Halloween – keep it safe and fun!

Everyone wants to have a happy and safe Halloween. Using safety tips and common sense can help you make the most of your Halloween season and make it as enjoyable for your kids and neighbors as it is for you. Keep these tips in mind as you get ready for Halloween:

* Have kids draw, not cut the jack-o-lantern. Let small kids help with the pumpkin carving by drawing or painting the face instead of letting them use a knife. It’s best to let kids clean out the pumpkin and draw a face on it, which an adult can carve for them.

* Select a safe costume. Help children pick out or make a costume that will be safe by avoiding masks that obscure vision or breathing, props that might cause injury, and clothes that are hard to see at night or that drag on the ground.

* Stay with the group, plan the route. Make sure kids go trick-or-treating with other kids or parents. Parents should know the route kids will take if not going with them. Make sure kids know to stay in populated places, not to cut through alleys and to cross streets only at corners.

* Lights at night. If you’re giving treats, turn on your porch lights. Trick-or-treaters should go only to well-lighted houses, stay at the door and never go into the home of someone you don’t know. Carry a flashlight with fresh batteries, so you can see where you are going and so that drivers see you.
* Make your home safe for trick-or-treaters. Remove anything that a child could trip over from your porch and front yard. Garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations could be potentially hazardous. Check outdoor lights, replace burned-out bulbs. Sweep wet leaves from sidewalks and steps. Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

* Place pumpkins in a safe spot. If you set jack-o-lanterns on your porch with candles in them, make sure that they are far enough out of the way so that kids’ costumes can’t accidentally catch fire. Votive candles are safer and flameless candles are safest for candle-lit pumpkins.

* Treats only, please. Explain to teens the difference between tricks and vandalism. Throwing eggs or spray painting may seem like fun, but they need to know the consequences: clean up, damages or legal considerations could ruin everyone’s Halloween.

* Be healthy. Encourage kids to eat a balanced meal before trick-or-treating. Check and sort candy when they get home. Though tampering is extremely rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items and call 911.

Source: City of Minneapolis website

Minneapolis Parks & Recreation Board
University Community Service Area Meeting Notice

Please join your neighbors and MPRB staff in a discussion on the Park Board’s new Community Service Area (CSA) program and service delivery structure. This discussion will focus on the programs and services we currently offer and how to best meet the park and recreation program/service need of community residents who visit Van Cleve, Marcy, and Holmes Park

Tuesday October 27, 2009
6:30pm at Van Cleve

The primary goals for the meeting is to better understand how we can best meet the park and recreation needs of your household and how to outreach to those resident who are not currently using Van Cleve, Marcy and or Homes Parks for their park and recreation needs.

For more information, contact Emily Ero-Phillips at 612-230-6468 or eero-phillips@minneapolisparks.org

Minneapolis Parks & Recreation Board
University Community Service Area Meeting Notice

Please join your neighbors and MPRB staff in a discussion on the Park Board’s new Community Service Area (CSA) program and service delivery structure. This discussion will focus on the programs and services we currently offer and how to best meet the park and recreation program/service need of community residents who visit Van Cleve, Marcy, and Holmes Park

Tuesday October 27, 2009
6:30pm at Van Cleve

The primary goals for the meeting is to better understand how we can best meet the park and recreation needs of your household and how to outreach to those resident who are not currently using Van Cleve, Marcy and or Homes Parks for their park and recreation needs.

For more information, contact Emily Ero-Phillips at 612-230-6468 or eero-phillips@minneapolisparks.org

Minutes of the MHNA General Membership Meeting
October 20, 2009
University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Mpls MN

