Sheridan Neighborhood Organization
26 March 2001
All Board Members present but Sally Waterman
Andy Nederveld called the meeting to order
Introductions
John Akre read the minutes. Correction: Judy Cedar said that she did not have "a problem with Artspace," but with their offer. Jenny Fortman pointed out that Ginny Sutton's first name should be "Ginny." Jenny Fortman moved that the minutes be accepted as amended. Drew Trampe 2nded, motion passed. Michelle McGoughy asked for hard copies of minutes.
Andy Nederveld spoke about the proposed Bylaw changes. SNO decided to postpone those changes until after the annual meeting and see what happens to changes in the law.
Interim Board Action
Deadline for Art-A-Whirl catalog was imminent - SNO Board chose to partner with Ballet of the Dolls on a full page ad. Mellisa Davis moved that we spend $225 on Art a whirl ad, Jenny Fortman 2nded, motion passed
Treasurer's report - $10,102, in account - 7,782 in general funds - 4359 net profit from SNO Ball. Melissa Davis said we still have text and narrative to write for 501c3, we can start work on that now.
Library update - Andy Nederveld presented - Library Board will be interviewing four finalists for architect for the project this Fri. March 30. On May 12th at the NELC community room there will be a meeting to get input on new library. $48 is needed for a staff person for that meeting room. Melissa Davis made motion to pay for staff for this meeting, Drew Trampe seconded, motion passed.
Upper River Working Group - Trish Schilling presented. The group is formulating citizen participation process in river planning. Trish showed her "homework:" pins with different agencies to see where citizen groups play role. The group discussed the importance of citizen group representation through the whole process.
Annual Meeting - on April 23rd NE Bank Community Room.
3rd Ward Award - SNO Board nominated Trish Schilling this year - she organized SNO Events, SNO Big Deal and SNO Ball, and other contributions.
MEND Update - at last meeting - talked about working with Cunningham Group to plan charette with 3 neighborhoods on applying for commercal corridor funds. Talked about NEAT - NE Arts and Theatre District.
Marshall Street Redevelopment - the county has released funds for planning to turn Marshall into a boulevard. More info will be forthcoming.
Graco complex - meeting on Sat. April 28th with Graco to talk about their construction and minimizing impact of their buildings.
NRP Modifications - sheet with language changes was available. SNO wants to create a new strategy to fund general business programs and proposes moving money to offer Fix and Paint this year, and implementation strategy language broadening. Bill Koncak from the MCDA asked about the Cop on Every Block program. Andy Nederveld said we were working with GMMHC on new home construction for those lots.
Jenny Fortman move that we make the proposed modifications to the NRP plan Drew Trampe seconded. Motion passed.
Andy Nederveld proposed that SNO put $4000 in motion for SNO to use for publicity. Stacy Sorenson of NRP said she would prepare contract . John Akre moved that we ask Stacy to draw up this contract for $4,000 for administrative funds, Melissa Davis 2nded, motion passed.
Announcements
Senior Citizen Forum on Aprl 9th -
Edgewater Planting in Bottineau
George Sutton of Ballet of the Dolls said that the operating committee of city council voted today to begin environmental remediation of Ritz Theatre. They are working to make the building safe by mid-summer. They also need to rezone it as a theatre. He said SNO's leveraging of $25,000 helped bring much more substantial investment from city.
John Akre talked about bicycle issues - 18th Ave. Corridor, bicycle planning
May meeting - 4th mon is memorial day. The meeting will be on the third Monday.
Open Mic
Red Landon spoke about 2 PAC - He encouraged people and board member to come to the meetings and asked that in next newsletter, date for meetings to be put in.
Dave Ramsden - running for Ward 1 city council - DFL ward convention on March 31st -
Valdis Rozentals - running for 3rd Ward City Council - he is working on ward-wide meeting - to provide snapshot of what ward wants - wants to make sure ward stands out
Makeda Zulu Gilespie - running for 3rd ward City Council. She said there is unity in our ward on both sides of the river. She said business owners and home owners fearful of losing their property.
Tom Taylor asked Valdis how the meeting would be publicized
Valdis said they will be sending out invites to all neighborhood groups.
Committee Updates
Outreach Committee - Tom Taylor presented - his responsibilities in his day job have increased, so he needs more help in committee - wants someone else to offer leadership.
Housing Committee - Andy Nederveld presented- Bartlett Sherman proposal on Marshall - he has not made offers to property owners.
Business Committee - Drew Trampe presented - he had copies of business survey - intern Kelly Albright will distribute them this week by hand. He read from survey cover letter.
majority of data from survey will be on web site at end - Louise Olsen asked how info would be used – she asked about data privacy, Drew Trampe said you don't need to respond to all the questions.
Tom Taylor would like to see survey info when it is gathered together - Drew Trampe said they will print out some copies of printed info - Michelle McGaughy said that copies of those things would be great to have at beginning of meeting.
Events - Trish Schilling presented - apologized to Mellisa Davis for burdening her with SNO Ball money matters. SNO Big Deal picnic - music, potluck and food - Saturday June 16th - at Sheridan's only park on the river.
