Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association
Minutes from Board of Directors Meeting on Tuesday, August 9, 2005
Hennepin Center for the Arts
528 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 310, Minneapolis

I.          Call to Order and Introductions

Carletta Sweet, Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. 

Other board members in attendance were Dee Cotten; Andrew Hauer; Tom Hoch; and Gene Nessly.  Board members absent were David Abele, Treasurer; Kim Motes, Chair; and Jodi Pfarr, Secretary. 

Others in attendance included:  7th Ward Council Member Lisa Goodman (and Sadie the Golden Doodle); June Harmon, DMNA staff accountant; the Polka Dot Sisters, urban concierge service; Christie Rock, DMNA coordinator; Jeremy Stratton, staff writer for Skyway News; and Tim Whitten, David Bernard Builders and Developers.

II.        Consideration of agenda and any additions to the agenda
Andy Hauer requested that the Parcel E Housing Development proposed by David Bernard Builders and Developers be added to the Land Use Committee update.
Andy Hauer also requested that the Mayoral debate scheduled for August 24, 2005 be reviewed under new business.
Gene Nessly requested that the board have an open discussion under new business regarding DeLaSalle High School’s proposal to construct a multi-purpose recreational facility on Nicollet Island. 
III.       Update from Council Member Lisa Goodman
Council Member Lisa Goodman gave the 7th Ward update.  She distributed the newly published “May We Help You” guide.  The Senior Center was instrumental in preparing the guide.  She commended the center’s efforts to raise funds for the DMNA matching grant proposal.  She indicated that Allina is the Senior Center’s new corporate sponsor. 
Council Member Goodman updated the board on a proposal to drastically scale back the number of sidewalk cafes in downtown Minneapolis.  10th Ward Council Member Dan Niziolek is leading this effort.
Additionally, Council Member Goodman discussed the proposal to take busses off of the Nicollet Mall.  The Met Council and City plan to conduct a survey of mall users to gain feedback.  The results will be incorporated into the 10-year transportation plan.  Council Member Goodman plans to hold a public meeting to present the plan for public input.
Council Member Goodman commented on the Park Board’s intention to allow DeLaSalle High School to construct a multi-purpose recreational facility on Nicollet Island.  She is supportive of the reciprocal use agreement and she plans to vote in favor of the street vacation, which is required in order for the project to move forward.  The project requires a street vacation for Grove Street.
Council Member Goodman announced her next “Lunch with Lisa” to be held on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 at 12 noon with guest speakers Representative Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Senator Scott Dibble. 
Council Member Goodman advised that if re-elected she will attend the November 15, 2005, annual meeting. 
IV.       Consideration of July 2005 Minutes

Dee Cotten made a motion to approve the minutes from the July 12, 2005 board meeting.   Gene Nessly seconded the motion.  Carletta Sweet called for discussion.  The minutes were unanimously approved.

V.        Consideration of July 2005 Financial Statements

June Harmon distributed and Christie Rock explained the F2005 Budget vs. Actual as of July 2005; the Profit & Loss with YTD statement for July 2005; and the bank register for July 1-31, 2005.  These financial documents were unanimously received and filed.

VI.       Land Use Committee Update

LUC Chair Andy Hauer submitted the following projects for board consideration:

·        Parcel E Housing Development – Tim Whitten, A.I.A., executive vice president with David Bernard Builders and Developers presented the retail/residential project, which is proposed for Parcel E (bounded by Washington Avenue and Chicago Avenue).  The development will wrap around the new Guthrie Theatre parking ramp. 

The proposed development is five levels and includes 116 to 120 owner-occupied condominium units and 160 parking spaces.  Retail (possibly restaurant and coffee shop) would be located on the first or ground level of the building.  The price point for the condominiums is low $200s, not more than $300,000. 

The developer is not seeking any variances from the city.  Christie Rock will prepare a letter of support from the DMNA. 

VII.     First Precinct Update

Luther Krueger did not attend the meeting.

