April 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

April 21, 2025 TNA meeting:

Attendees, board members: Jim Blackwood, Claire Blanchette, Rob Bedeaux, Keri Diem, Heather Grovum, Bill O’Brien, Pat Prochaska, Tiffany Reis, and Will Young

Attendees, non-board members: Ethan Fawley, Emily Koski, and Andrea Siegel 

Called to order at 7:02p

  1. Councilmember Koski update
    1. Nicollet Avenue Bridge is still waiting on state funding
      1. Federal funding has not yet hit city’s accounts but has been earmarked
      2. May not know about federal funding until end of summer
    2. Ward 11 priorities survey being circulated on social media to prepare for budgeting
    3. Townhall with AG Keith Ellison scheduled for April 24 at Nokomis Community Center about his office’s work combatting the federal government
    4. Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
      1. Received one spot in Ward 11 for Second Avenue along 35W
      2. Next application will open soon
      3. Working with state senators to get more funding for city-level projects
      4. State aid roads are now eligible for the program
    5. Policy and research team now looking at several issues
      1. How other cities offset costs for property tax assessments
      2. Who owns the infrastructure and sewer and water lines compared to other cities
    6. New public safety workgroup accepting applications through May 4 
    7. Boulevard ordinance recently passed to encourage plantings in boulevards
  2. Fuller Park update
    1. Do not know which movie will be at July event yet
    2. Considering a new inflatables vendor
  3. Secretary update:
    1. Pat moved to approve February minutes; Claire seconded; passed unanimously
  4. Treasurer update:
    1. Public notice of motion to move the $92K in uncontracting funds tied to Housing into program implementation will be given to get it on the agenda for May meeting
  5. May 17 Neighborhood Day Event
    1. Scouts have a camping trip, so may not have all volunteers for compost shoveling
    2. Having trouble getting Master Gardner because of other events
    3. Volunteer signup is now live
  6. Traffic Camera Safety Pilot presented by Ethan Fawley
    1. Implemented because of increase in traffic deaths tied to speeding and red light running
    2. At locations, will focus on drives 10mph over speed limit or running red light
      1. All photos will be evaluated by a human before being sent
        1. Cannot be used for other purposes
      2. First violation is a warning, second one is a $40 citation to the owner
        1. Any funds generated must be used on program or other traffic calming measures
      3. Owner not liable if not driving
      4. Will be run by Public Safety; MPD prohibited from being involved
    3. Designed to protect for fairness, equity, and privacy
    4. Currently seeking feedback for locations
      1. Up to 42 locations allowed by statute
      2. Planning to start with 5 and roll out more
      3. Selected using crash analysis, speeding/red light data, equity, and proximity to schools
  7. Annual Meeting
    1. Discussion about food for the event
      1. Budget for up to $900 on food and drinks in each fiscal year
      2. Will moved to spend up to $400 on food and drinks; Keri seconded; passed unanimously
      3. Andrea will start with soliciting pizza prices but ask other restaurants for food costs
    2. Adopt-A-Drain contest
      1. One entry so far
      2. Has been promoted on e-news and social media
      3. Closes April 30
    3. Board Elections
      1. Pat, Mark, and Will’s terms are up
      2. Pat and Mark said they will run again
      3. 5 open seats in addition to these 3
    4. Board recruitment
      1. Printed postcard will be mailed approximately 10 days before meeting
  8. Ward 11 Candidate Forum
    1. Last time we spent about $250 as a sponsor
      1. Interpreter costs may go up
      2. Covers livestreaming, recording, interpreters, and promotion
      3. Costs split between all sponsors
    2. Proposed dates in September
    3. Creekside has been asked to host
    4. Pat moved to sponsor; Heather seconded; passed unanimously
    5. Heather will attend planning meetings on TNA’s behalf
  9. Committee Updates
    1. Environmental
      1. Put together 2 new grant proposes with Kingfield and Lyndale
        1. Composting and waste reduction and food waste through Hennepin County
        2. Hosting another electronics recycling event through Minneapolis 
      2. Working on a panel with Electrify Everything
    2. Equity
      1. Have organized a pilgrimage to George Floyd Square on June 21 at 9am
        1. Group will meet with people from Rise and Remember
        2. Andrea will setup tickets
      2. Bystander training will hopefully occur this fall
        1. Cost is approximately $2,000 with discount for being a nonprofit
      3. Considering hosting discussion on how policing has changed in last 5 years this fall
      4. Food drive on Sunday
        1. 49 signups, 15 volunteer drivers
        2. Needs are peanut butter, cooking oils, whole grain cereal, empty egg cartons
    3. Neighborhood Development and Engagement
      1. 17 garage sale signups so far
      2. Summer Party will be July 26
        1. Hope to continue most of what happened at party last year
        2. Tangletown Bikes will have a kiosk setup to provide clinic about bike maintenance
  10. Executive Director update
    1. Will be soliciting donations soon with other neighborhoods
    2. List for new welcome bags including rentals
      1. Keri and Heather volunteered to deliver

Meeting adjourned at 854pm