The Denver City Council on Monday agreed to four settlements across two departments at a cost of $170,000 to taxpayers.

The settlements will pay for two cases each involving the Denver Public Library ($30,000) and the the Denver Police Department for ($140,000).

Councilmember Shontel Lewis, who earlier said she tracking tracking where “every dollar” is being spent, noted that the city has spent just under $4.9 million across all city departments in settlements.

“I want it to be clear to everyone watching that we are paying attention and that we are watching how the city spends our money and that we are making decisions for the future with this knowledge,” she said. “After consistent feedback from my constituents, I see it as my responsibility to ensure the public is aware of every tax dollar being approved as an expenditure and payment of funds for a settlement.”

The council also approved a pair of contracts the city has with Securus Technologies, which provides phone services for inmates at Denver jails.

Lewis said she is not happy with how long it took the contracts to reach the City Council.

“I’m not happy that such important contracts are not finalized until such a late date,” she said. “However, my office was able to discuss this matter with the Department of Safety and I’m glad that the procurement process will be looked at to avoid this situation from happening again.”

One contract sought to extend the commitment from Securus by seven months; the other contract sought to add seven months, plus $210,000.

The new total of the latter contract now exceeds $2.2 million.

In other business, Councilmember Amanda Sawyer successfully requested that a $26.2 million purchase agreement for a halfway house located at 570 W. 44th Ave. be delayed by one week. The council will consider the item again at their next meeting.

Sawyer said the city’s real estate department asked her to call for the delay.

“They need an extra week,” she said.

Finally, the council approved a six-month contract extension with Kraemer North America for pre-construction services for the Colfax Bus Rapid Transit project. The project seeks to give one of the country’s most famous streets a major facelift once completed in 2027.

The project will break ground on Friday.

“I believe this project will mark the beginning of the future for our public transit system,” Councilmember Chris Hinds said.

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