Meeting will be November 5, 2007, 7:00 at the First Congregational Church.

The safety and livability committee will not be meeting this month.

Our next meeting will be November 5, 2007, 7:00 at the First Congregational Church.

Dear Neighbor:

Here is a list of agencies to call to request the removal of graffiti from postal boxes, newspaper stands and so forth. I would appreciate it if you would select one person from your neighborhood, perhaps the chair of the environment committee, as the point person for contacting these agencies. I expect better results in reporting and removing graffiti if one person calls from each neighborhood rather than several.

I appreciate your help with this effort. If you have any questions, please contact my office at 673-2202 or paul.zerby@ci.minneapolis.mn.us.

Cordially,
Paul Zerby

Council Member-2nd Ward

REMOVAL CONTACTS

Keeping Marcy-Holmes looking good is the shared responsibility of all residents. This webpage details specific responsibilities that the Livability Committee of the Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association have identified as priorities.

Snow/Ice

Ordinance # 445.20

Commercial Properties

Public sidewalks in front of buildings or lots in commerical areas must be cleared within 4 daytime (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) hours after the end of snowfall. This includes apartment buildings with more than two units.

Residential Properties

Public sidewalk in front of single family homes and duplexes must be cleared within 24 hours after end of snowfall.

Cleared sidewalks

is defined as removal of snow and ice to sidewalk surface to the width of sidewalk. If snow and/or ice cannot be immediately removed from sidewalk, sand needs to be scattered on sidewalk.

It is against the law to throw or dump snow on city streets.

Questions of complaints call 673-2420. Jim Glenn is the sidewalk inspector for Marcy-Holmes.

Garbage Collection

Minneapolis Maintenance Code 244.700/244.710All rubbish or debris must be in city container carts or recycling bins. Carts should be put out by 7 a.m. and removed by 7 a.m. the following day. Carts not removed will be tagged/towed. If cart(s) are not sufficient for one week’s waste, additional carts need to be requested by homeowner or landlord. If your trash carts need repair, contact recycling at 673-2917.

Call Solid Waste 673-2433 Recycling 673-2917.

Off Street Parking

Minneapolis Zoning Ordinance 526.50/538.80, Housing Code 244.1570 No parking is allowed on grass or on other unpaved surfaces.

No vehicle may extend onto sidewalk blocking pedestrian traffic.

Questions: Call 673-5873 or 673-5858.

What follows are steps that have been used successfully in the past to shut down noisy parties. In many cases, simply reporting the party will solve the problem, but if a location continues to be problematic, futher steps may be needed.

1. Report the party to 911. Remain calm. Use the phrase “I would like to report a noisy party”, give the addresss, and wait for the 911 operator to ask you for further information.
2. You will be asked for your name. You are not required to give your name, but if you do so, your name will be on the 911 report, which is a public document.
3. You may be asked if you would like the officers to drop by after they’ve broken up the party. This is a chance for you to talk to the police and give them more details about a repeat offender, but you may prefer to just try and get back to sleep.
4. On the next weekday morning, call the MHNA office at 379-3814 and let them know that you’ve reported a noisy party, including the same details that you gave to 911 and whether or not you had the officers stop by afterwards.
5. If the party is at a rental property, and you would like to contact the property owner directly, you can find out who owns the property, you can find that information on the Hennepin County Property Information website. The phone number may be an answering service, and the address may not be current, but it’s a good starting point.

This is a set of resources to help deal with noisy parties, one of the top issues identified as a problem by the Livability Committee.

Minneapolis codes 389.30 and 389.65:
Public Nuisance/Noisy or Unruly Assembly:
http://www1.umn.edu/housing/offcampus/noise.htm

In short, how it’s supposed to work is that when a noisy party is reported, the tenants are fined, and the landlord is notified. After the third citation, the landlord’s rental license can be administratively reviewed. Practical experience suggests that it takes many more than three reports for this to happen currently, but one of the things we’re working on is getting better enforcement of the existing laws.

Also, as a result of the Livability Committee meeting on Monday October 29, 2001, the University of Minnesota is looking into whether they can help with contacting any students involved. More information will be available as we get it. Robert Jones is the new Vice-President in charge of Campus Life, and issues such as this are his department. Also, there may be some assistance available from Dr. Ed Ehlinger, at the Boynton Health Service’s Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs.

Hope you are enjoying these glorious days! The bump-out gardens continue to give us color, with annuals and fall blooming perennials leading the way.

* New peony divisions have been planted in the garden on 8th Avenue and on the NW corner of 4th Avenue. You will notice stalks without leaves; at this time in the season, all the growing needs to be done underground, so we cut off the leaves to help out root growth. Please keep them watered until the ground is frozen (mid November). The watering should continue in all the gardens if we don’t get rain a couple of times a week. The lack of fall watering contributes to loss of plants if we have a cold winter without enough snow cover.

