Minutes
CIDNA Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, March 5, 2002
Jones-Harrison Residence


Call to Order

Pursuant to prior notice, Glenna Case, Vice President and acting Chair of the meeting, called the CIDNA Board of Directors meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 2002 at the Jones-Harrison Residence. A quorum was present.

Introduction of Guests and Board

The following directors were present: David Anson, Bob Corrick, Carla Sarin-Egerman, Ken Moritz, Judy Berge, Charlie Ellowson, and Glenna Case

Excused absences: Kathy Hendricks, Bob Olson, David Shirley

Unexcused absences: Bengt Sohlen, Billy Weisman, Peter Pampalone

Also present were the following visitors: Jan Burke, NRP Co-Chair, and Beth Elliot, graduate student working on the Small Area Plan for the Calhoun Village and Calhoun Commons area, and former CIDNA resident.

Board Minutes

ACTION:
Approval of the minutes of the February 5, 2002 Board of Directors meeting was moved by Mr. Anson and seconded by Ms. Sarin-Egerman. The motion was approved unanimously. It is noted that Ms. Berge, Ms. Case, and Mr. Ellowson were absent from the February 5th meeting.

Report of the NRP Committee

Jan Burke has been working with Carol Jacobson from NRP on a number of projects. Cedar South Beach probably will have two NRP projects complete this spring: the park bench and the drinking fountain. The current project is the striping for a bike lane on Sunset Blvd. A neighborhood meeting was held last year at Glenna Case's home, where feedback was obtained. The striping will extend from France Ave. to Depot Ave. The estimated cost is $10,000, which is the original budget. Carol Jacobson indicates that the Board must approve the scope of services. The Board already has approved the project, but not the scope of services.

ACTION: Ms. Burke moved approval of the scope of services. A motion from the chair of a standing committee does not require a second. The motion was approved unanimously.

After the motion was approved, there were a number of questions. Mr. Anson inquired whether the money for the striping was being re-allocated from the street lighting strategy. Ms. Burke indicated that this was not the case; sufficient funds were already allocated to the strategy to pay for this project. Ms. Sarin-Egerman inquired about the large number of signs required for the project. Ms. Case indicated that the number of signs required may be overestimated, and that the budget appears to be a worst case scenario. Mr. Ellowson inquired how long the striping would last. Ms. Burke answered that maintenance was not included in the price of the contract, but that the City agreed to maintain the striping.
Financial Report

Mr. Anson submitted the current financial report. Recent expenditures were low, which included a small amount for the website forwarding service. The reconciliation problem reported in the January meeting was corrected. Ms. Berge asked whether amount of about $7,900 in the NRP account meant that we had an insufficient amount to fund the Sunset Blvd. striping. Ms. Case answered that this was not the case because we will be obtaining funds from the NRP program for this project. Ms. Berge also inquired about the nature of the CIDNA funds. Mr. Anson responded that these funds primarily represented contributions from the neighborhood and other unencumbered sources. Ms. Berge suggested that we look into the idea of at least investing the NRP funds in a money market account. Mr. Anson confirmed that this may be a good idea because separate accounts are encouraged under many circumstances.

ACTION: Ms. Berge moved approval of the financial report, and Mr. Ellowson seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.

Annual Meeting

Ms. Case confirmed that Mayor R.T. Ryback will be the keynote speaker at the CIDNA annual meeting, which will take place at Jones Harrison Residence at 6:30 p.m. on May 2, 2202. The meeting will be announced in the Southwest Journal, Hill and Lakes Press, the CIDNA newsletter, a special invitation post card, and the CIDNA website. Mr. Moritz will post announcement of the meeting at Lake Point Condominiums, and Mr. Ellowson will organize a calling effort to invite residents.

Ice Out Competition

Meg Forney, President of West Calhoun Neighborhood Council, through Ms. Case, encouraged CIDNA residents to participate in an annual neighborhood Ice-Out Competition, where residents guess the day that ice goes out on Lake Calhoun. The winner would receive a free ice cream cone from Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Parlor in Calhoun Commons. A Board member would keep track of the guesses. No one volunteered to keep track of the guesses

ACTION: Mr. Ellowson moved and Mr. Anson seconded that the CIDNA Board not participate in this competition. The motion was passed unanimously.

Nominating Committee

Ms. Case requested participation in a nominating committee. She indicated that a number of board members must be replaced this year. As a result, each Board member was asked to suggest at least one nominee by the April Board meeting. Mr. Ellowson and Ms. Berge agreed to be co-chairs.

Newsletter

Ms. Case announced that we need ideas for the newsletter, which will be published late March or early April. Article should be submitted by residents and other interested parties during the next week. We have a new newsletter editor and designer. Ms. Berge suggested an article about the neighborhood process for variance requests.

Arbor Day

Mr. Corrick announced that over $20,000 was raised to fund Arbor Day on April 27, 2002. Wells Fargo, Allina Health Systems, Target, and Hennepin County were the primary contributors. One of the Arbor Day locations will be the Dean Parkway ramp on the Greenway. Mr. Corrick passed out an article describing the details. The event will start at 9:00 a.m. Planting teams will meet at three locations on the Greenway:


All citizens are encouraged to participate. If you would like hear opening remarks by sponsors of the project, please come to the Aldrich-Lyndale Avenue location before going to your preferred team site. Just as last year, we hope to have speakers like the Mayor, the County Commissioners, Metropolitan Council Representatives, and other members of the Midtown Community Works Partnership.

