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MINUTES of the MHNA General Membership Meeting
April 20, 2004 * University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE

1. Meeting called to order at 7:45 PM by President Kelly Carver.
2. The agenda was approved with the addition of several items from board meeting being carried over under #4.
3. The March minutes were approved (Brian Biele motion).
4. Council Member Zerby informed the group that the NRP policing initiative received a number of modest proposals, including one from Marcy-Holmes and SE Como. No decisions have been made yet. The CVS drugstore plan goes to Zoning & Planning at city council April 22. His understanding is that it now meets the Master Plan guidelines. Some changes in signage and crosswalk visibility will be made at 5th St SE & 10th Ave SE. The 15th Ave. paving project assessments were approved. A public meeting was held April 12 about the west side paving taking place this summer. On May 27, residents can meet the new police chief William McMannus. More info to follow. The Greek House historic district guidelines are being considered at Heritage Preservation Commission meeting tonight.Board Member Bob Distad asked about the future of Citizen Participation funding. It has been vitally important to our organization for 20 years. We recently got word that it may not survive in the current budget and reorganization of CPED. Council Member Zerby answered that there is a commitment to fund neighborhood groups at 50% of previous level. When asked if there are any plans to help us bridge that gap, CM Zerby answered “no”, but that there will still be NRP funding. Bob responded that NRP is separate from Citizen Participation and this will result in suffering at many neighborhood offices.Board Member Tom Lincoln asked about the A-Mill EAW. The developer asked for a 60-day delay. City Panner Michael Orange will work with the neighborhood before it goes on to city council Z & P. Nothing is scheduled yet.Board Member Brian Biele asked a question about the 2004 city council elections. Two cases are being heard by a judge with a decision expected within 60 days. One is being brought by Rep. Phyllis Kahn to have elections moved up due to redistricting. The other one, asking for redistricting to be thrown out because of racial effects, was brought by the Green Party. There is some question about the shape of the new 3rd ward, which will eventually contain Marcy-Holmes. Wards are not supposed to be twice as long as wide. CM Zerby said that additional polling places would be added. He thinks it is a mistake to separate Marcy-Holmes from the rest of SE. Separate city council elections would be very costly to the city – it would be more practical to add them to the legislative races’ ballot.

   MN Daily reporter Hank Long asked if there had been any progress in the booting ordinance. There was a meeting and the council has received letters from both sides.

   Brian Biele also asked about an opening for the city’s civil rights director. CM Zerby replied that four names are being considered, one a former Marcy-Holmes resident, Tyrone Terrill.