* If your mums are looking ratty, pinch off the top, dead blossoms; there are buds below, and we probably have enough time for a second bloom.

* Wait until a killing frost occurs to do any real cleanup. At that time, remove annuals (if you have questions about which plants are annuals, give me a call). Perennials generally can be left alone. Exceptions would be peonies, which are hosts to a myriad of diseases and benefit from annual cleanup, and any other foliage that looks diseased. In those cases, use scissors or pruners and trim foliage back to three or four inches off the ground. Dispose of the residue; do not compost. It is a good idea to do a cleanup of the area around the plants‹do a final weeding and dispose of plant litter.

* Do you cover the gardens going into winter? Good question! These are tough plants, but even tough plants have a hard time in the above mentioned open winter, when there is cold and no snow cover. So if you have leaves or straw, wait until mid November when the ground is frozen and put down several inches of cover. This keeps the ground temperature consistent, so there is no thaw and freeze cycle that kills the plant crowns.

* You probably have noticed the liatris (tall, skinny purple flowered plant), rudbeckia , and coneflowers have lots of seeds on the flower stalks now. If the foliage is healthy looking, leave the seed stalks. The winter birds (especially goldfinches) love them.

* One last thing. When you are cleaning up your own gardens this fall, make a note of what plants need to be divided next spring and let Melissa know.

It’s fun to share plants with neighbors!

Thanks for making our neighborhood bloom.

Cindy (612-331-5434)

Thank you to all our bump-out garden adopters:

Steve Hall, Robin Nelson, Tom Lincoln, Mary Korsmo, Martin & Jo Rockwell, Sandy Dekker, Melissa Bean, Paula Buchta, Tessa & Paul Barsic, Jeff Somrock, Doug Carlson, Sallly french, M

AND thanks to all who took a week to keep the Community Garden looking great:

Melissa Bean, Arvonne Fraser, Harriet Johnson, Marni Loven-Bell, Jo & Martin Rockwell, Sonny Schneiderhan, Mary Kay O’Hearn, Bob Distad, Tessa Barsic, Jan Morse, Mary Korsmo, Marni Loven bell, Cindy Johnson, Diane Kepner, Ardes Johsnon.

Also thanks to the Matasovskys for providing water for the garden.

We just dug a new bump-out garden at 4th Ave SE and 5th Street SE.

We will be adding edging and daffodil bulbs in the next week or so.

If anyone has extra plants to offer, call the MHNA office 623-7633 or email us:
office@marcy-holmes.org

This is information we received about how St. Paul is planning to deal with noisy parties and underage drinking. There is also a Star Tribune article regarding how UMD is dealing with loud parties.

Court system initiates tougher policies for party-house violations

Court appearances now mandatory; offenders will have to follow six conditions for a year, including no drinking.

The chief judge of Ramsey County District Court Tuesday approved new procedures for handling neighborhood “party-house” offenses that will significantly change the way Ramsey County judges handle the cases.

The policy approved by Judge Lawrence Cohen means that the days when party-house offenders could simply pay a fine at the Traffic Violations Bureau, like paying a traffic ticket, are over.

The new procedures were explained by Thomas Weyandt, an assistant city attorney and the prosecuting attorney assigned to Community Court.

The procedures cover a range of violations that might fall under the description of party-house offenses. These include underage consumption, violations of the noise ordinance, maintaining a public nuisance, or operating or visiting a disorderly house.

Under the old procedures, what usually happened was that a police officer would issue a ticket that often resulted in a fine ranging from $25 to $50. A court appearance generally was not required.

Under the new procedures, Weyandt said, a court appearance will be required of anyone who receives a party-house-related citation. Weyandt described what will happen in court to most first-time offenders.

Instead of paying a fine and having a criminal record, the case will be dismissed in one year if the following six conditions are met. The person receiving the citation must:

* abstain from any mood-altering chemical, including alcohol, for 12 months, and be subject to random testing;
* undergo a chemical-dependency evaluation;
* perform 24 hours of community service, which could include things like mopping floors of homeless shelters;
* commit no other offenses for a year;
* not hold any parties or gatherings at their residence for a year;
* and pay court costs ranging from $50 to $80.

If someone receiving a party-house citation decides to enter a not-guilty plea, Weyandt said, then they take the chance of being found guilty, receiving fines and/or jail time, and having a permanent record.

In cases of a second offense, the list of conditions are similar; however, the amount of community service will increase to 40 hours, parents of the offender will be required to also appear in court, and the case likely will result in a permanent criminal record.

Weyandt said 44 party-house cases are now pending in Community Court, with appearances for 22 of them on Tuesday, March 20. The tougher new procedures will be used at those arraignments.

