Sheridan Neighborhood Organization
22 January 2001
All Board Members but Jenny Fortman (who is ill) present.
Andy Nederveld called the meeting to order.
Introductions
John Akre read the minutes. Correction: Drew pointed out that Chuch Sullivan was not correctly identified. Sally moved that minutes be accepted as amended, Drew 2nded, motion passed.
Interim Board Action
Andy Nederveld presented - 342 15th NE and 311 12th Ave. will be transferred from the MCDA to GMMHC for use in Home Ownership program.
$675 for request from Bottineau Early Education for an ad in the Northeaster.
Sally Waterman moved those items, Drew Trampe 2nded, motion passed.
Treasurer's Report Melissa Davis presented – SNO has $3498 in unrestricted funds. Audit: SNO had an exit interview on its audit. There were three findings - SNO did not have adequate segregation of duties, SNO needs to have financial procedures, (Melissa is finishing those), and fixed asset log is needed (Melissa is labeling columns for fixed assets of which SNO has none). Melissa made a motion that we approve and send letters about our follow up to the audit findings, Sally 2nded, motion passed. Bornstein's office still has bylaws and articles of incorporation.
Library update - Andy Nederveld reported. The Library Board voted to relocate to Grain Belt Gasthouse buildings. Michael Rainville reported on the trolley ride to take residents to the meeting. He said that the board had planned to either reject it or postpone action till January. The Board voted 6 to nothing to buy the buildings and proceed. Andy said that in March SNO will have a fun community meeting about the library designs and chance to give input on what we want in it.
Grain Belt Housing Update – Andy Nederveld presented. He just came from committee meeting. The staff recommendation was to go with Sheridan Development proposal - over 80% at meeting in Dec. voted for that one. It goes to full city council soon. SNO sent out letter giving results of meeting feedback to MCDA, and asking MCDA to put together a working group for developer, MCDA and neighborhood to work on the development. Jerry LaPage will soon set up that group.
Upper River Working Group - MCDA has just begun implementation of the Upper River Master Plan. It is putting together a group to decide what citizen participation process will look like. SNO appointed Trish Shilling as rep and Tom Taylor as alternate
National Theatre for Children – Andy Nederveld presented. They have an option to buy Electric Motor Supply Co. building behind the brewhouse. They want to use it for office and rehearsal space by this summer and performance space by next summer.
MEND Update - next meeting is March 3rd 9:30 a.m. - Catholic Eldercare - topic will be Ritz Theatre.
NRP Modifications Under Consideration. Andy Nederveld presented. SNO needs to look at its NRP Phase I plan Things we are looking at - would like to see Fix and Paint for the year 2001, fund Business Revolving Loan Program, combine Absentee and Owner Occupied Loan Programs, Increase Revolving Loan Maximum to 15K, transform Demolition Program into Rehab Programs. And consider other projects - Library, Sheridan School, Co-op. There will be more on this at the next meeting.
Open Microphone
Michelle McGaughery - concerned about providing affordable housing as Sheridan becomes more expensive. She would like the new housing by Grain Belt to be more affordable for people like her.
Scott Mahlman asked if there will be a Fix and Paint 2001 and how soon it will be.
Andy said that problem with Fix and Paint is that it is popular and involves a lottery and encouraged him to check out the revolving loan program. Stacy Sorensen of NRP said if SNO votes in March on it, it would take a month for the contracts to get out and applications should be available around April.
Louise Olsen said the eagles are back on the river. She said to keep that in mind if developments do happen; the river is a unique habitat.
Trish Schilling announced 110 years old the building she lives in had its birthday.
Red Landon asked people to pick up the NorthEaster and encouraged people to attend upcoming meetings about Central Avenue. He added that people on his block haven't been shoveling out their garbage cans; he asked for addresses if people are having problems with garbage cans and he would make contact with the city.
