City of Grand Junction Projects with Travel Restrictions

Riverfront at Dos Rios Phase 2 Project (8/17/20 to 6/17/21)

• Be aware of construction activities around the bicycle playground, access to the bike park from Riverside Parkway will remain open during construction.
• The existing asphalt surface of Riverside Drive, south of Hale Avenue, has been permanently removed. No vehicle access shall be allowed south of Hale.
• Riverfront Trail may be closed at times. Follow well-marked detour around construction activities.

Annual Leaf Removal Program and Tree Limb Clean-Up – City Wide

• Please slow down and use caution in areas where City Crews are working
• Anticipated Completion – Mid December

Non-City of Grand Junction Projects with Travel Restrictions

E Road Reconstruction between 31 Road and 32 Road – Mesa County

• Expect full road closures with a well-marked detour route at various locations
• Resident access will be maintained
• Alternate route advised
• Work hours: Monday thru Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Anticipated completion: September 2021

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Contact: Greg LeBlanc, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager 970-244 1557 orgregoryl@gjcity.org

Today, the City of Grand Junction officially launched its new website, www.gjcity.org in collaboration with CivicPlus, the website designer. The website reflects the look and feel of the natural environment of Grand Junction, while incorporating a host of new features and tools designed to help residents and community partners quickly locate the information and services they need.

“We are a leader in innovation and technology. It is imperative that our residents and visitors are able to easily access the information they need, and this website helps better facilitate that process,” said City Manager Greg Caton.

The new, service-focused website is mobile-friendly, secured for user privacy protection, and makes accessibility a priority. The site can be translated into any language with a “translation feature”, allowing the City to communicate with residents of all languages. The website is also ADA compliant.

“Launching a website that celebrates the diversity of our City was a priority to me and our staff. We now have a site that works for everyone,” said Caton.

The new www.gjcity.org has a host of interactive features, including the following:

• Notify Me: allows users to sign-up to be notified via email or text messages of emergencies, general news, special events, agenda postings, and City project updates
• Form Center: allows users to submit requests and forms, such as Special Event Permit Applications, Sales Tax Remittance Forms, and Planning Clearance applications
• Pay Online: gives residents the ability to pay Utility Bills, Parking Tickets, and Sales Tax online
• Citizen Help Center: allows users to report non-emergent concerns
• News & Announcements: a communication center directly on the homepage, providing updates and news happening in the City.
  • PLEASE NOTE: City press releases will no longer be published on gjcitynews.org.. You can find all City updates under the News & Announcements feature on http://www.gjcity.org. Additionally, all email subscribers from our gjcitynews.org blog have been migrated to our new site. Those subscribers will still receive City news and updates via email.

In addition to redesigning the City’s main website, the Police Department, Fire Department, and Parks & Recreation webpages have also undergone a complete redesign, maintaining the City’s new design elements. 

As with any redesign launch, users may experience broken links or page errors as they navigate the new site. Please email communications@gjcity.org with feedback or to notify the City of any technical issues encountered.

For more information regarding the City of Grand Junction, please visit the newly redesigned gjcity.org. Like, follow, and watch us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, NextDoor, and YouTube for continued City information and updates.

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Contact: Greg LeBlanc, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager 970-244-1557 or gregoryl@gjcity.org

The City of Grand Junction has invested $23 million in street maintenance since voters approved 2017 measure 2B. The City has used a variety of different street maintenance treatments based on the condition of roadway over the last four years.

Funding in 2020 for this effort was from two sources: $2.8 million from the City’s 0.75% sales tax for capital improvements and $3.0 million from the voter approved 2017 measure 2B which allowed the City to use restricted TABOR dollars for increasing the condition of City streets.

From 2017 through 2022, over $33 million is planned to be invested in improving the condition of our street infrastructure. The City of Grand Junction’s Street Maintenance Program has the goal of improving the condition of our roads and streets with the interest of increasing the pavement condition index (PCI) from a rating of 69 to a more sustainable 73. The pavement condition index ranges from 0 (no road) to 100 (newly constructed road). After the first four years of the program, a recent PCI study rated the City’s street network at a 72 – placing the City in good standing on its goal to increase PCI to 73 by 2022.

One of the core functions of the municipal government is to maintain its street infrastructure. A road network that is in good condition is good for residents and good for the overall economy. For 2021, the City will continue to invest in its roadway network.

Please note that North Avenue is also US Hwy 6 and falls under the maintenance jurisdiction of Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). CDOT has scheduled North Avenue for an overlay and median reconstructions in 2022. This will give the various utility providers 2021 to upgrade/update their utilities prior to the overlay.

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Contact: Greg LeBlanc, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager, City of Grand Junction 970-244-1557 orgregoryl@gjcity.org

Stroll your way through Downtown Grand Junction and enjoy an abundance of holiday cheer with shimmering lights hanging throughout Main Street trees. This week, the City of Grand Junction Parks & Recreation Department and the Downtown Grand Junction will finish hanging holiday lights. The traditional Wells Fargo tree was installed and is on display in front of the Wells Fargo building on the corner of Main Street and 4^th Street. The lights will turn on Friday, November 20^th.

