Minutes (Revised)

DISTRICT 16 PLANNING COUNCIL
SUMMIT HILL ASSOCIATION

Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday, February 8, 2007
Linwood Recreation Center

Members Present:  Barrera, Biron, Broton, Clapp-Smith, Fervoy, Flahaven, Haas, Lucke, Odman, Rulff, Sutherland, Wefel

Members Absent: Breymeier, Hedberg, Krogstad, Lein, Rathman, Verweij, Wichman, White, Winsor

Others Present:  Jeff Roy, Jane McClure, Pat Lindgren (Dave Thune’s Aide), Ben Johnson (D’Amico’s), Marie Nelson (Mac/Groveland CC)

Meeting began 7:05 p.m.

Past Minutes: The previous meeting minutes for January were approved.

President’s Report
Wefel gave the President’s Report and informed the Board of a proposed ordinance that will soon be before the city council establishing a moratorium on electronic billboards (new or retrofitted) until further study can be done.

Marie Nelson, Community Outreach Director
District 14, Macalester Groveland
Job Connection Presentation

Program serves disabled population and seniors over 60 and offers chore services and other services to be done around the household. Nelson passed out a brochure that further outlined the program. The program currently serves 300. Nelson mentioned that the program needs to serve more people to meet grant expectations. They work with the Living at Home Block Nurse Program which currently serves the areas of Highland, Mac Groveland and Summit Hill. Marie will write an article and submit a photo for the next SHA newsletter. The program is in need of both seniors and workers

Executive Director’s Report
The St. Paul Planning Commission has invited SHA Staff Jeff Roy and PED Staff Craig Blakely to give a report/presentation on Friday 2/9 regarding the East Grand Avenue Parking Task Force that recently ended its work in December. Roy will give presentation on the organizational elements of the task force and Blakely will do the technical details. SHA will form a special parking committee, but no members yet.

Old Business

CPC Contract 2007
Diane Hilden’s contract was discussed and all non-SHA Board members were asked to leave the room as the meeting went into executive session. After much discussion, a motion was made and seconded to renew Diane’s contract with a 3% raise.  The motion passed 8 to 2 with one abstention.

New Business

Grand Old Day 2007
Wrist Band Sales: Hass mentioned that SHA has the opportunity to sell wristbands for the beer garden at Grand Old Days. The bands would sell for $5/ piece and SHA would retain 50 cents for each band. The profits could potentially range for $800-1500 dollars. SHA would need to recruit 16 people to each work a shift. Flahaven noted that SHA did not make much money 3 years ago and all members would have to be present for their shifts. Volunteers would have to be at least 18 years old and would have to complete a 1 hour session of training

Haas made the motion to approve SHA participation in wrist band sales at Grand Old Days for fundraising. The motion was seconded by Clapp-Smith. Motion approved unanimously.

Barrera noted he would like SHA to also participate in the parade

Annual SHA letters supporting Grand Old Day: Ben Johnson from GABA Board of Directors and manager of D’Amico’s restaurant presented the need for two letters of approval from SHA for extension of liquor licenses and for waiving block party permits during Grand Old Day. Re: letter waiving block party permits, this letter would waive the approval needed from 60% of neighbors to close Grand Ave. for the event.

Odman made the motion accept both letters as written, Barrera seconded the motion.

The festivities of Grand Old Day would include a 10:30 parade festival gardens open from noon to 5 p.m. Motion carries

Grand Old Days past issues

SHA has noted in the past there should be a meeting with GABA regarding the many issues with Grand Old Day re: noise and drunkenness. An SHA adhoc committee has met once to discuss issues. It was mentioned that SHA should continue to move this forward on this matter. The committee could look into more law enforcement, but any extra force costs money. Last year 130 police officers patrolled Grand Old Days for a cost of $13,000.

The Bridges

Barrera gave an update on the WSCO Bridges situation. SHA would like to be an official participant in discussion regarding Bridges. A resolution was sent by SHA, via email to Councilman Thune’s office. He has told the SHA to hold off for right now. It was mentioned that the WSCO Board has sensitivity as to who is involved. Barrera stated that SHA should continue to reiterate that we would like to be a part of the Bridges

Past Minutes: Motion to approve the previous SHA Board minutes from January was made by Clapp-Smith. The motion was seconded by Broton. There was one addition to the January SHA minutes. The magazine that quoted Flahaven on carriage house was titled: Saint Paul Illustrated

GABA Report

Lucke gave the GABA report. A decision has not been made regarding a replacement for the GABA Executive Director. They still have 4 candidates and any one would be good. Nominations for the GABA Board of Directors are open through Feb. 16 and there are 9 spots open.

Treasurers Report -Nancy absent
P & L report stands as SHA received

Committees Reports

1. Communications
Met Monday 5^th. Reviewed objectives, next meeting March 5 will come up with agenda for this year. Voted to refer a matter on “theft prevention” signs to GABA. Public Works can install these signs for $35 reminding people to remove articles from vehicles while shopping.

2. Development
House Tour discussions have begun, many interested in serving on House Tour Committee. Decision to return to late September date for event in 2008. Annual fundraising appeal has surpassed budgeted amount and last year’s total.  We are over $9,500 and we were budgeted for $7,000.

3. Pedestrian Safety & Traffic Calming
Report included in packet

4. Environment
A lot of interest

5. Zoning
Processes and procedures discussed. Presentation from 2 developers, banks and pharmacies can afford rent but small businesses have problem with cost of rent

The committee will continue to educate itself and may host a presentation from a City design group. It was also mentioned that Noodles & Co. may interested in old Italian Pie Shop.

Announcements:

Haas stated that she recently had lunch with Ethlyn Rupp – long time organizer of the Progressive Suppers and Ethlyn is officially retiring as Progressive Supper Chair. Haas thinks SHA should do something for her and the development committee will suggest what this could be to show our gratitude. Roy stated we should do an article and put her picture in the SHA newsletter.

Flahavan made the motion to also send a letter of thanks to Shannon O’Toole for Chair of House Tour, EB 2^nd. Hass has offered to draft the letter.

Broton also mentioned that SHA should post in a newsletter or newspaper a notice regarding disposal of old Christmas Trees. Roy will check the city’s website to see if there is any information on where to dispose of old Christmas trees. There could also be something written in Villager under the Summit Hill capsule.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
Submitted by H Biron, Secretary