Sheridan Neighborhood Organization Board Meetings

29 November 1999

Introductions

Minutes read by John Akre

Andy Nederveld moved that they be approved with one correction: "Boyd" is the proper name of Council Member Biernat's representative. Melissa Davis seconded, all board members approved.

There is an open board position: Charles Krenz resigned. He wanted to be more vocal than he could be as a board member. The position is open. If interested, leave a voice mail or call a board member. Andy Nederveld accepted the position of Vice President. Jenny Fortman said that she was interested in the open Board position. The position would last until the end of the term in April.

Treasurer's report - $3533 in account, and bills to pay, Drew Trampe reported.

Joint Powers Agreement – Maureen Rath reported that SNO has joined an effort to build strength and work on projects that cross over neighborhood boundaries. At a signing ceremony, members of three neighborhoods discussed priorities: the upper river plan, focus on Marshall, Broadway, University, work on 13th Ave. The group, MEND will be meeting monthly. SNO needs one more volunteer to participate in coming up with bylaws, and starting up the organization.

NRP Policy Board awarded SNO with the neighborhood’s NRP plan. Maureen Rath thanked everyone who came down and gave support at the NRP policy board meeting. Maureen Rath thanked STAY members present for coming to this evening’s meeting. Stressed at the Policy Board was bringing the neighborhood together. Also, SNO will put an emphasis on getting elderly, and members of other under-represented groups involved.

Office space – SNO is looking for a more formal space. SNO has enjoyed the space at the Frank Stone Gallery, but does not have space for a formal desk or office hours. Judy Cedar at MCDA would look into available spaces.

Kristine Harley attended the NRP election on November 18^th. Many other neighborhood electors greeted her. She reported that many people are talking about what is going on in Sheridan. Other neighborhood groups have high expectations; other groups want to form coalitions. Saint Anthony East members offered their help and guidance

Minneapolis River forum, Tues, Dec. 7th, Crown Roller Mill - discussing on-going river plans.

Matthew from the Walker spoke. They plan to bring the "Walker on Wheels" to Sheridan school from late April to May 2000 - with film screenings, open mic, art labs, music. It can be used for meetings, performance space. He encouraged people from Sheridan to be a part of it.

Becky Moyer, student pastor at Trinity United Methodist in Audubon Park spoke about how she is involved in forming a collaboration with churches all over NE to get active with community organizations. The coalition is also starting a Senior Resource Center, singles club, day care center. She has also been on Stevens Square Board, and written grants. She offered help - also has examples of other NRP plans and would be happy to give advice.

Outreach, Tom Taylor. The committee met on Oct. 10^th. It worked on developing committee goals, the phone tree and door-knocking. The committee will work on a quarterly newsletter, the editor will be Kristine Harley. Richard Gunderson will do the layout. The committee also needs to reach out to underrepresented groups – Maureen Rath submits information to the Northeaster newspaper, John Akre maintains web site and e-mail list. Maureen Rath is working on a brochure. At the November 22nd meeting, the newsletter was named, "SNO News is Good News." It will be published quarterly, Jan. 1, 2000 is the target date for the first. The committee is looking for volunteers, people willing to help call when we need to expand the phone tree. Committees are advised to send their information to the outreach committee for press releases or to get it into the newsletter.

Maureen Rath added, if you have an idea for article you'd like to write, let Kristine know.

Events Committee Trish Shilling and Dora Harris, co-chairs, reported. The committee is meeting Wednesday at Dusty's from 8 to 9 p.m. to work on a fundraising event for February. They are planning the SNO Ball, to be held February 19^th. They are working to secure a location. It will be a fancy dress ball, charging admission and having a silent auction. They asked for feedback on the date and location. The Mighty Fine and Mayslack's are possibilities for a space. A decision on the space needs to be made quickly. There was discussion on using Mayslack’s as a space for the event. They will take this information to their next meeting.

Business & Environment Committee - Drew Trampe reported. The meeting date for the committee has been changed to the second Tuesday of the month. The next meeting is scheduled for January 11th at 7 p.m.

