Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, Tuesday, December 10, 2002
800 LaSalle Avenue South, Suite 131

I.          Call to Order and Introductions

With a quorum present, Mark Moller called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  Other board members present were:  Dee Cotten; Andrew Hauer; Leslie Hirsch; Tom Hoch; Kim Motes via phone; Gene Nessly; and Carletta Sweet.  Nonboard members in attendance included:  Mark Bauer, Restorative Justice Advisory Team candidate; Brian Fessler, Church of Scientology; June Harmon, financial consultant; Ruth Kildare and Melinda Ludwiczak, Skyway Senior Center; Luther Kruger and Craig Williams, 1st Precinct; Ellen Nigon, Skyway News journalist; Christie Rock, DMNA coordinator; and Mike Rollin, CCNP Restorative Justice Program.

After introductions, Mark trimmed the agenda and asked the board members to jot down three ideas (as related to agenda item 9) on how DMNA can improve, and then to submit these ideas to Christie who will read them aloud later in the meeting for further discussion.

II.        Visitor Presentations

Nomination/Selection of CCNP Restorative
 Justice Advisory Team Representatives

Mark advised that there are three candidates for the two positions available:  Mark Bauer; Monroe Bell, and Dee Cotten.  Mike Rollin then informed the board that the Advisory Team is the governance structure for RJP which will change starting January 1st.  There will now be two representatives appointed by each of the seven neighborhood boards represented who shall serve for a 1-year term.

Carletta moved and Andy seconded to nominate Mark Bauer and Dee Cotten.  Mark moved to nominate Monroe Bell.  No second was made for this motion.  The motion to nominate Mark and Dee was carried unanimously.    

Skyway Senior Center (SSC)

Ruth Kildare thanked DMNA for its NRP contribution to the SSC and advised that, according to a Skyway News article, it is the most successful NRP program in downtown.  SSC is a place where seniors can congregate in downtown Minneapolis to socialize and take advantage of a variety of educational, recreational and health-related programs.  Melinda Ludwiczak also thanked DMNA for its support and distributed a package which included the Skyway News article; Chatter, the SSC newsletter; a progress report; and a 2003 budget.  Melinda also advised the board how the $60,000 DMNA NRP funds are being allocated:  computer database to manage the programs offered, the mailing list of 4,000 senior households, and class registrations; promotions and newsletter; program-related expenses (i.e., speakers, scholarships); and operating costs. 

Mark clarified that also DMNA has funds yet to be allocated that it has not yet determined a process for distributing additional NRP funds for the SSC program.

Neighborhood Standards Committee Proposal

Brian Fessler, who serves on the subcommittee on the Nicollet Mall Advisory Committee, suggested establishing a “neighborhood standards” committee for the downtown neighborhood in order to achieve common goals related to neighborhood livability issues.  Since DMNA will need to re-determine the types of committees required going forward, Tom advised Brian that the board would contact him thereafter regarding his suggested committee. 

III.       Financial Report

June Harmon distributed the 2002 Preliminary Budget vs. Actual spreadsheet as of October 2002, and the Wells Fargo check register from October 1-31, 2002.  Dee moved and Leslie seconded to accept and file said documents.  The motion was carried unanimously.

IV.       Land Use Committee Report

Mark moved and Tom seconded to approve the conditional use permit for Lucky’s Garage at 1117 Washington Avenue South, and the Class A liquor license for the Melting Pot at 80 South 9th Street.  The motion was carried unanimously.

Mark moved and Tom seconded to oppose the RFP from McCaffrey for the Stimson Building renovation as the project lacks synergy with the surrounding neighborhood.  The motion was carried unanimously.

V.        Other Business

Mark advised that DMNA received a request from the Minnesota Ad Project to use DMNA’s office as a staging area for its Oscar Party to be held on March 23, 2003.  Mark moved and Andy seconded to approve said use with the stipulation that DMNA would receive acknowledgement for doing so.  The motion was carried unanimously.

Tom moved and Gene seconded to defer the election of officers until the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on January 14, 2003.  The motion was carried unanimously.

VI.       Icebreaker and Feedback

After the board divided into pairs and completed the Icebreaker interview, feedback was requested and received from the board on how the association can improve, what its priorities should be going forward, what committees to retain/establish, their respective functions and meeting dates/times.

After entertaining discussion, the board agreed to maintain the following three committees based on the issues it addresses on a regular basis:  land use; public safety and liability; and NRP Implementation.  Mark agreed to draft the functions of each and forward them to the board members in advance of the next meeting.  The board also agreed to limit the monthly meetings to 2 hours.

VII.     Adjournment

There being no additional business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m.

Signed this ________ day of ________________________, 2003.

_______________________________                      _______________________________
Chair                                                                            Secretary