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MINUTES of the June 21, 2005
MHNA General Membership Meeting
University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Minneapolis

1. Meeting called to order by President Brian Biele at 7:45 pm.
2. A motion to approve the agenda was passed.
3. A motion to approve the May minutes was passed.
4. Council Member Natalie Johnson Lee spoke briefly about topics of interest to residents. The 15th Ave SE Lighting project has now gathered over 65% of property owners’ signatures so that will go forward to various city committees and hopefully will be installed by fall. She complimented us on our Master Plan and often cites us as a good example of a neighborhood group that works hard and succeeds.
5. Board actions taken earlier tonight:
   1. The board voted to uphold the Land Use Committee’s motion to support the expansion of a nonconforming use for Scott McQueen’s garage. Due to the unusual circumstances (garage is located on a “barn lot” not adjacent to his home) this necessitates the change in nonconforming use in order for him to make improvements to the garage.)
   2. The Board voted to uphold an NRP Implementation Committee motion to allocate $5000 in NRP funds for the 15th Ave SE Pedestrian Lighting initiative. The remaining $700 0 will be used for other lighting projects.
   3. The board voted to spend the money ($29,000) previously allocated to the Restorative Justice Program, in two installments over the next two fiscal years.
   4. The board voted to support the Livability Committee’s motion to send an official letter of support for the 15th Ave SE lighting project.
6. President Brian Biele related some MHNA highlights of the past year. He recognized the many talented and experienced volunteers who have contributed to our success. He instituted a streamlined committee structure to the board, with five committees that meet and report monthly to the board: Executive, NRP, Livability, Land Use and Student Affairs. Issues are dealt with more comprehensively at the committee meeting level and then recommendations are forwarded to the board. Any member can serve on a committee – standing meeting dates are on the MHNA website – and this has proven a great way to increase participation. The board takes the advisement of the committees as well-rounded recommendations and none were overturned by the board this year.President Biele praised the Marcy-Holmes Master Plan as a valuable tool for our Land Use Committee. It is available on our website and on the city website. He cited many instances where it has helped in talks with developers – CVS at 10th & University; Mill Race condos at 619 8th St SE; Andrew-Riverside Church site. He also spoke of our working together with other neighborhoods on various task forces, like Eastgate/Cobalt/Lund’s and A-Mill projects. He noted that the Cobalt/Lund’s development was approved by the task force but later changed without task force knowledge or consent. After expressing our consternation, they have gone back top the original plan.The A-Mill project, from 3rd Ave SE to 6th Ave SE, between Main and Second, will have a huge impact here and some very big decisions will soon be make there – how it relates to the historic district, height and massing of buildings. All of our official comments begin at the Land Use Committee and people are urged to participate (Second Monday 5:30 PM at Dunn Bros, 6th & University, big table in the back room). Committee Chair Jo Radzwill informed the group that at last month’s meeting three new projects were discussed and the developers will return after taking committee comments into consideration. She spoke about the contributions of former Land Use chair, Ted Tucker, who stepped down when he was appointed to the Planning Commission.

   Ardes Johnson, co-chair of the Livability Committee, related her committee’s activities of the past year. Livability is our oldest committee – going back to Nov. 1989. Two founding members were present tonight – Elsie Charlton and Delores Link. The committee originally formed to improve the maintenance of substandard housing which had eroded the quality of life here. Ardes recently discovered a list of problem properties with code violations from that time and noted that the addresses haven’t changed much. Through the Livability Committee, 32 litter containers have been placed throughout the neighborhood, many adopted by businesses and residents. She credited Kelly Carver as the impetus for that project. Lately graffiti removal has been taken on by the committee, with kudos to Gene Buell for his many hours spent with chemicals cleaning surfaces. Nine committee members monitored sidewalk shoveling this winter. The 15th Ave Lighting Project was one of the first issues the Livability Committee brought to newly elected CM Paul Zerby four years ago. Lack of lighting prompted the U Light Up The Night event – a block party to promote safety that will occur again this year on Sept 2nd, 6 – 9 pm on 5th St SE between 11th and 13th Ave SE. The pedestrian crossing at 10th Ave SE & 5th St SE needed some changes and it was the Livability Committee that took this on and worked with the city to make improvements there. Another pedestrian button is being installed and the roadway will be striped to get motorists’ attention.

   Livability Co-Chair Gordon Kepner spoke about the Restorative Justice Program that was brought here with NRP funding. There were quite a few Marcy-Holmes offenders who attended community conferences and as an alternative to sentencing performed community service here – helped with the 5th St gardens and picked up trash. Volunteers are still needed to represent the neighborhood at the community conferences – it takes only two hours per session and can be as little as twice a year. He strongly urged people to join the effort and spread out the responsibility.

