Centennial Council of Neighborhoods – November 2006 Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 6:56 pm and adjourned at 8:30 pm. with a total of 14 members present.

Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Mike Madziarek

• On Nov. 3-4, President Bush spent the night at the Inverness Hotel. Staff assisted with security.
• November 17, an employee at Buckley sent several threatening emails to co-workers indicating he had access to bio-toxin materials. He was taken into custody at his home as the neighborhood was cordoned off. He was charged with false reporting of explosive weapons and other dangerous materials. He is being held at the Arapahoe County jail.
• In August, the CLEAA accreditation audit [process for law enforcement accreditation] took place. The department passed the audit and received accreditation good for the next three years.
• A holiday operations plan is in place to provide additional security to shoppers along County Line Road & Smoky Hill Road corridors and other shopping areas. Recent arrests of suspects related to theft from Toys R Us and at Park Meadows Mall have taken place.
• A list of Holiday Safety tips is available to consider ‘before you shop’, while you shop’, & ‘at home’.
• www.co.arapahoe.co.us

Arapahoe Park and Recreation Rebecca Nash

• Trails Recreation Center will host the Art and Pottery sale, 12:00-5:00 pm Dec. 2-3. Gift cards for families are also available at the Rec Center.
• Kids Night Out available every Saturday from 7-10:30 pm, ages 8-15. Phone: 303-269-3400, $15
• Recreation Center celebrated its second anniversary. One treadmill has logged 20,000 miles.
• Tree sale will be available next year to residents with delivery in April/May. Prices will include planting. There is no warranty on the trees.
• Projects in the parks are late getting started due to permitting issues.
• www.arpd.org

Fire District Battalion Chief Ray Rahne

• Two new rescue vehicles have been delivered to Littleton Fire District and a 110-foot aerial ladder truck is on order.
• Personnel: a new recruit from the Academy has been hired. Capt. Jeff Tasker, a 14-year veteran was voted Firefighter of the Year. Rich Caudle was named Paramedic of the Year.
• A fire was caused by ashes from a smoked turkey which had been placed outdoors in a plastic bucket.
• Meth Labs continue to be a problem affecting neighborhoods and frequently children.
• A Santa Claus shop is collecting toys for the needy. Any extra toys will be shared with the Marines.
• www.cfpd.org www.littletongov.org www.parkerfire.org www.southmetro.org

South Suburban Park & Recreation District Jean Flynn

• Budget will be finalized on Dec. 13, 7:30 pm, at the Goodsen Rec Center.
• Skate with Santa & his elves on Dec. 16, at South Suburban Ice Arena (1-3:00 pm) & the Family Sports Center (1-4:00 pm). Free admission with a donation of a nonperishable food item.
• Rec and Rock, for ages 10-14, on 1^st and 3^rd Saturday from 7 – 11:00 pm, Goodsen Rec Center, $6. Rec and Rock, for ages 10-14 on 2^nd and 4^th Saturday from 7 – 11:00 pm, Lone Tree Rec Center, $6. Buck Blitz on 2^nd Friday at Buck Recreation Center, ages 10-14, $6.
• 5-12 year old youngsters: gymnastic opportunities at Goodsen Rec Center, Dec. 15, 6:00-9:00 pm.
• Christmas Tree recycling available at the Willow Spring Service Center, 7100 S. Holly St. and Cornerstone parking area, Belleview & Windemere, from Dec. 26 – Jan. 15. Free mulch will be available. All ornamentation must be removed. No flocked trees accepted.
• Craft Fair on Sat., Dec. 2, Goodsen Recreation Center.
• www.sspr.org

Arapahoe Library District - Chris Brogan

• The library will pick up used books from people who are moving and willing to donate them.
• .A website for kids will soon be available through the Library’s website and using the link.
• There is an opening on the Board of Trustees from Smoky Hill area. Deadline for applications is December 15.

• An automated phone notification system for services to patrons while be introduced in December.

• The Hanon American Public Library rating system analyzes libraries across US on staffing, reference services, circulation, materials etc. The Arapahoe Regional Library District came in 5^th across the nation in its size of 100,000-299,999 population. Denver Public Library was 4^th in its category.

• Public hearing for the budget will be continued to the board meeting for final adoption on December 13. The revenue picture looks good. About $6000 in next year’s budget is due to increase in property tax revenues. The Library is funded by property tax, specific ownership tax, foundations, fines & fees. Unanticipated revenues are applied to the capital project fund and $800,000 is going into the capital projects fund for 2007.
• The library will have a presence at Southglenn and possibly in the Four Square Mile area.
• www.arapahoelibraries.org

City of Centennial Cathy Noon for Nancy Reubert

• The City Council held a Special Meeting tonight for budget discussions & will hear a briefing on the recommended land use plan for the Joint Planning Area. Formal adoption of the budget on December 11 along with the formal adoption to Urban Redevelopment Authority and Special Districts.
• The SE Light Rail line opened On November 17 with celebrations on the 18^th. Approximately 10,000 people were at the Dry Creek station celebration with 70,000 riders system wide on that date.
• The next City newsletter will come out in January with information on the public transit changes. There are several new Call and Ride services in the area and 4 new bus routes on the eastern end of the City.
• The TABOR ballot measure (2A), a de-Brucing measure, was approved by voters 73% to 27% with the funds to be used for road repair, open space, and law enforcement. The exemption expires in 2013.
• Rebuilding Denver Together is a program for house repair available to low income Centennial residents. Eligibility requirements exist and applications are available at: Rebuilding Together Metro Denver, 5480 E. Evans Ave., Denver, CO 80222.
• www.centennialcolorado.com

School/Community Partnership Coordinator Wendy DeBell

• Ms. DeBell has been named the School/Community Partnership Coordinator. It is a program that interfaces with groups in the district outside of the schools to involve residents in the schools. The challenge is that 70% of stakeholders are not parents and the attempt is to build relationships and partnerships between them and the schools.
• Cherry Creek has 49,000 students, 57 schools and is growing at 1000 students/year with an enrollment increase of 40% in the last decade. Funding for schools is done by voter approval and state funding. Statistics of note: 2/3 of schools are rated high or excellent, graduation rate is 98%, 85% of graduates go on to post secondary education, 20% of students qualify for free or reduced lunches, 9% speak a second language at home, mobility rate is 19% (turnover of kids). Goals: close the achievement gap and college preparation. The Shareholders Report contains information about the district and will be mailed to district residents.
• She asked if there was interest for information about neighborhood schools for HOA newsletters. There was support for this effort. Suggestions for articles were made by those present. She addressed questions about: out of district enrollment, closed high school campuses, enrollment for athletic programs by non-district students, and the lack of comment by the district on development plans.

Plans Jim Levy, 2^nd Vice President

• There has been a referral to rename a section of street at the Holly Creek Senior Center from Forest to Holly Creek Way. Several potential development sites were reviewed.

CenCON Reports Cathy Noon, President

• The CAI magazine contains an article about our HOA Roundtable.
• Follow up on the HOA maps is still in progress.
• In January, anticipate hearing more about Joint Planning with a meeting on December 5 at the County.
• The new Stormwater Authority website is www.semswa.com. Fees have been set at $6.50/month.
• The Arapahoe County website has information about vacancies on boards and commissions with an application deadline postmarked December 1, 2006. Call 303-795-4531 for information.

Minutes Gerry Cummins, Secretary

• Moved by Lynn Leader, seconded by Evan Williams to approve the minutes of October 2006. Motion carried.

Financial Report Don Strickland, Treasurer

Next Meeting: January 22, 2007

Page last updated on: 11/30/2006