January 2020 Meeting Minutes

Below are the January 2020 meeting minutes.

Board Reports and Introductions

• Introductions
• The co-treasurer provided an update
• The secretary described November’s meeting minutes (December’s meeting was a potluck with no formal agenda)

Invited Speakers

Denver Police District 4

Officer Jerami Chavez, our Community Resource Officer (CRO) provided the most recent crime stats and for the year to date. He also mentioned a few other items:

• The eyesore 75-foot RV at S. Platte River and Evans has finally been moved
• Call the police non-emergency number (720) 913-2000 to report street racing
• District 4 Citizen’s Advisory Group (CAG) meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of the month, and rotate each month between 9am and 6pm. The commander provides updates and wants to hear concerns from the community. The next meeting is February 12 6:00pm.

Denver Animal Protection

Julian Wolff spoke about some of the things Denver Animal Protection does

• Enforcement of off-leash laws
• They hold a low cost vaccine clinic every Saturday and Sunday, with shots $15 each
• Denver Animal Shelter is located at 1241 W. Bayaud
• Get your pets their rabies vaccines, as the area has seen rabies in skunks and raccoons
• DAP’s Safe Haven program will hold pets for 2-4 weeks for people experiencing temporary homelessness or attempting to leave an abusive situation. It doesn’t matter what type of pet, and they don’t release info on animals they’re holding
• Blue algae (cyanobacteria) – extremely dangerous
  • Can kill animals; don’t let dogs drink standing water, especially in the summer
  • Sloan’s Lake especially a problem
• Outreach Services Program – for those living in zip codes 80219, 80204, 80239
  • Offering free spay/neuter, vaccines, microchips, Denver license, toys for dogs and cats
  • No need to prove income if you live in those zip codes
• Animals outside must have access to food, water, and shelter
• Breed Specific Legislation (aka the Pit bull ban)
  • Learn more about the current ban
  • Learn more about the proposed changes
  • Read about the bill being advanced in this Denverite article
  • Weigh in on the poll held by the Mayor’s Office on Nextdoor

City Council District 7

Anita Bañuelos provided several updates from Jolon Clark’s office:

• Bag fee starting in July 1, major retail stores will charge $0.10 for paper and plastic bags
• The next Coffee with Councilman Clark is on Saturday, January 25 from 9am – 11am at Vinh Xuang Bakery (2370 W. Alameda Ave.)
• Denver Climate Action Task Force – next meeting is Thursday, January 30 1:30 – 4:30pm
  • Open to the public, meetings held weekly/bi-weekly
  • Consists of 25 leaders from all over the city.
  • They will create recommendations and have a plan by May 2020
• Denver Group Living Project – updating the zoning code to allow more people to live together without requiring that they be related by blood or marriage. Also eliminates barriers for group homes, shelters, and assisted living facilities.
  • Next meeting is Saturday, February 22 9am – 11am at Goldrick Elementary
• Neighbors asked the following questions, to which Anita followed up on with answers after the meeting:
  • Q: How are the funds for Grandoozy that were allocated to the neighborhood going to be used? A: For Grandoozy projects, the funds were programmed into the 2020 budget so we should see something this year. Anita has both projects (Florida bridge and Pollinator Project) on her list of things to talk to Public Works and Denver Parks and Recreation about and get updates.
  • Q: Any updates on the Iowa Underpass project? A: Iowa Underpass is still in the same position. Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI), CDOT and the State Historic Preservation Office are all working together to try and remedy the issues before the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) funding expires.

Community Ministry

Joyce provided some updates on what Community Ministry is doing (the organization that allows us to use the building for our meetings, and provides a food pantry for our neighborhood, among other things).

• They successfully raised their $800,000 funding to purchase the building!
• Holding an open house on Sunday, February 23 2 – 4pm
• Next event is at Sip and Paint Hampden for continued fundraising Sunday. January 26 at 5:30pm
• Starting an evening food pantry February that will be on Wednesday nights 6pm – 7pm
• Paul’s Bungee Bootcamp holds classes Tuesdays and Thursdays

Denver Asset Building Coalition

Brandy provided the update for Nicky Yollick:

• Denver Asset Building Coalition is a volunteer income tax program – and has some volunteer opportunities available
• They provide free training and certification to help people with their taxes

Facial Recognition Surveillance Ban Initiative

• 5280 not 1984 is the name of the initiative
• ACLU of Colorado has endorsed the pre-ballot petition (first time they’ve endorsed a pre-ballot initiative)
• They need over 8,000 signatures before May of this year to get on ballot in November – request someone bring the ballot by for you to sign on their website (signatures must be on paper)
• Help by signing the petition, volunteering, donating

Ruby Hill Soapbox

• Paul – Bungee Bootcamp Tue/Thur 6:30pm $5 a class.
• Brandy – talked about recycling
• Megan – talked about composting
• David – talked about Levitt; first show is in May
• Jacqui –  talked Yoga on tap at Chain Reaction every 3rd Saturday @ 10:45 Feb 15 is the next one
• Discussion about resources in the neighborhood for people experiencing homelessness

Meeting Adjourned

View the Facebook Live video for the January 2020 meeting here.