Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, Tuesday, July 8, 2003
800 LaSalle Avenue South, Suite 131

I.��������� Call to Order and Introductions

With a quorum present, Tom Hoch called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.� Other board members present were:� Dee Cotten; Andrew Hauer; Leslie Hirsch; Mark Moller; Kim Motes, Vice Chair; Gene Nessly, Treasurer; and Carletta Sweet, Secretary.� Nonboard members in attendance included:� June Harmon, financial consultant; Natalie Johnson Lee, 5th Ward Councilmember; Robert Lux, Principal, APEX Asset Management Corporation; Ellen Nigon, Skyway News; Eric Reisinger, Associate, LaSalle Bank Commercial Banking; George Rosenquist; and Donald Rowe, President, River Towers Condominiums.

II.������� Consideration of Minutes from May 2003

The minutes from the May 2003 board meeting were unanimously approved. ���

III.������ Financial Report from June 2003

June Harmon submitted and Gene Nessly explained the F2003 Budget vs. Actual as of June 2003, the Profit & Loss YTD Comparison statements for May and June 2003, and the Wells Fargo check register from May 1 to June 30, 2003.� June advised that DMNA�s 990 tax form for 2002 was filed but no audit was conducted, and that she has submitted reimbursement for the NRP admin contract of a little over $12,000.� The financial report and documents were unanimously received and filed.�

IV.������ Land Use Committee Report

Andy presented the four items that the LUC recommended from its July 1st meeting:

�        The Class A food and beverage license for the Mill City Museum.

�        The conditional use permit for the New Union @ Three Degrees, a nonalcoholic Christian bar to be located at Butler North in the space formerly occupied by the Loon Caf� and Old Chicago Restaurants.

�        The setback variance for the proposed Bridge Place Residences to be erected at the vacant HUD site at 220 Second Street South.� Rob Lux gave another more condensed presentation to the full board regarding this 39-story, 8 units per floor, 285 unit for-sale project.� The HUD building would remain but undergo fa�ade improvements and an additional level erected serving as the parking structure topped by townhouses.� Groundbreaking is anticipated for Spring 2004 predicated on a 50 percent pre-sold basis, followed by a 2-year construction phase.�

�        The construction of the industrial-styled Chicago Avenue Plaza boarded by Second Street South, Humboldt Lofts, West River Parkway and the Guthrie Museum.���� ����

Andy moved and Carletta seconded to recommend approval of all items.� The motion was carried unanimously.

Andy announced the release and arrival of the Downtown East/North Loop Master Plan by the Planning Department.� A copy and CD are available in the Chair�s office for review.� Andy also advised that the Planning Department requested that DMNA hold a public hearing regarding the plan for neighborhood feedback and suggested the following venues:� at the North Star Lofts� community room; at the Towers Condominiums� party room; or to join the North Loop Neighborhood Association�s meeting scheduled for July 15th at City Hall.� After a brief discussion, it was agreed that once a date and time has been established for the public meeting, Tom and Carletta would work with Andy to notify the neighborhood via email and poster distribution.�

V.������� Q&A with Councilmember Natalie Johnson Lee

Natalie announced that the City is currently working on setting its next intergovernmental relations (IGR) agenda; the Mayor is meeting with department heads and organizations to develop the 2004 City budget; and the dispute between the recently-arrived residents in the North Loop area and the decades-old industrial business of Northern Auto Parts over its car crushing expansion plans.� Responding to Andy�s inquiry regarding the retirement of Police Chief Robert Olson, Natalie suggested that recruitment for a replacement should be conducted beyond the Minneapolis Police Department itself.� Responding to Mark�s inquiry regarding converting to CPED, Natalie advised that rollover will likely occur in September/October and that she has been vocal about the recruitment and hiring practices to ensure a fair process and diverse workforce.� Regarding the future of the NRP, Natalie advised that has yet to be determined.� �����

VI.������ NRP Implementation Committee Update

Tom advised that due to additional work required by the NRP, the DMNA would need to postpone taking any action on its Neighborhood Action Plan reallocation proposal.� However three elements of the plan were presented that required immediate action:

�        Repair of the Gateway fountain next to the Towers Condominium on Hennepin Avenue.� Gene has been raising funds towards this project and is lacking $25,000.� The board voted unanimously in support of the project and to allocating the funds required.

�        Support for the proposed night court project.� The board voted unanimously to participate in some capacity as plans are finalized by the City but not to commit to a specific dollar amount at this time.

�        Support for CCNP Restorative Justice.� The board voted unanimously to continue support at the same level previously established, i.e., $5,000 annually.

�

Mark also requested consideration by the board on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board�s First Bridge Park project that has a shortfall of approximately $115,000.� After a brief discussion, the board agreed to postpone action on this matter and to discuss it further at the next NRP Implementation Committee meeting.

VII.���� Other Business

Dee updated the board on the recent activities of the CCNP Restorative Justice Program:

  • Number of conferences held in entire program for 2nd quarter 2003 totaled 27
  • Number of conferences held in the downtown neighborhood for 2nd quarter 2003 totaled 24
  • Kinds of offenses included consuming in public, loitering with intent to buy and sell narcotics, disorderly conduct, public urination, possession of drug paraphernalia, and felony-level drug possession
  • Number of community service hours performed for 2nd quarter 2003 totaled 195.

Dee also advised that RJP passed two milestones this past May:� it held its 400th conference after 5-1/2 years of operation, and it held its first conference as a result of a referral from drug court.

VIII.��� Announcements

Mark informed the board of the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Board�s walking tours held throughout the City.

Dee reminded the board of National Night Out to be held on Tuesday, August 5th in front of the Federal Reserve Bank at West River Parkway.

Tom passed around information on the Minneapolis Training Program for Neighborhood Organizers� in-depth training for neighborhood volunteers to be held on Wednesday, July 30th at 7 p.m.; �the City�s development process for neighborhoods; and the Skyway Senior Center�s newsletter �Chatter�.

IX.������ Adjournment

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m.

Signed this ________ day of ________________________, 2003.

_______________________________��������������������� _______________________________
Chair��������������������������������������������������������������������������� Secretary