Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association
Minutes from Board of Directors Meeting on Tuesday, April 13, 2004
800 LaSalle Avenue South, Suite 131, Minneapolis

I.          Call to Order and Introductions

Kim Motes called the meeting to order at 6:28 p.m.  Other board members in attendance were:  David Abele, Dee Cotten, Andrew Hauer, Tom Hoch, Gene Nessly, and Carletta Sweet.  Jodi Pfarr was unavailable.  Nonboard members in attendance included:  Sue Bonin, McCaffery Interests; Pamela Danielson, MN Alliance for Safe Highways; Lieutenants Tony Diaz and Craig Williams, 1st Precinct; Lisa Goodman, 7th Ward Councilmember; Mike Hanson, TCF Bank; June Harmon, financial consultant; Thomas Lallier, Foley & Mansfield PLLP; José Luis, Susie Olson, Teneil Vaughn, all from The Bridge for Runaway Youth; Mike Rollin, CCNP Restorative Justice; and George Rosenquist, downtown resident.

II.        Consideration of March 2004 Minutes

The minutes from the March 30, 2004 board meeting were unanimously approved.

III.       Consideration of February and March 2004 Financial Reports

June Harmon distributed and Gene Nessly explained the F2004 Budget vs. Actual as of February and March 2004; the Profit & Loss statements for February and March 2004; and the Wells Fargo check registers for February 1-29, and March 1-31, 2004.  These financial documents were unanimously received and filed. 

IV.       1st Precinct Public Safety Update

Lt. Diaz and Williams distributed charts depicting the 1st precinct’s property crimes year-to-date and citywide Part 1 offenses year-to date, apprised the board on the 1st precinct’s preparations for the coming summer months, and raised safety issues regarding the installation of the ATM on Hennepin Avenue at Block E.      

V.        Update from Councilmember Lisa Goodman

Lisa announced the following:

·        Next Lunch with Lisa on Wednesday, April 28th at Tiburòn in Loring Park.  Park Kunkle, President, and Bob Bonadurer, Director, both of the Minnesota Planetarium Society will discuss plans for the new planetarium.  Lisa will take a summer break in May and June and resume her monthly luncheons in July with probably a legislative briefing. 

·        Due to the LRT, the Aquatennial Block Party has moved its location to Hennepin and 2nd Avenues South along Washington Avenue South.  Also, in order for the Downtown Council to raise funds to offset cuts in city funding, there will now be two nights of block parties instead of one.

·        She had authored city policy to allow bikes on the mall during the bus strike and is now searching for ways to keep the bikes on the mall and to remove the buses.

·        Her support of the University of St. Thomas’ Schulze Hall building to be constructed on its green space on Harmon at 12th Street.      

VI.       Visitor Presentations

TCF Bank Variance Request

Attorney Thomas Lallier and Sue Bonin discussed the variance request for a TCF automated teller outside of Block E on Hennepin Avenue (one TCF automated teller already exits on the opposite side of the building on 1st Avenue North) and answered questions regarding security issues.

Central City Neighborhoods Partnership Restorative Justice Update

Mike Rollin distributed and explained CCNP RJP’s brochure, the 2003 Year in Review, 2003 Neighborhood Service Projects, and Proposal to Neighborhood Organization Boards.  Mike also advised the board that the City Attorney will be giving a 6-month progress report on the administrative citation project for the 1st Precinct on Wednesday, April 21st at 1:30 p.m. before the Public Safety and Regulatory Services Committee.

The Bridge for Runaway Youth

Teneil Vaughn, Street Outreach Worker, explained that The Bridge, an approximately 35-year organization located in the Uptown area, provides shelter, counseling, and safety for youth in crisis ages 10 to 21 years.  The Bridge currently partners with 12 other agencies in the Twin Cities to provide free, 24-hour services.  Teneil, along with his other Outreach Team members, José and Susie, are reaching out to the various neighborhood associations to try and forge additional partnerships.  For more information visit their website at www.bridgeforyouth.org.     

Minnesota Alliance for Safe Highways

Pamela Danielson explained the opposition to legislation (House File 804 and Senate File 1324) allowing heavier trucks on non-interstate highways in Minnesota.  Heavier trucks are considered bad for the state’s infrastructure and unsafe.   Pamela sought DMNA’s support in opposition to this legislation and distributed a letter and contact information.

VII.     Land Use Committee (LUC) Report

Andy presented the following items for action:

·        A motion to approve a liquor license for VCG Holding Corporation (new owners of Scheik’s Palace Royale)

·        A motion to approve a liquor license for Nochee, a new Italian restaurant at the Depot Office Center, 500 Washington Avenue South

·        A motion to approve a conditional use parking permit for American Trio condominium conversion at 616 South 3rd Street.             

All three of the above motions were unanimously approved.

A fourth action item to approve TCF Bank’s variance request for its ATM at Block E was approved by majority vote contingent upon the installation of a 24-hour security camera and marquee.  Tom Hoch abstained.

Andy turned over a fifth LUC item to the Chair for his consideration due to his expertise in public housing issues and streetscape design, i.e., 314 Hennepin’s request for a conditional use parking permit.  Tom will follow up with Dean Carlson of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority with his comments.

VIII.    Other Business

2003 Plan Modification

Tom advised that DMNA’s 2003 plan modification was approved by the City Council.  The contracts for the Skyway Senior Center as well as for the Planetarium and The Schubert are being prepared.  

Go Before You Go

As a result of the publicity received about GBYG, Kim met with some creative people at a public relations company who showed her the work they’ve done on tough and difficult subjects (e.g., youth drug use, date rape).  The company is intrigued by DMNA’s GBYG campaign and will work on some ideas to present to DMNA in a couple months.  In the meantime, Kim and Luther Kruger are working on ways to educate the bar owners on how to deal with the situation. 

Affordable Housing

Kim will follow up with Dolly of CPED to pursue the same RFP process that was conducted last year.

Downtown Beautification

Tom advised that DMNA set aside $115,000 for 2004 and $35,000 for 2005 of NRP funds towards the beautification of downtown.  In addition, DMNA is working with the City to coordinate grants from the EPA, Tree Trust and Watershed District to pursue the best use of these funds (e.g., installing trees along the LRT corridor).  Tom also advised that funds will not be required for banners along Hennepin Avenue since American Express agreed to pay for those.  Tom emphasized that these beautifications funds will go into product and not administration.

Kim led a discussion regarding DMNA matching funds for the lighting of the Stone Arch Bridge project.  A motion was unanimously approved to empower Kim to commit $10,000 toward this project. 

IX.       Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Signed this ________ day of ________________________, 2004.

_______________________________                      _______________________________
Chair                                                                            Secretary