Woodrim Crossings Neighborhood Association

Neighborhood Newsletter - April 2004 Edition

Apr 06, 2004

Dear Neighbors

Our next bimonthly meeting will be on Monday, May 3, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at the Life Care Center of Aurora, 14101 E. Evans Ave. located at Blackhawk and Evans. At this meeting, you will have the election of board officers for the next year. All neighbors are encouraged to attend!

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***CODE CORNER***

Businesses Operating out of Homes

Residents interested in conducting a business from a home should take into consideration several rules before moving forward. Only certain types of home occupations are permitted in residential neighborhoods, and they must meet these requirements:

• Residents of the home are the only ones engaged in the activity.


• The business or activity may only be conducted in the principal part of the building and be incidental or secondary to the primary purpose of the home.


• All auto repair businesses are prohibited


• Storage of materials used in the business must be inside the principal building or an accessory building.


• No external evidence that, in any way, advertises or shows the performance of the business or activity.


• The general public cannot be invited or solicited upon the premises.


• Performance of any personal service shall be limited to one pupil, client or customer at any one time.


• There should be no increase of vehicular or pedestrian activity as a result of the business.


• The business or activity may not in any way jeopardize the health, safety or welfare of the occupants or of the surrounding neighborhood.

All businesses in the City of Aurora require a business license, which can be obtained through the Tax & Licensing Division at 303-739-7057. For more information about a home business, call Neighborhood Support at 303-739-7280.

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WCNA CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Please see the "Community Calendar" that is on our website for this information.

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WOODRIM CROSSING NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF MEETING
March 1, 2004

The meeting was called to order by Vice President, Russ Perron, at 7:00. Twenty-one neighbors were in attendance. The minutes of the January 5, 2004 meeting were approved.

The first committee report was from the Fence Replacement Committee given by Marilyn Turner, chairman. She and Ken Werth gave information about 5 new alternatives for the fence that the city has added. They are all cheaper than the brick ones we have been considering. They are either pre-cast, interlocking or have a block core. A chart was passed out showing the costs of various fences installed and planned to be installed and also approximate costs of the new options that are not brick. Marilyn announced that the Dam West neighborhood fence project will start in April. Their fence will have cement at the bottom. Chaddsford Downs wants a double brick fence so it will be more expensive. High Point Summit is finished. If we stay with the decision to have the brick fence, we will be next in line after Dam West. A tentative date for our neighborhood to hear details about our fence will be Mon., April 19, at Aurora City Council chambers. Several in attendance volunteered to be on the Fence Committee.

Barb Johnson gave the Neighborhood Development Committee report. On February 10 a presentation was made to City Council by our committee for a micro grant for the Ethiopian Church. There is a strong chance it will be approved. Barb updated those is attendance with the information that two years ago the church put in beautiful landscaping, but it died. The grant will include costs for new vegetation including flowerbeds in front. The micro grant could be up to $3900. We will work with Nick?’s for materials and design if the grant is approved.

Barb also updated those in attendance about the gas station at Iliff and Blackhawk that wants to put in a car wash. A new restaurant at Chambers and Iliff wants to extend its hours to stay open to 2:00 a.m. instead of 12:00, which it is now. The committee sent in an opposition to this.

The treasurer?’s report was given. Our balance is $1,027.65. There was a printing charge of $44.33 and a small bank charge.

Under New Business Barb noted that we have been taking advantage of city mini grants. We have been getting at least three newsletters a year paid by grants. The mini grants can be anywhere from $50 to $500. There was a discussion about publishing our monthly newsletter monthly so the information would be more timely. Barb reported that she had found out that the fee to the post office for a bulk mailing permit is $375 plus an additional $150 permit fee. Barb suggested that we apply for a grant for this expense. The group approved applying for this grant in the amount of $375. The group discussed the idea of encouraging advertising in the newsletter.

There was a discussion about the low valuation of our homes and there seemed to be no explanation for it. It was expressed that the new fence should increase the valuation of our homes.

Kathy Gamrath asked those in attendance if anyone would like to be elected Secretary at the next meeting since she has done it many years. Neighbors can let her know if they are interested.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05.

Respectively submitted,
Kathy Gamrath

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City Council Information
Aurora City Council
15151 E. Alameda Parkway
Aurora, CO 80012
Office 303-739-7015
Fax 303-739-7594

Ed Tauer, Mayor 303-739-7015
Nadine Caldwell, Mayor Pro-Tem 303-364-2859
Kathy Green, Ward II 303-367-1106
Ingrid Lindemann, Ward III 303-739-7508
Molly Markert, Ward IV 303-739-7516
Sue Sandstrom, Ward V 303-739-7510
Bob Broom, Ward VI 303-739-7015
Ryan Frazier, At-Large 303-739-7015
Steve Hogan, At-Large 303-739-7015
Brad Pierce, At-Large 303-739-7015
Bob FitzGerald, At-Large 303-739-7514

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Ward IV Town Meetings
Please see the "Ward IV Town Meetings" link that is in the Community Pages section on our website for this information.

