Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association

BACKGROUND

The Social Host Ordinance was enacted to deter underage drinking parties and hold the hosts of such parties accountable since many underage persons obtain alcohol through social sources such as older friends, siblings, parents and/or strangers they encounter in party situations. Alcohol is youth’s number one drug of choice and underage drinkers are more likely to be victims of crime, including sexual assault. What’s more, underage drinking is a factor in nearly half of all teen automobile crashes.

WHAT IS THE SOCIAL HOST ORDINANCE?

The Social Host Ordinance would hold individuals (social hosts) criminally responsible for hosting or permitting an event or gathering on private or public property where persons under 21 years of age possess or consume alcohol, regardless of who supplied the alcohol.

This ordinance applies to situations in which the social host knows or has reason to know that alcohol is being possessed or consumed by persons under 21 years of age at their gathering.

Under this ordinance, the social host does not have to be present at the party, event or gathering to be criminally responsible.

The ordinance does not apply to conduct solely between an underage person and his/ her parents in the parent’s household and legally protected religious observances.

WHAT IS AN “EVENT OR GATHERING?

An “event or gathering” means a group of persons who have assembled on private property or in a public place for a social occasion or other activity.

WHAT IS THE PENALTY FOR VIOLATION?

A violation of this ordinance is a misdemeanor, subject to a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

HOW TO BE A RESPONSIBLE HOST

To protect your guests, yourself and others and reduce your exposure to alcohol‐related liability, if you are hosting a party where persons under 21 years of age are present, you should…

1. Verify the age of guests.
2. Control access to alcohol.
3. Control the quantity of alcohol.
4. Supervise persons under 21 years of age.
5. Be courteous to your neighbors and keep the party noise down.
6. Refuse entrance to uninvited people, especially the ones who arrive at the door with alcohol or are already intoxicated.
7. Call the Police for assistance with uninvited people.

FAQs

Will I be held liable if I’m away for the weekend and my kids have a party at my home?

• No. If you did not know about the party, event or gathering.
• Yes. If you knew about the party or had reason to know that underage drinking was occurring and did
nothing to prevent it.

If my housemate hosts a party in our apartment while I am away, can I still be held criminally liable?

Maybe. It depends on what knowledge you have about the party and if you took any steps to assist in hosting the gathering.

Can I be held liable if my tenant has an underage drinking party on my property?

Maybe. It depends on whether or not you actually participated in hosting or permitting the party where alcohol was present.

HOW TO REPORT A POSSIBLE VIOLATION

To report parties or gatherings where minors have access to alcohol, call 9-1-1. Your call may prevent motor vehicle crashes, sexual assault, unintentional injuries, or alcohol poisoning.

Help Minneapolis’ Urban Forest

The City Trees program, a low-cost way for folks to help build the city’s tree canopy, is offering trees at a cost of $25 each.

Residents can order one tree per household, and all trees are available first-come, first-served.

Last month, the emerald ash borer was found in Minneapolis and could potentially contribute to the decline of all of the City’s more than 200,000 ash trees. Planting a new tree now will help start the next generation of trees.

Read the rest of this entry »

Census workers still needed in Marcy-Holmes

Census takers who live in your neighborhood are needed to work in your neighborhood. The position is part-time and offers a flexible schedule and pays $16.50/hr. If you know anyone interested, please refer them to 612-216-6170 to schedule an appointment to take our standardized test.

Spring Meeting MHNA Garden Group

Wednesday March 24, 2010
Wilde Roast Café (meeting room)
518 East Hennepin,
5:15 pm to 6:45

Spring Meeting MHNA Garden Group

Wednesday March 24, 2010
Wilde Roast Café (meeting room)
518 East Hennepin,
5:15 pm to 6:45

MINUTES of the MHNA General Membership Meeting
Tues. March 16, 2010
University Lutheran Church of Hope
601 13th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN

1. Meeting called to order at 7:30 pm by President Arvonne Fraser. A motion to approve the agenda was passed as was a motion to approve of the January minutes.
2. Board actions from earlier this evening were announced:
Approved MHNA participation in a Hennepin County Hazardous Waste Collection event this summer
Agreed to MHNA submitting 5 proposals for the TCF Stadium Good Neighbor grants.
Agreed with the Land Use committee to withhold support for the 520 Second St SE project for the following reasons ( B Distad motion) :
The neighborhood firmly supports the alignment of the rear façade of 520 2nd St SE with the rear facades of the Soap Factory and the WD Forbes buildings.
The neighborhood views the rear façade (toward the river) as every bit as important as the front façade (2nd St SE) because it is crucial to the existence of a view corridor that extends along the area that once contained the railroad tracks that serviced the milling industry. This is an integral part of the historical interpretation of the milling industry.
In addition, approvals for the East Bank Mills project have already been granted. At the time of the approval, commissioners stressed that access to parking for Buildings F and G was preferable through a driveway between 5th and 6th Aves SE. The extension of the building beyond alignment with its neighboring buildings is detrimental to the neighborhood vision of the desired historical experience. Extension of 520 2nd St SE beyond the alignment of all three buildings prohibits any possibility of the view corridor or a route for vehicular traffic between 5th Ave SE and 6th Ave SE becoming a reality.
The neighborhood is concerned about traffic in the area. The planned 2nd St SE access to the enclosed parking is directly across from the access to 521 2nd St SE and the driveway to 204 5th Ave SE. The developer states that this vehicular access to parking at 520 2nd St SE will not be burdensome and will not be injurious to use and enjoyment of other property in the vicinity. When the developer’s approval was granted for 521 2nd St SE, it was suggested in the site plan review that the Public Works Department reconsider the need for a Travel Demand Management plan. The time is now for this to happen with the additional housing units in the development.
Developer claims a hardship as a reason for seeking a variance to decrease the MLA from 295 sf to 217 sf to enable construction of 96 units, a variance to decrease the side yard setback from 15 ft to 6ft to allow for patios on top of the parking podium. A hardship cannot be economic. Undoubtedly, the development will be more profitable with more units and with more amenities, but the developer should not expect to change the zoning rules just so the development is more profitable.
The developer claims that there are adequate utilities, access roads, and drainage connections; however, it appears that additional power (electric) connections are needed if power lines are being strung across 2nd St SE. It would be an amenity to the neighborhood if the power lines were underground.
There apparently has been insufficient communication with neighbors to the east, west and north. Neighbors have concerns regarding the safety of their property during demolition and construction. In addition they seek mitigation of noise, lighting and congestion during and after construction. In exchange for any support on this project, the neighborhood would like frequent and quality communication between developer and his neighbors.
3. The board also met tonight with Doran Clark, our rep on the Neighborhood Community Engagement Commission to discuss the transition between phasing out NRP and entering into the city’s new Neighborhood Community Relations program in 2011.
4. President Fraser encouraged people to run for a seat on the board in our June elections. We will be electing new directors ( 2 yr term) and new officers ( 1 yr).
5. Cheyenne Erickson, CM Diane Hofstede’s office, reported on upcoming CARE meetings and next fall’s Third Ward Summit preparations. President Fraser expressed our dismay at a recent Star Tribune article that was critical of the council member. A motion ( B Distad) was made, seconded and passed regarding the article:
The Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association expresses its profound disappointment in the extremely biased and one-sided article critical of Council Member Diane Hofstede that appeared in the March 3rd Star Tribune. The MHNA has a long history of working successfully with Council Member Hofstede. She has been responsive to your requests for assistance in working with the city bureaucracy and sensitive to the challenges and concerns of our university neighborhood. We commend the council member for her efforts on our behalf and on behalf of our city and look forward to continuing our relationship with her.
6. The group heard a presentation from U of MN students and Sierra Club members about their Beyond Coal campaign, aimed at getting the Foster Wheeler Steam plant, located at 6th Ave SE & the river, to make good on a public commitment to transition completely off burning coal there. The students are making yard signs available and trying to get more groups to adopt their resolution. The presenters were thanked and those present expressed appreciation for their activism. (Subsequent to this meeting, the Executive Committee voted to adopt the resolution “supporting the U of MN transitioning off coal and working to ensure that a transition off coal is part of the University’s plans for its energy future”.

