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Council of Neighbors and Organizations
August 5, 2008
-MINUTES-
Welcome
President Francine Hansen opened the meeting at approximately 7:05 p.m. and welcomed all members and guests.
Circulation of Sign-In Sheets
Sign-in sheets were circulated.
Guests Present
·Dan Cleveland, President of the Parks and Open Spaces Coalition
·Don Ellis, Rita Ague, and Merrilyn Lee Caduff of Save White Acres Team
·Russ Knight, Linda Knight, Connie Krieder, and Sharon Konen from Patty Jewett neighborhood
·Elizabeth Walradt, El Paso County Environmental Health Specialist.
Presentation #1: Elizabeth Waldradt, EPC Environmental Health Specialist
Radon Testing – Importance of Testing in Homes
·Radon – a naturally occurring, odorless, tasteless, colorless gas – is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer (after smoking)
·Concentrating at greater levels in houses, at levels of 4.0 pCi/L, it is equivalent to smoking a quarter pack of cigarettes per day, and must be mitigated.
·One out of every 15 homes has elevated levels. Almost all health experts agree that such levels pose significant risks to inhabitants. In El Paso County, 44% of all houses contain radon at the 4.0 level or above; Colorado also has more concentration than most states.
·All types of homes may be affected by radon. Testing is the only way to know if an individual house has high levels; all houses should be tested.
·Ms. Walradt distributed short-term test kits and advised that the kit should be placed on the lowest occupied level of the house, in a frequently-used room. Kits may be returned for analysis at no cost. Should a house show elevated levels of radon from the short-term kit, that house will be sent a free long-term test kit.
·Mitigation averages $1200 per house; Ms. Walradt passed out sheets of National Environmental Health Association-certified measurement professionals who can reliably install mitigation systems. Once a system has been installed, re-testing for radon should be done every second year.
·Ms. Walradt’s e-mail address is elizabethwalradt@epchealth.org; her phone number is 719-575-8965.
Validation of Quorum
14 members present
Approval of June 03, 2008 minutes
The June 03, 2008 minutes were presented. As there were no corrections or changes, the minutes were approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report – Susanne Barr
·Association balance – $2,474.19
Updates
White Acres:
·Don Ellis gave a brief presentation on the importance of preserving White Acres, a pristine natural site located adjacent to Section 16 and Red Rock Canyon.
·White Acres forms a very visible part of the scenic backdrop, in the foreground of Pikes Peak. A popular informal trail winds through the area which also has cultural and geologic significance: it was the source of stone for General Palmer’s Glen Eyrie castle, the Utes built fortifications on the site, wildlife abounds, and several unique geological formations are found there.
·Although there are current plans for developing the site, 25 percent of its approximately 49 acres are undevelopable.
·Currently owned by Proverbs 3.5 LLC, a consortium led by a local church, the property is of considerable interest to TOPS. A decision to sell the land would be made by Proverbs 3.5 LLC; a purchase by TOPS would be dependent on TOPS, the city planning office, and City Council decisions. TOPS is interested in purchasing the land, but price will be an issue.
·CONO agreed unanimously to send a letter supporting the purchase of White Acres by TOPS to City Council. The Executive Committee will compose and send such a letter prior to the September CONO meeting.
Citizens Academy: Over 100 people have applied for admission. Selections will be made this first week of August.
False Alarms – Final Proposal:
·Recommends that the City charge $30/year for alarm system registration, except for senior citizens (age 65 or older) who would pay $15/year.
·Progressive charge for false alarms is also proposed - $30 for the first false alarm, $75 for the second, $100 for the third.
·A fourth alarm would require the alarm owner to pay $100 for reinstatement and the fifth through seven alarms would cost $200 apiece
·CONO supports this proposal
Neighborhood Signage Workgroup:
·President Hansen and Dave Munger, participants, described the progress of discussions to date.
·The group is primarily focusing on neighborhood entry signs and street name signs, the latter primarily for historic or otherwise significant areas.
·Discussions have been very preliminary, with focus mostly on existing relevant city ordinances and existing neighborhood entry signs
TISC:
·Dave Munger is chair of the Trucking Issues Subcommittee (TISC) of the City’s Citizens Transportation Advisory Board (CTAB)
·TISC, under direction from City Council, is attempting to improve the city truck route system.
·It has recommended that public discussion now proceed on three road segments—Austin Bluffs from Nevada to Union, Nevada from I-25 to Woodmen, and Motor City Drive from 8th Street to Motor Way and Motor Way from Motor City Drive to South Nevada/I-25—which may be added to the truck route system and on 12 road segments—including Pikes Peak/Airport from Nevada to Powers, Circle Drive from Constitution to Airport, and Hancock Avenue/Expressway from Costilla to Union—which may be removed from the system.
