Sheridan Neighborhood Organization Board Meetings

Sheridan Neighborhood Organization Board Meeting

• Board Members Drew Trampe, Dora Harris and Melissa Davis were not present. They were all excused
• John Akre, Charles Krenz, Andy Nederveld and Maureen Rath were present.
• Maureen called the meeting to order.
• Introductions People were asked to introduce themselves and asked to say why they were here.
• John Akre read the minutes from the June meeting. Charles moved that they be approved. Andy seconded the motion. They were approved unanimously.
• Treasurer's report was made by Maureen Rath. Drew Trampe send in money for insurance. Drew Trampe and Mellisa Davis are now taking class to complete the 501c3 paperwork.

Special Executive Committee meeting report:

• The following was discussed at a special board meeting.
• MCDA: Future directions document. SNO members are welcome to read it and give their feedback.
• Drew will work on 501c3 and start a committee if necessary to finish it.
• The Board approved a logo and letterhead. Maureen passed around an example.
• MCDA funding: the Board identified goals for the August 2nd MCDA Executive Committee Meeting. Both organizations (STAY and SNO) have been invited to give comments. The MCDA Executive Committee will give recommendation for the full City Council. SNO will provide three speakers: Maureen as president of SNO, Trish as a Sheridan resident and former STAY board member, and Michael Rainville of STAWNO. The board decided on a strategy of short statements and a room packed with SNO supporters. There would be an emphasis on reconciliation between the two groups, and a show of solidarity in the neighborhood behind SNO. The meeting starts at 5 and Sheridan is the first agenda item. Andy discussed the small paper ballots directed to Biernat; they should be filled out and turned in at the Modern Cafe by Wednesday evening.
• Also discussed at the meeting was statements from SNO to to give to the press in reference to STAY's firing of their staffperson.

Announcements

• Celebrate NE Parade is tomorrow; Tom Taylor suggested that SNO members take around picnic flyers and take the ballots around to get signatures.
• NNO is coming up on August 3rd.
• SNO Big Deal Potluck Picnic is on August 7

Open Mic Session:

• Dominique Bouza, hired by STAY as their staffperson, came to see how the two organizations, STAY and SNO, can work together. He said that he was hired to work for the entire community. He said that STAY will not fold, and that two organizations in one neighborhood is bad for the community. He said that confrontations may be ahead if SNO does not work with STAY. He would like to work to move toward one organization that does what we want it to do.
• Michelle McGaughey spoke about the Mayslack's Bar party. She said that last summer a petition was signed by 40 neighbors about noise and trash from the party that year. This year she felt disrespected when she heard that SNO had approved of the party. This year party was better, she said; the music was lower, and STAY had worked hard to get the party hours cut. She would like to work to getting the music stopped at 9 p.m. next year.
• Dave Voit of Council Member Biernat's office said that all the barricades in the city have already been assigned for NNO.
• Kirsten reported that her street was flooded. She suggested that you get your neighbors' phone numbers before this kind of thing happens.

Mayslack's party recap

Tommy Scallen

• He would like to renovate it and use it for theatre. His father operates the Chanhassan Dinner Theatre and his family has NorthEast connections. He wants a theatre with from 300 to 500 seats for off-Broadway type plays. Two productions they have would involve transforming the inside of the theatre. He said that his is a commercial organization and that he will look at the feasibility study that Ballet of the Dolls is working on. The Ritz is appealing to him because of the kind of neighborhood it is in. He said that he thinks that they can buy the theatre and finance it themselves.

King Koin -

• Dave Pederson wants to restore commercial zoning on the building to put his business in there. He is reapplying now for zoning change. He has signatures and must notify people within 300 to 450 feet. He wants to put in multimedia business; he will video edit there.He needs a zoning change to get going on his application. Jim Grell spoke about the STAY history with the building. Brian spoke in favor of Dave and his work on the building. Tom Taylor spoke about Dave as a good neighbor.
• John Akre made a motion that SNO approve the zoning change Dave requests. Charles Krenz seconded. All voted to approve the motion.
• Maureen Rath made a statement that hopefully this will be one more spark to revitalize 13th Avenue NE.

Committees

• Picnic Committee; last mtg. The Park Board will provide a portable toilet for SNO Big Deal. They will mow and unlock gates for park. The Park Board has a proposed name for the park: River's Edge Park. SNO has a permit and permission from MCDA to park in their lot. Will hold the event rain or shine, as there is no back up indoor location. Rita Faye will play with her band. Time slots are available for other people who want to play music. Invitations were sent out to government officials. SNO members will flyer each house in Sheridan. The committee is looking for volunteers to drop off flyers. Signs and balloons will mark the location. It is on Saturday August 7 from 3 to 7.
• Business & Environment - Jim reported that the committee decided to get the word out to business owners; to create a flyer to let business owners know that 2nd Mon of month is the committee's meeting date. Joe Biernat was contacted, to see if he could attend the next committee meeting to talk about 13th Avenue issues.
• Fundraising - Jenny Fortman reported that the committee is working on grant ideas. She asked that if anyone works for large corporation that gives out grants, contact them. She suggested that members leave donations tonight.
• Arts and Education Committee- Brian reported that there was no official meeting this month, but five to six committee members have been faxing back and forth, gathering material for the cleanup/neighborhood get together planned for September. There will be a get-together at Boom Island - entertainment, artists booths. The Park Board is enthusiastic about it.
• Housing and Safety Committee hasn't met. A meeting will be called later this month. Fundraising Committee meets next on August 17th at 7 p.m.