A significant amount of holiday lights needed to be replaced this year. Downtown Grand Junction provided funding to replace worn out lights and City staff installed the lights. The goal is to maintain the same experience to the community and to provide viewing the lights as a socially distant holiday activity.  

The hanging of the downtown holiday lights will be completed on time despite the major interruption to the process caused by the recent winter storm event. The winter storm event damaged thousands of limbs throughout the city. The City’s successful response to the storm was made possible due to the mobilization of City crews and the utilization of private tree care contractors. This effort allowed Parks & Recreation crews to return to hanging holiday lights and completing the project on schedule. The City and Downtown Grand Junction are excited for the community to enjoy this Grand Junction holiday tradition.

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Contact: Greg LeBlanc, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager, City of Grand Junction 970-244-1557 or gregoryl@gjcity.org

Brandon Stam, Downtown Director, Downtown Grand Junction 970-255-4924 or brandon@downtowngj.org

For more detailed information on any of these items, read the full agendas and/or staff reports here. City Council meeting videos can also be found at the same link.

City Council will discuss the following items at this week’s meetings:

Monday, 11/16/20 – 5:30 p.m.    City Council Workshop – City Hall Auditorium, 250 N. 5^th Street

Discussion Topics

a. 2020 One Grand Junction Comprehensive Plan Overview of the Draft Plan, Discussion and Update

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Wednesday, 11/18/20 – 5:30 p.m.    City Council Meeting – City Hall Auditorium, 250 N. 5^th Street

Proclamations

Proclaiming November 28, 2020 as Small Business Saturday in the City of Grand Junction

Proclaiming November 3, 2020 as Sister City Day in the City of Grand Junction

Appointments

To the Visit Grand Junction Board

REGULAR AGENDA

Public Hearings

a. Legislative

i. Introducing the Appropriation Ordinance for the 2021 Budget, Presentation, First Public Hearing and Set a Second Public Hearing for December 2, 2020

ii. An Ordinance in Regards to the Refunding (Refinancing) of $5,540,000 Certificates of Participation, Series 2010, Increasing the Certificates of Participation Payments, Extending the Term to 2045 and a Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA) Hearing

b. Quasi-judicial

i. An Ordinance Rezoning Two Parcels Totaling 2.97 Acres from I­-O (Industrial Office) to BP (Business Park Mixed Use) Located Generally at the Southwest Corner of Fracture Lane and 25 ½ Road

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Contact: Greg LeBlanc, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager 970-244 1557 or gregoryl@gjcity.org

City of Grand Junction Projects with Travel Restrictions

Riverfront at Dos Rios Phase 2 Project (8/17/20 to 6/17/21)

• Be aware of construction activities around the bicycle playground, access to the bike park from Riverside Parkway will remain open during construction.
• The existing asphalt surface of Riverside Drive, south of Hale Avenue, has been permanently removed. No vehicle access shall be allowed south of Hale.
• Riverfront Trail Closure: starting Tuesday, November 17th, follow the well-marked detour around construction activities onto the Riverside Parkway

1st Street Sewer Line Replacement from Pitkin Avenue to Grand Avenue

• Finial clean-up and miscellaneous concrete replacement
• Expect intermittent lane closures
• Anticipated completion – Friday, November 20th

Annual Leaf Removal Program and Tree Limb Clean-Up – City Wide

• Please slowdown and use caution in areas where City Crews are working
• Anticipated Completion – Mid December

Non-City of Grand Junction Projects with Travel Restrictions

E Road Reconstruction between 31 Road and 32 Road – Mesa County

• Expect full road closures with a well-marked detour route at various locations
• Resident access will be maintained
• Alternate route advised
• Work hours: Monday thru Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Anticipated completion: September 2021

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Contact: Greg LeBlanc, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager 970-244 1557 orgregoryl@gjcity.org

The City of Grand Junction became aware that a Parks & Recreation employee tested positive for COVID-19 today, November 12. The employee works at the Orchard Mesa Pool and is currently quarantining as part of the recovery process. Community members who may have been exposed have been notified and staff who also may have been exposed are quarantining.  

The Police Department has had several positive cases and will continue to keep the community updated through their channels.

All City employees monitor symptoms daily and track symptoms at the beginning of every working shift. In addition to daily symptom monitoring and tracking, in-person interactions are limited, and masks are required during in-person interactions and while working inside. The City developed a mask policy that went into effect April 13, 2020 following the Governor’s guidelines. Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases within the community and the recent shift to Safer at Home – Level Orange: High Risk the City of Grand Junction continues to modify access to public buildings to help slow the spread. To ensure uninterrupted delivery of city services, residents are encouraged to conduct business with the City virtually or over the phone.