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Important Telephone Numbers
It has come to our attention that there have been several phone numbers advertised that have been incorrect. Please see the "Important Telephone Numbers" link in the Community Pages section of our website for the corrected phone numbers.

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Neighborhood Services - What do they do?

The City?’s Neighborhood Services department does more than just host neighborhood meetings. Here?’s the short list of the services they provide:

• Animal Control


• Code Enforcement


• Neighborhood Support (Neighbor-to-Neighbor Roundtable, Micro and Mini Grants, Block Parties, ?“Learn about Aurora?” Program, Fence Replacement Program)


• Community Relations


• Original Aurora Renewal

Our Neighborhood Liaison is Marsha Osborn and she can be reached at 303-739-7280 should you have any questions.

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Neighborhood Water Meeting Gives Prognosis for 2004

Sharon Ward and Kathy Gamrath were on hand for a Water Information Meeting held April 1, 2004 at Fire Station 11. Here?’s what Sharon had to say about the meeting:

Peter Binney, Utilities Director from the City of Aurora, was a very informative speaker. He stated we are in our fifth straight drought year. Peter stressed we all should try to get involved with the Colorado Legislature to get outdated water laws changed. Aurora was able to buy water this year from several farmers who have rights along the Arkansas River. Aurora also has a great wastewater recycle program that irrigates golf courses, parks and roadside vegetation.

The plan for residential water usage for the coming months will be mailed to all households in mid-April. Tier 1 rationing will be based on 70% of the water used at the home 2 years ago for the spring and summer months. Peter suggested each home invest in a deep root feeder for trees and shrubs (put at 8" below the surface). Disease sets in more quickly when there is drought stress to a tree or shrub. Dead trees are a code violation. Small water meters that fit between the spicket and hose are available at a reduced price from the City Water Dept for about $7.00. This device will help with monitoring water usage more closely. They also have FREE, plastic water gauges to help measure lawn watering. Usage for May will be allowed at 1/4" water per zone twice a week. Areation, fertilization and use of Revive-type products are strongly recommended at this time. For the summer months, 3/4" water per zone twice a week should be adequate for lawns to live.

For questions or concerns contact the Water Conservation Dept. @ 303-739-7195. Fines will be assessed for wasting water. Please save information that comes through the mail. Aurora also has an informative web page that will link you with experts on water conservation. www.auroragov.org/water.

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Aurora's Citizen Corps

Aurora?’s Citizen Corps encourages citizens to take an active role in crime prevention, emergency preparedness and disaster response. Citizens who are involved in one or more of the following programs make up Aurora?’s Citizen Corps:

• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) ?– contact Lt. Ben Cadiz (303-326-8963)


• Fire Academy ?– contact Lt. Syndi Scott (303-326-8977)


• Key Community Response Team ?– contact Barbara Shannon-Banister (303-739-7257)


• Police Academy ?– contact Bobbie Johnson (303-739-6346)


• Volunteers in Policing ?– contact Bobbie Johnson (303-739-6346)

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Neighborhood Watch

Keep Kids Alive?…Drive 25!

Neighborhood speeding puts us ALL at risk. Running late, you drive through a neighborhood a few miles above the speed limit. Does it matter?

Yes, it does?…If a child runs out in front of you when you are driving 25 miles per hour, you slam on the brakes, the child crosses the street, and life goes on. However, if you are traveling even a few miles over the 25 miles per hour speed limit, you can?’t stop quickly and the scenario can be devastating. Neighborhood speeding puts not only children at risk, but everyone, including your pets.

What can you do?

• Slow down! It is the number one thing we all must do. Driving 25 miles per hour in residential neighborhoods is the law, and the more slowly you drive, the more quickly you can react when a someone (or something) unexpectedly dashes into the street.


• Talk to your young children. Set ground rules about safe places to play in your neighborhood, and how and where to safely cross the street.


• Talk to your teens not only about their driving, but about their friends?’ driving as well. Emphasize the importance of obeying residential speed limits.


• Talk to your neighbors about Keep Kids Alive, Drive 25. Neighborhood awareness increases neighborhood safety.


• Use main roads whenever possible. Avoid neighborhood short cuts that endanger children and others.


• Place a Keep Kids Alive, Drive 25 sign in your yard. Remind all drivers to drive safely. Yard signs particularly serve as a gentle reminder to drivers to show down.

Facts about speeding

• Most speeders in residential areas are the people who live there (are you one of them?).


• Speeding in residential neighborhoods is one of the greatest complaints received by police departments.


• Nationally every 7 minutes a pedestrian is injured in a motor vehicle accident (NHSA).


• Driving at slower speeds increases your chances of seeing a hazard and being able to stop your vehicle safely.


• To learn more about this national program or to purchase yard signs, go to www.keepkidsalive.com

This and other articles can be found at www.auroragov.org, go to City Hall, Police Department, Neighborhood Watch

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