July 28, 2003 SNO Meeting Minutes
Introductions made. Vice President Jenny Fortman was absent. All other board members present.
Minutes read. Trish motioned to pass the minutes as read. Tom seconded the motion and minutes were passed.
Teresa Schweitzer with ESL Students came to listen and learn from observing the meeting.
Treasurer Seaen McKay reported a current balance of $20,118.99
The Interim Board voted regarding opposition to the River Run Apts. The motion carried at the 7/22 mtg was read by Seaen McKay. Mike Romens abstained due
to a conflict of interest. The motion read as follows: SNO opposes the River Run Development due to the following:
* The use of the 12.65 million dollars in tax exempt multi family housing development bonds (public funding) without the developer sharing in the risk with their own
funds.
* Excessive density which is out of proportion to the building site and excessive to the zoning for this property which is at 5 units.
* Lack of retail amenities for the community
* Use of CUPS (conditional use permits)
* Heights of any development over 2.5 stories or 35 ft.
Announcements were made as follows:
August 13th mediation was held with the Minneapolis Mediation group between neighborhood bars and their neighbors at the Eastside Neighborhood Services at 7pm.
A fundraiser for the documentary film "Carry It Forward" about the lives of Paul and Sheila Wellstone was held August 6th at Old Science Renovation Inc. from 6pm to
9pm.
Discussed liaisons for SNO from the Eastside Coop and Community Health.
SNOshoes walk meets at the kiosk near 212 Pottery at 5pm on Sundays
Movie night in NE at Bottineau Park on Wednesdays featuring for the coming Wednesday
"Night of the Iguana"
August 28th a fundraiser for the Ballet of the Dolls at the Ritz Theatre
From 6pm to 10pm $75 and from 8pm to 10pm $20 at the door.
Monday August 3rd at 2pm talk of NRP's future
2PAC needs SNO representative for upcoming meetings
Open Mic.
Seven Bridges World Mkt at 400 1st Ave NE representing over 25 countries is engaged in a project cosponsored by NEMA for a multi cultural mural by Gustavo
Lira. There was a Seven Bridges World market neighborhood gathering Monday August 11th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm
3rd Ward Councilman Don Samuels spoke of the 3rd ward wide meeting held on July 23rd. Ten neighborhoods came together and collaborated. Don said that it was the best meeting
that he had been to since he was elected. Don said that we need to move together and share in the challenges and embrace the successes. The meeting was sponsored by Holland
and Hawthorne. More to come.
Events Committees
Trish Schilling announced the SNO Big Deal held in the park on the riverfront at the end of 13th.
There will be Music food and SNOcones and FUN! Trish announced that they were under budget and passed around volunteer sign up sheets.
Outreach committees Tom Taylor is looking for someone to take a branch of the phone tree.
SNO news addition to come out in August and Trish asked that articles be in by August 12th
John Akre chair of NRP spoke of the following:
Phase 1 is completed and unused projects are closeout.
In June voted on $80K to Ritz Theatre used for capital improvements
$33K for low interest loan for the Eastside Coop
$50K for a fund for NE Health Care Services
approval by City Council in mid Sept.
Seaen McKay asked about the time frame on this Stacy Sorenson said that the Policy Board mtg will be at the end of August and then in mid Sept. Sharon
Miller Bossey added she thinks at the end of Sept. or later.
TT asked if loan has been approved yet
Sharon replied that it is waiting for misc. information from the COOP and the loan is at 3%
John Akre would like the board to entertain a motion
Seaen would like to move that we accept the modifications as presented and Trish 2nds it. Motion unanimously carried.
John Akre announces that the next NRP meeting is Monday Aug. 18th at 7pm at the Pierre Botin. Library
And will cover planni8ng regarding future developments etc.
