October 8, 2024

Jessie Wright called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.  She is filling in for Mellisa Dickey, the IPNA’s president, tonight.

Denver Police Department.  Community Resource Ofcr. Kaylan Campbell appeared on behalf of the DPD, together with Ofcr. Matt Merrion.  Ofcr. Campbell summarized the annual crime statistics for our neighborhood.  The rates for aggravated assaults (2) and burglaries (3) stayed the same.  Theft from motor vehicles decreased from 5 to 3, and there were 8 motor vehicle thefts down, compared to 5 in 2023. 

Ofcr. Campbell reminded us of the DPD’s community mtg, held virtually and in person the third Wednesday of each month.  The DPD is also scheduled to have a Trunk or Treat on October 25 at Empower Field.  That was followed by a discussion about crime in Inspiration Point Park.  Ingrid Stiver said that someone set a fire in the sandbox in the park multiple times in February, and again in August.

Cecelia Espenoza.  Ms. Espinoza appeared at our meeting, as a candidate for State Representative for House District 4.  She described her experience and said that, if elected, she will be working on transparency issues in Legislature, along with property tax issues, legislation to deal with constructive defects, and gun violence.

Ballot issues 308 and 309.  Representatives of animal rights groups discussed the reasons they supported those ballot issues.

Secretary’s report.  A motion was made and was duly seconded to approve the minutes from our meeting on July 9, 2024.  That motion was approved unanimously.

Treasurer’s report.  Ingrid Stiver reported that we had a $3,590.38 bank balance.  The Association also received another $1,000 grant from Councilwoman Sandoval’s office.  Ingrid said she is planning to stand down as treasurer.  She said that we need to set a budget at the beginning of the year, including for specific events, including for a winter social at the Fire Fighters union hall.  We followed that with a discussion about how to get more involvement from people in our community.  Ingrid said that she is still interested in tblock captain idea.  Additionally, Melissa needs to be a more public face to the organization.

We discussed the fact that on Friday of that week, the sculpture built in the Park, as part of the 1% for the Arts program, would be unveiled.  The artist who designed and prepared the sculpture also would be present at the unveiling.

We discussed the idea of bringing food to our meetings.  We used to have a potluck dinner at our July meetings.  In addition, we discussed the fact that neighborhood associations generate more interest when they have something to oppose.  People tend to attend meetings if the association is dealing with crime issues, zoning appeals, or other reasons that will get people to attend.

That was followed by a discussion about a possible meeting of the Association’s board in November 2024, and about the need to have candidates for the Association’s treasurer and delegate to Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation.  We also need to do a better job of getting more people to sign up for our Association’s business directory.

A costume parade was scheduled to take place in the Park on October 27.  

The meeting was adjourned at 8:14 p.m.

Sincerely,

Barry Roseman
Secretary