Overland Park

June 2014 - Minutes

Overland Park Neighborhood Association (OPNA) – June 26 2014

 

Meeting called to order at 6:40 pm by President Catherine Sandy

Present:

Catherine Sandy, Ronnie Crawford, Terry Pasqua, Tracey Hardeman, Paul Bodor, Jim Sample, Judy Greek, Jack Unruh, Ray Ehrenstein, Mara Owen, Andrew Gehauf, Pat Bramley, Casey Davenhill, Lucas Sanchez

Agenda

 

• Minutes from May meeting
• Treasurer Report
• Police Report
• Chris Nevitt’s Office
• Trash Removal Update
• Announcements

 

Business

• Minutes from May meeting approved as read. 

 

• Treasurer Report

            Beginning Balance              $414.05

            Deposit/Payments                   0.00

Ending Balance of               $414.05

 

$15.00 (deposit pending)

 

 

• Police Report

Officer Sharon reported that there is not much happening in our area which is a good thing.  Baker district showed an increase in auto thefts.  More than 10 have been reported just in June so far including 4 scooters and 1 golf cart.  She passed on a reminder to keep cars locked and keep bikes chained.  She also mentioned that they are still looking for a new cop shop somewhere on Broadway.  Medici building is possible but too small and would not be manned.  Catherine said that with the recent 7-eleven store failing, it might be a possible location.    

 

• Chris Nevitt’s Office update (Nathan Batchelder)

Nathan announced a free concert happening on Ruby Hill on Wednesday, July 2^nd starting at 5pm.  There will be a drum circle before the concert and Q&A session with the artists “Playing for Change”.  More Information can be found at http://levittdenver.org/events/. 

 

Also, Sprouts grocery store is working on moving into a location on Mississippi Avenue between Lincoln and Sherman.  An update on the development proposal will be given in the July OPNA meeting.    

 

• Trash talk with Ronnie Crawford

Ronnie reported that there was no meeting this month so nothing to report.  The next meeting is on July 23^rd.  All are welcome to attend.  Catherine reported that she received an email that the new trash system is coming to her area starting in November.

 

• Announcements and New Business

 

-       James Hennesy from the Sierra club gave a short talk regarding a campaign to petition for the support of Rooftop Solar.  Currently, Xcel Energy provides credit and payback for any energy which goes back into the grid.  The current credit is 10.5 cents per Kilowatt but they are looking to reduce this to 4.6 or less. 

 

He invited Overland Park Neighborhood Association to join a growing list of local supporters for rooftop solar in the Denver metropolitan region. By signing onto the Consumer Choice for Solar Community Sign-On Letter for Rooftop Solar, we will be showing our support for clean energy, jobs and money kept in our local economy, and ensure solar owners receive fair and full credit for the electricity they generate through net metering-- a program which currently accomplishes this.

 

They are seeking to deliver the letter to Mayor Hancock and the Denver City Council, along with other regional leaders, by June.

 

A motion was made and passed to sign the letter in support of this campaign.

 

For more specific information about this important issue please visit Colorado Solar Net Metering 101 or contact James Hennessy, Sierra Club Beyond Coal to Clean Energy Campaign Coalition Chair at 720-369-1622.

 

-       Mara Owen spoke about attending a webinar on “Creating and Enhancing Access to Healthy Food Retail in Your Community:  Funding Opportunities for Colorado”  where there might be 2 opportunities for making a change to our existing food desert neighborhood through funding either thru Colorado Fresh Food Financing Fund http://www.chfainfo.com/co4f/ or Colorado Enterprise Fund - ??‹http://www.coloradoenterprisefund.org/.  After some discussion, it was decided to form a committee to gather ideas and more information to bring back to the next meeting.  A sign-up sheet was passed around to gather names for the committee.  Please contact Mara if you are interested in participating in the discussion.  mkowen18@gmail.com

 

 

-       Luchia Brown (luchia@luchiafordistrict7.com) spoke about running for city council district 7.  She currently lives in Baker district and has been involved with the community for many years.  She is looking for support and is very interested in working on connecting the communities together which are divided East and West of I-25 and Santa Fe.  Election is next May. 

 

-       Casey Davenhill is looking for volunteers to do some maintenance work at Overland Pond Park which would include a couple of hours weeding and mowing.  Contact either Casey (303-3451675) or Ronnie (303-809-5107). 

 

-       Ronnie brought up a proposal to elect an honorary member to OPNA.  The candidate to nominate is Kenny Bee.  OPNA members agreed to discuss further at the next meeting.

 

-       Mara proposed that we all get together for a social hour to celebrate our neighborhood and to continue the conversation about the beautification of the Evans bridge.  She proposed to meet at La Cour (1643 S Broadway) on Sunday, July 13^th between 4-6 pm.  All are welcome.

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:57 pm.

Next neighborhood meeting will be on Thursday, July 24, 2014, at 6:30 pm at John Collins Church, 2320 South Bannock.  Come join us and find out what is happening in our neighborhood. Also, check us out and Like us on Facebook.

  Overland Park Neighborhood, Colorado

 

 

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