Columbia Park Neighborhood Association

Meeting Minutes April and May 2007

Minutes from the March 2007 meeting of the CPNA Board

COLUMBIA PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

(CPNA) BOARD MEETING MINUTES: 4-16-07

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In attendance: Liz Wielinski, Ciara Schlichting, Melody Devine, Wes VanVickle, Tracy Rognrud, Jon Oyanagi, Peter Doughty, Kathy Buchanan, Sue Bembenek, Mike Melman, Paul Ostrow.

Call to order: 6:05 pm

Add to agenda: Under “Old Business”, news about the vacant lot at 501 36th ½ Street. Under “New Business”, vote on purchasing signage for community garden and news about a committee for the renovation of the NE Public Library.

Motion to approve agenda; seconded and approved.

Motion to approve minutes with corrections from 3-19-07; seconded and approved.


Open Spaces/Mississippi Task Force


Parks: Guest, Jon Oyanagi, River District Manager for Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB) visiting to introduce himself and give an update, as well as take suggestions and comments about issues in our neighborhood. Regarding posting information at neighborhood parks Columbia and Hi-View with Park & Rec events and offerings, especially through Waite Park: he agrees. Liz suggests having some kind of plastic brochure holders since there are no indoor facilities at either park. Regarding signage for Columbia Park, including the rugby pitch: probably not for the pitch as they want to keep it more private. Regarding the Red Slide taken from Columbia Park several years ago and never properly replaced or cleaned up: The Park Board still maintains that it was removed due to maintenance and liability issues even though there is no record of these issues that Liz could find when she investigated this. Oyanagi says the plan is to re-landscape the former slide area that has erosion problems. There is also a long-range plan to move the picnic pavilion, including restrooms, down to where the tennis courts now exist. That news answered our question about the tennis courts getting resurfaced anytime soon. Liz informs Oyanagi about the constant graffiti on the Hi-View park shelter. He says thank you, and keep on reporting it.

News: There will be summer staff and programming at Hi-View Park for 8 weeks, hours will vary. There will not be a mobile playground at Columbia Park as there have not been enough participants in the past years. There will be performances during the summer at the Father Hennepin Stage, located near the Stone Arch Bridge, on Wednesday evenings at 7 pm, and Fridays at lunchtime. Oyanagi passes out a few postcards announcing a May 1st meeting about the repaving of Columbia Parkway. These are being sent to neighbors in the mail. Assessments will be discussed as well as the plan to work on some utilities in June, with repaving beginning after July 4th. The repaving will be in the red colored asphalt, which sets it apart as a parkway. Also, the bike/pedestrian path from St. Anthony Parkway at Stinson all the way to Camden will be resurfaced. Discussion about some possible properties to watch, including one on 37th Avenue Ave. displaying a sign soliciting junk cars.


Paul Ostrow- City Hall Update: Paul lets us know some details about upcoming inspection sweeps. It looks like Como, Waite Park, Audubon, and Holland neighborhoods will take place over the summer. Columbia Park will be inspected next year. The goal is for Ward 1 to be done with all inspection sweeps by next year. There are many charitable organizations offering help to seniors and those in need of help with home repairs. The board is concerned about groups that may take advantage of seniors and others. Concern noted. There are two full-time city inspectors watching for unlicensed and non-permitted work.

The Central Avenue Plan is moving ahead, with 40-50 people attending the last meeting. The mood was ambitious and optimistic. Discussion about new fees mandated by the Park Board and use of those monies. Regarding the upcoming Columbia Parkway repaving, the board voices concern about the way assessment fees will be determined. Concern noted. Concern is voiced about a public hearing taking place tomorrow night where they will be discussing our neighborhood’s NRP Phase II plan, already passed by the NRP Board. Bev Banks told the plan’s task force that they didn’t need to be there, but nobody wants to see the Plan denounced without our knowing it. Paul recommends writing a couple of paragraphs to be ready to read if anything comes up, but with such short notice, he will defend our Plan if need be, since he will be at this meeting.

