Archives by date

MINUTES of the MHNA General Membership Meeting
Sept 18, 2007
University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Minneapolis

1. Meeting called to order at 7:35 pm by Arvonne Fraser, president.

2. The agenda was approved.

3. CM Diane Hofstede spoke to the group. She thanked everyone for their
participation and passed out a sign up for her email list. She stressed how
important it is to attend the Thursday evening hearing on the 35 W bridge.
Fall CARE committee meetings schedule was also circulated – next one is Wed
at East Side Neighborhood Services. The Third Ward Summit is Oct 13, 8 am ­
1 pm at CityView School, 3350 North 4th Street. New topics this year -
foreclosures, wi-fi technology and the arts. Jon Chiglo, MNDOT project
manager, will also be in attendance. This year¹s summit will be held on the
north side of the city. Hawthorne and McKinley neighborhoods are in the
Third Ward All were urged to attend and support these neighborhoods.

Another bridge in the area is slated for work- the Main St NE bridge that
goes over the tracks at First Ave NE. The city has suggested some changes to
help traffic move along on East Hennepin and Central . These were not
acceptable to the board earlier this evening. Kelly Phillips, resident near
Second Ave and 6th St, asked about flooding that occurs regularly there.
Others mentioned areas that flood- 6th Ave at 7th and 6th Streets- CM
Hofstede will look into it. A question was raised about a building
demolished today at 8-001 14th Ave SE. She will check on that as well as a vacant boarded one at 8th St SE & East Hennepin.

4. The members were asked their opinions about fewer general membership
meetings. Instead, members would be free to observe open board meetings.
General membership meetings would be held as needed in addition to the
regular June and October meetings. It was suggested we hold more meetings in
the fall so students could attend. It was also suggested we hold meetings
quarterly. The board will take up in October.

5. Kathleen Reilly gave an update on the SE Library. The bonds that were
taken out to renovate the SE library had to be used and since our place in
the line to be renovated is behind some others now, the money originally
slated for us is going to NE Library. Our bonds will be
re-issued in 2008. Our library is opening in January 2008. They are taking
applications now for staff. Some kind of celebration will be held when it
reopens – at this point for 3 days a week. People wishing to help plan
renovations can join a committee – contact the MHNA office.

6. Board actions from earlier tonight:
* Board member Leonard Paredes proposed a change to the by-laws:
“Pursuant to amended and restated Association By-laws (Article XII,
Amendments)

He is proposing an amendment to Article IV, Section 1 (Membership) related
to members eligible to be elected as a director to the association. This
would, for a vacant director position, eliminate the one-year
residency/association requirement. The proposal was sent to the Executive
Committee for review.
___________________________________________________________________________
* Land Use Committee sent out minutes including MNDOT presentation at the
Sept meeting. A letter was sent to officials, after several meetings with
MNDOT project manager, summarizing MHNA’s position on the new 35W bridge.
Hard copies were available at the meeting and it will also be posted to the
website. Bullet points:

* Take the opportunity not only to rebuild, but also to re-envision what
this bridge can mean o the health of neighborhoods on both sides of the
river.
* Consult existing plans and visions for the region
* Consider the importance of design to the city and its people.
* Heal the Marcy-Holmes grid

A list of Bridge Impact Points for Marcy-Holmes:

* Advance the riverfront connections
*Build a signature St. Anthony Falls bridge
* Survive the reconstruction

The letter also included MHNA¹s support for the Visual Quality
Recommendations.

Archives project. Plans have changed and they are appearing before the HPC
on September 11 to request approval to demolish the warehouse building on
the corner of 7th Street SE and Central Ave NE. They updated us on their
proposal and the following action was taken:

Action: While the committee supports the development in concept, as a
matter of principle the neighborhood favors old buildings and considers
demolition a last resort. Attachment 2 was sent to the executive committee
for action and to forward on to the HPC.

The Chair subsequently received notice from the developers that they had
decided they would request an extension from the HPC and would ³go back to
the drawing board² in an effort to save the warehouse building from
demolition. The chair asked that Attachment 2 not be forwarded to the HPC
and developers will appear before the Land Use committee in October.

Tenth and University Avenues SE (Varsity Crossings). As follow-up from the
August meeting, the chair had promised to send a letter opposing the
administrative review process for this property.

Action: A draft of a letter of opposition to this process and to this
project as presented was distributed. The committee approved the letter and
now forwards it to the MHNA board for action.

Developer is proposing a strip mall planned for 11 commercial spaces with
56 parking spaces. Two of the units are proposed as 30-seat coffee houses /
restaurants. Although this development as proposed attempts an urban design by bringing the two buildings up to the sidewalks, the committee
feels it is really an attempt to mask a suburban-type strip mall. The two
buildings also attempt (not very successfully) to mask a large surface
parking lot.

