Board of Directors

Summit Hill Association

District 16 Planning Council

September 8, 2005

Members Present: Barrerra, Clapp-Smith, Dobson, Flahaven, Haas, Hedberg, Hardy, Kost, O’Toole, Siekmeier, Skally, Smith, Wichman, Winsor,

Members Absent:     Breymeier, Jozwiak, Odman, Rathman, Sanders, Wefel, Zoltai

Others Present:        Jeff Roy, Jane McClure, Paul St. Martin, Don Stein, Michelle Hoffman, Tom Johnson, Todd Hartman, Jaimee Lucke, Sheila Kennelly, Chris Kennelly, Jim Harrison, Pat Flahaven, Dick Plagens, Dee Plagens, Dionysius Apostolou

Merritt Clapp-Smith called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.  SHA stores the meeting’s full proceedings on magnetic tape for a minimum of one year from this date.

Approval of Minutes

A motion to approve the August minutes was made, seconded and unanimously approved.

Street Rebuilding and Light Presentation

Don Stein and Paul St. Martin from the City of St. Paul brought the different lights that are available for the neighborhood in conjunction with the street rebuilding on the West side of Victoria.  The board looked at the light options and discussed the issues with the City representatives.  This issue will be explored with interested neighbors at the meeting scheduled for September 29.

District 3 Presentation Regarding “The Bridges” Project

Michelle Hoffman from District 3 spoke about the effects of The Bridges Project and her district’s opposition to it, and she asked for support in that opposition.  There was considerable discussion about the project and the requested motion opposing the project was made, seconded and approved with one “nay” vote.

GABA Report

Tom Johnson from A. Johnson Florist gave us the GABA Report.  A Taste of Grand will occur on 9/20 and the Boo Bash will again take place on 10/29.  GABA has a Future of Grand Avenue task force that is looking at issues regarding Grand and including the formula business option that SHA is proposing.

President’s Report

Merritt reported that our annual meeting has been moved to Tuesday, October 11 due to the High Holidays beginning the evening of the 13^th. 

There will be a series of meetings to explain the formula business concept on consecutive Mondays - October 10, 17, and 24, each at 7:00 p.m. at the Rec Center.  Eduardo has received a Chamber of Commerce e-mail on this topic and will forward it to the Board. 

There will be a retreat for board members in 2006.

Executive Director Report

Some changes have been made to the joint ED letter to the City, and it should go out shortly.

Committee Reports

            Parking

Chad Skally reported that there would be a public meeting to consider parking issues and the goals and solutions set forth by the joint task force on these issues on 9/15 at 6:30 at the Rec Center.  There will be a review of the public meeting on 10/3 at 7:00.

            Communication Committee

There is now a new welcome packet for new people in the neighborhood.

Development Committee

Shannon O’Toole reported that the House Tour committee is enthusiastic, and moving along on its items of business.  The 2006 House Tour will be on 9/17/06.  Everyone was encouraged to attend the Ramsey Hill House Tour the next Sunday.

Environment Committee

The Garage sale is 10/1, and the deadline for signing up is 9/23.

Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Calming Committee

Although Charlie’s term on the Board is coming to an end, he offered to continue as chair of this committee for continuity.  There have been many advances in the past year, but the need for consistent and frequent follow up with the City has been made increasingly clear.

Zoning & Land Use Committee

Maureen Flahaven reported that a request for variance at 969 Linwood would be heard on 9/22 at 7:00. 

Todd Hartman, attorney for EQ Life, spoke about the latest attempts at agreement between his client, the City and EQ Life.  Merritt also spoke about the efforts that were made.  A motion was made and seconded to settle the EQ Life appeal by agreeing to the terms incorporated in the attached settlement agreement.  Vigorous and heated discussion followed.  The vote was 9 for, 3 against with 2 abstaining.

Treasurer’s Report

Financials were sent out in the Board packets, and John Siekmeier noted that things are moving as usual in a non-house tour year. 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50.

Respectfully submitted,

Shannon O’Toole, Secretary