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Minutes of the MHNA General Membership Meeting
November 15, 2005
University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Minneapolis

1. Meeting called to order at 7:35 PM by Brian Biele, president.
2. A motion to approve the agenda (Tucker) was approved. Since CM Zerby hadn’t yet arrived, it was recommended that Council member-elect Diane Hofstede speak to us.
3. The minutes from the October meeting were approved (Fraser).
4. Third Ward Council Member Diane Hofstede we introduced. She takes office in January. She thanked all for our support and enthusiasm and is making plans for a Third Ward Summit early next year. She is also working with the SE Library Task Force and looking forward to having a new library here.
5. President Biele informed the group that since we are moving to the Third Ward, it was decided that the monthly Second Ward/Second Friday Breakfast meetings would be renamed so Marcy-Holmes will still be a part of the conversation between University of MN, police and city departments, and other University neighborhoods. New council members of the area will be invited to attend.
6. CM Zerby arrived and for the last time took his spot on our agenda. He thinks we are in excellent hands and urges CM Hofstede to attend the above mentioned breakfast meetings. He informed us that earlier tonight the Heritage Preservation Commission agreed to the demolition permit for 514 6th St SE. (see Board Actions below.) He also spoke about some amendment changes he is authoring re: Noisy Assembly. The changes are based on ordinances in other cities with large student populations. (See Board Actions below.) Other changes at City Hall – when developers come to the city with plans, as they are approved the current zoning and occupancy levels will be stamped on them. This is an administrative change to ensure compliance with zoning laws. In the Inspections area, it has been very difficult for inspectors to enter properties without permission from tenants or owners. Often neighbors have evidence of over occupancy or illegal units being added, but Inspections couldn’t get inside to investigate. This has frustrated neighbors. Now Inspections is asking residents to call so they can build a case for probable cause (673-5858). Also CM Zerby is sponsoring a change at Inspections that will have one inspector in charge of Lodging House licenses. That inspector would be responsible for monitoring the housing code, fire code, food safety, and zoning aspects of the property. Currently there are separate inspectors for each. This may free up more inspectors.CM Zerby was thanked and applauded. President Biele also thanked him for staying active and taking on so much work even at the end of his term.
7. Board Actions taken earlier tonight:
   • The board approved Executive Committee recommendations:
     • To not object to a liquor license for Legends Café, 825 East Hennepin.
     • To approve of a contract for billboard public awareness campaign re: new trees being planted in neighborhood.
     • To send a letter of support re: Riverton Housing using non profit bonds to finance purchase of 1227 4th St SE, adjacent to The Chateau.
     • To send a letter of support for the U to continue funding and operating Gophers After Dark, evening on-campus recreational programming.
     • To send letters of support for changes proposed to the Noise Ordinances re: Noisy Parties. Changes are based on others around the country and call for strengthening sanctions for property owners; parental notification if underage drinking; fines based on time law enforcement spends on problem properties.
     • To entrust Melissa Bean and Chris Wilson to send official comments re: Gophers Stadium EIS.
   • The Board voted to approve the Land Use Committee recommendations:
     • To rescind the October board resolution re: 514 6th St SE and support the demolition and purchase to build a new single family owner occupied home there.
     • To support the concept for the Schafer Richardson A-Mill project.The Marcy-Holmes Land Use Committee has reviewed the Schafer Richardson proposal for the Pillsbury A Mill and adjacent blocks and supports the project in concept because we believe it will save the A Mill without overwhelming it, create links between Marcy-Holmes and the Central Riverfront at 4th and 5th Avenues, and will transform Second Street SE into a dense, but livable residential street.There is no great enthusiasm for tall buildings on our riverfront but we find them acceptable if they are combined with the neighborhood advantages listed above and create a skyline with a variety of heights and distinct gaps between new towers, particularly where the grid goes through. The tower next to the Red Tile Elevator should be distinctly shorter than, and separated from, the Red Tile Elevator.The Land Use Committee will continue to work with the A Mill Task Force to specify the positive aspects of the Schafer Richardson A Mill project we wish to maintain as the project develops.

       The Land Use Committee will monitor the development of the proposal as it proceeds through City approvals (including Heritage Preservation Commission, City Planning Commission and City Council) and advocate for the preservation or enhancement of all aspects of this project that the A Mill Task Force found particularly desirable (Save the A Mill, link Marcy-Holmes to its riverfront, transform Second Street SE into a residential street).

       The Land Use Committee will review specific planning applications for rezoning, conditional use permits and variances when those requests are made.

       In addition, the Land Use Committee would like to commend Schafer Richardson or working with the neighborhood to develop a project that promises to be beneficial to both the developer and the neighborhood.