VIII.    Consideration of appointment to the Chicago Avenue Advisory Board

This item was continued for discussion from the July 2005 board meeting.  Per the request of CPED staff person Ann Calvert, the DMNA needs to appoint someone to the newly created Chicago Avenue Advisory Board. 

Tom Hoch made a motion to appoint Scott Parkin to the Chicago Avenue Advisory Board as a representative from the Downtown East neighborhood.  He further recommended that the DMNA appoint Kathleen Anderson to serve as the alternate.  Andy Hauer seconded the motion.  Carletta Sweet called for discussion.  The motion passed. 

Christie Rock will contact Ann Calvert with the DMNA’s recommendations.

IX.       Restorative Justice Update and FY 2005-2006 Funding Request

Executive Director Gena Gerard gave an update on Restorative Justice activities over the past year.  She also commented on the newly formed 501(c)(3).  She thanked Dee Cotten for her work with the organization. 

Additionally, Ms. Gerard reviewed the Nuisance Night Hearing Program.  She presented a report that was prepared by Lois Conroy from the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office for the City’s Public Safety & Regulatory Services Committee.  Tom Hoch commented on the fact that the program was deemed unsuccessful, because it did not break even financially.  He expressed frustration that the City of Minneapolis never approached the neighborhoods to see if they would be willing to contribute to the program’s unpaid debt.  The program appears successful statistically.  Ms. Gerard encouraged the neighborhood to speak with Lois Conroy directly about the report and the program’s outcomes.  Christie Rock indicated that Ms. Conroy is scheduled to present at the September DMNA board meeting.

Finally, Ms. Gerard presented a funding request to the DMNA for $10,000 to support restorative justice activities in the downtown neighborhoods between July of 2005 and June of 2006.  She provided a scope of service summarizing the program and outlining how the funds will be spent.

Tom Hoch made a motion to approve Restorative Justices request for $10,000 in DMNA NRP funds.  Dee Cotten seconded the motion.  Carletta Sweet called for discussion.  The motion passed. 

X.        NRP Implementation Update
·        Update on Washington Avenue Streetscape Project – Christie is meeting with Barb Lickness and Michael McLaughlin from the Downtown Council to discuss the scope of service for this project on Friday, August 19, 2005. 
The DMNA approved an NRP allocation of $40,000 from the Downtown Development strategy at its July 2005 meeting.
·        Consideration of Scope of Service for the Minneapolis Public Library / Planetarium Christie Rock presented the scope of service for the Planetarium.  The board and community approved allocating NRP dollars to this project in 2003.  The scope of service will allow the contracting process to move forward.
Tom Hoch made a motion to approve the scope of service for the Planetarium as presented.  Dee Cotten seconded the motion.  Carletta Sweet called for discussion.  The motion passed. 
XI.       Old Business / New Business / Other Business
·        Mayoral Forum scheduled for Wednesday, August 24 – Andy Hauer indicated that at this point three of the 12 mayoral candidates plan to participate in the debate, including Mayor R. T. Rybek, Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin and Farheen Hakeem.  The forum will take place at the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis.  The forum will focus on the impact of crime and safety issues on housing, schools and businesses.  The League of Women Voters will moderate the debate.  The event is co-sponsored by CLPC, the Whittier Alliance, Stevens Square Community Organization, Elliot Park Neighborhood and the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association.
 
·        Open discussion regarding the proposed DeLaSalle High School football field on Minneapolis Park land on Nicollet Island – Gene Nessly introduced a discussion regarding DeLaSalle High School’s proposal to construct a multi-purpose recreational facility on land owned by the Minneapolis Park Board on Nicollet Island.  Neighbors on Nicollet Island are not supportive of this project.  The school plans to allow shared use of the facility with the Minneapolis Park Board on Sundays and during the summer when school is not in session.
 
·        Presentation by new business, the Polka Dot Sisters – Two young women gave a presentation on a new urban concierge business they are starting in downtown. 
XII.     Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Signed this ________ day of ________________________, 2005.

_______________________________           _______________________________
Chair                                                                Secretary