Heads Up-Building Codes

Go to the Council Agendas link on the lower right side and checkout the agenda for Thursday night, June 1st. The subject I would like to address is the International Building and assorted Codes.
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Throughout my career as a city manager I was responsible for recommending the content of the ordinances adopting the same Codes. You should think of them as National Laws with a small “l”. Professionals in the field prepare and revise them to address changes and procedures governing the construction of buildings and the safety of the public. They are designed as a Model for all governmental jurisdictions throughout the country. Adopting them as written for the entire nation is not expected or advised.
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Another reason for not adopting them as written is the need to compare each code to the present where one exists and another is to check for conflicts with existing local ordinances. The Municipal Code is full of restrictions on most aspects of our life and property such as the Code Enforcement regulations, the Zoning Code, the Subdivision Code and the various water, sewer and storm water regulations. The City staff should take months to prepare the City Council with some sound recommendations.
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In addition to a thorough internal review the staff would be wise to spend some quality time with the appropriate staffs of our neighboring cities. Why reinvent the wheel? Other Councils have approved many of these international model codes and revisions but only after picking and choosing certain paragraphs and chapters. I think this cross-check is critical at this time since our City does not have a Certified Building Inspector on the staff.
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Thanks to some careful thought, some members of our Council have put up a little fuss about Thursday’s agenda item as it was intended. The building inspector wanted to summarize all the International Codes and then ask the Council Members what amendments THEY wanted; believe it or not. And just how would our elected representatives know what changes to make in over one thousand pages? Hopefully, the “intent” of the presentation will be radically changed and the horse will get in front of the cart.
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I will follow up with the results as they occur.

Century Theater's Groundbreaking?

Time for Century Theater’s groundbreaking? The company has finally received all of the necessary building permits. Oh wait, the groundbreaking was scheduled, rescheduled and held during the City’s election campaigns last October. How many times did I state on this site between August and January that the ceremony was an election lie?
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Do you remember the selected developer for the area, Opus/Weinberg? They were subsequently fired by the City. But first, the City staff leaned on them and they agreed to pay the $8,000 in costs for the ceremony in advance. I wonder if there will be a payback during the Las Vegas junket. Contrary to the economic development speeches by Mayor Novak, Northglenn’s treatment of a nationally known developer will be remembered.

Junket time in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a great place to host a junket. All the national retail companies and commerical developers gather there to strut their wares and promote their developing shopping centers. Since it is being held next week the City Council might have to cancel its second regular meeting in a row.

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You see, we need to send three elected representatives along with the Chairman of NURA and two members of the staff. Westminister, Broomfield and Thornton are much larger and have scads of development opportunities but each of them is not as junket prone as our City. They will each get along with fewer representatives.

April 14th Correction

In the April 14th posting a change is needed concerning the School District's pool proposal to the City. The amount of $5.7 million comes from the District rather than the City. The balance of the information is correct. My apology for passing along the error in the information I received.

A Challenge to Me

A friend recently advised me that some residents have the opinion that my postings and letters about the City are nothing more than that of a sore loser. I did run for Mayor in an attempt to return the city government to its senses. My first attempt to change Northglenn was more successful when many of you joined with us in defeating the proposed major expansion of the recreation center at the polls in January 2005.

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In August of last year I told you that our first choice of a candidate for Mayor was long term council member, Bill Goodspeed. I stepped in when he could not run. My efforts since the Summer of 2004 have been directed towards a return of normalcy in our city govenment. It is and will remain my reason for continuing this blog and my involvement in local affairs.

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I have based my postings on the facts. If anyone feels that I have lead them astray, please leave a public comment for all to see.

City violates State law and gets caught.

The City was served with a Cease and Desist Order on April 26th by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Water Quality Control Division. The Division is empowered to levy a fine of $10,000 per day. This information was known by Mayor Novak two days before the last regular meeting of the City Council but did not share the information with her fellow elected officials.
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In August 25, 2005, the State issued approval for the expansion of the treatment aspects of the wastewater treatment plant beyond the original plant approval and stated that the Big Dry Creek Pipeline was not part of this approval. The City authorized the contractor to proceed in March. On April 13th a State representative observed the ongoing work in violation of the prior Approval.
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The staff, headed Leslie Cullen, contends that there was implicit knowledge of the effluent line by an employee of the State’s Water Quality Control Division. The employee no longer works for the State. The State met with the City staff and attorney on this issue last week and this past Monday. The Council has not yet been updated on the discussions as of this posting for a reason. The Mayor is out of town. Surprised?
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We already know that some on staff thought that some informal chats would take the place of a timely written application and the need for formal approval of the effluent line.
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The Interim City Manager, Leslie Cullen, has already admitted that due to a lack of experience she would have to rely on her “expert” staff. The Mayor was and is still wrong to have insisted that she be promoted to Interim Manager. A knowledgeable and experienced Interim City Manager would not have let this situation occur.
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In addition to possible major fines by the State, the City also has to contend with the contractor who was forced to stop construction activities. I guarantee you that he will be entitled to penalties, moving and setting up fees from the City. He could also successfully demand additional compensation for loss of work due to his inability to secure other work in the interim.
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I wonder what the true definition of a klutz, dolt, dullen, or pudden-head really is? Whatever; the City is top heavy with them and that includes the TOP.

Cullen ignores City Council

At last week's meeting of the City Council, it was brought to the attention of all that the Public Relations firm reporting to the Interim Manager and Mayor had contacted representatives of the press for the purpose of criticizing some members of the Council.

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Except for two members of the Council voting NO, the information was sufficient for the majority to cancel the contract effective immediately. Despite the Council action on the 27th, Interim Manager, Leslie Cullen, still had them working for the City (Her and the Mayor) today.

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Ms Cullen is a shrewd, calculating egotist that still does not realize that she works for the full, nine member City Council.