Sheridan Neighborhood Organization Board Meeting

• Maureen Rath called the meeting to order Introductions
  
• John Akre read the minutes of the last meeting. Melissa Davis made a motion to approve the minutes. Dora Harris seconded the motion, all voted to approve the minutes.
  Executive Committee Reports:
  
• Treasurer's report: Drew Trampe said that we have an official account with a $417 balance.
• STAWNO meeting: Maureen Rath reported on the breakfast meeting that members of the SNO Board had with members of the Board of the St. Anthony West Neighborhood Association. The meeting gave SNO board members many ideas. Melissa Davis said that STAWNO is also sending a letter to NRP in support of us. Maureen reported that Bottineau will also send a letter of support for us.
• City Recognition: Maureen Rath reported that there has been so far no word on city recognition.
• SNO official board contacts: In order to get consistency of information, other members of SNO can contact those individuals, who will act as point people to these offices: Andy Nederveld will be the official contact to Council Member Biernat's office, Maureen Rath will do the same for the MCDA, Melissa Davis for NRP
  Announcements:
  
• MN Orchestra is performing tomorrow night at NE Bank parking lot.
• Ballet of Dolls update: Ballet of the Dolls has gotten approval for a $25,000 feasibility study on reuse of the Ritz Theatre and is moving forward on it. Council Member Biernat reported on the study - when it is completed, the MCDA will take it to the neighborhood for feedback. We should have news by the end of the summer.
• Mississippi Corridor update: Andy Nederveld reported on his attendance of a River Master Plan Review Meeting. Plans for our side of river include greenspace and parks Plans for the other side include an amphitheatre and 20 story housing units. Council Member Biernat encouraged people to look up its web site.
• Organizer Training: Maureen Rath invited SNO members to attend the weekly organizer training sessions with Jay Clark.
• National Night Out reminder: Maureen Rath reminded that it is time to start getting organized for this August 3rd event. The deadline for free barricades is coming up.
• STAY organization: Maureen Rath mentioned that Paris Getty has been fired as staffperson with Sheridan Today and Yesterday. Melissa reported that the press might be interested, and that point people for these questions should be Maureen Rath as President and John Akre as secretary. In a related matter, Patty Grell reported that a Youth Community coordinator from the public schools contacted her. The coordinator has kids who were supposed to work through a STAY program - these six kids will get paid regardless - but need work to do, clean-up, yard work, etc. Maureen Rath will contact this woman and clarify that this is a matter for STAY.
• Tom Taylor reported on the NE Parade, which will be on July 27th, Tuesday There is a cost of $25 to be a unit in it. The Picnic committee will work on setting up a parade unit. Dora Harris made motion to spend the $25 to be in the parade; Andy Nederveld seconded it. Discussion: money for insurance is needed before we can commit to this. Dora Harris added an amendment that SNO spend the money for the parade permit pending insurance. Charles Krenz seconded the amended motion. The motion passed.
• Melissa Davis reported that insurance is needed for SNO. She reported on a low bid of $215: half of the money SNO currently has in its account. Motion: Melissa Davis made a motion that SNO buy liability insurance when the board decides the account reaches enough to pay for it. Drew Trampe seconded the motion. Discussion: Maureen Rath said that many of the things SNO is working on require insurance. This insurance would cover liability, not the Directors and Officers insurance, which is also needed. The motion passed unanimously. Drew Trampe made a motion that we do have enough money to cover the insurance and that we and should buy it right away. Charles Krenz seconded. The motion was approved.
  Open Mic session:
  
• Paul Metsa discussed his work organizing a river cleanup and arts festival for Sept 18. Brian added that this was a project of SNO Arts and Education committee, and that he would like to tie it into the work of the other committees.
• Patty Grell asked for a round of applause to celebrate the news from STAY.
• Council Member Biernat announced the presence at the meeting of Paul Armstrong, city inspector.
• Biernat also announced that Chrysalis pulled out of project to reuse the Harmony Scenis site three weeks ago. The Harmony Scenic site is still vacant. The challenge for SNO is what to do with that area. Another school is looking at that site.
• Biernat also announced an August 2nd MCDA Executive Committee Meeting that will discuss recognition issues. It will be a night meeting and he encourage all to come. The meeting will determine which organization receives MCDA Citizen Participation dollars.
  
