Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation

JANUARY 12, 2019

Location: Forefront Church—Harvey Park

INC President George Mayl called the meeting to order at 9:05 am, talked about INC’s role (INC has 85 RNOs under its umbrella with over 200,000 homes) and committees, reminded all to vote in May, and reported that in coming months, INC will sponsor ongoing candidate debates in conjunction with the League of Women Voters and Channel 8. Mayl introduced Amy Duclos as the proposed chair of the reactivated Education Committee as well as others on today’s agenda.

Councilperson Debbie Ortega’s Remarks

Councilperson Debbie Ortega talked about the lack of transparency in Denver’s contracts for professional services. Ortega has been working on this issue for 6 months and she’s wants to give City Council the ability to hire a reviewer for city contracts, a capability that city council has had for “years and years”. This issue came up when 5 councilpersons tried to hire professionals to assist them in reviewing the “great hall contract” at the Denver International Airport (a 34-year contract that privatized work on DIA’s renovation of the concession area on level 5). The council was given two boxes of materials but no financial documents—the financial documents were available if members agreed to sign a nondisclosure agreement, came with specific questions answered from a laptop by the vendor who was to be awarded the contract.

Ortega and others didn’t agree with the process and since the contract was an interconnected legal document, Council decided they needed professional help and found someone with the requisite contracting and P3 experience. City administration came back a few days later and said no, Council requested a city attorney, but they didn’t have all the experience Council wanted. Now Council proposes to get this hiring capability by ordinance (requires 7 votes…not a super majority). Ortega asked for a show of hands as to whether that was a reasonable thing to do and it looked like all raised their hands. This long-standing capability to hire professional help by the Council was relegated to the City Administration in recent years (when Hickenlooper became Mayor) and Denver’s strong-mayor structure was further strengthened. Though this shift of responsibilities (e.g., bill-paying and contracting) was approved by voters, they may not have been fully aware of how the checks and balances of governmental decision-making were further skewed in favor of the administration.

Question: In the more than billion-dollar contract at DIA, who negotiated the contract?

Answer: a firm that worked with the administration and vendors. The problem is that the lack of transparency in these contracts upset the balance of powers and reduces accountability.

In response to a question about how INC could help, Ortega suggested support for the Council’s actions. Someone suggested an INC motion to support to which Mayl answered that INC certainly could.

New RNO

Mayl introduced new president Emily Walker of newly-established RNO, University Hills and she gave RNO’s boundaries.

Question on the Denver Eight

Denver Decides will include candidates as well as all the ballot initiatives.

Amy Duclos

Mayl introduced Amy Duclos as the proposed Education Committee Chair. As HOA president in Stokes Place Greenbriar, Amy was asked about DPS’ Knight Academy. Ten years ago, a school program was moved to Knight Academy to save the facility as a school. This involved Amy and 4 others to make it happen. More recently, she noticed the water from the water fountains at Merrill tasted funny. DPS was shutting fountains down because of the high lead content, but after many calls and e-mails, filters were installed at Merrill. Other facilities issues involved filling blacktop cracks and air conditioning. She summed up by saying that strong schools make strong neighborhoods and that she knew how DPS works…tenacity is the key to making things better, benefitting kids as well as benefitting communities.

Xochitl Gaytan

President of the Harvey Park RNO…completed 63^rd year as an RNO one of the oldest RNOs west of the Mississippi. Sochi wanted to share concern with Harvey Park development…what will the developer do with Loretto Heights? The RNO is looking for support from INC since people are concerned with the direction that developers are taking. Concern is with the surrounding neighborhoods around Loretto Heights.

Q: How many acres (someone said about 17 acres)?

A: Sochi mentioned the DPS presence and the possibility of subdividing the property. She is asking INC to keep an eye on what’s going on.

Maggie Price commented that INC previously had passed a resolution that called for the city buying the campus should it come up for sale.

Sochi as also part of the Latino coalition along with INC board member Ean and they’re offering concern and support as this issue unfolds.

Ryan Brackley, City’s District Attorney

Ryan started his comments by saying his office has not gotten into communities as they should. The DA Beth McCann has been a “master” at getting out into the community, so Ryan wants to do some of that job as well. He then introduced Maro Casparian, who has been encouraged to reach into communities more extensively. Julie Madden, Director of Strategic Initiatives, another associate passed out a sheet to get information about meetings so the DA can do better in communities. Schools are a specific initiative and curricula are being developed to talk with kids about topics like gun or teen dating violence, sexting and the like. Developing a “menu” of classes to talk with not at the kids.

In short, Ryan and Ms McCann want to be more responsive to the Denver communities. One example of that is that most deputies live in Denver. They’re bringing in new deputies who want to live and work in Denver. Looking for youth advisory board members and requested volunteers.

Q: McCann was elected in part because she was willing to prosecute police “who aren’t behaving properly”, but she hasn’t.

