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Council of Neighbors and Organizations
September 2, 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
Sallie Clark, El Paso County Commissioner
Presentation #1: Stephannie Finley, Co-Chair, Citizens for Effective Government
The Safer Community Initiative
·The Initiative is comprised of people working together to provide collaborative leadership to solve quality of life issues in El Paso County.
·El Paso County Public Safety crisis: continued increase in crimes, longer emergency response times by public safety officers, early release of criminals, unsafe county jail environment, coroner’s caseload.
·CSPD is unable to respond to nearly ½ of its calls.
·Colorado Springs has the lowest tax rate and property tax rate in the state.
·Recommendation: Approve the 1 cent sales tax
·If approved, the fund will support: 9 special projects, 8 special operations needs and provide funding for municipalities
·Associations can support the Initiative by going on-line to www.cseg.org and signing it.
Kandi Buckland, Acting El Paso County Public Health Administrator
·Health Department funding has decreased by 31% since 2001
·Infectious disease cases have increased 200% in the past 6 years
·Increase in child-care facility health and safety complaints, community pools closed due to e.coli, concerns about ability to complete food establishment inspections
·Coroner’s caseload is on overload – no increase in staff to service accident scenes, no increase in staff to perform autopsies, facilities are substandard & unsafe
Safer Community Initiative Resolution of Support: Motion made and seconded to support the Safer Community Initiative. Ensuing vote: 14 in favor, 4 abstentions. Motion Carried
Tom Harold recommended that CONO review the Bruce initiatives, which are on the November ballot, because if they pass, they have a greater negative impact on the city’s budget then the non-passage of the Safer Community Initiative. Tom will present information at the October meeting.
Validation of Quorum
18 members present
Approval of August 5, 2008 minutes
The August 5, 2008 minutes were presented. As there were no corrections or changes, the minutes were approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report – Susanne Barr
·Association balance – $2,414.18
Updates
False Alarms Status:
·Council agreed to increase annual fee to $24.00 and $12.00 for seniors.
·1st alarm is free, 2nd is $30, 3rd is $75, 4th is $100.
·Alarm companies will notify customers of new rates
City Administrative Approvals: All variances must go through review process. Cannot be done administratively
Code Scrub Committee: Looking at building and land use codes to make sure they are up to date
Special Events Ordinance: Mike Anderson will convene a group to review. Will also open conversation regarding the sign ordinance
Sign Committee: looking at historic district
White Acres: Letter attached from CONO urging TOPS, City Council and City Planning department to make purchase a priority
Drainage Basin Fee Workgroup: Will evaluate current fees, which need to be fair and equitable. Next meeting is October 2
Nominating Committee: Elections will be held in October. The committee presented the following slate to be elected for two year terms:
·Dave Munger, President
·Tom Harold, 2nd Vice President
·Susanne Barr, Treasurer
·Rick Hoover, Director at Large
·Nominations from the floor will also be accepted
New Business:
·Pat Webb stated when reviewing the by-laws for the election requirements, it was noted there was no addressing of fiscal year and operating year. She moved that the CONO Executive Board convene a committee to review the CONO by-laws in terms of fiscal year and operating year not being address in the current by-laws. The motion was seconded and the ensuing vote was unanimous in favor
Member Round Table
·St Andrews: Does any association have any issues with artificial turf lawns. Referred to Pinecliff
·Charles Barber, Mid Palmer Park: Conspiracy in city to deface/destroy signs. This is a public safety issue
·Chuck Donachy, Patty Jewitt Neighborhood: Vet clinic pulled out request. They are working with the doctor on the use of the building.
·Rick Hoover, RHIA: only one coyote left in their neighborhood. Neighborhood picnic on Saturday.
·Welling Clark, OWN: abuse of code ordinance with buffalo grass, membership meeting on 9/11 at 7:00 at the Gold Hill sub-station, openings on City Planning Commission
·Carl Willenbrock, CCHOA: improving their Neighborhood Watch program
·Dave Munger, ONE: 2nd annual neighborhood garden party coming up.
·Francine Hansen, MSCA: building contractor was using an egress that should not have been allowed as it has caused a major impact on the neighborhood.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:00 p.m. .
Next meeting: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at Senior Center
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