   Gordon Kepner is also the outgoing chair of our NRP Committee. He spoke about their work over the past year. With the help of staff person Elissa Cortell, a community-wide meeting was held to vote on how to spend Phase II NRP funding and to create an action plan for the neighborhood. Our first Student Liaison was hired and she acted as a diplomat, following up on behavior complaints and suggesting participation in the Restorative Justice Program. Some other projects were mentioned – 15 more rental properties received rehab grants this year; 18 owner-occupied dwellings received deferred loans; more police were hired to patrol on nights and weekends; Dutch Elm Disease prevention matching grants were offered; three storefronts were improved using NRP funds. People were encouraged to take home the Dutch Elm Disease Prevention applications. They are funded on a first-come basis and Gordon urged people to save their elm trees.

   Elissa Cortell added to the list of NRP accomplishments – four new boulevard gardens and nine new 5th St “bumpout” gardens were installed; the Community Garden added some new plants; the Sixth Ave sculptures were installed and dedicated this year; the Media Center at Marcy Open School was improved. Tonight a final vote on Phase II NRP plan will be taken.

   Kristina Portner, of the Student Affairs Committee, spoke about their work this year. Their main accomplishment was having student volunteers gather signatures on petitions for the 15th Ave Lighting project. There has been some turnover on the committee this year, but she hopes more will join this year.

   President Biele introduced Melissa Bean, MHNA Executive Director, who briefly told those gathered that the main office accomplishments were to negotiate and manage moving the office to Marcy Open School, significantly reducing our operating costs, and working with students from Carlson School of Management to redesign our database. Many thanks to Marcy School and the U of MN for these opportunities. Melissa also thanked the many volunteers who help MHNA.

7. Melissa Bean introduced a slate of candidates who have agreed to run for MHNABoard:
   

   OFFICERS( 1 yr terms)

   • President – Brian Biele
   • Vice President – Joe Stokes
   • Secretary – Tom Lincoln
   • Treasurer – Bo Sherman

   DIRECTORS (2 year terns)

   • Bob Distad
   • Arvonne Fraser
   • Brian Lundgren
   • Sandra Dekker
   • Deb Girard

   DIRECTOR (1 year term/replacement for Bo Sherman)

   • Steve Zwicky

   A request for any other nominations from the floor was made. Hearing none, a motion was made (Bill Huntzicker) and passed to elect the slate of candidates for the 2005-06 board.

8. Elissa Cortell conducted the vote for Phase II NRP plan. She reminded all that any stakeholder can vote – you don’t need to be a resident or MHNA member. Although the Phase II funding is significantly less than Phase I, there is still an opportunity for people to get involved designing guidelines to fit the programs in four general areas: Housing; Economic and Public Realm; Social and Cultural Services; and Administration. The plan we voted on tonight was distributed before and has been posted on our website. Most of the items have dollar amounts attached to them. Others remained in the plan without funding in case at some future time new funding becomes available or unused funds can be reallocated. About 25 proposals were received last year and the NRP Implementation Committee sifted through them and decided on the final plan, which was presented to the neighborhood for a vote. After review from city officials, it is now in its final form and Elissa urged people to approve it. A motion was made (Joe Stokes) and passed unanimously to accept the Phase II Marcy-Holmes NRP Plan.
9. Kristina Walsh informed members about the Landmark Art Event coming to the Stone Arch Bridge this summer – over 24 hours starting sunrise Aug 27. A variety of performances including a Sky Procession (11 am) and a Cake Contest are planned. Music, poetry and movement will be included. People wishing to participate can contact the website: www.localstrategy.org The event is free.
10. Debra Lach announced the opening of a new charter high school in our area, Cities West Academy. It will be located along Eights Street across from Siebert Field. This fall it will have 9th and 10th grades. Enrollment will be 100-with a max of 200 when it goes from 9 – 12 grades. They are working with the Humphrey Institute at the U and focus their program on social justice and social engagement. Enrollment is open to any student from Minnesota. It is sponsored by Volunteers of America. It is easy to enroll, even if a student has chosen a different high school for the fall. Ms Lach feels it will be a great fit for the neighborhood. For more information, call 763-398-0907 or check the website: www.citieswest.org
11. Announcements – Marcy-Holmes Rainwater Recycling Tour will be held August 6. Two guided tours are offered – one at 10 am and one at 1 pm. Meet at University Lutheran Church of Hope parking lot. There will be no MHNA meeting in July. A motion to adjourn (Bill Huntzicker) was passed.

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm Melissa Bean, MHNA Executive Director