Denver Safe Routes to School Coalition Meeting
APRIL 23, 2008, 12-1:30pm
Meeting Minutes
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Pauline Gervais (Denver Public Schools), Chris Urbina (Denver Public Health), Charles McMillan (Denver Fire Department), and Heather Barry (Representing Mayor Hickenlooper).
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Bridget Beatty (Denver Public Schools), Monica Buhlig (Denver Healthy People, Department of Environmental Health), Leslie Feuerborn (Safe Kids Denver Metro), Helene Gotthelf (Denver Public Works), Gloria Richardson (Mayor’s Office for Education and Children), and Jennifer Wieczorek (Denver Public Health).
COALITION MEMBERS PRESENT: Debbie Beck (Denver Public Schools), Rachel Cleaves (Learning Landscape Initiative), Regina Donnell (In place of Nicole Portee - Denver Public Schools), Cathy Schmelter (DPS Wellness Coordinator), Al Walls (Denver Public Schools), Brian Mitchell (Traffic Engineering Services), Mary Brown (Denver Health), Dan McNulty (DPD), Nikki Maloney (University Park Parent), Wendy Hawthorne (Groundwork Denver), Gloria Smith (Veterans of Hope Project), Jacqui Shumway (DPS Parent), and Kelly Zuniga (University of Colorado Student)
HANDOUTS (all available on web site):
GOALS:
- To understand progression of Denver Safe Routes to School Action Plan.
- To evaluate 3 E’s Action Plan Diagrams (Engineering, Education, and Enforcement).
- To confirm next steps for development of action plan.
WELCOME AND DSRTS OVERVIEW: DFD Chief Charles McMillan spoke about our progress to date and the importance of this program within our greater transportation needs.
ACTION PLAN UPDATE: Helene Gotthelf gave a brief overview of the progress to date, concerning the development of our DSRTS Action Plan. She used the Education Committee’s format as an example, explaining each step and its significance.
BREAK-OUT SESSIONS: The Coalition broke up into three groups, Engineering, Education, and Enforcement. Each group was put together to represent views of other committee members. Helene Gotthelf, Leslie Feuerborn, and Dan McNulty led the three groups through a review and revision exercise for each Action Plan Diagram. Coalition members gave feedback and suggestions.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Helene Gotthelf, Leslie Feuerborn, and Dan McNulty spent a few minutes presenting their respective committee’s goals for the Recommendation Chart and the overall progress of their break-out session.
NEXT-STEPS/WRAP UP: Helene Gotthelf spoke about the next steps towards developing a final version of our Action Plan:
- Action Plan write-up
- 3E’s committee meeting to review DRAFT Action Plan
- Coalition feedback through online survey
- Present Action Plan to Steering Committee, DPS, and City Council for approval
- Goal: Kick-off Action Plan on Walk to School Day, October 8, 2008
Next Coalition Meeting:
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
12:00 – 1:30 PM
Location To Be Determined
Milestone: Present Draft Strategic Action Plan
Contact Information:
Helene Gotthelf, 720-865-3158, Helene.Gotthelf@denvergov.org