Westwood Neighborhood Association

Meeting Minutes from the April 2002 Meeting

May 02, 2002

Date: Thursday, April 18, 2002 6:41 AM

Meeting opened- Shawn Riley

Approval of minutes.

Asked if Interpreter was needed, He wasn't.

Presentations:

Karen Bebe from SWIC spoke about Predatory Lending. Cautioned neighborhood. She was asked if there were any measures to stop this. She explained that there is at this time little or no recourse. Problems can be reported to Better Business Bureau. There is not licensing, at this time, to be a mortgage lender. She took questions from the neighborhood, but reminded us that the key to prevention is education. BUYER BEWARE!

Laura Naranjo and Shaye Brete from Southwest Denver Violence Prevention announced upcoming meeting on April 24, 4:00 PM at Brentwood to talk about 5 de Mayo cruising. The meeting will be opportunity to present traffic plan for cruisers. This year community wants to organize traffic peace efforts. Youth knowing that driving will be strongly monitored by DPD. Knowledge is real deterrent to potential problems. Shay told us how to volunteer. Volunteers will be on the street with bright yellow tee-shirts. Their job will be to promote peace, encourage cruisers to follow law. The training will be 4/24 at 4 PM or 7:30 PM. The group is working with car clubs to encourage a safe holiday! Manny Hayes answered questions from community regarding DPD traffic plan.

Jodi Atkins from the Office of Neighborhood Development updated us on some projects in Westwood. The city will be paving 11 alleys this year. Monroe Elementary will receive money for playground equipment. The storm drainage issues studies is done. We are working on a Morrison Rd. improvements: study with RTD and Community. R.F.P.'s are being completed by five different developers due at end of the month of March for the 2 properties on Morrison Road. Developers will meet with community in future.

Judy Elliott from Denver Urban Gardens spoke about garden across from SWIC. Charge for plots are $25 for the season! She encouraged neighborhood to participate. She left packets of seeds for neighborhood gardeners. She also teaches composting classes.

Old Business

Pres. Shawn Riley discussed RTD on Morrison Road.

New Business

1. Discussed long house and associated problems. The inner-neighborhood Cooperation is drafting a letter to be sent to the city council regarding this issue. The committee stating Neighborhoods opposition to this type of development.

2. Mural unveiling will be on May 11th! Invited community to attend. The Lions Club is providing the Hot-dogs and Refreshments! Martha Urbina explained this event and encouraged all to attend!

3. Mr. Macacinas spoke about meeting held this afternoon. He held a community public forum. He'd been Burglarized twice in the last month, had graffiti on his garage and car plowed through onto his lawn, crashed into his fence. He encouraged home security and burglary prevention. He will be working with Officer Hayes to set up a neighborhood watch. He had media coverage by Channel 31 on the 9 PM NEWS.

4. Shawn Riley addressed uniting as a community working together.

5. George Hubert and the Westwood Lions Club were presented with an Award of Appreciation for all their support of the Westwood Neighborhood Association. George gave a very brief history of the Westwood Lions. They're seeking to bolster membership! He invited neighborhood to join; the meetings fees are $27.00 biannually. The building is available to community!

6. Discussion headed by Carol Jensen, community resident and Treasurer of the Westwood Neighborhood Association, regarding the "Bars situation" near the intersection of Morrison Rd and West Kentucky Ave. (MGM). She along with some other residents expressed anger and frustration at the ineffectiveness of the law enforcement. After many residents shared their concerns about noise, crowds, litter, etc., the association agreed to address this issue at their next meeting.

Closing

The next meeting will be May 13, 2002 at the Westwood Lion's Club at 6:30.

Respectfully submitted,
Ellen L. Barton
Secretary
Westwood Neighborhood Association