January 15, 2004 GGNA Minutes

January 15, 2004 GGNA Minutes
02/26/05 by david secunda
Summary of the 15 January 2004 Meeting of GGNA
We gathered at the home of Dave Secunda and Carmela Weber at 1945 Grove St. for potluck and fellowship, and GGNA’s bimonthly meeting.
We started the meeting with general introductions of neighbors (16) and visitors. Visitors included Chrystal Owen and Jack Rae from CMI, a for-profit corporation that manages the BCTC adult minimum security facility at 21st and Canyon. The facility currently houses 64 people (12 females). They are people who are transitioning out of prison or are on a diversion program that gives them a chance to avoid prison. All clients have to be in treatment, work full time, pay rent, and are monitored and supervised. Chrystal stressed that they may be available to help with neighborhood cleanup or other type of neighborhood activities. Adam Seidman introduced himself and the Living School on the corner of 19th and Arapahoe. The school is K-12 “Summerhill” type of free school. Adam is the director. He invited neighbors to explore ways to get involved with the school, perhaps teaching something. He also mentioned that the school space may be available for neighborhood activities.
Other visitors included Officers Liz Bohlen and Keith Steinman, Bryan Parch, Kurt Foster, and swing shift supervisor, Sgt. Rob Burkman. Also present were Mary Huron (city-neighborhood liaison), Jen Korbelik (CU-city liaison), Rebecca Heyward (CU-neighborhood liaison).
I. The first major item on the agenda was “Looking Forward” (what do we want to do in 2004?). We want to be proactive.
1. We discussed the need for a Neighborhood Action Strategic Plan. We agreed that a small committee is needed to identify a number of issues and create a plan for what we want to see in our neighborhood 1, 3, 5, 10 years down the road (issues such as lighting, what kind of businesses we want in the neighborhood, possible actions when a home in the neighborhood comes up for sale, etc.) The committee should seek diverse input (including Naropa, students, etc.) and should perhaps meet on the off months from regular GGNA meetings, so it can report to the full meeting. GGNA co-chair Dave Secunda will take the lead on this. Other volunteers are Michele Bishop, Marty Crigler, and Mary Hey.
2. Dave reported on the Community Garden Project. We have minimum funding to get started. There will be 15 plots available and they will be allocated on a first come first served basis, or by a lottery if there are too many people interested. The next newsletter will include an application form. There will be a small annual fee, but water, fertilizer, tools, etc. will be provided. Renters and students need to be invited to participate. We should have a fence around it to discourage casual thievery of the fruits of the plots. This will require additional money. Resource 2000 may have cheaper materials available. Dave Secunda will continue to be “point man” for this project.
3. Neighborhood co-chair Carmela Weber spoke of her vision of keeping families in the neighborhood by supporting each other and making the neighborhood family-friendly and children-friendly.
To start with she suggested that a Valentine’s Day parents night out. Carmela, Jenny Devaud, Mary Hey and Maria Krenz volunteered to entertain the kids for this coming Valentine’s Day. Carmela is main contact for this endeavor.
Bloc parties--making a special effort to include the students living on the bloc-- were also discussed and approved as a good idea. Doug (1834 Grove) volunteered to spearhead this project.
Participating in volunteer projects as a family or as a neighborhood was also proposed. Jackie mentioned that Colleen Scanlon is interested in exploring this further.
Shared interest groups in the neighborhood, bartering of services, sharing knowledge and expertise, finding “common interest” groups to go to movies or other events, etc. were mentioned. There was a lot of support expressed for this. Jackie Deane and Colleen Scanlon may have an interest in heading this.
Jenny Devaud’s daughter, Karen, is working on the design of a GGNA website (grossgrove.org).
There is a city project whereby teens that do service in the neighborhood can receive tickets to shows or other events. We should look into this.The desirability of “speed trailers” to slow down cars was mentioned.
4. It was decided that we will use the city-wide cleanup dates for our spring and fall cleanup, but “do our own.” Greg Mulligan agreed to coordinate and CMI offered the assistance of their clients.
5. Marty Crigler volunteered to coordinate this year’s garage sale and volunteered as co-chair Deb Crowell (in absentia).
II. Neighborhood Business
1. Officers Bohlen and Steinman passed out the crime report for the past six weeks. There were several burglaries while students were away. Keith reminded us to lock doors and windows and call if we see anything suspicious at all.
2. Jenny Devaud agreed to take charge of putting together the GGNA newsletter.
3. The city asked for a neighborhood representative for the Sofa Ordinance hearing. Carmela Weber agreed to be our representative.
4. Carmela reminded us to report any graffiti, garbage, and similar problems. If you don’t know whom to call in the city, call her.
5. Jackie Deane presented GGNA’s thanks and a small parting gift to Marty Crigler for her faithful and cheerful 3-year service as neighborhood co-chair.
Upcoming meeting dates and locations:
March 18: Mary Hey and Maria Krenz, 1919 Grove May 20: The Living School, 19th and Arapahoe July 15: 18th Street pocket park
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