Athmar Park

Board Recaps

May 14, 2006

October 25, 2005 Valverde Community Church.

Police Officer Martinez reported on two young men who were arrested close to the 7-11 on Alameda for tagging, and will investigate why there was no Police response to 2 or 3 calls regarding approximately 100 cars were driving on the grass in Houston Lake Park. Sen. Paula Sandoval shared a flyer and information on the bills she has passed in the legislative session. Sen. Sandoval is planning to propose legislation in January that will address the sexual exploitation of children on the internet. Neddra Niblett and Donna Borrego from Denver Partners Against Graffiti discussed the Graffiti Abatement pilot project in the Athmar Park neighborhood. DPAG and APNA strongly encourage residents to sign up for the FREE graffiti abatement program (see sign-up form in this newsletter). Rick will send his list of landlords on Alaska and Nevada streets to Denver Partners for further follow-up. Council President Rosemary Rodriguez discussed the philosophy of broken windows policing. Felicia Hilton, from Kathleen MacKenzie?’s office, discussed the issue of shutting down massage parlors. Residents reported increased speeding around Houston Lake Park. Tracy Cochran reported that the Cherokee Redevelopment folks (of the old Gates factory) are revising their general redevelopment plan. Andy asked for help with the number of unlicensed mini motorbikes that he has observed on Kentucky between Quivas and Pecos. The Board voted to take no position on an application for a hotel and restaurant license at 472 S. Federal. The next graffiti sting is scheduled for Nov. 18th. Rick reported that El Alacran (Alcott&Alameda) is being remodeled and will re-open as a Chinese restaurant. The business at the Old Organ Grinder site is still planning to open on Thanksgiving.

General Membership Meeting, November 22, 2005, Valverde Community Church

Police Lt. Martinez reported that arrests continue to be made to address the problem of transients at the Dollar Store and Labor Express, and related that District 4 was second in the number of traffic citations reported in the last year. Officers were recognized by APNA and the audience for their accomplishments over the past year. APNA presented an award to Rita Montoya, an employee of the Athmar Park Library, for her work to make the library look ?“pristine?”, especially the library grounds. The APNA Year in Review included:
- 19 additional Denver Police Officer positions were staffed and funded (APNA helped to collect over 1,000 petition signatures to support tax increase for more Officers)
- In response to complaints about rental property and to help landlords manage their properties better, APNA modified and updated the Landlord manual for Denver (287 manuals were sent out and the manual is on the APNA website)
- Successfully fought cabaret application at Salon Ocampo
- With credit to Carol Campbell, exerted pressure on City officials to close down ?“massage parlors?”
- APNA was involved in several graffiti stings
- APNA board members Carol Campbell and Gregg Whelen participated in a graffiti task force (as a result, the City decided to have a pilot graffiti abatement project in Athmar Park)
- APNA members participated in the ?“Day of Impact?” to clean up graffiti and trash in our ?‘hood
- APNA pushed for enforcement of laws against illegal peddlers
- APNA participated in a NIS task force on zoning and permitting
- APNA participated in an excise and license citizen task force
- Together with other Neighborhood Organizations, APNA proposed revision to outdated Denver ordinance regarding the number of people who can live in a single family residence
- Carol participated in a zoning code advisory committee to suggest specifics for rewrite of the zoning code
- APNA participated in a NIS city/citizen?’s taskforce to review current zoning enforcement and make suggestions for improvement
- APNA membership has increased (with recognition to Christy Martinez)
- APNA helped to inspect tree sites for Denver Digs Trees
- APNA members attended public impact meetings for the Alameda redesign of the Valley Highway
- APNA members attended Gates and Cherokee redevelopment advisory meetings
- APNA published and distributed a newsletter quarterly
- APNA held a successful neighborhood picnic.

IMPRESSED? THEN JOIN APNA AND ATTEND OUR MEETINGS!! Councilwoman MacKenzie discussed three ordinances that are before the council that will have an impact on the homeless population. Mackenzie reported that she voted against the addition of 19 Police Officers to Denver ranks (the proposal passed 11 to 1). The following Officers were elected; Karen Cuthbertson?—President, Susan Vermeer Lopez?—Recording Secretary, Andy Archuleta?—At-large Representative, Carol Campbell?—At-large Representative, Andy Davis?—At-large Representative. APNA members unanimously approved amending the by-laws to include email as a viable way to gather a Board vote. It was noted that APNA needs a Newsletter Editor. Karen Cuthbertson reported on foot and bicycle patrols that Commander Sandoval is instituting to address gun and other crimes along Federal and Alameda.