Board of Directors

Summit Hill Association

District 16 Planning Council

June 14, 2007

Minutes

Members Present: Barrera, Breymeier, Clapp-Smith, Flahaven, Hedberg, Krogstad, Lein, Lucke, Odman, Ramberg, Rathman, Sutherland, Verweij, Wefel, White, Wichman, Winsor

Members Absent:   Haas, Rulff

Others Present:  Jeff Roy (SHA Staff), Dann Dobson, Jane McClure, Alan Ackerberg, Mike Larson, Rob Stolpestad

Chair Wefel called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.  SHA stores the meeting’s full proceedings in digital form for a minimum of one year from this date.

Additions to Agenda

None.

Approval of Minutes

A motion to approve the April and May minutes was made, seconded and unanimously approved subject to an amendment reflecting the attendance of Krogstad and non-attendance of Lucke from prior meeting.

President’s Report

1.      SHA finances were addressed with confidence in light of Highland Council’s recent troubles

2.      Regarding last Executive meeting: SHA media policy and conflict of interest were addressed and the Committee stated they would continue to keep current and new members apprised. Comfort with current policies was noted. Flahaven pointed out need for people to identify potential conflicts. She noted personal position on matter for discussion, not important, only disclosure of conflict. Odman, also mentioned disclosure re appearance of conflict, whether personal or relative. She further noted proactive approach among others necessary if others fail to note there own, while known to others. She further expressed concern over others speaking to media. Breymeier noted importance of recognizing our unique positions and suggested being prudent in light of such. A motion to table issue for now was made, seconded and unanimously carried. Breymeier moved to place on agenda at next meeting. Moved, seconded and unanimously carried

3.      Wefel noted we have a diverse and spirited Board. In light of recent emails, Wefel stated she believes it is a dangerous forum for communicating heated exchanges and cautioned on same. Also noted our emails are subject to discovery in litigation. Barrera noted we are public body. Clapp-Smith also noted that not everyone was privy to these recent emails within the board.

Update on 2008 Republican Convention Preparations

Erin Dady, Director of Marketing/Convention Planning from St. Paul Mayor’s Office spoke re republican convention. The event will occur between September 1^st and 4^th. She stated that because this is normally a slow time, economically, St. Paul will benefit greatly both economically and by reputation. There will be approximately forty-five thousand invited guests (5,000 of which are delegates).  It is unknown how many demonstrators will attend, but the ACLU ballparks that 20,000 to 100,000 are possible. There will naturally be congestions issues.

Media headquarters at Xcell Energy Center.

Dady stated it will take approximately $60,000,000 to host event (host committee). Eight thousand volunteers will be needed. St. Paul will be able to ask the federal government for $50,000,000 to cover 100% of security (secret service, etc.). The Mayor’s office will attempt to communicate all route closures, etc., as they become apprised of such. Flahaven expressed concerns over closing freeways, as was done on prior presidential visits.

Dan Dobson [in audience] asked about information on demonstrations in parks, etc. Dady stated that per City ordinance, such ordinances cannot be issued prior to 6 months in advance. City is contemplating how to grant park access, as they cannot recall experiencing competition over park space.

Executive Director Report

League of Women Voters Initiative to Support District Councils

Roy informed board that he met with staff from the new Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI - formerly LIEP and other city departments) re improving early notification of zoning matters to district councils. He reminded us of the problems presented by the 60-day rule for zoning applications. Improvements: 1) DSI will in future email. as opposed to fax, early notifications and full application documents to speed distribution of information within districts and among board members; 2) as district councils don’t get notification for building permits unless tied into zoning changes, Christine Rozek w/ DSI will prepare a listing, by district, of all permits issued for district review over a certain undetermined dollar amount. Rathman suggested this be addressed further at the zoning committee. She expressed concern we were moving toward micromanagement.

The League of Women Voters has been concerned about the under funding and lack of support by the city of the district council system. The LWV met with the All-Districts ED/CO’s yesterday to discuss the League’s concerns and hear the concerns of the District ED/CO’s on the matter.  LWV developed a list of 5 questions that they would like answered by district staff (by July 1^st) which the League will incorporate into a study and position paper to be brought before the Mayor and City Council in August, in time for the city budget discussions.  Roy suggested interested board members should also respond to the questionnaire and that staff would prepare an answer to the League based on staff and board input. Odman moved, and Flahaven seconded the motion to have Roy forward the questions to board members for completion and return to staff on this issue. Carried unanimously.

Old Business

None.

New Business

2006 – IRS 990 and Annual Charitable Report.

Breymeier moved and Flahaven seconded a motion to accept the documents. Carried unanimously.

Board Vacancies

Wefel addressed vacancies occurring with no alternates available to fill them. She explained bylaws re this matter. Given our bylaws, Clapp-Smith proposed waiting until the coming annual elections to fill them. Wichman suggested nominating passed board members who left solely because of expired terms. It was noted that the bylaws require a one year waiting period for those leaving because of expired terms. Wichman noted we could consider changing the bylaws on this matter.

Environment Committee Projects

Wefel noted that though we no longer have an Environmental Committee Chair, Roy has been contacted by a resident, John Angst, who is interested in being involved on the fall Prairie replanting project, but not necessarily chairing the Committee.  Roy mentioned others interested in being involved in this committee, but no one interest in chairing it. Roy stated that Wichman is willing to temporarily chair the committee. Wichman was subsequently appointed at this meeting.

Committee Reports

Zoning and Land Use

ZLU committee report was advanced on agenda by motion and second, and unanimously carried.

Flahaven noted we won on our appeal re Noodles, but the Lunds (Edina Properties) is appealing that ruling. She thanked those involved and stated the Lunds’ appeal to the City Council is set for July 5th at 5:30pm. She asked people to contact her if they want to be involved with the appeal.

Flahaven then introduced Rob Stolpestad as well as Allen Ackerberg and Michael Larson who are interested in moving a Salut Restaurant into the former Sydney’s site at Milton Mall. Mr. Stolpestad stated there are a number of national restaurants with an interest in the space, but given the history of SHA position on formula businesses, the proposal at hand would likely be more suitable. Salut has come forward and they are very close to entering a lease agreement. He stated that Ward 2 has maxed out the available liquor licenses; however one is now available. He sought the board’s opinion and favor on this issue. A handful of board members noted they had been to the Salut restaurant in Edina.

Mr. Ackerberg expressed that Salut is not a bar. They have 9 seats at the bar, 200 at tables, and 30 outside. Stated they are a French-style family restaurant. 30% of total sales are liquor, of that, the majority is wine. When questioned about the hours of operation, Mr. Larson stated they would probably be open until midnight on weekend, and 10 pm weekdays. Mr. Larson expressed his opinion that Salut is not the same as restaurants like Bonfire Grill.

Flahaven inquired, and Stolpestad explained about the St Paul's United Church of Christ proximity issue (need for permission regarding liquor sales). He stated that the church offered them written approval. He also stated they will redesign patio and outside appearance will change, but not the building’s footprint.

Winsor questioned whether church was for sale as was rumored. No one knew definitively.

Re parking:  Larson noted that seating will not dramatically change from Sydney’s. They believe they are short approximately parking 10 spaces. Odman urged them to address this issue.

Ignoring the parking issue at this time, support was shown by board through non-committal straw poll.

GABA Report

Lucke discussed Grand Old Day and noted Paws on Grand coming up.

Treasurer’s Report

Breymeier stated all is normal. She noted that an audit expense should be added to budget. She will give further update at next Board meeting.

Committee Reports (Continued)

Communications Committee

Odman is seeking names of web tech designers willing to volunteer.

Development Committee

Sutherland stated they met and discussed house tours. He maintains a positive outlook.

District Council Collaborative (DCC) on Central Corridor

No additional comments

Environment & Beautification Committee

Addressed previously.

Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Calming Committee

Hedberg Eric gave brief report and noted Linwood A+ School will be getting stop signs.

Anouncements

Jeff Roy referred to Mayor’s release regarding budget deficit, and to handouts regarding proposed new garbage burner at Rock-Tenn that is being opposed by some residents including the Neighbors Against the Burner (NAB) which is holding a public meeting next week.

Merritt passed out copies of the Executive Summary of our District Plan approved last year. More to come later regarding the D16 Plan Implementation Committee.

Submitted by Dave Ramberg

June 21, 2007