Sheridan Neighborhood Organization Board Meetings

28 February 2000

All board members present

Andy Nederveld called the meeting to order

Introductions

There followed a huge standing ovation for the SNO ball

John Akre read the minutes. Andy Nederveld moved they be accepted, Melissa Davis seconded, all voted they be approved.

Board vacancy - Jenny Fortman volunteered to fill the position, And Nederveld moved that we accept her, Drew Trampe seconded. All voted to approve the motion.

1. Annual Meeting – It will be on April 24^th at NE Bank. SNO needs to pay a security guard – Three hours for security guard at $35/hour. CDBG money can be used for that. SNO will also cover some business that night as well, as it is the regular Board Meeting night. It is the day after Easter – there was a question if that was a possible conflict. After a asking for show of hands, it was decided not to be a problem. Andy Nederveld moved the motion to have the Annual Meeting at the above date and time and provide funding for the security guard. Dora Harris seconded, all voted for the motion. As the events committee is exhausted from the SNO Ball, a call went out for volunteers to organize the meeting and a sign up sheet was passed around.

2. Purchase a printer. SNO will receive a computer and monitor from the NRP and needs a printer. Lynn Olson offered to donate a laser printer.

3. Letterhead and envelopes - Drew has updated the SNO logo – SNO got a quote for 1,000 envelopes, letterhead, $156 - $92/thousand for the letterhead. John Akre moved that SNO buy the letterhead, Andy Nederveld seconded, all members voted for approval.

4. Office supply policy – Maureen Rath suggested that SNO should establish guidelines for office supply purchases, if copies are needed, etc. Her suggestion was that if the purchase was over $10, approval from board member would be required before purchase; if the purchase is over $250, then it needs to come to the full board for a vote. Discussion followed that we should table this idea until the next meeting and it has more detail.

5. MEND Articles of Incorporation – Drew Trampe introduced them, Drew made a motion that SNO approve them, Andy Nederveld, seconded the motion, all members voted to approve.

Michael Rainville – offered an apology for saying at a recent meeting that SNO had made a formal approval of the Upper River Plan. He also wanted to announce that at the March 16th STAWNO Annual Meeting, that their Pioneer Award would be awarded to SNO. Maureen Rath volunteered to go to accept the award. He also invited SNO to participate in the 4th of July parade and told everyone to mark the 4th of July on their calendars. He also invited people to attend the MEND meeting on the following Saturday. He asked Joe Biernat to set up a task force to work on plans for the Grain Belt brewhouse.

Treasurer's report – Drew Trampe reported that SNO has $3175 in account total now.

Census 2000- Mike Romans spoke. The Census is recruiting workers and he has information. The Census is trying to fill paying positions - 10 to 40 hours per week. They are about 25 people short in the area. The nonresponse rate in Sheridan was the highest in NE in the last census

John Akre announced the Heritage Preservation Awards application information

Carolyn Sloat still needs a roommate

Events committee

SNO ball – Trish Schilling passed around Polaroid pictures of the event as well as the list of merchants and people who donated. The committee met once a week begining in the middle of October. It successful event – they sold 183 tickets, 136 tickets were taken at the door, and 140 door prize tickets were counted. They broke even before the event and ended up with a profit of $2150.11. Another $200 was yet to be collect on silent auction items. Proceeds will pay for future events: for the Picnic, to build an outreach effort, events in conjunction with the Walker Art-mobile, and the parade during Art-a-whirl between Sheridan and Logan Park.

Business and Environment

Drew Trampe spoke – The committee met on February 8^th. They had a presentation about Enterprise Facilitation, a program of NEBA, they discussed the 331 club and will invite the SAFE team and Hillary Freeman to their next meeting. They will look at the NRP plan’s business section.

Housing and safety

Andy Nederveld presented. The committee held a block club leader reception with representatives from CCP/SAFE, they brainstormed on block club priorities, like greening, crime alert and prevention, social gatherings, and welcoming new residents. National Night Out is August 7th, we need to promote it. The committee talked about the Block Connections program, and working on a Welcome packet. They also discussed the PPL housing program and Cops on Bikes.

Outreach

Tom Taylor announced that the committee is looking for one other person to help call people to remind them of meetings. Kristine Harley spoke about the upcoming issue of SNO News, the deadline has been moved back to March 1^st. They are planning to come out in the Northeaster on March 21st. Pirogue Review volunteers are needed, she also needs an article on the Grain Belt meeting. Give your calendar items to Tom Taylor

