BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
SUMMIT HILL ASSOCIATION
February 14, 2008
Members Present: Angst, Barton, Flahaven, Fox, Lein, Pramas, Ramberg, Seningen, Sutherland, White, Winsor
Members Absent: Barrera, Breymeier, Fitzgibbons, Haas, Huffman, Lucke, Pearce, Sorensen, Zambreno
Public Present: Hilden, Roy, Melissa Sutherland (DCC on Central Corridor)
President Sutherland called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
1. Additions to the Agenda: Mr. Angst wished to discuss with the Board a previous presentation about the possibility of a refrigerated ice rink being placed at Linwood. See New Business for the details of the discussion.
2. Approval of Past Minutes (Dec.): Approved by unanimous voice vote.
3. President’s Report:
Mr. Sutherland reported on the status of the results of the annual fundraising drive.
4. Executive Director’s Report:
Diane Hilden, SHA Crime Prevention Coordinator, provided a January update on her project activities. She reported on last week’s meeting she organized with owners and employees of the Wild Onion establishment on Grand Ave. and area neighbors to discuss recent neighborhood complaints. She also noted an upcoming meeting where members of the community can meet with St. Paul police officers assigned to our area. She also relayed reports of recent criminal activity in the area and how she can assist board members of the community in crime prevention efforts and follow up with the St. Paul Police Department.
Mr. Roy provided a written report of his January, 2008 activities in an e-mail sent to board members about one week before the hearing. Mr. Roy summarized certain activities set forth in the written report and answered questions from board members.
5. Old Business: None.
6. New Business:
By unanimous voice vote the Board approved the proposed SHA bylaw revisions to reflect Exec. Comm. Makeup as set forth in the written materials provided to the Board in the week before this meeting (see text below). Mr. Sutherland noted that the community needs to ratify the Board’s action at the next annual meeting.
Section 7.5 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: An executive committee, composed of the officers and the development, community outreach & communications and zoning & land use committee chairs shall meet at least once each month to set the board meeting agenda, consider all requests for funding and review all items requiring board action. This committee shall be chaired by the president. In addition to its regular monthly meeting, the committee shall meet as required to consider items requiring immediate attention. The committee shall also act as the personnel committee.
By unanimous voice vote the Board approved a proposal to extend the SHA Linwood water line to the Sam Morgan Prairie for an estimated cost of $535 as funds become available for this expenditure. There currently is no money in the budget for this expense. SHA staff will continue to follow up with the Parks Dept. to see if it will contribute money toward this project.
Mr. Angst discussed the previous presentation from Parks and Recreation at the November Board meeting about an idea to place a refrigerated rink on the Linwood athletic field. The Board’s understanding is that Parks and Recreation is also considering other locations in the City for the placement of this refrigerated rink. Further discussion was deferred on this issue for future Board meetings once more is learned as to whether Linwood is still one location being considered for the refrigerated rink.
7. Treasurer’s Report:
Ms. Roy reviewed the financial statement and January, 2008 expenditures with the Board.
By unanimous voice vote the Board authorized the expenditure of an additional $300 for the 2008 SHA audit. The budget had set $3,000 as the cost of the audit but recent changes in federal law have increased costs associated with performing audits and the quote from the accountants who perform the audit was for $3,300. This was deemed reasonable and the money will come from the “Accounting” line of the SHA budget where there is expected to be some $300 extra based on past accounting experiences.
8. Committee Reports:
Communications Committee: Ms. Lein reported on progress concerning a neighborhood welcome booklet and review of the council’s website. She provided a website revamp questionnaire that will be distributed to community members by e-mail seeking input about the SHA website.
Development Committee: Ms. Barton provided an update on the house tour event planning and advertising revenue received so far for the House Tour. Mr. Sutherland reported on a proposal from neighborhood resident Gabe Horner to spearhead a History of Summit Hill book project. Funding for the book project would come from foundations through a grant application process. The process requires a non-profit organization to be listed as the “responsible’ entity. By unanimous voice vote the Board approved the project and authorized SHA to be listed as the “responsible” entity in the foundation applications.
DCC on Central Corridor: Melissa Sutherland updated the board on recent DCC discussions on the number and location of stops being considered. By unanimous voice vote a resolution was approved supporting additional LRT stations to be located at Victoria, Hamline, and Western.
Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Calming Committee: Mr. Sutherland noted the committee recently met to discuss goals and objectives.
Zoning and Land Use Committee: Ms. Flahaven reported about an upcoming public meeting concerning Bonfire’s license application following its recent sale to new owners. She also noted that Punch has submitted an application and site plan to the City which seeks variances from the Grand Avenue plan.
10. Announcements/Adjourn:
Mr. White discussed a possible resolution seeking support for a project at the eastern end of Selby Avenue to commemorate the street car line that once ran on Selby.
The meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m.
Submitted by Tim Pramas