Board Actions from April 2010 meeting
Report on Board Actions from the April 2010 meeting
Executive Committee made recommendations re: Neighborhood Community Engagement allocation formula for funding neighborhood groups starting in 2011.
Suggested considering factors:
Neighborhood Population
Neighborhood Vulnerability
Neighborhood Income levels
Neighborhood Access to communication
Neighborhood Proximity to Large Institutions that creates numerous areas of conflict
Florence Court – A motion to approve the setback request for an electrical transformer at Florence Court was approved. A motion to have MHNA join as a party to the MOU (memorandum of understanding) re: mitigating the possible negative impacts on surrounding historic properties was approved..
Earth Day River Clean Up – The board voted to send a letter of thanks to our U of MN site coordinators along with our congratulations on a superb job.
Report on MHNA Board actions from the May 2010 meeting
The Land Use committee supported a request for a variance and CUP for a freestanding electronic message sign on the Central Ave side of the Holiday station store at 107 6th St SE. Tonight the board voted unanimously to support this new signage and the conditional use permit and variance required along with the request that public service announcements be allowed as a service to the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood.
The Andrew Riverside project (4th St & 8th Ave SE) has been revised and neighborhood support was sought by Common Bond, its non profit housing developer. Previously a 39 unit affordable apartment building for seniors; it is now planned with 50% of the units set aside for persons with physical disabilities. All the units will have “ universal design†so they are accessible for all and they will all be affordable (one and two bedroom units $500 – 850 a month). The remaining 50% will be marketed to seniors. Andrew Riverside Presbyterian Church will be housed on the first floor and there will be underground parking. The Land Use committee recommended support for the project and for Common Bond’s application to the city for a tax credit for affordable housing for the revised project. The MHNA board voted to send a letter of support for the project and for Common Bond’s application to the City of Minneapolis for a tax credit for affordable housing for the revised project. The board also wanted to suggest that Common Bond contact MNDOT about reinstalling the No Turn on Red sign at 35W exit on to 4th St SE as a precaution for disabled residents who may need extra time crossing busy streets here.
1209 4th St SE/ former Heart of the Earth School site is being developed by Doran Development. The project consists of preservation of the Frey Mansion on Fifth St SE which will serve as a museum for the preservation and furtherance of the American Indian culture as well as new construction of a five-story 102 unit market rate apartment complex with 1 ½ floors of underground parking (104 parking stalls). The building will be a mix of one, two and three bedroom units with onsite management. There will be 200 spaces of secure bike and scooter storage. Green development practices will be included as will streetscaping and public realm improvements. Occupancy is expected in 2011.To accomplish this, they are requesting support for:
1. Site plan approval
2. Replat
3. Phased Planned Unit Development for the entire site
4. Conditional Use Permit for 102 Dwelling Units
5. Rezone from R-5 to OR3
6. Interior side yard setback variance of approximately 2.5 ft.
The MHNA Land Use committee supported the development, but had reservations about the zoning change.
The MHNA Board of Directors passed the following motion :
• MHNA supports the planned unit development as proposed because it protects the Frye mansion from demolition and preserves it for use as an American Indian Museum.
• MHNA believes the mansion’s reuse provides benefit to the community that may justify a zoning change but wishes to stipulate that we would not support this change without the mansion and its unique contribution to the community.
• MHNA also respectfully suggests that any change from the current R5 zoning be considered in the context of the MHNA Master Plan, as amended, and only granted if the facts and circumstances justify the change.
• This support is contingent on the mansion property NOT being rezoned to OR-3.
The executive committee approved of dividing the $54,200 that is being added to our CEE revolving loan program as 50,000 for loans and 4,200 for administration by CEE. This was NRP funding previously approved for the loan program. The program guidelines were recently expanded – watch for an announcement soon from CEE or check their website mncee.org.
MSA Spring Safety Walk (April 28)
MSA extends this invitation to MHNA’s Safety & Livability Committee:
MINNESOTA STUDENT ASSOCIATION SPRING SAFETY WALK
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
7:00 pm.
Meeting in 235 Coffman Union and heading out to the neighborhoods from
there.
Improve your neighborhood: find safety hazards like sidewalk cracks and poor lighting.
