Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association
Minutes from Board of Directors Meeting on Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Hennepin Center for the Arts
528 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 310, Minneapolis, Minnesota
I. Call to Order and Introductions
Board Chair Carletta Sweet called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
Other board members in attendance included Andy Hauer; Natasha Heimer; Denise Holt; Kim Motes; Scott Parkin, Secretary; and George Rosenquist.
Guests in attendance included: Paul Barber, DMNA Web master; Michelle Bruch, Downtown Journal; Jon Chiglo, MNDOT; Gerry Ewald, Downtown resident; Council Member Lisa Goodman; Kevin Gutnecht, MNDOT; Barb Lickness, NRP; Reggie Prim, RJCA, Inc.; Phyllis Saltzman, RJCA, Inc.
Staff member Christie Rock also attended the meeting.
II. Consideration of the Agenda
Board Chair Sweet asked if there were any additions or changes to the agenda. Staff member Christie Rock requested to add consideration of the 2008 budget after presentation of the January 2008 financials. Scott Parkin requested to add consideration of appointment of new board member after Council Member Lisa Goodman’s report.
Parkin moved and Holt seconded a motion to approve the agenda. Sweet called for discussion. The motion passed.
III. Downtown Update by Ward 7 Council Member Lisa Goodman
Council Member Lisa Goodman gave the DMNA board an update on the following projects and activities:
· Council Member Goodman noted that she would be unable to attend the Annual Meeting if it takes place on November 11, as she will be out of the country.
· The City of Minneapolis will now reimburse victims of car theft for towing fees and charges.
· The Currie Maintenance Facility was renamed Sonnenberg Maintenance Facility. The City received a $2 million grant to install 3,000 solar panels on the maintenance facility, which will generate up to 600 kilowatts of electricity to power 80 homes in Minneapolis. This is the largest installation in the upper Midwest.
· Downtown residents can provide feedback regarding the Minneapolis Plan, or Comprehensive Plan, on January 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mill City Museum.
· The City is doing storm drain tunnel work on 2nd Avenue N. Bike lane and parking lane is closed between 5th and 6th Streets;
· The St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board is sponsoring several riverfront focus groups on January 29 and 30.
· Lunch with Lisa has permanent location at University of St. Thomas. Next meeting is January 23. The topic is the “importance of community-based newspapers. $10 fee for lunch; and
· The Licensed Beverage Association is working in partnership with the North Loop neighborhood on an advertising campaign to curb late night noise at bars and restaurants. Printing 25,000 coasters and 500 posters.
IV. Appointment to Vacant Board Seat
Board Member Scott Parkin nominated Downtown resident Gerry Ewald to fill the vacant board seat. Chair Sweet invited Ewald to give a brief introduction. He noted that he lives in RiverWest and has a deep commitment to improving the health and livability of the Downtown community.
Parkin moved and Sweet seconded a motion to appoint Gerry Ewald to the vacant board seat. Sweet called for discussion. The motion passed.
V. DMNA Board Officer Elections
Board Chair Carletta Sweet asked Board Secretary Scott Parkin to facilitate the elections process for the position of board chair. Parkin called for nominations for the position of board chair. Kim Motes made a motion to nominate Carletta Sweet to the position of board chair. Parkin seconded the motion. Sweet accepted the nomination Secretary Parkin asked if there were any other nominations. Sweet was elected unanimously to fill the position of DMNA Board Chair.
Scott Parkin passed the elections process to newly re-elected Board Chair Carletta Sweet. Chair Sweet called for nominations for the position of board vice chair. Kim Motes made a motion to nominate Scott Parkin to the position of vice chair. Sweet seconded the motion. Parkin accepted the nomination. Chair Sweet asked if there were any other nominations. Parkin was elected unanimously to fill the position of DMNA Vice Chair.
Chair Sweet called for the nominations for the position of board secretary. Scott Parkin made a motion to nominate Denise Holt to the position of board secretary. Sweet seconded the motion. Holt accepted the nomination. Chair Sweet asked if there were any other nominations. Holt was elected unanimously to fill the position of DMNA Secretary.
Chair Sweet called for nominations for the position of board treasurer. Sweet made a motion to nominate Natasha Heimer to the position of board treasurer. Parkin seconded the motion. Heimer accepted the nomination. Chair Sweet asked if there were any other nominations. Heimer was elected unanimously to fill the position of DMNA Treasurer.
Board Confirmation of Committee Chairs
Chair Sweet made a motion to nominate board member George Rosenquist to replace former board member Tom Hoch as chair of the DMNA Crime and Safety Committee. Andy Hauer seconded the motion. Rosenquist accepted the nomination. Chair Sweet asked if there were any other nominations. Rosenquist was elected unanimously to fill the position of DMNA Crime and Safety Committee Chair.
Chair Sweet made a motion to nominate board member Andy Hauer to serve as chair of the DMNA Land use Committee. Scott Parkin seconded the motion. Hauer accepted the nomination. Hauer was elected unanimously to fill the position of DMNA Land Use Committee Chair.
Chair Sweet made a motion to nominate board member Kim Motes to serve as chair of the DMNA NRP Implementation Committee. Scott Parkin seconded the motion. Motes accepted the nomination. Motes was elected unanimously to fill the position of DMNA NRP Implementation Committee Chair.
