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MINUTES of the MHNA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Tues. Oct. 19, 2004
University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN

1. Meeting called to order at 7:40 pm by President Brian Biele.
2. The agenda that was sent out to members was approved.
3. The minutes of the Sept. meeting were approved
4. A presentation on the new plans for Eastgate Shopping Center was made by a representative of Exeter Realty, Rob Stopelstad. The Eastgate Task Force, which includes reps from MHNA, has worked with the developer and architects over several months to come up with an acceptable plan. As it currently stands, the Delmac Building behind Eastgate on University will be demolished as well as the current Eastgate Center. The buildings on the back of the block (facing East Hennepin) will remain. The new center will have a grocery store (Lund’s – similar in size to Lake Street store) on the University Ave side, a new drugstore (expected to be Snyder’s) and a restaurant. There will be housing (100 -120 condos in two buildings, one nine story and one six story) and parking on site. The parking (which is planned to exceed code) will be in the center with the retail spaces pulled out to the sidewalk. Cars will enter parking on the 4th St side. The goal is to make the retail portion more pedestrian friendly – sidewalks will be widened, trees planted and streetlights like those on Nicollet Island will be installed. Rick‘s Market will stay open during construction until the Lund’s store is ready to open. The design of the buildings is still changing. Tonight’s drawings showed a modern glass façade, with a round glass “signature corner piece/destination restaurant” space at the corner of University and Central. Through the public meetings, several suggestions were made about adding balconies or surface articulation, varying the building materials, and in general “softening” the design. Since there is no below grade excavation, there should not be any damage to the historic buildings on the East Hennepin side of the block. Mr. Stopelstad commented that he appreciated working with us and will continue to do so via the task force.
5. Council Member Paul Zerby informed the group that his aide, Allan Bernard, was leaving to concentrate on his race in the 10th ward, but has been replaced by Greg Simbeck, former SECIA staff. His office will be “built on constituency services” and he can be reached at 673-2202. CM Zerby also spoke briefly about his endeavor to end the practice of “booting” illegally parked cars. A Public Safety and Regulatory Committee meeting is scheduled for 10/27, but he does not hold out much hope for success. He also mentioned a shooting at University Village last weekend and city efforts to get more police into the area.
6. Elissa Cortell, NRP Coordinator, announced the 10/26 meeting to help decide funding projects for the Phase II round of NRP. 70% must go to housing. We are seeking proposals that dovetail with our neighborhood master plan. Deadline for proposals is Nov 2. Elissa also asked for volunteers for the Restorative Justice program’s advisory group. Student Liaison Sara Schwan now has a link on our website and she is doing a mailing this week.
7. Board actions from earlier tonight were announced:
   • Due to continuing budget cuts from the city, a fundraising goal of $10,000 was decided for this year. A motion (Bob Distad) to “issue the letter in early November and establish the goal” was approved.
   • Ardes Johnson, Livability co-chair, reported about the meeting with Jason McLean, who is seeking a full (Class A) liquor license for the Varsity Theater. Mr. McLean addressed the MHNA membership at a previous meeting with his plans for the theater. He is working with the DBA on not dominating any parking lot and providing security during and after business hours. He feels his type of entertainment would minimize any kinds of security or behavior problems and that he maintains a high standard of conduct at present locations. He sees the Varsity as an entertainment destination that will help revitalize Dinkytown. He is leasing with an option to buy. The seven members present at the Livability Committee meeting recommended that the application for a full liquor license for the Varsity Theater be supported and that the issue of the community’s use of the marquee be dealt with separately. Discussion followed about the agreement for community use of the marquee that was signed and approved by city council. The past owners were negligent in complying with the agreement – the last time we had use of the marquee was March 2002, despite repeated requests. There was some confusion as to who was responsible for putting up the letters. A copy of the agreement was given to Bob Distad to review. Bob made a motion to “not oppose the request for a liquor license at the Varsity contingent on compliance with the terms and conditions of the sign access/use easement agreement approved by City Council on 7/26/96.” Motion passed with one abstention (Stokes)
   • The pedestrian crossing light at 10th Ave SE and 5th St SE continues to be a problem. It gives a false sense of security to walkers because drivers do not seem to be aware of it or know what to do when they encounter it. A motion was made (G. Kepner) that “we urge the city traffic department to send a rep to meet with the Livability Committee to explore problems and solutions regarding the pedestrian crossing light at 5th St SE and 10th Ave S; that we consider this extremely urgent because so many school children cross there as well as University students.” Motion passed unanimously.
   • Land Use Chair Ted Tucker relayed the Eastgate Task Force recommendation to support the general design and conditions of the Eastgate Shopping center/residences proposal. To go forward, the developers need a conditional use permit to operate Lund’s 24 hours, 7 days week; a conditional use permit for the parking structure; a conditional use permit for the increased height (110′ and 80′). Chairman Tucker moved that “we support the conditional use permits as recommended by the Eastgate Task Force and adopt the committee report and recommendations as they continue their talks about the final design”. Ted said that certain “civic amenities” in the project are our reward for accepting the increase in height. A vote on the (Ted Tucker) motion passed with one opposed (Kepner) and one abstention (Lincoln).
   • The Land Use committee considered a request for an expansion for a non conforming use for a property at 414 6th St SE. It is being sold and was discovered to have two illegal units. The committee recommended that the board oppose the request for a non conforming use. Ted Tucker made a motion for the board to support the committee recommendation and that motion passed unanimously. Ted also mentioned that a plan to build more student housing at 13th and 4th St SE will be presented at the Nov meeting as well as a new plan for Star Machinery.
   • Ardes Johnson asked for board support for a new MWMO grant application that would create permeable parking surfaces and possibly a green roof at the new Brett Naylor student housing complex going on the old Pizza Hut site, 13th & University Ave SE.. The board approved the motion to support the grant under the condition that the Executive Committee works out the details regarding fees payable to Kestrel Designs.
8. U of MN’s Kendre Turoni talked about Housing and Residential Life’s new policy regarding listing Off Campus Housing. There is a new provision that “de-lists” landlords’ properties that violate certain conditions:
   • If there are 3 or more unresolved Univ. Student Legal Services tenant complaints (A complaint is considered unresolved if a student wins a judgment against a property owner or if owner does not make a good faith effort to respond to or settle a complaint with USLS or tenant.)
   • If the landlord/property manager has been subject to three or more tenant initiated complaints that resulted in issuance of inspections orders finding city code violations on any of the landlord’s/property manager’s properties within the previous twelve-month period.
   • If there is misrepresentation by the landlord/property manager in the application for listing with HRL.

   Once de-listed, a landlord/property manager shall not be permitted to re-list for a period of 12 months and then only if they meet with HRL and satisfy HRL that the problems with tenant complaints and chronic code violations have been resolved.

   To date, three property owners have been de-listed. Kendre noted that it took a long time to enact this initiative, but it was something the neighbors really pushed for. Council Member Zerby complimented the U of MN on the policy. He added that recently City Council voted to require a management contract for properties that have two or more code violations.

9. President Biele thanked all of the Community Garden volunteers who helped keep things blooming at 10th Ave & 8th St SE this summer. He also announced a 59B Candidates’ Forum Wed at the Radisson Hotel on Washington Ave.