Meet your neighbors: both students and permanent residents.
To participate call Missy Gettel at 612 220 0204.
Note: starting Fall of 2010 we will be holding these events biweekly.
MSA Spring Safety Walk (April 28)
MSA extends this invitation to MHNA’s Safety & Livability Committee:
MINNESOTA STUDENT ASSOCIATION SPRING SAFETY WALK
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
7:00 pm.
Meeting in 235 Coffman Union and heading out to the neighborhoods from
there.
Minneapolis Blooms Day (May 15)
Spring into the Garden with Blooms Day 2010
Please join Metro Blooms for Minneapolis Blooms Day:
Saturday, May 15, 2010
from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
at Kenny Community School
5720 Emerson Avenue South, Minneapolis.
The event is free. The popular Blooms Day includes a plant sale, featuring native perennial plants with a selection of favorite raingarden plants, and will also feature four FREE 25-minute seminars on (1) designing for foliage, (2) garden design styles, (3) fast landscape plantings in the aftermath of emerald ash borer, and (4) raingarden maintenance. These mini-seminars will take place throughout the morning. Experts will be on hand to answer your questions. Enjoy refreshments while perusing silent auction items and shopping at exhibitor booths.
For more information about Blooms Day 2010, visit www.metroblooms.org.
Sixth Avenue Greenway Native Planting Event (May 22)
Sixth Avenue Greenway Native Planting Event
On Saturday May 22, 2010 at 10 am, residents of Minneapolis’ Marcy-Holmes neighborhood will be planting native vegetation along the boulevards of the Sixth Avenue Greenway.
The Greenway, which runs from University Ave SE to Main St SE, connects this bustling university neighborhood to the Mississippi River and the Stone Arch Bridge.
The boulevards are planted with native wildflowers and grasses with long roots that help prevent runoff into the nearby river. They also help anchor soil and provide wildlife habitat – butterflies thrive here!
Plants will be provided through a generous grant from the Home Depot Foundation. The Home Depot Foundation’s Building Healthy Communities grant program supports the work that local nonprofit organizations, public schools and other community organizations are doing to improve the physical health of their neighborhoods.
A group of neighborhood volunteers, with assistance from the National Park Service, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization and the city’s Neighborhood Revitalization Program, has been tending these gardens since 2001.
For more information, or to volunteer on May 22nd, contact the Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association at 612-623-7633 or office@marcy-holmes.org.
Sixth Avenue Greenway Native Planting Event (May 22)
Sixth Avenue Greenway Native Planting Event
On Saturday May 22, 2010 at 10 am, residents of Minneapolis’ Marcy-Holmes neighborhood will be planting native vegetation along the boulevards of the Sixth Avenue Greenway.
The Greenway, which runs from University Ave SE to Main St SE, connects this bustling university neighborhood to the Mississippi River and the Stone Arch Bridge.
The boulevards are planted with native wildflowers and grasses with long roots that help prevent runoff into the nearby river. They also help anchor soil and provide wildlife habitat – butterflies thrive here!
Plants will be provided through a generous grant from the Home Depot Foundation. The Home Depot Foundation’s Building Healthy Communities grant program supports the work that local nonprofit organizations, public schools and other community organizations are doing to improve the physical health of their neighborhoods.
A group of neighborhood volunteers, with assistance from the National Park Service, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization and the city’s Neighborhood Revitalization Program, has been tending these gardens since 2001.
For more information, or to volunteer on May 22nd, contact the Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association at 612-623-7633 or office@marcy-holmes.org.
New Residential Energy Program Coming to the University District Alliance Neighborhoods!
Learn how to reduce your energy use and save money! The University District Alliance is proud to introduce Community Energy Services, a partnership with the Center for Energy and Environment, CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy. All homeowners of 1-4 unit owner occupied residences in Cedar Riverside, Marcy Holmes, Prospect Park, and SE Como are invited to participate in one of the workshops.
Community Energy Services Provides:
· FREE educational workshops to teach homeowners how to lower their energy use and save money;
· Installed materials that may include: low flow showerheads, setback thermostats, compact fluorescent light bulbs, gasket seals, door sweeps, faucet aerators, pipe wrap and more to help participants save now;
· Customized home energy visits from 2 energy experts who will spend an hour and a half with homeowners in the home installing materials and performing diagnostics including a blower door test. Up to $400 in services and materials for a co-pay of only $30.
