For the full recording of this council session (not divided into topics)
I. Security Cameras
Police Chief Tom Vandermee, Public Works Director Rick Kahm, Information Technology Director Jeff Konishi, Parks and Recreation Director Jerrell Black and Finance & Administrative Services Director Frank Gryglewicz will discuss security cameras at the City.
At a recent Englewood City Council meeting "a more than usual number of citizens" showed up to voice their opposition to the Englewood City Council's push to eliminate boats, snowmobiles, recreation vehicles and RV's from the city by threatening to ticket those type vehicles that are currently being parked in Englewood citizens' own driveways. Mayor Jim Woodward and District 2 Councilperson Linda Olsen were quoted as saying "...the flyers[s] distributed to the community contained 'half-truths'".
Of course these charges were leveled without any evidence that the flyers were not accurate, and in fact used the councilmember's own words. The two council members have also claimed that the original flyer "[W]as intended to attack Council members and cause "negativity" in our city...".
It seems that after the first batch of 30 or so flyers were passed out to people who had the vehicles in question, one alert citizen who recognized a larger principle in play - printed many more copies of the original and made sure the public was made aware of the problem.
Some members of the City Council haves expressed - "[G]reat concern over the number of people that have been informed and are involved in voicing their opinion in this matter."
What?
An "Informed Citizenry" is cause for City Council concern?
And they are voicing their opinions? - More cause for concern?
If comments like those by City Council were not worrisome enough, records show that Englewood City Council members have taken it upon themselves to patrol the city on the lookout for any code violation to which they can then report (some anonymously) people to the Englewood Police. For the first half of this year (2010), and even further back on the calendar, reports of "Code Concerns" and "Code Violations" and other complaints of this nature have significantly increased. Coincidently, these reports began growing in volume shortly after the City Council began using a special Code Enforcement Dept. Officer dedicated to the City Council. Known officially as "Nuisance Abatement" some believe this to be a "private code enforcement officer" beholding more to City Council than to Englewood's Citizens.
Yes, there seems to be a real disconnect between Englewood's City Council and the people they were elected to serve.
ECOG Citizen Minutes/Meeting Summary ENGLEWOOD City Council Community Meeting Littleton/Englewood Waste Water Treatment Plant Monday, August 23rd 2010
For the full recording of this council session (not divided into topics)
Introduction by City Council Members
I.Water and Sewer Rates
Utilities and Wastewater Treatment Plant Director Stu Fonda will discuss water and sewer rates.
Comments by Jim Woodward introducing members of staff present at the meeting
II.Open Forum
This portion of the agenda is open for residents' comments.
Mayor Jim Woodward asked Council Member Bob McClasin to address the RV Parking issue currently tasked with the Code Enforcement Advisory Board. Council Member Bob McCaslin stated various comments about the revision of the RV parking Ordinance and the initial direction that the Code Enforcement Advisory Board is taking on the issue. Additionally, Council Member Bob McCaslin stated that the citizen initiated flyer that brought this issue up included lies, and that council is not going to penalize anyone for parking RV's.
---- Council Member McCaslin Fact Check = False ----
The original flyer distributed to the community regarding the RV issue can be found >>>here<<<. Everything printed within this flyer can be backed up by statements made by members of Englewood City Council.
In fact, if the ordinance goes in the direction that some Council Members and Code Enforcement Members have indicated then many people in the City will be penalized for parking RV and other utility vehicles on their own property.
Mayor Jim Woodward commented on the status of the Purchase, demolition, and redesign of Duncan Park.
b.Status of the Flood Middle School redevelopment
Mayor Jim Woodward and Council Member Randy Penn commented briefly on the status of the Flood Middle School redevelopment.
c.Comments and discussion regarding the Kent Place Development
Several people from the audience were from District 2 and asked questions and commented on the Kent Place development. Council Member Linda Olsen, Mayor Jim Woodward and Council Member Rick Gillit took part in the discussion.
Council member Comments
Rick Gillit (District 4)
Rick Gillit provided an update on the District 4 Community Forum Meetings reminding everyone of the meeting in September.
Joe Jefferson (District 1)
Joe Jefferson provided and update on the District 1 Community Meeting coming up next week.
Linda Olsen (District 2)
Mentioned that she had “already said too much” and had nothing more to say.
Bob McCaslin
Commented about the school board and the new Superintendent for Englewood public Schools.
Randy Penn (District 3)
Discussed the planning of a future District 3 Meeting, and Englewood Football season is starting.
Jill Wilson
Discussed her involvement on the Englewood Cultural arts commission, and Code Enforcement Commission. Additional comments were made regarding Neighborhood Garden, and new restaurants in Englewood.
Mayor Jim Woodward
Discussed the “Tough times with the City Budget” and the scheduling of two Furlough days for city employees. Additional comments were made about the City involvement in fundraising for Freedom Service Dogs.
