Sheridan Neighborhood Organization Board Meetings

July 24 2000

All Board Members present but Andy Nederveld.

Jenny Fortman called the meeting to order

Introductions

John Akre read the minutes. Drew Trampe moved that SNO approve the minutes. Sally Watterman seconded, and the minutes were approved.

SNO sent a letter to the Library Board supporting the move of the Pierre Bottineau branch to the Grain Belt Gasthouse and looking for ways to facilitate that move.

Treasure's report presented by Melissa Davis.

SNO has a $6421 balance. Major recent expenses have been insurance, printing, inserts in NEaster, SNO has $250 of CIP money left from SNO Big Deal, received money from Mayslack's from their Memorial Day event, and had $43 in donation box. SNO has nearly broken even on t-shirts.

Melissa Davis asked for a review of the SNO Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws; there are some problems with them; SNO cannot file for 501c3 before these things are changed. Eve Bornstien's office could do it, Melissa Davis moved that SNO spend $3-400 for a bylaws review by Bornstein’s office, Drew Trampe seconded. Question was asked: would we have finished product to review after the review? yes. The motion passed.

MEND update. no meeting occurred in last month

Judy Cedar presented - it is required by federal government to spend money on historic preservation project. It is prepared on the state level and establishes review agents for changes, new construction in a historic area. The agreement asks that SNO join the city preservation office, park board, and MCDA as concurring agency. There are three projects identified in this: the brewhouse, library and housing project. Erris Fritz asked about housing properties, Cedar said a historian will investigate the houses and businesses on sites one and two, the study will be provided to HPC, to see if buildings should be added to list of designation. Sally Waterman asked a question about section 13, that the MCDA will develop a mechanism to keep the public informed - Cedar said the review mechanisms are the ones in place and will continue to use them: her attending meetings, forums. Jenny Fortman made a statement about continuing to ask the city to remove the private properties from the development area. Drew Trampe made a motion to be concurring partnerto the SHPO Programmatic Agreement, John Akre seconded, no discussion, motion carried.

Diane Hofstede and Amy Ryan presented. Hofstede thanked SNO for the letter of support to the library board. The library board did pass a motion to move Pierre Bottineau branch to the Grain Belt Gasthouse. Hofstede said we're on our way to moving the library and preserving the park. Hofstede and Ryan wanted feedback, ideas for the library and areas of interest we would like developed. Ryan presented information about how the library has worked with other neighborhoods. NRP involvement has ranged from $2,000 to $160,000 for the technology center at Hosmer. Linden Hills gave $124 thousand for preservation. Ryan said Bottineau does not offer homework helper, tutors for drop in help on homework. Bottineau has been offering bilingual story hours, software instruction, and many children's resources. Patty Grell liked a Northeast historic emphasis and meeting room for organizations, she also suggested resources for seniors. chuck suggesteda connection with rsp, an architectural emphasis, legal, business. Trish suggested table, gallery space. Dawn Rae Davis suggested cultural heritages and changes focus. John Akre suggested river, environment focus. The present library is 2,000 sq ft. – the new library would be over 5 times as big, at 11,000 sq. ft., but on the small side of libraries. Jenny Fortman suggested reenacting the library advisory council. Ryan said she'd take ideas and formulate them and bring them back and also bring calendar of events.

Ryan made a request - $20,000 was allocated to the library in the NRP plan. The money was to fund increased hours and computers and other materials to provide resources to teens to find jobs. The Library has expanded hours and gotten resources, and still has $18,000 left. Ryan asked for a plan modification to reallocate that $18 thousand to the first step of moving library into grain belt. They need to begin the process in 2000 to get a half million dollar state grant. The money would be used for archaeological, architectural and engineering analysis. Ryan said the library would be expected to open in 2002. Jenny Fortman suggested we continue to talk about this at the next meeting.

