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MINUTES of the MHNA General Membership Meeting

Tuesday Jan. 21, 2003 – University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE

1. Meeting called to order at 7:45 PM by President Chris Wilson. The agenda was approved.
2. Lisa Cerney, Public Works, presented information about the road renovtion coming this summer to the east side of the neighborhood. All streets/avenues east of 35 W except 4th, University, 8th and 15th will be affected. Prior to the roadwork, some Minnegasco work will be done, but no service will be lost. Residents will be notified by Minnegasco. The city’s road renovation will begin May 19. It will be funded by bonds and by assessments.A MHNA committee met to decide how to implement the traffic calming portion of the project. The city allocates $1 per linear feet of the project for traffic calming, in this case $13,200. It was decided to put in 65 “No Parking from Here to Corner” signs at intersections and one flashing pedestrian crossing sign at 10th Ave SE and 5th St. SE to facilitate pedestrians and bikers using the 5th Street bridge. The U of MN is contributing about half the cost of this pedestrian crossing. There will be a public hearing and a pre-construction meeting where assessment questions and schedule will be discussed. The public hearing will be on April 22 at City Hall. Lisa can also be contacted at Lisa.cerney@ci.minneapolis.mn.us or 673- 3061. The west side of the neighborhood will undergo the same work in the summer of 2004.
3. Donald Pflaum, Minneapolis Transportation and Public Works, used this Road Renovation project to suggest some changes in the bike lanes in our neighborhood. Although our area was one of the first to have bike lanes, there are some problems. Although there is a one -way bike lane on University Avenue, the 4th Street lane ends after 35 W. There isn’t room or money for extending the bike lane on 4th St. 5th Street is a quieter street for bikes, but the bike lane is now for 2 way traffic, which is illegal and unsafe. Mr. Pflaum proposed adding a bike lane to the other side of 5th Street, going east bound. The existing lane would be for westbound. The new lane would be striped to the left of the parking lane. Parking would remain as is and “share the road” signage would be installed. Gene Buell asked about parked cars doors’ opening into cyclists. It was thought that traffic on 5th St SE is of a low enough volume that this solution would be acceptable. Since 5th St ends at the freeway, no increase in car traffic volume or speed is expected from these changes. The problem of trucks on 8th Ave may be alleviated when the stop sign is switched.Mr. Pflaum outlined some other road changes that would make biking safer. If all the stop signs on 5th St were removed and instead placed on the avenues, bicyclists could have a through street. He proposed turning the block from Central to 2nd Ave SE into a one way, eastbound, so it matches with the rest of 5th St SE. The stop there would be changed to 2nd Ave SE. The stop at 3rd would be on the avenue side. The 4-way stop at Marcy School was thought to be critical, and should not be changed. 5th Street from 8th Ave to 35 W would also be a one -way, to match the rest of 5th. The stop sign would go on 8th Avenue there. Curb cuts will be put in at the pedestrian bridge. As you come off the bridge on the east side of 35W, 5th Street would be changed to a one way. A bump out at 13th Ave SE would have to be removed.The stop sign changes would have to be approved by City Council. Mr.Pflaum was not sure if there would be a public hearing. We mailed notice of this meeting to all property owners who might be affected by these changes. He will speak individually to the ones the group suggested might be adversely impacted : Arone’s Bar, Holmes Greenway Apartments, First Congregational Church, Marcy School, and St. Lawrence Church.

   The pedestrian flasher at 5th St SE and 10th Ave SE would be automatically activated for an eastbound pedestrians or bikes, but westbounders would have to push a button. Cars must stop when the lights flash. It was suggested that the pedestrian bridge should be replaced; it’s dangerous. Mr. Pflaum said that changes were not scheduled for another 320 years and perhaps signage could help improve things there., New signs will be installed all along the 5th St route. They will have an arrow indicating U of MN, or Stone Arch Bridge, Downtown, etc. It would be possible to add some at stop signs reminding drivers of the 2- way bike traffic on 5th Street.

   A map of the changes will be available in the office. A motion (Ted Tucker) passed to support the 5th St, SE Bike Route concept with the caveat that the four problem areas of Marcy School; Parking lots at Arone’s and Holmes Greenway; St. Lawrence and First Congregational Churches are resolved; and that signage warning drivers to look both ways on 5th Street for bicyclists is installed.

   ***** Note – since the meeting. Mr. Pflaum has contacted those impacted and notified us that the section of 5th St SE from Central to Second will remain a 2-way, but parking will be removed from the north side (about 3 spaces). The stop sign will be on Second at that intersection. All the stop signs EXCEPT at 4th Ave SE, will be on the avenues, not on 5th St. New signage will go up with double arrows/bike lanes indicated. He has met or is meeting with the churches. At St. Lawrence, a parking bay for hearses will be created in front. The one way proposed on 5th St SE will go around the frontage road. There will be parking on both sides there, so that should help the church. If people have more questions, they can contact Donald Pflaum at 673-2129 or via email at Donald.Pflaum@ci.minneapolis.mn.us.

