WEEK OF AUGUST 15, 2024
VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 7
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Arvada celebrates local first responders for National Night Out
18th annual event takes neighborhood-focused approach for this year’s iteration
Council approves $320,000 severance for former city manager BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Kids play catch with an APD officer. BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Arvada celebrated its first responders for the city’s 18th Annual National Night Out, with celebrations taking place in seven neighborhoods across town. This year’s celebration took place on Aug. 6, and while it did not feature gatherings at community hubs
nity APD serves. “In this day and age of division, it’s more important than ever that we treat our friends and neighbors how we would like to be treated — because there is going to be a day when we need them,” Snelling said. “We may only have each other to count on.”
Arvada’s City Council has approved a $320,000 severance package for former city manager Lorie Gillis, who resigned from the city team following an executive session last month. Gillis’ base pay was $260,000 when she was employed by the city. Council approved Gillis’ resignation at an executive session held on July 1 — her last day with the city was Aug. 2. In an email sent to city staff on July 12, Gillis called her decision to leave the city after less than two years at the helm one she came to after “personal reflection.” The severance agreement which was approved by council at its Aug. 5 meeting stipulates that Gillis will be paid six months of her base salary, or approximately $162,000, and payment for all accrued leave, vacation and sick time, or approximately $160,000, for a total amount of $320,000. A non-disparagement clause in the severance agreement prohibits both sides — Gillis and Arvada’s City Council, plus the City’s Leadership Team — from making any derogatory statements about each other. In the contract’s wording, the city team refers to any employee who is the head of a city department, a work system director or a member of the city manager’s office.
SEE RESPONDERS, P8
SEE COUNCIL, P4
COURTESY OF ARVADA POLICE
like the Arvada Flour Mill and the Arvada Center, neighbors banded together to give first responders a night of appreciation and community building. Arvada Police Department Public Information Officer Dave Snelling said that in today’s charged political landscape, where discussions of policing can be heated, it’s vital to make connections in the commu-
VOICES: 14 | LIFE: 16 | CALENDAR: 19 | SPORTS: 21
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