Meeting Seconds
District 2 Police Report
Officer Reyes Trujillo reported that in North Park Hill in the previous month there were seven burglaries (two construction-related), two aggravated assaults, two assaults with firearms and one theft from a motor vehicle. In South Park Hill there were seven robberies, including a business that was robbed, three auto thefts, seven criminal mischiefs to automobiles and six thefts from motor vehicles. Trujillo noted that a couple of robberies have involved women who were traveling on the bus. He reminded people to pay attention to their surroundings, carry a minimal amount of cash and not carry their Social Security cards, as stolen cards can create the potential for identity theft and related problems.
4th of July Parade Update
Parade organizer Justin Bresler noted the parade route the parade route runs along 23rd Avenue from Dexter to Kearney streets. Organizers are currently seeking volunteers, sponsors and participants, as well as suggestions on how to make the parade better. The parade website is Parkhillparade.org and Bresler’s contact is 303-918-6517.
Denver Deputy Mayor Cary Kennedy Update
Denver Deputy Mayor Cary Kennedy, provided an update on city government, and responded to a couple of questions from the audience. Kennedy also serves as Denver’s Chief Financial Officer under Mayor Michael Hancock. Kennedy said that under the current administration, 16,000 new jobs and 1,000 businesses have been added. In addition, a new program allows the 100,000 children under aged 18 to use all rec centers and swimming pools for free. The administration is hoping to expand the program to include cultural institutions, like the art museum, history museum and museum of nature & science. The city no longer charges processing fees for citizens to use credit cards to pay city fees, including for parking tickets. A recent audit shows that Denver has a AAA credit rating. “You won’t find another American city that performs better.”
Denver Solid Waste Management Update
Megan Marshall, of Denver Solid Waste Management, provided an update on the city’s trash program. The company provides weekly trash collection to residents, bi-weekly recycling service, a large-item pickup program every six weeks, and is slowly launching a composting program. Denver’s current recycling rate is 14 percent, well below the national average of 34 percent. The trash company is working to improve that rate and is developing a master plan to equitably standardize trash collection, including replacing old trash trucks with new trash cart trucks and replacing dumpsters with carts. Greater Park Hill Community board member Dave Felice publicly complimented the trash company on its services and personnel, opining that, “If every single city agency operated as efficiently as our trash collectors do we’d be doing a whole hell of a lot better than Cary Kennedy says we are.”
Committee Chair & Community Updates
Lynn Kalinauskas, Chair of the Education Committee, noted that Denver voters approved a bond measure in 2012 to build new high school in Stapleton. Now, Denver Public Schools reports it does not have enough money to fund the complete project, and so it will be built in two phases. Stapleton residents have been concerned that Phase I will not have enough capacity for their children. Superintendent Tom Boasberg has guaranteed Stapleton residents a spot for their kids, and all residents currently in the East High School boundary – including those in Park Hill – will continue to be guaranteed enrollment in East.
Park Hill Garden Walk Co-Chair Barbara Armandariz reported that volunteers are still needed for the Saturday, June 14 event. Volunteers will be assigned to participating homes, and help check in visitors, guide them through the gardens, etc. Volunteers get a free ticket for the Garden Walk and are also invited to the After Party. Sign up via the Garden Walk Facebook page at http://parkhillgardenwalk.blogspot.com/