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MINUTES of the MHNA General Membership Meeting Tues. June 18, 2002 University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Minneapolis

1. Meeting called to order at 7:35 PM by President Chris Wilson. The agenda was approved with two changes- the addition of the Delta Tau Delta item and Bob Distad’s SE Seniors item at end of meeting.

2. The minutes from the May meeting were approved.

3. Council member Paul Zerby caught us up on some city council news. The Stone Arch Apartments came before Ways & Means, before it goes on to Community Development Committee, with three modifications, a TIF plan and a map amendment. He asked the committee to be aware of the University’s comments that if the city were to use eminent domain to assemble site and if that interfered with the use of tracks or steam plant operations, they will seek damages. The city attorney is checking into this.

Council Member Zerby also spoke about a recent walk-through of the Gopher Motel, and expressed optimism that it will be moving along now toward completion.

He also spoke about efforts being made,at the Hennepin County level, that will address livability issues facing campus neighborhoods. A question about the Green Party lawsuit over re-districting was asked. The city has hired an outside counsel and the item has been moved to a federal district court. The Metalmatic suit will have a trial date in July. And finally, the campus stadium issue is back on the table as the legislature gave the University $500,000 to create a study, due in December. Some of the land is being assembled. Council Member Zerby spoke about “ lip service” being paid to neighborhood input, but doubted that any stadium impact could be mitigated. He serves on the Central Corridor Task Force and they are planning additional parking along the University Ave LRT line. President Chris Wilson thanked Council Member Zerby for being so accessible to his constituents.

4. MHNA Elections – The slate of candidates was read. It has one new board member, Paula Kamrath, and has Tom Lincoln moving up to Treasurer, with David Hoban taking Tom’s last year as a director. Brad Bellows moved to adopt the slate; motion unanimously approved.

5. Architect David Phillips made a presentation on the delta Tau Delta fraternity at 1717 University Ave SE. This fraternity has set up an educational foundation and a housing foundation. They have studied why they are losing members and discovered that today’s students need internet access, study space, safety (currently no sprinklers), updated sanitation (2-3 people sharing a bath). This building is 80 years old. It is not handicap accessible. It was last upgraded in 1996, but the real need is for more square footage. With a new building and more tenants, the income generated from rent can go toward scholarships. He would like to demolish the current structure and build a new 5-story facility with the same setback and a front porch. The basement would house mechanicals, bike storage and a caretaker apartment;. The first floor would have a new chapter room, a meeting room and a dance floor. The second story would have a formal dining room. The third floor would be a study floor with 48 study carols and a library. The exterior would be made of the “highest quality” materials with a concrete frame. All spaces would be handicap accessible. Mr. Phillips showed several designs for the facade, from traditional to modern. He would like to return to show us the final design. Several variances are needed:

• Size of lot (less than the 80’required)
• Sideyard setback (13’ required, 6’ requested)
• Conditional Use Permit for a 5-story building (2 1/2 allowed)
• Number of occupants (32 allowed, requesting 40)
• Parking (this may not be needed if they are successful in securing permanent spots in the University ramp on 4th St). Although their site has a parking area, it is currently leased out to a neighbor, and there is some dispute about its permanent use

Paula Kamrath asked about the schedule for the demo and new construction. First they must finish the fund raising, then get city approvals. They would like to demolish by the end of next year. They would need to find a place to lease during the construction. So far, the University is supportive.

Paul Zerby informed us that there is a proposal at the city to declare Fraternity Row a historic district. A study would first have to be undertaken by Heritage Preservation Commission. Mr. Philips was thanked and he left. More discussion followed. Historic designation would take longer than the construction period. People had a problem with the 5-story height- that this is a case of trying to fit “10 pounds into a 3-pound bag”. The University offered to buy back the land and lease it to the fraternities in order to infuse the houses with cash to make much needed improvements. Delta Tau Delta is not interested in the offer. Their proposed building would cost much more than the U is offering. Bob Distad said that functional obsolescence is always the excuse used to tear down historic buildings. Tom Lincoln would have liked to see a scale study, so we could compare the scale of the proposed building to its neighbors. Gordon Kepner spoke about the precedent this would set. He was concerned that, without some long range planning, we will be opbliged to accept any future requests like this. If we commit to this conditional use permit, will we be opening the floodgates? Jan Morlock said there is a concern about preserving the fraternity/sorority system “as we know and love it”. She believes the current facility is not adequate.

Chris Wilson asked, “What is our alternative?” Ardes Johnson asked if there would be an advantage to have frat row addresses become part of the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood. Chris Wilson proposed that we send a letter saying there was not much support for the building as it was designed so far, although we want them to improve the fraternity. We are more concerned about this historic building as part of a larger context and about the precedent this conditional use permit would establish. This was made into a motion that later passed (13 yea, 8 no, 3 abstain). More discussion – Steve Swanson said that more density is inevitable here, and it should be accepted in some areas and not in others. He would support the proposal. Gordon Kepner talked about the rental climate here – current vacancy rate is 5%. However, there are a lot of new rental properties that will be opening soon here, and although it’s not our responsibility, is there a stopping point?

