Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood
Association
Minutes from Board of Directors Meeting on Tuesday, August 9, 2005
Hennepin Center for the Arts
528 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 310, Minneapolis
I. Call to Order and Introductions
Carletta Sweet, Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
Other board members in attendance were Dee Cotten; Andrew Hauer; Tom Hoch;
and Gene Nessly. Board members absent were David Abele, Treasurer; Kim
Motes, Chair; and Jodi Pfarr, Secretary.
Others in attendance included: 7th Ward Council Member Lisa Goodman
(and Sadie the Golden Doodle); June Harmon, DMNA staff accountant; the Polka
Dot Sisters, urban concierge service; Christie Rock, DMNA coordinator; Jeremy
Stratton, staff writer for Skyway News; and Tim Whitten, David Bernard
Builders and Developers.
II. Consideration of agenda and any
additions to the agenda
Andy Hauer requested that
the Parcel E Housing Development proposed by David Bernard Builders and Developers
be added to the Land Use Committee update.
Andy Hauer also requested
that the Mayoral debate scheduled for August 24, 2005 be reviewed under new
business.
Gene Nessly requested
that the board have an open discussion under new business regarding DeLaSalle
High School’s proposal to construct a multi-purpose recreational facility
on Nicollet Island.
III. Update from Council Member Lisa
Goodman
Council Member Lisa Goodman
gave the 7th Ward update. She distributed the newly published
“May We Help You” guide. The Senior Center was instrumental in preparing
the guide. She commended the center’s efforts to raise funds for the DMNA
matching grant proposal. She indicated that Allina is the Senior Center’s
new corporate sponsor.
Council Member Goodman
updated the board on a proposal to drastically scale back the number of sidewalk
cafes in downtown Minneapolis. 10th Ward Council Member Dan Niziolek
is leading this effort.
Additionally,
Council Member Goodman discussed the proposal to take busses off of the Nicollet
Mall. The Met Council and City plan to conduct a survey of mall users to
gain feedback. The results will be incorporated into the 10-year transportation
plan. Council Member Goodman plans to hold a public meeting to present the
plan for public input.
Council Member
Goodman commented on the Park Board’s intention to allow DeLaSalle High School
to construct a multi-purpose recreational facility on Nicollet Island. She
is supportive of the reciprocal use agreement and she plans to vote in favor
of the street vacation, which is required in order for the project to move
forward. The project requires a street vacation for Grove Street.
Council Member
Goodman announced her next “Lunch with Lisa” to be held on Wednesday, August
24, 2005 at 12 noon with guest speakers Representative Margaret Anderson Kelliher
and Senator Scott Dibble.
Council Member
Goodman advised that if re-elected she will attend the November 15, 2005,
annual meeting.
IV. Consideration of July 2005 Minutes
Dee Cotten made a motion to approve the minutes from the July 12, 2005
board meeting. Gene Nessly seconded the motion. Carletta Sweet called for
discussion. The minutes were unanimously approved.
V. Consideration of July 2005 Financial
Statements
June Harmon distributed and Christie Rock explained the F2005 Budget vs.
Actual as of July 2005; the Profit & Loss with YTD statement for July
2005; and the bank register for July 1-31, 2005. These financial documents
were unanimously received and filed.
VI. Land Use Committee Update
LUC Chair Andy Hauer submitted the following projects for board consideration:
·
Parcel E Housing Development – Tim Whitten, A.I.A.,
executive vice president with David Bernard Builders and Developers presented
the retail/residential project, which is proposed for Parcel E (bounded by
Washington Avenue and Chicago Avenue). The development will wrap around the
new Guthrie Theatre parking ramp.
The proposed development is five levels and includes 116 to 120 owner-occupied
condominium units and 160 parking spaces. Retail (possibly restaurant and
coffee shop) would be located on the first or ground level of the building.
The price point for the condominiums is low $200s, not more than $300,000.
The developer is not seeking any variances from the city. Christie Rock
will prepare a letter of support from the DMNA.
VII. First Precinct Update
Luther Krueger did not attend the meeting.
