Downtown Minneapolis
Neighborhood Association
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, Tuesday,
July 8, 2003
800 LaSalle Avenue South, Suite 131
I. Call to Order and Introductions
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: June
Harmon, financial consultant; Natalie Johnson Lee, 5th Ward
Councilmember; Robert Lux, Principal, APEX Asset Management Corporation; Ellen
Nigon, Skyway News; Eric Reisinger, Associate, LaSalle Bank
Commercial Banking; George Rosenquist; and Donald Rowe, President, River Towers
Condominiums.
II. Consideration of Minutes from May 2003
The minutes from the May 2003 board meeting were unanimously approved.
III. Financial Report from June 2003
June Harmon submitted and Gene
Nessly explained the F2003 Budget vs. Actual as of June 2003,
the Profit & Loss YTD Comparison statements for May and June 2003, and the
Wells Fargo check register from May 1 to June 30, 2003. June advised that DMNA’s 990 tax form for
2002 was filed but no audit was conducted, and that she has submitted reimbursement
for the NRP admin contract of a little over $12,000. The financial report and
documents were unanimously received and filed.
IV. Land Use Committee Report
Andy presented the four items that the LUC recommended from its July 1st meeting:
·
The Class A food and beverage license for the Mill
City Museum.
·
The conditional use permit for the New Union @ Three Degrees,
a nonalcoholic Christian bar to be located at Butler North in the space formerly
occupied by the Loon Café and Old Chicago Restaurants.
·
The setback variance for the proposed Bridge Place Residences
to be erected at the vacant HUD site at 220 Second
Street South. Rob Lux gave another more condensed
presentation to the full board regarding this 39-story, 8 units per floor, 285
unit for-sale project. The HUD building would remain but undergo façade improvements
and an additional level erected serving as the parking structure topped by townhouses.
Groundbreaking is anticipated for Spring 2004 predicated on a 50 percent pre-sold
basis, followed by a 2-year construction phase.
·
The construction of the industrial-styled Chicago
Avenue Plaza
boarded by Second Street South, Humboldt Lofts, West
River Parkway and the Guthrie
Museum.
Andy moved and Carletta seconded to recommend approval of all items. The motion
was carried unanimously.
Andy announced the release and arrival of the Downtown East/North Loop Master
Plan by the Planning Department. A copy and CD are available in the Chair’s
office for review. Andy also advised that the Planning Department requested
that DMNA hold a public hearing regarding the plan for neighborhood feedback
and suggested the following venues: at the North Star Lofts’ community room;
at the Towers Condominiums’ party room; or to join the North Loop Neighborhood
Association’s meeting scheduled for July 15th at City Hall. After a brief discussion,
it was agreed that once a date and time has been established for the public
meeting, Tom and Carletta would work with Andy to notify the neighborhood via
email and poster distribution.
V. Q&A with Councilmember Natalie Johnson Lee
Natalie announced that the City is currently working on setting its next intergovernmental
relations (IGR) agenda; the Mayor is meeting with department heads and organizations
to develop the 2004 City budget; and the dispute between the recently-arrived
residents in the North Loop area and the decades-old
industrial business of Northern Auto Parts over its car crushing expansion plans.
Responding to Andy’s inquiry regarding the retirement of Police Chief Robert
Olson, Natalie suggested that recruitment for a replacement should be conducted
beyond the Minneapolis Police Department itself. Responding to Mark’s inquiry
regarding converting to CPED, Natalie advised that rollover will likely occur
in September/October and that she has been vocal about the recruitment and hiring
practices to ensure a fair process and diverse workforce. Regarding the future
of the NRP, Natalie advised that has yet to be determined.
VI. NRP Implementation Committee Update
Tom advised that due to additional work required by the NRP, the DMNA would
need to postpone taking any action on its Neighborhood Action Plan reallocation
proposal. However three elements of the plan were presented that required immediate
action:
·
Repair of the Gateway fountain next to the Towers Condominium
on Hennepin Avenue. Gene
has been raising funds towards this project and is lacking $25,000. The board
voted unanimously in support of the project and to allocating the funds required.
·
Support for the proposed night court project. The board voted
unanimously to participate in some capacity as plans are finalized by the City
but not to commit to a specific dollar amount at this time.
·
Support for CCNP Restorative Justice. The board voted unanimously
to continue support at the same level previously established, i.e., $5,000 annually.
Mark also requested consideration by the board on the Minneapolis
Park and Recreation Board’s First
Bridge Park
project that has a shortfall of approximately $115,000. After a brief discussion,
the board agreed to postpone action on this matter and to discuss it further
at the next NRP Implementation Committee meeting.
VII. Other Business
Dee updated the board on the recent activities of the
CCNP Restorative Justice Program:
- Number of conferences held in entire program for 2nd quarter 2003 totaled
27
- Number of conferences held in the downtown neighborhood for 2nd quarter
2003 totaled 24
- Kinds of offenses included consuming in public, loitering with intent to
buy and sell narcotics, disorderly conduct, public urination, possession of
drug paraphernalia, and felony-level drug possession
- Number of community service hours performed for 2nd quarter 2003 totaled
195.
Dee also advised that RJP passed two milestones this past May: it held its
400th conference after 5-1/2 years of operation, and it held its first conference
as a result of a referral from drug court.
VIII. Announcements
Mark informed the board of the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Board’s walking
tours held throughout the City.
Dee reminded the board of National Night Out to be held
on Tuesday, August 5th in front of the Federal Reserve Bank at West
River Parkway.
Tom passed around information on the Minneapolis Training Program for Neighborhood
Organizers’ in-depth training for neighborhood volunteers to be held on Wednesday,
July 30th at 7 p.m.; the City’s development
process for neighborhoods; and the Skyway Senior Center’s newsletter “Chatter”.
IX. Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:48
p.m.
Signed this ________ day of ________________________, 2003.
_______________________________ _______________________________
Chair
Secretary