2009 Work Plan - GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
SUMMIT HILL ASSOCIATION
DISTRICT 16 PLANNING COUNCIL

Goal 1:

TO PROMOTE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE DISTRICT
Timeline: Ongoing

Objectives:

1. Maintain and enhance the SHA web site.
   
2. Publish The Summit newsletter six times per year dealing with neighborhood programs and concerns. Produce both hard copy and electronic format for posting on website.
   
3. Maintain and further develop e-mail list of neighbors, including renters, who wish to receive information on meetings, events, etc. in a timely fashion. 
   
4. Welcome new home owners, tenants and business owners into the neighborhood with a new information packet relating to the Summit Hill neighborhood and the city of Saint Paul.
   
5. Continue to utilize community newspapers as effective communication and education tools.
   
6. Support the Linwood Recreation Center in 2009 by publishing events/program schedule in The Summit newsletter.

Goal 2:

TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE WITHIN THE DISTRICT
Timeline: Ongoing

Objectives:

1. Promote neighborhood awareness of Crime Prevention strategies and carry out goals outlined in the 2009 Crime Prevention grant proposal.
   
2. Seek solutions to parking problems in the District
• Work with neighborhood stakeholders, city staff and the City Council to develop and implement comprehensive solutions for on-street and off-street parking on East Grand Ave. and the surrounding neighborhood. This may include setting up a Parking Improvement District (PID).
• Address parking issues on an ongoing basis.
• Work to reduce parking needs by encouraging:
• other modes of travel such as walking, biking, and transit use;
• shared car programs, carpooling, and shared parking.
3. Promote traffic calming and pedestrian safety initiatives.
• Work with neighborhood schools and Linwood Rec Center on designated safe walking routes, and education about them.
• Independently and cooperatively, work with the city to obtain grants that support the development of safe student and pedestrian routes.
• Follow through with pedestrian safety plan from 2004 St. Clair traffic study, including crosswalk paint and signs where designated.
• Work with GABA, Public Works, and Parking Enforcement to decrease parking up to and across crosswalks along Grand Ave. and cross streets at Grand Avenue by encouraging walking, biking, transit and the use of non-adjacent lots.
• Promote block parties to create community awareness that pedestrians and motor vehicles share the streets.
• Begin the formulation of a grant appropriate proposal to rework the non-essential center sections of Grand Ave. into island configurations that improve pedestrian safety and slow traffic speeds.
4. Track Ayd Mill Road issue.
   
5. Monitor St. Paul extension of Midtown Greenway project

Goal 3:

TO ADDRESS BUSINESS CONCERNS AND BUSINESS IMPACT IN THE
DISTRICT
Timeline: Ongoing

Objectives:

1. Continue to encourage business participation on the SHA Board of Directors and committees; and promote a good working relationship between the SHA and interested business association (such as the GABA and Metro IBA) by working with them on events, the District 16 Plan, and Grand Avenue development, traffic, parking and crime issues.
   
2. Work on activities that support independent businesses pursuant to the D16 Plan.

Goal 4:

TO FACILITATE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
Timeline: Ongoing

Objectives:

1. Hold the annual meeting of the SHA in October.
• Promote attendance.
• Address issues of community concern.
  
2. Publicize meeting times and invite neighborhood attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors and committees. Create social and educational opportunities for residents to come together.
   
3. Develop and implement a strategy(ies) to increase cultural and economic diversity and tenant participation on the Board of Directors and committees.
   
4. Continue cooperative working relationships and encourage neighborhood participation among the SHA and the surrounding schools, churches and institutions. 
   
5. Maintain effective communications with the Mayor, the City Council and the Planning Commission.
   
6. Sponsor two Progressive Suppers per year.
   
7. Develop and maintain an active volunteer network and list of volunteer activities while also expanding efforts to increase volunteer recruitment.

Goal 5:

TO ENCOURAGE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP WITHIN THE DISTRICT
Timeline: Ongoing

Objectives:

