Board of Directors Meeting held November 1st, 2011 at 2100 S. Monroe Street.
In Attendance: Tom Gonnella – President, Dana O’Connor – Vice President, Ryan Zorn – Co-Treasurer, Pat Cashen – Zoning, Mary Myers – Sidewalks, Diana Helper -Parks , Paula Smith – Newsletter, and Bill Winn – Advisory Committee.
Treasury – Ryan said the UPCC balance is about $9500, up 13% from last year. June had a number of checks from recent contributions to turn over to Ryan.
Dana – Dana reported that because income is higher from dues, this may mean membership is up, too. The Sing & Sleigh-bells event needs a chairperson, but Dana has arranged for the singers, Santa, and wagons, and help from South High School students and others. She said the 125th U P Anniversary event was a big success, and suggests the board discuss in January having another all-UP park event with a band next year. Posters from the 125th are still available and can be offered at Mom’preneur event, at the Sing, on Star-gazing nights, and at INC.
Parks – Diana reported that the enlarged Buchtel Centennial Park is being prepared to be seeded with natural grasses. UPCC hosts INC at the Heritage Club Feb. 11. INC Parks committee is concerned with recycled water issues (purple pipes) used in Denver parks. For the board to look at, she brought a packet of thank-you letters from UP School 3rd graders who received dictionaries and thesauruses.
Zoning – Pat spoke of two zoning issues. #1. The city deems the shed at 2680 S. Monroe is “not compatible.” The owner requests a six-month extension to remove or rebuild it, as requested. Pat moved that the UPCC Board support this continuance. #2. Asbury Green apartments is now owned by Carmel Development which also owns Vista Lofts, and is requesting a variance to erect lighted signs at the top of its 4-story tower on the SE corner of E. Asbury Ave. and S. Josephine St. Signs are allowed only within 25 ft. of the ground. After discussion the board agreed to oppose this variance, as it is in a neighborhood of small single-family homes, it sets a dangerous precedent, and it is not needed to allay any perceivable “hardship.” Tom moved that the Board oppose this request, June seconded, all in favor.
Sidewalks – Mary Myers reported that the Better Denver bond issue sidewalks are completed (south side of Buchtel Blvd. Pkwy.). Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (INC) is preparing a “platform” for the mayor, which will include our Sidewalk platform. She and Diana attended the Transportation Solutions meeting and are working with that group and others, as well as a city traffic engineer, on Buchtel safety improvement concerns.
Newsletter – Paula Smith distributed a list of future deadlines for UP-Words. She also will email this to board members. The next deadline for news is Dec. 7 for the issue announcing the Feb. 8 UPCC Winter General Meeting. After discussion it was agreed to list the current dues-payers, with a special thanks to those who gave above-and-beyond the usual amount, and a reminder that dues are voluntary and contributions may be made at any time. All residents of UP are members of UPCC. Dana mentioned she hopes there will be another article on an elder UP resident. She asked that the Communications part of the UPCC bylaws be reviewed to coordinate all forms of communications that we use.
Written by, Diana Helper and Traci Samaras