• Jeff Moritko from Mayslack's was not present to give an update of his tent party..
• Charles Krenz asked Council Member Biernat about his resignation from the Executive Committee. Biernat said it was because his colleagues were negotiating on private. Biernat said that the state legislature is ready next year to pass a "Build Kondirator" bill. Biernat encouraged people to write a letter to the mayor, asking that the city council pay attention to that corridor.
• 208 13th Ave.
  Dean and Patty Raeker were present and spoke about their process of looking for empty lot on which to build a home. They had spoken with the MCDA and received approval from STAY to build a single family, split level home on the lot. Council Member Biernat said that the neighboring business has interest in the space Biernat said that he doesn't think a house would be the best use for the land, and he opposes the sale of the land to the Raekers. There followed discussion of use of the space as a community plaza, and of residential uses in between commercial spaces. Maureen Rath said that she had many questions on this issue and that SNO needs to do research. Maureen Rath recommended that SNO direct the Business and Environment Committee to research the issue.
• Dan Elsen of Greater Minneapois Metroplitan Housing Commission spoke about the work of his organization on the Housing Program of the Sheridan NRP Plan. They provide reports to STAY and MCDA, neighbors can request those reports from the MCDA. As of the end of May, there were four programs in Sheridan: a Duplex purchaser program, funded through $60,000 from the NRP plan. There have been three applications and one purchase closed. The Deferred Loan and Grant program, which had a lottery dispersal. 31 names are on the list now with lottery numbers drawn, 14 applications have come back in and are in process. 8 have closed; 5 are under construction, 3 completed and $57,000 left.Elsen stated that many people are questioning whether to do the work because of community service requirements outlined in the Sheridan NRP plan. Charles Krenz said that if SNO becomes the official neighborhood group we should consider scrapping the community service requirement. The Revolving loan fund: only 6 applications have been requested. One person has closed and finished a project. This program totals $100,000 and 4% interest. The $200,000 revolving loan program for absentee owners. No applications have been received for that. Du Con: Duplex conversion program: No applications for that. $5 thou per household. Elsen said that the Revolving loan program in Saint Anthony West and East have been successful. They are basically same programs as Sheridan's but without the community service requirement. Those interested in the programs can call the Northeast Housing Resource Center and ask for application. They do the underwriting and approval. STAY oversees community service requirements.
  Committee Updates:
  
• Picnic Cmtee: Patty Grell reported on the picnic set for August 7. Mounted police officers will be there, they have musicians set up, a grill will be available. It will be a potluck, from 3 to 7. The committee is waiting for insurance before taking the final steps.
• Business & Environment: They decided to focus on two issues: to support the Ballet of Dolls and to oppose the Kondirator. They also discussed a focus on 13th Avenue and setting up a street cleanup. Minutes of their meeting are attached. Dora Harris mentioned the number of traffic accidents at 13th and Marshall. Brian encouraged people to call the police to watch the area.
• Fundraising: Jenny Fortman reported on the committee's focus on getting seed, start up money: and then they will connect with the other committees to look at project money needs.
• Arts and Education: The committee discussed expanding the river cleanup into an arts fest. The Committee plans to organize a cleanup in the fall and invite artists, food vendors, and music.
• Outreach Committee: the Committee is made up of the phone tree.
• Housing and Safety: The committee has not met.
• The League of Women Voters requested an honorarium for their help at our elections. Drew Trampe will write check for it.
• The Picnic Committee needs $25 for a permit for park use. Charles Krenz made a motion that if we have the insurance, board will reimburse Tom Taylor for payment that he makes for the permit for picnic. Melissa Davis seconded and the motion was approved.
• Dora Harris made a motion that for adjournment. Drew Trampe seconded it and it was approved.
• The meeting was adjourned.