Tidbits

SECIA Annual Meeting

Fellow Como Neighbors! It is that time of year again when the Southeast Como Improvement Association (SECIA) holds its annual association meeting. This year’s meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 4th, Van Cleve Park (901 15th Ave SE), at 6:30 pm. The meeting is open the public, as all SECIA meetings are. Refreshments will be provided, and there will be a drawing for gift certificates to local establishments. Inspector Schafer from the Minneapolis Police Department 2nd Precinct will be addressing the community as our keynote speaker.

6:30 - 7:15 Preview tables representing the SECIA committees and other Como activities will be available during the check-in and social period. This is a great opportunity to see what your neighbors are doing in your community and to help give SECIA direction for the new year. Areas of interest will include: SECIA Environment Committee, preview of proposed solar installation at Van Cleve, SECIA Safety Committee, SECIA History Committee, SECIA Livability & Housing Committee, University/Community Student Liaison Program, The Alliance – (A University, City and neighborhoods Partnership), Ward 1 and Ward 2 Council Members, Architect Day and information from Student Legal Services.

7:15 - 7:45 Guest Speakers: Paul Ostrow (Ward 1), Cam Gordon (Ward 2) and Inspector Schafer from the MPD’s 2nd Precinct.

7:45 – 8:00 Allocation of Program Income Dollars, Discussion & Public Vote

8:00 – 8:45 SECIA Board Elections, Nominations are Welcome from the Floor

SECIA will be holding elections for four separate seats on the SECIA Board. These four seats are for three-year terms. Anyone who lives or owns property in Como is eligible to be on the Board. SECIA will also be holding a vote on a proposed allocation of NRP funds to continue our programming here in the neighborhood. This funding, from returned home improvement loans, would keep the SECIA office open and staffed into 2011. If this allocation does not pass, the office will close this coming summer.

8:45 – 9:00 Wrap-up

There are exciting things happening in Como. Our environmental work and community gardens have won a number of awards and were just listed in the September issue of Twin Cities Business Magazines “Best of Business” issue for our Good Neighbor Agreements with local industries. It’s a good time to stay informed and become involved! See you Wednesday November 4th!

November 4th Elections

On November 3, voters in Minneapolis will be able to rank their choices for Mayor, City Council, Board of Estimate and Taxation, and Park and Recreation Board. This new voting method, called Ranked Choice Voting, allows voters to rank multiple, up to three, candidates for each office in order of the voter’s preference. You call 311 or visit www.voteminneapolis.org, the official outreach and education Web site of the City of Minneapolis, for more information on Ranked Choice Voting. The polls will open at 7 am and close at 8 pm.

The Tuttle School building will no longer be the voting location for those Comoites living in the 1st Ward (north of Hennepin Ave, or north of Como Ave and east of 18th Ave SE). Instead, your voting location is now the ELECTIONS WAREHOUSE, 724 HARDING ST NE RM B, MINNEAPOLIS MN 55413. Harding St. and Summer St. are not through streets, so the easiest route is to go north on Taft St. from E. Hennepin Ave. There are also no sidewalks in the area, so be careful and leave early for the polls. If you would like to double check your voting location, you can search on-line at http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/

For those living in Como in the 2nd Ward, you will still vote at Van Cleve Park, 901 15th Ave SE.

Before you can vote, you must be registered. In Minnesota, you may register before Election Day, or on Election Day at your polling place. Your registration remains current until you move, change your name, or do not vote for four consecutive years. You may update your registration information by completing another Voter Registration Application. If you register the same day as the election, you must bring a photo ID and a utility bill showing your current address (a rent statement or current student fee statement also works). You may also register with any one of these: a valid MN driver’s license with your current address, a tribal ID card, a valid registration in the same precinct but under a different address, or a voter in the same precinct that will confirm your residency with a signed oath.

