Sheridan Neighborhood Organization Board Meetings

25 September 2000

All board members but Drew Trampe present

Andy Nederveld called the meeting to order

Introductions

John Akre read the minutes. Melissa Davis moved to accept the minutes, Jenny Fortman seconded, motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report. Melissa Davis presented. SNO has $6162 in total, $3518 in unrestricted fund. First audit from state auditor's office was last week – they made some recommendations - SNO is putting together some additional written procedures, a thorough audit will occur in several weeks. Initial audit went well. NEBA membership will be renewed.

MEND - update - no new meetings, but it is time to elect a new delegate and alternate. Drew Trampe is willing to be the delegate again. Patty Grell is willing to be the alternate. Jenny Fortman moved that they be renewed as delegate and alternate, Sally Waterman seconded, motion carried.

NRP Policy Board Elector – Jenny Fortman moved that Kristine Harley be policy board elector, Sally Waterman seconded, motion carried.

Friends of the Mississippi - Cary Shempert presented. She is working on storm drain stenciling project. She is looking for volunteers to stencil storm drains. If anyone is interested, contact them.

Ben Wallace - Nygard and Associates on 1414 Marshall St. NE. They are having an open house on Thurs. Oct 26, 4 to 9 p.m. Find out more at nygardnet.com.

Weed It and Reap is on oct 5, 6, 7.

Homeowners night - Oct. 19 and Nov 16. Inspections department staff can help you obtain a permit for projects at those events

Senior Citizen Resource Center, Oct 28th - Make a Difference Day

Andy Nederveld said he will meet with Joe Biernat and Jim Lemmer of Sheridan School about the preliminary idea of using Sheridan School's playground or part of it for offstreet parking - will have more info next month.

Andy Nederveld spoke with Amy Ryan on progress of the library project. They are still doing an environmental survey of property.

Tom Taylor spoke about the W.R. Grace vermiculite processing plant. Taylor encouraged everyone to have their property tested. There will be a large neighborhood meeting on Oct. 11 at the armory

Red Landon said garbage in alleys is getting bad - we need to have a clean sweep.

Patty Grell said Ballet of Dolls has scheduled a meeting for team with recap on fundraiser event

Events - Jenny Fortman presented – they are planning the SNO Ball – Sally Waterman presented – the committee wants to be part of International Fest at eagle fraternal life. Sally Waterman made a motion to participate in the Festival, Melissa Davis seconded, motion passed.

Business – Patrick Greffen presented. The committee is looking to attract businesses to 13th Ave. corridor - asked for ideas. The Committee will work with an intern from U of MN to canvass neighborhood for business needs.

Housing and Safety – Andy Nederveld presented. 1504 4th St. - the MCDA is acquiring it - will inspect it to see what needs to be done, then work with PPL on rehabilitation. Patty Grell presented on cops on bikes; she couldn't contact them for an update. People have seen them. The committee is still working with PPL and trying to identify problem rental properties - they have had some calls – call the SNO line if you want to report one.

Outreach - Tom Taylor presented - began delivering newsletters; they will be in the Northeaster this week. Kristine Harley talked about newsletter and welcomed submissions.

Bill Koncak of the MCDA presented. These are properties that had been put into STAY cop on block program. They are now looking at building houses on them. The owners of the house next to 342 15th Ave. found out their house was built on a dump and suggested the MCDA should look into that. These new homes would be for homeowner assisted program - there would be income restrictions. Dan Elsen said we first need to identify house plans; he would take design to housing committee for first approval - he showed some examples. If the neighborhood wants an upgrade on basic level, they would pay for that with NRP money. GMMHC builds 60 new houses a year - average sale price of these in 135-150 range. Elsen said they would start construction when it would fit into their work load. The owner of the property next to the 12th Ave. property asked if it is set that house will build there. Koncak said the city council has set a target that would mean that it will be a new home there. The one on 15th, the lot is slightly smaller than 5,000 sq. feet and in the grey area of the policy. Both lots are buildable. Andy Nederveld asked about next step. Bill said Dan would work on plans to bring to neighborhood. SNO would make recommendation. Then it would go thru committees and city council approval.

Andy Nederveld presented. It is a small lot between two houses. Nancy Pray from MCDA spoke about turning this lot into sideyard. She had an offer from John Jacobson for the lot. He owns one of the adjoining properties. She had not heard from Martha Earl, who owns the other adjoinint property and is also interested in purchasing a part of the lot. Bill Koncak said the MCDA likes to equalize lots. Tom Taylor said there was concern at last meeting about Jacobson’s maintenance of his property. Jacobson said his intention is to make yard bigger and more palatable for his tenants. Cecil Smith who lives across the street said he has concerns about trash and maintenance. Jacobson said would walk around property with him to talk about problems. John Akre made motion that sno recommends splitting 220 NE 4^th between the two adjoining property owners. Jenny Fortman seconded. The sale price of the lots would be $75 to Martha, $300 to John. The motion passed.

He gave an update on his housing project plans for Marshall Ave. He has revised the site plan - would use stone and brick on facade to tie into Grain Belt. Patty Grell asked if other property owners were here. One was present. Bartlett said financing would include city and state funding - houses could be taken by eminent domain. Bartlett will try to make agreement with timing and schedule with property owners - his goal is to do the project next year. The project would include 126 apartments and 36 townhouses. Jenny Fortman asked if considered doing project only on his property. Barlett said it would not work to build housing on just his lot because no one would want to develop housing on that small lot, surrounded by industrial. Chuck Sullivan said the project may have an impact on market valuation of nearby housing - is it appropriate on a broader scale of what the neighborhood wants to do? Jenny Fortman said neighbors are interested in smaller scale buildings. Sullivan said it would take out 3 potential business sites. Bartlett said his goal is to have townhomes sale price 135 to 180 thous. Patrick Greffen said value might also be affected by metal shredder up the river. Pat Stebe asked if he does not come into agreement with landowners, would he still proceed? Bartlett said he would still try to make the project work. Andy Nederveld said that on Oct 16th, operating committee of MCDA would give project analysis authorization (PAA). There was a question about the timeline for notifying other property owners. After PAA at MCDA, then he would contact them all, property owners and renters. Patty Grell said she is concerned about losing commercial property to the development, and that should investigate including retail in his project. Bartlett said he would be happy to explore it. There was a question about whether SNO has stated goals about whether residential or commercial should be in that corridor - there has been nothing. Bartlett said city has pressed hard for housing in that corridor - he is now happy that that is the case.

Judy cedar presented. She is going back to the MCDA Board of Commissioners on Oct. 16th - bringing in land sale and board report for parking lot - to protect building and have parking available a 99 year lease on stockhouse will be set up to protect Ryan’s rights to parking and the lease will be terminated when new parking is built. Library project - will get approval on Friday for State Historic preservation grant. Brewhouse activity - still doing asbestos abatement. Ryan is getting ready to do construction. Bob Sorg's project closed last week.

Melissa Davis moved that we adjourn early, Sally Waterman seconded, motion passed.
Back to SNO Info!