Meeting notes

Whittier Neighborhood Association

November 19, 2008

Attendance: about 25 with some in and out.

Meeting led by Linda Dowlen

1. Linda opens the meeting and informs us of the Whittier, Curtis, Cole Neighborhood Associations meeting with representatives of the Bo Matthews Center. Their full agenda was not completed at that meeting and another time for a meeting is being sought. They heard from the Road Home and Bo Matthews, other presentations pending the next meeting.

The issue relates to the Bo Matthews Center desire to build a new facility on Downing and Martin Luther King. It was not vetted by the relevant neighborhood associations and does not seem to fit with the city's Blue Print Denver plans for the Downing corridor, among other things.

2. Police Lieutenant Rick Kyle presented an opportunity for the community to accept or reject the installation of cameras used for surveillance in public areas. This program is called "Halo." The criteria for the use of the cameras has been passed on by the ACLU. The surveillance would be tied to the RTD cams already in existence. He said that there is a camera at the RTD at 29th and Downing. There has been a request for a camera at Bruce Randolph and York. He handed out request forms for any Denver resident to use.

The discussion which followed focused upon two differing points of view. One highlighted the effectiveness of the cameras in deterring crime in certain areas and the ability to have on tape any perpetrator of a crime. The other raised the loss of civil liberties, the inuring of our culture to technological means of social control, the reliance upon mediating force rather than taking responsibility to build community for ourselves.

We tabled the discussion so that we can think about it.

3. Carla Madison, our state representative, brought us information concerning Blue Print Denver. She displayed a map for her area (Denver City Council 8) which showed the proposed changes in zoning. Most of Whittier would be zoned for single family dwellings, grand fathering in all duplexes, businesses and allowing for mother-in-law apartments or alley apartments. Downing north of 29th is to be a high traffic street. According to Carla the light rail will certainly continue to 38th where it will meet up with the rail to DIA.

Much discussion ensued, without particular suggestions or any decisions to be made. Carla was helpful in responding to folks.

4. Sudan Muhammad, owner of Blackberries reported that he is working for the owner of the building where Kiva's used to be. He is opening a Bar and Grill in part of the facility. He is also looking for a Dance/Cabaret license; he will return when his plans are more firm to ask us about it.

5. Carla Beal raised the topic of WNA gaining ownership of the facility. The purchase price is $10.00 (ten dollars). However, there are approximately $10,000.00 in annual maintenance, HOA fees, and power. The decision to buy has already been made by the board. So Carla's issue was, "how best do we use this space?" Project Voice is in the facility everyday and basically pays our bills. The space must be used for community purposes. The ideas listed:

--- Educational Events

--- Game nights

--- Food nights (potlucks, spaghetti feeds, pie contests, chili, etc)

--- Sponsor a local student for their eighth grade trip ~ $1,000.

--- Classes in nutrition and parenting aimed at low income, unwed mothers.

--- Discussion of global warming, organizing Whittier to meet this threat.

6. Terry (last name?) who sells scooters at 29th and York told us he also wants to sell coffee and donuts.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jeff Neuman-Lee, recording secretary