SECIA Minutes

Van Cleve Park

February 12, 2008

( ) indicates minutes allowed

* denotes Action Item

Board Meeting: 6:30

Present: Jeane M., Tedd J., Jake J., Jeff H., Jeremiah P., Lee H., Stewart S., Wendy M., Connie S., Marilyn B., Joan M., Bill D.

Staff:.James D.,

Guests: Robin from Cam, Bill H., JR person, Ann H., Gary B., John E., George P., Mitch A., Lynn A.

Excused:

Unexcused:

Vacant:

Quorum present.

Began: 6:34

1)      Introductions (5) 6:30

 

2)      GAPSA and MSA Updates(Jeremiah)  (5) 6:35

o       Spoke of event plans

o       Renter forms done monthly legal services and Kendre, giving new renters information

o       Hasn’t been able to find an MSA rep for us, so he will continue.

o       GAPSA has not supplied a rep for many years.

3)      *Review and Approve January Minutes (5) 6:40

o       Stewart moved approval, Jeremiah seconded – passed.

4)      Ann Heath, Van Cleve Park  (5) 6:45

6:41

o       Ann’s last scheduled date is March 7 – will return in September.  Scott will be the contact person for the department.  Contact for Como cookout.  He is a U student majoring in Park and recreation.

o       Ryan Flanders has returned.  In the process of receiving an additional employee.  Asks that James contact the park board to see how this will work – number of hours etc.  Will be using $2000 saved from last year for Youth Line teams.  Scott spoke introduced himself.

5)      John Erwin and Jeff H. – Grand Rounds  ( 20)  6:50

6:53

o       Three routes in play A, B, and B2.  No decision has been made by CAC.  March 13th meeting for CAC.  Concerned about financing of this project – the financing is not apple to apples in cost. 

o       John Erwin, president of CAC here with George Puzak, VP, Here  to thank you because we have been vocal and interested.  CAC wanted the in put – two(Note: Connie was asked by Mclaughlin to go for county- Jeff is from SECIA) good reps from us.  There is a new addition to the plans that adds a green loop.  Once we have the route then an amenity package will be put forth with the green ways, parks, etc. to be added to the route.  Does not want immediate action from us but when we are ready to OK the choices they would like the neighborhood support at that time.

o       The original RFP was for 2 open houses to talk about this process and CAC asked for 5.

o       SECIA has been consistent in our need to have the Bridal Vail/Kosota Ponds placed in the route.  It might be less controversial and then could include a full loop for walkers, dog walking, biking.  A way to expand the wetland area.  Greenway bridge won’t be needed as engineers pointed out the RR is high so GR can go under it.  The green loop will be created at the same time as GR.  East of the student Co-ops, 8 acres, to become a park.  Right now it’s important to get the parkway in – and hopefully include the green loop in that at the beginning.

o       Reps, will receive info with all routes and then come to us and decide what route to choose.  Proposed eco industry, formal gardens, green industries, sports park (low priority), we wanted a formal or eco park. University properties are part of this –

o       Eminent domain means if the U owns it they can’t be removed from it.  If the park board owns it then the U can’t assume control of it without negotiations.  (7:13)

o       The park is in the distant future.  Lots of issues with trucks, placement,

o       Joan not convinced that the city would buy into this.  Industrial space that will be forced off the tax rolls, in conflict with city priorities, Jobs will be lost,  - John speaks to unknown future and they will put forth the best proposal and if city nixes it then we go again.  Determinations for parks will come in March. 

 

6)      Executive Committee report (Wendy M.) (10) 7:10

·        Accounting practices* conflict of interest policy, *OEA Grant, Exec approved letter of support for Jeremiah, Support for rental license change

o        Reports:  (1 minute reports – 10 minutes max.)

§         Alliance Steering – Wendy - Set up in January. 

§         Alliance Demo – Marilyn – Form is on SECIA website, get in by Feb. 29, Ideas, might be used with another, might be one of many selected to be done with the $750,000 from legislature.  The task force will be judging from Impact criteria. 

§         City Master Plan – Jake - Interested in statements about cleaning up the water began asking city people, no specific answers for this.  So he now has a new name to talk to.  Plan appears very general.  We need people to look at this plan and make comments.

§         NRP – James – approve the motion for the contract of solar motion detection lights.  Moved Connie to move the money, Jeremiah seconded.  Passed.

§         Staff Reviews – Lee - see exec report item.

o       Accounting Practices:  Updated:  Lee moved, Joan second.  Passed.

o       Conflict of Interest Policy:  State auditor thought we should have one.  Connie says is healthy.  To be on board one must sign the statement.  Lee moves to approve, Connie seconds.  (Jeff suggests a change of wording:  if conflict exists, then issue will be taken up by quorum in another meeting.) Passed.

o       OEA Grant:  Justin is applying for a grant.  We agree to spend the money according to the grant, agree to spend all of the money, (MPCA) we agree to carry out the grant as specified.  Connie moves, Jeane second, passed.  

o       Staff review process to be moved to a more informal process.  We will email the questions out, Lee will review answers and give the board feedback.  Lee responds that the number system was redundant, comments were more important.  Review needs to continue to be once a year, with sit down sessions.  Staff prefers yearly.  Suggested a more formal review every 2 years with the informal in between. A new employee must have a formal review in the first year.  (Give employees a health care option instead of a raise.)  This was left unsettled.  Informal will be sent now with discussion to return after a formal review of process and by-laws. 

o       Letter to be sent supporting Jeremiah.  Tedd moves, Joan seconds.  Passed.

o       Change in inspections proposed by Hofstede and Samuels for rental licenses every time a home is sold.  Katie drafted the letter in packet.  There were questions raised.  Cam supported.  Q:  Given a family house that is in good condition that is then turned into a rental which then is hacked up and deteriorates over the 6 years.  There is a 6-year turn around on the inspection.  Would this encourage more purchases of owner occupied properties and increase this even more.  Jeremiah moves to support the letter, Jeff seconds.  Passed.

 

7)      Zoning Update ( Joan M.) (10) 7:30  7:13

§         Obento Ya – Issues against more liquor in SE, and sets a precedent.  Tanning now owns the building.  A new owner for the other part of the area businesses but name unknown.  Food is the amenity in this type of license.  It is set that the customer must order food to get beer, wine or sake.  Parking is an issue in the whole area.  Come up with some really clear guidelines:  can’t be expanded or SECIA will not support, must be drinking on site, hours 10PM closing.  City must enforce the rules and no bar. No expansion of the charter wine license. Wants people to write for or against it to the planning commissioner.   We do not consider this as a precedent for future businesses.  Must be a sit down restaurant – no take out food is counted in the liquor sales.  Request frequent audits from the city.  General agreement:  Connie:  SECIA write to the city supporting this license with these criteria with a statement concerning future requests that must follow the criteria.  Stewart seconds. Passed

§         Medena Apts. – meets all the criteria.  Do not want another junkyard.   They are to be a repair shop.  More screening of lot.  All cars on the lot must have current tags.  Are required to plant trees and shrubs near the screening.  Suggested we make a statement:  Wendy moves that the zoning committee write a response with concerns about the plans.  Bill seconds.  Passed.  Joan agreed to do so.

§         Como Avenue 18--.  House next to Joes has been sold.

§         18th Avenue has a plan for a 5 bedroom house – rental – to be built.

8)      Councilmember Updates (Cam Gordon) (10) 7:40

§         Resurfacing issue would raise 75% from taxpayers.

§         #6:  There is some commitment to refinance.

§         #12:  Toxins in baby toys, bottles to work with legislature.

§         Not on list:  Folks are really using the judgments against landlords and allowing licenses to be pulled.  None have been pulled but Bill emails copies to Cam so these landlords are now getting on the issues.

§         At what point do we address the mitigation fund on our agenda.

9)      Adjourn   All other items are being postponed to the next meeting. 

 

8:44