SECIA Minutes

Van Cleve Park

January 8, 2008

( ) indicates minutes allowed

* denotes Action Item

Board Meeting:  6:30 pm 

Present: Wendy M., Lee H., Jake J., Jeane M., Tedd J., Marilyn B., Stewart S., Jeff H., Joan M.

Staff: James D.

Guests: Gary B., Holly D., Mark, J. Franko, Bill Kahn, Nina A. (Rock Tenn), Lynn A., Steve L., Katie F.

Excused: Connie

Unexcused: Bill Dane, Jeremiah P., 

Vacant:

Quorum present.

Began: 6:34

1)      Introductions (5) 6:30

 

2)      Bill Kahn and the Rock-Tenn process (Bill Kahn) (10) 6:35

o       Bill voted, as representative, during the Rock-Tenn proposal.  He was here to answer questions.  Six points to cover – what sort of fuel, economics, technology to burn; who would be the recipient of the energy from burning.  Interesting discussion because of the opposition group that has been formed.  Some are R-T personnel, some city people, Evergreen need a corporation for profit to get this fuel, talking about conflict of interest.  They will build it on the R-T property.  Administrated by the St. Paul Port Authority.  District Energy seems to have the inside track.  Want to burn bio-mass materials.  The neighborhood objection is primary to the 30% allowed garbage burn.  Although the state/fed law allows 30%, MPCA permit is different and it does not allow garbage to be burned so going with the burner does not necessarily mean it will include garbage.  This anti-group is made up of far extremes against burning.  SECIA has an advisory position and no vote on the recommendation to the city council of St. Paul.

o       Nina:  14th and 28th meetings in January at University lab facilities should be interesting because they will be sharing their energy usage.  Also the panel will be shaping the criteria, solar, wind, and others are still on the table.  Justin and Nina seeing this advisory committee as having more power than most.  Bill anxious to hear from SEcomo folks on what they would like to see.  Coffee Klatches are a possibility if neighbors would like. 

o       There is an R-T.com website that lists what’s going on and what is coming up.

3)      *Review and Approve December Minutes (5) 6:45

o       Stewart moved to approve minutes, Second Lee.  Passed.

4)      Executive Committee report (Wendy M.) (25) 6:50

o       SEMCOL – new members

o       Jennifer Franko – 12 years in community now with a son at Pratt

o       Holly Day –son at Pratt and up and coming kindergarten, Was a Tuttle volunteer now interested in keeping up with SE education

o       Mark C. been on SEMCOL for a year, shares a seat with his wife but he is the main attendee – SEMCOL seems to be a group of people who are interested in keeping education for all learners, overall trying to improve learning in Minneapolis – but he is not absolutely sure of what SEMCOL is doing, Son in 5th at Marcy used to go to Tuttle, a 3 year old who will be in Marcy in two years.

o       Wendy reminds representatives to examine the impact study outcomes as to the continued investment in K-12 education.  Asking them to get a copy of this report to encourage projects that build to this goal. 

o       Moved:  Nominate Jennifer, Holly, Mark, and Katie by Jeff H., Lee seconds.   Passed.

§         Alliance has been formed.  Now have 4 work groups.  Demonstration project group, early start up initiatives, broader planning group, resources and partnership work team.

§         Library – grand opening Saturday 12th, of SE library.

§         Accounting practices:  These are written practices.  We are reviewed every year.  Presentation of duties had some particulars that it would be difficult to implement.   One in particular needed is a conflict of interest policy and Connie and James will have one ready for the February meeting. Also updating procedure for backing up files, and payment and billing procedures. 

§         We discussed having 2 or 3 people a year to audit the books.

§         NRP update:  City council voted to move NRP under the city and in theory are supporting NRP funds to the neighborhoods.  Unfortunately the first person to go will be Bob Miller.  They will be hosting more public feedback sessions through the engagement process.

§         We had a calendar sent to us.  Paul Ostrow – Wed. Jan 30, in Van Cleve at 6:30 – round table. 

§         Exec is asking people to sign up for specific meetings so that not everyone feels they must attend each and all programs.  They are asked to report back to SECIA as to what was going on… 

§         Giving out fliers – we are trying to flier the entire neighborhood for the Grand Rounds meeting for the 17th.  Asking board to grab some fliers and give them out.

§         February 5, is super Tuesday.  Lee Moved - Board meeting to 12th, second Wendy, passed.

§         Money is available this year for stadium impact.  What events might look like, what the U needs to supply.  We are asking what are the neighborhoods expected to be responsible for.  Tailgating, game night, parties, parking, take a look at the application and come up with ideas on what we can do now before the stadium comes in.  We need to get on top of this stuff now.  Money is included in the legislative funding bill for this process.  What are the critical issues? 

 

5)      Grand Rounds Update (Connie S. & Jeff H.) (15) 7:15

o       Thursday meeting – Jan. 4.  What is left is what was the original G1  - came down Industrial, to 29th, Weeks, to Kasota, within a block of the stadium onto the railroad yard.  The other one would run Industrial to 27th.  This one comes into a huge industrial area with lots of trucks.  Now there has been enough pressure that they will not go through the neighborhood so they now have to deal with trucks.  There are still a couple of people who are pushing to talk to St. Paul for a joint position on this issue.  St. Anthony Park is sensitive to the Kasota ponds preservation.  They have no money to help with this but are trying to stop any advancement in this area. 

o       Bridal Vail is being cleaned out and putting the creek into a tube and the pond is gone. 

o       Sub option – Industrial to 33rd. 

o       Is there anything the board can be doing?  Lobby to get more cooperation with St. Paul.  This now moves into taking houses or fronting houses in St. Anthony Park, and taking homes in Prospect Park. 

o       If this necessitates a move of Newgate School then city needs to help them financially in any move, trying to keep them in the neighborhood.

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

o       Michael Johnson’s property – 8th Street - convert to rental properties, adding two stories, restoring the historical character.  Looking at this differently, not per bed renting.  Building green, it will be interesting.  They have security cameras with security officers.  Right across from Berman field, parking is an issue, and they back up on the railroad.  They are looking for parking spaces. 

o       Obento-ya property.  Applying for a class D liquor license – 70% food.  These are heavily audited.  It sets precedent.  Food is essential in this type of place, we can stipulate hours, applicant has to submit a business plan.  Located next to the Green Monkey – 15th and Como.  How do we support a good business in the neighborhood? 

7)      Councilmember Updates (Cam Gordon) (15) 7:40

o       Sheet handed out of Cam’s updates.  He was unable to attend.

8)      Goals, plans, and dreams for 2008 (15) 7:55

o       Grand Rounds to be settled.

o       Tuttle school space occupied and viable educational force.

o       Tie NRP Open Houses to the History Committee and get owners of homes representing the different types of Architecture in the neighborhood and show case SE as the home of these amazingly lovely and historic architecture. 

o       Increasing the green energy usage so that our carbon energy use actually goes backwards.

o       Increase communication between neighborhoods so that less duplication and more cooperation for common goals.

o       Suggested that an adult and a student go door to door with fliers about garbage, snow times, etc etc.  Meet the renters, meet the neighbors, and make a friendly overture to all homes and owners.  Combine with SECIA picnic and invite them to the park.

9)      New Business (10) 8:10

o       Steve Larson, RJ neighborhood coordinator. It means a lot to have our support.  Here to say that anyway they can help to let them know.  Anyone interested in participating in the student conferences to let them know.  The 5 and 6 PM times are the hardest to fill because the meetings go so long. 

o       Joan spoke to how meaningful these connections are. She commented on the different attitudes of those who come to RJ and who will go out and make it work for them and who will eventually end up in court. 

10)  Adjourn

8;45