MINUTES

Summit Hill Association

District 16 Planning Council

Board of Directors

Thursday, March 9, 2006

Linwood Community Recreation Center

Members Present:  Barrera, Breymeier, Clapp-Smith, Flahaven, Haas, Hedberg, Kost, Krogstad, Lein, Lucke, Ramberg, Rathman, Skally, Smith, Wefel, Wichman, Winsor

Members Absent:  Dobson, Jozwiak, Odman

Others Present:  Jeff Roy, Amanda Schultz, Jane McClure, Roger Meyer

Meeting was called to order by President Eduardo Barrera at 7:07 p.m.  SHA stores the full proceedings of this meeting on magnetic ape for a minimum of one year from this date.

Additions to Agenda.  Agenda was approved as presented with two amendments adding topics of a report on conversations with Rob Stoplestad, SHA involvement in Grand Avenue and a Parking Task Force update.

February Minutes.  Minutes of the February Board of Directors meeting were approved on a voice vote as presented in a motion by Krogstad and seconded by Clapp-Smith.

President’s Report.  President’s Report was presented by SHA President Eduardo Barrera.  Eduardo introduced Jamie Lucke-Hendrickson as a nominee for membership on the Board of Directors replacing Olga Zoltai.  Lucki-Hendrickson’s election to the SHA Board of Directors was approved on a unanimous voice vote of those present.

Eduardo also reported, based on an e-mail he’d received today, that neighbors of St. Paul Academy have investigated possible covenants relating to public access to the school grounds involving a past sale of the property by the City of Saint Paul.  It is possible that a covenant exists that requires public access to the school grounds that have been locked to the public since shortly after a new Headmaster was recently appointed at SPA.  An attorney is reviewing paperwork regarding that sale and possible covenant.  After discussion, it was agreed that Merritt Clapp-Smith would contact a member of the SPA Board to learn more about this possible situation and report back to President Barrera.

Executive Director’s Report.  There was no report.

Old Business

District 16 Plan.   A brief report on next steps following the City Council’s approval of the District 16 plan was presented by member Clapp-Smith.  Merritt reported that Allen Torstenson of PED was working with staff on a draft ordinance on the zoning changes that are a part of the District 16 plan.  Merritt also reported that such zoning changes require a study and then an ordinance with full city commission and hearing review before being again presented to the City Council for final approval.  Review of the draft ordinance includes review by the Planning Commission’s Neighborhood and Current Planning Committee, City Council and public hearings.  It is hoped that the draft ordinance process can be completed by August before the Grand Avenue development moratorium expires in September 2006.  A motion made by Flahaven and seconded by Windsor to make a formal request of PED for a draft of zoning overlay language in time for the April SHA Board of Directors meeting was approved on a voice vote.

Board Retreat March 11.  Consultant Roger Meyer was introduced to the Board and reviewed plans for the Board of Directors retreat scheduled for Saturday, March 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at William Mitchell College of Law.  A draft agenda for the retreat was provided in Board materials.  Board members commented that the event should focus on the big picture and long-term.

District Council Collaborative on Central Corridor.  A memorandum of understanding creating a collaborative of all recognized neighborhood associations along the proposed Central Corridor light rail route in Saint Paul and Minneapolis was presented in the Board materials.  Concerns and criteria from SHA regarding light rail development were:  1) maintaining a thriving community, 2) accessibility, and 3) beauty.  On a motion by Skally, the Board approved the appointment of member Windsor as a voting member of the collaborative and member Krogstad as an alternate.

STAR Grant for Kiosks.  Member Breymeier reported that submission of a STAR grant for kiosks on Grand Avenue would be delayed until 2007.  Breymeier reported that approximately 2 months were needed to prepare the grant.  She also reported that there was interest in looking at the project as a public art opportunity possibly involving a drawing, the College of the Visual Arts and a possible arts festival.

New Business

Grand Old Day.  The annual request for SHA Board of Directors approval of the Grand Old Day celebration was presented by GABA Executive Director Amanda Schultz.  On a motion by Smith, the motion to send a letter to LIEP supporting the Grand Old Day celebration June 4, 2006, was approved on a voice vote with one opposing vote by Krogstad.

Broadband Meeting.  A report on the City of Saint Paul’s Broadband Impact Technology Study (BITS) was provided with the Board materials.  Member Windsor reported on a recent forum meeting regarding the study.  Primary discussion focused on the use of fiber optics or cable versus wireless.  There is concern that broadband access be done through the City to make it more affordable, to lessen the digital divide and to support economic development.  

SHA/Grand Old Day Parade Involvement.  The SHA Executive Committee recommended that SHA have a presence and involvement in the upcoming Grand Old Day parade.  Board support for involvement was approved on a voice vote.

SHA/Grand Old Day Street Booth.  The SHA Executive Committee recommended that SHA sponsor a street booth at Grand Old Day to provide visibility for SHA and sell house tour tickets.  Board support for a street booth was approved on a voice vote.

GABA Update

A GABA report was provided by member Kost.  Rob reported that there will be no GABA auction event this year.  GABA has also discussed property tax increases.  At the recent GABA Annual Meeting, Dan Parker was recognized with the Doc Chopp Award for his years of service and David Gingold of Gerber Jewelers for his contributions as a volunteer.  GABA is also working on new membership coordination.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Breymeier presented a report based on financial information distributed with Board materials.  She reported that grant reimbursements have not arrived yet and that the 12 month projections used by the bookkeeping software skew some budget projections in the report.  She also reported that gift solicitation is up over $300 this year compared to last and that member Odman has been extremely creative in generating underwriting that will offset significant costs associated with this year’s House Tour.

Breymeier also presented a request for the Board’s authorization to renew SHA’s certificates of deposits.  That authorization was approved on a voice vote based on a motion by Smith and seconded by Clapp-Smith.

Committee Reports

Communications.  It was reported that the committee has no members other than member Odman as chair.  Member Lucke agreed to serve on the committee and other members will be sought in the near future. 

Development.  It was reported that Tammy Haas is the new chair of the committee.  Members suggested that consideration be given to including new construction or construction in progress in this year’s House Tour.  It was also suggested that consideration be given to including the newly renovated condos at Summit and St. Alban’s in this year’s tour.

Environment.  It was noted again that Steve Sanders has stepped down as chair of the committee.  Plans for the annual Neighborhood Clean-Up are progressing well.  Both Board and GABA Board volunteer sign-ups are encouraged.

Pedestrian Traffic Safety.  Member Hedberg reported that plan for bumpouts near Linwood School are progressing as a part of the pending RSVP street renewal project.  The committee is also discussing parking considerations from the pedestrian point of view.

Zoning and Land Use.  Information on recent complaints regarding temporary signage at the Oxford Hill CVS location was provided in the Board materials.  Member Flahaven reported that the City did not adopt signage guidelines suggested by SHA in 2004.  Regardless, city officials have determined that existing signage is not in compliance even with the older, existing guidelines and letters have been sent regarding the issue.

Announcements.  Member Winsor reported that the Parking Task Force is making good progress in its discussions involving city staff, GABA and SHA members and residents.  She said issues around use of the UCC church and House of Hope parking lots are proceeding as are consideration of commercial and residential parking concerns.  It is hoped that ideas from the Task Force will be available this summer or fall.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:54 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Rick Smith, SHA Vice President.