Community Recreation Center
6842 Wadsworth Blvd.
April
Apex Easter Egg Hunt
11 a.m.
Stenger Soccer Complex
W. 58th Ave. and Quail St.
303-424-2739
14th Annual Kite
Festival
Sunday, April 3 (rain date April 17)
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Stenger Soccer Field, 11204 W. 58th Ave.
www.arvadafestivals.org
This is a perfect opportunity to get
families and kids of all ages outside
and have fun flying kites! Bring your
kite or purchase one at the event.
Enjoy activities including jumping castles, face painters, balloon artists,
music, community booths, and food
vendors.
Celebrating Arvada seniors 90+ years of
age (and one guest). There is no charge to
attend but reservations are required.
Please RSVP by calling 720-898-7400 by
Wednesday, February 24, 2016.
The Arvada Visitors Center is a one-stop-shop resource for the residents of Arvada and guests visiting the area. The Visitors Center is located in
Historic Olde Town Arvada at 7305 Grandview Avenue. Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday and 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
on the weekends. For more information, contact Jean Gordon at 720-898-3380 or [email protected]. Online at visitarvada.org.
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PR SRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Longmont, CO
Permit No. 16
8101 Ralston Road
Arvada, Colorado 80002
*****ECRWSS
ARVADA POSTAL PATRON
Printed on Recycled Paper
Arvada Center Happenings
The Arvada Center–
Treat Yourself to the Arts!
To purchase tickets and for more
information call 720-898-7200 or visit
www.arvadacenter.org
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