The procedures approved by Cohen earlier this week are called a “bench policy.” Individual judges have some discretion in following such a policy, but in general it becomes a standard procedure that is followed most of the time.

Please attend The MPRB Grand Rounds Open House in our area

September 18 at NE Rec Center, 1615 Pierce St NE, 6:30 - 8 P.M.
October 18 at Windom Rec Center, Pillsbury School, 2251 Hayes NE

Information can be found on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Web-site by clicking on Grand Rounds Missing link. This is especially important due to the bridge re-design and getting opinions in now could really make the difference. (www.minneapolisparks.org)

Please attend The MPRB Grand Rounds Open House in our area

September 18 at NE Rec Center, 1615 Pierce St NE, 6:30 - 8 P.M.
October 18 at Windom Rec Center, Pillsbury School, 2251 Hayes NE

Information can be found on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Web-site by clicking on Grand Rounds Missing link. This is especially important due to the bridge re-design and getting opinions in now could really make the difference. (www.minneapolisparks.org)

Fall lineup at the Soap Factory/ Special Events:

SAVE THE DATE: The $99 Sale! Sept.14, 7-10
Sept.15, 9-noon

September 14-15 is the second annual $99 Sale at The Soap Factory
‹ 200+ original artworks, all the same size, all for one price, with no artists names revealed until you purchase. Here are details and some sample works:
www.soap99.com

Artists and artist-celebrities from around the world have donated their works, and all proceeds go to The Soap Factory and its mission of supporting
emerging artists.

Pre-purchase your tickets for $35 (at the web site, or by contacting your neighbors John Capecci or Sarah Schultz — jcapecci@earthlink.net sarah.schultz@walkerart.org) and be among the first through the door on September 14 for the pre-sale and party.

All remaining works will be sold on September 15, and admission is free that day. Hope to see you there!

Haunted House at the Soap Factory

Plumb the depths of your fears with a tour through one of Minneapolis’ oldest and spookiest basements

October 20 - 31, 2007 Weekdays 7-11pm Weekends 8-12pm $10 at the door

The Soap Factory is located at:
518 2nd Street SE (loading dock)
612. 623.9176
www.soapfactory.org

Gallery hours Thurs\ Friday 2- 8pm
Saturday and Sunday 12-5pm

Fall lineup at the Soap Factory/ Special Events:

SAVE THE DATE: The $99 Sale! Sept.14, 7-10
Sept.15, 9-noon

September 14-15 is the second annual $99 Sale at The Soap Factory
‹ 200+ original artworks, all the same size, all for one price, with no artists names revealed until you purchase. Here are details and some sample works:
www.soap99.com

Artists and artist-celebrities from around the world have donated their works, and all proceeds go to The Soap Factory and its mission of supporting
emerging artists.

Pre-purchase your tickets for $35 (at the web site, or by contacting your neighbors John Capecci or Sarah Schultz — jcapecci@earthlink.net sarah.schultz@walkerart.org) and be among the first through the door on September 14 for the pre-sale and party.

All remaining works will be sold on September 15, and admission is free that day. Hope to see you there!

Haunted House at the Soap Factory

Plumb the depths of your fears with a tour through one of Minneapolis’ oldest and spookiest basements

October 20 - 31, 2007 Weekdays 7-11pm Weekends 8-12pm $10 at the door

The Soap Factory is located at:
518 2nd Street SE (loading dock)
612. 623.9176
www.soapfactory.org

Gallery hours Thurs\ Friday 2- 8pm
Saturday and Sunday 12-5pm

Sat Sept 15 Events around Marcy-Holmes

COMO Cookout at Van Cleve Park, 4 ­ 7 pm
DINKYFEST, 14th Ave SE, Dinkytown 11 am ­ 7 pm

OKTOBERFEST ON THE MINNEAPOLIS RIVERFRONT
Friday, September 14, 4 ­ 9 pm; Saturday, September 15, 12 noon ­ 9 pm
Main Street SE adjacent to St. Anthony Main

Enjoy Munich in Minneapolis complete with traditional music from Tubby Esquire, The Squires Band, Bill Koncar, Twin Cities German Männerchor and Alpensterne, plenty of polka dancing, food and beer. The historic and quaint
backdrop of St. Anthony Main and the natural beauty of the Mississippi River bank make for the idyllic Oktoberfest setting. Admission and music will be FREE for all ages. IDs will be required to obtain a wristband for purchasing beer and wine. Patrons will enjoy authentic German food from Kramarczuk East European Deli and an array of great imported beers in the event’s Black Forest Inn Biergarten. In addition to the traditional food, beverage and atmosphere, patrons attending Oktoberfest on the Riverfront will enjoy games such as the beer barrel roll and the Hammerschlagen (nail driving). Most of the events are held under tents and under the Central Avenue Bridge, protected from the weather, so the event will be held rain or shine.

