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Meeting called to order: 6:30pm.

Roll call was taken - Commissioners in attendance: Arai, Baca, Beaver, Berger, Brockwell, Carr, Cohn, Cozart, Creswell, Evans, Facas, Harrison, Heismann, Hoerter, Jarvis, Kinney, Kreienkamp, Langston, Larsen, Lay, Little, Murray, Nguyen, Roybal, Schneider, Skinner, Slabe, Smedes, Sperling, Spicer, Spriggs, Sylman, Taylor, Thompson, Varnes, Weston, Wicht & Witkin.

Pledge of Allegiance: taken and moment of silence observed.

Introduction of honored guests: Mayor Murphy, Councilman King, Joni Inman, Erma Steck, Dave Wiechman & Jim Estavan. Welcomed newly selected, not yet appointed Commission members in attendance.

Public comment: Mayor Murphy expressed his hopes for and gave his encouragement to, the Commission. He pointed out that we are unique and an evolving process.

February minutes: approved with no additions, deletions or changes.

Committee Reports

Parks, Trails & Open Space: They've had 2 meetings and are working on a recommendation regarding the Estival/Festival.

Neighborhood: 1 meeting held and are working on a Committee Mission Statement, recommendations regarding a Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony & Neighborhood Clean-up Project, as well as contacting Neighborhood Associations.

Public Arts: 2 meetings held and are working on recommendations regarding a Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. This was dropped in '02 by the City, Belmar did it for 2 years, then they dropped and replace it with the ice rink. The ceremony cost $14,000 back in '02. There is a perceived lack of publicity. A show of hands was asked for from those in attendance - had you ever attended this ceremony? There were 3 out of apx 50 hands showing.

Youth: 1 meeting held, no assignments.

Seniors: 1 meeting held, no current assignments. HB 1108 was again opposed by the City Council Committee. The topic is now closed. The Seniors Committee feels disappointed, but has accepted the City Council Committee position and moved on. The Seniors Committee is working on a proposal for procedures.

Environment: 1 meeting held and researching what other communities are doing. Their Committee reviewed & approved SB108 with one concern - that contractors not be burdened. By way of emails, this Committee has decided that Jim Bradburn will be the Committee Chairman (replacing Richard Creswell) once officially appointed by City Council.

Diversity: 1 meeting held. They're trying to define and determine what all their Committee would include. They welcomed our input.

Historic Landmarks: 2 meeting held. They're continuing to research and discuss best practices for designated properties as historic landmarks. They've been reviewing how different cities along the Front Range go about this process. They've met with Jim Clarke from Rtd's FasTracks and Sharon Vincent with the NE Lakewood Historic Society. Mr Clark reviewed the required historical assessment done on properties in close proximity with the new light rail line. Ms Vincent reviewed the 2004 NE Lakewood Historic survey, which is essentially an inventory of various historic buildings, properties and landmarks in NE Lakewood. The Committee has 3 or 4 proposals, related to historic preservation, which will start to be sent to the Executive Committee next month. They're considering proposing that the City help secure some minor landmarks, like property markers and historic signs, before serious light rail construction occurs. They're also considering a proposal that the City conduct a survey or inventory of historic landmarks throughout Lakewood. Any proposal they make will include methods that will have the least fiscal impact on the City.

Business: 1 meeting held. They feel their Committee needs at least 4 additional members. They hope that a process has been worked out for making proposals to the Commission go easier. The Committee is reviewing all brochures and literature available to businesses in Lakewood. They will be making suggestions to the City on how to make these items more "business friendly". They are also trying to find information for a Business Assistance Center that would be located somewhere in City of Lakewood facilities. The center would be a distribution point for City literature and also a place for businesses to get start-up and general information questions answered.

Old Business

Procedure for removal from the City's Boards and Commissions for Cause: all Commission members were emailed the final draft and it will now be presented to City Council.

Motion tabled from February Commission Meeting: "Commission Lay made a motion that the ACIC support HB 1108, Commissioner Beaver seconded. A motion was made that the issue be continued until our next meeting and that information be forwarded to all Commissioners for their review." In light of the fact that the issued is now closed for City Council, Commissioners Lay and Beaver withdrew their motion and second. Commissioner Varnes requested that it be on the record - that the Senior Committee supported HB 1108.

New Business

Proposal from ACIC Chairman and approved by the Executive Committee: That the City Council Selection Committee allow the ACIC Chairman, future Chairman or their designee, be allowed to participate in the selection process for new Commissioners solely as an advisor. This advisory role would include reviewing potential Commissioner applications, sitting in on the candidate interview process, and making advisory recommendations for consideration by the City Council Selection Committee in their final decisions as called upon. Justification: as Commissioners, we meet and talk with a wide variety of Lakewood citizens on a regular basis and discuss how we support and advise City Council on various City proposals and projects. Like Ambassadors for the City of Lakewood, we often discuss our roles and encourage others in the community to become involved as potential new members of this Commission. As Commissioners, we promote our individual Committees. However, the City Council Selection Committee members may not always be aware of these earlier discussions. As advisors, we can help get these new members connected to the right committees.

Lively discussion followed - ranging from:
If they want our input, they'll ask for it.
What is the screening process?
There wasn't real screening consistency in the past.
Will there be consistency in the future?
Liking that the Commission would be represented.
Would this be stacking the Commission "deck" with friends?

Discussion was closed, a motioned was made and seconded that we take a vote:
25 Yes 12 No Motion PASSED.

Procedure for changing Committee assignment: Commissioners are being given a one time opportunity to switch assignments - where vacancies are available. Those Commissioners not in attendance at tonight's meeting will be notified of this opportunity by Erma. Deadline is: Friday, March 21st.

Procedure for the ACIC to use when asking for information from City Staff: information emailed to all Commissioners for their review, from Joni Inman.

Proposal from Historic Landmarks Committee and approved by the Executive Committee: Suggestions for revisions, additions, changes 7 deletions to our Commission Procedures Manual, be an on going responsibility for Commissioners. Justification: our Commission is new and improvements to our manual seem likely. We think that it would be wise to actively ask for on going input from Commissioners.

Lively discussion followed - ranging from:
Do we already have the authority to make changes?
Does this proposal change this?
What is the current position of the procedure manual?
Can we already make changes in the procedure manual through the
Committee Chairs or City Council?
Where does the manual come from?
Who created it?
Doesn't the manual need a date?

Discussion was closed, a motioned was made and seconded that we take a vote:
13 Yes 19 No Motion FAILED.

Commissioner Comments

Can there be a "time" box on procedure issues?
We're too bogged down with procedural matters.
Is there a way to consolidate the amount of e-mails received?
How can we communicate info without being overwhelmed with the volume of emails?
Some Commissioners like the abundance of information.
Can there be a link on the website for streamlining getting information regarding the Commission?
Couldn't we have "google groups" for disbursing info?
It takes time to come up with good proposals for City Council.

Next Commission meeting: Wednesday, April 16th, 6:30pm.

Meeting adjourned: 8:05pm.

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