7. Board member Doug Carlson reported on the Central Corridor light rail’s progress. Three more stops are being added in St. Paul and the U is still negotiating with the Met Council on mitigation.
8. President Fraser updated all on the University District Alliance. The group is exploring becoming a nonprofit 501 ( c )3 corporation. Representatives will be updating the legislature about the Alliance’s progress including several committees and demonstration projects* that are ongoing.
9. The meeting ended with reminder to fill out and mail back census forms and that the SE Minneapolis Council on Learning will be interviewing patrons at the library.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm Melissa Bean, Exec. Director
· *livenearyourwork.net

· *Collaborations for energy efficiency & sustainability

· *Demographic data by neighborhood

· *Mpls St Paul home tour – an Alliance house on SE Como on the tour

· *Homeowner preservation program

· *Increased safety & civility

To: MHNA Board and General Membership
From: Arvonne Fraser, President
Re: March 16, 2010 Meetings
Board at 6 pm, General Membership at 7:30
University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Lower Level

Board Agenda 6 pm
1. Call to order, approve agenda
2. Secretary’s Report- approve Feb. minutes
3. Treasurer’s Report & Fund Raising for 2010 !!! 6:10
4. Doron Clark, NCEC update and planning for 2011 6:20
5. Tabled items: CEE Loan Language Changes and Other neighborhoods’ policies 6:35
6. Audit Committee report 6:50
7. Executive Committee report 6:55
8. Safety & Livability committee on hiatus/ how to proceed 7:00
9. Nominating committee 7:10
10. Land Use Committee report 7:15

General Membership Agenda 7:30 pm
1. Welcome, call to order, approve agenda
2. Approve Jan 2010 General Membership minutes
3. Board actions from earlier this evening 7:40
4. A few words from CM Diane Hofstede 7:45
5. “Beyond Coal”, Sierra Club student volunteers presenting 8:00
6. Upcoming events/ volunteers needed 8:15
• River Clean Up April 17
• Garden Meeting and events
• CEE Clean Energy Cities application
• Hennepin County Hazardous Waste Collection Event
• Marcy Arts Gala (April 17) and Plant Sale (flyers ready by March 26)

7. University Alliance update and Good Neighbor Fund proposals submitted 8:25
8. Any other business, misc 8:30

To: MHNA Board and General Membership
From: Arvonne Fraser, President
Re: March 16, 2010 Meetings
Board at 6 pm, General Membership at 7:30
University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Lower Level

Board Agenda 6 pm
1. Call to order, approve agenda
2. Secretary’s Report- approve Feb. minutes
3. Treasurer’s Report & Fund Raising for 2010 !!! 6:10
4. Doron Clark, NCEC update and planning for 2011 6:20
5. Tabled items: CEE Loan Language Changes and Other neighborhoods’ policies 6:35
6. Audit Committee report 6:50
7. Executive Committee report 6:55
8. Safety & Livability committee on hiatus/ how to proceed 7:00
9. Nominating committee 7:10
10. Land Use Committee report 7:15

General Membership Agenda 7:30 pm
1. Welcome, call to order, approve agenda
2. Approve Jan 2010 General Membership minutes
3. Board actions from earlier this evening 7:40
4. A few words from CM Diane Hofstede 7:45
5. “Beyond Coal”, Sierra Club student volunteers presenting 8:00
6. Upcoming events/ volunteers needed 8:15
• River Clean Up April 17
• Garden Meeting and events
• CEE Clean Energy Cities application
• Hennepin County Hazardous Waste Collection Event
• Marcy Arts Gala (April 17) and Plant Sale (flyers ready by March 26)

7. University Alliance update and Good Neighbor Fund proposals submitted 8:25
8. Any other business, misc 8:30

We have copies of Hiding in Plain Sight, by Penny Petersen, for sale.

The 132-page book, full of photos, tells the history of our neighborhood.

$15 a copy

Do you have a new neighbor who would be interested in joining the MHNA?

