Archives by date

Minutes of the MHNA General Membership Meeting
January 17, 2006
University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Minneapolis

1. Meeting called to order at 7:35 pm by President Brain Biele. The agenda was approved with changes: Jim Long canceled so in his place we will hear from Emily Serafy Cox, MSA president, and Jeff Miller of HKG.
2. The minutes of the November meeting were approved.
3. Board actions from tonight’s meeting:
   • The Executive Committee and the Board passed a draft 2006 operating budget.
   • NRP – The board approved the NRP Implementation Committee’s recommendation to adopt the guidelines for the spring 2006 matching grant program for Dinkytown Storefronts. Total funding available is $5000.
   • In December the board approved hiring Matt Hill as our new student liaison. He was introduced and looks forward to working with us.
   • Safety & Livability – This committee meets monthly on the second Monday 7pm at First Congregational Church. In January they heard two restorative justice apologies and created a list of community service opportunities that can regularly occur here. They reviewed crime stats and did some comparisons – most categories increased – and are working on ways to reduce crime here. An awareness campaign (how not to become a victim), additional police presence, personal safety workshops and free home security checks will be part of the effort.
   • Land Use – The committee and the board voted to support Treehorn Devlopment’s Archives condo project at 7th & Central. This includes rehabbing two brick warehouses (700 and 708 Central) and one new construction building behind at 7th St. side. Variances requested were approved by our Land Use Committee and Board: increase density from 88 allowed to 97; add one story on 700 building; new construction to five stories. There is ample parking for tenants, guests and first floor retail. It is hoped that this project will be the beginning of many improvements in this corner of the neighborhood.
   • The board voted to send a letter to Schafer Richardson and to CM Hofstede reiterating our support for the A-Mill project, despite its recent setback at HPC.
   • Student Affairs – This committee is re-forming and developing a mission statement, regularly meeting days and times. We have openings for students on our board – contact Melissa Bean 623-7633 if interested.
4. Emily Serafy Cox, MSA, informed the group about an upcoming Rental Housing Summit. Invitations were passed out and we were requested to sign on as co-sponsors. Property owners, Inspections dept, University Student Legal Services, student and neighborhood groups will be participating. A motion to endorse the event and add MHNA as a co-sponsor (M Bean) passed.
5. CM Diane Hofstede addressed the crowd and summarized her first three weeks on the job. A Third Ward Summit is being planned for Sat March 4, 9am – noon, at East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 Second St NE. People were asked to name the top five problem properties and the top five problems in the neighborhood and in the city. CM Hofstede feels the new third ward is a microcosm of the city and ready to explode in opportunities. She reminded people to use the new 311 for city services. New third ward maps and summit sign up sheets were passed out. Greg Simbeck is her aide and Lorna Hanson her associate. CM Hofstede sits on several committees of the city council – Intergovernmental Relations, Public Safety & Regulatory, Helath & Environment. Ways & Means (co-chair). Some things on her calendar – A-Mill project and continuing to work on passage of Paul Zerby’s Noise Ordinance changes.A question was asked about Citizen Participation funding, which MHNA relies on for about 1/2 of our operating expenses. This year our neighborhood has been re-classified, along with 10 others, due to improvements in housing stock. This change would greatly reduce our city funding – from $12,000 to $2,000. CM Hofstede asked us to write a letter about our concerns and said that she believes citizen participation is central to the success of the city. Another question concerned the lack of family housing in the neighborhood, dilapidated rental housing and the need for new inspectors. President Biele asked about the proposed changes in the R2B zoning that would allow duplexes on smaller lots. This is being forwarded as a way to increase city density, but it only does so in areas that are already dense. CM Hofstede agreed that this should be done city wide as opposed to just in already dense areas. She is talking to other council members about best ways to hold monthly constituent meetings.When asked how she would handle her various neighborhoods with such disparate problems, CM Hofstede said all of her constituents share the same goals – safe homes and streets, places for kids, entertainment, livability, good schools, parks and police. The Mississippi River touches all of her neighborhoods. She added that other neighborhoods in her ward are looking to us for advice on how to make improvements. Our ideas and suggestions are welcome.
6. Jeff Miller, of HKGI, talked about his company’s supplement to the Marcy-Holmes Master Plan. Three areas of the neighborhood have been identified for further study: 15th/14th Ave SE north of Dinkytown; Univ Ave and 35W; the triangle at Central and East Hennepin. Two developer roundtable meetings are being held with our Land Use committee. Other sites in the neighborhood may be nominated for further redevelopment study. Those present were invited to show potential sites on a map. On Feb 21 there will be a public open house where sketches for concept plans for the areas will be shown. This project presents a unique opportunity to tell developers what we would like to have instead of responding to developers’ proposals.
7. SE Library Task Force – Ardes Johnson reported that the committee sent out 300 random surveys asking about awareness, frequency of use, etc. Walter and Harriet Johnson, Mary Kay O’Hearn and Arvonne Fraser were thanked for their help on this. From the 300 sent, 252 were active addresses and of that 134 responses were received. The final data is not in yet but it looks like more than half came from students. Many were not aware of the SE library. The survey is a preliminary step in improving our library. The next Task Force meeting is Fri Feb 3 at 3 pm, SE Library 13th Ave & 4th St SE. Neighborhood resident Steve Smela is working on compiling the data – thanks.
8. SEMCOL (SE Mpls Council on Learning) is having a book drive. Books will be given to children of SE Mpls. The bookmobile no longer comes here so this is much needed for children unable to get to the library. Three Restorative Justice students have helped with this project. Also noted – three others have helped pick up trash in the Dinkytown area – 13 bags this week.
9. President Biele spoke about the last Second Friday meeting. This is a monthly discussion group of representatives of neighborhood groups, U of MN, police and city officials. Crime was the topic in January and Greg Hestness, police chief at the U, answered some questions about the increases in crime we have seen lately. There are fewer police officers. But more important is the value of items people carry on them everyday – the laptop, the ipod, the cellphone. These weren’t around ten years ago. The average person carries around $2200 worth of items in plain sight and may not be paying attention to their surroundings if their earphones are in. Thieves return to areas where they are successful and unfortunately a majority of victims are students. Most of the crimes occur late at night. Please pass along suggestions so residents are not crime victims: Walk in groups, in well lit areas, don’t be intoxicated and take steps to make your valuables less obvious – carry a different bag for your computer, take out the earplugs, etc.

Meeting adjourned for Silent Auction 9 pm. Melissa Bean, Executive Director