Golden Community Commons, , has asked the city for a total of $250,000 to help get the organization off the ground.
“In order to approach major foundations and potential benefactors, (Golden Community Commons) must demonstrate that the vision and mission of (Golden Community Commons) is supported financially by the Golden community,” a letter requesting the funds said. “We have a growing list of individual donors, but nothing would speak louder that [sic] a significant gift from the city itself.”
The letter was signed by John Wengrovius, a member of the Golden Community Commons board of directors and senior pastor of Calvary Episcopal Church in Golden. and is holding it in trust until the nonprofit can purchase it, the letter said.
Golden Community Commons has not been specific on its plans but has pledged in an informational handout that the site will be “a hospitality and activity center, as well as provide meeting and work space for non-profit, government, church and civic organizations engaged in addressing specific needs of residents.”
Golden City Council held a study session at last night’s meeting to discuss the request that the city give Golden Community Commons an initial gift of $50,000 and another $50,000 a year for the next four years to help purchase the Armory building.
Council ended the study session agreeing with city manager Mike Bestor’s suggestion that he meet with the city attorney to draw up a contract to bring before council for a vote sometime in the next couple of months.
When that happens, it could be a split vote, Bestor said, considering council’s reaction at the study session.
Golden City Councilwoman Marcie Miller gave quick approval to the idea, calling it a “positive thing,” and Councilwoman Marcia Claxton agreed and called it a “nonprofit heaven.”
But others were not so eager to grant such a request.
Councilwoman Pamela Gould said that while she is in support of the goals of the nonprofit, she questioned whether it was the city’s place to give such a gift.
“There’s no stipulation to the use of this money that’s requested,” Councilwoman Laura Weinberg said. “I’m concerned about the open nature of the grant.”
After some discussion, Gould pointed out that the nonprofit’s board of 16 includes many Calvary Episcopal Church members.
“I would feel very uncomfortable with anything trying to mask the idea that we are trying to give this money to a church organization,” she said. “This board is made up of frankly of almost entirely church members.”
Golden Community Commons was formed after the church purchased the building and includes Steve Jensen, chief deputy attorney for the 1st Judicial District; Golden Chamber of Commerce president Dawn Smith; Peggy Halderman, who founded the Golden Backpack Program; and Marv Kay, a former professor of physical education and athletics for the Colorado School of Mines.
But eight of the board members — including Wengrovius — are Golden residents and civic leaders who are also members of Calvary Episcopal Church, according to the letter submitted with the gift request.
“We’re just the owner of the building; we have no intention of using that building for exclusively building purposes,” Wengrovius said. “Golden Community Commons, we’re hoping, would be the eventual owner so they would be the ones who would be the nondiscriminatory.”
Bestor said the city is starting to take a closer look at local nonprofit boards and step up public financial accountability. He told Wengrovius to be prepared for scrutiny.
Wengrovius said that anyone in the Golden community interested in being involved in Golden Community Commons should e-mail goldencommunitycommons@gmail.com. Board meetings are from 6:30-8 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at Calvary Episcopal Church, 1320 Arapahoe St.
Josie Klemaier: 303-954-2465, jklemaier@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JosieKlemaier