VI. MNDOT I-35 W Bridge Project Update
Kevin Gutnecht and Jon Chiglo, representatives from MNDOT, gave an update on the I-35W bridge reconstruction project. Gutnecht noted that on October 8, 2007, MNDOT executed a construction contract with Flatiron Manson. Construction started November 1, 2007. Gutnecht indicated that workers have completed 38 pier supports to date. Chiglo gave a visual presentation of the construction process. He stated that work should be complete by no later than December 24, 2008. Chiglo noted that the bridge would have an anti-graffiti coating. Gutnecht concluded by stating that there are sidewalk superintendent talks every Saturday morning. The talks start at Grandma’s Saloon in Dinkytown. The project hotline is 612-236-6901.
NRP Specialist Barb Lickness gave the DMNA board an update on the status of the organization’s NRP Phase II funding. She indicated that the Downtown neighborhoods total funding for Phase II is $913,167. Lickness confirmed that at this point, the City is guaranteeing 70 percent of the funding, or $639,217, of which 70 percent must go for housing related activities. She encouraged the DMNA; however, to prepare a Phase II plan for the entire amount.
Lickness also discussed the City of Minneapolis’ citizen engagement report. She distributed a copy of “Framework for the Future” for board review. She highlighted funding for NRP staff, neighborhood administration, and neighborhood improvement projects. Lickness noted that the Minneapolis City Council must make a decision regarding the future of NRP and citizen engagement in the next six months. Neighborhoods should submit comments and feedback to the City by the middle of February.
VIII. Land Use Committee Report by Andy Hauer
· Open Book – Request tabled for future discussion.
· 222 project – To be considered by Planning Commission on January 28.
· Parcel A RFP – Due February 22.
· Introduction of new RJCA, Inc., Executive Director new Community Coordinator. Phyllis Saltzman introduced herself to the DMNA board as the new executive director RJCA, Inc. She stated that she started working for the organization on November 1, 2007. She thanked the DMNA for its past support of restorative justice activities in the Downtown community. Saltzman introduced new community coordinator Reggie Prim. Prim recounted a story regarding the impact of restorative justice on community offenders. He noted that there were 88 conferences in the Downtown community in 2007.
Board Vice Chair Scott Parkin gave an update on the Downtown Identity project. He indicated that he and Secretary Holt continue to work on copy for the Web site. They are also working with Sassafrass Design to determine the best way to transfer information from the old Web site to the new Web site. Parkin stated that the board would have the opportunity to review copy before the Web site goes live. He noted that he intends to request photos and bios of board members for the Web site.
XI. Consideration of minutes from October 9, 2007, board meeting
Sweet moved and Motes seconded a motion to approve the October 9, 2007, board minutes, and the November 13, 2007, annual meeting minutes. Sweet called for discussion. The motion passed.
XII. Consideration of January 2008 Financial Report
Staff member Christie Rock distributed and explained the F2008 Budget vs. Actual as of January 2008.
Parkin moved and Hauer seconded a motion to receive and file the January 2008 financial statements. Sweet called for any discussion. The motion passed.
XIII. Consideration of 2008 Budget
Staff member Christie Rock presented a draft copy of the 2008 budget to the board for review. She noted two changes to the draft copy. The budget for the Downtown Identify project needs to be adjusted down by $1,500 to account for money paid to Sassafrass Design in November of 2007. She also indicated the need for a new line item for the Phase I Plan Review. The budget for this project is $4,000. Rock reminded the board that they approved this amount via an email vote in December. Rock will make the changes to the 2008 budget and redistribute to the board. She will add approval of the budget to the agenda for the next board meeting.
XIV. Old business / new business / other business
· Presentation of Outstanding Volunteer Award to Mr. Paul Barber – Chair Carletta Sweet presented an “Outstanding Volunteer” award to DMNA Web master Paul Barber. He is stepping down from his role as Web master when the new Web site goes live. Board members thanked Barber for his dedication and commitment to the Downtown community over the past 10 plus years.
· Discussion regarding forging collaborative relationships with other Downtown organizations, i.e. Downtown Council – Chair Sweet summarized an ongoing discussion she has had with board member George Rosenquest regarding his interest in the DMNA developing collaborative relationships with other Downtown nonprofit and community oriented organizations, in particular, the Downtown Council. Rosenquist is interested in serving as an ex-officio member of the Downtown Council as a representative of the DMNA. Staff member Rock noted that she has contacted Sam Grabarski about this possibility, but has not received a follow-up call from him. Sweet asked Rosenquiest to contact Grabarski and set up a time for the three of them to meet to discuss this opportunity.
· Update on DMNA NRP Phase I review process. Staff Member Rock reported that she, along with Chair Sweet, Andy Hauer and George Rosenquist interviewed two candidates for the research assistant position. This group is recommending that the organization hire Joseph Kapper to assist with the Phase I review process. Rock will follow-up with Kapper and CURA. If Kapper accepts the position, Rock plans to develop a work plan for him to follow over the next four months. She indicated that there would be opportunities for board members to assist and participate in the review process, including interviews and focus groups.
XV. Adjournment
Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Signed this ________ day of ________________________, 2007.
_______________________________
_______________________________
Chair
Secretary