On December 15 2021, Congress Park Neighbors Inc conducted its annual members meeting. 29 people attended this meeting with 25 members in good standing and eligible to vote.

Attendees were: Myles Tangalin*, Judith Spiegel*, Debbie Young, Tom Conis*, John Sullivan*, Kyle Rose*, April Montgomery*, Kim Hartsen*, Karen Miller*, Jeff Harbaugh*, Eleni Sarris*, Charlotte Reddon*, Vicki Eppler*, Maggie Price*, Wendy Moraskie*, Anna McCaffery, Nora Kelly*, Andrea Stanton*, Judith Cohen, Sarah Komppa*, Jeanine Draut*, Jacqueline Altreuter*, Mary Ellen Sweeney*, Stephen Eppler*, Jennifer Macy*, Sky Brubaker*, Stephanie Subramian*, Beth McCann*, Jana Waryan*.
*member

Voting was conducted remotely by Survey Monkey, 21 votes were returned on 12-22-21 100% of returned votes elected to retain the current board members.

This meeting fulfilled the obligation to the City that the RNO hold a membership meeting where members could vote. According to City rules regarding RNO’s at least 12 members must be present.

The featured speaker was to have been Art Mejia Director Of Denver’s Solid Waste program but he was unable to present. Below the video is a copy of his answers to questions that were asked

From: Mejia, Art – DOTI CA2769 Director Solid Waste
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2021 5:08 PM
To: Victoria Eppler <victoriaeppler@outlook.com>
Cc: Medellin, Margaret – DOTI Deputy Manager of Utilities <Margaret.Medellin@denvergov.org>
Subject: RE: Congress Park Meeting Tonight

Hello Vicki,

Due to some unforeseeable events today, I will not be available to attend the zoom meeting; I have prepared answers to all questions received. Please let me know if you have any additional questions

Thank you,

Art M.

What are the alley widths that are required for alley pick up?
Municipal rules and/or regulations do not specify an alley width requirement for alley waste pickup. Solid Waste Management (SWM) considers many variables when selecting a pick up location including, but not limited to the existence of utility poles in alleys, overhangs, garage structures, types of service, number of containers, alley dimensions, and employee safety when selecting an operational route.

The guidelines for the use of trash carts state that you should leave at least 2’ clearance on each side of your cart. Now that bins are in the street how are neighbors going to be given priority for trash bins when competing with parking cars. Often the bins are on the street and cars park around them or move them. A neighbor was given a notice by a driver for having a bin too close to a car, even though the bins was there first. How will this be enforced?
Residents should follow the guidelines; we have the same policies for all city residents. The Re-Route scheduled for January 3rd will identify additional information to better understand the details and challenges of different neighborhoods around the city.

The return of trash, recycle and compost bins can be set out as early as the night before the collection day and needs to be returned within a day after collection occurs. On the one-way street such as 13th Ave. the placement of bins obstructs a lane of traffic, 24-48 hours is a long time to obstruct a significant arterial. How do you plan to enforce this?
Per SMW Guidelines (link), carts should be placed in the street adjacent to the curb in front of your house. The front of the cart should face the street.
Denver’s neighborhood inspectors respond to all complaints and concerns. If there is a code violation at a property, the owner is notified and has at least 10 business days to correct the issue. Inspectors will then re-check and work with the owner to resolve the issue if it hasn’t been fixed. As a last resort in cases of non-responsive owners, fines can start at $150 at the inspectors third visit and may escalate from there.

Are you aware of the Denver city wide initiative to encourage aging in place?
Yes

Can you give us concrete facts to prove that you have saved money and are more efficient? We request that this reflect only Congress Park not citywide numbers.
Since implementing curbside pickup in congress park, we have not had any property damage claims. Prior to implementing curbside pickup, SWM had Seven instances of property damage claims.
Additionally, the switch to curbside pickup has allowed one-person crews to serve Congress Park. Previous alley pick necessitated two-person crews. Fewer crew members per vehicle allows for a higher level of service across the city

When making the decision about curbside pick-up were you aware that Congress Park is defined by Historic Denver as a historically significant area with architecture and urban design to match?
Yes

Are you familiar with Vision Zero? We need to make Denver’s streets safe for everyone — no matter where they live in the city, no matter their means and no matter their choice to walk, bike, drive or take transit.

Traffic deaths and severe injuries are unacceptable and preventable, and safety must be the most important consideration for every Denver Street.
Were you aware of this citywide plan when you changed to curbside pick up?

Yes, Denver’s Vision Zero program is managed by the Department of Transportation & Infrastructure.

Can you tell us what happened to the trucks that were purchased to fit the alleys?
We are unaware of any vehicles purchased specifically to serve Congress Park alleys. Please provide additional information and we can research this question further.

How have you improved the ability to report problems and ask for help? Many neighbors continue to have problems.
Denver’s 311 system allows residents to report problems. SWM also operates a website to www.denvergov.org/utilitiesonline to report any concerns and inquire about our services.

Art Mejia| Director

City & County of Denver
Department of Transportation & Infrastructure | Solid Waste Management

Phone: 720.865.8726 |

Art.Mejia@denvergov.org