MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING OF THE LOWER DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION HELD
September 12, 2011
Pursuant to proper notice, a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Lower Downtown Neighborhood Association was held on September 12, 2011 beginning at 5:30 p.m. In attendance were: Mel Cruger, Josh Davies, Lara Davies, Terry Hershey, Diane Huntress, Joyce Lozow, Jim McCotter, Paul Rothman, Christine Santucci, Chuck Shifflett, Jack Tone, and Byron Watson.
Absent were David Cole, Kirstan Marks, Eric Nakata, San Ong, and Mike West. Josh Davies chaired the meeting and Lara Davies recorded the minutes as secretary.
Approval of August Minutes:
The August Minutes could not be approved due to an error sending them out to the board before the board meeting. August minutes will be approved with the September minutes in October.
Committee Report Review and Additions:
GNC Update
The Spill GNA was ready to be voted on by the board. The GNA provides for a modification of premise for Spill to increase the size of their rooftop patio with the agreed to conditions found in the GNA. It also included succession language in which any new owner would have to have their own GNA approved by LoDoNA. Jim McCotter motioned that the LoDoNA board approve the Spill GNA and Chuck seconded this. All board members were in favor and the motion passed.
The Fluff GNA was ready to be voted on by the board. The GNA provides for a tavern license at Fluff with the agreed to conditions found in the GNA. This GNA also included the new succession language. Byron motioned that the LoDoNA board approve the Fluff GNA and Jack seconded this. All board members were in favor and the motion passed.
Jim updated the board on the fact that beer and wine licenses are issued by the state and transfers are almost automatic. Cabaret licenses are issued by the city. The city code provides that there needs to be a new application if there is a new owner unless it is in the same family. Jim will keep an eye on this as it relates to Dixon’s. They have a cabaret license for special events.
Jim also updated the group on the entertainment district ordinance that recently passed for Larimer Square. There was a meeting with Tom Downey the week after our board meeting to discuss this ordinance. This ordinance allows Larimer Square to be closed off a few times a year to traffic and for patrons to carry drinks on the sidewalk from one establishment. However, they cannot bring the drink into another establishment.
LoDo Cares Update
It has been about 18 months now that LoDo Cares has been operating as a Philanthropic arm for both LoDo District and LoDoNA. We have made headway with LoDo Cares on collaboration with LoDo District and LoDoNA in terms of kids day, the children’s park clean ups, and Christmas in July. These are/were all successful events. We were able to grow all these activities and also have been able to do new ones such as LoDo Angels. The next area where LoDo Cares needs to focus on now is partnering with LoDo Businesses. Terry discussed a new idea to organize LoDo Cares into four possible strategic opportunities. The four opportunities could be Barth Hotel, LoDo Angels, Community Cares and Shares (food drives, Holiday project, DRM, Third Way Center, etc.), and Parks and Environment (playground, beautification, recycling). If these are the four opportunities then we need to also set priorities.
Joyce made a motion for LoDoNA in partnership with LoDo Cares and LoDo District to give $500 as start up seed money to LoDo Angels. The money would be used for creation of brochure, a freezer (to be kept in the Celtic basement) to store food in and stationary. Paul seconded this motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
The group discussed the idea of having the money for the Holiday Project be sent to LoDo Cares and for LoDo Cares to designate which groups we contribute to this year. Paul made the point that some in the neighborhood may not know what LoDo Cares is or are used to giving to LoDoNA and may not contribute. Others discussed the possibility of making it clear that LoDo Cares is a partnership between LoDoNA and LoDo District. Terry and Joyce will meet to discuss these ideas and come back with some recommendations.
President’s Update:
LoDoNA Loft Reps List
Josh cleaned up the LoDo Lofts Rep list so we can use them more actively to help promote our events. LoDo Angels will also be using this list for their purposes.
Membership
Josh has also been cleaning up our membership roster and we have about 130 members now which is great. The peak of 2010 was 136. The membership committee headed by Kirstan is meeting once a month and making good progress.
WeeBOT
The next WeeBOT is 9/22 at the Oxford from 5:30-7:30 pm. There will be free food, drink, mini-treatments and one raffle for a free membership at the gym.
Restaurant Preview
There will be a restaurant preview at Margs on 9/27 from 5:30-7:30 pm. They will have free food and discounted drinks.
Next Meeting
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 pm and the next meeting will be October 17 at 6:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Lara Davies