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Minutes of the MHNA General Membership Meting Tues
Feb 15, 2005
University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Mpls, MN

1. Meeting called to order by Brian Biele, president.
2. A motion to pass the January minutes was passed.
3. CCP/SAFE Community Crime Specialist Nicole Nelson talked to the group about panhandling – the definition of aggressive panhandling vs what is allowed by law was featured in a handout tonight. There has been an increase in panhandling in SE – at freeway exits and door to door. It is illegal to panhandle at bus stops, sidewalk cafes or 20’ from an ATM. Panhandlers cannot obstruct or interfere with traffic. If you witness this, call 911.The arson fire at 514 6th St SE was discussed. It is currently an open investigation under Sgt. Tony Miranda. The citations for alcohol – related crimes are now accompanied by notices about alternative sentencing in the restorative justice program. Some additions have been made to the crimes under this program, however selling alcohol without a license and selling to a minor will still be considered higher crimes that must be addressed by a judge. Nicole recommends that more people participate in the restorative justice program here as volunteers. The question of the definition of a party was discussed. When officers receive a 911 party complaint call and go to the scene, they are very confident they know if it is a party or not.
4. Community Attorney Tim Richards, who works out of the Second Precinct Police Station, asked anyone with problems concerning chronic party houses, outstanding warrants, or identity theft situations to call him. (673-2883) He also works with the Restorative Justice program, soon to get a new name here. It is unique to our area – an 18 year old caught drinking in Uptown is not eligible to participate in our program and the citation received may eventually cause serious ramifications to the offender.
5. CM Zerby addressed the group after President Biele acknowledged that two candidates for the third ward were present – Diane Hofstede and Jeremy Wieland. CM Zerby spoke highly of the Restorative Justice Program, calling it a “good step forward”. The lighting moratorium has been lifted from 15th Ave SE. The petitions must be signed by 65% of the affected property owners – in this case from Como Ave to 5th St SE. It is hoped that U students will get involved in the petitioning. Jan Morlock is convening a group of volunteers.Finances at the city continue to get squeezed. CM Ostrow supported a bill to add ½¢ to the city sales tax and dedicate the funds to Public Safety. The measure passed without CM Zerby’s vote. Generally, the state does not pass additional levies unless there is regional interest and he does not like seeing Minneapolis acting alone. He is not confident of this getting the votes needed. He thinks a surcharge in parking ramp fees may be more suitable, as it would also keep people from driving and result in more public transit riders. Also that way, the money would go into the general fund and could be directed at whatever the most pressing need is, rather than dedicating it to one area.There has been a change at the Inspections Department. A new sweep is occurring with Inspections Dept and the Fire Department. A new form for people to submit problem properties/code problems to the city was sent out to neighborhoods. We hope to have someone from our Inspections team here at the March meeting.

   The parking lot issue at Stone Arch Apartments will be heard at the the Board of Adjustment.

   CM Zerby spoke about a matter getting some press, he called “Photogate”, in which he technically violated the law when his photo appeared on a newsletter to constituents that the city paid for. He said he should have known better and would reimburse the city on a pro-rated basis if needed. His item was caught up in a larger net of partisan politics he believes.

6. Board motions pass tonight were read by Melissa Bean:
   • The 2005 MHNA Operating budget was passed. It shows NRP funding more of the MHNA office expenses: approximately $13,000.
   • Chris Wilson and Melissa Bean were appointed as reps to the Gopher Stadium Advisory Committee. They will report back at monthly MHNA meetings.
   • Two new students were appointed to the board – Tarlene Richards and Kristina Portner.
   • The Livability Committee’s motion to send a letter and set up a meeting with U of MN’s Kendre Turonie was passed. The meeting will include SECIA as well as MHNA.
   • The board ratified the Livability Committee’s recommendation that MHNA participates this year in the River Clean Up.
   • The board approved the NRP Phase II Allocation Ballots for the March 7 meeting. The NRP Implementation Committee also asked to move their elections to April and the board approved that motion.
   • The Land Use Committee recommended, and the board passed a resolution, that we send a letter to Xcel Energy asking them to open the new Hennepin Island Park to the public for longer hours and year round, at minimum the same hours as other Mpls parks.
   • FYI – we have now raised $6800 of our $10,000 goal.
7. Diane Hofstede thanked CM Zerby for his past support on the SE library and thanked MHNA for its leadership in getting a task force going on the issue. Members form all three SE neighborhoods are meeting to decide if the old library should be remodeled; if a new library should be built and in either case what the needs and desires of our library users are.The first Task Force meeting is this week. Board Member Ardes Johnson remarked that the library has such limited hours that on Saturday it is really crowded. She requested that the library stay open on Saturdays, not the proposed M, W, F schedule. Schools requested the Friday hours. Although there is some funding set aside for our library needs, including some NRP funds, we should be looking at other means to raise money. The Franklin Library received some grants and the Nokomis branch did fund raisers. The Bottineau Library was three years in the making – it was the neighborhood that discovered and found additional funding to use the Grain Belt Brewery site. Ms Hofstede encourages all to get involved.
8. NRP – Elissa Cortell passed around the latest newsletter and a sign up sheet for people interested in running for the NRP Implementation Committee. A neighborhood -wide vote on spending Phase II dollars will occur March 7 at Marcy Open School. Call Elissa’s office if questions – 623-7923.
9. Land Use – Jo Radzwill summarized the Land Use Committee’s last meeting. They met with the developers of 619 8th St SE about their landscaping plans. Paul White’s garage plan has gone back to the drawing board as the proposed location interferes with the setback lines. The committee requested that Xcel Energy’s new Hennepin Island Park have longer operating hours, at minimum the same as city parks. There will be a public meeting to discuss the just released EIS ( Environmental Impact Statement) for the A-Mill site. The Land Use Committee will be formulating a response – due 3/23. The Land Use Committee meets the second Tuesday of the month at Dunn Bros, 6th & University, in the back room. NOTE change in time – 5:30 PM. Participatioin is open to interested parties.
10. Livability – Chair Ardes Johnson recommended a great article on city libraries in “The Rake”. She thanked CM Zerby for his tireless efforts on the 15th Ave lighting effort and thanked all the volunteers who have adopted litter containers and monitored snow shoveling. Volunteers are needed to be part of the Citizens’ Inspections Program this summer. The Livability Committee meets the second Tuesday at Dunn Bros,following the Land Use Committee, at 7 pm.
11. Our Student Affairs Committee is growing- new additions are Tarlene Richards and Kristina Portner. Board Member Bo Sherman introduced them. They are seeking a core group of students to address problems and reopen communications. They now meet the first Wed of the month, 6:30 pm at the Kappa Alpha Theta house, 1012 5th St SE.
12. The Mpls, St Paul Home Tour nominations are due Feb 15 – a wonderful way to show off our neighborhood. Call the office if you want to be part of the tour – 623-7633.The Marcy Arts ABC Gala is Sat March 15. Tickets available at 692-0719. It’s a fabulous time with dinner buffet, concert and art auction at Cedar Cultural Center with proceeds funding arts activities at Marcy Open School.

8:50 PM Meeting adjourned Melissa Bean, MHNA Executive Director