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MINUTES of the MHNA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Tuesday Octobert15, 2002 • University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE

1. Meeting called to order at 7:35 PM by Vice President Kelly Carver. The agenda and October minutes were approved.
2. Elissa Cottle, NRP Coordinator, introduced candidates for the NRP Implementation Committee. Several are past members (Joe Stokes, Gordon Kepner (homeowner, long time resident with an interest in neighborhood livability); Tom Lincoln (homeowner, serves on MHNA Board); Tamar Gronvall (renter, attorney, past chair of NRP Implementation Committee); Laurice Jameison, homeowner, longtime resident, teacher with an interest in families and children).New to the slate are Gretchen Camp (renter, U of MN student who has been active in our association); Sandor Miko (11 yr resident of the neighborhood, homeowner, worked on Marcy Park improvements); Natalie Hallyn (renter, recent grad, interested in historic housing rehab and river, greenspaces); Jim Curley (renter, interested in economic development, housing, master plan, arts and gardening).Elissa asked for any other nominees to come forward. When none did, a motion was passed (Dave Polaschek) to elect the slate of NRP candidates as presented.

   There are five remaining focus meetings. People are encouraged to attend one or all.

3. Council Member Zerby addressed the group. He showed a plastic sign the city is offering to put up in areas that have experienced a high rate of theft from autos. The sign warns people to lock cars, not leave valuables out, etc. It would be free and could go into selected areas and could be temporary. There was much discussion about changing the wording and whether this would have a negative impact.When asked about the proposed amendment to the Industrial Living Overlay District, by Council Member Gary Schiff, Council Member Zerby responded that it was forwarded by Steve Minn, in reference to the Stone Arch Apartments and the recent ruling by a Hennepin County judge that the level of variances the city supported there was unlawful. The amendment would add density and floor ratio bonuses for multi-family dwellings in an ILOD. Staff at the Planning Dept. felt that this would be quickly passed, since there is similar wording for commercial zoning. Discussion followed. Some felt we should object to the whole concept – why should industrial and commercial areas get equal treatment? The passage of this amendment could allow the Stone Arch Apartments to forge ahead in their original plan, despite the judge’s ruling. A motion was made and unanimously passed (Bob Distad): In the absence of any rational business reason to adopt the Schiff amendment, we oppose it and if it is adopted, we oppose its application to any project that has broken ground and which has been issued building permits.Council Member Zerby talked a bit about Inspections. Jo Ann Velde has now divided our neighborhood between five inspectors, which really weakens the continuity of enforcement here. He will look further into the matter.
4. Ardes Johnson, MHNA Board Member, gave a wrap-up on the Citizens Inspections Program. Five teams of neighbors covered twelve blocks on the east side of the freeway, noting things like broken windows and screens, weeds, overgrown lawns, missing house numbers, vehicles parked on lawns. The committee made 21 direct referrals to Inspections Dept. for 11 properties with additional safety code or structural violations. They sent out 39 letters to 21 different property owners.with an additional 27 follow-up letters. Eight letters of commendation were also sent. Some members of the committee were present and suggested if they do it again next year, they would like to make some changes in the reporting and would need more support from the Inspections Dept. Ardes and the group were thanked for volunteering.
5. Board member Gordon Kepner passed out a letter and information on livability in campus neighborhoods. The letter asks the University to hire a liaison to promote responsible behavior by students and deal with livability offenses committed by U students in the SE neighborhoods. It asks for an expansion of the student code of conduct to include off campus activities and to fund additional police patrols. Similar initiatives have been implemented around St. Thomas University in St. Paul. The letter was presented to the MHNA Board earlier in the evening. The board supported a motion authorizing the MHNA president to sign and send the letter. A motion was made and passed (Rod Ecklund) to support sending the letter to the president of the university. A question was asked about directing this to students from other schools who live here, specifically Augsberg. Perhaps at some later time was the consensus.
6. Problems at Marcy Park were discussed. Since school started, there has been much vandalism ( garbage containers tipped over, a bench broken, couches and recliners brought over and left there, broken glass, etc). Our lovely park we recently improved with NRP dollars is taking a beating. After hours partying is frequent. Despite calls to 911, nearby residents have never seen the park patrolled. Many blame the new apartment building on 8th St SE & 10th Ave SE. Student Gretchen Camp now avoids the park, as it is “not fun for a single woman to walk by there”. How to address the problem was discussed. It was decided we should ask for:
   1. Signs that announce the park closes at 10 pm
   2. Heavier garbage containers
   3. Additional police patrols after hours

