Rosedale Harvard Gulch Neighborhood Association
Board Meeting Minutes
November 18, 2021 @ 7:00 PM
Via Zoom
I, . Call to Order: Tom Montoya called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
ll, Meeting Attendance: Tom Montoya (President), Jane Potts (Vice-President), Ginny Eiseman (secretary), Ryan Lake (Treasurer), Natalie Dorshimer (Community Liaison), Mike Lapp (Communications). Absent board member- Maria Hargett (Business). Community members – Eric Shinits, Matt Kremer, Mark Ege, Mitch Larson, Kim, Elissa. Guests-Tim O’Brien, Jeffery Garcia and Jeffery Garcia (Denver City Auditor), Brent T and Councilman Paul Kashmann.
Lll Approval of October Minutes. Approved
iv. Approval of Treasurer Report. Approved. Current balance is $2988.00.
v. Report by Councilman Paul Kashmann. There will be a community cabinet meeting for District 6 residents with city council including Mayor Hancock on November 30 at 6 PM. An email with the Zoom link will be available thru Paul Kashmann’s newsletter and/or website. The city is looking at sustainable 6 program to define city wide programs to improve sustainable needs. Change in speed in neighborhoods to reduce to 20 MPH and evaluate specific city traffic changes to address high collisions rates. This plan will look at engineering changes such as roundabouts, speed bumps. Increase in fines proposed for semi truck parking in neighborhoods from $25.00 to $250.00. Will be assessing changing hours at Hookah Bars to close at midnight.
vi. INC Report-Jane Potts. The organization is working on re-doing the by laws to be more inclusive, how to set up electronic voting for meetings held on Zoom, develop a better definition of conflict of interest of board members, and develop power behind their INC findings to the City council.
vii. Old Business
a. At Large Board Position- Mitch Larson asked to be considered for this position. He provided background information and his experience of now living in the Rosedale neighborhood.
Board unanimously approved for Mitch Larson to hold the At Large Board Position. Mitch will take on coordinating the neighborhood watch program.
b. Rosedale Park Services Facility Update- Natalie reported that project is moving forward with the city still working on construction contracts.
viii. New Business
a. Presentation Denver Auditor Office-Tim O’Brien and Jeff Garcia with the IT assistance of Sara del Valle Ruiz. Tim O’Brian is available for community presentations on going. A few of the highlights of his presentation included how the revenue does and does not match the budget since COVID lockdowns occurred. Denver has had sufficient reserves, but they have been depleted. DIA funds were paid by COVID emergency funds. In 2020, marijuana tax increased by 18%, restaurant tax decreased by 39%, and hotels decreased by 73%. Parks Legacy Plans audit exposed problems with not following the intent of the program. The City Cybersecurity team has been able to withstand cyber-attacks. Jeff Garcia represents the Labor issues for the city. He is available for outreach for any business to help comply with the new living wage law to help the business be compliant.
b. Delegation of representation to Jane Potts for INC policy changes. The Board voted unanimously for Jane Potts to represent RHGNA within her role in INC.
c. Café Insomnia Issues. Many complaints from surrounding residents are being addressed by DPD. City Council is proposing to shorten hours of operation such as close at midnight.
d. Discussion of Homeless Campsites. Residents are noticing increase of homelessness in Rosedale neighborhoods. Cars/Vans are allowed to park as long as they do not use the sidewalks, streets to place their belongings. They can be parked in same spot for 72 hours and then would have to move at least 100 feet. Violations/concerns should be reported to DPD. The City continues to offer SOS (Safe Outdoor Space) which have been successful but the city realizes this is not the solution for the vast majority of homeless.
e. The next Board meeting is December 16 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. Will need to discuss the use of electronic voting for the Board elections next year.
ix. Adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM.
