Sheridan Neighborhood Organization
27 November 2000
All board members present
Andy Nederveld called the meeting to order
Introductions
John Akre read the minutes. Drew Trampe moved that the minutes be accepted. Jenny Fortman 2nded. Motion carried.
Interim Board Actions
None made
Treasurer's Report - Melissa Davis presented. $4589 balance in the SNO account, $3598.77 in unrestricted balance. Eve Bornstein's office still has Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation. They will submit changes in January so that the board can vote to approve them then.
Planters - STAY was asked to account for all of them - they have not responded yet.
Announcements
Dec. 2nd 10 a.m. Catholic Eldercare - Grain Belt Housing Proposals will be presented. Copies of them are at Bottineau library.
Michael Rainville is organizing people to go to the Dec. 22nd Library Board meeting. He encouraged Sheridan residents to come too
NRP Policy Board Election - Kristine Harley reported - She gave the results of NRP Policy Board elections. She encouraged people to run for NRP Policy Board next year.
NRP Phase I and II – Now is the time for SNO to reevaluate where we are in NRP - redesign programs that haven't been utilized. The Board will have info to present in January to help us decide how to spend the remaining funds and prepare for Phase II.
Drew announced Easel Street Open House on Sunday.
Open Mic Session
Red Landon encouraged people to fill out Joe Biernat's survey in the Northeaster.
Red asked Biernat about commercial owners adopting garbage containers and paying a special assessment on them.
Phil Filas asked Biernat about Jubilee Foods - Biernat said there is a person who has an option to buy the property.
Committee Updates
Events
Sally Waterman reported - Sat. Feb. 24th at Jacob's 101 is the SNO Ball – the committee is working on that.
Business
Drew Trampe presented. Chuck Sullivan sent out CURA intern proposal for doing business needs survey. Sullivan announced that we got it. We will get 195 hours of Graduate Assistant time.
The committee is working on guidelines for business improvement loan program.
Housing and Safety
Andy Nederveld presented. 1504 4th St. NE was repurchased by original owner - they had small window to repurchase it and did.
The area around two vacant lots owned by the MCDA wereflyered - neighbors showed up and they selected a design for new homes to be constructed on those sites. The Committee wants to recommend that MCDA sell those lots to GMMHC.
Outreach
Tom Taylor reported . Louise Olson asked why flyers announcing this meeting hadn't gotten out earlier. Tom Taylor asked if there was time to get more outreach out for the Saturday meeting. Andy Nederveld encouraged people who are interested in getting involved in outreach to contact Tom Taylor
Grain Belt Redevelopment Update
Judy Cedar presented. She brought the archaeological survey to the MCDA board for the library site. It was approved. The structural frame is resusable in the wagon shed. A new bldg would be built around that. Ryna should begin their work on the brewhouse in January, and are planning to be done by November 2001.
East Side Coop
Jeff Seitler spoke. He handed out a proposal asking for $5,000 in NRP money for the Coop. They have 325 members now. They received $50,000 from Holland and some from other neighborhoods and the MCDA. They plan to open by Sept. 2001. Total cost over $500,000. They are trying to create a community owned coop, and are planning on having a site on Central.
Marshall Housing Development
Jerry LePage began the presentation. In October, the MCDA board took Project Analysis Authorization to allow staff to look more closely at this proposal by Jim Barlett and Sherman Associates. Jenny Fortman asked why is the MCDA involved in this project? In this case Jerry LePage said, they were approached by the developer. They began investigating the proposal. Louise Olsen asked if working with the MCDA gives a developer the right to eminent domain. LePage said no, but that the developer is talking with owners of the affected buildings. He said the MCDA enters if the developer needs funding or needs to acquire property. Taylor asked what does he mean by acquire, can mcda mediate? LePage said the MCDA would work to help negotiate the purchase. Phil Filas asked if the MCDA would provide funding for demolishing buildings. Lepage said the developer might request tax increment financing. Phil Filas asked about Jubilee. Jim Barlett said the business is on the market for sale. The owner of it approached him about buying it. Bartlett said to make a property like this work, assistance from government is necessary. Filas asked if they would be asking the MCDA for money. Bartlett said yes, now they are doing an analysis. Filas asked if Bartlett had contacted property owners along Marshall and Bartlett said yes but did not threaten them with eminent domain. Louise Olson said they had not been contacted about it - Bartlett said he had contacted their landlord and he assumed he had contacted them.
Lauren Bruggeman from Sherman Associates presented. Bruggeman said there will be underground parking with two spaces per unit - apartments with commercial bldg with offices above on corner in mid-block - townhouses up to north end of complex. Duplex units around the edges with 2 car garages. Apartments would be rented; townhouses and duplexes would be owner occupied. It would be a four story building with pitched roof. Bruggeman said it would be about 55 feet tall - 15 feet back from Marshall. Sullivan pointed out that they did the Landings property on River Road. Louise Olson asked about the impact of the power lines on this property; she does not feel it is a safe environment for housing. Bartlett said he would prefer that the power lines aren't there. Olson said that shutters on their cameras are breaking - she said that is sign of power troubles. Bartlett said that one of proposals for G.B. is asking power lines be moved. He would support that. Olson asked him about green space. Bartlett showed her on the plans the strip along the river. Taylor asked about public easement. Bruggeman pointed out easement between apartments and townhomes. He said about 20 % would be affordable, 2 bdrm units - affordable would be 50% of median income. Duane Bell said they have 50 workers now at his business who would be pushed out of the city. Bartlett said that he had tried for business development but city told him he needed to do a housing plan. Bell pointed out that a 4 story building would block the view of the river. Harley asked about first floor retail. Bruggeman said it would be tough to get commercial component to work there. Sullivan said Bartlett is trying to do something on property - that's great - but there are larger issues - TIF money would be involved, which would take money away from other things. Present buildings on Marshall are now industrial zoned. When you take down existing commercial buildings, you are taking away the chance for retail business to move in. Rainville asked about streetscape and if it would be continuous from the streetscape going on down the street. Bartlett said yes and that the streetscape would be rebuilt. Bruggeman said they have to set back buildings to allow for possible street widening. Olson asked how many residents these new developments would add. The proposal for Grain Belt with most units has 360, Bruggeman said 350 to 400 residents would be in this development. Parking would be under the apartment building; visitor parking around the edge and 2 car garages for duplexes. Balantine said these developments could add a third more residents to the neighborhood. Biernat said that on Saturday this neighborhood will pick a proposal for G.B. There is an opportunity then to make this project fit in with that one. Biernat said there is stress in community because developers are coming in with proposals.
Pat Stebe asked about prices of townhomes. Some would be in the $180 -190 range up to $350,000; rents from low $400 to $1100 a month.
Andy Nederveld asked if SNO's ability to influence this would be compromised if it does not make a statement on this proposal now. Bartlett said no, they were ready to come back early next year. Bruggeman would come back January with more detailed site concept ideas. Dave Olson asked about what kind of assistance he might receive about moving costs; Bartlett said Olson has rights as lease-holder in the building. Waterman asked about when they would have negotiations with property owners. Bartlett said they have been talking and will approach it one step at a time. Taylor said affordable housing concerns him; after TIF paid off, would the affordable housing be lifted. Bruggeman said that they would have 30 year agreement.
Andy Nederveld said everyone here has a responsibility to look at the design. 379-0643 is Jim Bartlett's phone, 332-3000 is Lauren Bruggeman's.
John Akre moved that the meeting be adjourned, Melissa Davis seconded, motion passed.