· Personalized energy use inventory for the last 12 months and feedback for the next 12 months;
· Information on financing, incentives and rebates.
Workshops will be held on:
Thursday, May 20th, 6:30 p.m.
Oren Gateway Center Room 113, Augsburg College (610 22nd Ave. S)
Saturday, June 5th, 10 a.m.
First Congregational Church of Minnesota (500 8th Ave. SE)
Monday, June 14th, 6:30 p.m.
Van Cleve Park (901 15th Ave. SE)
Reserve your spot at one of the workshops by contacting Kyle Boehm at 612-219-7334 or kboehm@mncee.org. Childcare provided at all workshops.
Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
International Film Festival
28th Annual Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival
April 15 – 30 St. Anthony Main Theatre, 125 Main Street
Nationally recognized, MSPIFF is the largest film event in the upper Midwest exhibiting cutting-edge film from around the globe to a broad Minnesota audience. The festival delights audiences with a rare glimpse of films from all corners of the earth. Patrons experience a variety of cultures and see first hand some of the best cinema the world has to offer, with the added bonus of rubbing elbows with visiting filmmakers.
For information: http://www.mspfilmfest.org/MMX/
Twin Cities Aveda Walk for Water (April 22)
Thursday, April 22, 2010
8 am registration and 9 am start
Start at Holmes Park, Fourth Street SE and Second Avenue SE
The Aveda Walk for Water is a six kilometer walk held in cities around the world to raise awareness and funding for clean water organizations. The walk is six kilometers because that’s the average distance women in developing nations have to walk every day for clean water. All money raised from this walk along the Mississippi River, our local water source, will benefit the Audubon Mississippi River Campaign – http://mri.audubon.org/. There also will be a Puppy Parade and Baby Stroll in addition to the six kilometer walk. On-street parking is available as well as a parking ramp at the corner of SE Second and University. We hope to see you there as we walk to protect clean water! For information: http://www.avedawalkforwater.com/find-a-walk-US.html
Post-Spring Jam cleanup (April 25)
The student liaisons are holding a post-Spring Jam cleanup on April 25th at 1 pm.
Meet at Marcy Park, 8th St SE & 11th Ave SE, supplies and refreshments provided.
Icebreak (April 24)
Our nearby NE Merchants present their Icebreaker Saturday, April 24, with progressive sales and giveaways.
Find out more at: http://www.northeastminneapolis.com/
Midway Contemporary Arts: work by Maha Saab
The spring season at Midway Contemporary Arts opens with a show by Maha Saab, through May 22nd.
For more info: midwayart.org.
University District Alliance Housing Committee is seeking new members
The University District Alliance Housing Committee is seeking new members. Meeting times have been changed to be more convenient for working people. We are hoping to attract people who are not already on our Land Use committee, as the two work in tandem and we don’t want to overwork our wonderful volunteers.
The committee meets twice a month at the CURA office, third floor of the Humphrey Center on the West Bank campus. (Every other Wed at 4:30 –6 pm) If you would like to learn more, or if you are interested in joining the committee as a rep from Marcy-Holmes, please contact the office at: office@marcy-holmes.org.
Lawn Sign Campaign: Campus Beyond Coal
Campus Beyond Coal is urging the University of Minnesota to make the transition away from burning coal at its Southeast Steam Plant. Students have asked the University to make a public commitment to move beyond coal as soon as feasibly possible and thank the Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association for supporting these efforts. Campus Beyond Coal will have yard signs available starting April 11. Contact Missy Gettel at gett0029@umn.edu to request a sign.
Annual Plant Swap and Potluck (June 7)
MHNA Garden Group event, please join us:
Monday June 7, 2010
Annual Plant Swap and Potluck at Arvonne Fraser’s, 821 7th St SE at 6 pm.
Bring any extra plants to trade or just come and “shop†the donated plants – they’re free. Meet other neighborhood gardeners, sample some good food and beverages.
Greenway Clean Out and Planting (May 22)
MHNA Garden Group event, please join us:
Saturday May 22, 2010 at 10 am, Clean Out & Planting at the 6th Ave Greenway, between University & Main St SE. Bring tools (including wheel barrows).
What’s happening at the University District Alliance?
An Alliance Update Organizational Progress: The Alliance plans to be a fully incorporated non-profit corporation within a month or two. The Alliance is currently an unincorporated coalition created by the Legislature.
Coalition partners are the four University District neighborhoods (Como, Marcy-Holmes, Prospect Park, and the W. Bank), the City of Minneapolis, and the University. The big advantage of incorporation is that it allows the Alliance to seek independent funding. The governance structure will remain similar to the current Steering Committee, but will also include an executive committee for quicker decision making.
MHNA Garden Group events
MHNA Garden Group chose some dates for work and fun. Please join us:
Monday April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm, Cleaning out the Community Garden at 8th St SE & 10th Ave SE. Bring tools.
Saturday May 22, 2010 at 10 am, Clean Out & Planting at the 6th Ave Greenway, between University & Main St SE. Bring tools (including wheel barrows).
Monday June 7, 2010 Annual Plant Swap and Potluck at Arvonne Fraser’s, 821 7th St SE at 6 pm. Bring any extra plants to trade or just come and “shop†the donated plants – they’re free. Meet other neighborhood gardeners, sample some good food and beverages.
Community Garden Cleanup (April 26)
MHNA Garden Group event, please join us:
Monday April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm, Cleaning out the Community Garden at 8th St SE & 10th Ave SE. Bring tools.
Census
Did you turn in your census form yet? How is our community responding?
Are you curious about the response rate of our community?
The U.S. Census Bureau has made it easy to monitor census response rates in real time. Visit http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/ to learn more. Response rates are available down to the Census tract level. See how your neighborhood is doing!
Questionnaire assistance centers opening soon
There are over 50 Assistance Centers throughout the city; for a list of locations near you, visit http://www.mn2010census.org/centers/. You can also call 3-1-1.
Please report potholes
Please report potholes by calling 311 or going online to the 311 page of the City’s Web site. Reporting potholes will help Public Works better understand and prioritize pothole repairs.
River-Friendly Landscaping Tips and Resources
As rain barrels, composting, native plants, raingardens and other eco-friendly landscaping practices have grown in popularity, so have the number of websites offering information on them. In fact, there are now so many online resources it can be difficult to wade through them all to find what you need, when you need it. This is where the new Friends of the Mississippi River “Landscape for the River†webpage comes in. This new resource offers selective listings of the most-requested local and practical resources, in as brief a fashion as possible.
311 Hours Changing
311 Hours Changing
Effective Monday, April 12, 2010 Minneapolis 311 will be reducing its business hours:
from 7am – 11pm (Monday – Friday)
to 7am – 7pm (Monday – Friday).
This action is being taken in order to meet 2010 budget guidelines.
A “town hall” style information meeting about the new Minneapolis social host ordinance. The Office of Student Affairs, with others, is organizing an information meeting for students and interested others about the social host ordinance–planned for Wednesday, April 14, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Van Cleve Park gym. There will be a brief panel presentation by City Attorney Jodi Furness,2nd Precinct MPD Inspector Bryan Schafer or his designee, Chief Hestness of UMPD or his designee, and Mark Karon of University Student Legal Services. The panel presentation will be followed by time for Q and A.
The purpose of the meeting: “to increase awareness of the recently passed social host ordinance, clarify misperceptions, give people in the audience a chance to ask questions with experts”, which may help to deter underage drinking. The meeting will be open to the public, and there will be particular outreach to students who live in the campus area neighborhoods, including the students and alumni of the Greek chapter houses.
Raingarden Workshops
Metro Blooms to Host $10 Raingarden Workshops in 2010
Once again in 2010, Metro Blooms will offer low-cost raingarden workshops in the Twin Cities Metro Area and in Southern Minnesota. 4400 people have attended these workshops since 2005. Learn more at metroblooms.org.
Participants will learn the steps involved in designing and installing a raingarden. Hands-on assistance is available at some workshops, and workshop participants are eligible to receive low-cost on-site consultations from Metro Blooms Landscape Design Assistants.
3rd Ward Streets to be Repaved
During the reconstruction of the 35W Bridge, traffic was rerouted to provide access to and from downtown Minneapolis. These detour routes were evaluated for excess wear to the road surface and have now received federal funding to repair them. City Council approved improvements to be made on the following 3rd Ward streets.
* 8th Ave NE from River Bridge to University Ave NE
* 10th Ave SE from 2nd St SE to 4th St SE
* 4th St SE and SE from 1st Ave NE to Central Ave SE
All are welcome to attend an upcoming Public Works Meeting to discuss the 35W Detour Route Resurfacing Project. Public Works will be presenting the current project scope, design details of the project, and give the general public the opportunity to ask questions and provide input.
The meeting will be held Monday April 7th 11AM-1PM at the Hennepin County Central Library in the Main Lobby 300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis Blooms Day (May 15)
Spring into the Garden with Blooms Day 2010
Please join Metro Blooms for Minneapolis Blooms Day:
Saturday, May 15, 2010
from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
at Kenny Community School
5720 Emerson Avenue South, Minneapolis.
The event is free. The popular Blooms Day includes a plant sale, featuring native perennial plants with a selection of favorite raingarden plants, and will also feature four FREE 25-minute seminars on (1) designing for foliage, (2) garden design styles, (3) fast landscape plantings in the aftermath of emerald ash borer, and (4) raingarden maintenance. These mini-seminars will take place throughout the morning. Experts will be on hand to answer your questions. Enjoy refreshments while perusing silent auction items and shopping at exhibitor booths.
For more information about Blooms Day 2010, visit www.metroblooms.org.
Free Webinar about Smoke-Free Housing
Rental Property Managers – Join a Free Webinar about Smoke-Free Housing!
Since the passage of the Freedom to Breathe Act in 2007, Minnesotans have enjoyed breathing air free from secondhand smoke in our workplaces, bars and restaurants. But there is one group that is still hard hit by secondhand smoke: apartment renters.
Secondhand smoke is a major health issue – and one that leaves children and seniors especially vulnerable. Live Smoke Free is a local program that works with building managers and owners who are considering transitioning their buildings to be completely smoke free. Live Smoke Free offers free materials to help property managers adopt, implement and promote their policy successfully.
Live Smoke Free is hosting a FREE webinar about the benefits of smoke-free rental properties. Landlords and property managers throughout the metro are encouraged to attend this free webinar for more information. Attorney Warren Ortland of the Public Health Law Center will walk property managers through the steps to going smoke-free and answer legal questions.
This FREE webinar is offered on three convenient dates:
April 13th – 10:30 a.m. – Noon April 14th – Noon – 1:30 p.m. April 20th – 1:30 – p.m. –3:00
Register today by visiting mnsmokefreehousing.org/webinar. If you can’t attend, but would like more information about smoke-free policies for rental properties, call (651) 646-3005.
Heritage Preservation Commission seats open
The City of Minneapolis has two seats on the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) that will be opening up in the near future. Minneapolis CPED and the Minneapolis City Council seek your help in filling appointments to the HPC. If you or someone you know is a resident of Minneapolis, has an interest or knowledge in historic preservation, architecture, archeology, social history, restoration/rehabilitation or another closely related field, and would like to consider the possibility of serving on the HPC, please see the posting on the City Clerk’s website and fill out an application.
Applications are due by Fri, April 16, 2010.
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/boards-and-commissions/open/HPC%20Vacancy%20Notice.asp
Earth Day River Clean Up, Sat. April 17
Earth Day River Clean Up
Saturday April 17, 2010
9:30 am to noon
Father Hennepin Bluffs Park, 6th Ave SE & Main St.
Look for the Marcy-Holmes banner. Refreshments, bags and gloves provided. You’ll feel better when you help prepare our beautiful riverfront for summer visitors.
Marcy Arts Gala – Saturday April 17
The Marcy Arts Gala is happening Saturday April 17, 2010 at the Soap Factory, 518 Second Street SE from 6 – 11 pm. Art auctions, silent auction, food and beverages, entertainment, all for $35 in advance or $40 at the door. It’s an
18+ event, so leave the kids with a sitter. To purchase tickets, and for more information, visit marcy.mpls.k12.mn.us and look for MAP Gala. To see a video of the 2009 Gala and the Cowardly Lions rock band on UTube: