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MINUTES of the MHNA General Membership Meeting
Tuesday Aug 17, 2004
University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE

1. Meeting called to order at 7:30 PM by Brian Biele, president.
2. The May and June minutes were approved.
3. President Biele explained a new committee structure the board has undertaken. Instead of the many committees we had in place, there will now be five basic committees. The Executive Committee, made up of the four officers, will handle housekeeping and finances. The NRP Committee is an elected body that works on NRP projects. The Land Use Committee deals with development projects. The Livability Committee will now encompass licensing, gardening education, trash, noisy parties and business associations. The Student Affairs Committee will deal with student issues. Each committee has a chair (Brian Biele, Executive Committee; Gordon Kepner NRP; Ted Tucker Land Use; Ardes Johnson Livability; Charles Carlson Student Affairs). Committees meet outside of regular MHNA meetings and their meetings are open to the public. Roll calls will be taken at committees for voting purposes. It is hoped that this process will move things along faster and free up some time at meetings.
4. Board actions taken earlier this evening -
   • The board officially confirmed Charles Carlson (Gapsa rep) and Danielle Westhoff (MSA rep)to fill the appointed student seats on the MHNA Board of Directors.
   • A change in zoning (from the current ILOD – Industrial Living Overlay District to C3A) was requested by the developer for the Bluff Development project, condos at 520 and 520 1/2 Second St SE. The change would allow more intense development – more units and smaller units on less land – as well as mixed use, although mixed use is not in the developer’s plan. The MHNA Land Use Committee recommended to deny the zone change. The committee was amenable to hearing” requests for variances in the current zoning, if the developer included some “civic benefits” – concepts suggested in the Master Plan re: building materials, street friendly amenities like individual entries and terraces. The request for a zone change was considered “spot zoning”, which we have traditionally opposed. There is no other C3A nearby and the eventual zoning for the Schafer Richardson project has not been determined. This development abuts two smaller buildings in the historic district (Soap Factory and W.D. Forbes) and its design does not appear to take them into context. The MHNA Board voted unanimously to uphold the Land Use Committee recommendation and oppose the zoning change. It also voted to empower the Land Use Committee to continue discussions with the developer in order to get the very best design for the site.
   • After much discussion, the board also voted unanimously to ask the city to move forward and engage in a study of this entire riverfront area in order to help us identify what zoning is appropriate and conforms with our Master Plan and city’s Comprehensive Plan as the transition from industrial to residential and recreational uses occurs.
   • The NRP Implementation Committee recommended postponing the annual NRP elections for six months, until March. This change was requested in order to permit the current committee to finish the Phase I evaluation and Phase II planning without interruption. The MHNA board voted to approve the change, as long as it was OK’d by NRP downtown. (There were 3 abstention to the vote.)
   • The MHNA Board voted to have a special meeting between the board and the NRP Committee to discuss Phase II priorities.
   • The MHNA Board voted to approve the NRP Phase I Evaluation Report. The board thanked the NRP Committee for the report, which captures the program’s progress so well.
   • The board acknowledged Trevor Porath and Arvonne Fraser as reps to the Andrew Riverside Task Force and Jo Radzwill to the Eastgate Redevelopment Task Force.
5. Council Member Natalie Johnson Lee spoke about the Mayor’s budget and how city council will receive it. She confirmed her support of Citizen Participation and agreed to look into future funding for the program, which pays for our staff.
6. Jason McLean, owner of the Loring Pasta Bar, spoke about his plans for the Varsity Theater, now vacant. He ran the Loring Playhouse in Loring Park and wishes to get back into that business. He would use the space for a variety of performances – from film to live theater. He would use a portable stage and seats, so the current flat floor is not a hindrance to his plans. He is just in the beginning phase of planning, but hopes to serve food and liquor eventually. A separate public hearing would be held in that case and he would appreciate our support. Brochures were passed out that gave contact info for people wishing to book theater time.
7. Todd Moffit, with Lunds Holding Co. and current manager of Rick’s Market at Eastgate Plaza, introduced himself. The grocery store will continue to operate as Rick’s Market for the time being, but the purchase by Lund’s is considered an “opportunistic” one because the company wants to have a downtown location. The only other city Lund’s is in Uptown.
   At this time. Lund’s owns the business but Hillcrest Development owns the building. Much of the food comes from Lund’s and its distributors. He agreed that bike racks are needed. Audience members thanked him for the store improvements so far, especially opening up he front windows. Mr. Moffit was very interested in our association and any feedback on his business.
8. Michelle Gullickson of Minneapolis Mediation presented information on her organization. They provide conflict resolution on any scale or topic, from neighbors’ dog barking complaints to restraining orders. Both parties must agree to attend mediation (65% of the time they do). Usually there is no cost, but donations are welcome. They also provide facilitators for meetings.
9. Kat Baugher of the Panhellenic Council reminded the group about Sept 2’s U Light Up The Night event, 6 – 9 pm on 5th St SE between 10th and 12th Aves SE. All residents are invited to partake of the food, music, info and fun that evening. The event kicks off a safety lighting campaign and we are encouraged to keep our porch lights on every night.
   Board Member Ardes Johnson thanked Kat for her work on this project.
10. Elissa Cortell, NRP Coordinator, updated all on July’s Restorative Justice conference held in the neighborhood. The group was reminded about several NRP projects in the neighborhood, including the new litter containers which will soon be painted by volunteers. The 6th Ave Gateway sculptures were ceremoniously unveiled August 1 and all are encouraged to take the stroll and take in some neighborhood history at the same time. Sara Schwan, our new student liaison, was introduced. She is excited to start her position, which is funded by NRP. At this time, she is busy meting people and learning about the neighborhood. President Biele recognized the efforts of Jan Morlock and Gordon Kepner in securing this position.
11. The SE Como Cookout is Sept 18, from 4 – 7 PM. Marcy-Holmes residents are invited to come out and meet their neighbors.

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM Melissa Bean, Staff