Additional event details can be found at www.minneapolisoktoberfest.com
or http://www.stanthonymain.com.

Neighbors Unite for Light. October 13, 1100 ­ 1200 blocks of 5th St SE.

A block party for new residents, all are invited, volunteers needed.

The National Park Service will be hosting an upcoming workshop focusing on the visual quality of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (using an analysis process applicable to any area).

This workshop will be held on September 24 - 26, 2007, and was made possible through the generous support of Embrace Open Space. We are encouraging participation from a broad spectrum of agency staff and the general public so feel free to pass this announcement along, as appropriate.

The Visual Quality Workshop is free but registration is limited to a maximum of 60 participants. Registration material and information is available at: www.nps.gov/miss

Susan Overson, Landscape Architect/Park Planner
National Park Service - Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA)

The City of Minneapolis is hosting eight public meetings to discuss the City’s draft Ten-Year Transportation Plan and its Streetcar Feasibility Study. The public will have an opportunity to provide feedback on plan recommendations and to discuss key transportation issues facing Minneapolis.
Closest to us are:

October 10 6:30-8:30pm Communication Workers of America 3521 E Lake St

October 11 5:30-7:30pm Northeast Library 2200 Central Ave. NE

October 17 6:30-8:30pm Lake Nokomis Rec Center 2401 E Minnehaha Pkwy

October 24 6:30-8:30pm Van Cleve Rec Center 901 15th Ave. SE

The purpose of Access Minneapolis, the city’s Ten-Year Transportation Action Plan, is to identify steps that the City and its partner agencies (Metro Transit, Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County, Minnesota Department of
Transportation) need to take within the next ten years to improve the city’s current transportation system and ready it for continued growth. While the Access Minneapolis plan is based on a long-term (2030) view of transportation needs, it focuses on actions that should be undertaken throughout the city over the next ten years, recognizing that this timeframe is subject to the availability of funds.

The Streetcar Feasibility Study recommends a long-range streetcar system and identifies initial operating segments that might be good short starter segments. The Study evaluated fourteen Primary Transit Network corridors to
determine if the operation of streetcar in some of those corridors would be physically, operationally and financially feasible. The study addressed capital and operating costs, impacts on transit service, development opportunities, physical constraints, ownership and operation alternatives,
maintenance and storage facility locations and funding alternatives.

Upon request, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities or who are in need of a translator at the upcoming meetings. Please submit accommodation requests or requests for additional
information to Charleen Zimmer, Project Manager, at 612-673-3166 or Charleen.Zimmer@ci.minneapolis.mn.us at least a week before the meeting.

For more information, visit:
www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/public-works/trans-plan.
Minneapolis Department of Public Works 612.673.2335
www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/bicycles

The City of Minneapolis is hosting eight public meetings to discuss the City’s draft Ten-Year Transportation Plan and its Streetcar Feasibility Study. The public will have an opportunity to provide feedback on plan recommendations and to discuss key transportation issues facing Minneapolis.
Closest to us are:

October 10 6:30-8:30pm Communication Workers of America 3521 E Lake St

October 11 5:30-7:30pm Northeast Library 2200 Central Ave. NE

October 17 6:30-8:30pm Lake Nokomis Rec Center 2401 E Minnehaha Pkwy

October 24 6:30-8:30pm Van Cleve Rec Center 901 15th Ave. SE

The purpose of Access Minneapolis, the city’s Ten-Year Transportation Action Plan, is to identify steps that the City and its partner agencies (Metro Transit, Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County, Minnesota Department of
Transportation) need to take within the next ten years to improve the city’s current transportation system and ready it for continued growth. While the Access Minneapolis plan is based on a long-term (2030) view of transportation needs, it focuses on actions that should be undertaken throughout the city over the next ten years, recognizing that this timeframe is subject to the availability of funds.

The Streetcar Feasibility Study recommends a long-range streetcar system and identifies initial operating segments that might be good short starter segments. The Study evaluated fourteen Primary Transit Network corridors to
determine if the operation of streetcar in some of those corridors would be physically, operationally and financially feasible. The study addressed capital and operating costs, impacts on transit service, development opportunities, physical constraints, ownership and operation alternatives,
maintenance and storage facility locations and funding alternatives.

Upon request, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities or who are in need of a translator at the upcoming meetings. Please submit accommodation requests or requests for additional
information to Charleen Zimmer, Project Manager, at 612-673-3166 or Charleen.Zimmer@ci.minneapolis.mn.us at least a week before the meeting.

For more information, visit:
www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/public-works/trans-plan.
Minneapolis Department of Public Works 612.673.2335
www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/bicycles