BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
SUMMIT HILL ASSOCIATION
April 10, 2008
Members Present: Angst, Breymeier, Dobson, Flahaven, Fox, Haas, Huffman, Lein, McGann, Muller, Pearce, Pramas, Sorenson, Sutherland, White, Winsor, Zambreno.
Members Absent: Barrera, Lucke, Ramberg, Seningen
Also Present: Hilden, Roy
President Sutherland called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
1. Additions to the Agenda: Mr. Sutherland wished to discuss a proposed Board resolution concerning Governor Pawlenty’s recent veto of light rail funding. See New Business (below) for the details of the discussion and action. Ms. Flahaven wanted full Board consideration of a liquor license application for Cooks of Crocus Hill. See Zoning and Land Use Committee (below) for details of the discussion and action.
2. Approval of Past Minutes (March): Approved by unanimous voice vote with one amendment proposed by Winsor.
3. President’s Report: Mr. Sutherland introduced new board members (Dobson and Muller) and welcomed them.
4. Executive Director’s Report: Diane Hilden, SHA Crime Prevention Coordinator, provided a March update on her project activities. She updated the status of ongoing discussions between the Wild Onion and neighbors regarding a variety of neighborhood complaints. She also relayed reports of recent criminal activity in the area, particularly home and garage break-ins.
Mr. Roy provided a written report of his March, 2008 activities in an e-mail sent to board members about one week before the hearing. Mr. Roy then described preparation efforts for the Annual Neighborhood Clean Up on May 10, 2008.
5. Old Business: Ms. Seningen is putting together a parade recruitment leaflet for the Grand Ole Day parade. Ms. Pearce is seeking additional volunteers to work at the SHA – Grand Old Day wrist band booth. Mandatory training for those volunteers will be on May 28 at 7:00 p.m. at William Mitchell Law School.
6. New Business: The District Council Collaborative on the Central Corridor (DCC) asked district councils to submit resolutions urging Governor Pawlenty and the state legislature to restore $70 million in state funding for the proposed central corridor light rail line recently included in funds the Governor vetoed. After extensive discussion about the merits of the resolution, Ms Flahaven moved for the adoption of a Board resolution urging the restoration of vetoed funds. Ms. Winsor seconded the motion and the Board approved the resolution by a vote of 15-2 (Mr. Angst and Mr. White voting against the motion). Staff will send a letter to the Governor and key legislators.
7. GABA Report: In her absence, Ms. Lucke provided a written update for the Board concerning the status of planning for Grand Ole Day on June 1. Mr. Roy read the substance of the update to the Board.
Mr. Angst noted the Board appointed him as SHA’s GABA representative and Mr. Angst offered to be a resource to any Board member with GABA.
8. Treasurer’s Report: Ms. Breymeier reviewed the status of budget items with the Board and noted the good financial condition of SHA.
9. Committee Reports:
Communications Committee: Ms. Sorenson reported on progress concerning the neighborhood welcome booklet and revisions of the SHA website. She provided a few preliminary highlights of results obtained from a survey distributed to community members by e-mail that sought input about the neighborhood generally and the SHA website in particular.
Development Committee: Ms. Haas provided an update on the house tour event planning. Houses have been selected and tickets will be going to the printer soon. She also reported on the status of a proposal from neighborhood resident Gabe Horner to spearhead a History of Summit Hill book project. A professional editor has volunteered to assist with the project. A cookbook project is also underway and recipes are being solicited. The Progressive Supper is on April 26 and final planning is being completed for this event.
DCC on Central Corridor: See New Business.
D16 Committee: Mr. Pramas is forming a committee and plans to have an initial meeting to determine specific objectives.
Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Calming Committee: Mr. Dobson is the new chair of the committee which will be meeting to discuss goals and objectives.
Zoning and Land Use Committee: Ms. Flahaven reported that Punch Pizza submitted a new site plan that does not seek any variances. Cooks of Crocus Hill is seeking approval of a liquor license due to a change in ownership. All previous conditions applicable to the liquor license would remain in place (including no sale of liquor to the general public). Ms. Flahaven moved that this application be approved. The motion was seconded and the motion was approved by unanimous voice vote (Ms. Haas abstained from voting).
10. Announcements/Adjourn:
Mr. White discussed the status of a project at the eastern end of Selby Avenue to commemorate the street car line that once ran on Selby.
The meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.
Submitted by Tim Pramas