Ostrow discusses his ideas about getting more block clubs to form and getting public information like arrest records more available to people, as well as making other information like block club leaders public for people to be able to contact each other. This is in response to the possible demise of the NRP Program and its neighborhood organizations. He wants to start with the area he represents and begin conversations about it now. Sue brings up the past idea of a Community Center of sorts at the Gateway area and its possibility to be a resource center for surrounding neighborhoods to use a common copier and such.


Central Avenue Committee Update: Sue Bembenek, our neighborhood representative for this committee, adds to Ostrow’s comments, noting that we do have one neighborhood business participating also: Dr. Nelson’s Animal Clinic. At the meeting it was decided that consultants would be hired first, then meetings would be set up for community discussions. There were others who suggested the reverse order, but majority ruled. Also debated was the decision to hire locally or not. The next meeting is not set yet, but the overall goal is to have everything finalized next year before the City’s Comprehensive Plan is finalized. The Central Avenue Committee will probably be meeting about six more times before it’s all finished.

 
Gateway: Sue asks the board if the $100 stipend that was approved at a previous meeting could be used for a different service for the trees at the Gateway. Originally it was thought that the trees along the sidewalk needed trimming, and we would use the stipend toward a local landscaping service that would come out and oversee the project that included students from the nearby Learning for Leadership Charter School. It turns out that the trees don’t need trimming, but do need shooters cut and woodchip mulch put around them. The board agrees. Sue will continue to work with the school to arrange this.

Earlier this spring, Sue noticed that there were deep ruts in the ground at the Gateway from cars driving in there. She called Mike Snow about it and he put up a temporary orange fence right away, then put up a nice looking split rail fence on each of the inlets to the open areas. There was no charge for any of this.

Tracy updates about the community garden area. Sue, the previous overseer of the gardens, recommended posting some signs: one to show where the compost pile is, and one that announces that this is a community garden/respect this area/theft is reported. Tracy got a bid from Jerry’s Signs, $65 for the two, so she is asking if the purchase can be made. Motion to approve sign purchase; seconded and approved.


Above the Falls Citizen Advisory Committee (AFCAC) Update: Ciara reports that there is nothing to report.

Other: Liz says that Dan Haugen from the Northeast Beat wants to know if anyone knows about wind mills being allowed in yards for alternative power sources. Nobody does.


Bookkeeper’s Report: Checking account balance: $8553.04


Crime/Safety/Housing


Northeast Citizen Patrol (NECP) Walking Group: Wes reports that our neighborhood walking group will resume on April 30th , and will walk on Monday evenings at 7:00. They will continue meeting at the Gateway water tower to start.


Incident at 640 36 ½ Avenue NE: Thanks to Wes for the exact address. Last Monday the area around this address was teeming with cops, the bomb squad, snipers. A man was inside the home at this address with his father and police were alerted that he was going to “come out in a blaze of glory”…other details are unknown, but the suspect has a history of doing this at his mother’s address. He came out and laid down without incident. Meanwhile, traffic was re-routed as several blocks were blocked off, there was much unrest and concern for neighbors, and busses carrying young children were directed to return neighborhood children to their schools and parents were called to come and pick them up.

Shoreham Area Advisory Council (SAAC): Liz Wielinski reports that the railroad safety meeting will be taking place at the Salvation Army building on Central Avenue on Monday, May 14th at 7:00 pm. Guests will include national speaker Patrica Abbate of Citizens for Railroad Safety, as well as speakers representing the railroad, the union, and the Minneapolis Fire Chief . The CPNA is helping to sponsor this meeting, having approved $200 at our last meeting. Liz also recaps Shoreham issues for guest neighbor, Mike Melman.


Columbia Parkway repaving: Already discussed, but Liz notes that the separate meeting for this is good rather than combining it with our upcoming annual meeting, because of the possible negative sentiments it may incite. Preparation for the repaving will be happening soon as they will be digging up some utilities.


Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) Phase II: There is a Community Development Committee meeting happening tomorrow, April 17th at 1:30 pm at City Hall if anyone can make it, to represent the neighborhood’s plan. Nobody can, but Paul Ostrow had said that he would be there and could represent.


