The following presentation was made by City Attorney Bob Gehler during the July 12 City Council meeting.SPECIAL REPORT
I always give my report from this table but tonight I have a special report and I am going to take the podium...
I have been the City Attorney for the City of Commerce City for 42-1/2 years. I guess I started at a very young age. In any event, that’s a lot of meetings, a lot of court cases and a lot of legal opinions.
The reason I continue is because I have pride in the things Commerce City is doing. Certainly there have been good times and times that weren’t so good. Rest assured, there have been many more good times. It is rewarding when we have accomplished something that is good for an entire city. That is why it is so disappointing, frustrating and disheartening when we hear and see things said about our city that are not positive and when I say our city, I include saying negative things about you, as City Council, our city manager and our city staff.
It is time that we talk about the big picture – that includes all of the positive things that have happened in the immediate past and are happening now in Commerce City.
I hope Commerce City is watching and listening because if I were to write headlines about this City of ours, I would talk about the following:
1. You, as City Council, being responsible for the overall operations of the city;
2. The city manager, Jerry Flannery, and his staff being responsible for the day-to-day operations; and
3. The city attorney’s office, which is responsible for the legal issues in this city.
Negative efforts against any part of the big picture in this city are, in reality, damaging to the entire city.
It is time we emphasize the positive in this city. By working together, we can continue to accomplish great things for Commerce City. One of the most outstanding things about this city is that we have a group of people who work hard and spend a lot of time and effort on behalf of this city.
For that I say, “Thank you, City Council; thank you City Manager Jerry Flannery; thank you city staff including Deputy City Managers Nanette Neelan and Tom Acre, and most of all, thank you citizens of Commerce City.”
Here are the positive things that are happening in Commerce City:
1. Cummins Rocky Mountain, a Fortune 500 Company moves to Commerce City.
2. Park Forests, a five-building office complex to be constructed in Commerce City.
3. City Manager Flannery one of 11 city managers nominated at City Management Association as city manager of the year in the State of Colorado.
4. Mile High Marketplace at 88th Avenue and Interstate 76 annexed to Commerce City.
5. Community Development Director Brian McBroom and Parks and Recreation Director Carolyn Keith serve on panels presenting information to City officials at statewide Colorado Municipal League conference.
6. Commerce City government fights for environmental concerns for Commerce City citizens concerning the realignment of I-70 into Commerce City.
7. Commerce City receives grant of federal funds for Police Department.
8. Commerce City to open police substation in northern area of Commerce City.
9. Commerce City has one of the best financial positions of any city in the Denver metropolitan area.
10. Building permits in Commerce City are up 32% in 2010 over the same time period in 2009.
11. Commerce City completes road construction at Highway 2 and 88th Avenue and Highway 2 and 104th Avenue.
12. Commerce City Plaza sold to LF2 Commerce City, L.P. LF2Commerce City is a highly-respected owner and developer of shopping centers in the United States and Canada.
13. City Council of Commerce City explores the desires of non-police employees of Commerce City for the formation of a union.
14. City Council of Commerce City adopts a new Municipal Code in order to update all of the laws pertaining to operation of the Commerce City government.
15. Commerce City and Xcel Energy will initiate discussions regarding a new franchise for service of electricity by Xcel Energy in Commerce City.
16. City Council of Commerce City adopts a comprehensive plan for development throughout the City.
17. Commerce City approves incentive plan for businesses and homeowners in Commerce City.
18. Annual state-required audit finds city finance records and revenues in good standing.
19. Commerce City Police Officer one of 200 applicants from around the world selected to attend FBI Police Academy.
20. Chinese delegation chooses Commerce City for visit regarding potential for development.
21. Colorado Court of Appeals gives final approval to annexation of additional 1,276 acres to Commerce City.
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