1. Meeting called to order by MHNA President Arvonne Fraser.
2. The agenda was approved by consensus.
3. A vote was needed on language changes to our CEE Revolving Loan, which were sent to members in advance of this meeting. A motion ( G Kepner) to revise the program guidelines from “Loan dollars can only be used on exterior work” by adding: “Except: If the property is boarded and/or condemned. In that event loan dollars can also be used for interior work on code and safety items involving: plumbing, electrical, heating systems” was passed unanimously.
4. Minutes of the June general membership meeting, sent to members in advance of this meeting, were approved.
5. Actions from the board earlier tonight were announced: A motion ( J Radzwill) to support the variance increasing the commercial space from 8,000 to 12,000 at Sidney Hall was passed by the MHNA board.
A motion ( J Radzwill) to support the variance allowing the trash receptacles on the side of the building at 1015 University Ave SE was passed by the board with the addition that the owner should comply with the city ordinance concerning screening.
A motion was passed to send a letter to the park planners that MHNA wants and expects to have a seat on the committee that is developing plans for Father Hennepin Bluffs Park and that the MHNA Master Plan should be referenced in the process.
6. A meeting is set for 10/27 at Van Cleve Park to discuss CM Cam Gordon’s Social Host ordinance being introduced at city council.
7. A new page for rental listings is being added to the livenearyourwork.net website, a University Alliance project. Rental property owners who are seeking mature adult, stable renters are encouraged to list there.
8. A bike tour is set of Sat Nov 7th to help design the 6th Ave Bike Boulevard. Meet at NE Park at 10 am.
9. Also Nov 7th is Architect Day at Van Cleve Park. Free consultations with architects and landscape architects are being offered to property owners in the University District.
10. Council Member Diane Hofstede passed out her newsletter and updated the group about goings on at City Hall. TCF Stadium issues were discussed. Residents are encouraged to call 911 of they are experiencing problems.
11. Kelly Moriarity, Public Works Engineer Design, spoke about the proposed Granary Road, previously known as the Dinkytown Bypass. It will use the railroad trench from Dinkytown to Oak Street SE and then continue east beyond the city limits and on the west link to 35W. The goal of the new road is to take some of the traffic off University and 4th St. Plans are being done in stages; no construction has been done yet. Beginning in 2011, Phase I will connect Malcolm Ave SE to 25th Ave SE. This section is completely funded. Preliminary designs and land appraisals, right of ways, beginning acquisitions will occur starting this winter. Phase II, connecting 25th Ave SE to 17th Ave SE, and 17th Ave SE to Oak Street, would begin construction in 2013 at the earliest. Federal and state funding is being sought. The city has hired an expert to help understand the railroad’s operations here. Phase III is being studied with options for connections. Connecting from the trench up to 11th Ave SE presents difficulties due to the steep terrain. Ms Moriarity will be the lead project manager for this study. A consultant will be hired to look at traffic impacts, light rail impacts, other possible roads, benefits, costs, and to determine a preferred alternative. The whole project will cost $43 million. There will be commuter bike routes as well as room for cars. (Another group is working on connecting Bridge 9 to Oak Street.) The U of MN has built some new roads in the Bio-Discovery District, and they will be factored into Granary Road plans. During the study phase, Ms Moriarity said she will interface with MHNA, and would like to form a task group this winter. Some things the group will also be looking at: sidewalks, bike trails and innovative stormwater management systems. Maps of planned and existing roads were passed around and Ms Moriarity was thanked for coming.
12. Central Corridor Light Rail Transit was discussed. The U of MN has filed a lawsuit seeking mitigation to possible impacts on research facilities. An application for federal funding for the CCLRT will be filed in December. If awarded, plans will go out to bids in early 2010 and construction would begin late in 2010. Some advance work in St Paul (moving utilities) has been funded and approved. The target opening date is still 2014. Central Corridor planners would like to return to a MHNA meeting.
13. A University Alliance update was given by Dick Gilyard, Prospect Park, and Ted Tucker, Marcy-Holmes. Roundtable discussions are being planned for more input from each neighborhood adjacent to the U. The demonstration projects were discussed: Homeowner preservation, energy efficiency and sustainability, marketing and promoting the area to increase confidence, homebuyer incentives, and a livenearyourwork.net website. A zoning and regulatory review group worked to create a University Overlay District. Several workshops have been held on neighborhood plans, envisioning transformative projects, demographics, needs and desires. The Cuningham Architect group is working on a District Plan, illustrated on boards tonight: In Marcy-Holmes the 15th Ave Plan, in Cedar Riverside a re-joining of the north and south ends of Cedar Ave with a wider bridge that has buildings on it, in SE Como the area across from Van Cleve Park into a cluster of townhomes or higher density projects aimed at a different market that would begin to balance the neighborhood, in PPERRIA the 29th Ave light rail station/Urban Village plan. It is hoped that all planning will use the U’s assistance and raise the bar re: highest standards of green, sustainable design. Alliance members are attending neighborhood meetings to “check their compass” – are they doing what we want? The August demographic workshop predicted that 40% of future households will be one person. The Alliance is creating Centers of Expertise at the University to intersect with its activities. Education, Public Health, Urban Agriculture, Business and Industry will be addressed. Maxfield Research is looking at what kind of alternative housing older people like to see that would keep them in the neighborhood. Alumni housing is also being studied. A roundtable for Marcy Holmes is planned for the third week in November. Those interested in designing the future of the neighborhood and attending the roundtable should contact the office.

