Council Connects

ROCKY FLATS STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL: I forgot to mention I attended the RFSC meeting last Monday.

Parkway route deemed safe to proceed with work by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE):
The key take away, amongst other topics, was that the CDPHE, Hazardous Waste Division, reviewed all the data on the soil tests along the "Jefferson County Parkway" proposed route, including retests of the sample that had been found elevated, all were found to be safe for the workers that might work on the proposed parkway. (BTW, the Broomfield City Council has voted to pull out of the Parkway Authority.) The report from CDPHE is available for review. It is a scientific report and at least one RFSC member was concerned that it wasn't written in layman understandable language.

TOGETHER WE BUILD: How Federal Infrastructure Investments Can Put Coloradans Back To Work - https://coloradoconcern.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Full-Infrastructure-Report.pdf

CO Health Foundation Poll - https://copulsepoll.org

FEEDBACK FROM MEETINGS AND EVENTS:
CBAC:
1. Sales taxes still down - best guess for the year is about 8% down.
2. Cyber Security and IT topics, Jiles McCoy: a very good overview of ongoing programs and view of the future.
3. CIP and Revenue Manual discussion - feedback to Jason and Jeff.
TOWN & GOWN BOOK CLUB/GROUP (TNGN)
I moderated a discussion on the book, DEADLIEST ENEMIES - Our War Against Killer Germs -by Michael Osterholm & Mark Olshaker. This book predicted what we are facing today and in the future. Dr Osterholm is the Executive Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (CIDRAP) at the U of Minnesota.
DRCOG Finance and Budget Committee:
1. Did first review of the DRCOG BUDGET
2. Approved contracts for:
A. Refuge support through the Area Agency for the Aging
B. Consultation Pass Through for RTD Accountability
DRCOG BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
1. Viewed a Metro Denver EDCOM Video which advertised the area including Golden (view at ResilientDenver.com)
2. BIKE TO WHEREEVER - virtual effort replacing Bike to Work (sign up at biketowhereever.com)
3. Small Area/Town Forecast work is ongoing: useful for city planning.
4. Two good DRCOG Email Newsletters (distributed/emailed by Dr Flo Ratano : Director of DRCOG Outreach etc.)
a. Somewhat Weekly/Periodically Smart Cities Newsletter
b. Hot Topics Tribune - for small cities
RTD Update
1. New CEO: she is the past Director of Transit from Long Beach CA
2. Budget gap of $200+M
3. North line opens Monday - free rides

Note the News/Media on COVID-19 case surges at CU & DU. I'm hopefully our CSM students continue to follow good public health practices as I have observed them doing.

OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING A SECOND WAVE (WALL STREET JOURNAL):
Israel to Shut Down Again as Second Coronavirus Wave Hits
Cabinet backs new lockdown, set to extend over Jewish holidays; essential businesses to stay open
By Felicia Schwartz and Dov Lieber
Updated Sept. 13, 2020 7:43 pm ET

COVID - 19: LASTING EFFECTS AFTER INFECTIONS?
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/09/covid-19-scan-sep-11-2020

CORONA VIRUS ON CAMPUSES - NYT:
What began as a trickle of coronavirus infections among college students is now a flood: In the past week, American colleges recorded more than 36,000 additional cases, according to a Times survey.

That brings the total of campus infections to 88,000 since the pandemic began. Public health experts say colleges and universities, like the State University of New York at Oneonta, above, as a category have become hot spots much as hospitals, nursing homes and meat packing plants were earlier in the year.

Even the most comprehensive approaches to containing the virus can break down. One oversight at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Its experts assumed that students would stop partying after they received a positive test result.

A 'uniquely LA' streetlight design will soon illuminate the City of Angels

Project Room won Los Angeles' streetlight design competition with its Superbloom concept, described as a streetlight "bouquet" with extra arms for features such as pedestrian fixtures or solar panels.

THOUGHTS ON THE RECENT CDC POSITION ON TESTING FOR COVID -19 - for your reflection.

The American Public Health Association is deeply concerned about new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance that could reduce COVID-19 testing for at-risk individuals who are asymptomatic. We are unaware of any new data to merit this change, which is inconsistent with current public health practices.



This press release was sent out today to 526 media outlets across the country.



Date: Aug 27 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media Relations

Statement from APHA Executive Director George C. Benjamin, MD

The American Public Health Association is deeply concerned about new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance that could reduce COVID-19 testing for at-risk individuals who are asymptomatic. We are unaware of any new data to merit this change, which is inconsistent with current public health practices.



In a dramatic shift from previous federal guidelines, the CDC disclosed that some people without COVID-19 symptoms may not need to be tested, even though they may have been in close contact with an infected person. This is inconsistent with the evidence that shows up to 40% of individuals who are infected spread the virus asymptomatically. It is also unclear what problem this change solves.



We are also concerned that this change was made without effective consultation with public health professionals who are on the ground managing this outbreak. It makes the messaging confusing and may reduce access for those needing testing. Lack of access to adequate testing has been a significant barrier to getting effective disease control of this pandemic.



The CDC remains our nation’s crown jewel of agencies for public health practice. This change and the process that resulted in its promotion puts that reputation at risk. We are also concerned that this change was the result of political pressure.

At a time when we don’t have clear, unified national leadership, we urge our federal public health officials to stand up for science and for the health of all of us.

