Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association

Minutes from Board of Directors Meeting on Tuesday, May 9, 2006

Hennepin Center for the Arts

528 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 310, Minneapolis, Minnesota

I.          Call to Order and Introductions

            Board Chair Kim Motes called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Other board members who attended include Andy Hauer; Scott Parkin,

Secretary; Jodi Pfarr; Gene Nessly; Cynthia Newsom, Treasurer; and Carletta

Sweet, Vice Chair. 

Guests in attendance included Michelle Brunch, Downtown Journal. 

Staff in attendance included Christie Rock, Neighborhood Coordinator.

II.        Consideration of Agenda

There was a request to add the appointment of a DMNA board member to the

Downtown Highway Study Advisory Committee under new business.

Staff Person Christie Rock also requested that the board pass a motion to accept the 990s and MN Charitable Organization Reporting Form under the financial portion of the agenda. 

The agenda was approved as amended. 

III.       Consideration of minutes from April 11, 2006, board meeting

Gene Nessly made a motion to approve the minutes from the April 11, 2006, board meeting.  Scott Parking seconded the motion.  Kim Motes called for discussion.  The motion passed. 

IV.       Consideration of May 2006 financials

Staff Person Christie Rock gave the May 2006 financial report.  She noted a $5,000 payable to Restorative Justice for the second half of the grant period that started last summer.  Christie also stated that she paid the rent for the next three months, in case the board decided not to meet during one of the summer months.

Vice Chair Carletta Sweet made a motion to receive and file the May 2006 financials.  Gene Nessly seconded the motion.  Board Chair Kim Motes called for discussion.  The motion passed.

Thereafter, Staff Person Christie Rock noted that the NRP auditor Mike Wilson had finished reviewing the DMNA’s 2004 financial information and had prepared the federal form 990 and the Minnesota Charitable Organization Reporting Form.  Christie requested that the board make a motion to accept the documents.

Andy Hauer made a motion to receive and file the federal form 990 and the Minnesota Charitable Organization Reporting Form.  Vice Chair Carletta

Sweet accepted the motion.  Board Chair Kim Motes called for discussion.

The motion passed. 

V.        Land Use Committee Update

Land Use Committee Chair Andy Hauer gave the Land Use Committee report for

April.  He reviewed the following projects:

Brits Pub, 1110 Nicollet Avenue:  Request to expand rooftop terrace.  The committee recommended approval of this application.

222 Development, Washington and Hennepin Avenues:  Milliken Development Group has proposed a mixed-use development on this site that would include Whole Foods, condos, retail, and three levels of underground parking.  This was an information presentation only.  The committee took no action on this item at this time.

Chambers Hotel, 901 Hennepin Avenue:  Seeking a fence variance to increase maximum height from 6 to 12 feet.  The applicant was not present to make a presentation to the committee.  Committee Chair Andy Hauer said he would continue to try and make contact with the applicant.  The board recommended that Luther Krueger review the application for safety reasons.

Entertainment Concepts, LLC, 417 Second Avenue North (adjacent to former

Quest nightclub):  Applicant has proposed a new upscale gentlemen’s club for site.  No alcohol, but nude dancers. 

McGuire Family Foundation Riverfront East Parcel:  Staff person Christie Rock noted that a representative from the McGuire Family Foundation will give a presentation at the June 6, Land Use Committee meeting. 

VI.       Crime and Safety Update / Discussion

DMNA Crime and Safety Committee Chair Tom Hoch was unable to attend the board meeting.  There was some discussion regarding the recent Guardian Angels visit and the possibility of Mad Dads putting together a citizens’ patrol for downtown. 

Board Chair Kim Motes noted that the First Precinct has a new inspector, Janee Harteau.  She suggested that it might be good for Inspector Harteau to meet the DMNA board in June.  Kim will contact her about attending the next board meeting.

VII.     NRP Implementation Update / Discussion

Board Chair Kim Motes gave an update on the Shubert Performing Arts and Education Center and the Planetarium.  

There was also discussion regarding dog parks. 

VIII.    Old business / new business / other business

Consideration of membership with the East Downtown Council:  Vice Chair Carletta Sweet presented a request to join the East Downtown Council.  This is a membership that the DMNA has supported in the past.  The cost is $150.

Andy Hauer made a motion to join the East Downtown Council at $150 membership fee.  Jodi Pfarr seconded the motion.  Board Chair Kim Motes called for discussion.  The motion passed.

Appointments to Downtown Highway Study Advisory Committee:  Andy Hauer explained the advisory committee’s role. 

           

Board Chair Kim Motes made a motion to appoint Jodi Pfarr and Andy Hauer to the Downtown Highway Study Advisory Committee and recommended that Cynthia Newsom serve as an alternate.  Vice Chair Carletta Sweet seconded the motion.  The motion passed. 

IX.       Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

Signed this ________ day of ________________________, 2006.

_______________________________             _______________________________
Chair                                                                    Secretary