Centennial Council of Neighborhoods - 8 September 03 Minutes

Meeting was called to order at 6:55 p.m. and was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. with a total of 17 members present

Arapahoe Library District - Eloise May

• Used book sale at Koelbel Library on Friday, 12 Sept. and Saturday, 13 Sept. from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Sunday, 14 Sept. from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Call 303-798-2444 for additional information
• There was a dedication of a new sculpture, which was donated by Claudette and Ross Cooper, at the Smoky Hill library last Sunday
• Friends of the Library matched the gift and provided a second sculpture
• Arapahoe Library District will ask voters in November to approve an increase in property taxes of 1.2 mills, from 3.7 to 4.9 mills. Approximate tax increase will be $20 per year for a $200,000 home
• Over the last eighteen months, overall library usage has increased 30%
• Budget for this year was trimmed about $1.2 million down to an operating budget of $16 million

Arapahoe Sheriff’s Office - Bruce Williamson

• The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) conducted a Performance Measurements review on the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. A grade of 100% was awarded in all 450 mandatory and optional standards.
• In metro area, 4 agencies that have accreditation are: Arapahoe County, Lakewood, Aurora and Jefferson County
• Open garage door burglaries continue to be a problem in Centennial
• Because of the increased enforcement of the "red light" violations at Parker and Orchard, there has been a 75% reduction in the number of violations. The intersection, which was number 2 in Centennial for accidents, is no longer in the "top ten" list of high accident locations
• Have distributed a flyer concerning underage alcohol violations to all Centennial retail outlets, detailing the charges that the business can be charged with if selling alcohol to minors, Flyer will be posted in the store windows
• Impact Team is working on auto thefts and a murder case
• About 3 weeks ago, at the apartment complex near Parker & Orchard, there was a drive-by shooting. The victim and the assailant knew each other. The victim is charged with the murder of the assailant , who was found in New Mexico the next day
• Email from citizen describing helpfulness of Arapahoe County deputy sheriff in helping an elderly couple who were trying to cross Arapahoe Road during rush hour

South Suburban Parks & Recreation - Jean Flynn

• Landfill sports complex has been officially renamed to the David A. Lorenz Regional Park and is open
• Construction has used many recycled materials
• BMX track is still there, but has moved around. A new disc golf course is open, and the dog park is expected to open in October
• New playground adjacent to Goodson Rec Center (northwest side of building) for children, 2 & 3 year olds in one area, and 3 to 5 year olds in a separate area. Dedication will be on Monday, September 22^nd at noon. Children from the Child Discovery Time pre-school will perform
• New playground in the Sheridan area is complete. Arapahoe County provided land and construction money. Dedication (Root Beer Fest) will be on October 2^nd from 4 to 6 PM
• Lone Tree recreation center construction is going very well
• Have found several small problems with the Littleton recreation center construction. More asbestos than anticipated has been found. There will be a delay of 39 days in the start of construction
• Public meeting on SSP&R budget process on October 8^th at 7:30 PM. Study session starts at 6:30 PM
• "Living Well" program has a new Treasure Hunt challenge. Complete 30 visits to at least 3 different South Suburban facilities and win exclusive Living Well clothing. Register to be part of the program at deeg@sspr.org
• Next free lecture on living well is at 6 PM at Goodson Rec Center on September 17^th for women. Subject is "Balancing your Hormones Naturally". On October 16^th, there will be a lecture on "Four Steps to a Healthy Back"

South Metro Fire District - Bob Rinne
Cunningham Fire District - Jerry Rhodes

• There will be a $1.2 million shortfall for South Metro Fire District for 2004. No tax increase proposed for this year
• "Standing Tall" program was presented to all the businesses at Park Meadows Mall
• New fire station near Park Meadows Mall will be dedicated on October 18^th
• Sheriff Robinson and Chief Rinne serve as directors for Homeland Security for the North Central region of Colorado
• Application is being made to obtain part of the $17 million grant to develop risk assessment plans
• Homeland Security federal funding will also be available in the future. This is in addition to the other funding
• New hospital at I-25 and Lincoln is open and operations are going smoothly
• Arapahoe County and the U.S. Forest Service have agreed to a contract that will allow local fire districts to be reimbursed for services provided while on loan to fight forest fires located in the mountains
• For 9/11, we remember those who were killed, but should also focus on the future and be prepared for man-made or natural disasters