Committee Reports
Outreach - Tom Taylor presented. The committee will need volunteers to flyer and help with outreach for upcoming meetings. Kristine Harley said SNO News will come out in early February. She encouraged people to submit
Housing Committee – Andy Nedervld reported. Dan Elsen, project manager at GMMHC, has moved from that office and that will slow things down on two new homes.
Tom Taylor and Sally Waterman – reported on a Bottineau-Holland meeting about Bartlett/Sherman proposals in Bottineau: Eastside Neighborhood Services Site, Jubilee, and in rail area on 18th. At anearlier meeting there had been a dot vote to get input and concerns, and Tom recommends that we have a similar meeting about the similar development on the river in Sheridan.He said the developer addressed concerns but Tom is concerned about greenspace on 18th and townhouse plan for that swath. Michael Rainville said that money is in the city budget for a bike trail on that corridor so we need to develop a plan for it. Tom said this corridor would be a good use of NRP money - three neighborhoods working together. Sullivan said that Jubilee plans would take nearly two blocks of retail from the neighborhood. Sullivan said most people develop business because there is an existing building that they can work on, not new construction. Andy suggested we see how their process develops. Louise Olson was concerned about residents and loss of grocery store.
Business Committee - Drew Trampe presented. He talked about the business plan. They revised the 2nd draft of the business revolving loan plan. they looked at the business plan and how it relates to NRP plan.
Chuck Sullivan introduced CURA intern Kelly – she is developing a work plan - developing list of existing businesses and then doing a survey - Kelly said she will be sending out a Business survey in a month.
Events Committee. Trish Shilling reported. SNO Ball this year is at Jacob's 101 Feb. 24th. Tickets for sale at businesses.
Grain Belt - Judy Cedar is not here to present.
Ritz Theatre Update
Jim Boyle presented – Ballet of the Dolls is working on their Phase II. They completed their capital campaign study. The project is expected to cost 2.3 million. The BOD Board is very energized about this: last week the Board voted to go ahead with the capital campaign; they want 1/3 of the funding to come from public sources; they spoke with Biernat and MCDA about NRP commercial corridor funding - they may be able to get $400,000 from this. They will be looking at lots of partnerships. George Sutton showed building plans. Myron Johnson also spoke about it the facade will be restored, cleaned up; they showed a cross section of inside. They are working with John Baker Architects who did the redesign of Illusion Theatre downtown. There will be 221 seats. They will keep the lobby space the way it is. Sutton spoke on parking; they are working with Biernat and Sheridan School to provide parking for the theatre and for other businesses. Expenses would be shared by those who would be getting benefit. The School board has given concept approval on this. It would provide 150 parking spots. Myron Johnson spoke about performances - he wants it to be exciting place for people to go. The Executive Director said they are now performing at various venues around town and are looking forward to have a space over which they will have more control. Lynn Olson asked about their school program They are still assuming that they will be doing their School Program somewhere other than at the Ritz. They want to develop more programs in schools as well as building their own training program. Tom Taylor asked about timeline. Boyle said that within the next month they'll have a structure for who will do certain parts as well as schedule for campaign. Sutton said that the city has been very committed to the project. Boyle said that they are moving forward and in the Spring they are hoping to do show in PNA hall, late April, early May. Sutton said that this can be like the Jungle Theatre at Lyn-Lake.
Strategies for Problem Properties. Kristine Harley presented. She attended a Jay Clark workshop. There were four presentations on how different neighborhood groups treated problem properties. One suggestion was to partner a good absentee landlord with a bad one . Has book of guidelines if people interested in looking at it.
Tom Taylor asked about whether SNO would be getting staff. Melissa Davis said we don't have capacity for that yet. Andy said Sheridan has had a bad track record in past with staff, he suggested that there might be a possibility of sharing staff with another neighborhood. Boyle suggested that we talk to other neighborhood groups that are new and have staff.
Drew Trampe moved that we adjourn, Patrick Greffin 2nded, motion passed.