Southeast Como Improvement Association – September 2, 2009

Present: W.Menken, L.Hibbard, S.Smith, J.Moore, B.Dane, J.Haberer, J.Jacobi, T. Johnson, J.Peterson, C.Sullivan, J.Menken, J.Desota

Guest: Roxanne (Bridge), Nick J. (2^nd Precinct), L. Anderson, D. Anderson, K.Toll

July Minutes: (No board meeting in August) Corrections: Add to last page discussion/merger with Mid-City Industrial area. Minutes accepted as amended. Note: 1901 representative(s) will volunteer at Como Cookout. Add this item to “new business”.

Strong School Referendum: Kate Toll, representing Minneapolis Public Schools presented information on the school referendum. District is asking for $60 million to cover 2009-2017. Currently at $29 million which is a $150 million cut from 2001. This will be paid for from property taxes which amount to about $17.00 per month on a $256,000 home. 70% of children attend public schools. There will be a measure of accountability included. There were numerous comments and questions: 1) Concern about state and federal dollars disappearing if referendum goes through based on past mandates. District will continue to lobby state for more funding. 2) People are having a hard time paying property taxes now on a fixed income 3) School board did not follow through on last referendum. School board need to ask why didn’t this happen. 4) What happened to lowering class sizes? 5) Why would SEComo support this, schools closed. Ms. Toll said if referendum doesn’t go through, we could lose 350 teachers and $30 million. No position taken by SECIA.

Executive Committee Report

Allocation of Program Income: We need to announce we are proposing this so it can be voted on at the annual meeting. We’ll be ok into 2009 with last year’s allocation; the new allocation will go through 2010. Good Neighbor Fund helps keep staff and McKnight dollars, Phase I and Phase II dollars also available - $100,000 allocated (see budget). We need to approve this to move it forward. It was suggested we share more information so everyone understand the need and process. MOTION: Propose moving $100,000 to office and staff and put this to a vote at SECIA’s annual meeting. Motion seconded and approved.

Annual Meeting: Need to move annual meeting date because of national election. Suggested we meet one week later (November 11). However, this is Veterans Day. James will check on date. NOTICE: This is a holiday so Annual Meeting will be held Monday, November 10 at Van Cleve Park. Nominating Committee: We need volunteer for nominating committee. Four seats open for election/re-election, plus 1 currently vacant seat and no GAPSA representative. We also need a secretary. Question: can we combine positions? What are the legal requirements for board positions? What does state require? If interested see Wendy or James.

Audit Results: This year we were required to have a full audit. Mike Wilson from state worked with us on the 990 tax forms. We passed with flying colors. One requirement – separation of duties such as mailing, writing check, etc. One person should not be doing all of these, need oversight.

Housing Allocation – Phase II Action Plan. Motion made to put $75,000 into Revolving Loan program and $50,000 into Emergency Housing Fund. The income does come back to us as it did in Phase I. We still have access the Phase I funds. Motion seconded and approved.

COMOTION - Staff would like people’s comment on new format. Suggested we get more information, pictures, etc., in COMOTION. However, we cannot depend on office staff to do it all. We need people to not only run for the board, we need people on committees and to just volunteer some time. We should also contact Kendra’s students to help. Could we talk about things like air quality related to backyard burners?

Moratorium - Demolition/New construction – Single/Duplex/Triplex. The City Council passed resolution establishing a 1-year moratorium on teardowns and new construction of single/duplex/ triplexes in Alliance area. In the next couple of months they will work on language related to this issue. There will be a public hearing and the city council again has to vote on it. There will be organized opposition. The need is unique and has University support. They will have to work out the details, including those who have plans on the table already. The proposal had the support of Ostrow, Hofstede and the chair of Zoning and Planning.

Second Precinct: Inspector Skomra is requesting 16 new officers. The city budget is on the table for discussion. MOTION: support the addition of 16 officers in the precinct. SECIA will write a letter of support. Motion seconded and approved.

ALLIANCE – U of M District - The workload is extensive. Many meetings are during the work day preventing some from participating. Cannot expect people to give up more work days and vacation time for daytime committee meetings. People are needed to help on a variety of issues. There will be a study of land use, zoning codes, ordinances, building goals, density, administrative reviews, etc. B.Dane currently representing us on work group. These are idea sessions but eventually they will need to take a report back to the legislature. This is a big group and each rep will have to go back to their board for input and direction. At some point there could be public sessions. The advantage – you can get the people you want to a meeting. This group will have access to city, county and University directors, inspectors, legal departments, etc. Everyone wants money – people are interested. MOTION: Bill Dane will represent SECIA on the Alliance Work Group. Motion seconded and approved. Next step: Vision and Planning workshop – CURA will meet with neighborhood Land Use (Zoning)/Livability Committee people - next meeting scheduled for September 20. Kate Fournier in working on the Phase I program in the Target Area (home ownership incentive program). Hopefully we will be able to go back to the legislature for additional funding as plans proceed and we show success in Phase I.

Council Member report – Cam Gordon – See Handout

NRP We’ve come a long way. The funding would not start until 2012 at which time the policy board would end and new structure begins. There is a dispute with mayor over funding – 8 million? 10 million? An Advisory Board would be established but there are questions. Question who are they? Appointed? Elected? Would they be advisory only or would they make real recommendations, would they be able to set the budget? Obviously the city council wants more oversight, especially of the Director. There is also a power struggle between Hennepin County and the city. The County does not want money siphoned off to pay for city programs. Many neighborhood groups feel the current proposal is very short sighted. Some consider this a hostile takeover and many neighborhoods will have to look elsewhere for funding.

New Student Handout – Concern over handout being prepared for new students. C.Gordon did not want to duplicate what the University was doing so he did not pursue developing his own brochure. There is some concern about how material is presented (parties, noise, living in residential neighborhoods). Will visit this again with more information.

Neighborhood Liaison Position – A number of people are excited about this program. Representatives would cover a 4-block area to work with property owners, students and home owners – educating and problem solving. At some point, we should have a report on program as it develops.

Mid-City Industrial – Refer to next meeting.

Welcome Week – Sunday, August 30 – Volunteers were scheduled for various locations. Nobody showed up at Como locations. One student group went on the bus to Apple Valley - why ?

Como Cookout – WE NEED VOLUNTEERS

ZONING

2400 Como SE – Tom Vaith. Plans for the old Manning Service Station will go before the Planning Commission next week. Committee met with Mr. Vaith and supported plan as presented to turn a service station site into an office/commercial building, including the addition of a second story. This would be office space for Mr. Vaith’s contacting business and real estate office. No construction vehicle can be stored on sight. Landscaping and enhancements to the Weeks Ave side, including closing the access off of Weeks are a plus.

Transfer station – SEMI area – Proposal for a hazardous waste drop-off site. Need more information.

Aspen Waste Management – Referred to Environment Committee.

Chindian Café – Nina Wong. Seeking a full liquor license for her restaurant and catering business. Many issues: appropriate licensing, parking, handicapped entrances, use of other portions of the building, condition of building, etc. Committee has scheduled a meeting with city licensing and Nina Wong.

New Business:

L.Anderson – He has been contacted by someone who wants to put a dumpster on his property at 1714 Como to collect metal and other recyclables. Comments: absolutely not. Opening you up to legal issues. Where is he getting this stuff?

Justin – Looking for 6 businesses to do rainwater gardens. Contact office if you know of a business that may be interested.

FYI – The repair shop at 24_____ E. Hennepin (across the street from Subway), was destroyed in a fire this past week.

Minutes recorded by: Lee Hibbard and Joan Menken