Painting the Posts - Artistic endeavors in Goss-Grove!

 

After painting the street mandala at the very center of Boulder (according to Google Maps), we took the same colors and transformed the black and rusty posts between Grove St and Grove Circle (at 21st) into whimsical works of art.  We have been steadily spreading artistic expression in Goss-Grove, from the mandala to the metal bulletin board at the 19th Street pocket park, to the Little Free Library in our community garden.  And don't forget the stone benches and sculpture, and the 20' high spinning dragonfly smack in the middle of the garden plots.  Thanks to all the artists who have participated in these projects:  Jan Burch (mandala and posts), Chris Schutze (library) and Garrett Aulabaugh (neighborhood bulletin board), and all those who wrote grants, volunteered time and effort and made this all happen!

Goss-Grove Neighborhood Meeting Minutes: January 14, 2015

Goss Grove Neighborhood Meeting 1/14/2015  at 1919 Grove St.

Number of attendees: 17

**Special thanks to Jerrie/Jon and Jenny/Stephen for their two years as leaders of our neighborhood!!

1.    Treasurer's Report:

a.     Funds as of today $1,147.84

b.    Reimbursements since last meeting: $243.20 to Garret for our awesome bulletin board

c.     Funds collected since the last meeting: $170 for Garden fees

d.    Expected funds from rental of garden plots : $840 (total $1987.84)

2.    Postings on Next Door: from this point forward all pertinent info will be posted on Next Door, including these minutes (look for menu on left side).

3.    Garden

a.     Michelle: New contract has been drafted and will be distributed by end of January

b.    Deadline for renewals is Feb 16 and to be submitted to Rachael (info will be in garden agreement)

c.     New openings will be posted on Next Door

d.    Jenny will step down and Michele, Terill, Rachael will be the new committee

e.    There was no compost last year and the team is still problem-solving whether to pay for a garden compost or use a different strategy

4.    Possible grant money for GGNA projects:  Jerry

a.     We can’t get a grant if we’re not a 501C3 organization: right now we can’t receive $$ from the city either for this reason: Michele and Jerry will investigate 50C3 application

b.    Michele received info from the Awesome Foundation with regards to grant opportunities through them ($1000)  WE ARE an AWESOME neighborhood so there’s plenty of GGNA projects that we think would be attractive to the grantors.

c.     Jerry would love to see post painting project completed and the street mural needs to be done next summer. 

5.    Boulder Livability Forum (Stephen) is trying to control high-density issues in Boulder (such as traffic, increased service providers) and limits on building heights

a.     Stephen is on the forum w/some x-city councilmen

b.    They are working on a petition to set limits on growth (to put on a ballot) and strengthen the review process

6.    Flood update:

a.     Our slough is part of the Boulder Creek master plan which is almost complete (could be updated in May w/plans for mitigation)

b.    WRAB- Water Research Advisory Board has meetings with regards to flood mitigation.  Diane and Susan are attending meetings and will give us a heads up when they need neighborhood member support.  Meetings are the 3^rd Monday of the month. 

7.     What are the goals to be pursued by GGNA in 2015? 

a.     Neighborhood presence in the potential “development” of the “civic center”.

8.    What are GGNA residents' concerns?

a.     Snow Removal has been bad.  If you’re frustrated please call and report (can’t submit on line).  The rule is 24 hours after the snowfall sidewalks must be clear.

b.    Trash on 18^th street: suggested strategy is to contact property manager to comply w/ordinance (Mary Hey is the go to person on this)

9.    Of special interest:

a.     Make a pledge not to use pesticides!  Go to the bee safe website at www.beesafeboulder.com

10.  Ecocycle News:  Deb handed out recycling guides and answered common recycling questions. She will send out a message to all neighbors when she goes the CHARM center and people can put things on her porch for her to take.  She is the block leader for the hood and always available via Next Door for recycle questions. 

11.  Next Meeting is Wednesday April 15^th- see you then!

Goss-Grove Neighborhood Meeting Minutes October 9, 2014

Goss-Grove Neighborhood Meeting Minutes

………………………………………………………………………………………..

(You can also find these by signing up at www.NextDoor.com, our neighborhood community electronic bulletin board.

October 9, 2014

The meeting was opened by co-chairs Jenny and Stephen at 7 PM.

▪      Elections—The following neighbors were elected for GGNA offices.

o     Jeffery P.—co-chair

o     Michele B.—co-chair

o     Rachael T.—treasurer

o     Deb C.—secretary

Thanks to Jenny and Stephen, co-chairs, Jerrie, treasurer, and Michele, secretary for their work in 2014.

▪      Meeting schedule—2015

o     January 14

o     April 15

o     July 15

o     October 14

▪      Review of neighborhood accomplishments

o     The kiosk or bulletin board was installed last week in the 19^th street pocket park.  The structure was designed and built by neighbor Garrett.  Thanks to Carey Sager of the city transportation department for approval and helping with the installation.   Half of the posting space will be for the GGNA and half for public posts.  The GGNA will keep posting updated neighborhood information.

o     The second public art project was accomplished in September with the painting of the posts (bollards) at the street division at Grove and 21th.  Jan and Jerrie took the lead with this project.  Numerous neighbors came over the two days to help paint the posts with designs developed by Jan.  Jan also designed and organized the previous public art project, the compass rose on the street at Grove and 19^th.  Plans are for other post painting projects.  Next should be the posts at the 19^th street pocket park.  Thanks again to Carey Sager and other city of boulder departments for approval.

o     The little library was installed last year in the 20^th street pocket park and has been a great feature of the neighborhood.  People are interested in the concept, borrow books, add books, and sit at the park and read selections from the little library.

o     The Garden at the 20^th street pocket park was administered successfully by GGNA.  Co leader Jenny will step down for 2015. Co leader Michele is recruiting gardeners who would like to help administer and organize the garden for 2015.  Maintenance of the plots is planned for November after growing season comes to a close.

o     There are now 83 neighbors registered at the GGNA Next Door site.

▪      Flooding—Mary is on the city list serve for information and future planning as a result of the devastating flooding of September 2013.  Many homes in the Goss Grove neighborhood sustained flood damage.  The GGNA continues to provide input to the city and other interested officials regarding the flooding pattern in Goss Grove.

▪      LONA—Stephen updated news about the League of Neighborhoods Associations, BoulderLONA.org.  This is an effort to unite the neighborhood organizations in Boulder.  Primary goal of this group is to have input into development projects.  Maria and Stephen will continue to keep GGNA informed about this group.

▪      City of Boulder—The Neighborhood liaison position in the city managers office has been reinstated, according to the city.  It is hoped that this position will improve communication between GGNA and the city government as it did before budget constraints eliminated the position.

o     The no smoking ordinance was expanded by City Council to include the additional area bounded by 17^th on the east, University on the south, Broadway on the west and Arapahoe on the north.  Further expansion of the no smoking area is under discussion.

o     Concerns about hostile behavior of homeless people along Boulder Creek and disturbances in Goss Grove were discussed.

Respectfully submitted, Michele B., secretary