VIII. Consideration of appointment to the Chicago Avenue Advisory Board
This item was continued for discussion from the July 2005 board meeting.
Per the request of CPED staff person Ann Calvert, the DMNA needs to appoint
someone to the newly created Chicago Avenue Advisory Board.
Tom Hoch made a motion to appoint Scott Parkin to the Chicago Avenue Advisory
Board as a representative from the Downtown East neighborhood. He further
recommended that the DMNA appoint Kathleen Anderson to serve as the alternate.
Andy Hauer seconded the motion. Carletta Sweet called for discussion. The
motion passed.
Christie Rock will contact Ann Calvert with the DMNA’s recommendations.
IX. Restorative Justice Update and FY 2005-2006 Funding Request
Executive Director Gena Gerard gave an update on Restorative Justice activities
over the past year. She also commented on the newly formed 501(c)(3). She
thanked Dee Cotten for her work with the organization.
Additionally, Ms. Gerard reviewed the Nuisance Night Hearing Program. She
presented a report that was prepared by Lois Conroy from the Minneapolis City
Attorney’s Office for the City’s Public Safety & Regulatory Services Committee.
Tom Hoch commented on the fact that the program was deemed unsuccessful, because
it did not break even financially. He expressed frustration that the City
of Minneapolis never approached the neighborhoods to see if they would be
willing to contribute to the program’s unpaid debt. The program appears successful
statistically. Ms. Gerard encouraged the neighborhood to speak with Lois
Conroy directly about the report and the program’s outcomes. Christie Rock
indicated that Ms. Conroy is scheduled to present at the September DMNA board
meeting.
Finally, Ms. Gerard presented a funding request to the DMNA for $10,000 to
support restorative justice activities in the downtown neighborhoods between
July of 2005 and June of 2006. She provided a scope of service summarizing
the program and outlining how the funds will be spent.
Tom Hoch made a motion to approve Restorative Justices request for $10,000
in DMNA NRP funds. Dee Cotten seconded the motion. Carletta Sweet called
for discussion. The motion passed.
X. NRP Implementation Update
·
Update on Washington Avenue
Streetscape Project – Christie is meeting with Barb Lickness and Michael McLaughlin from the
Downtown Council to discuss the scope of service for this project on Friday,
August 19, 2005.
The DMNA approved an NRP
allocation of $40,000 from the Downtown Development strategy at its July 2005
meeting.
·
Consideration of Scope of
Service for the Minneapolis Public Library / Planetarium Christie Rock presented the scope of service for the Planetarium. The
board and community approved allocating NRP dollars to this project in 2003.
The scope of service will allow the contracting process to move forward.
Tom Hoch made a motion
to approve the scope of service for the Planetarium as presented. Dee Cotten
seconded the motion. Carletta Sweet called for discussion. The motion passed.
XI. Old Business / New Business / Other
Business
·
Mayoral Forum scheduled for
Wednesday, August 24 – Andy Hauer indicated that at this point three of the 12 mayoral candidates
plan to participate in the debate, including Mayor R. T. Rybek, Hennepin County
Commissioner Peter McLaughlin and Farheen Hakeem. The forum will take place
at the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis. The forum will focus on the impact of
crime and safety issues on housing, schools and businesses. The League of
Women Voters will moderate the debate. The event is co-sponsored by CLPC,
the Whittier Alliance, Stevens Square Community Organization, Elliot Park
Neighborhood and the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association.
·
Open discussion regarding
the proposed DeLaSalle High School football field on Minneapolis Park land
on Nicollet Island – Gene
Nessly introduced a discussion regarding DeLaSalle High School’s proposal
to construct a multi-purpose recreational facility on land owned by the Minneapolis
Park Board on Nicollet Island. Neighbors on Nicollet Island are not supportive
of this project. The school plans to allow shared use of the facility with
the Minneapolis Park Board on Sundays and during the summer when school is
not in session.
·
Presentation by new business,
the Polka Dot Sisters – Two young women gave a presentation on a new urban concierge business
they are starting in downtown.
XII. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Signed this ________ day of ________________________, 2005.
_______________________________
_______________________________
Chair
Secretary