4. Board member Ardes Johnson updated us on the Spring Boulevard Tree Planting project. Although we were eligible for 81 trees, we are actually getting 61. Only 6 property owners did not agree to have trees planted on their boulevards. There are several properties where a tree is being planted, but the owners are asking for someone else to water them. A committee is surveying the owners to find out about water hook-ups, hoses, etc. We will be recruiting nearby neighbors to water (if needed) this summer. The properties are located at : 800 13th Ave SE; Qwest Phone Building on 6th St SE; Elwell Park; 615 15th Ave SE;1000 5th St SE (10th Ave side); 326 14th Ave SE. If you live nearby and wish to “adopt” one of these trees, call the office 379-3814.
5. Elissa Cottle gave an NRP update. A draft of the Master Plan has come out, but it needs revision. The NRP Steering Committee is meeting this week to decide how to proceed. There will be a more public meeting in March, with the plan finalized in April.The 6th Ave Gateway sculptures are back on track, after some delays. All should be installed by the end of April and Elissa suggested we do a public unveiling during the Home Tour, first weekend in May. A planning committee should convene soon. Call the office to volunteer. Three of the sculptures were to go on the 6th Ave boulevard at Stone Arch Apartments, but construction is delaying their installation. Elissa is looking for secure display space in the community where they can go temporarily.The NRP Rental Rehab Program still has funding available. Applications are processed at CEE, Center for Energy & Environment, 335-5885, or call Elissa for info at 379-3812. Elissa also sent out a request for a tenant to fill the former Way To Grow space at First Congregational Church. The program was combined with the one in Northeast, but the space at the church was ideal for a child center/ space. The church office number is 331-3816.
6. MHNA member Ted Tucker made a motion asking the group to send a letter to Council Member Zerby asking Public Works about possible sidewalk encroachment at the Stone Arch Apartments. A cement deck seems to be in the 6th Ave. right of way there. The motion passed along with another one (M. Bean) to ask the council member to also check into the construction status of the Gopher Motel.
7. A federal grant was made available recently for transportation projects in our citty. In our neighborhood, the “Missing Link” (connection between Main St SE and East River Road) was suggested. For various reasons it wasn’t chosen, but during the process it was suggested to keep this project alive, we should send a letter reinforcing its importance to us. A motion to do so (Regis Gaudet) was unanimously passed.