Maude Lavelle presented. She and Pat Behrends of the 2nd precinct and bev banks of NRP, have been talking about it with neighborhoods. It is a safety orientated improvement project; it means that money is allocated for projects to improve backsides, parking lots, alleyways, etc. Work is now going on in the Central Ave. corridor, funded by the Metropolitan Council. It's a grant program with 1:1 match for businesses for lighting, setting up back entrances. They are working with 39 businesses on the 1800-2200 blocks of Central, listening to their safety problems, analyzed their businesses, then making recommendations based on CTED principles. Pat Behrends said she is happy to be working with businesses on this level of safety work. There are 3 principles – 1. The design of environment will reduce crime, natural surveillance, how can people see, 2. Natural access control - making access harder for people who want to prey on others: vegetation, striping; and 3. Territorial reinforcement - properties denote ownership, lighting, signage. Lavelle asked that Sheridan consider funding such a project in the second phase NRP plan.

Jenny Fortman announced the final vote on MCDA expansion of the Grain Belt project area, Friday July 28th 9:30, first on agenda - still time to contact City Council members.

Patrick Greffen announced a meeting on Graco’s expansion plans - 15th of July, Ramsay and Sibley Streets would be lost under current plans. Sibley is heavily used by bicyclists. Graco will be building a distribution plant along the river.

John Akre said attend NNO next Tuesday.

Eeris Fritz wanted to thank SNO for support of Grain Belt site two property owners.

Dawn Rae Davis wants to know if people want to work on outreach on getting diversity to meetings.

Red Landon said 2nd precinct has regular meetings – the 2PAC meetings.

Trish Schilling reported. The SNO Brigade marched in the Eastside parade; next year need twice as many people.

Drew Trampe reported. The committee has been working on a business plan, which involves CPTED, and Chuck Sullivan working on getting a CURA intern.

Patty Grell reported: Cops on bikes supposedly is underway; it had a late start. Patty hasn't gotten schedule yet. The police will fit it into their schedule.

The partnership with PPL. PPL requested $25,000 federal money for Sheridan. We need to brainstorm how to use that money. The housing committee thought the best way to use it was to work on multi-unit and problem housing; doing a program where PPL would buy a property, renovate it (we might help them) then sell it as affordable housing. The committee needs to get a list of problem properties. Call the SNO Line with addresses. The committee will do a drive tour to check them out.

Tom Taylor presented. He announced new member Dawn Miller. KristineHarley announced the need to meet to work on the next newsletter.

Judy Cedar presented a report requesting $50,000 in Sheridan NRP funds to help pay for the fountain renovation on the library site. Cedar said she has heard that reinstalling the fountain is important to the neighborhood. State Historic Preservation grant is not eligible for this. She wants us to mull it over and let her know later, Tom Taylor asked, why would the Park Board not own it. Hofstede said there is lots of red tape if two big agencies sharing something. The Library maintains all grounds but those at Webber Park, and there have been problems there. Chuck Sullivan would be parking there too? Cedar said yes, on the west side. Patrick Greffen asked about the electric motor building, any plans for that? Cedar said no. Greffen asked about the well at the fountain. Cedar said they would be sealing all wells; the state wouldn't let them keep any wells open. Trish Schilling said she feels uncomfortable designating NRP funds to fountain, with neighborhoods housing needs, and she has trouble giving money when our wishes were denied for housing objectives. Tom Taylor said we need a way to get neighborhood feelings, a meeting - to get ideas for library as well too. Diane Hofstede said that the library board would not be able to fund the park She said if there are no funds for the park she doubts the library project would move forward. Hofstede said this is the lynchpin for the project. Cedar said we need to start the library project this year or lose state funding. The state set aside $500,000 for Grain Belt project a couple years ago, that money needs to be accessed this year or it is gone; it has to be for public use. Cedar said perhaps private entities could contribute to this later. Patty Grell said that we have a lot of NRP money that has not been spent; we have not yet spent the first million on housing. She is concerned about the the neglect of businesses owners in the neighborhood. She said she wants this project to happen. Trish Schilling said she feels terrible about what's happening with privately owned properties; this is linked to that. Jenny Fortman said SNO needs to set up a town meeting on this, the board will meet about it.

Melissa Davis made a motion to adjourn, Sally Watterman seconded, motion passed.