Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association
Minutes from Board of Directors Meeting on Tuesday, June 8, 2004
800 LaSalle Avenue South, Suite 131, Minneapolis

I.          Call to Order

Tom Hoch called the meeting to order at 6:26 p.m.  Other board members in attendance were Dee Cotten, Andrew Hauer, Jodi Pfarr, Gene Nessly, and Carletta Sweet.  Board members David Abele and Kim Motes were unavailable.  Nonboard members in attendance included Laura Boyd, Boyd & Associates; Michael Fleming; June Harmon, financial consultant; 1st Precinct CPS Luther Kruger; Sarah McKenzie, Skyway News journalist; Christie Rock, DMNA Coordinator; Mike Spicer and Sarah Harrell, Mike Spicer Foods Ltd; Paul Zerby, 2nd Ward Councilmember.

II.        Consideration of May 2004 Minutes

The minutes from the May 11, 2004 board meeting were approved by majority vote.

III.       Consideration of May 2004 Financial Reports

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

June asked the board to pass a motion to pay the $25 annual nonprofit registration fee and to file the 990 tax return with the IRS and AG retroactive to May 11, 2004, the date of the mailing.  The motion was moved and unanimously approved.

June then distributed “Contract #14007 - Amendment 5” and “Budget Amendment” documents and explained that she had called Barb Lichness to ask whether DMNA should add any more money to its administrative contract since those funds had been reduced to approximately $20,000.  In response, Barb suggested adding all Phase 1 money due to the administration contract now.  Therefore the $62,000 budget amendment would dispose of all Phase I funds attributable to administration.   These two documents were unanimously approved.     

IV.       COPS Initiative Reserve Fund Update

Tom reminded the board that earlier this year the NRP Policy Board had set aside $1 million from the Community Oriented Public Safety (COPS) Initiatives Reserve Fund for neighborhood policing activities and that he and Christie developed a $55,000 proposal commiserate with DMNA’s existing strategies.  As a result, DMNA was awarded $40,000 and will need to submit a “Scope of Services”, copies of which were distributed at the instant meeting as Exhibit A.  No action was required of the board at this time.

V.        Consideration of Land Use Committee Items

For informational purposes only, Andy advised the board of the proposed renovation of the 4-story plus basement historic Crane Building at 400-404 Third Avenue North.  The owner plans to convert the larger apartments units on the second, third and fourth floors into 22 smaller loft-style units.  Because there are only 14 existing on-site parking spaces, a parking variance is being sought and a hearing was scheduled before the Planning Commission on June 7, 2004.  The LUC took no action on this matter.

Laura Boyd announced the sale of the restaurant and lounge business in the Textile Building at 119 North 4th Street Suite 104 to Mike Spicer and Sarah Harrell who are seeking:  (1) a Class B, on-sale liquor license; (2) 2:00 a.m. permit; (3) tobacco license; and (4) a sidewalk café permit for 2nd Avenue North.  Mike advised they plan on having a New Orleans-style menu, adding a frozen beverage machine, remodeling the bar area, featuring house music on weekdays and live jazz on weekends, and targeting an upscale business clientele.  Mike has 10 years of business experience in Minnesota and is also a realtor.  Andy requested the new owners to work closely with the 1st Precinct and join the Warehouse bar owners association.  A motion to approve all four permits and licenses sought was unanimously approved.

Michael Fleming, counsel for Ted Glasrud Associates, described the proposed conversion and refurbishing of the current extended-stay units on floors 26 and 27, known as the Executive Suites at The Centre Village Building, into moderately-priced condominium units, and explained the rational for filing a registered land survey to plat the property.  Andy distributed a letter he received from Michael dated May 25, 2004 for reference.  A motion to approve the registered land survey was unanimously approved.

VI.       Update from Councilmember Paul Zerby

Paul announced the revision of the solicitation and loitering ordinances.  The portion of the solicitation ordinance he feels is unconstitutional is the asking of money while under the influence of liquor so under the severability clause he struck that item and supported the rest of the ordinance.

Paul again expressed his strong support for banning smoking in bars and restaurants for health-related reasons and related thereto distributed:  (a) Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support’s May 2004 Policy Brief on secondhand smoke in Minneapolis worksites; and (b) a proposed ordinance authored by Councilmembers Zimmermann, Johnson Lee, Niziolek, Samuels, Schiff, Zerby amending Title 11, adding Chapter 234 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances related to Indoor Air Quality. 

Thereafter, Paul and Luther Kruger answered questions and updated the board on the status of the summer SAFE program and the city’s other public safety agencies.

VII.     Old Business

Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Grant/Demonstration Project

Tom reminded the board that it had applied for a MWMO grant and that the Star Tribune’s parking facility was considered the best place to use these funds since it would tie into other greening efforts in the area.  More details to follow. 

Plan Modification Update

Tom requested postponement on whether to move forward on scope of service for the Planetarium and the Shubert Performing Arts and Education Center until it is determined whether there will be a special session of the legislature.

Restorative Justice Program Update

Tom explained he had asked Gina Gerard to develop a proposal to disburse DMNA’s reallocation of $95,000 of NRP funds to work with Central City Neighborhoods Partnership’s RJP.  A copy of Gina’s funding proposal for July 2004 to June 2006 was distributed for reference.  Thereafter the board decided to allow the administrative citation process work through the system before proceeding further.

VIII.    New Business/Announcements

Streetscaping on Washington Avenue South

Tom advised that due to increased development there are ongoing discussions taking place regarding designing streetscaping along Washington Avenue similar to that on Hennepin Avenue in order to create a more pedestrian friendly environment – an opportunity for DMNA involvement.

Reduced Parking along Washington Avenue South

Tom and June also addressed the increasing reduction of safe and affordable parking for customers and employees around Washington Avenue due to increased development in the area.

Housing Committee for Seniors Federation Update

Dee read a letter from Kim Holter and Mike Neuhaus expressing their concerns about recent HUD actions that threaten the homes of thousands of low income and disabled families across the country, and demanding HUD to properly fund the Section 8 voucher program.  Thereafter Dee passed a petition for signatory approval.

IX.       Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Signed this ________ day of ________________________, 2004.

_______________________________                      _______________________________
Chair                                                                            Secretary