   Resident Sandor Miko said he went to the Marcy Park apartment building to talk to the caretaker because some of their residents have been playing midnight ball games next to his house, keeping his family awake. The residents told Mr. Miko that their caretaker told them to use this private property, or the park, for their late night games. The caretaker treated Mr. Miko very rudely and was not receptive to his concerns.

   Discussion about other problems on 11th Ave SE followed. It was decided we should contact CCP/SAFE; send a letter to the caretaker/property owner of Marcy Park Apartments; send a letter to Commissioner Dziedzic about signs, trash containers and patrols. If people have more problems, call 911.

7. Earlier in the evening, a second Stadium Task Force meeting was held. Kelly Carver and Melissa Bean attended for MHNA. All issues relating to neighborhood impact were discussed. The major development of the meeting was the University’s expressed willingness to include the neighborhoods in the planning and governance processes. To date, MHNA has not taken an official position, but we will need to at the November meeting in order to get it to the Board of Regents by Dec. 1.
8. Dan Churilla, president of St. Anthony East Neighborhood Association, gave us an update on the Clare Housing proposal for his neighborhood. We looked at the plan some time ago because the site is just across the street from our official boundary on Central Ave NE, the former King of Clubs bar. Originally a 30-unit apartment building for people with HIV/Aids, with some first floor retail. The project has now grown to 111 units and is no longer supported by that neighborhood group. We have never been shown this latest version. First Ward Council Member Paul Ostrow is supporting it. Mr. Churilla is heading an effort to have neighborhood groups join together and make sure elected officials represent the views of their constituents.A motion (Ardes Johnson) was unanimously passed: Since the original Clare Housing proposal is no longer viable, we withdraw our previous support and we oppose any project on the site until it has been presented to our own neighborhood group.
9. MHNA Secretary Dave Polaschek asked for help with the website updates. He has done this on a voluntary basis since its inception. Email him at davep@polaschek-computing.com if you can assist. Thanks, Dave.
10. A reporter from the MN Daily asked people to contact her about Foster Wheeler steam plant complaints. Monica LaBelle 627-4080 or mlabelle@mndaily.com
11. Louise Huebner asked whatever happened with the Somali mosque proposed for 8th St SE. The seller needed to conduct the sale transaction sooner than the buyer was able to, so the offer was withdrawn.
12. Regis Gaudet announced that the SE Seniors annual fund raising campaign will be mailed soon.

Meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM Melissa C. Bean, staff

NEWS of the October Board Meeting

We have added to our website a link to report environmental inspections complaints. Dave Polaschek has been doing our website work gratis, but he needs help. If you are web savvy, please contact him at 617-9897.

At our last meeting, the request for extended hours at the Steak Knife was discussed. It was decided to look into the wording of the ordinance regarding “last call” and “off the table”. If off the table was 1 am, the consensus was to say OK to staying open longer. Staff discovered via council member that it was off the table 1:15 am. Staff polled the board and we sent a letter saying we could not hold them to a standard stricter than the law, even if it was our preference. We suggested he hire security to discourage loitering.

A motion (Bob Distad) to amend the bylaws to reflect a change on our fiscal year dates as recommended by the state auditor’s office was passed. It will be presented at the Nov. general membership meeting.

We talked about the impending dissolution of the First SE Corporation, a neighborhood group that bought houses and resold them to owner occupants. The board at First SE is suggesting that shareholders take their stock redemption money and donate it to the neighborhood associations’ housing funds to continue that type of work. The other two SE neighborhoods have housing funds; we do not. A motion was made and passed (Joe Stokes) to open a housing account.