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Council of Neighbors and Organizations
January 05, 2010
MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES
I. WELCOME - President Dave Munger called the meeting to order at 7:03p.m. and welcomed all members and guests. All attendees introduced themselves and the areas that they represent.
II. VALIDATION OF QUORUM- 15neighborhood organizations were represented at the meeting.
III. CIRCULATION OF SIGN-IN SHEETS- Sign-in sheets were circulated for neighborhood representative correction and signature.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES- Approval of November 3, 2009 minutes.
Tabled until the minutes were distributed over email
V. TREASURER’S REPORT- Susanne Barr gave the report to show a balance of $1928.86 as of December 2009. 15 organization members have paid their dues so far this year. Discussion followed pertaining to the number of organized neighborhoods and communities in El Paso County and the city. Per our by-laws, all organized neighborhood in El Paso and Teller counties are members of CONO. Payment of dues allows members to participate in binding votes and election of officers.
VI. CENSUS REPORT- Dave encouraged all in attendance to give honest and accurate information to the census takers to ensure that federal funds are returned to the community in proportion to the actual size of our population. The confidentiality issue was brought up and discussed; all census employees are bound by oath not to disclose information about individuals. This rule has never been successfully challenged. Commissioner Sallie Clark spoke about the military not being counted in the census and how it hurts El Paso County and Colorado Springs.
VII. DISCUSSION ON HOW CONO CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE - Dave spoke about CONO becoming a 501(c)(3) and what effects, positive and negative, this might have on the organization and our members. We would like to expand to enable CONO to assist neighborhoods that might not have the organization or resources to preserve themselves in certain instances. Being a 501(c)(3) would allow CONO to accept donations from charitable organizations on behalf of any and all individual member neighborhoods. A motion was made (Welling) and seconded (Dalton) to have the executive board draft a proposal with as much participation as desired by the membership as to what CONO’s agenda should be with regards to forming the 501(c) (3). Motion carried unanimously 15-0.
VIII. MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISCUSSION- Bob Smith gave a report on the ongoing meetings with council members and operators of dispensaries. It was decided that CONO should abstain from any social issues with regards to the dispensaries, but make sure that land use regulations are not being violated. A motion was made (Marj) and seconded (Bob) to ask Council to adopt the same decision as the county with regards to the dispensaries in neighborhoods through a drafted letter from CONO. Motion carried unanimously 15-0.
IX. VACATION HOME RENTALS- Well gave a report on the newest VHR policy adopted by the city. A motion was made (Well) and seconded (Marj) that CONO propose that the city adopt the original proposal that the VHR abide by the same land use criteria that B & B’s have to. Motion carried unanimously 14-0. (Someone had to leave early).
X. NEIGHBORHOOD ROUNDTABLE-
a. The issue of standardizing the type of roofing in a community was brought up and discussion followed.
b. Carl spoke about the legalities of having an Alzheimer’s nursing home in a residential neighborhood.
c. Marj reported on a new filing to remove a hillside overlay.
d. Well (OWN) is working with businesses on the Westside trying to figure out a solution to the homeless problem.
e. Dave spoke about CSPD, CSFD and CONO working together to host meetings to discuss public safety, and collectively explore possible solutions to any problems pertaining to neighborhoods and communities.
XI. ADJOURNMENT- Meeting was adjourned at 9:07p.m.
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