     • To support a change in zoning from Light Industrial to R5 Residential or Industrial Living Overlay for 800 16th Ave SE. This is a warehouse being converted to student apartments. Although it is located just beyond our boundaries, we were asked to comment as it will affect our neighborhood. The committee also asked that the parking be increased to conform with our Master Plan (.5 spaces per bedroom).
8. Safety & Livability Committee update : They meet the second Monday of the month at 7 pm, First Congregational Church, 5th St SE & 8th Ave SE. Some items from their last meeting:
   • Considered a proposal to require minimum staffing levels at Second Precinct Police Station
   • Heard five Restorative Justice apologies
   • Introduced Jim Long, our new CCP/SAFE liaison (673-2874)
   • Organized Block Clubs and sent people to training – more volunteers needed
9. Student Affairs Committee update – This committee is seeking more direction and the board will take this up at their January meeting.
10. Ted Tucker, MHNA, and David Frank, Schafer Richardson, gave an overview of the A-Mill project. Since the spring of 2003, a dedicated group of volunteers has been meeting to consider the plans. From Marcy-Holmes: Ted Tucker, Jo Radzwill, Arvonne Fraser, Brad Bellows and Pete Goelzer. Their priorities were:
    • To integrate/link with the neighborhood.
    • To extend the street grid and enhance avenues to connect to the riverfront.
    • To transform Second St SE into a denser, but livable, residential street.
    • To activate the street – encouraging pedestrian activity at ground level.
    • To vary the form – manipulate the height and spacing to create an open skyline.

    David Frank thanked the Task Force for their work and commented that the project has benefited from Ted’s involvement. There will be six new buildings – three will be taller than the red tile elevator. There will be a walking path at 4th Ave SE and 5th Ave SE will be open for walking, biking and driving, The A-Mill historic structures will be done in the first phase. These are very expensive to do and there is no public subsidy, so the taller buildings will pay for the rehabilitation of the historic buildings.

    There will be 100,000 s. f. of commercial spaces along Main Street. Parking will be internal. The residential units on Second Street will have individual entrances from sidewalks. A public plaza is planned along 5th Ave – they are working on plans in conjunction with Soap Factory. The plans must first be approved by the Heritage Preservation, then by the Planning Commission. They will be applying for a change in zoning (probably to C3A) and hope to begin construction and demolish the white elevators early in 2006. The height of the three new buildings will be 20, 24 and 27 stories. For comparison – the red tile elevator is 18 or 19 stories. The other new buildings will be 10, 12 and 15 stories. The entire project will take 10 – 12 years. The units will start around $175,000 and go to $2 million. The Pillsbury’s Best sign will be retained.

    Mr Frank thanked the association and remarked that he was looking forward to working with us in the future.

11. The U of MN’s Brian Swanson and Jan Morlock presented plans for the on-campus Gophers Stadium. They are in the middle of the EIS ( Environmental Impact Statement) gathering public comments. The stadium will hold 50,000 and will be a bit smaller than the old one. If it gets funding at the legislature it will go forward to the design phase. The U has a fund raising campaign it hopes will bring in 60% of the funds. They will ask the legislature fro the remaining 40%. Plans will not go forward without the state’s contribution. The draft EIS is available on the website and public comment cards (due Nov 23) were passed out . People were encouraged to fill out the cards – all comments will be addressed in the final EIS. The regents will consider the final version at their January meeting, Traffic, parking, and fans’ exuberant behavior will be some of the issues most affecting the neighborhoods. Council Member-elect Diane Hofstede urged the use of “green” technology. Mr Swanson said that is part of their plan. He closed by saying that Minnesotans connect with the university through athletics and the on campus stadium will be a great way to build general support.
12. Steve Bosacker and Don Stickney presented information about the city’s new 311 program. This will go into effect in seven weeks. It is an information system for all non- emergency city services. It will be operating 7 am – 11 pm weekdays. With one call, citizens will get a timely response to City information and services. They showed a film of how the program works. Starting in January dial just 311.
13. NRP – The board approved $5000 for the Soap Factory’s building study. Elissa Cottle also said she hopes to a student liaison hired in December. The NRP Committee is starting discussions with the university about faculty or senior housing development – looking at three sections of the neighborhood (University and 35W; Central/University triangle; 15th Ave SE). In January notices for Rental Rehab program will go out to rental property owners. They also sent out requests for proposals to professional planners who might assist in the redevelopment of blighted areas.
14. Kathy Reilly gave a SE Library Task Force update. 200 surveys were sent out this month with letters signed by Brian Biele. Kathleen will be reporting monthly about the Task Force’s progress.
15. REMINDER – There will be no General Membership meeting in December. MHNA Board will meet on Dec 20 at 6 pm. We will meet again in January. Happy holidays.

Meeting adjourned at 9 pm Melissa Bean, MHNA Executive Director