C.O.N.O.

Minutes of 10 July 2001 General Membership Meeting

Aug 12, 2001

COUNCIL OF NEIGHBORS AND ORGANIZATIONS (CONO)
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
10 July 2001

Business Meeting ?–At 7:05 PM on 10 July 2001 Jan Doran, CONO President, called the CONO General Membership Meeting to order at the Colorado Springs Senior Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Board Members present included Jan Doran (Pres), vacant (1st VP), Roy Ayala (2nd VP), and Larry Bagley (Sec). The Agenda, Treasurer?’s Report, and the June Meeting Minutes were distributed. The minutes were approved as corrected, and the Treasurer?’s Report, balance of $1,832.41, was approved.

Introductions and Discussion ?– Jan Doran

introduced new members and guests, and introductions were made around the table.

Old Business/Committee Reports

Neighborhood Network Forum ?– Rachel Beck, Colorado Springs City Communications (Public Relations ?– 632-4753, rbeck@ci.colospgs.co.us), discussed and provided feedback on the 30 Jun 01 Neighborhood Network Forum. The Forum was a success and the plan is to continue with similar events in the coming years. Over 70 groups were represented. Twenty-five of the 30 evaluations received rated the Forum ?“Excellent?” and five rated it good. In response to Jeanne Brush?’s question of what the event cost, Rachel answered the budget was $5,000. Roy Ayala suggested the agenda be compressed into half a day, and Jan Doran suggested it be scheduled in the early fall versus the summer. According to Roy Ayala and Rose Klierwer, very valuable information had been provided by the City organizations participating in the Forum. Roy Ayala provided several folders containing the materials gathered at the Forum. The CONO buttons and t-shirts manufactured by Leon Kirk, and Roy Salem were a big hit.

Pikeview Quarry Environment Assessment ?– Tim Grantham, U.S. Forestry Service (477-4207, tgrantham@fs.fed.us), reported on the status of the Pikeview Quarry Environment Assessment. Tim pointed out an Environment Assessment, as opposed to an Environmental Impact Statement, means disclosure for public review vice a decision document and entails a 30 day review cycle. In the Pikeview Quarry Assessment, factors to include visual impact, noise levels, and impact to wildlife were considered for numerous alternatives for reclaiming the area. Three alternatives ?– do nothing, layback on an additional 13 acres and revegetate, or continue the current reclamation plan with some enhancements - were included in the final assessment for public review. John Himmelreich asked if the assessment has been the State process and Tim replied it had. John will lead the CONO committee to review the assessment and prepare a CONO letter for approval to send. In response to questions from Roy Ayala and Pat Webb, Tim stated the impact on the 99-year lease is unknown, but the Forestry Service could issue a Special Use permit for 10 years. Gale Kimbell, in Pueblo, would be the person making the decision based on the recommendation in the Assessment.

Membership ?– Carl Willenbrock reported there have been very few responses from the membership mailing. Roy Ayala will compare the Neighborhood Network Forum attendance to the CONO membership list and contact those who attended the Forum and are not CONO members yet. Carl Willenbrock, Roy Ayala, and Leon Kirk, as the membership committee, will continue efforts to enlist new members.

Stramside Overlay and Project Impact ?– John Himmelreich reported the City Staff has been working this issue for over 3 years, and it is still in limbo. The current Planning Commission action is to get back to the City Council for guidance. John will lead a CONO committee (Tom Thomas, Roy Ayala, and Jeff Hovermale) to provide inputs and support the Guideline for Streamside Overlay Ordinance. Gary Park is scheduled to make a presentation at the September CONO meeting. During the discussion of Project Impact, the consensus was CONO?’s role would be one of disseminating information and becoming a partner. The purpose of the Project is to build disaster resistant communities through mitigation, planning, and preparation.

CONO Web Site Walk-Through - Tom Thomas (tsquarerr@aol.com) reported on the status of the new CONO web site (www.cscono.org) and requested support for the site. There are a plethora of valuable links on the site already that may prove useful to Homeowners Associations, and there are more to come. Tom has started the sponsor search and has already signed some sponsors up to support the site.

Public Safety ?– No report.

Red Rocks Canyon ?– Joe Fabeck and Don Ellis provided the update on Red Rocks Canyon development. There is a 90-day delay in the City Council review of a request for a larger water tap for the property. The delay was a result of Council?’s concerns about possible use of the water for future development of the property, and uncertainty concerning development plans.
Mixed Use Development Task Force ?– No report.
Neighborhood Updates ?– Jan Doran reported El Pomar is no longer providing support for the Homeless Shelter on Mill Street. Mayor Makepeace has formed a six-month task force to study the model being proposed for decision making regarding homeless shelter - the San Diego model. Jan Doran is a member of the task force, solicits suggestions, ideas, and help, and already suggested to the Mayor there be public meetings. Wilkerson Pass Neighborhood was successful in getting the height of one of the three buildings in a new apartment complex reduced. Jet Wing Neighborhood has been very successful in getting organized to fight a zoning change to allow multiple apartment buildings in the area.

New business ?–

League of Women Voters ?– Jan Doran reported the League of Women Voters had expressed interest in CONO joining the League. During the discussion, many voiced concern and many voiced support for joining the League. A motion was made and then withdrawn. The bottom line was to ask a representative from the League to speak to the membership at a CONO meeting in the very near future to determine whether we should be a member of the League or not, or to just partner as appropriate on specific items.

Announcements ?–

11 Jul 01 ?– 10 PM on Channel 11: Fraudulent Concealment
12 Jul 01 ?– 6 PM, Planning Commission hears Railroad Spur
12 Jul 01 ?– 7 PM, East/West Mobility at 105 N. Weber
18 Jul 01 ?– 9 AM, Utilities Board, Plaza tower 5th floor
23 Jul 01 ?– 9 AM, City Council
25 Jul 01 ?– 7 PM, Council Chambers, Budget Input
7 Aug 01 ?– 7 PM, Next CONO Meeting

Newsletter - Newsletter items are to be submitted to Peggy Pantoja (tpan401437@aol.com, 473-9296). Inputs are always welcome and needed. To view past newsletters and other pertinent CONO stuff, visit the Neighborhood Web Site at www.neighborhoodlink.com/CONO.

Next Meeting - The next CONO meeting is 7:00 PM, 7 August 2001 at The Senior Center, 1514 Hancock Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM by resounding unanimous consent.

Respectfully submitted,
Larry C. Bagley
Secretary, CONO