College students who have lived in Minnesota for at least 20 days prior to the election can choose to vote in Minnesota or vote by absentee ballot in the precinct of their home address. Of course, they also can vote in person in the precinct of their home address. Students also can register on Election Day with proof of Minnesota residence. The residence halls on campus will provide a list of their residents to the appropriate precinct. Students living off campus will need a registered voter to vouch for them or proof of their address. More information can be found on the University Libraries site: http://govpubs.lib.umn.edu/guides/election2008.phtml. Students are not excused from classes on Election Day. For more information on your voting rights, and handy information on voting in Minneapolis, visit www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/elections/.

Public Hearing for Sporty’s Pub & Grill for an Upgraded Liquor License

There will be a public hearing on November 5^th, 6:30 pm, at Van Cleve Park for Sporty’s Pub and Grill. The owners of Sporty’s are seeking an upgraded Liquor License, Class D, as well as the ability to add outdoor seating for their establishment. The Class “D” License permits non-amplified music by one musician, live solo comedians, customer singing, ethnic dance in full costume, radio, television, jukebox or prerecorded music. Entertainment is not allowed in the outdoor area. The entire community is invited to be present and to express their opinions and/or present such in writing. If you cannot attend the meeting, but would like to comment, please email Inspector Michele Olds at michele.olds@ci.minneapolis.mn.us or call her at 612 673 5484.

Architecture Consults, November 7^th

On Saturday, November 7, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, The University of Minnesota Area Alliance will present Architect Day for Alliance residents at Van Cleve Park. Based on a program presented by Bob Roscoe in St. Paul, there will be landscape and AIA architects available, by appointment, to discuss remodeling and landscaping ideas for upgrading homesteaded property. This is a great opportunity to bounce your ideas off the experts and take home rough drafts of your future dreams. You’ll need to bring scaled drawings (1/4” to 1’ preferred) and any relevant photos or other information to the event. This is a free event. You can reserve a space by contacting James at the SECIA office, or by visiting the SECIA website at www.secomo.org. Appointments will close once all the slots are filled, so reserve yours today.

Safety Alert: Robberies

The last weeks in October saw a rash of robberies in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood. These crimes occurred after 10 pm, included some physical assault and were targeted at student pedestrians. The two suspects in the robberies are described as black males in their late teens to early twenties. Both are approximately 5’8’’ to 6’, tall with thin to medium builds. The police are currently investigating the incidents. Taking the proper precautions can reduce your chances of being targeted for robberies. Always be aware of your surroundings, do not walk alone, keep to well-lit areas and carry a minimum of valuable belongings. Call 911 immediately if you’ve been a victim of a crime and record as much detailed information as you can. Certain activities can increase your vulnerability, including intoxication. So stay alert, stay smart, and stay safe.

Fare for All

Fare For All is a program to help stretch your food dollar. Each month you can order from a variety of 5 packages of food, pay for it and pick it up the following month. Packages contain a variety of healthy, fresh, quality food items, including fruits, vegetables, frozen meats and staple items. It is open to all - there are no income-based requirements. Pick up your food and order the next month’s food every third Saturday from 9:00-10:00 AM at Southeast Christian Church. The schedule for November and December will be November 14 and December 12. For more information or to order food, call Fare For All at 763/450-3880 or visit their website at www.fareforall.org.

Gopher Stadium Reporting Tool

SECIA has developed a survey tool to collect data on the impact that the new TCF Bank Gopher Football Stadium will have on the community. We all know there will be impacts, and by collecting how the stadium and its attendees affect the community, we can better address those issues. So if you witness something negative, or positive, about event-day activities related to the new stadium, please take a few moments and visit the Good Neighbor Fund Research website located under Stadium Research at www.secomo.org.

The actual survey can also be found on the left-side menu at:

www.tinyurl.com/Stadium-Survey

SECIA’s goal is to capture positive and negative information to inform the decisions made by the University of Minnesota, and the City of Minneapolis, in the future. Please be civil, as any submissions deemed offensive will be deleted by the system administrator. If you do not have internet access, please call the SECIA office to lodge your report.