City of Centennial – Mayor Pro Tem - Bart Miller

• Aurora gave Centennial, for free, the software used in Municipal Court administration, which is valued between $100,000 and $200,000
• City Council has decided citizens will vote in November on increase of 1% in City’s sales tax, and initiation of 2.5% use tax on sale of automobiles. Centennial will still have a lower sales tax rate than all surrounding communities except Lone Tree, which is also 2.5%
• All of the use tax will be used for road improvements, and one half of the sales tax increase (up to a maximum of $2.8 million) will be used for public works projects
• Currently accepting applications for the position of Code Enforcement Officer
• Traffic violations will be the first business of the Municipal Court, which will start probably within the next two months. Traffic tickets will be the only violations handled for about the first three or four months of operation
• Dedication ceremony for Bow Tie open space area (near Orchard Road and Parker Road) was held about 3 weeks ago. Funding for this acquisition used money from the City’s share of Lotto funds

Arapahoe County Commissioner - Bernie Zimmer

• Voters in November will be asked to pass a countywide sales tax (0.25%) to preserve Open Space in Arapahoe County.
  • If passed, will become effective Jan 1, 2004 and expire Dec 31, 2013 and will generate at about $17 million each year
  • Provides a 50% share back to incorporated cities & towns
  • Provides a pool of money for grants to special districts and incorporated cities & towns
  • Sets cap of 3% for administrative costs
  • Agricultural regions in eastern part of county will be focus of open space areas
  • Provides money for open space & trails in unincorporated Arapahoe County
• Arapahoe County continues to have a balanced budget
• All decisions presented to public will always show a unanimous decision, even though commissioners may not completely agree
• Voters will not be asked to "de-Bruce" (TABOR Amendment) at this year’s election
• Residents in cities within Arapahoe County continue paying taxes to county, even though cities are doing much of the actual work
• Colorado legislature continues to mandate programs to the county, but has cut funding for them, so County must make up difference

Open Space Tax Counterpoint - Tom Eggert

• Developers have been providing the land for open space and should continue to do so
• Tax increase is a "blank check" for land that has not even been identified
• Land would be out in eastern parts of county and would not benefit those in already developed parts of the county
• Land will be removed from the property tax rolls
• Over the life of the tax, it will drain almost $200 million out of the community and is not deductible on income taxes
• Cities can levy their own tax if they need money for open space land

Centennial Land Use Department - Tim Gelston

• Private roads within an HOA can be designated as a "Fire Lane" to restrict parking on narrow private roads. An application must be submitted, but there is no cost to do this
• Areas that already have private road fire lane designations have to reapply to the city

CenCON Reports     - President - Cathy Noon

• First town meeting on City of Centennial’s Comprehensive Plan will be October 28^th at 7:00 PM. The Comprehensive Plan committee meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at the City Offices. The public is welcome to attend
• Contact list for HOA’s will be updated and provided to the City. List will not be marked "Confidential" but will not be published on the City’s web site
• October CenCON meeting will be at the City Offices. November meeting will be at Library Administration building. A map will be available on the CenCON web site, showing the location of the Library Administration building on Jamison Circle
• On September 9^th, there will be a meeting at 7:00 PM at the City Offices concerning Group Homes
• A "past due" reminder was sent to those CenCON members who have not yet paid their 2003 dues
• Copy of current CenCON roster was distributed to all members in attendance

- Treasurer - Gerry Cummins

                                        - Secretary - Frank Green

• It was moved by Jim Levy and seconded by Lynn Leader that the August 2003 minutes be approved as read. Approval was unanimous

- Membership - Michael Kirrane

• Received inquiry from Ridgeview Hills North concerning membership in CenCON as a CenCON Association

- Plans - Ron Weidmann

• One new developer plan (Eckerd Drugs at Yosemite Street & Dry Creek Road) was discussed. Lighting, hours of operation, and drive-thru restrictions are the main issues. A copy of the plan comments will be distributed to all members

Page last updated on: 05/29/2006