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM — Melissa Bean, Staff

NEWS OF THE MHNA BOARD January 2003 Meeting

1. Dave Polaschek spoke about the Xcel Energy letter SE Como Enviro Coordinator asked us to send. It concerns Xcel’s plans for clean –up of three of the largest pollution sources in the state, the Riverside Plant in Minneapolis, the Highbridge Plant in St. Paul and the A.S. King plant in Stillwater. The letter to the Public Utilities Commission asks for a guarantee that all three plants convert from coal burning to mixed fuels; that any delays are explained; that clean-up costs are kept low; and that a public meeting will be held to make sure Xcel has followed through. The plants are to be converted in 2007-2009. A motion to send a letter supporting these requests (Dave Polaschek) was approved.
2. A new hydroelectric plant is proposed for the Lower Falls area of the river. Spaulding Associates sent us their latest report. Bill Tilton, of the Mississippi Whitewater Park Development Corp, was present and filled us in. He attended a meeting in early January on the matter. The hydroelectric facility was previously planned for our side of the river, but recently it was discovered that there were once plans for an auxiliary lock but it was never completed. Because there is some concrete work already in place, the new facility will be built on the west side of the river. They are also offering to buy excess/off peak flow water from the Whitewater Park to power the plant. Mr. Tilton said that money could go to maintain the park. The amount would be form $25,000 to $70,000. The Spaulding report mentions some possible environmental effects that may occur, particularly how changing water levels would affect marine life. Mr. Spaulding has 60 days to reply. Since the facility will no longer be located in our neighborhood, our comments are not as critical.Mr. Bill Tilton than gave an update on the Whitewater Park. One of their goals is to bring back the rapids to St. Anthony Falls. He is a kayaker and an attorney. There are two – dozen of these types of parks in Europe, as well as one in South Bend, Indiana, and they are very successful. They help to create a “river constituency”. Almost all the users are rafters, of varying abilities and skills. The state has done a feasibility study, and the Army Corps of Engineers has appropriated money to study the falls restoration. Another park conceived for the area, at Hennepin Island, has been progressing as part of the Xcel Energy re-permitting. (While MHNA has supported the concept of the Whitewater Park, we did not want that support to confuse our priority of establishing the natural restoration planned at Hennepin Island.) Mr. Tilton asked for our support to unite the two projects, into one unified park. This would be a perfect way for the Army Corps to fund the restoration of the falls. The Park Board, U of MN and DNR staff have supported the unified park concept. He is asking other neighborhood groups to send letters of support .A sample letter was passed around. Mr. Tilton said we could alter the language to specify that the land in between (including Father Hennepin Bluffs Park and Lucy Wilder Morris Park) the Whitewater Park and Hennepin Island would be included in the improvements. Dave Polaschek made a motion to support the unified parks concept since access to the river has been a longtime goal of the MHNA. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Gordon Kepner presented information on the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee presentation scheduled for Feb. 27. The committee’s membership is made up of “big hitters”, like judges, and Council Member Zerby lobbied for this group to come here and hear issues from the neighborhoods that surround the university (three from SE, Cedar-Riverside and Seward). A meeting was held with reps of these groups and business groups to plan our Feb. presentation. A staff member of the CJCC explained our role in this very structured presentation. There are 45 minutes total . With 5 neighborhoods and 3 business groups, as well as U of MN administration and students needing to speak, a preliminary agreement as to time allocation was reached. One speaker will represent the SE neighborhoods; one will represent the west bank neighborhoods; one will speak for the business associations, and there will be one for the U administration and one for students. Each speaker will endeavor to identify one or two issues, how it has been handled so far, and how members of the CJCC might assist or improve those efforts. We can assemble some printed materials for the committee. Some suggestions were made as to what the most important concerns are: due to high turnover, law enforcement does not get to know community and some mistakes have been made; suggest police get out of the car, walk the neighborhood; suggest more restorative justice; suggest court date is assigned at time of complaint so that “no shows” would then become bench warrants, then these infractions are taken more seriously; suggest to upgrade certain offenses to misdemeanor from petty misdemeanor; suggest traffic, parking and noisy parties should be considered. Gordon will be taking nominations back to another planning meeting Feb. 6. The conversation turned to a “climate of acceptance “. The minute the graffiti isn’t removed, it gives the appearance that this is a place where graffiti is acceptable, and that can quickly escalate and spill over into the neighborhoods. Gordon said that we need to know that money will be an issue, and we need to devise strategies that make current funding levels more productive. The next planning session is Feb 6 at Univ. Lutheran Church of Hope, 4:30PM.
4. The Livability Committee had a meeting in January to talk about this year’s plans. More participants are needed if the Citizens’ Inspections program is to continue. The SEED Committee hasn’t met recently, but the Wall Companies are starting to market the Tech Corridor. One more Executive Committee action was reported – the decision to support Council Member Zerby’s amendment for earlier neighborhood notification when a project first comes up at zoning.
5. Misc – We got a response from President Bruininks to our letter recommending the St. Thomas model for student behavior. It listed actions they have already taken and indicated a desire to work with us in the coming year on this, but did not appear to be leaning toward the St. Thomas approach. Chris Wilson attended a citywide meeting with the mayor about budget cuts, specifically at NRP. A battle for funds between NRP and Affordable Housing is underway. There are various responses from neighborhood groups to the dilemma. Chris felt that if 50% of NRP must go toward housing anyway, then the neighborhoods, via NRP process already in place, can determine the type and placement of affordable housing in their area. That way, affordable housing can be accomplished with NRP dollars. A sample letter was passed around that outlined 9 principles:
   1. The NRP should continue as an independent agency
   2. There should be long-term funding set asides through the program for every neighborhood in Mpls
   3. Neighborhoods should control designated funds
   4. There should be more efficient, effective partnerships between the NRP, the neighborhoods, city departments and other appropriate agencies on developing city policies
   5. The NRP Policy Board should have a higher percentage of neighborhood representatives
   6. Neighborhoods should have an important role in implementation of city goals at the neighborhood level
   7. Neighborhoods should be included in the discussion with the City pertaining to the NRP and other issues affecting Minneapolis neighborhoods
   8. Neighborhoods should be a vital and effective part of the positive development of the City of Minneapolis
   9. At least 1/3 of the City’s $33,000,000 Community Development resources should be allocated to NRP on an on-going basis.

   A motion to send a letter in support of those principles and strongly urging city officials to adopt them was made (Paula Kamrath) and unanimously passed.

Board meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM Melissa Bean, MHNA Staff

We are being asked to vote on an NRP Plan Modification at our February Meeting. Funding for NRP administration (staff and operating) is needed for another six months. NRP Staff is recommending taking $25, 000 from the leftover Dinkytown Streetscaping account ($107, 804). Part of the NRP budget covers MHNA costs. A vote is needed to move these funds.