Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
University Hill Neighborhood Association
Executive Committee Meeting Minutes - FINAL
The Castle House, May 15, 2019, 5:30 pm—7:00 pm
ATTENDING: Nancy Blackwood, Stacy Silverstein Apple, Andrea Clark, Lori Schuyler, Lisa Spalding, Linda Sparn, Scott Thomas, Susan Stafford, Director, University of Colorado Boulder Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations
HRWG Representative: Andrew Shoemaker
ABSENT: Stephen Clark, Jyotsna Raj, Beanne Rothenberg
INVITED GUEST: Stephen Sparn
INTRODUCTION / WELCOME (Nancy Blackwood)
Welcome to Stacy Silverstein Apple who was voted in as EC member at the Spring General Meeting; she brings great energy and expertise to UHNA
Stacy and her husband moved to The University Hill area four years ago. Stacy is recently retired as Director of Client Solutions at The Ken Blanchard Companies. She is concerned about the trend of family homes on The Hill becoming rentals and the condition of many of the student rental properties
NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS UPDATE (Scott Thomas)
Scott Thomas reported that Flatirons Elementary School PTO hosted a successful Pebble-Pebble Annual Fun-Run and All School Picnic on Saturday, May 11 with 200 people participating
Enrollment continues to decline at Flatirons Elementary primarily due to the loss of families in the neighborhood, the high cost of housing and the trend of newer neighbors, who are moving to Boulder from out of state and have the financial resources, sending their children to private schools
Introducing new neighbors to the excellence of the neighborhood schools is a priority. More ways will be considered to include the neighborhood in activities
UHNA COMMUNICATIONS
A priority of UHNA this year is to increase visibility, showcase the great assets of the neighborhood and facilitate more communications among neighbors
UHNA’s website (hillneighbors.com) has great information but most neighbors do not go to the site
Increasing UHNA’s presence on social media was discussed
Social media can be used to inform neighbors of information on the website and newsworthy items and neighbors can use it to spread news and information
Stacy volunteered to help set up a group page on Facebook
Instagram was also suggested to post pictures of The Hill; Andrea offered to take and post photos
EC members will discuss off-line and add to the agenda for June meeting
[endif]UHNA SPRING GENERAL MEETING (Nancy Blackwood and Linda Sparn)
In review of the Spring General Meeting, those who attended believed the presentations were good
The low attendance was disappointing. The distribution of the newsletter will be increased in the future and, as discussed above, other avenues for communications will be added
Another thanks to the City of Boulder Parks & Recreation Department for their presentations on the Emerald Ash Borer, Columbia Cemetery and the Harbeck-Bergheim House
Special thanks to the CU Boulder environmental design students who presented on the University Hill Art Installation. Neighbors were impressed and are excited for the project
HILL HOTEL – NEXT STEPS (Andrew Shoemaker and Nancy Blackwood)
Nancy reported on the University Hill Commercial Area Management Commission (UHCAMC) meeting – concerns were expressed regarding the continued delays and requests for an additional study on the proposed Hill Hotel by City Council
Gathering statistics and information on The Hill, while causing more delay and having limited resources for such study, could though be positive as it provides another opportunity to illustrate the need to City Council members
Andrew reported that the video produced in support of the hotel has been to all City Council members; EC agreed it sends a powerful message. The video can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx4H7EjNacY
Of key importance is for Hill neighbors to keep neighborhood concerns and support of the hotel in front of City Council and our presence at meetings
UHNA EC members will coordinate efforts to attend and speak at City Council meetings
[if !supportLists]o [endif]The University of Colorado’s public announcement of plans for their conference center also is important as that may prove a key driver for the Hill Hotel
HILL REINVESTMENT WORKING GROUP (HRWG) (Lisa Nelson, via email, and Susan Stafford)
HRWG had a successful meeting bringing together many parties involved in student conduct in the neighborhood -- the Boulder Police Department (BPD), City of Boulder, the University of Colorado, student ambassadors and representative neighbors
