Denver’s Neighborhood Sidewalk Repair Program is decades behind schedule and was not designed for ADA compliance, according to a new audit from Denver Auditor Timothy M. O’Brien, CPA. “Public spaces like sidewalks should be accessible for everyone,” Auditor O’Brien said. The program does not ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards. City officials also severely underestimated how many sidewalks … Continue reading →
A developer wants the city to trade a parcel of land on the east side of Fairfax that had been touted as a future pocket park by DPR (this land appears on several lists of property owned by DPR; for a similar size parcel in the middle of the developer’s project across the street on the west side of Fairfax. It is unclear whether the developer would allow designation of the proposed land or whether DPR would maintain the “plaza” between two proposed restaurants as a true park. It has been acknowledged that should the developer acquire the parcel on the east, it would serve for future development. The neighbors object to this swap and want to retain the original parcel of land for a small community park as described by Executive Director Scott Gilmore in previous meetings with the RNO
In examining the efficiency and effectiveness of DPR’s permitting process, the audit team assessed the extent to which DPR’s permitting procedures align with applicable legal requirements, leading management practices, and professional standards. “We also looked at whether DPR’s fees offset the cost of providing permits and maintaining the facilities. This is an area appropriately governed by policy,” explained Audit Supervisor LaKeshia Allen Horner. “DPR’s philosophy recognizes that the more the community benefits from a program or service, the more justification there is for taxpayers funding a portion of it.”
From the Denverite, a new report on the Audit of Denver Parks and Recs
“Additionally, DPR should be evaluating its fees more often to see if they are adequately offsetting the cost of maintaining the park, the audit said.”
DPR says that they already have a system for customer satisfaction for the major permits, but plan to expand the system to all permit types by the end of the year.
Our audit did, however, identify several areas for improvement regarding internal controls surrounding event user agreements. Specifically, we noted that management is not always ensuring that all contracts are executed before the events take place. Second, we found that not all invoiced amounts are being properly supported with authorizing documentation. Third, the exclusive ticketing agent has not provided assurance that its system provides reliable ticket sales information. Fourth, Denver Arts & Venues is not using electronic funds transfer for venue use payments. Finally, Denver Arts & Venues personnel are not documenting management decisions when interest penalties are waived.
Auditors also found that the Zoo’s Board of Trustees did not adhere to relevant best practices. Board members are not consistently attending meetings as required by the Foundation’s bylaws, and there was no formal training program for new Board members, among other areas in need of improvement. The lack of a consistent onboarding process left some Board members unaware of the roles and authority of the Board. Improvements recommended by the auditors were creating a Board charter, implementing non-voting status for the CEO, involving the entire Board in evaluating the CEO, and placing the Executive Director of Parks and Recreation on the Zoo’s Executive Committee.
As described in the attached report, our audit revealed that the City and the Foundation have not adequately monitored and maintained their compliance with certain sections of the Agreement relating to financial arrangements. In addition, the audit found that the Foundation should improve its governance by updating internal policies and guidance for the Board of Trustees (Board).