Housing and Safety Committee – Andy Nederveld reported. They had a November 22 meeting, and met with CCP/SAFE. The committee will hold a block club leader reception. the committee reviewed a letter from PPL to form a partnership to acquire and resell vacant property in Sheridan. The committee also discussed a partnership with Bottineau Neighborhood Association to fund cops on bikes. The full committee meeting minutes are attached.

Judy Cedar from the MCDA reported. Residential interest on the site was denied by the MCDA Board of Commissioners. 212 Pottery has expressed an interest in purchasing the lot. It was appraised at $22,000. 212 made an offer of that amount. The MCDA had acquired the property in 1993 for $21,000. 212 Pottery would use the space for exhibits on an interim basis, the after two years would use the space to expand the business and bringing back to the neighborhood their proposal for the site. If building plans would not materialize then, MCDA would take back property-

212 Pottery reported that classes are going well. He has bank support for property. In the interim, he might run flea markets in the area on weekends. He wants to see how the business goes before expanding.

There was discussion about if there was interest by other businesses in the site. Cedar reported that the MCDA has not submitted a request for proposal for the site. The parcel is under 1100 square feet.

There was discussion on the growth of 13^th Avenue and interest in asking Cedar to put together a Request for Proposals for the site.

Andy Nederveld made a motion to encourage the MCDA to put out an RFP for 208 13^th Avenue and let the neighborhood review any proposals. Drew Trampe seconded. In answer to a question in the discussion period, Cedar said would have rfp to show SNO at its next meeting in January. The motion was approved unanimously.

Cedar reported that she has been meeting with the involved parties regularly. They are looking for ways to trim the budget, and searching for resources for the public participation part of the project. They need to do a survey for asbestos. Ryan applied for a grant to study the wells, they are looking at fixtures, looking at the State level for tax increment financing and building a team. She will be coming monthly to give updates. They are not close to having a tax increment plan for review.

Maureen Rath stressed the importance to the neighborhood of 13th and Marshall, and asked that historic streetlighting be included in the plans. Michael Rainville asked that the first phase of the project open the fountain and the park.

Cedar said that no specific financial details have been set yet . She suggested that a revenue producing part should be first priority to make it happen. The Park Board is looking at ways to change Marshall.

Cedar said that the park and fountain are part of their phase one plan. Ryan has not yet put down money for street lighting. They'll know in January.

asked Sheridan people for help in STAWNO’s review of plans for the Jim Lupient site. That neighborhood has concerns about the height of a planned apartment tower. They will be reviewing the plan with the developer on the 2nd Thursday of January -

Harmony Scenic – Andy Nederveld reported that Jeff Shane and Nygard met with Biernat and resolved questions and Nygard was in the final stages of negotiations. In January the new ownership might come to the SNO meeting.

Patty Grell reported. The school uses space leased by Minneapolis schools. The school district wants to discontinue leasing space. The School Board voted to extend the lease for another year. Patty hopes to have the principal of school at the January meeting.

Joe Biernat said that what the neighborhood needs to recognize is that this is a great experimental program. One teacher watches a student grow up several years. He said that neighbors need to be more aggressive and send the Board a letter stressing how important the program is and how we want to keep it. Maureen Rath will work on letter and run it by the Board. Joe Biernat suggested people call Carol Johnson, superintendent of Schools, and let her know.

Steve Benowitz agreed to take down half the fence along University Avenue to help reduce problems behind it. STAY had asked him to put it up a few years ago.

Patty Grell reported. The advisory group met today at Logan Park. They are in the process of working on a feasibility study with three parts. Part one, how will the Ballet of the Dolls work in the space. They propose a 300 - 350 seat theatre, with backstage practice area. Part 2, they are studying the neighborhood - conducting interviews. They asked for a SNO resolution of support in writing. At the next meeting, Jim Boyle will come with such a resolution. The third part has to do with the status of the building itself. They are using the studies from Ritz Playhouse Inc., They predict costs of $80 to $100,000 for cleanup of the space. They do not have a figure yet for renovation. They have found original blueprints from the 1930s. The goal to use the theatre mostly for the Ballet of the Dolls. They are hoping to break ground in the summer if all works out.

Dora Harris moved to adjourn, Andy Nederveld seconded. All voted to adjourn.