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1 Greeley Neighborhood Steering Committee #1 June 8, 2010 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM MEETING NOTES Steering Committee Attendees: John Habeger Christina McGrath Sandy Garrett Jim Shive Edith McClafferty Dan McClafferty Captain Doug Conway Margie Seccomb Gary Shea Ed Randall Craig Dessing Tad Dale Terry Schultz Members not in attendance: Jed Hoopes Gary Jones Staff/Consultant Attendees: Steve Hess (staff) Anne Cossitt Kim Olsen Ken Markert Jolene Rieck Guests: Douglas Schidler II Donna Bacon Ben Nagel Pam Flower Debra Schultz Steve Hess opened the meeting by introducing the attendees. Jolene Rieck discussed the appreciative planning process. Anne Cossitt discussed the charter for the steering committee and its responsibilities. The attendees accepted the charter as presented at the meeting. Anne Cossitt discussed the consultant’s team role and information collected to date. Group exercise: Appreciative stories regarding the Greeley Neighborhood Theme Paraphrased Comments from Participants of mentions) Consultant Observations The neighborhood “trailhead” Trailhead to the Chamber, malls and Silver Bow Creek Columbia Gardens created many fond memories at the ‘trailhead.’ Skating rink was a popular kid gathering area Convenience Neighborhood proximity to past and current features created an asset for living there. ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 Sense of community Neighborhood watch People are neighborly Care about people & property (4x) Respectful Volunteerism Sense of community Neighborhood pride Quiet What advantages does this neighborhood’s sense of community and pride provide to the action items that will be proposed in the plan? Greeley School Focal point in the neighborhood (3x) Neighborhood schools/parks, etc. are an asset Need for opportunities to engage all ages, teenager need positive activities The vacant Greeley School will be a priority discussion point in the plan. Activities/facilities targeted towards teenagers may need to be a focus item. Housing Inventory Well-built older homes Architectural homes Older, smaller homes Opportunities for infill Heterogeneous As homes age what are the consequences of upkeep? Social Fabric Neighborhood traditions Generational families Cultural & social cohesiveness at risk for loss Infrastructure supports the cohesiveness Crime rate is low, security How will we integrate newcomers into the neighborhood? What will make them feel welcomed? Mining Influence Better or worse? (2x) Proximity to mining operations has an impact on the quality of life in this neighborhood. Open spaces Pedestrian-based activity Green buffers are missing Green buffers may assist in the mining influence with air, noise and visual disturbance. Individual exercise: Appreciative stories about the Greeley Neighborhood Theme Paraphrased comments from participants of mentions) Consultant Observations Families, Generational Families, Neighbors Families spending time together (7x) Neighbors helping neighbors (5x) Cultural-social cohesiveness Changing demographic What facilities/activities may help contribute to the continuation of these strong ties? How do we make newcomers feel welcomed? Greeley School Loss of the school has changed the neighborhood’s way of life (3x) School produced good athletes (2x) Through the school everyone knew everyone The school contributed to a tight social network. What other facilities/activities may provide the same opportunities? Places for kids to play Fond memories of Columbia Gardens, could walk from my home Skating rink (3x) Silver Bow trail is an asset (2x) Clarks Park Race Track Fire Hall Need to develop a plan for infrastructure that targets the 16 and under demographic Proximity Convenient to work (2x) Mining operations, don’t mind the noise Mining is an important identity of this neighborhood Connections in/out of the neighborhood appear to be adequate Housing Well-built older homes (3x) Will pride be enough? ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 Home maintenance, encourage upkeep Assist the older & disabled population Infill opportunities exist Jolene Rieck will evaluate the results of this exercise and present a draft vision statement at the next steering committee meeting. Ken Markert presented the preliminary survey results from the steering committee members. He discussed the parameters of the neighborhood survey. Ken will continue to develop the survey questionnaire for the next committee review. The steering committee suggested that Commissioner Terry Schultz be added as a formal member of the committee. Anne Cossitt discussed the future meeting dates and locations. The committee generally agreed to the time, location, schedule and agenda for the next meeting but clarified that they prefer all Greeley meetings to be held on Tuesdays. The committee suggested that the town hall meetings be moved from July to August due to the numerous events held in July.