A: Brakely disagrees and he has been doing the prosecuting in officer involved shootings…The office strictly follows protocol and Mcahn will attend hearings and accompany investigators and be sure that investigations have been done properly. As statutes are weighted towards officers using force in the line of duty, its difficult to convict, but it doesn’t mean the office isn’t troubled or concerned by the shootings. McCann will carefully evaluate the letter the department writes after an investigation and will be sure that things are done as thoroughly as they can be. She also holds community meetings after a shooting to explain the process followed and answers questions.

Q: If a case can’t be proved, what’s done?

A: Police have internal processes to respond to what led to a police shooting.

Mara added that “shoot letters” are all online.

Q: White collar crime investigations? Does the Mayor have his finger on your budget?

A: No…Mayor can’t get into DA’s “stuff” and the department gets budget allocations from the City Council.

Q: Is the office involved in the Convention Center case

A: Yes…it’s an open case so they can’t talk about it.

Q: Ean asked what of the housing corruption case?

A: yes…it’s an open case…city officials can be subject to prosecution for corruption.

Grand Juries are often used to incorporate the community’s voice. He then talked about how grand juries are put together. DA’s office strives for diversity and anyone 18 and older can serve. Looking for skeptics who ask questions.

A delegate served on a Federal grand jury and it was a long-term obligation.

Q: How can we help you?

A: Give the office tips about economic crime allegations. Many complaints are consumer concerns.

Q: Sexual assault/harassment cases?

A: We educate about the difference and do sexual assault cases.

Q: economic scams?

A: Many economic scams/frauds actually start in Nigeria and Colorado now has an enhanced capacity to deal with scams though Colorado is limited to state concerns.

Q: Human Trafficking?

A: Have added resources to focus full time on human trafficking…Denver is a center for human trafficking so we take it seriously. Mora mentioned that there are school connections to educate and warn. “Courtroom to the Classroom” has been the traditional program, but the DA’s office wants to broaden that. In response to a further question about extending these concerns to elementary classes, Ryan agreed that more has to be don’t.

Q: Renting houses that people don’t own?

A: yes, that’s a thing as well.

Q: Ean..human trafficking since the Stock Show is a site for human trafficking?

A: Neighboring states are talking about these issues. There are investigative units that ramp up during the Stock Show. For example, illicit massage parlors need to be better regulated…they’re not regulated. INC’s voice can be heard by asking that these businesses be regulated.

Christine O’Connor

Funds for the Winter Olympics? Petition was handed in to ensure that State funds not be used to put on the Olympics. They have until March 7^th to collect signatures. It’s still being done despite Utah getting the Olympic nod, because things could change. This effort would prevent Colorado from going forward should things change.

Hazel Hacker, Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

Talking about identity theft and fraud…and can talk about human trafficking. Majority of shepherds are human trafficked. Lot of their activities involve stings to go higher on the criminal food chain. Since much crime is national, the CBI works with Federal counterparts. Cybercrime for example involves lots of cooperation with agencies beyond Colorado.

Q: What’s happening with videos and caretakers sex crimes?

A: child pornography and internet manipulation (photoshopping) are a serious concern in cyber-crime. Parents, watch out what you post on the internet. Also, the internet can be a dark place where criminals threaten violence to entrap vulnerable youths.

Q: Where are people who do these things?

A: All over…CBI handles Colorado, and when elsewhere, they work with sister agencies.

Q: While working on a case, one delegate reported how computers are interconnected so that a person in Maryland could connect with someone in Colorado—one way to snare criminals.

A: It takes cooperation to catch exploiters from around the world.

Q: Who’s doing this?

A: Organized crime, gangs (which is also organized crime) and evil individuals. Penalties depend on the individual crime.

Q: How does the CBI differentiate between individuals and organized groups?

A: It depends on the crime and the intention expressed by the individuals.

Q: Drugs and drug busts?

A: CBI’s primary focuses are homicides, financial crimes, conspiracy crimes, government corruption, etc. not necessarily drug busts.

Q: identity theft?

A: Hazel answered questions. Identity theft can take years to fix. The CBI has a special unit to deal with helping individuals recover from identity theft (gave a case study). Hazel mentioned that they have work arounds to get the job done when the Federal Government says they can’t flag SS numbers.

Q: Data Breach?

A: Chances are quite high that your data was breached…e.g., Equifax was breached. To get up to an 80% chance that you won’t be “breached” here are some steps:

1. Go on line to SSA.gov and open a “my social security account” which gets you a password. They create a password (new procedure). Hackers can’t change where the check is being sent…and can prevent your money being moved around.
2. Put a freeze on your credit. Can freeze and unfreeze for free. Can get children credit and then cap/freeze it. Go to credit reporting agencies (three) online or by phone. annualcreditreportagencies.com. Get Pin (don’t lose it) to be able to unfreeze or freeze it. Usually takes about an hour to freeze or unfreeze. “Credit l

Lock” doesn’t have the protections and they charge you. Fraud Alert can take one call. But with this, a credit freeze you need to call all three. Hazel will post it on the FB site to get the steps.

