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MINUTES of the MHNA General Membership Meeting
April 19, 2005
University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Av SE, Minneapolis

1. Meeting called to order at 7:30 pm by President Brian Biele.
2. The March minutes were approved (Joe Stokes motion).
3. Treasurer Tom Lincoln announced that we have raised 70% of our fundraising goal so far.
4. Board motions made earlier tonight were announced:
   • Executive Committee report – Last month the Executive Committee reviewed the USDE grant application and budget. The committee agreed to support the grant and wrote a letter. The outcome- for various reasons, SECIA submitted it too late to qualify. Also last month- Executive Committee agreed to do a mailing to members who have not renewed for the 04-05 year (at least 250). Membership must be renewed by 5/31 in order to be eligible to vote in the June elections. After May 31, non-renews will be deleted.
   • Student Affairs Committee report- Brian Biele reported that he met with the U, SECIA and City to lay out a calendar for the 15th Ave lighting project to be done this construction season. We received a list of property owners from the city and we mailed petitions to them. We are also planning to get residents’ signatures on Sunday April 24 – volunteers needed, 2 – 4 pm. It is important to show support for the project, but legally it is considered “advisory” and could go ahead with just council support. There is an effort to change the ordinance to make the city take on more of the responsibility. We plan to present our petitions May 2. Transportation & Public Works Committee of City Council will have it on their agenda in July; a public hearing will occur within 60 days after that. It is important to show neighborhood support at the public hearing – hopefully by August 1.
   • Land Use Committee report – The committee recommended a motion to the board that was approved tonight (Jo Radzwill): The Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association recognizes the lack of available parking for a restaurant at 628 Central Ave. and does not oppose the application of Luis Caire on behalf of Maya & Associates for a parking variance.
   • Livability Committee – A meeting is planned with Donald Pflaum to improve safety at the pedestrian crossing 10th Ave SE & 5th St SE. Volunteers are needed to participate in the Restorative Justice Conferences. Next one is May 7.
5. NRP – Coordinator Elissa Cortell handed out draft copies of Phase II plan. A vote to approve it will occur next month. NRP Elections were held. A slate of candidates was read and additional nominations were solicited from the floor. Those elected to 1-yr terms were: Ardes Johnson, homeowner and present board member who has been working on livability issues; Ted Tucker, landlord, present board member who was very active in creating our Master Plan; Kathy Erickson, at–large, interested in the challenges of our rapidly changing neighborhood; Sarah Spence, renter, interested in improving rental properties and affordable home ownership; Louise Huebner, representing neighborhood institutions (First Congregational Church) interested in tree projects at the moment. One other candidate, representing students – Eric Atkins, was not present tonight. A motion to adopt the slate (Joe Stokes) was passed. The slate included Eric Atlkins, unless he declines. There is still a seat open for a business representative. Elissa then handed out applications for Dutch Elm Disease Treatment Program – deadline is June 1st.
6. Housing Inspector Grant Wilson addressed the group about changes at his department. Buildings with 4 or more units are now under the purview of the Fire Dept. Mr. Wilson inspects duplexes, single family and triplexes. His division of eight inspectors does 480 top- to- bottom buildings per year. Another inspector covers complaints in the NE/SE area. There are also two environmental inspectors for things like junk cars, weeds and brush, etc. Part of their reorganization was to form a Problem Properties Unit. There are 71 currently on the list – none in our neighborhood. If anyone is interested in reviving our Citizen Inspections Program, he is available to assist. Currently, when a property owner doesn’t comply with inspections orders, there is a $200 administrative citation. If the same violation occurs within two years, it doubles. Rooming houses are now inspected by Pat Hilden. There is still an opportunity to call in complaints 673-5858 or to mail/fax one of the new forms. Forms are available at the MHNA office. Elissa Cortell asked about the NRP funding the neighborhood recently approved to pay for inspectors’ time to concentrate on our neighborhood. Mr. Wilson did not think it was possible to ‘buy back” city inspectors’ time. He feels they provide good service now and he would hate to see our NRP dollars going for city services that are already provided. Mr Wilson ended by saying that the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood presents many challenges and their current emphasis is on spring move-out, over-occupancy and duplexes being illegally converted to add units.
7. MHNA Garden Committee Chair Cindy Johnson thanked everyone who volunteered in the MHNA community garden last year. She asked for more volunteers to come May 3 at 4 pm to help clean out the garden (8th St SE & 10th Ave SE) and divide perennials. The annual Plant Swap and Potluck will be held June 6 at 6 pm at Frasers’, 821 7th St SE. This year’s Boulevard Garden Program applications are available with a new Rain Garden design offered. Applications are due May 20.This summer a new project is being undertaken by neighborhood gardeners – 9 new bump out gardens on 5th St SE between 4th Ave SE and 8th Ave SE. This portion of the 5th St SE Historic District will be getting new signage this summer as well. Cindy has designed several garden plans for 5th St. that will have colorful annuals supplemented by perennials later in the season. Planting Day is Sat May 21, 8 am – noon. The project got its start in the form of a petition at last year’s Plant Swap. Volunteers are needed for planting day – call the office 623-7633 – when about 1000 plants will be planted. Volunteers should meet at the Marcy School corner to get assignments. Most of the gardens have been adopted, but there is at least one in need of someone to water and weed this summer. We have hired a landscaping company to tear out the overgrown bushes in some of the garden areas. The garden committee is meeting again Wed night at Dunn Bros. To get involved in any of these garden activities, call the office.
8. Library Task Force update Steve Semla is working on a survey that will go out to the community in the fall when our population is highest.
9. Jan Morlock, U of MN, announced that the Gopher Stadium’s environmental review’s scope of what is to be studied is out for public comment. The stadium now has a naming sponsor – TCF Bank.
10. Brian Biele announced that on Sunday April 24 at 2 pm people are needed to help get 15th Ave lighting petitions signed. Meet at the SECIA office at 2 pm.
11. Sat April 23 is the Earth Day River Clean Up. Meet at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park, 6th & Main at 9 am.
12. MHNA Vice President Joe Stokes advised everyone here to call 911 when they are adversely affected by noisy parties. It is very important to establish a paper trail – if possible write down the time of day and date – even if the police come and find the situation all quiet. Documentation is what elevates a problem address to a higher level of city response.

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm Melissa Bean, MHNA Executive Director