Sheridan Neighborhood Organization Board Meetings

24 January 2000

In the absence of Maureen Rath, Andy Nederveld called the meeting to order. All other board members were present.

Andy Nederveld announced the birth of Gus, Maureen and Richard's baby, and the reason for Maureen's absence.

• Introductions
• John Akre read minutes. Andy Nederveld moved that they be approved as read, Melissa Davis seconded the motion; the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes.

• John Akre read the following six items.

1. That SNO join the Northeast Business Association and pay the $50 membership.
2. That SNO accept the Event Committee's proposal as stated in 1 through 6 of their report and authorize the committee co-chairs to proceed with making the final arrangements.
3. That John Akre and Dora Harris be added as approved check signers for the SNO checking account.
4. That SNO relocate the SNO offices to the space offered us by the Northeast Housing Resource Center in the Catholic Eldercare building.
5. That SNO provide the Events Committee with the requested $150 for the DJ and limo from the general fund.
6. That SNO pay up to $500 to print and distribute the first "SNO News" newsletter.

• Treasurer's report

SNO's account contains $3058 at present.

• MEND Update. MEND met January 8th and compiled a list of projects and things to emphasize - Drew Trampe read through a list of items. MEND is composed of representatives from SNO, STAWNO and BNA, and will work on the upper river plan, parks and open space, softening Broadway, University and Marshall, and other common issues. They are currently working on the Articles of Incorporation.
• 2000/2001 CDBG Funding Request will be due soon. Looking for committee to put it together. Melissa Davis, John Akre volunteered.

• Newsletter - applause for Outreach Committee's work on the first edition. Kristine Harley, edited it and Richard Gunderson did layout. Tom Taylor delivered copies that are available at the Modern, Sentyrz, library, Dora's. The SNO News was distributed as an insert in the Northeaster, but hand-delivered Northeasters dropped off at businesses do not include inserts.
• SNO Ball. Trish Schilling reported - The Events committee settled on Mayslack's as a venue - they did not need financial commitment in advance. Tickets are for sale. Posters have been posted. It will be on February 19th, from 7 to midnight. They have rounded up many nice things for auction, but are still looking for donations - a limo will be available on a need basis. Money raised here will be earmarked for summer event to involve families.
• New SNO Office. Frank and Lynn have been generous, giving SNO space in their gallery. GMMHC offered SNO space in their office for free. St. Anthony West and East already have space there. The office is just outside Sheridan. Use of the office includes use of their copier ad fax machine. SNO's new address is 909 Main Street NE, lower level, same zip code, same phone.
• Library meeting tonight at Central Ave. library, but there is another one scheduled tomorrow night at North Regional Library on Lowry. SNO is looking for people to attend that and share information at next board meeting.
• Randy Adamsick from MN Film Board. Announced that the sale of the Harmony Scenic building to Nygard is going through, they will be closing on Wednesday. The Film Board is involved because the studios at Harmony are important for local production. Jim Nygard will be at the next SNO meeting to present his ideas for the property. The Film Board's Annual town meeting will be at the space.

• Ellie Meenan, the new owner of the Mighty Fine Cafe space spoke about the plans of her and her husband for the restaurant. They will be applying for a beer and wine license, and sidewalk cafe. They will be open for lunch and dinner and call it Erte. They plan to serve American comfort food, will keep some of the same staff, and are anticipating opening mid march to April 1st.
• Carolyn Sloat announced that she is looking for a roommate.
• Aaron Anderson, who works for the David Lillehaug for U.S. Senate campaign, asked for support.

• Events. Trish Schilling has been working on setting up space for the SNO Annual Meeting. She has arranged space at NE Bank, wants to present motion to have Annual Meeting on April 24th at NE Bank Community Room, If handicapped access is needed, SNO is required by the bank to hire a security guard at $35 an hour. Also, committee needs volunteers for the night of the SNO Ball. Jacqui Sullivan said that space would also be available in Sheridan School for the Annual Meeting. It was decided that the venue for the Annual Meeting would be set at the February Board meeting.
• Business Committee. met on February 11th. Minutes are attached. The Committee discussed STAWNO's business matching grant fund program. SNO also needs a letter of support to send to the Ballet of the Dolls. The committee also discussed the possibility of other uses for the NEST building and improving the situation at the 331 Club.
• Housing and Safety Committee. Andy Nederveld reported. The committee will be having a block club leader reception on Feb. 15th. There are 40 people in Sheridan who have had block club leader training. CCP/SAFE folks will be there. Bottineau is interested in sharing a cops on bikes program with Sheridan, splitting costs over two years. Cops on bikes would be a 20 week program, evening hours. The Project costs $9600 a year. Sheridan's NRP funds would be used for the first year, Bottineau would pick up the second year. The committee will have more details next month. Judy Chose said that we need to have neighborhood people involved in the program to make it work.
• Outreach Committee. Kristine Harley reported about next the newsletter. It is planned to go to 8 pages, with more photos. The deadline is Feb. 15th, for public, Feb. 18th for assigned writers. Typeface will be larger in the next newsletter. Volunteers are needed to review pirogues in NE. Everyone invited to contribute whatever they want to contribute. Tom Taylor said if you have contributions for the calendar, talk to him.

• Judy Cedar from the MCDA presented. At the November SNO meeting, the Board requested a draft RFP for the lot. The RFP asks for proposals by March 17th. It will be issued February 1, and proposals will be brought to the SNO meeting in March. Bob Sorg from 212 Pottery is expected to submit a proposal. Andy Nederveld thanked her, and asked about advertising. The RFP will be advertised in Finance and Commerce and in the Star Tribune.

• Judy Cedar reported - the MCDA will submit a plan on February 7th Ryan wants to start construction on the brewhouse in July. The project timeline is tied in with needs of the tenant. They are looking at making Ramsay Street into a private street for the block behind the brewhouse for parking. Ramp parking is costly. They will look at the possibility of demolition of the stockhouse for surface parking at least until the project is up and running. They need to negotiate with railroad for Ramsay Street and moving transformer service to 13th Ave. They are looking for funding and severing from the Ryan project the gasthouse and park. They are looking at the possibility of tapping into state preservation grants for the gasthouse, which would require public ownership of the building, like by the library. The neighborhood might consider donating NRP money for the park and fountain.

• Ron Price, a development project manager, reported about how they can assist SNO in stabilizing housing. They have access to some federal funds, which can leverage SNO's NRP funds. SNO would identify houses on a troubled block, they would buy a house, renovate it and partner with SNO to sell it to a family qualified to buy it. 2011 3rd St. in Bottineau, sold last year, is an example nearby. They need SNO's help identifying property - they would do most of the work. In most cases, properties need to be boarded and vacant, or vacant to apply. The next step is to identify a list of properties, they would look at them, study the feasibility, then go into more details. by June of 2000, SNO should have prospects ready. Call PPL or SNO number if anyone has ideas for prospective houses.

• Patty Grell reported that the feasibility study going well. It may be completed by mid February and ready to be presented at the next Board Meeting.

• Randy Adamsick from the Film Board presented details earlier. There will be a signing ceremony on Wednesday at noon.

• Patty Grell was pleased to announce that the School Board has decided to extend the lease for two years with possibility the for more. She encouraged parents in Sheridan to send their children there.

John Akre moved that the meeting adjourn. Andy Nederveld seconded the motion, all voted to adjourn.