Catch-all Corner: city election results, new staff members, snow stuff, art, film and music, Shop Small Saturday
a cornucopia of tidbits
UNOFFICIAL LAFAYETTE ELECTION RESULTS
These are the numbers from the latest unofficial results listed on the county clerkâs election website as of 11:30 p.m. November 7th. It appears that 2A the collective bargaining for Lafayette police officers was approved. Also, the folks who live, own property, or have a business in the potential new Downtown Development Authority boundaries said yes to the creation of the new district and associated financing. Those are questions 6A and 6B.
CITY ATTORNEY INTERVIEWS
Friday, November 15, 2024 4:30 pm at City Hall
You might recall from one of my budget reports city staff recommended switching from our current method of outsourcing our legal services to an in-house city attorneyâs office. They told council this change will add three full-time employees but be offset by a reduction in contract costs and increased efficiency.
Per our governing document the City Charter, the council hires the city attorney. The interview process will be followed by a council executive session for a private discussion about the applicants. As of this writing there is no information about the applicants on the council agenda. You can attend the meeting or watch online live or at your convenience.
NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Our previous CFO Devin Billingsley left in August. Following a nationwide search that garnered 43 applicants, Zachary Cartaya was appointed by the council on November 4th. Back to our City Charter again â which calls this position the Treasurer â the council appoints but he will serve at the pleasure of the city administrator. He gained unanimous support from a cross-departmental interview panel.
From the staff memo:
Prior to joining the City, Zach Cartaya most recently served as the Chief Financial Officer/Director of Information Technology for the Highlands Ranch Metropolitan District and the Centennial Water and Sanitation District.
Zach has held several roles both at the state and local level including budget roles in the Colorado Department of Revenue as well as the Department of Human Services, Budget Officer for the City of Commerce City, and Financial Director for the City and County of Denverâs Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. Zach holds a Bachelorâs Degree in Political Science with a Minor in Public Administration and Finance as well as a Masterâs Degree in Political Science.
WINTER MOBILITY PLAN
At their November 4th meeting the council received the annual Winter Mobility Plan update. I had planned to provide a link to it on the city website but when searching could only find the 2023 version. If you would like to check it out you can find it in the councilâs packet for that meeting, beginning on page 149. If you want to get deeper into the topic you can watch staffâs presentation starting at 21 minutes into the meeting.
SNOW ANGELS NEEDED
Find more info on the city website and the signup form to volunteer
RED WAGON AT THOMAS OPEN SPACE CLOSING FOR THE SEASON
Their end-of-season hours are Fridays from 12-6 pm or weekends from 10am-6pm through November 24th. If you missed my piece detailing some of the history of this community-owned property you might enjoy it.
UPCOMING EXHIBIT AT THE COLLECTIVE
The Collective, our community arts center at W. Geneseo St and N Public Rd will be closed Nov. 12-15 for technology updates and installation of the Interchange exhibit
FROM THE CITY WEBSITE:
Stop by the gallery on Saturday, Nov. 16 to see the new exhibit, Interchange. Interchange is the 20th exhibition of the Access/VSA Emerging Young Artists Program from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, celebrating over 20 years of collaboration with Volkswagen Group of America. This travelling exhibition features fifteen artists with disabilities, ages 16-25, showcasing their unique talents across various venues in the U.S. The theme Interchange encourages artists to explore the intersection of their disability and artistic identities, fostering dialogue about their experiences through their work. The exhibition aims to broaden understanding and inspire new connections between the artists' work and the audience. The Collective is one of four stops, nationwide, for this exhibition. Interchange will be on display from November 16 â Mid-January.
HISTORY OF ADA
 A FILM AND PANEL DISCUSSION AT THE COLLECTIVE
FROM THE LAFAYETTE ARTS SOURCE NEWSLETTER:
Thursday Nov. 21, 6-8pm. Join us at The Collective Community Arts Center with Denver Office of Storytelling for the showing of the film â30 Years Later: How the ADA Enabled Denverâs Disability Community to âBoldly Go Where Everyone Else Has Gone Beforeââ that recounts the pivotal 1978 protest by the "Gang of 19" in Denver, who blocked buses to demand wheelchair-accessible transit. This act was part of a broader movement that contributed to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. The film emphasizes the significant impact of the ADA on the disability community and honors the Denver activists who championed civil rights for people with disabilities, while also acknowledging ongoing efforts in the fight for equality. A panel discussion will follow the film.  Light snacks provided. lafayetteco.gov/Collective Â
THE CULTURAL CARAVAN PRESENTS
Hands-on Workshop on the Zimbabwean MarimbaÂ
FROM THE LAFAYETTE ARTS SOURCE NEWSLETTER:
Friday, Nov. 22, 6:30 PM Donât miss this chance to learn the vibrant rhythms and melodies of Zimbabwean music and connect with amazing artists and culture!Â
Join Sister Carmen Community Center, Emergency Family Assistance Association, and the Cultural Caravan for a free, interactive Zimbabwean marimba workshop led by renowned artists Zivanai Masango and Blessing Chimanga. No experience neededâthis fun, inclusive event welcomes all ages and skill levels! Register at this link: https://www.culturalcaravan.org/events-1/zimbabwean-marimba-workshopÂ
Zivanai Masangoâs residency is generously supported by UltraVioletIdea and a grant from Creative West and the National Endowment for the Arts. Â
Presented by the Cultural Caravan. With support from Emergency Family Assistance and Sister Carmen Community Center.Â
Friday, Nov. 22, 5pm (Dinner), 6:30pm (Workshop)Â
Sister Carmen Community Center, 655 Aspen Ridge Dr., LafayetteÂ
ORIGAMI AND OBIS GIFT WRAPPING
FROM THE LAFAYETTE ARTS SOURCE NEWSLETTER:
Saturday, Nov. 30, 2-4pm FREE! Drop into the Collective Community Arts Center with instructor Iruka Hikaru for free Origami and Obi Gift Wrapping. While you are shopping in Old Town on Shop Small Saturday, stop by The Collective with your smaller gifts to learn a bit about origami and gift wrap your presents using interesting papers and a bit of flair. Funded by Lafayette Cultural Arts Board and Arts & Cultural Resources Department. lafayetteco.gov/CalendarÂ
Check out the local businesses participating and if you own a local business this is where you can register too.
Want to offer more support? Awesome!