Meeting adjourned at 9 pm
Melissa Bean, Executive Director

Board Actions since October 2009:

November 2009

A motion to “Extend the time on the Master Plan Implementation contract and the Phase I programs” was passed. Another motion, “based on the report from NRP, the board directs the executive director to prepare a budget for 2010 that will take maximum advantage of dollars available and submit it for board approval so we can put under contract NRP funds for next year”.

A motion “to review the CEE Revolving Loan program terms and have a plan ready for a vote in January” was passed.
Concerning the East Bank Mills project, a motion “In the event a TIF district is created by the Minneapolis City Council, as described by the attached exhibits A and B (Exhibit A being dated 10 May 2007, Exhibit B not dated), MHNA supports the city’s affordable housing requirement that 20% of the units in the TIF district be affordable housing units” was passed with one abstention (T Lincoln).

A motion was made and passed “to accept the appointment of Kelly Phillips as the treasurer for the remainder of Paul White’s term” (ending June 2010.) A second motion was made (J Radzwill) and passed “to nominate Paul White to fill out the remainder of Kelly Phillips’ term as a director” (ending June 2011).

The Executive committee agreed that MHNA should post SECIA’s letter to the university president on our website and in our Nov. Mailer. The Executive Committee also agreed to ratify Holly Engle to the NRP Elections Nov 19 as our official elector.
A motion “to appoint Deb Girard as the new MHNA rep to the Dinkytown Business Assoc.” was passed.
A motion “to support Nicollet Island/East Bank resident Edna Brazaitis as the alternate” to the Riverfront Development Corporation was passed.

The MHNA Board did not meet in December.

For those who missed the October Granary Rd presentation, here is the map that was handed out. E-mailers will see it in color; those of you who get the printed mailers will see it in black and white. It will be posted in color on the website.

Minneapolis Public Works is beginning the process of creating preliminary designs for the Fillmore Street NE/6th Avenue SE bicycle boulevard (aka “bike walk street”).

We would like to continue gathering feedback from interested stakeholders by hosting a “bicycle boulevard planning tour” early in November.

The tour will take place on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, and will begin at the entrance to the Northeast Park Recreation Center (1615 Pierce Street NE).

If you or someone you know is interested in attending, please contact me at shaun.murphy@ci.minneapolis.mn.us or 612.333.2450 to RSVP. We would like to invite residents, neighborhood organizers, bicyclists, and motorists to participate. Those who support and oppose these projects are both welcome.

Background:
Read the rest of this entry »

Minneapolis Public Works is beginning the process of creating preliminary designs for the Fillmore Street NE/6th Avenue SE bicycle boulevard (aka “bike walk street”).

We would like to continue gathering feedback from interested stakeholders by hosting a “bicycle boulevard planning tour” early in November.

The tour will take place on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, and will begin at the entrance to the Northeast Park Recreation Center (1615 Pierce Street NE).

If you or someone you know is interested in attending, please contact me at shaun.murphy@ci.minneapolis.mn.us or 612.333.2450 to RSVP. We would like to invite residents, neighborhood organizers, bicyclists, and motorists to participate. Those who support and oppose these projects are both welcome.

