By Alexander Edwards | The Gazette
The Denver City Council has a busy schedule for Monday’s meeting and will consider millions in spending on healthy food access for children and rental assistance.
The agenda for Monday’s meeting includes just over 40 resolutions for the council to approve, question or amend and 15 bills being introduced or that are on final consideration. There’s also several required public hearings — including two for the Ball Arena Redevelopment project, an ambitious undertaking that will dramatically change what is currently several massive parking lots in the heart of Denver.
In total, the city will consider spending more than $5 million across eight contracts and one bill — with two contracts totaling over $1 million — to provide money for the Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids initiative. This program began after voters approved ballot measure 302, a 0.08 percentage point sales and use tax increase establishing a fund for healthy food distribution and food-based education for children in Denver. The sales tax began on Jan. 1 2019, and will end on Dec. 31 2028, according to the city, and all money must be spent by Dec. 31 2029. The city estimates the fund will provide $11 million each year.