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ITEM 1 - CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Burkholder called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Cabinet Room, Lakewood Civic Center, 480 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood, Colorado.
ITEM 2 - ROLL CALL
Those present were: Mayor Steve Burkholder, Presiding
Diana Allen
Doug Anderson
Ray Elliott
Sue King
Debbie Koop
Bob Murphy
Ed Peterson
Vicki Stack
Mike Stevens
Cheryl Wise
Staff in attendance: Mike Rock, City Manager
Paul Kennebeck, Deputy City Attorney
Full and timely notice of this Study Session Meeting had been given and a quorum was present.
ITEM 3 - ANNUAL REPORT - COMMISSION ON CULTURAL DIVERSITY
Karen Nakandakare, Commission Immediate Past Chair 2005-2006 and Co-chair of Dialogues/Partnerships Committee; Elzia Sekow, Commission Chair 2006-2007; and Linda Bessinger, Co-Chair of Dialogues/Partnerships Committee provided a progress report to the City Council regarding 2006 achievements and proposed 2007 actions.
2006 goals included:
1. Select signature events in Lakewood to support and leverage future broader
community participation.
.......a. Martin Luther King Day
.......b. Lakewood on Parade
.......c. Colfax Marathon
2. Identify and meet with formal and informal leaders within local neighborhoods
to obtain their perspectives of Lakewood as a .....welcoming/inclusive city.
.......a. Four dialogue sessions held - Senior and Youth commissions, a local
high school and 2 residential communities.
3. Provide feedback to the Lakewood City Council regarding the Commission's
outreach efforts and proposal for future actions.
.......a. Notes were taken at each community meeting and provided to each council
member.
2007 goals include three processes or activities for promoting Lakewood as
a welcoming and inclusive City:
1. Signature Events/Activities
.......a. Martin Luther King Day
.......b. Lakewood on Parade
.......c. Colfax Marathon
.......d. Fire Muster event
.......e. Community food drives
.......f. Sports activities
2. Dialogues/Partnerships
.......a. Host community meetings
..........i. Alameda High School, Two Creeks, Foothills
Green
.......b. Maintain, expand inclusivity within community
partnerships
..........i. Local community/vocational colleges
.........ii. Non-profit organizations providing
services to residents with special needs
........iii. Other Lakewood commissions and community
groups
3. Communication/Education
.......a. Work with other City groups to provide
information about Lakewood's resources and events.
.......b. Connect groups with common interests
or issues in an attempt to promote inclusivity and facilitate grass-root resolutions
to shared ............community concerns.
Sense of Purpose - while striving to be a conduit of information, resources and networking, the Commission does not intend to assume or resolve problems on behalf of Lakewood's residents, but, rather, to encourage them to become familiar with the City's many resources and to work with their neighbors, city-wide, to improve Lakewood's effectiveness and strengthen the dynamics among all residents.
Council members expressed appreciation for the tremendous progress made by the commission this year. Brief discussion ensued about the new "Lakewood is an inclusive community" signs, which have generated both positive and negative reactions. Commission members explained that "inclusivity" is much more than race or color, it includes socioeconomic, educational and all varieties of differences. Lakewood needs to show that it welcomes and values those differences. The term "diversity" is too narrow. A name change is being considered: The Commission for an Inclusive Community. Council members expressed support for the commission's goals and for the shift in how we think about inclusivity for our community.
ITEM 4 - UPDATE - WEST CORRIDOR LIGHT RAIL
Dave Baskett, Traffic Engineer, gave a Power Point presentation detailing the history of the West Corridor Light Rail Project and what to expect in the future. Utility relocation construction will begin in May of 2007, light rail construction will begin in May 2008, and service will begin in January 2013. The West Corridor project will follow a 12.1-mile route along the former Associated Railroad right-of-way (near 12th and 13th Avenues) from downtown Denver to the Lakewood Industrial Park, then drop south to the Federal Center and continue west to the Jefferson County Government Center in Golden. Dave Baskett emphasized that most of the West Corridor route through Lakewood follows a narrow right-of-way that leaves little room for anything except light rail, bike paths, and street.
Council members expressed appreciation for the presentation and discussed concerns over a variety of issues including plans for mitigation of drainage problems, how best to address noise pollution, impacts on the neighborhoods, finances in general, and potential impacts to the City's budget regarding additional amenities or improvements Lakewood may decide to fund. It is the largest public works project ever built in Lakewood (and possibly the largest the City will ever see). Community Planning & Development Director Becky Clark reported that a field trip is planned with neighborhood representatives in April as part of the process of evaluating the effectiveness of sound walls. Dave Baskett assured the Council that other City projects should not be delayed because of the light rail project.
Rob Smetana, Principal Planner, provided a brief overview of station area planning and potential development around the Sheridan, Wadsworth, Oak Street, and Federal Center stations in Lakewood. City Manager Mike Rock explained there would be a series of intergovernmental agreements coming to the Council in the near future related to development at the Federal Center.
A study session will be planned this year for council members to travel on RTD Light Rail during a weekday rush hour.
ITEM 5 - 2007 COLFAX MARATHON
Post-News Colorado Colfax Marathon Executive Director Mike Collins gave an overview of events planned for the 2007 marathon. He emphasized that the marathon will be a 4-day event (May 17-20) including: Mayors' Appreciation Breakfast, Sports & Fitness Expo, Colorado Road Running Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Kids Marathon Milers Event, and Sunday's marathon race events. Mr. Collins discussed what was learned from last year's event and stated that the purpose of the marathon was to promote health and fitness for kids and adults and to showcase the revitalization of Colfax in Aurora, Denver and Lakewood. He estimated that 3,000 kids will participate in Saturday's events and 6,000 teens and adults will participate in Sunday's marathon events. The events will be hosted by an anticipated 1600 volunteers.
Lakewood Police Commander Mike Becker gave a Power Point presentation and outlined planning that is underway to ensure safety for marathon runners, volunteers, spectators, and for vehicles in the area. The PD has also developed strategies to minimize traffic congestion and maintain ingress and egress for residents, businesses and churches.
Council members expressed excitement and appreciation for the event and for all the work that is involved in making it successful.
ITEM 6 - OPEN DISCUSSION
No other items of business were discussed.
ITEM 7 - ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council; Mayor Burkholder adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m.
Submitted by,
Sharon Blackstock, Acting City Clerk
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