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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-03-27 (Special) Meeting MinutesI SPECIAL MEETING: COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY OF ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO March 27, 1978 The City Council of the City of Englewood, Arapahoe County, Colorado, met in special session on March 27, 1978 at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Taylor, presiding, called the meeting to order. The invocation was given by Councilman David Clayton. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Taylor. Mayor Taylor asked for roll call. Upon a call of the roll, the following were present: Council Members Weber, Harper, Clayton, Mann, Taylor. Absent: Council Members Williams, Smith. The Mayor declared a quorum present. * * * * * * Also present were: City Manager Mccown City Attorney Berardini Director of Comnunity Develop- ment Wanush Deputy City Clerk Watkins * * * * * * COUNCILMAN MANN MOVED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISCRETIONARY GRANT. Council- man Harper seconded the motion. Upon a call of the roll, the vote resulted as follows: Ayes: Council Members Clayton, Mann, Weber, Harper, Taylor. Nays: None. Absent: Council Members Williams, Smith. The Mayor declared the motion carried. * * * * * * March 27, 1978 Page 2 Director of Co11111Unity Development Wanush appeared before Council and discussed information basic to the application. Director Wanush stated the City of Englewood is not entitled to any pre-I determined amount of money; consequently, the City must compete with other cities in the state for what is termed discretionary money. Director Wanush explained that the success in receiving the grant depends greatly on the nature of the application and the chance is increased favorably if the application is to benefit low income, minority neighborhood housing. Director Wanush dis- cussed the types of g~ants, the selection criteria, eligible activities and ineligible activities. Councilman Smith entered the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Director Wanush answered several questions presented by the Council concerning eligible activities and how they would apply towards any flood control of the Little Dry Creek area, enticing new construction in sub-standard neighborhoods and the purchase of land for Centennial Park or any other area. Mayor Taylor reminded Council that the chances of re- ceiving the grant are greater if the application is designed primarily to aid low income and/or minority neighborhoods. Director Wanush stated the Council can chose whatever eligible activity they may want; however, the federal government will heavily weigh the opportune applications for the group pre- viously mentioned. Director Wanush stated in analyzing the needs of Englewood, i.e. the decline of school enrollment and avail- ability of open land for development, the Scenic View area seems most likely to suit an appropriate application for a comprehensive program. Director Wanush stated the plan would be to open some of the streets in the area and build duplexes. * * * * * * There being no further questions from the Council at this point, Mayor Taylor asked if there was anyone in the audience wishing to speak on this matter. * * * * * * Dwayne Skutvick, 2268 W. Iliff, appeared before Council and stated he was concerned about the closing of the school; there- fore, he was in favor of opening the streets and mixing the housing to contain both duplexes and single family dwellings. * * * * * * March 27, 1978 Page 3 Dorothy Romana, Aaaiatant Director of Comnunity Develop- ment, residence 3600 S. Bannock, appeared before Council to intro- duce an Englewood High School atudent in the audience who is a reporter for the high achool paper and ia very much interested in the problem of declining enrollment in the schools. Kelly Enright, 5025 s. Delaware, appeared before Council and stated she waa a reporter for ''The Pirateer", the high school newspaper. Ma. Enright stated ahe waa in attendance to listen to the meeting and to find out what atepa the Council might take to- wards increasing the school enrollments. Council discuased the problem in the Scenic View area specifically. Councilman Smith atated the shortage of gas taps in the Scenic View area is partly the reason why development is so slow. Mayor Taylor thanked Kelly for attending the meeting and asked if she would see that the high school newspaper is delivered to City Hall for circulation. * * * * * * Bill Johnaon, 2380 w. Baltic Place, appeared before Council and stated he was in favor of opening the streets in Scenic View. Mr. Johnson stated he believed developers will have a difficult time selling the duplex• in this area unless the remaining area is im- proved. * * * * * * Tim Mullin, 8554 W. Swarthmore Dr., Denver, appeared before Council and stated he was in favor of opening streets in the Scenic View area. Mr. Mullin stated he was a developer by occupation and has done some building in this area. Mr. Mullin stated the building sites are limited in the Scenic View area and is another reason why development is slow. Mr. Mullin stated the building costs in the Scenic View area are comparable to building costs in any other part of the City. Councilman Weber suggested that the City offer a special incentive on water and sewer taps in this area to compensate for development coats. City Attorney Berardini stated this idea might qualify to stimulate growth in this area; however, there may be some legal problems. In reply to Councilman Harper's question, Director Wanush stated he thought the grant money would not be allowed for this pur- March 27, 1978 Page 4 pose; however, he would have to check with HUD to give a definite answer. Councilman Weber requested the City Attorney to research the possibility of initiating his suggestion. stated Scenic stated rather * * * * * * Scot Bush, 440 S. Quebec, appeared before Council and · that at the suggestion of Dorothy Romans he drove through View to view the area and consider residing there. Mr. Bush he was more concerned about improving the existing area than opening streets for future development. Councilman Smith stated there is a rehab program avail- able in the City at the present time for the purpose of improving sub-standard areas. Director Wanush concurred with Mr. Bush on the need to clean up and rehab the area now; but stated there must be an effort and a comnittment by neighborhood in order for the improve- ment proce11 to work. * * * * * * Dwayne Skutvick, 2268 W. Iliff, appeared before Council again and inquired about the length of time before any money would be received. Director Wanuah answered it would probably the first of next year before any money is received and then that spring before any construction i1 started. * * * * * * Dennis Kelly, 2393 W. Wood, appeared before Council and stated he was in favor of putting streets through in the Scenic View area. However, Mr. Kelly, stated that the Council may have difficulty in swaying some of the elderly residents on this idea. Mr. Kelly stated the elderly people are concerned about vandalism and break-ins if the back part of their property is exposed. I Mr. Kelly suggested a resolution would be for the developer or City to offer to buy the back part of the property when the street is put in and then install a fence across the back. * * * * * * In re1pon1e to Councilman Harper's question, Director Wanush stated there is a current City-wide rehab program and the March 27, 1978 Page 5 grant would provide new money to be used exclusively in the Scenic View area. * * * * * * Mayor Taylor asked if there was anyone in the audience wishing to apeak against the grant. No one replied. * * * * * * COUNCILMAN CLAYTON MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. Councilman Weber seconded· the motion. Upon a call of the roll, the vote resulted as follows: Ayes: Nays: Absent: Council Members Clayton, Mann, Weber, Smith, Harper, Taylor. None. Council Member Williams. The Mayor declared the motion carried. * * * * * * COUNCILMAN CLAYTON MOVED TO SET THE SECOND PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER FOR APRIL 24, 1978 AT 7:30 P.M. Councilman Weber second e d the motion. Upon a call of the roll, the vote resulted as follow•: Ayes: Nays: Absent: Council Members Clayton, Mann, Weber, Smith, Harper, Taylor. None. Council Member Williams. The Mayor declared the motion carried. * * * * * * ~ ty ci~lerk