The meeting offered an opportunity to get the conversation started about how to make the system of handling student behavior work better for residents and students alike
Data tracking will be an important element for progress
Lisa also reported that a couple of new Greek houses on The Hill are interested in establishing relationships with UHNA/neighbors; a suggestion is to assign liaisons and work with the student ambassadors; UHNA EC will reach out to invite to an EC meeting in the Fall
EC will consider hosting a meeting with representatives of the BPD
Also newsworthy is CU’s announcement of a wellness research institute in the building formerly occupied by Menninger Art Supply at 1135 Broadway
https://www.colorado.edu/today/2019/04/30/crown-gift-establish-unique-wellness-research-institute-cu-boulder
ADDRESSING UNIVERSITY HILL HOUSING & NEIGHBORHOOD ISSUES – DRAFT STRATEGY (Stacy Silverstein Apple and Nancy Blackwood and, not in attendance, Lisa Nelson and Callie Weiant)
Working with the HRWG reps, UHNA EC will create a strategy for getting more families on The Hill and addressing the issues related to the increase in student rentals
Stacy outlined, and EC discussed, many considered items:
Create the narrative of the past 20 years to show the loss of families and impact on the neighborhood
Obtain more information on police activity and crime reports for greater understanding of problems and transparency
Look into incentives for families and other programs such as community land trusts
Consider zoning and code enforcement issues
Be more vocal to City Council, City departments and CU on concerns and issues; demand more information and assistance through City Council
Engage with a wide range of associations related to The Hill, e.g., Historic Boulder and the Boulder Area Rental Housing Association (BARHA)
Next Steps: 1) Create a working committee, 2) Coordinate attendance at City Council meetings, 3) June 5 meeting
CU AMBASSADOR PROGRAM (Susan Stafford)
The ambassador program, created by Susan, is active and has new hires
Susan’s Coordinator of Neighborhood Relations, who attended UHNA meetings, has left. Her replacement is expected to be on board this summer
Susan announced that she is retiring from CU at the end of May. She will take a position with the International Town & Gown Association (ITGA) which is holding their City & University Relations Conference in Boulder in 2020
The ITGA conference offers opportunities for UHNA as well as sponsorship opportunities for businesses
ITGA conference programming typically includes sessions on economic development and student off-campus life
UHNA will reach out to Susan’s successor once hired
[endif]UHNA SUMMER PICNIC AND OTHER POTENTIAL EVENTS (Beanne Rothenberg, via email)
Grace Lutheran Church intends to hold their Community Picnic Sunday, September 8, 2019 and welcomes UHNA’s involvement
Consensus among UHNA EC members is to be involved – contribute with food, beverages and cookies, have a table with information on UHNA and neighborhood resources, and encourage neighborhood attendance and involvement
Question whether CU would again be able to handle the trash and recycling, a huge contribution last year
Concern was expressed about the limited number of volunteers that helped last year and the level of interest by neighbors
Smaller, more focused or topic-driven events also to be considered
UHNA will consider an event related to the University Hill Public Art Installation
HARBECK-BERGHEIM HOUSE UPDATE (Lisa Spalding and Linda Sparn)
With the approval by City Council, the City of Boulder Parks & Recreation Department is preparing an RFP to seek proposals to lease the Harbeck-Bergheim House
Lisa and Linda will keep in contact with Parks & Rec to be involved in any way possible throughout the process
Historic Boulder has reached out to UHNA
Lisa and Linda will attend a meeting organized by Historic Boulder regarding their interest in the house
The EC is interested to see how Historic Boulder will enhance The Hill and their commitment to the neighborhood
CLOSING REMARKS
UHNA EC expresses its thanks to Susan Stafford for the years of service and contributions as head of CU Boulder Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations and active participant in UHNA, HRWG and endless other projects and programs. Her efforts have had a great positive impact on the neighborhood
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at the Castle House at 5:30pm
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By:
Linda Sparn
Member, Executive Committee
University Hill Neighborhood Association