Vice Chair Carletta Sweet called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
Other board members who attended include Tom Hoch; Kim Motes, Chair; Gene Nessly; Cynthia Newsom, Treasurer; Scott Parkin, Secretary; and Jodi Pfarr. Land Use Committee Chair Andy Hauer was unavailable.
Guests in attendance included Beth Elliott, CPED Principal City Planner for Downtown; Brian Gadient, Daniel Pellinen and Jeffrey Wrede of Tushie Montgomery Architects; Jon Hempel, Josh Krsnak and Sara Malin of Hempel Properties; Barb Lichness, NRP Specialist; Tom Melchior; Sarah Phemister, Downtown Journal; George Rosenquist; and RiverWest residents Leslie Bakst, Phil Epstein, and Shawn Rockler.
Jon Hempel, president and owner of Hempel Properties,
and Daniel Pellinen, associate of Tushie Montgomery Architects, described
the $100 million hotel and condominium development they are planning in downtown
Minneapolis in partnership with Morrissey Hospitality to be called The Hotel
Minneapolis and Residences. The approximately 200 unit hotel and restaurant
will be developed in the existing U-shaped, 10-story Midland Bank Building
on 2nd Avenue South, and the approximately 150 condominium units will be erected
next door above a 13-story parking ramp in a new 35-story tower on South 4th
Street. As this project winds its way through the City’s planning process,
they will keep DMNA apprised of its progress.
III. Consideration of Agenda
Upon the Chair’s arrival, and having reached a quorum, the agenda was considered and amended by postponing Andy’s update of the April 4th LUC meeting as well as further discussion of The Wave.
IV. Consideration of March 2006 Board Meeting Minutes
Gene moved and Jodi seconded to approve the March 2006 board meeting minutes. The motion was unanimously passed.
As indicated on the agenda for the instant meeting,
DMNA’s Neighborhood Coordinator/Bookkeeper Christie Rock is working with Mike
Wilson, the NRP auditor, to prepare DMNA’s Form 990 for 2005 and anticipates
submitting them by May 15, 2006. Also, in an e-mail submitted to the board
on April 10, 2006, Christie advised that there are no financial statements
for the month of March since no checks were written.
VI. New City Planner Introduction
Beth Elliott, former Community Planner for the Southwest sector, introduced herself as the new Community Planner for the Downtown sector and explained her role and responsibilities. She replaced Jack Byers who occupied this position before he was promoted to supervisor in the Development Services section of CPED. Responding to inquiries regarding The Wave, Beth advised that this project is still going through environmental review, which could take several months, and suggested periodically checking the city’s website for updates on its progression through the planning process. The Chair also suggested contacting Councilmember Goodman’s office for updates as well. Beth can be reached by phone at 612-673-2442 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Tom Hoch briefed the board on what transpired
in the first reorganized Crime and Safety Committee meeting held on March
21st. DMNA and Stevens Square Community Organization (SSCO) are working towards
implementing a neighborhood patrol by expanding the Safe Zone concept to downtown
residential properties (i.e., security personnel cooperating with the MPD).
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 18, 6:30 p.m., at the DMNA
office.
DMNA NRP Specialist Barb Lickness distributed
folders and explained the contents therein: a primer (a snapshot of the Minneapolis
NRP); a copy of DMNA’s Action Plan adopted by the City Council on February
15, 2002 with accompanying spreadsheets summarizing Phase I activities; a
Plan Modification form; Preparing for Phase II document, etc. Responding
to an inquiry regarding funds for Crime and Safety, Barb advised that NRP
funds could now be used to purchase off-duty officers via a subcontractor
agreement. Barb can be reached by phone at 612-673-5216 or via e-mail at
[email protected].
IX. Old/New/Other Business
Tom Hoch advised that he was approached by Sue Jahn requesting DMNA’s continued support for the annual National Night Out event she coordinates for the DMNA and NLNA. This year Sue is requesting $1,200 from DMNA. Tom moved and Gene seconded to approve the amount requested under the same terms and conditions as required in prior years. The motion was unanimously passed.
X. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Signed this ________ day of ________________________, 2006.
_______________________________
_______________________________
Chair
Secretary