Background:
Read the rest of this entry »

MINUTES of the MHNA General Membership Meeting
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN

1. President Arvonne Fraser called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.

2. A motion to approve (Swanson) the March minutes was made, seconded and passed.

3. Board actions from earlier tonight were read: Land Use – The board voted to uphold the Land Use committee’s motion to support extending the University District moratorium for 6 months because we need more time to evaluate the ZPRR report. The board voted in favor of the Land Use committee’s recommendation to support the new proposal for Sidney Hall/ Dinkydome. The new building is 6 stories with retail on first floor, and studio, and 1-3 bedroom apartments above. The board urged members to attend the June 29th public hearing at Van Cleve Park on the recommendations of the ZPRR committee. There is a 45day comment period.

Safety & Livability – The Welcome Students sign program will be returning late August/early Sept. People who signed up for signs last year will be contacted again, anyone else interested in posting signs call the office.

4. President Fraser reported on the MHNA loan activity at CEE. These are fixed rate (5% interest) loans for fixing up properties that are 1-4 units. A postcard reminding property owners about the program will be sent out soon.

5. Elections- Five director seats are open. A slate of candidates who have offered to run was presented: incumbents Bo Sherman, Brian Lundgren, Eric Nauman; Ardes Jonson and Kelly Phillips. Nominations from the floor were solicited but none were received. A motion to approve the slate ( Kepner) was passed. Elections for four officers followed. Nominations were solicited from the floor for each office. A slate of incumbents was presented: President Arvonne Fraser, Vice President Bob Distad, Secretary Steve Swanson, Treasurer Paul White. Board member Gordon Kepner made a motion: “Seeing none contested, that we approve the slate by acclamation”. Motion passed unanimously.

6. Committee chairs summarized MHNA accomplishments this year. Jo Radzwill, chair of Land Use, reported on the many development proposals that were reviewed, particularly Sidney Hall/Dinkydome, and the valuable work on preserving Florence Court while approving new construction.

Eric Nauman, Safety & Livability chair, reported on the success of the Welcome Students program and the police buyback program. Crime issues have not been so serious this year, mostly crimes of opportunity as students move in or out.

Melissa Bean and CM Hofstede informed the group of various University District Alliance activities this year. The Phase I Planning documents will be coming to the neighborhoods for review soon. A workshop on district demographics and sustainability will be held August 15th.The Cedar Riverside Streetscape project is in the planning phase, assisted by Seward ReDesign. Five homes in the district were on the MSP Home Tour in April. Homebuyer Incentive loans are being offered – so far one loan has closed. They are forgivable loans of $10,000 for down payment on owner- occupied homes in the district. A campaign to preserve home ownership also included a yard signs campaign and an “options to buy” program with Greater Metropolitan Housing Corp. The Alliance has purchased several homes that will be refurbished and sold to owner occupants. The first one is in SE Como.

7. Certificates of appreciation were handed out to Kelly Phillips, Larry Prinds, Dan Lanske, Cordelia Pierson, Robin Nelson, Jan Morse, Doug Carlson, Norman Lynskey and Leonard Paredes for their work on behalf of MHNA.

8. A certificate of appreciation was also presented to Council Member Diane Hofstede. She thanked MHNA for our good work. The Heritage Preservation Commission and Zoning & Planning committee upheld the preservation of 1019 University. The Central Corridor Washington Ave route is being closely evaluated at the federal level now. The effects of state funding on the city’s budget were discussed. The city reduced its budget for the next 2 years in anticipation of the cuts. In late Sept there will be another Third Ward Summit. A new Second Precinct Commander has been chosen- Bryan Schafer. Retiring Inspector Skomra was recently recognized at city council. Beekeeping is now allowed in the city.

A question from the audience about increased truck traffic on 4th St SE, shaking the houses, was asked. CM Hofstede said she would check with Commissioner Peter McLaughlin as it’s a county road. Apparently the “No Trucks” signs have been removed. A study of Granary Road, using the railroad trench under Dinkytown, is currently underway. A summary of University District Alliance accomplishments was discussed. The Alliance will return to the legislature with a report on the kind of organization they have officially created so that eventually it will be eligible for funding.

9. Kathleen Reilly reported on the SE Library and its attempts to be more involved in the community. She plans to meet soon w/ Commissioner McLaughlin about updating the facility. A series of support meetings for Hennepin County Libraries is scheduled and Kathleen invited all to attend.

10. Ardes Johnson reported that the Restorative Justice program has provided many young people doing community service here, especially trash pick up, and it has made a huge difference. She commended Sonny Schneiderhan for adopting two trash containers. It was also suggested we send a letter of thanks to University Lutheran Church of Hope for the meeting space they provide.

11. At 9 pm a motion to adjourn (G Kepner) was passed.

Minutes by Melissa Bean, MHNA Exec. Director

August 2009: A formal resolution to accept the two newest appointed board members was passed. They are Holly Engle representing MSA and Curt Naumann from Univ Baptist Church representing SE clergy.

The City has now approved the formation of a University Overlay District including the first two zoning code changes (defining porches and bedrooms city wide and requiring .5 parking spaces per bedroom in new construction here). This action came from the University District Alliance ZPRR committee’s recommendation.

The Heritage Preservation Commission did not approve of the demolition of 1019 University Ave SE. Owner Mark Freund will present plans for the site next door at 1013, which was approved for demo.

A grievance against MHNA was filed by an absentee landlord and is being mediated.

The board passed a motion of no objection to the granting of the variance for setback at 527 7th St SE and, in the absence of an architectural drawing, the board encouraged the homeowners to ensure that the final design preserves the character of the neighborhood and that the design is integrated into the style of the home.

September 2009

A board member brought up the problem of vacant, abandoned properties in the neighborhood and how owners could be encouraged to rehab them. The current MHNA/CEE revolving loan program is restricted to exterior improvements. Although we have very few condemned or vacant and boarded properties here, their effect on nearby properties can be significant. It is also very expensive to bring these properties back up to code. A motion to revise the program guidelines from “Loan dollars can only be used on exterior work” by adding: “Except: If the property is boarded and/or condemned. In that event loan dollars can also be used for interior work on code and safety items involving: plumbing, electrical, heating systems” was passed with the instruction that it be presented to the Oct General Membership for consideration by a larger group.

After the Land Use committee reviewed plans for 1013 University (2.5 story, wood frame construction, gabled, 26 bedrooms apartment building with 13 underground parking spaces) the board voted to not oppose the plan as presented, but to request that the committee could see the applications for the CUP and site plan once they have been finalized with CPED.

1120 8th St SE It was reported that a stop work order was placed on it after inspectors found it was not being built in accordance with the building plans as a single family dwelling. No certificate of occupancy will be issued until the walls are down, the parking area is redone and all fees are paid.

MHNA’s position on the proposed apartment building at 600 Main St SE has remained the same despite developer’s revised plans: We support our Master Plan, which calls for this parcel to be a transition space from the activity node at 6th Ave and the Stone Arch Bridge to the bike trail to Dinkytown and U of MN campus. MHNA’s policy, since 1999, has been that any land south of Main Street along the river should be reserved for river-related recreation only. At its Oct 2nd meeting, the City Council voted to uphold the Planning Commission and staff report to deny a variance and two conditional use permits for a development at 600 SE Main Street, which is within the Mississippi River Critical Area and Central Mississippi Regional Park boundary.

City Council Member Diane Hofstede voted with seven of her colleagues to deny all the 600 SE Main Street developer requests, upholding the staff report and Planning Commission.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2009-10 MHNA Board of Directors
President Arvonne Fraser
Vice President Bob Distad
Secretary Steve Swanson
Treasurer Paul White
Directors: Bo Sherman Brian Lundgren
Ardes Johnson Eric Nauman
Kelly Phillips Gordon Kepner
Jo Radzwill Sonny Schneiderhan
Douglas Carlson Thomas Lincoln
Marnie Loven- Bell Holly Engle*
Curt Nauman*
* Appointed seats. We still have vacancies for these appointments: Grad or Prof Student Organization, NE Business Asoc. and Dinkytown Busines Asoc.

