- The agenda was approved as submitted.
- Introductory remarks by Laura Wilson started with a collection to be used for a sign
language interpreter when needed.
Karl Kregor added that contributions are welcome for any purpose. He report the financial state
of the association. TC Grift from Whole Foods mentioned that one of their employees was a sign
language interpreter might be available to assist with interpreting for hearing impaired participants
in neighborhood meetings.
Louise Stuto from Gilmore street reported that Whole Foods parking in their neighborhood was not
under control. They have been talking to the City traffic engineer about Topeka Street and the
turn-around traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian. The residents have also
called Whole Foods for
assistance in controlling traffic problems.
Whole Foods representative TC solicited comments from the neighbors about
any issue and said
that Whole Foods wants to build and foster a strong relationship with the
neighborhood. They are
after all, part of the neighborhood now, she said.
- City Councilor Karen Heldmeyer reported that the main issue concerning
the DDNA at city
hall these days is the Entrada Park and what it has taught the city about a
lack of internal
coordination about projects. City official Jim Romero wants a better
relationship with
neighborhoods. He provides good followthrough when asked to do something.
He wants better
integration with city departments. The City Manager now holds joint meetings
of several
departments, and Karen has been working for this, also.
She mentioned the "pink slips" mechanism available to city councilors for
seeking action on
various issues. Staff have two weeks to get back to councilors on their
issue, and smaller issues
typically get prompt action. Larger ones are more complex. She invited the
neighbors to contact
her with specific issues that need attention. She reminded the groups that
she is not allowed to
discuss specific land uses decisons that are pending, but questions about
procedure for public participation, for example, are acceptable.
When asked what is happening with the landscape and drainage ordinances,
Karen replied they
do need reworking. The issue is who maintains the storm drains. It is
illegal to divert runoff to acequias. USEPA regulates surface water runoff,
also.
The Solid Waste Department has run up a deficit of $700,000 which is of
concern to councilors.
It is supposed to be self-supporting, an enterprise fund. A mangement team
is coming in to evaluate the situation.
- County primary election for selecting county commissioners is coming
up. Two democrats and a green are running so far. The race will likely be
decided in the democratic primary. Carolyn Sigstedt offered copies of her
brochures. She pointed out that District 2, our county district, is mostly
City of Santa Fe. Half of the growth in the area is on the outskirts of
Santa Fe, in the county. She urged everyone to vote in the primary if they
were eligible to do so.
- Giselle Messer from the recently formed Don Canuto Neighborhood
Association thanked Laura for time on the agenda. She explained the issues
concerning The Lofts project proposing a maximum of 34 live/work units
proposed for the 2.5 acre lot south of Don Canuto/east of Early/west of Don
Diego. The DCNA is working to keep the parcel as open space, perhaps a
park. She explained that the DCNA was not anti-development but wanted land
use for the site to be in the best interests of the neighborhood. The
parcel is the last undeveloped remnant of an 1835 land grant. It was made
part of the Guadalupe Cemetery in 1888. She read four points from guidance
for Community Area Plans.Two representatives from The Lofts, including Mitch
Davenport, were in attendance and spoke briefly about their project. An
archeologic investigation is underway to see if there are human remains
under the site. If there are human remains, the developer will withdraw the
proposal. Public hearing is June 1 before the Planning Commission.
(look here for more details).
- Copies of DDNA by-laws written in 1983 and others written in 2000
were distributed. Laura Wilson pointed out that the DDNA is a volunteer
organization. Its by-laws have been rewritten to reflect how it
historically has conducted its business. Karen Heldmeyer explained that
the 1983 directions for creating neighborhood associations were meant to be
difficult and to discourage neighborhoods from formally organiziing. She
supported the simpler, less structured approach to organizing neighborhoods
associations, including the form and content of by-laws. William Canup
expressed his viewpoint that the democratic process had effectively been
removed from the 2000 by-laws. Karel Kregor commented that those who wish
to express their views on various issues should do so as individuals, not
as representatives of the DDNA, unless a meeting of the DDNA has endorsed a
particular point of view. There was no action taken on this issue.
(look here for the bylaws).
Community Area plans are long-range, detailed plans for neighborhoods which
will be incorporated into the General Plan. The city is asking neighborhoods
to play a major part in developing plans. The DDNA needs someone to step
forward to lead the DDNA in developing its Community Plan. A number of
people said they would work on the plan, but no leader has stepped forward
yet.
Historic district expansion would increase protection and preservation of
historic places and buildings. The City currently does not have the
position filled that is supposed to work on this.
Karen offered to help the DDNA set up a neighborhood watch by connecting it
with neighborhoods that have already accomplished this.
- Communication - Hubert van Hecke described the web site he has set up.
It is both an archive and a news paper for DDNA. He will post whatever DDNA
members forward to him. Most of the project discussed today are on the web
page.
Maggie O'Dell is in charge of flyer distribution via a network of neighbors.
Deborah Baker 983-9358 is helping her. Paama Anderson offered to distribute
some flyers in the Camino de los Marqez apartments.
- Project updates
Entrada Park - Anna Richards reported that the Entrada Park at
Guadalupe/ Don Diego and Cerrillos Road has been funded at $100,000 over
two years. Crosswalks have been painted. John Griego, head of the city's
Capital Improvements Project office has taken over project management
from CIP engineer Mary McDonald. A group of 5 neighbors have been working
on this for two years. Traffic issues and the layout of the small parking
area are outstanding issues to be resolved later this month by a meeting,
called by Cyrus Saami, lead city planner, of a small group of neighbors and
city staff. Hubert van Hecke has taken the lead on traffic issues.
Contouring, installation of curb, gutter, and utilities should begin this
year. Whole Foods contributed $10,000 to a park implementation and
maintenance fund. Thanks were expressed to TC from the DDNA. Santa Fe
Beautiful is our fiscal agent. Other donations to this fund from
individuals, businesses and foundations are welcome. Hubert van Hecke
described the bus stop experience. This project is serving as a catalyst to
improve internal coordination among city departments.
(
look here for the details).
Early neighborhood Notification projects:
- Hilton - Laura - No change in initial design, no permit awarded yet.
- Office Complex (old Jimmie's Quick Stop) - Laura - Custom Hardware,
one of the principal projected occupants, is moving elsewhere. No permit
application submitted yet.
(
look here for details)
- US West microwave antennae -Laura - These are required to be approved
as a special exception by the Board of Adjustment, if proposed for
residential areas. They are approved for residential areas only if there
is no way the service can be provided withouth them. One low-profile one
is proposed for the Unitarian church bell tower.
- Cerrillos Road - Hope Reed reported on the big construction project
from Airport Road to St. Francis. There are a number of problems with
the redesign. There is a meeting on May 16 at Sweeney Center, Room 5,
5-7 pm, and another meeting on June 8th, same location.
(
Look here for details).
- Cordova sidewalks - Hope Reed and Steve Counsell reported that the
design is good, the Rose Park is being extended, and construction
should begin in July.
(
details here).
- Railyard - Laura -There is a lot going on, so watch the newspapers,
reported Laura Wilson.
- A new ordinance allows for alleyway closures, if there are problems with improper use of the
alleyways.
- Future plans
Garage Sale/DDNA Picnic -June 10th - Have your garage sale that day and come to a potluck
picnic coordinated by Hubert van Hecke and Maggie O'Dell. Flyers will announce the location.
Other news - Peter Komis is the new president of the Don Gaspar Neighborhood Association, to
the east of the DDNA.
- Next meeting is September 17th at Whole Foods Community Room. 2:30 pm.
The meeting was adjourned shortly after 4:30 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anna Richards
Secretary, DDNA