Rosemary Fagrelius of the Northeast Home Ownership Center presented. SNO Board members have been working with her, Don Snyder of the MCDA, and Joe Horan of the NRP to improve the Housing section of the NRP plan. SNO needs to move forward with the 2000 Fix and Paint/Deferred loan program. It funds exterior improvements and structural issues. Modifications are being proposed to make the program more successful, and SNO needs to decide how to close out the 1998 program. In the 1998 deferred loan and grant program, there were 103 applicants in drawing in April 1998. They approached the first 50 on list, 13 homeowners closed and completed work, 11 haven't responded, 19 are out of the program, 3 have closed and work is now in progress, 4 have said they are getting bids. The balance in funds from original program is $31,417. Changes suggested were for the $75,000 from year 2000 funds, and unspent money from earlier program to total approximately $120,000 in this program. Changes include: only evidence of money for matchis required, not money at the table. Eligible improvements have been changed to include fences, repair replace and install new, specific requirements on size have been removed. Garages: new construction has been added. Driveways: deck, repair, replace and new construction were added. In addition, community service requirements have been removed. Applications will be sent out in the next newsletter and will be closed in mid-April. If applications exceed the $120,000 in funds, then SNO would have a random drawing, if there is more money than applications, they would start processing them on first come, first served basis until the money is gone. Drawing would be perhaps at the Annual Meeting if it is needed. Amendments to the NRP contract include changing neighborhood designation, transferring transition funds to new program, guideline changes and other changes as specified. The contract would be changed from STAY to SNO; SNO also needs a resolution authorizing the chair to sign new contracts. A question was raised about the 11 who did not respond to the 1998 program: they did not respond to letters, the letters had deadlines. It was suggested they be sent a letter giving them one last opportunity. Fagrelius said that if they were to continue down the old list, GMMHC would be required to use old guidelines. Patty Grell suggested sending a letter to the upper 50 from 1st program informing them about the new program. Fagrelius said she would send out such a letter. It was suggested that the information about the changes should be on the front page of the newsletter. Signs in yards of houses being fixed up would help publicize it too. 378-7985 is the GHMMC number. A motion was required to make the budget changes, guideline changes, reference the three closed out programs from 1991 & 92 to the MCDA – the MCDA will then ask GMMHC to close them, to change the authorization to be with the Sheridan Neighborhood Organization.

Jenny Fortman moved that we make the contract changes, Andy Nederveld seconded, all Board Members voted to approve them. At the March Board Meeting further issues will be addressed, such as a procedure if more application are received than there is money to fund them.

He gave an update on the feasibility study completion. The results of the study were reported to the Ritz Steering Committee last week. They feel the study was very positive; they are forwarding it with reservations to the Ballet of the Dolls board. The study included an architectural overview and cost analysis. Plans are for 221 permanent seats with provisions to add 20. The cost of construction would be $1.7 million, environmental costs would be $100,000 and involve removing oil storage tanks, bringing the total price tag around $2 million. They are working on zoning and parking issues; they would be required to have 60 off street parking spaces. Interviews and surveys in the study were very positive. The last part is a 5 year financial plan. The next steps are that the recommendations will to go to the Ballet of the Dolls board, they will begin a feasibility study for the capital campaign. They will be moving their offices to NE in April. If they give the go-ahead, 18 to 24 months would be required before they would be in and operating the space. A question about parking was asked: the Music Box theatre shares parking with a school, the Ritz might involve a similar arrangement.

She is the chair of this organization that puts on Art-a-whirl, and does much more. They hired Margo Ashmore as coordinator She spoke about the upcoming Art-A-Whirl, which this year will include the Walker artmobile at Sheridan School, a parade between Sheridan and Logan Park, a tea party at Catholic Eldercare, a film festival the Wednesday before Art-a-whirl. Call 867-4874 for an application. Ads are available in their catalog, they also have map with advertising on it. There are fundraising and sponsorship opportunities. NEMAA is also doing mini-whirls throughout the year, Artstead is a project forming cooperative for live-in art studios, education for artists; more artists getting involved to make things happen.

Michael Sorbian presented. He wants to open a Polish-American deli in the PNA building at 13th and 4^th. He is asking for approval from board for a zoning change, a variance from requested landscaping for the parking lot behind the building. They want to open in early summer. They would like a letter of support from SNO for the variance for landscaping. They have not spoken with PNA about the landscaping. Patty Grell said she would like PNA to clean up their space. Brian spoke, he leases from PNA. He has been begging them to come down to a SNO meeting. He spoke in favor of the Sorbian’s proposal. Mike Rainville suggested that a couple of SNO board members go to a PNA meeting. Eva Sorbian said that they want the landscaping in the parking lot but don't want to pay for it . The board will review this issue and get back to the Sorbians later in the week.

He owns the site just north of Harmony Scenic. He bought the property for its development potential. He wants to tear down two buildings on the site and got caught up in the riverfront moratorium. Now he has a proposal to build. He would tear down the livery building and restore one existing building. He would like to build a new 20,000 sq ft building on the back of the lot - similar to the Harmony building. He came tonight to show his plans. He will be applying for a waiver to the moratorium; his proposal meets the zoning requirements, Cela would be moving into the office building; they are currently located in St. Louis Park; they have 64 employees, and will be increasing to 80 soon. Barlett’s plan: if he is successful with waiver for moratorium, then he would ask for approval for his plan.

The City Council will review the financing plan in March; she will have a report on that at the next meeting. She is working on grant applications, working on the Gasthouse separately. If the City Council committees give them a green light, they will proceed on review of a TIF plan, land sale report, and keep moving. The price of the development is getting closer to $16 million. She has been meeting with artists about the bottling house and warehouse.

RFP for property on 13th - hasn't been sent out yet.

Andy Nederveld presented the plan – it would be a partnership with BNA. BNA voted at their last meeting to go ahead with their portion of the money necessary to fund the program – SNO needs to approve the use of their NRP funds to fund the program for the first year. John Akre moved that SNO proceed with the Cops on Bikes plan as worked out by the Housing and Safety Committee, Drew Trampe seconded. All members voted approval.

Andy Nederveld moved to adjourn the meeting, Melissa Davis seconded, all voted to adjourn.