Joe Stokes said that the fraternities are currently uninhabitable; kids today won’t accept the living conditions they used to. Millie Acamovic said she thought they did a thoughtful job in deciding their needs and she would be supportive of an operation that supplies scholarships. She also felt that at five stories, the more classical façade would more likely get support. The increase in density (from 32 to 40) didn’t seem that great to her. Brian Biele spent two years considering the construction of fraternities and he feels this plan is a model of other successful facilities across the country. He said this is an effort to keep DTD viable, increase Frat Row stability. and that they have a good reputation.

6. MHNA Member Fred Amram gave a wrap-up of his tenure on the North Star Rail Line Task Force. The reason Marcy-Holmes is interested is because the location selected for the closest station is at 7th & Central. That site was chosen because it conveniently links three lines without moving tracks. The Governor, Senate and DFL House members supported funding for this line, but the House Republicans did not. However, North Star (St Cloud to Mpls) may not be dead – it could be revived at the next session. He predicts Red Rock (Mpls to Hastings) will be passed eventually, but Dan Patch (Mpls to Lakeville), which has enormous and vigorous opposition, will not become a reality “in my lifetime”. The 7th & Central station won’t happen unless all three lines become viable. Senator Pogemiller does not support this location, although he does support commuter rail. If Senator Pogemiller becomes majority leader next year, we may see some more action on this.

7. U of MN’s Jan Morlock invited all to a farewell picnic for Mark and Judy Yudof, Tuesday July 16 at 11:30 PM, Northrup Mall. There will be music and barbecue sandwiches. She also updated us on some funding sought from the legislature:

• Center for Magnetic Resonance Research- $1.5 million/ adds another magnet
• Nicholson Hall Center for Freshman Studies – Only $10 of the $24 million approved, so project is on hold
• Multi-Axial Subassembly Testing lab (25th & 5th St SE) will get additional office space on front facing Fourth Street
• Pillsbury Court will have roof replaced

Projects that were not funded:

• Transitional Research Facility, would be next to Lions Research at Oak & 5th.
• The old Mineral Resources Research Center on East River Rd, slated for the College of Education and Human Development.

Potential additions to 2003 Capital Budget:

• St Anthony Falls Laboratory renovations
• SE Steam Plant exterior improvements (for brick and windows)

Not Part of 2003 Budget, but of Potential Interest:

• Old Main heating plant, at east end of Bridge 9, stacks will come down this summer.
• A plan to add recreational space to Bierman Field and reconstruct Siebert Field. Presently, there is a moratorium on new intercollegiate athletic facilities.
• New warehouse/office facility is needed, potential site adjacent to MAST lab at 25th & 5th St SE.
• Construction on East River Rd throughout the summer
• Coffman Union to open Jan 2003

Ms Morlock talked a bit about the proposed stadium. The Legislature has told the U and Vikings to reach an agreement on a football stadium, to be located on the Minneapolis campus, and to be University-owned and jointly used. A report is due back at the legislature on Dec 1, to consist of a pre-design for a joint use stadium; and a Memorandum of Understanding between the U and the Vikings coverinmg all aspects of developing and operating the stadium. Predeign does not design the stadium, but relates to “facility program, site parking, utilities and transportation requirements., environmental remediation, schedule, design guidelines, project delivery method, mitigation of neighborhood impacts and project costs.

You can look at the legislation on the legislature’s website, or request Chapter 397, HF 2214. Section 18 pertains to the agreement on the football stadium. The site is Huron Boulevard at 4th St SE, on University-owned land that includes the four large surface parking lots on each side of the Transitway. The U is issuing requests for proposals for consultants to complete the study. They will be organizing meetings and presentations to the community from mid August to mid October. If people would like to be on the notification list regarding the stadium proposal, a sign-up sheet was sent around.

7. Gordon Kepner spoke about the MHNA Livability Committee’s Community Impact Statement, to be sent to judges who are now hearing the cases of those arrested during the “Hockey Tournament Melee”. It was prepared by members of all three SE neighborhoods: Your Honor:

1. The attached Community Impact Statement (C.I.S.) is motivated by the continuing erosion of livability in neighborhoods near the University of Minnesota campus –for example, the hockey-related rioting that occurred on and around the campus on April 6th and 7th (“hockey night”). The C.I.S. expresses our great frustration and concern over the growing problem of abusive and dangerous illegal behavior, often induced by alcohol, in our neighborhoods.

2. The three neighborhood organizations representing the Southeast community (Southeast Como, Marcy-Holmes, Prospect Park/East River Road) have discussed this C.I.S. and joined together in submitting it to the Court. It applies to those individuals arrested on “hockey night”. It also applies to any individuals cited in the future for illegal behaviors that disrupt our neighborhoods and affect livability, safety, and the right to quiet enjoyment of our lives.

 

Community Impact Statement

At Issue: Illegal behaviors committed in our neighborhoods by some young adults, University students, and high school students – often under the influence of alcohol:

• vandalism and littering of public and private property
• physical threats and/or violence
• loud music played late into the night
• public consumption of alcohol on the streets
• increased likelihood of sexual assaults
• loud abusive language late into the night from individuals or groups of roving youth

Enforcement Concerns: It is essential to hold individuals accountable for illegal behavior by strongly enforcing the laws: A law not enforced invites abuse. Immediate, serious consequences send a strong message to youthful offenders that illegal behaviors will not be tolerated, nor will the excuse of excessive consumption of alcohol be a defense.

Neighborhoods perceived as tolerating livability crimes, (for example, “party houses” in University areas) quickly attract more offenders. The long-term viability, safety, and stability of our University neighborhoods are at stake.

Note that the City of Minneapolis has estimated costs of $200,000 for “hockey night”, and a 911 call to a party house that produces a citation could involve several hundred dollars of police, city attorney, and court time for one offender. We urge the justice system to consider cost recovery when assessing fines for these young adult offenders, whose illegal behaviors force expenditure of valuable resources.

Actions we seek from the Courts:

• Strong sanctions with significant fines (cost recovery)
• Counseling and community service
• Apology in front of the Neighborhood Association

The MHNA Board earlier tonight voted to support the document and appoint Chris Wilson to act on our behalf if there are any further changes to be made. Gordon Kepner moved that the General Membership agree with the board’s motion. This was unanimously passed.

8. Elissa Cottle, our NRP Coordinator, informed us that she met with the consultants for our Master Plan and there is a July 24 steering committee meeting scheduled. She is trying to include more stakeholders. She has also been doing some work on the 6th Ave Gateway. She passed out some information about the MHNA board’s approval of using $7680 in NRP funds to maintain (water and weed) the native plantings that are just now going in on 6th Ave SE. The work would be performed by Tennant Landscaping, of Hastings, the firm that provided the plants. The funds would come from the approximately $51,000 remaining in the “Linkage With the Riverfront” strategy in our Action Plan.

9. We received a Crime Alert about an increase in burglaries in the neighborhood. More info is available on our website www.marcy-holmes.org There is no suspect info available, so remember to lock those doors and windows.

10. Board member Bob Distad asked for volunteers to become board members of SE Seniors. This is an incredible resource for senior citizens in our neighborhood, enabling them to stay in their homes by providing in-home services like meal deliveries and health care. For more info, see the MHNA website at above address. The board meets on the second Thursday of the month.

11. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM Melissa Bean, staff

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NEWS of the MHNA Board from June 20021.We received a notice from MCDA that the Keeler Apartments project (University Episcopal) applied for housing revenue bonds. A public hearing is scheduled for June 24. A motion was made (Bob Distad) and passed to: send a letter that we do not object to this financing, but we have not yet seen the final drawing of the project.2. Gordon Kepner brought up the changes that are being proposed by the city council to allow more affordable housing to be created. Chris Wilson informed him that the MHNA Executive Committee had already looked over the changes and sent a letter with their recommendations. Briefly, the letter was agreeable to the changes with the exception to the lot size requirements for duplexes. In 1995, that was changed from 5,000 s.f. to 10,000 s.f. The new proposal would revert the requirement back to 5,000 s.f. We suggested instead, keeping it at 10,000 s.f. but allowing a variance of up to 5,000 s.f. so that neighborhoods could have an opportunity for input. *

3. Elissa Cottle, NRP, spoke some about the Natl Park grant for 6th Ave Gateway plantings. That grant does not cover the costs of maintenance, which is critical the first year for the plants to survive. The cost is $7,680, with the landscaping company that provided the plants doing the maintenance (watering, weeding). Ted Tucker, chair of 6th Ave Gateway, would like NRP to pay for this. The NRP Implementation Committee voted to do so, and now the MHNA was being asked for support . Kelly Carver asked if it could save money to have some other, more local, firm do it. The funding would come form our Linkage with the Riverfront strategy; we have $51,000 remaining. The plants are going in next week. This is a one –time expense. A motion (Dave Polaschek) to approve the expenditure of up to $7680 of NRP funds for maintenance of 6th Ave. Gateway plants was unanimously passed, with an amendment that NRP should contact the University Horticulture Club and ask if they could take on this project in future years. That motion will be passed along to the General Membership tonight.

*FYI- SE COMO is sponsoring a zoning forum to address the proposed zoning code changes aimed at increasing affordable housing in the city:

Forum on Minneapolis’ proposed residential zoning changes 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 13 Van Cleve Park, 15th & Rollins Ave SE

Featuring a planning department representative and several city Council members A chance to hear what’s been proposed, ask questions, and make comments

Facilitated/moderated by the League of Women Voters of Minneapolis Sponsored by SE Como Improvement Association FFI: call 612-676-1731