311 and 911 Reporting Tool

The Student Neighborhood Liaisons, in conjunction with SECIA, are asking residents to report their calls (emails) to 311 and 911 through a new survey tool located on the SECIA website under the Housing and Livability section. This information will allow the Liaisons to collect data on emerging trends in the neighborhood, enabling them to respond to the needs of their blocks. SECIA has also used this data to work with the 2nd Precinct and Council-member Gordon’s office to address specific problems in the community, such as house parties. Your feedback has encouraged the City to concentrate more attention to 15th Ave SE, especially during U of M Gopher football games. This doesn’t mean that the issues on 15th have been resolved, but the City is more actively addressing the issues of safety, loud parties and parking because residents have taken the time to report their issues. We need you to continue to call the authorities. So the next time you interact with 311 or 911, let SECIA know, and we’ll follow-up to make sure you’re being heard.

2010 Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour wants your home!

The 2010 Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour is looking for homeowners and home improvement professionals who would like to put their homes on the Tour. Nomination/applications are due Thursday, January 21, 2010, and early submissions are encouraged. The Tour, in its 23rd year, will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 24 and 25, 2010.

Past participating homeowners have said they “liked the incentive” to get their home improvement projects done in time for the tour, though it is not necessary to have remodeled the whole house. “It was nice to get all the compliments from strangers to reinforce what I’d heard from friends and family,” said one homeowner.

“Contractors often help staff the homes, and homeowners ask their families and friends to contribute a few hours,” said Margo Ashmore, Tour coordinator. “A good support network hosting the home makes it fun. Talk it up at fall and winter gatherings. Community leaders also should start now, identifying individuals or clusters of well-kept and remodeled homes to ask to participate.”

Contractors and other vendors may nominate homes they have worked on, and are encouraged to call for more information. Green, energy efficient, and historically sensitive remodels and expansions get special notice. Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) manages the tour as a celebration of city living that encourages homeowners to improve existing homes. Many organizations and businesses sponsor the tour.

For more information, call Tour Coordinator Margo Ashmore at 612-673-5103 or email her at link@nrp.org. The application can be downloaded from www.MSPHomeTour.com under “nominate.”

Liaison Caroling December 5^th and 12^th

The University of Minnesota Student Liaison Program is organizing two separate holiday caroling events in early December. On the first two Saturday s in December, the 5^th and the 12^th, all interested carolers should gather at Van Cleve Park at 5:45 pm. Depending on weather and attendance, the singing should extend until around 8 pm each night. The Liaisons will also be offering warm beverages and treats at the events. For more information, contact Liaison Isaac Fitzsimmons at fitz0311@umn.edu.

Youthline Awarded $454,000 Grant for Gang Prevention Mentoring Project

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s (MPRB) Youthline Outreach Mentorship Program received a three-year Federal Grant Award of $453,910 for the period of January 2010 through September 2012 for an Intensive Gang Prevention Youth Mentoring project. The grant is funded by the United States Department of Justice Programs' Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).

MPRB staff will coordinate and manage an intensive mentoring program in north Minneapolis neighborhoods (Folwell, Hawthorne, Jordan and McKinley) with community partners. The program will develop long-term relationships between positive community adults and youth to support the youths’ growth and development, strengthen community connections, reduce participation in risk behaviors, and help youth develop and pursue personal, educational and professional goals.

“This grant award recognizes the important role parks and community centers play in the lives of gang affected youth. For the past 18 years, Youthline outreach mentors have provided safe places, sound developmental activities and caring relationships in Minneapolis neighborhoods. With this grant, we’ll go deeper and stronger,” said Richard Mammen, Director of MPRB Community Recreation Services.

The grant is among more than $26 million given to programs around the country that target mentoring initiatives for foster care children, gang prevention, and programs designed to give a second chance to juvenile offenders who are transitioning back into their communities. The grants are awarded to support organizations in developing, implementing and expanding youth mentoring activities.

Youthline works with teens to build friendships and develop positive self-esteem through classes, field trips and social interaction. Targeting youth ages 12-16, Youthline is available at 29 Minneapolis parks. For a list of parks and more information, visit www.minneapolisparks.org – Activities and Programs – Youth Programs – Youthline Outreach Mentorship Program or call 612-230-6400.

Restorative Justice Community Action Conferences

Wednesday, November 4th at 5:30 pm at Southeast Christian Church (960 15th Ave SE). This conference will be addressing only ONE case, damage to property (graffiti).  The graffiti occurred in Marcy Holmes and the UMN campus (both West and East Banks). Space in this conference is very limited, so please contact Stevie Larson Community Coordinator, 612-746-0782, SLarson@rjca-inc.org immediately if you would like to participate.

Thursday, November 12th at 5:30 pm at Van Cleve Park Center (901 15th Ave SE). This is a regular small Southeast conference, expected duration two hours or less.

Thank you to those of you have participated so far this fall semester, and for those who will be participating later on this year!  For those who haven’t yet signed up, these two conferences are good opportunities to get involved again.  Let Stevie know if either of the dates will work for you.

Opportunity to Comment on Minneapolis Housing Replacement District III Plan

The City of Minneapolis invites you to review and comment on the proposed Minneapolis Housing Replacement District (HRD) III Plan.  The plan is available on the City’s website at http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/Housing_Replacement_District_III_Plan.asp.

The HRD III Plan establishes a new housing replacement tax increment financing district for the purpose of acquiring and preparing vacant land, vacant housing or substandard housing for sale for the development of market rate housing.  Up to 200 parcels throughout the city of Minneapolis may be included in the HRD III district.  The proposed plan identifies an initial group of 20 parcels to be included in the district, establishes the criteria for adding parcels to the district, states the City’s objectives in undertaking the proposed development activity, establishes a budget, and identifies the fiscal impacts on local taxing jurisdictions.  The plan also authorizes the use of the district’s tax increment revenues for acquisition and preparation of qualified parcels located outside the district, for redevelopment as market rate housing.

The City of Minneapolis may designate up to 400 parcels to be included in housing replacement districts over the life of the districts.  Housing Replacement Districts I and II, established in 1997 and 2003 respectively, contain 100 parcels each.  Because the existing districts have reached the five-year limit on expansion, HRD III is being created at this time.

The proposed plan is being transmitted for review and comment to the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, the Minneapolis Board of Education, the City Planning Commission, neighborhood groups and other interested parties.  

The Minneapolis City Council can approve, amend or reject the proposed plan after consideration of comments received.  It is anticipated that the plan will be the subject of a public hearing of the Minneapolis City Council’s Community Development Committee at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 in Room 317 City Hall.  The City Council is expected to consider the plan at its meeting of Friday, December 18, 2009.

We welcome your comments, which are due by noon on Monday, December 7, 2009.  If you or your organization would like to meet to discuss the proposed plan, if you would like a paper copy, or if you have questions, please contact Edith Johnson, Senior Project Coordinator, Single-Family Housing Development, CPED, 105 5th Avenue South, Suite 200, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401, (612) 673-5262, or by e-mail at edith.johnson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us.  Thank you.  

Free Workshop on Energy Efficiency from the Seward Neighborhood Group

Do It Yourself Projects vs. Working with a Contractor, Sunday, November 15^th, 2 to 4 pm, Seward Community Coop Classroom, 2823 Franklin Ave., presented by Mike Kulczyk of Center for Energy and the Environment. This workshop will deal with where you can get good advice and directions on Do It Yourself projects and the supplies you need vs. working with contractors on the big projects and choosing the right equipment for you. Many weatherization and other energy conservation/efficiency tasks are simple and take only a few hours to complete. Others may require the expertise of a contractor. They will provide information on lead, radon, asbestos/vermiculite, dust, and other hazards in old houses and tell you about resources available to tackle these problems and do things right.

The workshop will take about 70 minutes, followed by Q & A. and opportunities to speak individually with these experts. Refreshments, donated by Seward Coop Deli after 3:30. Everyone who attends can enter their name in a drawing for valuable energy efficient/conservation prizes, donated by Welna II Hardware. For additional information, contact Carol Greenwood, 724-8430, carolgwood@comcast.net. The Seward Neighborhood Group Environment Committee and the City of Minneapolis Climate Change Innovation Program are sponsoring the workshop. Register for the event at the Seward Coop in person or by phone, 612 3382465. Spaces are limited so sign-up today!