Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, Tuesday, April 8, 2003
800 LaSalle Avenue South, Suite 131

I.          Call to Order

With a quorum present, Tom Hoch called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  Other board members present were:  Dee Cotten; Andrew Hauer; Leslie Hirsch; Mark Moller; Kim Motes, Vice Chair; Gene Nessly, Treasurer; and Carletta Sweet, Secretary.  Nonboard members in attendance included:  Mark Bliven, graduate student at the Humphrey Institute; Larry Calhoun, Loring Park resident; Lisa Goodman, 7th Ward Councilmember; Rick Johnson, Central Library project manager, and Tom Hysell, Architectural Alliance; June Harmon, financial consultant; Ellen Nigon, Skyway News; Christie Rock, DMNA coordinator; and Mary Turner, Loring Park resident.

II.        University of Minnesota Land Use and Transportation Class Project

Mark Bliven advised that he, along with two other graduate students at the Humphrey Institute, perceive the No. 1 problem facing land use and transportation is the destructive impact that freeways have on urban settings.  To combat this problem (focusing primarily on Washington Avenue South) they are proposing what could be considered a “fantasy project”, i.e., creating a land bridge over I-35W and placing development on it (e.g., baseball stadium) to create a more pedestrian-friendly connection between the Cedar Riverside and the Downtown East/West neighborhoods.  Mark advised that his project team will need to justify their proposal and welcomed input from the board.  Suggestions and comments can be forwarded to Jon Osmond at 612-729-5636.   

III.       Q&A with Councilmember Lisa Goodman

Lisa announced the following:

·        The departure of her assistant, Douglas Gardner, on April 25th to pursue his educational plans and new opportunities.  A farewell event will be held at the Depot probably the first weekend in May; invitations with details are forthcoming.

·        The arrival of her new assistant, Doug Kress, on April 21st.  Doug is the Executive Director of Stevens Square neighborhood, former City Council candidate for Ward 10, former Executive Director for Minneapolis Redesign, and former policy analyst.

·        The next “Lunch with Lisa” on Wednesday, April 23rd, 12 noon at La Toscana.  This luncheon, the last in the series before the summer break, will have a presentation on the Walker Art Center expansion by Ann Bitter, Administrative Director.

·        The unanimous passing by the City Council of the Elliot Park master plan.

·        The 2003 legislative agenda for the City of Minneapolis (see Attachment 1). 

·        The hiring of a summer intern (i.e., Craig Williams) to complete the greening of the Third Avenue medians.  Lisa is also hoping the intern will use a GIF mapping system to identify other public right-of-way locations downtown for other potential adoption opportunities.               

Thereafter, Lisa answered questions and explained the recent budget cuts, its impact on City services and residents, and gave an update of the status of NRP funds and CPED.

IV.       New Central Library Project Update

Rick Johnson, who has been before the board several times, and Tom Hysell updated the board on the design changes since the unveiling last October.  Demolition of the old building is complete and excavation for construction of the new building is underway.  The design calls for a central 5-story public space called “Library Hall”, plaza entries on both Nicollet and Hennepin Avenues, and a combination of clear and opaque glass exterior walls for a welcoming visibility.

After Rick and Tom entertained questions, Andy moved and Dee seconded to approve the building of the new $110,000,000 plus library, the issuance of bonds to pay for it, and ask City Council representatives to work toward making it happen (see Attachment 2).  The motion was carried unanimously. 

V.        Consideration of Minutes from March 2003

Consideration of the minutes from March 2003 was postponed to the next regularly scheduled meeting.

VI.       Financial Report from March 2003

June Harmon submitted the F2003 Budget vs. Actual as of March 2003, the Wells Fargo check register from March 1-31, 2003, the March 2003 Profit & Loss statement, and the revised F2003 Budget as of April 8, 2003.  These financial documents were received and filed.  June explained that because DMNA did not expend $5,000 allocated for Restorative Justice until January 2003, the revised 2003 budget should indicate the full $10,000.  Andy moved and Dee seconded amend the 2003 budget accordingly.  The motion was carried unanimously.

VII.     Land Use Committee Report

No items were considered for review.  The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, 2003 at 6:30 p.m.

VIII.    Affordable Housing RFP and Selection Criteria Report

Kim Motes advised that she and Tom Hochs met with Randal Hemmerlin, MCDA’s Multifamily Housing Coordinator, as well as Barb Lichness to move DMNA forward on its affordable housing process.  According to Kim, MCDA will collect the RFPs, conduct initial screenings of projects, and bring recommendations to the board at no cost to DMNA.

After a lengthy discussion regarding the Affordable Housing RFP and Selection Criteria documents, and changes suggested thereto, Carletta moved and Gene seconded to adopt the amended Affordable Housing RFP 2003 and the attached Selection Criteria.  The motion was carried unanimously.

Thereafter, Mark suggested that once DMNA is considering Affordable Housing proposals that they be submitted on its website for neighborhood input.  

IX.       NRP Implementation Committee Update

Kim presented to the board what has/has not been accomplished thus far from its NRP Neighborhood Action Plan and solicited feedback on the relevancy of the various goals and objectives contained therein.  After a brief discussion, the board agreed to move toward finalizing the Action Plan at the next scheduled NRP IC meeting on Wednesday, April 30th at 5:30 p.m.

X.        Announcements/New Business

Andy announced the annual meeting of the Central Community Housing Trust (CCHT) to be held on Tuesday, April 29h at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral.  The keynote speaker will be Kit Hadley, former commissioner of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and the new director of the Minneapolis Public Library Board.  Andy indicated that dinner would be free but those interested should rsvp.

Tom distributed to the board a letter he drafted on behalf of DMNA (Attachment 3), and at the request of Central City Neighborhood Partnership Restorative Justice Program (CCNP RJP), to the “powers that be” in support of an immediate, same-day process to address the chronic offenders who are failing to respond to their tickets for livability offenses.

XI.       Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Signed this ________ day of ________________________, 2003.

_______________________________                      _______________________________
Chair                                                                            Secretary