The following changes will go into effect:

• Orchard Mesa Pool and the Parks & Recreation Administration building will be closed today, November 12.
• City Hall will be open by appointment-only after Friday, November 13.
• The lobbies of the Fire Department Administration Building and Police Station will be closed after Friday, November 13.

The City of Grand Junction remains committed to providing services to the community and will continue to modify services as appropriate in response to the pandemic. The City will continue to work with Mesa County Public Health to monitor the situation. The health and safety of the public and staff remains a top priority. As a reminder, most City business can be completed virtually or over the phone. A full list of services is available on our website.

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Contact: Greg LeBlanc, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager 970-244 1557 or gregoryl@gjcity.org

Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases within the community and the recent shift to Safer at Home – Level Orange: High Risk the City of Grand Junction is modifying access to public buildings to help slow the spread. This is a response to the increase in cases throughout Mesa County. As a result, some City offices will be closing within the next two weeks. All city services will continue, uninterrupted.

The following changes will go into effect within the next two weeks:

• The Visitor’s Center is closed until further notice, starting today, November 10.
• The lobbies of the Fire Department Administration Building and Police Station will be closed after Friday, November 13.
• Orchard Mesa Pool and the Parks & Recreation Administration building will be closed after Friday, November 13.
• City Hall will be open by appointment-only after Friday, November 20.

The City of Grand Junction remains committed to providing services to the community and will continue to modify services as appropriate in response to the pandemic. The City will continue to work with Mesa County Public Health to monitor the situation. The health and safety of the public and staff remains a top priority. As a reminder, most City business can be completed virtually or over the phone. A full list of services is available on our website.

The move to Safer at Home – Level Orange: High Risk has triggered these changes. While the access to some public buildings will be limited, staff will continue to deliver services remotely. These access limitations are meant to protect our employees and the public.

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Contact: Greg LeBlanc, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager 970-244-1557 or gregoryl@gjcity.org

Until recently, the community has enjoyed relatively low numbers of positive COVID-19 cases in the community. Now that there is widespread transmission of COVID-19 in the community, Mesa County Public Health will move to Level Orange: High Risk, effective November 7. Since the beginning of this pandemic, the City has been proactive in its response. The City recognizes that these last few months have not been easy, and the City will continue to take actions that ensure service delivery to its residents in the community.

The City of Grand Junction is committed to providing services to the community and will continue to modify services as appropriate in response to the pandemic. As a reminder, City Hall is still open to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and most City business can be completed virtually or over the phone. A full list of services is available on our website.

The following changes to services will go into effect with the new Public Health Order on November 7:

• The final weekend of the Grand Junction Parks & Recreation flag football program scheduled for November 7th is cancelled since it went over the capacity limit. 
• Indoor pickleball at the Bookcliff Activity Center is limited to 25 people at a time. All players must register online or by calling 254-3866.
• Indoor fitness classes at the Bookcliff Activity Center are proceeding as normal.
• Orchard Mesa Pool will only be open mornings for lap swim and aqua aerobics only. Public swim and swim lessons are cancelled. Partial refunds will be issued to all of those registered. 
• Court facilities, including pickleball, tennis and basketball remain open.
• Outdoor facilities largely remain open including the City’s 36 developed parks, 25 playgrounds and court facilities, including pickleball, tennis and basketball.
• The Senior Center remains closed.

The City will remain committed to serve the public and will continue to do it virtually whenever it can. As the community moves forward into this next wave of the pandemic, the City wants to remind its residents of the importance of taking three important steps to slow the spread of the virus during the month of November: 1) Interact with only those in your household 2) keep your distance 3) wear a mask.

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Contact: Greg LeBlanc, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager 970-244-1557 or gregoryl@gjcity.org

City of Grand Junction Projects with Travel Restrictions

Riverfront at Dos Rios Phase 2 Project (8/17/20 to 6/17/21)

• Be aware of construction activities around the bicycle playground, access to the bike park from Riverside Parkway will remain open during construction.
• The existing asphalt surface of Riverside Drive, south of Hale Avenue, has been permanently removed. No vehicle access shall be allowed south of Hale.
• The River Front Trail: expect detours around construction activities.

1st Street Sewer Line Replacement from Pitkin Avenue to Grand Avenue

• All traffic will be shifted over to the south bound lanes of 1^st Street
• One lane traffic each direction 24/7 for the duration of project
• Business access will remain open
• Anticipated completion – Mid November

Annual Leaf Removal Program and Tree Limb Clean-Up – City Wide

• Please slowdown and use caution in areas where City Crews are working
• Anticipated Completion – Mid December

2020 Asphalt Overlay Program

This week’s activities will include the following (weather dependent):

Asphalt Paving

• B Road – 29 1/2 Rd to 30 Rd
  • Traffic delays can be expected
  • Rolling lane closures will be utilized

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Contact: Greg LeBlanc, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager 970-244 1557 orgregoryl@gjcity.org