1. Promote cooperative environmental stewardship within the District through the Environment Committee.
1. Work with Summit Hill Association Staff to actively promote community-based recycling efforts and work to increase recycling participation in District 16
2. Sponsor an annual spring clean-up and plant exchange, and semi-annual neighborhood garage sales events
3. Encourage cooperative stewardship and events to reduce litter on Grand Avenue, in public areas and in the neighborhood (see subsection “6” for Grand Avenue projects)
4. Continue the planting and maintenance program at the Linwood Community Center including watering, weeding, mulching and planting of the upper Linwood Gardens.
5. Sam Morgan Prairie:
• Continue work on the restoration of the Sam Morgan Prairie environment at Linwood Recreation Center including a possible second burning of lower prairie in 2009, replanting of prairie species, watering and ongoing weeding.
• Work with City to promote prairie and native plant education (as volunteers energy is available).
• Explore costs and feasibility of new overlook and interpretive signage (as volunteers energy is available.
6. Participate with GABA on greening activities along Grand Ave:
• Create or adopt current city awards program to recognize Grand Ave. businesses that recycle (and publicize in The Summit newsletter and other media venue).
• Collaborate with GABA and Grand Ave. businesses to recycle, reduce plastic bags and styrofoam use on the Avenue including on Grand Old Day.
• Collaborate with GABA to reduce litter on the Avenue.
• Work collaboratively with the SHA Parking Committee, GABA and local businesses to promote establishment of more bike racks on the Avenue (as volunteers energy is available).
7. Promote environmental stewardship by publishing articles in The Summit newsletter and posting environmental links on the SHA website.
• Create new green education column in The Summit newsletter each issue on topics such as reduction/proper use of lawn & garden chemicals; reducing styrofoam and plastic bag use in your lifestyle; promotion of rain gardens and rain barrels, alternative energy, etc.
8. Review past neighborhood buckthorn removal efforts and use The Summit to promote awareness and buckthorn management resource for homeowners (as volunteers energy is available).
9. Organize quarterly public informational programs at Linwood Community Center: Possible presenter from Eureka Recycling for recycle/reuse, MPCA in terms of rain gardens/rain barrels, etc.
   

Goal 6:

TO INCREASE CRIME PREVENTION ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
Timeline: Ongoing

Objectives:

1. Support, maintain and recruit new and replacement Block Leaders. Explore new opportunity to support and enhance existing Block Clubs.
2. Promote the formation of new Building Clubs among area condos and apartment complexes within the district; support and maintain existing clubs.      
3. Participate with the Saint Paul Police Department Western District Office and Officers to maintain our cooperative relationship and to explore new avenues of mutual benefit for the purpose of crime prevention 
4. Research, compile and evaluate crime prevention statistics noting trends and special community alerts in order to produce and distribute a monthly SHA/District Council 16 Crime Incident Report to Block/Building Club Leaders and SHA Board members, keep SHA website updated and create the bi-monthly Crime Prevention Connection article in each SHA newsletter.
5. Research crime prevention topics of community interest and conduct at least 4 annual Building/Block Leader meetings.
6. Investigate opportunities to collaborate with the Linwood Community Center to promote crime prevention activities and information dissemination especially those targeting community youth.
7. Conduct a survey evaluation of all known Block & Building Clubs to assess their current activities and level of activity.              
8. Maintain and expand the existing program to honor and recognize Block/Building Club Leaders for their service to the community within the district.   
9. Investigate and increase collaborative relationships and joint projects with the Grand Avenue Business Association(GABA) with respect to crime prevention for local businesses and Block & Building Club support from local businesses.           

Goal 7:

TO EFFICIENTLY MANAGE THE OPERATIONS OF THE SHA.
Timeline: Ongoing

Objectives:

1. Hold regular meetings of the elected representatives of the SHA and its committees and task forces to conduct SHA business.
2. Recruit Board and Committee members based on skills needed.
3. Submit a budget consistent with the goals and objectives of the organization.
4. Ensure that responsible accounting procedures are maintained.
5. Contract with a full-time Executive Director, and a part-time Administrative Assistant and Crime Prevention Coordinator.

Goal 8:

TO EFFECTIVELY RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE SHA.
Timeline: Ongoing

Objectives:

1. Plan the 2010 House Tour.
2. Continue annual fundraising solicitation efforts for contributions.
3. Develop 2009 CIB proposal and Star Grant proposal.
4. Explore and implement additional fundraising opportunities.
• SHA Cookbook and other initiatives.

Goal 9:

TO PROMOTE AND IMPLEMENT THE DISTRICT 16 NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN.
Timeline: Ongoing

Objectives:

1. Begin implementation on high priority items that are consistent with the 2009 Goals and Objectives for the organization.

Goal 10:

TO RESPOND TO ON-GOING ZONING AND LAND USE ISSUES.
Timeline: Ongoing

Objectives:

1. Staff and support a Zoning and Land Use Committee.
2. Maintain a working file of documents and resolutions pertaining to Land Use.
3. Maintain a record of neighborhood input on Land Use issues.
4. Follow the guidelines outlined for Land Use in the SHA Policies.
5. Strive to preserve the district’s historic character.
6. Adopt and promote enforcement of new sign regulations on Grand Avenue.
7. Amend the District 16 Planning Council Policies to include a provision stating, “Members who miss three out of six meetings of the Zoning and Land Use Committee may be asked to vacate their position on the ZLU Committee.”