MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
OF THE LOWER DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
HELD JULY 11, 2011
Pursuant to proper notice, a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Lower Downtown Neighborhood Association was held on July 11, 2011 beginning at 5:30 p.m. In attendance were: Mel Cruger, Josh Davies, Lara Davies, Terry Hershey, Diane Huntress, Kirstan Marks, Jim McCotter, Eric Nakata, Paul Rothman, Chuck Shifflett, Jack Tone, Byron Watson, and Christine Santucci.
Absent were David Cole, Joyce Lozow, San Ong, and Mike West. Josh Davies chaired the meeting and Lara Davies recorded the minutes as secretary.
Approval of June Minutes:
Jim motioned to approve the June minutes as amended. Diane seconded. All were in favor and the motion passed.
New Era Colorado:
Shannon McNamara gave an update on their Renter Policy and the endorsements they are working on. New Era Colorado is working to enforce housing code standards and improve landlord-tenant relationships around the Denver metro area. She will reach back out to us when they are ready for further talks on endorsements.
No Garage Garage Sale:
The board agreed to postpone the no garage garage sale until 2012.
President’s Update:
Noise Issues – Elitch’s
Linda Sheer and Sid Logaman came to the LoDoNA meetings to voice their concerns about the Elitch’s fireworks show that occurs each night in the summer. They are residents of Creekside Lofts and members of LoDoNA. They are ok with regular city noise such as fire trucks, Broncos games, trains, etc. However, the fireworks are becoming a major disruption in their lives each evening because they have a dog who is very sensitive to the fireworks noise.
They have complained to Elitch’s management, the Westword, LoDoNA and Councilwoman Judy Montero but haven’t gotten very far. They brought two resolutions to the meeting for LoDoNA to consider. The first was that LoDoNA request that Elitch’s stop the fireworks, use noiseless fireworks or move the fireworks to the south of the Elitch’s property. The second was that in future years neighbors be contacted for input and public hearings be held when there are more than two shows in a six months period.
According to the zoning code you have to get an outside permit with support from the neighborhood for the nightly fireworks. However, since they are an amusement park they are excluded from this zoning restriction. Elitch’s corporate office has said that they are toning down the noise of the fireworks in a press release.
The board agreed that some in the neighborhood like the fireworks but if it is causing some neighbors to get upset and affecting their lives each night that we should look into it especially since there is no indication that this only happening for one year. In regard to the two resolutions on the table the board agreed we should first get the noise level reports before moving further. Byron made a resolution that “The board of LoDoNA supports the right for home owners’ peaceful enjoyment of their property and this fireworks display is preventing homeowners from doing this. As a result, we need to find an amicable resolution.” Josh agreed to send this resolution to the necessary parties (zoning, city, Judy Montero, Elitch’s) after the noise test results came back. Byron motioned to approve this resolution and action by the board and Josh. Mel seconded and the motion was passed with one abstention. Erik abstained.
Advocacy:
Josh asked us to think about the LoDoNA board’s role with regard to advocacy. Obviously we are very strong on GNC issues but what should our role be in regard to issues such as transportation, Union Station, noise issues, National Western Stock Show, etc. If we want to have a stronger role here we need a chair.
Frank Cannon from USNA will be invited come to give the board an update on Union Station in August and Holly Barrett will come to give the board an update on LoDo District in September.
A group is looking at what to do with the Triangle Park area where 22nd Street, Broadway and Larimer meet. Jim McCotter agreed to represent us on that committee based on the time commitment needed.
Membership Update:
Josh reported that the Lara, Kirstan and Josh met to discuss the membership cycle of a LoDoNA member. He has a flow chart with the new process that he will hand out at the next meeting.
Some highlights of the plan are that each month Kirstan will report on new members, Josh will welcome then via a form letter, committee members will call members interested in their committee, and their will be a formal process put in place for renewing members, etc. Kirstan is the chair of membership, Terry is the chair of Philanthropy, Jim is the defacto chair of advocacy as head of GNC, and we need to find a chair of social activities.
Committee Report Review and Additions:
GNC Report:
Spill wants to remove the railing that keeps patrons from getting closer than 9 feet to the rooftop edge. This is a big deal for us as it is in the original agreement for their rooftop. The GNC will report to the board on developments related to the railing. The GNC is also looking at adding stronger succession language to the GNCs. The bar owners in the 14th to 16th block around Market are meeting to work on plans for making their area safer.
LoDo Cares:
On July 27, LoDo Cares will partner with the Denver Cruisers for Christmas in July. Participants will bring canned food items. There will also be drop off locations in the neighborhood for residents to donate canned food items if they cannot make the ride on the 27th.
July 28th will be LoDo Cares night at the Barth.
August 28th will be Kids Day at the Playground from 9-12.
WeeBOT:
Josh will be working with Eric on future WeeBOTs. The next one will be at Wynkoop Brewing Company on August 11th.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 pm and the next meeting will be August 8 at 5:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Lara Davies