Among others, our primary concerns are:

* This property is important as a gateway to the University of Minnesota ­ a
development of this sort does not make a grand statement as people enter the
area near the University. The University deserves a grander entryway as
people exit 35W to go toward the U of M.
* This development underutilizes the property ­ it would be much better
suited to graduate student or University staff housing (with on site
management).
* Traffic is anticipated to be a huge problem ­ the only entry will be on
the Tenth Avenue SE side of the development. Many vehicles exiting the
development will be making left turns onto Tenth Avenue (with the semaphore
on Tenth and University) creating traffic flow problems. No curb cut is
feasible on the University Avenue side of the property because of the exit
from 35W, which is adjacent to the property.
s There is a concern that the developer may have difficulty keeping the
commercial space leased. We are also concerned that small spaces might
become fronts for illegal activity as they have in other areas of the city.
Marcy-Holmes does not need an invitation to more crime.

We realize this is a small development and, under planning regulations, it
requires only administrative review. We oppose administrative review for a
property of this size and location. A motion to approve sending the letter (
B Distad) was passed.

Flour Sack Flats 2 condominium project, 520 Second Street SE The
developer’s appeal to HPC denial of a setback variance was approved by the
Zoning & Planning committee. It was a new proposal and includes a 14 foot
set back in the rear, and 12 stories in height. Approval in 2006 was for
approval of a 15 foot set back. The project has met all of the issues
recommended by HPC except the set back. The height issue is the result of
the previously approvals of the A Mill and the height. The current height
falls within the approved height for the A Mill project, and the president
set by that approval. MHNA did not support the variance. Instead we wished
to maintain a view corridor that would line up all the buildings¹ river
acing sides.

The item goes before the city council and then to the Planning Commission.
The date before the planning commission has not yet been determined.
____________________________________________________________________________
* NRP Committee report ­ The board was asked to vote on guidelines for a new
Rehab Loan program. $22,000 is available to owner occupants in $2000 loans
at 4% interest with repayment term of 60 months. This is not a forgivable
loan. When the money is repaid, it will go to the neighborhood association.
Many neighborhoods have similar programs. Elissa will send notices out and
loans will be available in early 2008.
Loan awards process:
Applications will be graded on point system using the following criteria -
2 points – First time NRP residential funds recipient
1 point – Historic preservation consulting grant recipients
2 points – Rehab will maintain architectural integrity of property
1 to 2 points – City assessor property condition code rating of average (1
point) to low (2 points) In case of point ties, those applications will be
selected by lottery

Applicants’ homes would receive external inspection for code violations by
CEE and violations would have to be resolved before loan funds used for
rehab.

The 2008 administration budget was discussed briefly. A request to add
funding for upgrading office technology was added. A committee of one board
member (Paul White) and one NRP Committee member (Ted Tucker or JJ Glover)
will put together a technology plan and bring report to board. Paul White
has an affordable tech person he recommends and he could donate his time.
The technology items would come from the admin budget. Historic Preservation
planning grants are still available to owners of historic properties here.
Contact Elissa at 623-7923.
____________________________________________________________________________
_
* Executive Committee ­The board approved the naming of Gene Girard and
Melissa Bean as SAAG reps (Stadium Area Advisory Group). Chris Wilson is
stepping down. The board also approved an Alliance rep, Arvonne Fraser, and
alternate, Melissa Bean. The Alliance is being formed with reps from the U
of MN, the city and neighborhoods around the U to help improve the
university district. Its formation was mandated by the legislature.

* Several board members attended a recent meeting to review traffic
management plans created in response to 35W bridge collapse. The city
recommended no parking on Central Ave from the river to East Hennepin
intersection. The pedestrian crossing at 5th St would be eliminated and a
diagonal crosswalk at 6th St would be striped. Traffic patrols would be
used at most intersections. Two new ramps to 35W were proposed for East
Hennepin in the Beltrami neighborhood. Board members opposed these concepts.
It is unfortunate that the city traffic engineers are only concerned with
moving cars faster and faster. There is a neighborhood here and safety is at
stake. Has the city considered the number of wheelchair users at 5th &
Central? Nearby businesses need parking. Why aren’t we more willing to
make more sacrifices for our suburban friends? summed up the tone. A
motion was made ( J RadzwillO and passed to join our neighbors in Beltrami,
SE Como and OSAA/NE Business Association by writing a letter opposing all
of the recommendations.
___________________________________________________________________________

MHNA Safety & Livability Committee gave a presentation on their efforts to
remove the T-Mobile antenna and superstructure at Andrew House apartments,
708 5th St SE, in the 5th St. SE Historic District. Peter Coyle and Chuck
Byson, representatives of T-Mobile, were present. The antenna was approved
by the city and installed 2 years ago. However, the Heritage Preservation
Commission never gave approval, as required because it is a historically
protected property. The structure visible today is an unfinished project.
T-Mobile is willing to remove the metal structure and move the electronics
inside the penthouse and move the antennas to two locations on the outside
of the building. The first is flush mounted to the face and extending no
higher than the parapet. The second location is mounted at a slight angle to
the wall. The antennas will be painted so they appear to blend into the
brick color. The number of antenna will be capped at six. The company needs
to work with existing tall buildings to provide cell phone service to
residential, business and vehicular users. Many people now depend on their
cell phones as their only phone line. The demand is growing ­ cellular
service is also required for Blackberry devices. T-Mobile is committed to
cooperating with the neighborhood and the city process. They are not
thrilled about having to dismantle the tower, but a financial accommodation
with the city is being made and they are ready to move ahead. Andrew House
apartments’ address of record, 414 7th Ave SE, may have contributed to the
lack of HPC attention. The front door is at 708 5th St SE and the S & L
committee would like to see future documents reflect the true address. The
committee would also like the building’s true owner to be listed on
documents. They also asked that the company can replace the roof materials
to match the originals. Some removed roof tiles were still on site. 120 days
from final city approval is the deadline for action of removal. Next step
is approval of the plan at HPC. The S & L Committee requests that the MHNA
Board approve the letter presented that outlines our position. Leonard
Paredes made a motion to accept, support and approve the letter to HPC. Both
Eric Nauman and Arvonne Fraser will sign the letter. Motion passed
unanimously.
___________________________________________________________________________
* Misc Actions Two years ago when the west side of Marcy-Holmes street
improvements were done, Public Works set aside some funding for 5th St SE
historic District signs to be fabricated and placed at the district
boundaries. Heritage Preservation office at the city designed a sign for
our district (along with the other city historic districts) and created a
map for installing them on existing sign poles. NRP approved approx $600 to
supplement the public works money so that a total of 13 signs could be made
and installed. HPC Staff designed and mailed design to us, which was
presented to the board for approval. HPC was then going to officially
approve the design and we would be free to move ahead with the project.

In the interim, staff has changed at HPC. The new staff person has little or
no familiarity with this project, despite repeated phone calls and emails
from MHNA. Meanwhile Public Works is urging us to invoice them for the
remaining road funds before that money disappears. We have been asked to
invoice them directly. Tonight MHNA board was asked whether to go ahead and
invoice the city for these funds, dedicated to the 5th St historic district
signs, in the absence of any commitment from new HPC staff whether the
project would be realized. The board consensus was to go ahead and invoice
the city.
____________________________________________________________________________
* Student liaison Sydne Westorff announced that an event called Neighbors
Unite for Light will be held Sat Oct 13th on 5th St SE between 11th and 12th
Ave SE from 3 ­ 6 PM. The Greek organizations are sponsoring the event and
asked MHNA to join the festivities. Sydne will have an info table there and
could use some assistance. Membership cards, posters and new Marcy-Holmes
bumper stickers will be available. Board members gave input regarding the
bumper sticker design Funding will come form the student liaison budget,
approx $275. Any profit from sales will go back to MHNA. A motion (Paul
White) was passed to handle the project through the student liaison.
____________________________________________________________________________
7. Leonard Paredes and members of the Safety & Livability Committee brought
in a cake to celebrate and thank Tom Lincoln for his service as chair of
that committee. Unfortunately, Tom was tied up in a business meeting
tonight, but the cake and coffee were enjoyed by all. New S & L Chair Eric
Nauman was introduced. The committee recently flyered cars to remind drivers
of ways to prevent theft from auto.

8. Misc – Jo Radzwill and the Land Use committee were thanked for their
work on the Flour Sack Flats proposal. While we didn’t get what we wanted,
it will be more in keeping with its historic surroundings thanks to their
work. The proposal will go to the full city council next and then to
planning commission where details may be tweaked

The “Welcome Students” info packets were distributed in the neighborhood by
the Grapevine volunteers and were well received. Member Paula Buchta
reminded all that these are part of a long-term initiative to reach out and
get to know neighbors.

A new bump out garden was installed at 4th Ave and 5th St SE. People wishing
to adopt one of the gardens next spring should cal the office 623-7633.
Check the MHNA website for more garden info www.marcy-holmes.org

9. Meeting adjourned (D Carlson motion) at 8:45 PM

Melissa Bean, E. D.