Title
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF BALLOT MEASURES 1A AND 1B TO PRESERVE ADAMS COUNTY OPEN SPACE FUNDING
Body
Summary and Background Information:
Over the next thirty years, it is projected that Adams County will become the third largest county in Colorado, surpassing the County of Denver in population size. At the same time, Adams County will continue to be one of the top counties in the nation for job growth. In order to responsibly plan for the growth and preserve water quality, quality of life style, open space, and infrastructure, action must be taken. Ballot measures 1A and 1B will give Adams County the resources it needs to plan for the future.
Without raising taxes, 1A and 1 B will:
• Preserve land that protects water quality;
• Maintain and improve roads and bridges;
• Protect wetlands, rivers, and streams,
• Ease congestions;
• Protect open space to limit urban sprawl; and
• Maintain and improve parks
Adams County Open Space funding is critical for Commerce City residents. 1A and 1B ensure that residents of Adams County and Commerce City will always have a designated funding source to assist and support Parks, Recreation, and Golf. The need for these recreational services is critical, especially when the necessity to recreate outdoors during the pandemic is considered. If passed, the measures would not include a sunset date and would also remove a prior cap on the amount of distribution dollars the City can receive.
Previous grant funds have provided for Parks, Recreation, and Golf improvements and has also funded repairs, trail development, and land acquisition, including the property that Bison Ridge Recreation Center is located on. Over the past five years, the city has received over $1.5M in distribution dollars, which funded the following projects (please note this list is not exhaustive):
• Sand Creek Open Space Remediation and Restoration
• Dead tree replacement efforts
• The ADA Audit and Transition Plan
• Dead tree replacement efforts
In addition, the City has already received over $3M in grant money from Adams County Open Space. Some of the major projects funded with grant money include:
• Fronterra Neighborhood Park
• Veterans Memorial Park Master Planning and Renovation
• Ragweed Draw Ballfields
• Second Creek Community Park Expansion Acquisition
The Adams County funding supports active, healthy lifestyles and the City’s mission to maintain a Quality Community for a Lifetime. The bottom line is if Adams County Open Space is not continued, Commerce City will not receive future grants that will be critical for residents, the community, and our overall environmental and economic vitality.
Staff Responsible (Department Head): Carolyn Keith, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Golf
Staff Member Presenting: N/A
Financial Impact: Positive
Funding Source: N/A
Suggested Motion: Pass Resolution 2020-83 to support ballot measures 1A and 1B