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MINUTES of the MHNA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP meeting Jan 15, 2008

University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN

1. Meeting called to order at 7:30 by Arvonne Fraser, president.

2. Those present discussed and approved a motion (T Tucker) to re-allocate NRP funds to create a $150,000 revolving loan program for housing improvements. Dave King, of Center for Energy & Environment, talked about his organization’s role in administering the program. In the past, MHNA has done matching grants and deferred loan programs. Once that money was spent, it was gone. So far in Marcy-Holmes, NRP residential improvement programs tallied $493,075 for rental properties and $592,674 for owner occupied properties. A revolving loan program means every dollar we lend out is interest bearing and returned. It is up to us to set the terms of the loan, interest rates, eligibility, etc. We can use money returned to fund our neighborhood organization. MHNA’s new revolving loan would be appealing because we can offer a lower interest rate, probably 4 – 5%, with more flexibility than traditional bank terms. Mr King suggested we concentrate our program for owner occupants as CEE already has existing programs geared to rental properties. Details will be worked out at the Feb 2008 MHNA board meeting. Contact the office to give input.623-7633

3. CM Diane Hofstede addressed the group. The stoplight at 6th & University is now operating. She thanked the neighborhood for efforts to get it here. The Andrew House/ T-Mobile antennae settlement passed at city council on Dec 21, 2007. We should see it moved shortly. CM Hofstede has also been working with bar owners and the U of MN on livability issues and ways to prevent over-consumption. The construction at 35W Bridge was discussed. People tonight did not have any noise complaints so far. MN DOT has scheduled a meeting at Univ. Lutheran Church of Hope Jan 22 to answer questions.

The University is exploring an alternative Light Rail route for the Central Corridor line, linking Mpls and St Paul along University Ave. The plan was to have the line cross at Washington Ave Bridge, but due to costs, a new crossing is needed. The line may go farther west and cross at Bridge #9, 10th Ave Bridge or possibly 35W. Those present were generally in favor of the line coming into our neighborhood, depending where the route and stops are located. There are many issues to be worked out – could the Dinkytown trench be used?

CM Hofstede reminded all to use our SE Library, now that it has reopened. She thanked all the volunteers who helped to make this possible.

1. Board actions taken earlier tonight:

MHNA General membership meetings will be moved to four times a year:
January, March, June and October. Board meetings will continue on a monthly basis. Board meetings are open to the public – all are welcome, 6 pm at University Lutheran Church of Hope.

The board approved the Land Use motion to support several variances requested by Pinnacle Services, 722-724 Central Ave. The renovation will require approximately $1.3 million to complete the project. The MHNA Land Use committee unanimously supports Pinnacle Services’ plan for developing the property at 722-724 Central Avenue for offices and parking. Specifically, the committee supports the following variances requested by the developer:

*Variance to reduce the number of required parking spaces to a total of 30 spaces·

*Variance to reduce the minimum width of the driving aisle required in the lower-level parking garage

The board passed an NRP Scope of Services ($50,000) contract to fund further implementation of our Master Plan. A committee is looking at improvements for 15th Ave SE area.

The board approved a 2008 budget and some streamlining measures to help office operations.

5. New Neighborhood Concierge Service Planned
MHNA board member Paul White announced that he is looking at starting a “concierge” business in the neighborhood. Called Marcy One Call, it would be like a buyers’ club where members could negotiate better rates and services for our area. If people are interested in knowing more, getting involved, contact Paul at : paul@projectresources.net or check out the website at http://marcyonecall.blogspot.com/ to hear about it and give your feedback.

6.Eric Nauman, chair of Safety & Livability Committee, invited people to attend the State of the Precinct meeting Feb 26 at Aveda, from 10 am – noon.

Meeting adjourned 8:40 pm Melissa Bean, Executive Director

REMINDER – Application forms for the Good Neighbor Fund are now available. The fund is a result of the TCF Gophers Stadium legislation. Funding is available for projects to address negative impacts of the stadium in our neighborhood. If you have an idea, pick up an application. Copies were available tonight and can also be downloaded at www.community.umn.edu/gnf . First round of applications is due April 1, 2008.

Board Action Feb 2008:

1. Secretary Bob Distad reported that two board members have resigned, Leonard Paredes and Norman Lynskey, and that one new board member has been found, Jordan Broston. Jordan is a student at the U who will fill the MSA seat on our board. He is a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, expecting to graduate in 2009, with lots of leadership experience. His appointment was approved by MSA president Emma Olson. The board approved a motion ( R Distad) to approve Jordan’s appointment to the MSA seat on the board.

2. The board approved several measures to streamline our office operations, including closing all but one bank account and authorizing application for a credit card.

3. Taking into account the recommendations and comments of the board and CEE comments and proposed guidelines, the board authorized the executive committee to prepare guidelines for the new revolving loan fund and report back to the board at the March meeting.

4.A joint MHNA/DBA application for the city’s Great Street Façade Improvement Program was supported providing it would not require financial contribution from MHNA and any time staff devotes to program will be reimbursed. (Proposal would refurbish the historic painted Dinkytown business signs still partially visible, like Simms Hardware, as a reminder of Dinkytown history.) MHNA would act as fiscal agent.

5.The MHNA board voted to approve the Land Use committee’s support for the addition of the loading dock to the RyKrisp facility.

6.Central Corridor Light Rail Action: The committee unanimously adopted the following: “If the Washington Avenue tunnel is not feasible, the Marcy-Holmes land use committee supports an alignment using the Dinkytown Trench and Bridge #9. We oppose any alternate route that uses Fourth Street SE and University Avenue SE through the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood.” Because of the short deadline on comments regarding the Central Corridor LRT, the motion was forwarded to the Executive Committee for action. The MHNA Executive Committee adopted the motion on February 11, 2008 and the statement was entered into the public record as the position of the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood.