Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association
Minutes from Board of Directors Meeting on Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Hennepin Center for the Arts
528 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 310, Minneapolis, Minnesota
I. Call to Order and Introductions
Board Chair Carletta Sweet called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
Other board members in attendance included Andy Hauer; Denise Holt; Kim Motes; Scott Parkin, Secretary; and George Rosenquist. Tom Hoch, Vice Chair, and Cynthia Newsom, Treasurer, were absent.
Guests in attendance included: Laura Boyd; Michelle Bruch, Downtown Journal; Ward 7 Council Member Lisa Goodman; and representatives from Musashi Japanese Restaurant.
Staff member Christie Rock also attended the meeting.
II. Consideration of the Agenda
Board Chair Sweet asked if there were any additions or changes to the agenda. The board approved the agenda as presented.
III. Land Use Committee (LUC) Report
LUC Chair Andy Hauer introduced the following projects:
Musashi Japanese Restaurant. Laura Boyd, a licensing consultant, is helping the new tenant occupying the former Olive Garden restaurant located at 12 South 6th Street navigate the licensing process with the City of Minneapolis. Ms. Boyd indicated that Musashi Japanese Restaurant is seeking a Class E liquor license, along with a permit to operate a sidewalk café on Hennepin Avenue and South 6th Street. She also introduced the owners of the new restaurant. Ms. Boyd noted that they are very experienced restaurant owners. The owners presented the design of the interior space and menu then responded to questions from board members.
Motes moved and Sweet seconded a motion to approve the Class E liquor license and sidewalk café permit for Musashi Japanese Restaurant. Sweet called for discussion.
There was discussion regarding the proposed sidewalk café for Hennepin Avenue and South 6th Street and whether the width of 6th Street would accommodate a sidewalk café and still meet ADA requirements.
Motes amended her motion to stipulate a preference for not putting tables on South 6th Street for the sidewalk café. Sweet called for more discussion. The motion passed.
IV. Downtown Update by Ward 7 Council Member Lisa Goodman
· Gold Medal Park. The official grand opening of Minneapolis’ newest park took place on Wednesday, May 16th. This 7.5 acre park featuring over 300 mature trees and a mound with panoramic views of the riverfront is directly downriver of the new Guthrie Theater and east of the Bridgewater Lofts condominium project in the heart of the riverfront Mill District. This much needed green space was achieved by a collaborative public/private partnership between the City and the McGuire Foundation.
· Wireless Minneapolis. The City signed a 10-year contract with US Internet to build and manage a wireless network across Minneapolis which will allow the City to service residents and businesses more effectively and efficiently. Phase One completion, which includes the Downtown and Cedar Riverside/Seward neighborhoods, is anticipated to be by June 5. For more information go to www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/wirelessminneapolis.
· City/County Library Merger. Both the Committee on the Future of Libraries in Hennepin County and the Minneapolis Library Advisory Committee have recommended the consolidation of the Hennepin County and Minneapolis library systems. Based on these recommendations, the City Council, Hennepin County Commissioners, and the Boards of the Hennepin County and Minneapolis libraries will vote on whether to proceed with negotiations. A merger will unite two nationally recognized libraries into one premier system. For more information go to www.mplib.org or www.hclib.org/futureoflibraries.
· City’s Goals. Distributed a pocket brochure encapsulating the City’s goals passed by the City Council in July 2006: a safe place to call home; one Minneapolis; lifelong learning second to none; connected communities; enriched environment; and a premier destination.
· Development Update
o Two Twenty Two Hennepin – project delayed; unsure about status
o The Wave – Omni Investment is suing the City
o The Zenith – expected completion Fall 2008
o The Revue – moving forward; developer is doing a redesign
o The Nicollet – undergoing redesign; continuing to sell units
o Dog Parks – ground breaking scheduled for Loring Park Dog Grounds, a 10,000 square-foot grassy area between Joe’s Garage and the Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Construction begins May 21. Progress continues on the North Loop and Elliot Park dog parks.
· Crime and Safety Concerns. Responded to concerns regarding drug dealing, loitering and littering on Hennepin Avenue. Noted that the City has committed $500,000 toward the policing of bus stops.
· Comprehensive Plan Update. Mentioned opportunity for engaging the public using www.wikipedia.org. Public meetings will be announced via email.
· Access Minneapolis. Noted that she intends to vote against the Downtown Transportation Plan, a/k/a Access Minneapolis. The plan is about moving buses, not people. Metropolitan Transit is not willing to take buses off of the Nicollet Mall.
· Washington Avenue Streetscape. Indicated that plan is stagnant and difficult to implement because it is in conflict with the City’s planning and zoning policies. City needs to change zoning ordinance to encourage development.
· NRP. Common Project is out of money. No new funding source has been identified. There should be a role for citizens.
V. Consideration of February 13, 2007 Board Minutes
Consideration of April 10, 2007 Board Minutes
Parkin moved and Sweet seconded the motion to approve the minutes from the April 10, 2007, board meeting. Sweet called for discussion. The motion passed.
Staff member Christie Rock distributed and explained the F2007 Budget vs. Actual as of May 2007.
Motes moved and Parkin seconded a motion to receive and file the May2007 Financial document. Sweet called for any discussion. The motion passed.
Parkin moved and Motes seconded a motion to approve submitting the 2006 tax return information, including the Federal Form 990 and the Minnesota Charitable Organization Reporting Form, along with the supporting $25 filing fee. Sweet called for any discussion. The motion passed.
VII. Old Business / New Business / Other Business
Website Redesign. Scott Parkin gave an update on the website redesign project. Parkin noted that the Identity Development Committee consists of two board members, himself and Denise Holt. Parkin stated that the two reviewed proposals from a number of website design firms, of which the proposal from Sassafras Design rose above the rest. The proposal fits within the $15,000 maximum budget recommended by the board at its April meeting. Parkin indicated that he would invite Sassafras Design to give a presentation at the June board meeting. Thereafter, the Identity Development Committee will prepare the scope of service. Parkin indicated that he has been interacting with Paul Barber to make sure his thoughts are incorporated into the new site.
VIII. Crime and Safety Committee (CSC) Report
Due to CSC Chair Tom Hoch’s absence, the Crime and Safety Committee Report was postponed.
IX. Capital Long-Range Improvements Committee (CLIC) Update by Cynthia Newsom
Due to Treasurer Cynthia Newsom’s absence, the CLIC update was postponed.
X. Adjournment
Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Signed this ________ day of ________________________, 2007.
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Chair
Secretary