Woodrim Crossings Neighborhood Association

Neighborhood Newsletter - December 2003 Edition

Jan 06, 2004

Dear Neighbors

Our next bimonthly meeting will be on Monday, January 5, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at the Life Care Center of Aurora, 14101 E. Evans Ave. located at Blackhawk and Evans. All neighbors are encouraged to attend!

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***CODE CORNER***

Citizens required to keep sidewalks free of snow and ice ensures safety of all pedestrians

Snow and ice on sidewalks can be slippery and dangerous, not only to mail carriers and other delivery people, but also to senior citizens, children, disabled people and the public in general.

As a resident or property owner, it is your responsibility to keep city sidewalks adjacent to your property free and clear of snow and ice, even though the sidewalks may be behind or outside the rear and side fences and adjacent to any street.

Snow and ice must be removed within 24 hours after a snowfall ends, and 48 hours after a snow emergency is cleared by the city.

To ensure pedestrian safety, City of Aurora code enforcement officers regularly inspect school routes and other areas where pedestrian traffic is heavy. In addition, the officers answer citizen complaints concerning lack of snow and ice removal from sidewalks.

Failure to comply with the ordinance carriers a $10-per-day fine for single-family homes and a $20-per-day fine for all others. Officers are not required to give a warning notice prior to issuing a snow ticket.

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WCNA CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Please see the "Community Calendar" that is on our website for this information.

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WOODRIM CROSSING NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF MEETING
November 3, 2003

The meeting was called to order by President, Barb Johnson, at 7:05. Ten neighbors and two guests were in attendance. Barb introduced Ron Moore who is the manager of Code Enforcement for the City of Aurora. He explained how Code Enforcement operates and is set up. It is part of the Neighborhood Services Department. There are 20 code officers in the department and each of them is assigned to an area. The code officers are assigned to one of 4 teams, and each team has a supervisor. Ron said that he is trying to drive down every street in the city this year. There were 66,000 inspections this year. Since 1987 the department has gone through every apartment before it is rented. They are also starting to inspect hotels. Our Code Enforcement department is known nationwide for its program. The department enforces weed control, trash on properties, and dead trees and shrubs, among other items. Every day they take in complaints from citizens who have called Access Aurora, and they have 48 hours to get out and do the inspection. Residents are given a 7 day notice and the department goes back to re-inspect. After 17 days if nothing has happened at the property the residents can be taken to court. The legal department and the police department work closely with Code Enforcement. Ron said that it is illegal to have a business in a home. There should not be business vehicles in front of a house except for one driven home by a resident. He said that yards need to have at least 50% live organic material. This year residents were not cited for dead lawns, but that next year if the water restrictions are lifted, residents will again be cited for dead lawns. Ron was thanked for his thorough and interesting talk.

Marsha Osborn was next introduced. She is our new Neighborhood Liaison. She has worked for the city for a year. She was welcomed and spoke briefly.

The minutes of the Sept. 8, 2003, meeting were approved. The treasurer?’s report was given. Mike Short was paid for two Woodrim/Crossings signs he made, and there was an expense for printing. We had $90 income for advertising. Our latest newsletter printing expenses will be reimbursed from a Micro Grant we have received. We are fortunate to have received this grant.

A report from the Tierra Park Committee was given. There was a complaint by some nonresidents that the basketball hoops were removed. The committee voted that the hoops will remain down. There is now a half court for children?’s games.

The Fence Replacement reported that surveyors completed surveys in yards where the fence would be. Marsha Osborn mentioned that City Council has expanded the fence options which would greatly reduce the cost of our neighborhood?’s fence.

The next report was from the Neighborhood Development Committee. The Ethiopian Evangelical Church was built two years ago. Since then lots of trees and shrubs have died. Code Enforcement has been there, and they have been cited for weeds. There was a meeting with church people and our committee. Our committee gave them information about care of landscaping. They will replace trees on the west side which gives our residents more privacy. They will be working with Nick?’s to replace the trees and shrubs. Our association will write a joint grant with them to replace plants.

Barb reported that Nick?’s is going to put up a new sign and we had some input on the design.

The Yard of the Season Committee will be driving through the neighborhood on December 18 to select beautifully decorated homes for an honorable mention and one home as the winner.

Under Old Business, Barb reported that Sable is set up for snow plowing, so reflectors to point out where the street curves will not be able to be installed. Possibly reflective strips can be installed.

The newly purchased Woodrim Crossings signs will be installed - one at Iliff & Elkhart, and one on Nick?’s property to replace the damaged one.

Under New Business, Russ Perron was nominated and elected as Vice President. Before being elected he spoke briefly about his background. Appreciation for his offer to be Vice President was expressed. Barb reported that she is needing to resign as president. She still plans to be active in the association. We will need to elect a new president at the May meeting. She was thanked for her dedicated service to the association.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30.

Respectively submitted,
Kathy Gamrath

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New City Council Members
Swearing in ceremonies were held at the Aurora Municipal Center on November 15, 2003. Each out-going council member and the mayor were presented with a number of awards. Our out-going Ward IV council member, John Paroske, thanked everyone for their support and gave best wishes to the in-coming council members. City Council appointed Bob FitzGerald to fill the At-Large seat that was vacated by Ed Tauer. Below is the listing of the new city government.

Aurora City Council
15151 E. Alameda Parkway
Aurora, CO 80012
Office 303-739-7015
Fax 303-739-7594

Ed Tauer, Mayor 303-739-7015
Nadine Caldwell, Mayor Pro-Tem 303-364-2859
Kathy Green, Ward II 303-367-1106
Ingrid Lindemann, Ward III 303-739-7508
Molly Markert, Ward IV 303-739-7516
Sue Sandstrom, Ward V 303-739-7510
Bob Broom, Ward VI 303-739-7015
Ryan Frazier, At-Large 303-739-7015
Steve Hogan, At-Large 303-739-7015
Brad Pierce, At-Large 303-739-7015
Bob FitzGerald, At-Large 303-739-7514

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New Construction at Fire Station 7
There are some big changes going on at Fire Station 7 located at the corner of Iliff and Blackhawk. The station currently houses one engine consisting of five firefighters including an officer and two paramedics. The station will be expanded to house the engine company (including the paramedics) plus a ladder truck. The ladder truck is being moved from the station house at Mississippi and Peoria. This will increase the size of the station to 8; four on the engine, four on the ladder truck, and a battalion chief.

The construction is being funded out of the city?’s Capital Improvement Fund which are those funds set aside for specific needs and do not come out of the general operating budget. Initially, there were some architectural design problems, but those are been resolved and the construction is now targeted for completion in March 2004. Because of the addition of a basement, the station house will double in size and will not exceed its current boundaries.

The only inconvenience to our neighborhood is the closing of Station 7 on December 6, 2003 until the construction has been completed. All personnel and equipment are being relocated to the recently opened Station 11 located a short distance west on Iliff before Havana. According to Station 7?’s officer, there will be no disruption of service to our area.

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Aurora City Council Policy Committees
The city?’s policy committees discuss policy issues brought forward by council members from concerned citizens or city staff. Recommendations by a committee are taken to city council meetings where action by the full city council is taken on the matter.

Committee meetings are open to the public. Agenda items listed for discussion are subject to change prior to the meeting day.

Policy committee meetings and dates are listed on the City of Aurora web site at www.auroragov.org. Click on City Hall, then City Council and then Policy Committees. Information on upcoming meetings also may be obtained by calling 303-739-7000.

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Aurora Public Library
If you have a high schooler in the house, check out CollegeSource Online! CollegeSource Online is a database available via the auroralibrary.org ?– Aurora Public Library?’s handy website. CollegeSource Online gives you instant access to over 20,000 college catalogs. It also provides college profiles, access to college websites and will even map the college?’s location for you if you are planning a visit. You can also create special searches to find colleges with a certain major, by enrollment size, tuition or distance from a given city. Go to auroralibrary.org, click on ?“All Databases,?” and pick out CollegeSource Online to get started. Choosing a college is a difficult decision but getting the facts just got a whole lot easier! All this handy info is at your library!

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Yard of the Season 2003
Three of the current Yard of the Season Committee members, Kathy Gamrath, Diane Woodruff, and Sharon Ward made the selection for the house with the best lights display for this season. They enjoyed their festive drive through the neighborhood on December 18. Thanks to all of you who made Woodrim/Crossings look so beautiful!

The grand winner is 14506 E. Baltic Place. The Yard of the Month sign was displayed in their yard. The owners spent 80 hours getting decorations up, and their exquisitely decorated home was also selected as one of the light display homes for Aurora.

The runner up winner is 2275 S. Eagle Court, which you will recognize as a past winner, always having an incredibly beautiful holiday display. The second runner up winner is 14608 E. Pacific Place. Their house was very tastefully and elegantly decorated. The committee felt the prettiest block in the neighborhood this year is the 14400 block of E. Warren Place.

The committee hopes that there were not houses left out because lights weren?’t on that night. The houses picked for honorable mention are the following:

14822 E. Adriatic Pl.
14503 E. Asbury Ave.
14606 E. Asbury Ave.
14656 E. Asbury Ave.
14758 E. Asbury Ave.
14604 E. Atlantic Dr.
14700 E. Baltic Pl.
2201 S. Dearborn St.
2224 S. Eagle St.
2244 S. Eagle St.
2247 S. Eagle St.
2003 S. Elkhart St.
2004 S. Elkhart St.
2217 S. Elkhart St.
2229 S. Elkhart St.
2248 S. Elkhart St.
14809 E. Evans Ave.
14602 E. Evans Pl.
14763 E. Evans Pl.
2010 S. Fairplay St.
2019 S. Fairplay St.
2040 S. Fairplay St.
14698 E. Pacific Pl.
2259 S. Sable Blvd.
2261 S. Sable Blvd.
14606 E. Warren Ave.
14636 E. Warren Ave.
14695 E. Warren Ave.
14705 E. Warren Ave.
14925 E. Warren Ave.
14405 E. Warren Pl.
14416 E. Warren Pl.
14455 E. Warren Pl.
14475 E. Warren Pl.

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SAFETY TIPS
The following tips are presented on behalf of the Aurora Police Department.

• Carry purses on your person snapped or locked, do not place them in shopping carts or on counters. Especially in grocery stores.


• Keep MINIMAL number of credit cards (1 debit, 1 credit is optimal), ID, checks in your purse or wallet. Leave your SSN card at home, it isn?’t needed usually.


• Keep your car registration on your person, not in your car. If they break in, they can get your garage door opener and your address from the registration.


• If you can?’t find your garage door opener, immediately go home and disconnect it and have it reprogrammed. Don?’t wait to try and find it.


• When traveling, you and your spouse should each carry a credit card from a different bank. If one is stolen or compromised, the other won?’t accidentally get cancelled too.


• When you use a credit card, watch where the clerk places the receipt. Temporary employees may keep your receipt for personal use later.


• Never let the credit card or drivers license leave your view. Don?’t let photocopies be made of your drivers license, when they are done with them, the copied licenses can end up anywhere. If you must, ask for the copy back when they are done.


• Use pay at the pump with a credit card whenever possible. Avoid using credit cards at gas stations/mini stores that you normally don?’t use. If you must, use a credit card, not a debit card. The debit card fraud can have a larger impact if the number is stolen.


• Use cash for small purchases. It lessens the chance of identity theft.


• Park your vehicle in a well lit area when you are going to be walking to your car after dark. Do not park in a secluded place away from others. THINK about where you are choosing to park, what looks good during the day, may be totally different at night.


• When leaving a business after dark, try to walk to your car with other people. Watch for suspicious person watching you or following you at a short distance.


• Have your car keys in your hand so you are not in the dark looking for them in your purse.


• Look inside and around your vehicle before getting in.


• If contacted for directions, questions by a stranger inside or outside the store, be suspicious of the distraction. A partner may be taking your purse or store items.


• Place purchased items in the trunk or under a cover (i.e. blanket, towel) if you plan on more shopping at another location. This is to avoid your car being broken into for gifts.


• Drive with your vehicle doors locked. If someone runs up to your vehicle in a roadway?…DRIVE AWAY! Do not stay and chat, it may be a car jacking.


• When at home, keep doors locked when you are not near the open door.


• Leave porch lights and any other outside light on. Burglars are sometimes discouraged by well lit areas.


• Do not leave your vehicle running while unoccupied. It?’s the law.


• If you have a vehicle that is popular to steal or you are going to park in large parking lots desired by car thieves, use a steering wheel locking bar type device that are commonly purchased. They are the most effective deterrent in most potential auto thefts.


• Do not give personal information over the phone if you are not sure who the caller is. The best rule of thumb is to not give any information over the phone unless YOU called them.


• Don?’t give money, bank account numbers or credit card numbers to charities over the phone that called you. Many are false charities looking to scam you.

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