Archives by date

MINUTES of the MHNA General Membership Meeting
March 17, 2009
University Lutheran Church of Hope
601 13th Ave SE
Minneapolis

1. Meeting called to order at 7:45 pm by Vice President Bob Distad.
2. A motion (J Radzwill) to approve the agenda as sent out was approved.
3. A motion (B Sherman) to approve the last general membership meeting minutes, Jan09, was approved.
4. Board actions from earlier tonight were announced: The board chose several dates for Neighborhood Clean Sweeps. We will send in application and get a date confirmation in about 2 weeks. We are still looking for an event coordinator and have some funding for that position.

The board will support an application to the Stadium Good Neighbor Fund for the balance of funding needed to refurbish three historic Dinkytown murals if the Dinkytown Business Assn will sign and submit the form.

A bill is being introduced in the legislature (HF1536) to authorize the U of MN to enact ordinances, provide criminal penalties and propose code for new law. The MHNA Board passed a motion (G Kepner) to adamantly oppose this legislation to give the U of MN authority to write ordinances covering usage- specifically alcohol consumption- at sites they own, or lease that are off-campus property.

The board passed a motion to request that any visions and plans developed by the University District Alliance be considered as sources for refining and amending the University of Minnesota Master Plan, just as are Campus District Plans.

Executive Committee approved three requests for Dinkytown businesses to be open extended hours until 3 am: Mesa Pizza, Uncle Franky’s and Qdoba.
A fourth request, heard tonight by the board, from Tony’s Diner was also approved.

A motion to support the MHNA Master Plan and deny the developer’s request for rezoning to C3A at 600 Main St SE was passed. A 6-story apartment building was proposed for this triangle south of Main Street, across from the Stone Arch Bridge. This action occurred after consultation with the general membership assembled here tonight.

5. A draft Marcy-Holmes Transportation Policy was sent it to members for comment and approval. The policy was discussed tonight. Cordelia Pierson thanked the board for their work, adding that it will help others understand our priorities re: future funding and public investment here. It was suggested we should add Transit for Livable Communities to the “Implementation” section and convene a meeting with them. Bob Distad brought up the health benefits this policy will promote. The board will take the policy to a vote in April
6. Council Member Diane Hofstede spoke to the group. She introduced a “sofa” ordinance that would make it illegal to have indoor upholstered furniture on porches. MHNA did not take a position on this. Some changes to the City’s Heritage Preservation oversight of demolition permits are proposed, as are changes to the zoning changes and density. Changes to the city’s charter are also coming before the public : to eliminate the board of taxation, eliminate the city coordinator in favor of a city manager and eliminate the separate park board. Climate Change grants are available from the city, applications due April 20. www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us.
7. Kathleen Reilly spoke about new programming at the SE Library. Circulation is up, we are encouraged to use this newly spruced up facility.
8. Liz Wilenski, running for Park Board seat, was present and recognized by the chair.
Meeting adjourned at 9 pm. Melissa Bean, MHNA ED

Board Actions since last MHNA General Membership meeting:
April 2009 – Board decided to cancel Neighborhood Clean Sweep event.
State Historic Preservation Tax Credits. – Board voted to support this file at MN House and Senate and to contact our state officials.
Board voted to support Safety & Livability’s Good Neighbor Fund application for additional police time and Housing Inspections during game days at the new TCF Stadium.
The Executive Committee voted to send a letter to Licensing indicating concerns about the occupancy limit increase request for the Varsity Theater ( to 800 persons) and to get again on record the assurance that MHNA’s agreement for marquee use at the Varsity 6 times per year is being honored by the owner.
May 2009 – Board voted to select Melissa Bean as our elector with Gordon Kepner as alternate elector to the Neighborhood Community Engagement Council elections. The NCEC is the replacement for NRP Policy Board.
Board voted to approve the MHNA Transportation Priorities document, previously discussed at both board and general membership meetings.
Board decided to send a letter indicating MHNA wishes to follow its master plan for 600 Main Street. A second development proposal for an apartment building south of Main Street was received after the first plan was denied at the City.
Executive Committee voted to support a request for a variance to allow Varsity Bike Shop to display bikes outside of their shop in Dinkytown.
Executive Committee voted to support an official complaint to the Met Council from St Paul’s historic Rondo neighborhood. The complaint asks for further study of adverse economic and cultural effects the line could have on the area’s minority populations.