Sheridan Neighborhood Organization
26 February 2001
All Board Members present
Andy Nederveld called the meeting to order.
Introductions.
John Akre read the minutes. Melissa Davis moved they be accepted, Sally Waterman seconded, minutes approved.
Interim Board Action
A printer was needed for the SNO Ball, Melissa Davis moved that we approve up to $450 for a printer, Sally Waterman seconded, motion passed.
Treasurer's report - Melissa Davis presented. SNO has $6,154 in account - $2,968 in unrestricted funds.
Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation - Eve Bornstein's office revised them so we can qualify for 501c3. Melissa Davis has copies. The Articles of Incorporation were reorganized, address was updated and some things that we had incorrectly have been corrected. Melissa Davis recommends these changes. The Bylaws were more drastically revised. They omitted our mission statement and goals and rearranged the rest of the document. On page 6, we need to define membership - we cannot simply say that everybody in the neighborhood is a member, because of Minnesota nonprofit law. We must define membership, through a sign-in sheet that says that you are consenting to be a member of SNO if you sign, membership cards. There must be a member list that must be published before the meeting. You have to be on the list to get a ballot. Trish Schilling suggested that we not make changes until after this year’s Annual Meeting. Andy Nederveld said we want it the least restrictive way and we will work with Stacy Sorenson of the NRP on that and come back to approve it at next meeting.
NRP Plan Modifications – Andy Nederveld presented. We will be voting on them next month
1) Fund 2001 Deferred Loan Program - take those funds from Cop on Every Block program
2) Approve new business strategies - and revolving loan fund for businesses
3) Broaden Scope of NRP Plan Implementation Language - part of plan has funds for staff and office expenses - we are all volunteer and getting our office for free; we want to add a line to allow us to pay for meeting facilitation and promotion with those funds. Also correct language from STAY to "Sheridan Neighborhood".
18th Ave. Bike Task Force - Joe Biernat presented. SNO needs to elect a representative and alternate to look at the 18th ave rail corridor as a bike trail to connect to Central Avenue. There is money in the city budget for to begin planning it. The first meeting set up next Monday at 5 p.m. John Akre and Patrick Greffin volunteered to be the representative and alternate.
Upper River Working Group Update - Trish Schilling is our primary representative - Trish gave an update. About 50 people from communities around the river and other groups met to work out strategies to keep people involved and work out the process for involving people in implementing the Upper River plan. She encouraged people to come to meetings. Joe Biernat said he saw harmony between industry and neighborhood folks at the meeting and he was impressed.
Announcements
March 3rd, next MEND Meeting 9:30 - Ballet of the Dolls will be there to present.
Library RFP - Architect Firms have made the responses - they are there at library to check out
Library Meeting - May 12th – to talk about plans for new Bottineau library and give feedback on plans.
SNO Annual Meeting - April 23rd at NE Bank – Melissa Davis said we should post signs here saying that the meeting is at Bank. Andy Nederveld encouraged people to nominate themselves for the board.
New Home Proposals for 1131 NE 4th St. - 2 proposals - MCDA rep will be here at next meeting - and immediate neighbors will be flyered
Drew Trampe - announced that he and Holly want to live in their building at 339 13th Ave. - so he is seeking neighborhood approval for variances that he needs on his commercial building to make it residential.
Red Landon - encouraged people to show up to second precinct meeting - he is the only one from Sheridan who attends - 20th of March 7 p.m. at 2nd Precinct 1911 Central - every 3rd Tuesday of the month..
Joe Biernat said we have a new inspector in 2nd precinct - he encouraged us to invite him to a SNO meeting.
Question about small business loans - we will vote on it next month - then it will go through the NRP approval process - maybe available by mid-summer.
Mark Stenglein - County Commissioner - wants to congratulate us for the SNO Ball - he said it looks like SNO is off to good start - he said a bill is going to state legislature to change nonprofit law affecting our membership requirements.
Red Landon - asked about Malone's car repair. The owner of the property has to provide site plan - he has many work orders on that property.
Open microphone session
Eeris Fritz - she was concerned because Patrick Greffin had brought up concerns about Artspace not getting Grain Belt buildings. Andy Nederveld said we will address that later
Ginny Sutton - on Board of Eastside Coop - priority now is finding a site for the co-op – they are looking for 8,000 sq ft. 788-0950 is their office number.
Brad reminded everyone to remind neighbors to shovel their walk
Round of applause for the SNO Ball
Committee Updates
Events - all 9 committee members worked very hard on the SNO Ball - they could use another 9 - passed around photos and thank you list - total profit this year - $4,404 this year, doubled from last year. She encouraged more volunteers -
Business - Drew Trampe presented – the committee worked with Kelly Albricht, CURA intern, on business survey - Chck Sullivan said it was comprehensive 5 page survey.
Housing and Safety – Andy Nederveld presented – they are working on NRP modifications about housing.
Outreach - Kristine Harley presented - SNO News came out this month - will be on web site soon.
