Sept 21, 2021 Minutes

UHNC RNO Open Board meeting

September 21, 2021

Attending: Jenny, Paul, Shery, Liz, Dan, Jody, Steve, Susan, Patty, Michaela, Falene, Saul, Jill from Denver Streets.


  1. Approval of Meeting Minutes - The Board referred to the minutes from the August 17, 2021 meeting. On a motion duly made and seconded, the minutes were unanimously- Approved.


  1. Neighborhood Planning and Development


Denver Sidewalks - Jill from Denver Streets provided the Community with a presentation about sidewalks and sidewalk improvement in Denver entitled “Denver Deserves Sidewalks”. She noted the overall purpose of the initiative was to provide people friendly streets by creating an integrated network of sidewalks in Denver. The website for the initiative is: https://denverstreetspartnership.org/what-we-do/sidewalks/ or www.denversidewalks.com. The specific presentation provided is a “fact sheet” under the section “Where We’re At”. Jill noted the initiative strives to repair existing sidewalks, install new sidewalks, and improve existing sidewalks. She indicated that the overall impediment to adequate sidewalks in Denver is that there is no dedicated funding source for sidewalks. She indicated that owners of the adjacent property are responsible for the installation and maintenance of sidewalks, but that it is often prohibitively expensive for homeowners of adjacent property to install, repair, or improve the sidewalks adjacent to their property. Jill reviewed the history of prior sidewalk initiatives and existing funding sources and support programs. She noted that providing safe sidewalks was a matter of equity and public safety, and further noted that to the extent funding was available, priority would be given to lower income areas with no or sub-standard sidewalks, and areas with high demonstrated safety issues. A discussion ensued that mostly concerned existing funding sources and possible future funding sources. There was general consensus that the sidewalks within large parts of the Community are insufficient. Jill further indicated that a “SidewalkPalooza” would be coming to the Community to showcase ideas and proposals for improved sidewalks and pedestrian mobility within the Community, but a formal date was not set. Jill encouraged everyone to submit pictures and identify locations of sub-standard sidewalks or breaks in the continuous sidewalk way, in an effort to identify the ‘worst of the worst’. Twitter handle: #DenverDeservesSidewalks, #Sadsidewalks


  1. Parking Permits


Michaela provided an update on the Parking Permits initiative. She noted that progress was a little slow but that the greater group was working on establishing objectives and smaller working groups. It was anticipated that the working groups would meet in late October 2021. In response to a question about whether parking permits would become a reality, Michaela indicated that parking permits would likely become a reality as it was perceived by the City to be a source of additional revenue.


  1. Annual Meeting


The Board established the date, time and location of the Annual Meeting of the Community. It was determined that the Community Annual Meeting would be held on October 9, 2021, at 9:30 a.m., at the parking lot behind the Hope Fellowship church located at 2400 S Ash St, Denver, CO 80222. It was noted that it was anticipated that the following individuals would be in attendance: Councilor Kendra Black and Robin Singer-Starbuck representing University Hills Plaza and Wellshire Plaza. The Board indicated that the attendance of Megan Boyd of the Cameron Apartments project, a representative of Denver Academy, a representative of Clermont Park, and the Denver Police Department District 3 Resource Officer would be sought. A discussion about communication with Community businesses and how to communicate with them about the Annual Meeting and otherwise generally ensued. A discussion about whether other government representatives (e.g. our state representative or someone from the RTD Board) should be invited to attend ensued.


  1. Other Business


Jenny indicated that she was seeking to rotate the UHNC “Engage” signs around the Community. Discussion ensued and pursuant to the discussion ideas for rotating the signs to other resident locations were discussed and agreed upon.


Jenny indicated that, new resident, Lauren M. was seeking to address the Community at a future meeting to discuss a voluntary Community clean up. It was agreed that this item should be added to the agenda of the next meeting.


Steve initiated a discussion concerning the ongoing water line replacement project occurring in the area of Harvard and Clermont. He noted that the continuing work was likely to complicate already difficult parking issues in the area. Jenny noted that the Clermont Park employee shuttle bus had begun running again. Patty noted that the ongoing work in the area made it difficult for the shuttle to actually reach the parking area.


  1. Next Meeting - It was determined that the next meeting of the Board would be October 19, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.


  1. Adjournment – There being no additional items for the meeting and the allotted time having expired, the meeting was adjourned.



Respectfully submitted,


______________

Paul Leone

Secretary