·Adding such segments would nearly complete the existing grid system, while removing the suggested segments would eliminate redundant routes. These established routes must be maintained and defended to ensure that future development along them is appropriate to and consistent with commercial truck traffic.
·Dave encouraged all interested and affected neighborhoods to participate in the discussion sessions which will be announced in August or early September.
·Pat Webb asked how public input could be given regarding other road segments, such as Centennial, which will not be discussed further at this time. Dave indicated that such comments would be appropriate at the next and future TISC meetings, held at 3:00 p.m., in the large conference room on the 4th floor of the City Administration Building on the third Tuesday of September, November, and January.
Interstate 25 Speed Study:
·President Hansen discussed increased traffic noise from I-25, and the importance of urging CDOT to conduct a mitigation study of increased speeds on I-25.
·On the vote of the CONO membership in June, the Executive Committee prepared a letter to CDOT requesting such a study and a joint meeting of neighborhoods with CDOT to discuss this issue. She urged all interested neighborhoods to write similar letters to CDOT as well.
Sustainable Environment Workgroup:
·No updated information
Administrative Approvals and Variance Review and Code Scrub Review Stakeholder Group:
·Rick Hoover discussed the proceedings of this review which is being conducted at the request of CONO and the direction of City Council.
·Discussions are in the early stages, but Rick, Jan Doran, and Dave Munger, who all represent CONO on the review, continue to stress the importance of standardizing procedures and the role of the City planning staff in defending neighborhood quality of life.
Parade Ordinance/Sign Ordinance
·President Hansen discussed the proposed special events ordinance, and noted that it and the existing temporary sign ordinance and park use ordinance have deleterious effects on neighborhood community development activities.
·At CONO’s request, assistant city managers Anderson and Cox will meet with Francine, Jan Doran, and Dave Munger to begin addressing this issue and look for ways to have such ordinances contribute to neighborhood activities rather than hinder them.
Citizens for Effective Government (CEG):
·Dick Hansen briefed the membership on the proposals of the CEG to urge the County to adopt a one cent on the dollar sales tax increase to fund public health and safety improvements.
·Such funding would provide the funds necessary to build a new regional jail, increase the number of deputies and police officers, public health inspectors, district attorneys, coroners, and other staff.
·Current personnel shortages and inadequate facilities put our community at great risk of increased crime and illness.
·We will discuss these proposals, and the counter proposals of State Representative Bruce, at the September meeting.
Nominating Committee:
·Pat Webb, chair, distributed lists of offices for which there will be vacancies this October.
·These include: President, 2nd Vice President, Treasurer, and Director-at-large
·President Hansen announced that Jeanette Givens, Secretary, has resigned her office effective October as well. Her replacement will be appointed by the CONO Board.
·Those who wish to be considered for any of these positions or who wish to suggest another member for the committee to consider are asked to contact Pat at 598-0560 or webb0560@aol.com
Old or New Business - None
Member Round Table
·Patty Jewitt Neighborhood: concerned with a use variance at 1630 Corona approved by the Planning Commission. The approved use as a veterinary clinic will generate too much traffic, noise and smell to be appropriate for the residential nature of the surrounding area. Zoned R-1 6000, this building has primarily been used as a commercial site, but always with a modest amount of business. After considerable discussion, Pat Webb moved that CONO send a letter of support and appear before City Council to support the guests’ position against the use variance. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved (8 in favor, 0 against).
·Commander Kurt Pillard, CSPD: The Police department has been informed by the Cheyenne Motel manager that the motel will be closed within a week. Given that the motel is a habitual site for crimes, all agreed that it is good news.
·Pat Webb, Comstock Village: The neighborhood held its community garage sale. At the end, they filled a truck with items for the Salvation Army. Those interested in working with the Salvation Army in similar fashion should contact her for suggestions on how to do it effectively.
·Rich O’Connell, Golden Hills: A neighborhood resident installed an asphalt roof against their covenants. After mediation, an agreement was worked up and the prognosis is for a quick court settlement. He suggested that those concerned about covenant violations in their own neighborhoods should try mediation before proceeding to court action, since the court will often require mediation first.
·Bob Fuller, Cragmoor Village: UCCS will discuss its plans for the use of the property it now owns adjacent to Cragmoor Village at a meeting on Tuesday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. at 14 Cragmoor Village Road
·Kristin Flannery, Colorado Springs Utilities: CSU is willing to provide speakers. She distributed a DVD discussing the need for the Health & Safety sales tax increase.
·Marjorie Smith, Park Hill: A vacant lot in the neighborhood has been used illegally to store pawned cars. The owner is now seeking a use variance to use the lot in this fashion. The neighborhood will oppose this variance.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:00 p.m. .
Next meeting: Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at Senior Cente
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