BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
SUMMIT HILL ASSOCIATION
Minutes
July 10, 2008
Members Present: Angst, Barrera, Breymeier, Flahaven, Haas, Lein, Lucke, McGann, Pearce, Pramas, Ramberg, Seningen, Sorenson, Sutherland, White, Winsor, Zambreno
Members Absent: Dobson, Huffman, Muller, Fox
Also Present: Hilden, Roy, Jane McClure (Highland Villager) and Erin Dady (City of St. Paul’s Director of Convention Planning)
President Sutherland called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
1. Additions to the Agenda: None.
2. Approval of Past Minutes (June): Approved by unanimous voice vote.
3. President’s Report: Mark Sutherland
Sutherland thanked those board members who have already returned to him the staff evaluations. He reminded those members who have not yet returned their evaluations of their importance and of the need to fill out and return the evaluations by the end of the month.
4. Executive Director’s Report: Jeff Roy
Roy provided a written report of his July, 2008 activities in an e-mail sent to board members about one week before the hearing and reviewed highlights of the report, including recent work by the Environment Committee.
5. CPC/AA Staff Report: Diane Hilden
Hilden, SHA Crime Prevention Coordinator, provided a June update on her project activities and directed the members to her written report provided in an e-mail to Board members about one week before the meeting. She highlighted recent successes in recruiting new block club leaders and went over the planning for National Night Out Day Tuesday, August 5. She also updated the Board on the situation with the Wild Onion and the pending issues being addressed at an August 11 city administrative hearing. Flahaven discussed the City’s recent efforts to concentrate law enforcement efforts on problem bars.
6. Erin Dady – RNC Update:
Erin Dady, St. Paul’s Director of Convention Planning, provided a comprehensive report on the status of planning for the Republican National Convention being held from September 1-4. She went over facts about the convention, the opportunities afforded by hosting the convention, plans in place and being developed to address challenges faced by the size of the event, traffic and parking management, and stressed that St. Paul police officers will continue to patrol St. Paul neighborhoods with no reduction in patrol levels. It is anticipated that significant traffic and parking impact will be confined to a fairly limited area in downtown St. Paul. Ms. Dady then answered questions from board members about these topics.
7. Old Business:
White reported that the Downtown Community Council passed a resolution supporting the creation of an historic monument to be established at the east end of the Old Selby streetcar tunnel. By unanimous voice vote the board approved a resolution signifying SHA support for the establishment of this historical monument.
At the February, 2008 Board meeting, the Board approved SHA funding for the extension of the Linwood Water line to the Prairie. Roy reported that the City has agreed to pay ½ the cost and Angst reported that fundraising is underway on behalf of SHA to raise the remainder of the funds. Any excess funds raised for the water line will be used to defray related maintenance expenses and for Prairie upkeep.
8. GABA Report: Jaimee Lucke
Lucke reported on events planned as part of the July 19 Paws on Grand event. On July 30, GABA is also hosting a hospitality industry “meet and greet” with hotel concierge staff and others in preparation for the Republican National Convention. One purpose of the “meet and greet” is to ensure the staff understands what Grand Avenue has to offer to guests visiting for the convention. GABA has also formed two new committees. The Advocacy Committee is attempting to address issues related to taxes, parking and hospitality. The Membership Committee is addressing certain membership needs including an examination of how the collective purchasing power of business could be used to obtain discounts on pricing and improvements in service for such areas as insurance, window cleaning, trash hauling, etc.
Ms. Lucke provided an update concerning the status of planning for Grand Old Day on June 1. Paws on Grand is scheduled for July 19 with more details to be provided at a future meeting.
9. New Business:
An amendment was proposed to the SHA Bylaws. The proposal pertains to Section 4.4, Membership, which would be amended to require that a least three-fourths of the board members be District 16 residents. There was considerable discussion regarding the proposed amendment. Some who spoke in favor of the amendment believe the amendment is a prudent precaution and safeguard to make sure that Summit Hill residents continue to comprise a substantial portion of the board while also acknowledging the stake non-resident business owners have in the neighborhood by allowing non-residents who otherwise qualify for board membership to comprise up to one-fourth of the board. Some who spoke in opposition to the amendment believe there is no need for a change in the bylaws and expressed concern that the amendment could be perceived as unfriendly to non-resident business owners.
After exhaustive discussion, the Board by unanimous voice vote agreed to end the discussion and proceeded to a vote. The vote was 11-6 in favor of the amendment. Voting for the amendment was Sutherland, Haas, Barrera, Breymeier, Flahaven, McGann, Pearce, Pramas, Ramberg, Winsor, and Zambreno. Voting against the amendment were Angst, Lein, Lucke, Seningen, Sorenson, and White.
Roy reminded board members that Committee Work Plans, including goals and objectives, need to be developed and submitted to office by Sept. 15th in time for presentation at the Sept. EC meeting.
10. Treasurer’s Report: Nancy Breymeier
Breymeier reviewed the profit and loss statement.
11. Committee Reports:
Communications Committee: Elizabeth Sorensen
Sorensen reported on progress concerning the neighborhood welcome booklet and shared a revised final draft of the booklet with the members. Some members provided written feedback to the committee and Sorensen encouraged any other members to provide written feedback as soon as possible to allow the committee to consider the suggestions. A fall date for printing and distribution is targeted.
Development Committee: Tammy Haas
Haas provided an update on the house tour event planning. Tickets are on sale and some have been sold. Additional volunteers are needed for the event and board members are strongly encouraged to volunteer given the crucial importance of the House Tour to SHA.
DCC on Central Corridor: Melissa Sutherland will be invited to the August board meeting to provide an update.
D16 Committee: Tim Pramas
Pramas reports an initial meeting to determine specific objectives is set for July 14.
Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Calming Committee: Dann Dobson
No update.
Zoning and Land Use Committee: Maureen Flahaven
Next meeting is July 22 at 7 p.m. where valet parking proposals from two businesses will be considered.
12. Announcements/Adjourn:
The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
Submitted by Tim Pramas – July 2008