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Welcome
2nd Vice-resident Tom Harold opened the meeting at approximately 7:00 PM and welcomed all members and guests. All attendees introduced themselves and their area of representation.
Circulation of Sign-In Sheets
Sign-in sheets were circulated for neighborhood representative signature.
Validation of Quorum
20 full members were present at the start of the meeting
Treasurer’s Report – Susanne Barr
Association balance – $2471.19
Approval of the Minutes
Approval of 3 February 2009 Minutes
Motion: Dennis Bauer Second: Rick Hoover
Vote (Yes-No-Abstain): 20-0-0
City of Colorado Springs Ballot Initiatives:
Vice Mayor Small briefed the pros/cons on each of the City’s ballot initiatives on this April’s ballot. Handout information was distributed and discussed. The Vice-Mayor answered question.
1a-Jobs Initiatives (recommended by citizen’s committee)
1b- Revenue Retention for Essential City Services (recommended by Council)
1c-Exspansion of TOPS Maintenance Responsibilities (recommended by Council)
1d-Federal Grants and Federal Funds (recommended by Council)
City of Colorado Springs Budget Concerns and Implications:
Assistant City Manager Nancy Johnson updated the CONO membership on the effects of City General Fund (GF) budget cuts on City services. The GF supports public safety, transportation/road maintenance, community development, and recreational services. A video presentation was presented on City resources and funding limitations. Sales taxes are expected to be 12% lower than normal. The City plans to reassess its fiscal position in May; the City expects more cuts. Vice-Mayor Small and Asst Manager Johnson answered questions; some of which are policy decisions.
1) City would like to attend your neighborhood meetings.
2) Please contact the City if you have questions regarding the ballots initiatives.
3) The City wants the residents to understand the implication of budget cuts. How to do services differently; there will be cuts on the horizon. Are you happy with the existing levels of services; this determines what gets cut and does not. City wants the community to weigh in on spending priorities.
CONO Priorities
2nd Vice-President Tom Harold updated the membership on the proposed CONO CY09 priorities.
1 Help organize more neighborhoods in the bounds of El Paso County
2-Recruit neighborhood organizations to join CONO (increase membership)
3-Improve communications about the public process of the city and county
Continue to welcome city/county officials to CONO meetings
The Executive Committee fielded questions and provided amplifying information on achieving the three priorities. 2nd Vice-President encouraged follow-on discussion and involvement.
Forums
A separate City Council Forum will be held at the Carnegie Library
A “Dream City” Forum will be held at the CONO April meeting; 1.5 hours
A Department of Wildlife Information Meeting is planned in the May/June time period
D-11 Update
CONO Secretary Welling Clark updated the membership on the status of the D11 utilization plan. President Dave Munger recommended a public/business sounding board be established to evaluate the fiscal and facility implementation plans for the staff’s utilization recommend. Councilman Jerry Heimlicher, and Commissioner Sallie Clark both endorsed the CONO recommendation to the BoE. The BoE ignored the CONO request. CONO representatives have made recommendations to parents, PTOs, and residents working to mitigate the expected damage.
1) Initiate efforts to mitigate the damage to the community
2) Work towards better representation on the BoE (November 2009 election)
3) Explore the possibility of El Paso county school districts and governments working together to increase savings.
Neighborhood Roundtable
Celesta Kuhn: Trying to understand CONO and what it does. Need better outreach.
Platte Ave Business/NOA- Stephanie Johnson: Little statue of liberty refurbished and will be placed in front of City Hall. We are looking for contractors and suppliers to finish the project; a citizen’s project. Issue with the CSPD, Knob Hill needs help; asked for increased CSPD patrol. We are consolidating the surrounding neighborhood.
Discovery, Jan Doran; Discussed SB-100/SB-89 and legislation being brought forward by REP Amy Stephens to help out HOA/NOAs.
CSU, Kristin Flannery – Streetlight issues noted and will be brought to CSU.
Mesa, Marj Webster: Lost Hillside overlay. Gearing for in-fill development standards.
Rustic Hills, Rick Hoover: Attended DETOX meeting-that will be a serious problem due to the hospitals being overloaded. DRE – Construction taking a hit
Cragmor Village, Liz Lancaster: Concern about wildland area fires due to open space and dryness.
Mid Palmer Park Blvd, Charlie: Trying to come up with a proactive solution to vandals. Having public safety issues.
Skyway, Steve Vogt: Thieves are following the FedEx vehicles, as they make delivery/drop-off. The thieves wait for the FedEx vehicle to depart and then steal the package from the home’s doorstep.
Mountain Shadows, Francine Hansen: Working on a mitigation plan for open space potential fire issues. Working with CSFD to prevent wildland fires.
OWN, Welling Clark: Thanked Asst City Manager Johnson for setting up a meeting with OWN to resolve an issue with a city employee.
Meeting adjourned: 8:58 PM
Attendees
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Airport Open Space Associates
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Bob
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Parker
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Centennial Height HOA
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Dennis
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Bauer
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Colorado Springs Utilities
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Kristin
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Flannery
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Country Club HOA
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Jim
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Edwards
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Country Club HOA
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Carl
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Willenbrock
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Cragmor Village
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Liz
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Lancaster
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Discovery HOA
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Janice
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Doran, Admin.
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Eaglecrest Townhome Owners
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Barbara
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Cole
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Georgetown Square HOA
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Bill
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Greer
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Golden Hills HOA
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Rich
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O'Connell
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La Mesa HOA
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Dalton & Kathy
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Connor
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Mesa Neighborhood Assn.
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Marj
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Webster
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Mid Palmer Park Blvd NOA
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Charles
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Barber
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Mountain Shadows Community Association
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Francine & Dick
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Hansen
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Old North End Neighborhood Association
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Susanne
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Barr
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Organization of Westside Neighbors
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Welling
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Clark
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Park Hill Neighborhood Association
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Nancy
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Mattys, Pres.
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Park Hill Neighborhood Association
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Marjorie & Robert
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Smith
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Pinon Valley Neighborhood Association
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Jeanette
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Givens
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Platte Avenue Business & Neighborhood Association
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Stephanie
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Johnson
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Pleasant Valley Neighborhood Association
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Carol
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Corcoran
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Red Oak Associates
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Jeanne
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Thomas
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Rustic Hills Improvement Association
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Rick
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Hoover
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Tom
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Harold
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Don
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Kissell
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Celeste
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Kuhn
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Dave
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Gardner
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