Business Committee revitalization needed and will be discussed further
Chuck Sullivan of AFCAC:
meetings are the 4th Tues. evenings at Eastside Neigh. Services
AFCAC is an advisory committee and does not make decisions just advises pro/cons regarding River Run
Would like to see increase in homeownership[, address 15th Ave vacation that M. Romens has requested should land be attached to another piece of
property 15th is a critical piece of connection to the river - should be kept as green space.
Mary Maguire speaks further on 15th ave vacation - questions arise regarding maintenance of the property if city owns it.
MEND Mississippi Eastside Neighborhood Developments Mike Rainville offers MEND to host next 3rd ward meeting.
Mike R. is meeting with U of Mn student regarding blocks of land that are to be developed - this will incorporate young creative minds to assist.
RITZ THEATRE
Janet Van Fossen intros and the chair of the Dolls
George Sutton and Tim Drew intros. And address the parking situation for the Ritz at the Sheridan School
Sutton speaks of need for parking - creative solution for Ritz is to use playground asphalt area - School has agreed for it to be used during off hours. NELC agreed to give access to
lot. Aprox. 82 spaces
Questions regarding collaborative use with NELC, Ritz and Community were raised. Mary Maguire suggests rain gardens to assist with run off - something for shade
Sutton says next step is to work to rezone parking lot
JON STEADLAND OF MINNESOTA WATERSHED ORGANIZATION:
Speaks of a stewardship fund to use for restoration of the riverbank and public education regarding watershed needs etc. a public hearing will be held August 12 at 6pm regarding a
budget of $1Meg for Edgewater park website : www.mwmo.org
Chris Koelfgen requests variance for an addition on his house - Trish asks did you speak to the neighbor Chris said he has
Trish moves to support Chris' variance - Bob Sorg seconds and the motion is passed - a letter will be written to support this
Sharon Bossi-Miller speaks more on the Ritz
there are needs to stabilize the building which is aprox. $200K - 100K is from the MCDA- 80K is from SNO and $20K is from McKnight for the following:
The roof adequate for five years
Chimneys need stabilization
Annual amount of $ for bldg repairs
East side of bldg repairs
City sewer to divert water from building
Electrical needs
Securing openings with mesh to keep[ moisture and elements out
Temp. Heat system
Masonry repairs are aprox. $20K and not so immediate - $13K repairs over next 5 years
$12K budgeted for ongoing maintanence to walls and roof
roof replacement is $165K
George Sutton says there are great discrepencies with Sharon's report and would like copies of reports sent out asap to SNO, George and the Dolls.
Jim Grell expressed concerns that these repairs are temporary
River Run Apts Jim Bartlett felt that there were misunderstandings on both sides regarding his development. At last meeting he felt that SNO was in support of his
project. He would like to share additional changes made to comply to the neighborhood needs as stated by SNO.
Paula Merigan ? states that this has been hard process but has made for a better building. Talked over some of the changes that had been implemented:
reduced height of bldg to 3 stories decreased units by 18
increased planting and created rain gardens
bike parking for tenants
shifted bldg for solar needs of neighbors
100 parking spaces under ground
Trish addresses why rental vs. homeownership?
Loren responds that there will be 2 blocks down 400 owner occupied housing in place and that will increase the homeownership in neighborhood to 56% and if river run goes through
the 44% renatl available
Also there are pollution concerns that will not allow owner occupied housing on site.
Tom Taylor addresses lack of retail - Loren responds cant do - do to numerous restrictions and retail space will not be financed
Tom asks what will make the building worthy of the mighty Mississippi - Paula responds "scale of bldg is smaller and compliments the urban edge in front" sees bldg
opening its arms to the river
Jerry LePage from the MCDA adds that retail will be added due to this project
Many Neighbors voice their concerns due to the riverfront location - that is is a valuable piece of property and should be well thought out before its okay to develop.
Loren and Paula of Sherman Associates say they are doing the best they can to comply with the neighborhood.
Jim Bartlett gives a brief history of his property and voices his concerns with SNO
Eeris motions to adjourn the meeting - Seaen seconds and motion is carried
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