Deadline for survey: October 28, 2009.

In response to a law passed by the 2009 State Legislature, the Minnesota Board on Aging (MBA) is conducting an online survey to help determine the best way to recognize Communities for a Lifetime (CFL) initiatives in Minnesota.

Communities for a Lifetime was defined in the law to mean “partnerships of small cities, counties, municipalities … or towns, whose citizens seek to affirmatively extend to persons 65 and older the opportunities, supports and services that will enable them to continue to be contributing, civically engaged residents.

While many communities across the state are currently engaged in such initiatives, the objective of a state recognition program would be to promote even greater adoption of CFL ideas.  MBA will use the results of this survey to inform a Report to the Legislature on options for Minnesota to adopt a Communities for a Lifetime (CFL) recognition program.

MBA would like to receive survey submissions from a large and diverse pool of respondents.  MBA invites people to forward this survey announcement
broadly to colleagues and citizens to help achieve this goal.  The survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.  The survey will close on Wednesday, October 28, 2009.

Click on this link to access the survey:
http://survey.dhs.state.mn.us/surveylogin.asp?k=125503394985

If you have questions about the content or purpose of this survey, or if you have technical difficulties, please contact Peter.Spuit@state.mn.us.

Rental Property Owners Workshop will take place October 22, 2009, from 5pm to 9pm, at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, 3450 Irving Av. S.

There is a nominal fee which covers printed materials, a DVD, and a box lunch and refreshments.

Here is a link for more information and the application form:  http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/outreach/workshops.asp

Registration begins at 4:30pm.  The cost is $20 before October 15, and $30 after. Space is limited!  Register early — and if you have new property management staff with your team that haven’t been to one, please take this opportunity to send them to the workshop. Thanks!

The next Safety and Livability Committee meeting will be 6:30 pm, Thursday November 5, 2009.

This is not our normal time because of some scheduling conflicts.  We will, however, return to our normal meeting location at the First Congregationalist Church basement at the corner of 8th Ave and 5th Street, SE.  Please note this change and plan on joining us.  In December we’ll return to our normal schedule of the first Monday of the month.

Personal Safety Workshop – October 29, 2009 @ Pratt School, 66 Malcolm Ave SE.

Learn how to decrease your chances of being a victim of crime along with personal safety techniques at this workshop.  Our black belt instructor is Mary Brandl, a self-defense expert.

The program will start at 6:30 p.m. and last approximately two hours.

Breakfast with a Preservationist: Follow the Money
Strategies for Fundraising in Historic Preservation

Wednesday, October 21, 2009
8 — 9 am
Mill City Museum, enter at 710 South Second Street, ADM Conference Room, sixth floor
The historic preservation community’s arts and environmental allies have developed excellent methods for fundraising. What are the potential paths to build a fundraising base for historic preservation? The next Breakfast with a Preservationist will feature three presenters knowledgeable on this topic. Erin Hanafin Berg is Field Representative for the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota; Marge Ostrov is President of Friends of B’nai Abraham Arts and Culture Museum; and Aaron Hanauer is a Senior Planner for Community Planning and Economic Development at the City of Minneapolis. The presenters will outline various strategies for fundraising that have proven successful. Most important, there will be ample opportunity for questions and discussion. Coffee and bakery items will be available to help you fuel up for the day, and the event will end right at 9:00 a.m. Parking is available at meters on South Second Street and a self-pay public parking ramp is right across the street from the museum. This event is free!

Visit the Preserve Minneapolis website for a map and list of other events: www.preserveminneapolis.org

A public hearing is scheduled before the City of Minneapolis Public Safety and Regulatory Services Committee. It will be Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 1 PM or shortly thereafter, in Room 317 of City Hall.

