MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING OF THE LOWER DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION HELD AUGUST 8, 2011
Pursuant to proper notice, a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Lower Downtown Neighborhood Association was held on August 8, 2011 beginning at 5:30 p.m. In attendance were: Mel Cruger, Josh Davies, Lara Davies, Diane Huntress, Joyce Lozow, Kirstan Marks, Eric Nakata, San Ong, Paul Rothman, Chuck Shifflett, Jack Tone, Byron Watson, and, Mike West.
Absent were David Cole, Terry Hershey, Jim McCotter, and Christine Santucci. Josh Davies chaired the meeting and Lara Davies recorded the minutes as secretary.
Approval of July Minutes:
Mel motioned to approve the July minutes as amended. Jack seconded. Erik abstained from voting and the remaining board members were all in favor. The motion passed.
Overnight Parking:
The board was updated on the new overnight parking rules by Public Works. They reported that not many neighbors have had feedback. The feedback from the board was positive. Some board members did not know about the overnight parking changes so we agreed to put this in the next newsletter. Public Works will be changing the signage on the meters to make the process more clear. More information can be found at www.denvermeter.com. Josh reminded the board that with the new rules, enforcement of the rule about parking in the same spot for more than two hours will be stricter.
Membership Update:
The group discussed if LoDoNA should offer businesses memberships. Mel brought up the point that it might conflict with what the GNC was doing and with getting GNAs signed. He also brought up that the GNC was doing an Ambassadors Program and that we should check with them before agreeing on a business membership. The LoDo District charges $80 for a membership. Eric raised the point that businesses might get confused between sponsoring the annual meeting and being a business member. The board discussed putting business members names on the website or in the newsletter but this made some members concerned that this might be seen as endorsing them.
Josh said he had been in discussions with some businesses that wanted to be members in order increase their name recognition among LoDo residents and to offer our members discounts. Many board members were concerned about bars and restaurants wanting to become members and then not being good LoDo citizens or not living up to their GNAs. Others noted that we needed them for a new source of revenue.
The group discussed a membership level for businesses at the $50 rate which would include having their name on the website and linking to their site. These members would not need to be in LoDo. In the end the board decided to table this conversation and concentrate on more timely membership issues.
Kirstan reported that we had 25 new and renewing members since May 31 and that she had the committee reports for each committee head to contact members that were interested in their committee. Kirstan also noted that we would do customized emails that would forward to committee heads for each committee – an example is philanthropy@lodona.org would go to Terry Hershey.
Committee Report Review and Additions:
GNC Update
The Pure and Lavish GNAs were approved and are done. Chloe is now open. The Spill GNA is close to being approved with language regarding their rooftop patio modification and new succession language.
Fluff has filed for a tavern license at 1516 Wazee St. The concept is a place for women to make a social event out of getting their hair done. Byron and David have met with owner Brittainy and reviewed our logistical and succession concerns. The GNA language is strict and requests that they act mainly as a beatify establishment not as a tavern. The owner, Brittany, has seen the contract and Jim thinks this will be a 50/50. The hearing is the 24th of August at 9 am.
Union Station Event for New Light Rail Station:
Mike showed the board the flyer for the Light Rail Station Opening on 8/15 and we agreed to get out an announcement to members about it.
President’s Update:
Fireworks
According to Judy Montero’s office Elitch only needs approval to do fireworks from the fire department. Since we met there has been noise testing done on the fireworks at Elitch and the noise has decreased considerably. Josh has a meeting with the interested parties on Wednesday the 10th.
Elitch did let us know that there will be two occasions this summer where the fireworks will be noisy – August 11th and September 4th. We communicated this to LoDoNA members. Josh said it is likely that Elitch will not be doing the fireworks in 2012. We are still working an agreement to notify residents of fireworks displays.
WeeBOT
The next WeeBOT is 8/11 at Wynkoop from 5:30-7:30 pm. We will do one more email to members and others in the neighborhood reminding them.
Next Meeting
Josh will try and get Frank Cannon to come to the next board meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 pm and the next meeting will be September 12 at 5:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Lara Davies