Old Business


Newsletter: Deadline for submissions is April 25th.


CPNA Annual Meeting: Monday, May 21st, 6:00 Board Meeting, 6:30 - 8:00 Public Meeting. We will be stuffing the newsletter with a special notice about it. Board members will be bringing food to share, the Eastside Co-op is donating food as usual, and Brooke, a neighborhood teenager, will be watching any kids at the meeting. Liz and Tracy will secure some door prizes. Some of the confirmed speakers include Steve Dess from the Learning for Leadership Charter School, two members of the Metropolis Rugby Club, and a representative from the Northeast Library to discuss the renovation plans.


Vacant Lot at 501 36 1/2 Avenue: Tracy updates that this property has been foreclosed on and is now owned by Franklin National Bank with an appraised value of $65,000. There is still a large “For Sale” sign on the property with the phone number to Franklin National Bank.


Neighborhood ID Signs: Melody will still check in with friend Scottie about his bid on the design. She drove him around the neighborhood for inspiration and they noticed that there are several excellent views of the Minneapolis skyline from our area.


Update on large vacant house on Van Buren: Peter saw two men arrive separately and then work on the place for about 2 hours, then left. He thinks that they fixed the door. Something was done with the broken glass/Plexiglas in the window.


Hi-View Park graffiti: Liz reports that the shelter was vandalized with spray paint again, along with a couple of garage walls in a nearby alley.


Check requests: presented and signed.

Meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm.

 

 

Minutes from the May 2007 CPNA Annual Meeting

COLUMBIA PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

(CPNA) BOARD MEETING MINUTES: 5-21-07

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Note: This is a special annual meeting with invited speakers, refreshments, and door prizes. It is held in the main room of the Columbia Golf Manor.

Present: Liz Wielinski, Melody Devine, Ciara Schlichting, Peter Doughty, Kathy Buchanan, Tracy Rognrud.

Call to order: 6:15 p.m.

Motion to approve agenda; seconded and approved.

Motion to approve minutes from 4-16-07; seconded and approved.

Check requests given to bookkeeper to fulfill as she has to leave early.

Liz calls for a recess in order to greet guests, and to wait for more people to arrive.

Meeting called back to order at 6:44 p.m.

President Liz Wielinski introduces herself and welcomes guests. Board and staff introduce selves, guests introduce selves. Guest speakers begin.


Steve Dess, of the Learning for Leadership Charter School located within the Columbia Park Neighborhood, gives an update on the school as they complete their first school year. They have made $700,000 worth of building improvements - mainly in the areas of safety, heating, and air conditioning. They have acquired more space within the building and are looking at gaining even more space. They began the year with 158 students, and ended with 150 students mainly due to families moving. They will probably top out at 200. Most of the staff will be returning next year. The student to staff ratio is around 1:15 to 1:20; max will be 1:20. One of the features of the school is project-based learning, along with basic skills. Twenty percent of the students speak English as a second language, with mainly Spanish and Somali as a first language.


The Charter School has recently received a grant of $180,000 to add science and technology equipment to the building. In August they will be offering a summer learning program for children aged kindergarten through sixth grade. In the Fall they will be adding some after-school activities that will include transportation. School Director and Principal, Stephanie Dess, adds that service learning is another component to the Learning for Leadership’s program. Some students have volunteered at a food shelf, the school sponsors a cow and goat in a developing country, and future service projects are being sought. Sue Bembenek, a Columbia Park neighbor, is working with the school to arrange care taking at the Gateway community garden area. Ms. Dess is asked where the students live, and she responds that a lot of them come from South Minneapolis but that they can be bussed from anywhere in Minneapolis. Also, the school is looking to attract nearby Columbia Heights students.