5. Board actions taken earlier in the evening:
   • The board recommended a slate of changes to the by-laws that it will recommend to the general membership at the June meeting.
   • The board voted to send a letter to show neighborhood support for returning the Varsity Theater to a movie theater, and possibly at some future time dedicating some NRP funding to that end, now that it is for sale.
6. Ardes Johnson gave a Livability Committee report. The committee got NRP money to help pay for promoting more litter containers throughout the neighborhood. She passed around a neighborhood map showing existing locations ( 53 total ). The committee is trying to get more individuals to adopt the containers. The city will deliver a container to location of our choosing and furnish garbage bags. Adopters then empty the trash on a regular basis for two years. Or. People can opt to pay to have the city do the emptying. There are 12 new containers coming into the neighborhood. Committee members made a wish list of locations where others are needed. We are the first neighborhood to so this on a neighborhood –wide basis. Ardes talked to the sororities and fraternities, but they are not yet ready to commit. As a motivator, the city is permitting the decorating of the containers ( with a few guidelines). Many will be painted by U students – something like “Welcome to Marcy-Holmes” , although suggestions are sought. People wishing to take on a container should call the office and we will send out a form. Businesses can also adopt containers.A question was asked about some of the containers’ missing tops. They are being replaced (by May 15) by plastic lids because people were stealing the metal lids and selling them.
7. President Carver reported on a meeting he and staff attended last week about grants to be offered by National Parks Services for MNRRA (Mississippi National River Recreation Area) projects. Our stretch of the river falls within the boundary. There is $ 1.9 million available. Participants offered many different approaches for projects from stewardship to educational in nature. The grants are about a year off, but eventually we will get an RFP (request for proposal).
8. Boulevard Garden applications are available and can be mailed to those interested. The deadline for filing is May 14. Plants will be delivered before Memorial Day. Our gardening committee designed the program which offers free perennial plants, garden designs, compost, and instructions for a 3’ x 5’ boulevard garden. This is our 5th year of the program. NRP money cannot be used for landscaping on private property, but this is our way to bring beautiful flowers to the neighborhood, teach others about gardening, and keep people active with more eyes on the street. We have a Master Gardener in our midst, Cindy Johnson, and she will be available to answer gardening questions at the Annual Potluck and Plant Swap, Mon May 24 at Frasers’, 821 7th St SE, starts at 6 PM. Melissa Bean noted that the term Plant Swap is misleading – it is more of a plant giveaway, so if you don’t have plants to share, just come for some good food and conversation and take some plants when you leave. Also of interest to gardeners, Monday April 26 is clean up day at the Community Garden, 8th St SE & 10th Ave SE. Sign up sheets are for watering and weeding- sign up for a week this summer. We will send out reminders. A day to plant annuals there will be announced- early June.The Holmes Park Tree Planting will be Sat May 22 at 9 am. Meet at the tennis courts, 5th St SE and 2nd Ave SE. We will have refreshments and tools, although additional wheelbarrows are needed. The morning will start off with a planting demonstration then we will plant, water and mulch 25 new trees. Classrooms from Marcy Open School will adopt trees – charting growth, taking on some responsibility for care. We have NRP money for the Park Board to water in the first two years. Some very interesting trees are coming, so check it out. Volunteers are needed – fifty in all. We have an Eagle Scout troop also helping on May 22.
9. The U’ Jan Morlock and Kendre Turonie reported on Spring Jam activities. There will be a battle of the bands Friday night and a concert Sat. U Police, as well as city patrols and state troopers, will be out with a Project Nightcap set up Sat night. Undercover underage people will attempt to get alcohol at parties. If successful, officers will be immediately on premises to close down the party, process everyone and breathalize them, issue tickets, ticket the hosts, and confiscate kegs. This has been very successful in the past and sends a strong message. People are urged to call 911 if they are bothered by noisy parties – be sure to use the words “Noisy Party”.A block party will take place on campus. It is an alcohol–free event with security in place. Events can be viewed online at www.sao.umn.edu/spriongjam. Beautiful U activities are also happening. A memorial tree planting in Van Cleve Park is Thursday at 11 am, honoring the spirit of a caring community in response to the tragic fire last fall. MSA, Park Board and SECIA are sponsors.Kendre was asked if a trash pick up was part of this year’s Beautiful U. No it is not, students plan the activities and it was not included this year. Kelly Carver recounted the deplorable shape of the neighborhood after last year’s Spring Jam and how we sent a letter suggesting that students hold a clean up after Spring Jam, instead of before, this year. Kendre replied that she would be happy to assist our group in doing a clean up.
10. Misc – Board Member Ardes Johnson noted that the Pan Hellenic group is taking more responsibility for cleaning up their properties including the street and sidewalks this year. Kende will encourage more of that in the coming week. Last day of classes is May 7th, so student volunteer time is diminishing. The National Kidney Transplant Games will be held at the U during the last week of July., It is like an Olympics for people who have received or donated a kidney. Volunteers are needed.The vacant Andrew Riverside Church lot will sprout a garden and park-like arrangement of planting and sitting areas. It is hoped that at some time the church will rebuild there. The church is working with landscape architects from the U on the project.
11. NRP – Elissa Cortell, NRP coordinator for the neighborhood, announced that Friday was the deadline for housing fix up applications and the number received means a lottery will be held. People will be notified by mail in a week. Extra police patrols started April 30, funded by NRP on weekend evenings. NRP is hiring a U student who lives in the neighborhood to knock on doors of party houses and neighbors, and, in a friendly way, talk about the impact noisy parties have here. The hope is to hire someone by June. A question was asked – isn’t this something CCP/SAFE does? Yes, but their funding has been cut and the NRP committee thou8ght some student-to-student communication would be beneficial.Five businesses received NRP grant awards to make improvements. They are: Everyday People, 8th St. Market, Casablanca Hair, House of Hanson, and Avalon Campus Cards. The media center at Marcy Open School has received NRP funding. 72 people responded to the NRP Phase I survey. This will help evaluate Phase I as a step to Phase II.We still need helpers for the parade float for two parades this summer. Call the office to volunteer. Gopher Towing has kindly offered to let us use one of their flatbed trucks and their garage to build and store the float.Landlords will be receiving Environmental Inspections Sweeps letters in May informing them of the sweep to occur the week of May 24. This is an annual program to ensure a cleaner neighborhood after the end of school year move-out period. MHNA is assisting with the mailing to property owners. Owners will have 7 – 14 days to comply with any orders.

    An editorial appeared in the MN Daily on April 30 that contained many factual errors about our organization. We wrote a response and Kelly spoke to the editor about printing our letter, but so far it has not appeared, This is very disappointing to the many people here who work hard to improve the neighborhood for everyone. A copy of our letter was available tonight. Hank Long, a MN Daily reporter, was present and is aware of the situation.

    One of the owners of the new Betty’s Bikes and Buns was present. They are opening at 600 East Hennepin. Unfortunately, their site plan went through without our input. Owner Tom Roe apologized for not attending the last Zoning & Planning meeting and he will come to the May meeting to talk over his plans.

    Joe Stokes reminded people to call 911 for Noisy Parties. A pilot project to track 911 calls is getting underway.

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Meeting adjourned 9:06 PM Melissa Bean, Staff