Membership registration cards are available at our office or at meetings. We would be happy to mail you one. Call 623-7633.

The University District Alliance’s website livenearyourwork.net is gaining in popularity! We’ve had over 1900 hits in the last month!

The site showcases the district neighborhoods and offers listings of homes for sale along with well maintained rental properties appropriate for graduate students, U faculty and staff and downtown workers. It’s easy to list a property and to search for one -– check it out soon.

Freedom by Design™, the AIAS community service program, utilizes the talents of architecture students to radically impact the lives of people in their community through modest design and construction solutions.

Vital modifications are made to enhance the homes of low-income and disabled individuals by addressing their struggles with everyday tasks such as bathing, ascending stairs and opening doors. Our priority is improving the safety, comfort and dignity of the home’s occupants.

Seeking small design and build projects in Minneapolis area. Please contact Andrew at freedom@umn.edu with inquiries!

aias.org/freedomwww.tc.umn.edu/~aias/freedom

U of MN Student Liaisons are sponsoring a Bike Workshop!

Saturday, March 27, 2010
At University Lutheran Church 1101 University Ave.
from 11am-2pm.

Simple do-it yourself bike maintenance, safety workshops and more!

Refreshments provided.

Anyone is welcome, bring your bike and help get it ready for the Spring. There will be gear and supplies to provide basic maintenance to your bike, along with bike experts to provide you with advice to fix up your bike.

U of MN Student Liaisons are sponsoring a Bike Workshop!

Saturday, March 27, 2010
At University Lutheran Church 1101 University Ave.
from 11am-2pm.

Simple do-it yourself bike maintenance, safety workshops and more!

Refreshments provided.

Anyone is welcome, bring your bike and help get it ready for the Spring. There will be gear and supplies to provide basic maintenance to your bike, along with bike experts to provide you with advice to fix up your bike.

Free classes at Southeast Seniors: A Living at Home/Block Nurse Program:

Consumer Scams: Wednesday, April 7, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Become informed about the more common scams including credit cards, identity theft and related topics.

Making Changes to Stay at Home – Wednesday, May 5, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Events held at Pratt Community Education
66 Malcolm Avenue SE Minneapolis.

612-331-2302
seseniorsmpls.org

Caring for seniors in our community since 1988.

Free classes at Southeast Seniors: A Living at Home/Block Nurse Program:

Consumer Scams: Wednesday, April 7, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Become informed about the more common scams including credit cards, identity theft and related topics.

Making Changes to Stay at Home – Wednesday, May 5, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Events held at Pratt Community Education
66 Malcolm Avenue SE Minneapolis.

612-331-2302
seseniorsmpls.org

Caring for seniors in our community since 1988.

Free classes at Southeast Seniors: A Living at Home/Block Nurse Program:

Consumer Scams: Wednesday, April 7, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Become informed about the more common scams including credit cards, identity theft and related topics.

Making Changes to Stay at Home – Wednesday, May 5, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Events held at Pratt Community Education
66 Malcolm Avenue SE Minneapolis.

612-331-2302
seseniorsmpls.org

Caring for seniors in our community since 1988.

On Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 2:15 p.m., to mark the beginning of Open Dreams that Live in Space, the current art exhibit by M-H neighborhood resident Candy Kuehn at Southeast Library, 1222 4th St SE, Librarian Eric Heideman will lead a panel discussion with neighborhood artists Scott Bean, Sandra Brick and Candy Kuehn.

They will discuss their artwork, both the philosophy and the ‘nuts and bolts of how they do it and they will also talk about how the creating and displaying of work by local artists can help develop and arts community in the Southeast neighborhood.

On Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 2:15 p.m., to mark the beginning of Open Dreams that Live in Space, the current art exhibit by M-H neighborhood resident Candy Kuehn at Southeast Library, 1222 4th St SE, Librarian Eric Heideman will lead a panel discussion with neighborhood artists Scott Bean, Sandra Brick and Candy Kuehn.

They will discuss their artwork, both the philosophy and the ‘nuts and bolts of how they do it and they will also talk about how the creating and displaying of work by local artists can help develop and arts community in the Southeast neighborhood.