Like last year, holes for the trees will be pre-dug. Experts from Tree Trust will be available to guide the planting process. Please bring a garden shovel if you have one. Food and refreshments will be served. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Joe Holiday, Membership & Volunteer Agent, at 612-250-2650, [email protected] . Planting is expected to take no more than 2 or 3 hours.

The project is being sponsored by the Midtown Community Works Partnership. The Midtown Greenway Coalition is a member of this corporate, government and neighborhood organization. The mission of the Partnership is to build a great Greenway, and to improve the economic vitality of the Lake Street/Midtown Greenway corridor.

ACTION: Mr. Corrick moved and Ms. Case seconded the following motion:

WHEREAS Midtown Community Works, through contributions of about $50,000 from its corporate and government partners, will have funded Arbor Day planting of hundreds of trees, shrubs and perennials on the Midtown Greenway,

RESOLVED that CIDNA expresses its appreciation to Wells Fargo Corporation, Allina Health Systems, Target Corporation, Reliant Energy, and Hennepin County for their contributions and participation in Arbor Day 2001 and 2002 events.

The motion was passed unanimously. Ms. Case stated that she would send letters to the contributors expressing CIDNA' appreciation of these contributions.

Update Concerning a Historic Trolley in the Midtown Greenway

Mr. Corrick presented an article briefly explaining why a historic trolley makes transit sense in the Midtown Greenway. Eight reasons were presented:

  1. A trolley will carry required capacity, as shown by a feasibility study, which was funded by Greenway neighborhoods including CIDNA.
  2. Trolleys are proven, with systems operating in over a dozen cities elsewhere in the country.
  3. A trolley would be friendly to the adjacent Greenway neighborhoods in terms of greenery (grass between the tracks), quiet operation (100% electric powered), single track configuration in much of the corridor, and historic ambiance.
  4. A trolley system would cost significantly less than a light rail transit system.
  5. A trolley would connect effectively to existing transit lines
  6. A trolley on the Midtown Greenway would offer maximum flexibility for future transit connections.
  7. A trolley would connect with and encourage real estate development at many existing and planned projects along the Greenway.
  8. A trolley would connect user to the Chain of Lakes, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state.


Calhoun Beach Club Apartments

Mr. Corrick announced that the Calhoun Beach Club Apartment vintage building, as part of the renovation, will have a air conditioning chiller unit installed on top of the building. AIMCO, owner of the apartment complex, chose to exclude the neighborhood from discussion with Ann Stahn, representative from the environmental division of City's Zoning and Planing Department. Mr. Corrick, and some members of the Board, expressed concern about this poor treatment of the neighborhood. In previous dealings with the neighborhood concerning the chiller unit on top of the new apartment complex, AIMCO had been careful to include the neighborhood in many technical discussions to help guide the noise abatement process. This cooperative approach does not appear to be happening with the current AIMCO management. Mr. Corrick encouraged any concerned residents to contact Ms. Hendricks with questions about the project or participation in future meetings with AIMCO management. Ms. Sarin-Egerman stated that a City ordinance may require admittance of interested residents to meetings where a representative from the City is present. Ms. Sarin-Egerman stated that she would try to find the citation.

Dairy Queen Franchise at Lakes Harriet and Calhoun

Ms. Sarin-Egerman inquired about any opinions from Board members concerning the Dairy Queen franchise being considered at a meeting to be held on the evening of March 6, 2002. The City has apparently lost as much as $150,000 per year operating these concessions. Mr. Ellowson opposed such a franchise. Mr. Moritz suggested that a business arrangement with Dairy Queen may improve the economics and quality of the operation. Ms. Case was supportive, but was concerned about the potential for increased litter and garbage problems. Ms. Elliot suggested that the quality of the product may be better. Ms. Berge might be opposed if hamburgers and french fries were served. Mr. Corrick was cautiously supportive if the Dairy Queen sign was very small (not more than a few feet wide), and agreed to manage garbage and litter in a large area surrounding the location. No vote was taken, or motion considered.

Variance Committee

Ms. Berge inquired about Board members' opinions with respect to a variance request at 2917 Sunset Blvd. A letter was sent to the CIDNA post office box from a building contractor dated in January announcing a variance request with no details. In addition a letter was received from the Zoning and Planning Department referring to the variance request. Mr. Corrick stated that we probably should respond to both the City and the contractor acknowledging the request, and stating that additional information is required before the neighborhood could consider the request. Several Board members agreed. No vote was taken or resolution considered. Ms. Berge agreed to notify the contractor and the City of the neighborhood's need for additional information.

Adjournment

There was no further business before the board. Mr. Moritz moved adjournment at approximately 8:45 p.m.

Meetings of the CIDNA board are generally held in the Lake Room of the Jones-Harrison Residence on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. The next meeting will be held on April 2, 2002 at the Jones-Harrison Residence.

These minutes were prepared and submitted by Mr. Corrick. The minutes were adopted at the board meeting held on ________________, 2002.

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