Eagle Fraternal Life Association
Steve Antolak presented - president of Eagle Fraternal life. It was formed in 1906 by Polish immigrants: now they concentrate on new immigrant and marginalized populations in twin cities. Their building is on corner of 13th and 2nd - now looking at better uses for building. They want to put in a mini mall - like the mercado on lake street: a large space divided up into small shops - they anticipate 25 small stores - intended to be retail, all new products, imported materials. He said it fits within zoning but a conditional use process may be necessary. He is interested in neighbors concerns. He said the adjacent lot exceeds zoning requirements for parking. Currently the building has an industrial use - Biernat Printing - they will be moving to another space.
Andy Nederveld asked him about co-op at the space. Antolak said they have only 4500 sq ft. A co-op at their adjacent Hall? Antolak said that was needed for events. Patrick Greffin asked him about geothermal heating and cooling - Antolak said they will drill wells for heat and cooling. Andy said that he has heard about problems with activity and fights at hall - police have been called in the past. Antolak - said they try to be careful and screen what goes on there - he said they can't control people who have left the facility - he said people are working hard to keep it from happening. Lynn Olson said as a neighbor there was not a Saturday night this summer when the police didn't need to be called - she said she don't see Antolak around - she doesn't know who is responsible but there is no supervision at events - people come out en masse after events and there is vandalism and fights after it. She has come home some nights and seen five police cars and has been unable to get into her residence - she said it is impossible in the summer. Antolak said that he only knew police were called at one event. Antolak said they have done some changes in security and management. Patty Grell suggested that maybe we have outgrown these halls and the way they are run as an event space. She said PNA is just as bad in events at summer. Trish Schilling said that something has to be done about how these buildings are supervised - somebody needs to be there making sure people are going home. Michael Rainville suggested they sell building to let neighbors live in peace. Antolak said they are having more of their own events and not as many private parties. He said there are needs for meeting space. He said he will work his best to deal with those issues. Part of making the mall is reflective of changes they are making in the organization. Antolak also said sometimes they get fooled about the renters of the facility. He said that if a renter has a stripper at their hall and they tell them they can’t, the renter gets upset. Andy Nederveld said that we should think about this and come back, keep the dialogue open.
Grain Belt BrewHouse Redevelopment update
Andy Nederveld said many people are here because there is an issue about Artspace. Judy Cedar presented - she asked about the Sheridan development, housing program, whether we would address it - Andy said that Jerry LePage is not ready to set that up yet.
Ross Pfeffercorn from Sheridan Development presented - they are gathering information - beginning next month they will have an update.
Judy Cedar presented. On the commercial side of project, the brewhouse. Internal demolition is complete - mold abatement is going on. They have money from the state for the library work - looking at neighborhoods for NRP money for fountain - will ask neighborhoods to review that as part of project in future.
Also working on Artspace part - Artspace has been working with artists - to retain the Warehouse and Bottling buildings as artists space. Artspace brought to MCDA an offer to purchase buildings, and Cedar said she is having a problem with their offer. She said artists are not wanting to be involved in ownership - so Artspace would have to sell bonds. MCDA says occupants need to have majority of ownership in building. She said this information is premature - they are meeting with Artspace again - they may still be involved in the project. MCDA needs to replenish the money they have put into the buildings. They might be able to do that by selling bonds themselves - and hiring a manager/operator of buildings, and after bonds are sold off sell to it to a nonprofit organization. That is what MCDA staff is recommending. Another option would be to approach a developer already involved to see if they want to take on management and ownership of those buildings. Cedar said that without artists forming an organization to own buildings, it is creating challenges for her. Andy asked if she had been approached by developers and if that has had an impact on this - Cedar said she hasn't. Patrick Greffin said that artists are interested in owning and that Artspace was shocked that MCDA cut off negotiations with them. Cedar said that MCDA staff committee is recommending that they not take offer presented to them by Artspace - Cedar recommends that the committee that works with Artspace has a meeting that MCDA reps could attend to go over this. One artist said the group that they formed as ownership group was Artspace - that does not indicate that artists are not interested in ownership - for them to individually own building spoils ultimate purpose. Cedar said that rumors have been spreading around among the artists - she wants to be invited to sit down and talk to them. Sullivan said that he would like time for Judy and MCDA to go further - they have gone a long way to date and this should be a blip that should be righted. Cedar said she is working so that when housing goes through that artists have autonomous spaces. Barbara from the buildings said it is important that community hears this discussion - and that everybody has an understanding of what is going on. Eeris Fritz said that she wants artists to stay. Judy Cedar said that there is no question that artists won't stay - they will stay period, she said. Juris said the artists are interested in raising their price if that's what needs to happens. Juris Plesums asked for key points that MCDA has issue with. Joe Biernat said that we are dealing with a very complicated real estate deal - negotiations are not off - city has to address other issues. If the Artspace deal doesn't work, does the city own the building? Biernat said that but for Artspace and the work of Cedar and Steve Cramer that the buildings didn't go out for RFP. He said we need to continue to negotiate. Cedar said that we are at crossroads - housing projects have to move forward so we need to make decisions soon. She wants people to call her before spreading rumors.
John Akre moved that SNO adjourn, Jenny Fortman seconded, motion carried.