Design Review for 1131 4th Street
Bill Koncak of MCDA said that a condemned house had been torn down - lot just recently went tax forfeiture - MCDA got clear title - it was a buildable lot - MCDA advertised it.
Tom Taylor asked if lot had been offered to adjacent property owners - Koncak said that disposition policy of city calls for this lot to be built on. MCDA advertised the lot on their web site and in paper. State law also requires city to sell tax forfeiture lot to builder.
Proposal A - Siwek lumber - Pat Siwek-Mersion presented. They just purchased a lot and are finishing a house at 653 Taylor in Beltrami - site plans shows detached garage at rear of lot - they have built dozens of cabins and apartment buildings - house in Beltrami sold in 3 hours for 148 thous.
Proposal B - Metro Real Estate - Paul Gerber - he's from NE, but doing more work on south Minneapolis - they are proposing detached garage rather than attached shown in plans- 3 bdrm house - full 2 story - since they saw lot they have come up with new plan - $150 - 160 range sale price expected.
Proposal C - Mr. Justin Deanis - 2 story modern style house for a family - 2 bdrm, with detached garage - he designed the house – he has been working on the design for a couple years - they plan to live in the house.
Proposal D - Williams Construction - modular house - an engineered home - they are a family business for 100 years - they have a party prequalified for the home - someone is set to live there - double detached garage - home is manufactured in factory and brought out - basement is constructed on site - buyer will pick out interior - expect appraisal price $170 thou.
John Akre read from e-mail comments - Andy Nederveld asked from comments from immediate neighbors
Dave Ramsted - said his preference is C, built by an owner who will occupy it - it is artistic, modern. Tom Taylor asked about siding on Proposal C - Deanis said exterior would be stucco. Drew Trampe asked him about funding - Deanis said they are pre-approved - in close contact with builder - he works with RSP architects. A neighbor of the lot said that she doesn't think proposal C would fit in the neighborhood well - she liked D and A. Koncak said that neighborhood group can make recommendation, city council will make the choice. Michelle McGaughy asked about process. Andy Nederveld said the process was that neighbors are around the block were flyered. SNO could do many things, make no recommendation, recommend one plan over others. Koncak asked that if we make a recommendation, make a first and second choice - our recommendation will go in a board report that will go to council - our recommendation will weigh very heavily. Olin Moore asked if there were labor issues with modular home - Koncak said that there are not many builders using union labor for single family home construction. One neighbor said that first choice was D, 2nd was B. There was a question about B, would reworking site plan have impact - Koncak said it is unusual to have four builders submit. Tom Taylor asked if all will be owner occupied or if they might end up as rental - Koncak said that there is nothing to prevent that, but rental rate wouldn't pay for mortgage. Bob Sorg said he likes design C, likes, energy efficient. Drew Trampe - said that houses that look like existing properties, always look "like" they are new. Koncak said that recommendation is based on design, he would have to leave if it were based on personality - Andy Nedervled asked for straw poll -
Design A - 0
Design B - 1
Design C - 14
Design D - 10
Andy Nederveld recommended that we send results of straw poll to council with no recommendation. Drew Trampe moved that SNO recommend C as first and D as second choice. Four immediate neighors recommended D - John Akre 2nded - Dawn Rae Davis said that people who live on that block should be given priority - Louise Olson asked if we can make friendly amendment that it be noted in our recommendation that neighbors who live nearby preferred D. Motion carries. Koncak wants letter stating that recommendation
Grain Belt Brewhouse Redevelopment Update
Judy Cedar - reported - a group was formed with tenants of two arts related buildings – they are meeting every 2 weeks with MCDA staff – issues have been identified - how do bottling house and warehouse live in harmony with housing development around it? Parking and loading dock issues with housing development. The art on outdoor space on land not owned by MCDA. May have to buy that land through eminent domain - don't know how that will work out for the artist who uses that space - don't know how financial package will work out. MCDA did not accept Artspace offer because it did not replenish their cash flow.
Cedar said architectural study of library site is interesting - it is in the Bottineau library - Patrick Greffin asked about MCDA long-term intent of 2 buildings - majority of tenants of 2 bldgs are businesses - Cedar said tenants of 2 bldgs need to form tight group - once bonds are paid off, MCDA could transfer ownership to thsi group.
Drew Trampe Variance Request
Andy Nederveld presented - Drew Trampe requested through formal notification to approve a zoning variance to allow him to live in the back of his building. He had a letter of support from The Modern, his neighbor. He wants a letter from us approving a variance for side yard and glazing - the building doesn't have a side yard or windows enough. Trish Schilling asked if they would be staying as owner - and would there be restriction on them renting it out to someone else later. Trish said that she believed variance would go with building if it was sold, Drew didn't know, but Becky in Biernat's office said she thought it would. Tom Taylor asked if he had notified other tenants around - Becky said it just needed some public presentation. Andy Nedervld asked Drew if he would allow putting a condition on it that would mean it would go under neighborhood review upon sale - Louise Olsen said that we might be getting into ball of wax with artist housing and just go with the variance. Jenny Fortman made a motion that we recommend Drew Trampe have a variance from sideyard and glazing, Patrick Greffin seconded - motion passed.
Jenny Fortman moved that we adjourn, Melissa Davis 2nded, motion carried.