DRCOG's Finance and Budget Committee - we met and approved two contracts for the Area Agency for the Aging: for Tri-County Public Health to do outreach for Seniors & another to develop Ride Share software for seniors with needs to get to grocery stores, medical appointments etc. Another contract for support of the development of the Metro Vison 2050 plan was also approved.
JEFFCO PH FOOD COUNCIL:
1. JCPH hired a Food Distribution Coordinator with CARES Act funds to coordinate distribution from all the food panties in Jeffco.
2. Urban Farming: Go Farm and JCPH contracted with a GIS expert to identify and map land that could be used for farming in Jeffco.
3. The Council has develop an Draft Equity Position and mention coordinating with our Equity subcommittee.
4. SNAP (Food Stamp) Recruiter/Navigator: Moriah Bell is helping folks with this. Many of the hungry in need don't know what is available to them.
5. Give and Grow: CSU Extention manages this program. It is a great wsay to share you extra produce from you "Victory Garden" - more info at http://growandgivecolorado.org and growandgive@csu.edu

Opportunity to sign onto a letter to Gov Polis by Aug 10: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdyauBkHdhBNamey2Uprz_10MU9Ch0sW6bnhJTVHWah3sQ3Cg/viewform
LEO Climate Letter to Gov. Polis: A letter thanking Gov. Polis for his climate action and asking him to stay committed to meeting state wide climate goals.

DRCOG Update:
I attended , virtually, three DRCOG meetings:
1. Regional Transportation Committee (Alternate Member)
2. DRCOG Budget and Finance Committee (Member)
3. DRCOG Board of Directors (Director/Member)
The key topics included the
1. 2050 Regional Transportation Plan available on the DRCOG website
2. Safer Main Streets - a potential funding source for Golden
3. The TIP (Transportation Improvement Program)
The Transportation Improvement Program. The Denver region (DRCOG) implements the fiscally constrained short-range transportation plan through DRCOG's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP identifies all current federally funded transportation projects to be completed in the Denver region over a four-year period.
COVID-19 has presented some challenges related to funding/completion of current ongoing projects. Cities and Counties are being impact financially and local matching funds for some of the projects might not be forthcoming thus DRCOG staff has recommended some alternatives including: waiver of established TIP policy; reprogramming of Federal funds; and use of the "Colorado Toll Credit Fund" to help back-fill needs. This Toll Credit fund, managed by CDOT, has $800 M in the bank. DRCOG will reach out to the Subregions (Counties and their cities) so that the membership can provide input to resolve the challenges caused by the pandemic. Our Golden staff and I will have to stay on top of this. Recommendations from the Subregions will go back through the Regional Transportation Committee and on to the DRCOG Board of Directors for final decisions.

"How can we improve police and community relationships?" - excellent webinar from the CU Denver School of Public Health on 6/30/20. Video is now available https://youtu.be/P-reKVnoIRE

Interesting cautionary tale and picture from a Medical Historian from the University of Michigan regarding the Denver response to the 1918 Flu epidemic:

https://coloradosun.com/2020/07/11/denver-residents-refused-to-wear-masks-during-1918-pandemic-what-have-we-learned/

FACE MASKS: I know Council continues to receive many messages about face coverings in Golden. The Resolution passed 5/6/20 addresses private businesses requiring masks. The City requires masks in all public buildings. The city is posting signs along trails, parks and busy streets and working to reinforce mask wearing everywhere. If council members would like to discuss face coverings again, let me or the city manager know to put it on a future agenda. Wheat Ridge's resolution keeps being mentioned from members of the community. Here is the relevant language from their resolution "Section 1. Face Covering Request. The City Council hereby extends its action regarding face coverings contained in Resolution 26, Series 2020, by enacting the following Request:
A. All persons entering an establishment open to the public as defined by the Fourth Amended Public Health Order 20-28 (May 26, 2020) of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, are hereby requested to wear medical or non-medical cloth face coverings, such as to cover their nose and mouth, when entering any such business and in conducting any interactions within such business.
B. This Request is necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of essential workers and the residents and visitors of the City. This Request shall go into effect upon adoption of this Resolution and shall expire at midnight on June 22, 2020, unless it is earlier terminated or extended.
C. This Request is permitted to be more restrictive than any state-issued stay at home order or other public health order, as permitted by the Governor's stay at home orders and associated orders of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. D.The Council strongly urges all citizens, for your own health and safety, and forthat of the brave citizens who are staffing the grocery stores, pharmacies andother businesses that are so critical to our daily needs, to comply with thisRequest. It is only through our collective efforts that we can protect thosepersons, ourselves and our families. The Council genuinely appreciates yourvoluntary cooperation.
E.The Council further recommends that business establishments post notice to thepublic of the recommendation contained in this Request."

POLICING: A couple of excellent resources -----The Final Report of the Task Force on 21st Century Policing. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.michiganpolicechiefs.org/resource/resmgr/21st_references/21st.Century.TaskForce_Final.pdf ----- Starting with What Works: Using Evidence-Based Strategies to Improve Community-Police Relations https://www.theiacp.org/sites/default/files/all/s/StartingwithWhatWorksBrochureWeb.pdf

Removed by moderator.

HEALTH EQUITY: I thought this guide provided important considerations and examples for implementing and enforcing policies equitably - https://www.changelabsolutions.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/Equitable_Enforcement_to_Achieve_Health_Equity-GUIDE-ACCESSIBLE_FINAL_20200610.pdf

APA (American Psychological Association) "We are Living in a Racism Pandemic" - https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/05/racism-pandemic. Excellent townhall today by NLC and APA.