Q: Social Security number?

A: some agencies it’s OK to give them SS number to get services. If they call you don’t give them anything. Physicians just need your health care number. Further, call accounts and ask them what they can do to help you prevent identity theft. Hang up on scammers…don’t talk to them. Lots of scams come from Pakistan.

In conclusion, call in tips to solve cold cases so providing DNA info would help.

Committee Reports

1. Joel Noble/ Transportation…three topics

The INC transportation committee met on 1-10-2019 and covered three points

1. Eulois Cleckley, Executive Director of Public Works provided an overview of the transportation work plan for 2019 and an update on department reorganization to separate transportation/mobility from other utilities in advance of a possible future split into two different departments.
2. Next, Ean Thomas Tafoya with the Colorado Latino Forum (one of the plaintiff groups in a lawsuit against CDOT regarding the Central I-70 project), explained the recent settlement of that case and the new environmental study and enhanced monitoring to come as a result.
3. Finally, the committee reviewed the second public review draft of Blueprint Denver in light of the input provided on the initial draft last year. The committee will be preparing a follow-on letter, recognizing the improvements in the new draft, and will be requesting again the changes that did not make it into this draft.

Also, a new Community Outreach Working Group of MPAC is looking to speak at neighborhood meetings about the neighborhood-specific recommendations in Denver-Moves: Pedestrians and Trails, and to seek input on what priorities neighborhoods want to work on first. Contact Lisa Diaz at Lisa.Diaz@denvergov.com.

2. Ernie Diedrich/Sustainability…three topics

1. Next meeting details were given (Meeting at Daniels Fund on 1-30 from 7:00-8:15pm) including the featured speaker Thomas Herrod who will speak on Denver’s Climate Action Plan (80/50 plan). We’ll also begin planning the GrowHaus visit.
2. Wanted to spotlight sustainability activities in the neighborhood where we were meeting. The Susty Team was contacted but didn’t appear. Park Hill folks talked about the Highline canal trail (70 miles), transportation issues (southeast Denver feels left behind) and folks are working to expand trash reduction and recycling capabilities. The committee will follow up with cataloging of sustainability activities in INC RNOs.
3. The Committee wants to scale up a clean up activity that has worked well in Highland…a High Five Clean Up of Adopt-A-Spot areas across Denver. This could well be done in conjunction with the May 18^th city clean up Day.

A question on Denver’s water availability was answered by joint activity with the Parks Committee (they’ve dealt with water issues for about 3 years) and it was suggested that the committee contact Bob Reynolds of the Museum of Natural History for expert advice.

 

3. Co-Chair Maggie Price/Parks and Recreation Committee

After enumerating committee goals, Maggie focused on the committee’s guest, Deborah Turner from Denver Public Works Capital Project Management (the” sidewalk Czar”). After Deborah explained how the sidewalk gap is prioritized, the discussion dealt with the idea that parks have too much concrete and that there are too many impermeable surfaces in green areas (given the concern with water run-off and climate change). One notable statement from this discussion was that not all parks need sidewalks…pocket parks, for example don’t need the same sidewalk construction as other parks.

There appears to be a disconnect between Parks and Rec and Public Works and the committee has asked that these two departments meet together to deal with sidewalks and park management. The committee’s letter can be found at www.denverinc.org/library/policypositions.

Q-ADA compliance?

1. Yes…yet not all parks have the same needs. Need to invest more in permeable surfaces

 

4. Jane Potts/Annual INC Dinner Chair

Jane started with a reminder that membership dues are due and INC welcomes additional contributions as well.

In the past INC used to promote involvement with youth through the Dollar Dictionary Drive, but our phones have all that today. This year, INC decided to award money to youth organizations that promote civic engagement. Despite a late start, three organizations applied and two will be selected and funded. More focus for next year!

Finally, the annual INC Dinner is on January 23^rd at the Holiday Inn Cherry Creek and we go for free owing to generous sponsors. At the dinner, you all have a job and that’s to be ambassadors so don’t talk to the delegates you always talk with, thank the sponsors and talk with new people.

 

5. Co-Chair Ean Tafoya/ZAP

Two big issues coming up (ZAP meetings are the last Saturday of the month) are: discussing the new PUD zoning codes in comparison with the old ones and the failed conversation with Historic Denver regarding Larimer Square talks.

Upcoming committee topics include zoning, smart city development and what that means, and housing (we need to bring in experts to help us see what’s really possible). The committee hopes to have a housing symposium in the next four months, preferably before the April elections.

There are openings on the Landmark Board and the Lower Downtown Committee for folks that are interested.

President Mayl adjourned the meeting at 11:41

Respectfully Submitted (2-9-2019) ,

Ernie Diedrich

Secretary