The subject of the hearing is an amendment that would clarify that liquor and beer service between 1 AM and 2 AM is authorized only for establishments that have obtained a permit from the commissioner of public safety under Minnesota Statute 2340A.504, subd. 7, permitting sales after 1 AM.

You are invited to be present at the public hearing to express your opinion of this amendment. You also may contact Grant Wilson, 612-673-3902, or grant.wilson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us to submit your comments.

We’ve moved our office down a floor in Marcy Open School.

Our new address:

MHNA
415 4th Ave SE #116
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612-623-7633
office@marcy-holmes.org
www.marcy-holmes.org

The next Safety and Livability Committee meeting will be 6:30 pm, Thursday November 5, 2009.

This is not our normal time because of some scheduling conflicts.  We will, however, return to our normal meeting location at the First Congregationalist Church basement at the corner of 8th Ave and 5th Street, SE.  Please note this change and plan on joining us.  In December we’ll return to our normal schedule of the first Monday of the month.

A BIG thanks to Sigma Nu Fraternity and the Asian Fraternity Interest Group for helping clean the east side of the neighborhood as part of the Ultimate Volunteer Day. Thirteen students removed graffiti and emptied trash for two hours on Sunday Oct 11th.

In response to a law passed by the 2009 State Legislature, the Minnesota Board on Aging (MBA) is conducting an online survey to help determine the best way to recognize Communities for a Lifetime (CFL) initiatives in Minnesota.

Communities for a Lifetime was defined in the law to mean “partnerships of small cities, counties, municipalities … or towns, whose citizens seek to affirmatively extend to persons 65 and older the opportunities, supports and services that will enable them to continue to be contributing, civically engaged residents.

While many communities across the state are currently engaged in such initiatives, the objective of a state recognition program would be to promote even greater adoption of CFL ideas.  MBA will use the results of this survey to inform a Report to the Legislature on options for Minnesota to adopt a Communities for a Lifetime (CFL) recognition program.

MBA would like to receive survey submissions from a large and diverse pool of respondents.  MBA invites people to forward this survey announcement
broadly to colleagues and citizens to help achieve this goal.  The survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.  The survey will close on Wednesday, October 28, 2009.

Click on this link to access the survey:
http://survey.dhs.state.mn.us/surveylogin.asp?k=125503394985

If you have questions about the content or purpose of this survey, or if you have technical difficulties, please contact Peter.Spuit@state.mn.us.

Mia Birk, a transportation professional from Portland, Oregon, will share experiences and lessons learned on implementing bicycle boulevards in her city.  A discussion will follow.  The presentation, sponsored by Bike Walk Twin Cities, will take place next Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 7:00 pm, at the Hotel Minneapolis (215 S 4th Street).  View the presentation flyer:

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/bicycles/MiaBirkPresentation.pdf (pdf)

A public hearing is scheduled before the City of Minneapolis Public Safety and Regulatory Services Committee. It will be Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 1 PM or shortly thereafter, in Room 317 of City Hall.

The subject of the hearing is an amendment that would clarify that liquor and beer service between 1 AM and 2 AM is authorized only for establishments that have obtained a permit from the commissioner of public safety under Minnesota Statute 2340A.504, subd. 7, permitting sales after 1 AM.

You are invited to be present at the public hearing to express your opinion of this amendment. You also may contact Grant Wilson, 612-673-3902, or grant.wilson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us to submit your comments.

5% Low-Interest Loan

Loan Amount:
Minimum: $7,500  — Maximum: $20,000

Eligible properties:
* 1-4 unit, owner-occupied or absentee-owned residential structures located in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood.
* Townhomes and condos are not eligible.

No maximum income limit!

Remodeling Advisor Assistance Available

If you need assistance in identifying and prioritizing improvements, the Center for Energy and Environment offers a Remodeling Advisor Service where you can receive objective remodeling advice. The service is free to Marcy-Holmes residents and includes an informational visit to your property and assistance with collection and evaluation of bids. To schedule an appointment call 612-335-5856.

For details, see the CEE (Center for Energy & Environment) website
http://www.mncee.org/programs_residential/nrp/