Ryan McDowell, Metropolis Rugby Club and Metropolis Pitch Foundation Representative, is here to update on the Club and activity at the Pitch which is located in our neighborhood at Columbia Park. McDowell says that the Metropolis Rugby Club is very proud of their home pitch. It was founded in the mid-90’s, spearheaded by member and Northeast business owner Dr. Richard Vincent. The Club pays rent to the city of Minneapolis for the space and have exclusive control and use of the field. They promote youth and amateur rugby, allowing high school rugby teams to practice and play games at the pitch. The members of the Metropolis Rugby Club aim patronize the Northeast area, including their sponsors and donors. They have a major event at the beginning of September, including a golf outing, Rugby match and family day.

Mr. McDowell is asked how kids can become involved in the sport. He explains that, besides the high school programs, there are more opportunities for younger kids to be available in the future. The team’s families are expanding and growing, and it is their goal to promote the sport to future generations. They have a long-term commitment to their fellow teammates and the sport. There is an exchange of information between McDowell and the Learning Leadership representatives about working together in the future, whether with sports or service projects.


Lois Porfiri and Teresa Jensen, representing the Minneapolis Public Library’s Northeast branch, speak about the upcoming renovation of this branch and the request for a neighborhood representative on the advisory team. Lois describes the Northeast branch as a one-level, one story, 15,600 square foot building opened in 1973. It is a busy library at 22nd and Central Avenue NE, that is one block from Edison High School. It has 8 heavily used computers, homework help, and Spanish and Somali language translators. The building itself is aging: the heating and cooling system are not working well, the roof is leaking, and the concrete slab floor prevents updates needed for the computer system. The renovations will address these issues, but the planning team wants to hear from the community about what the needs and wants are for the space. Some needs already identified include a teen center, technology area, and small business area. Teresa Jensen explains that the advisory team would meet 4-6 times this fall with an architect leading the process, and that the building would close for just over a year beginning in the Spring of 2008. A question is asked regarding the pending merge between the Minneapolis Public Library and Hennepin County Library systems. Jensen replies that the project will go forward whether or not the merge goes through. There is an article soliciting a neighborhood representative in the current neighborhood newsletter, and Tracy will forward any volunteer names to Porfiri and Jensen.


Don Risk is here on behalf of the Northeast Parade. He gives an impassioned history of the event and asks the Columbia Park Neighborhood Association to help sponsor the parade with a monetary donation. The parade began in 1928 and is the second oldest parade in Minnesota. It was voted “Best Parade” in 2002 by City Pages. This year’s parade will be on Tuesday, June 19 at 6:30 pm. The cost to run it last year was $52,000 even though there were so many volunteers. Most neighborhoods have given between $150-200. Sponsors are recognized in the Northeaster newspaper and on any parade literature. President Liz Wielinski replies that the board needs to discuss the amount, but we’ll probably be sending him a check. Don thanks the board.


Liz announces that the Northeast Neighborhood Walking Program, headed by Sheila Biernat at Northeast Neighborhood Resource Center, is having another friendly competition called “Coast to Coast” in which you can keep track of your step. Any group leader gets a lovely t-shirt and the entire group will get pedometers. Please see Liz if you are interested in starting a walking group.

Next, Liz welcomes any guests to become members of the CPNA and explains how to become one in the future. At this time anyone can nominate themselves; Liz nominates all current members who sit on the board, including herself, Melody, Peter, Ciara, and Wes VanVickle. She opens the nominations and calls for any nominations twice. No further nominations are made. All stated nominations are seconded and all are in favor for the 2007-2008 board. Liz states that the board meets the 3rd Monday of the month, except for July and December, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, here in the Columbia Golf Manor.


Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) Phase II: Ciara updates that the neighborhood’s plan has been approved by the NRP and City Councils for $147,525, and will be available in early autumn. Not all funds are available the first year, but will become available the next. The money is to be used by residential property owners only, for 1-4 unit homes, for exterior improvements.

Liz announces that the next CPNA meeting will be on June 21st, at which time the board officers will be officially voted in. Thanks are given to board members who provided refreshments and donation providers are recognized such as the Columbia Golf Manor, Rasmussen and Associates, Columbia Grounds Coffee Shop, and Liz Wielinski (she didn’t say her name, but she provided some prizes herself).

Motion to adjourn meeting; seconded and approved.

Meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm.