August 2014

BOARD MEETING MINUTES – Monday, August 18, 2014 7:00 p.m., Fuller Park

Board members present: Ryan Fisher, Lauren Anderson, Mary Jane Mitchell, Laura Silver, Sandra Bartsias, Andrea Siegel, Eric David, Karen Costello, Steve Bieringer

Board members absent: Jane Elias, Matt Chapman, Tony Proell, Jon Mcaab, Charlie Siftar, Dylan Sirney

Also present: Kris Stevens (Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board – Fuller Park Interim Manager)

Called to order: 7:07pm

Vice President & Secretary Elections
Andrea Siegel was elected as TNA Vice President and Lauren Anderson was elected as TNA Secretary.

Tangletown CPP Annual Report for Board Approval
Ryan gave a brief overview of the draft 2014 Annual Report, which was circulated to board members via email and needs final approval. A motion to approve the report was made, seconded, and passed by the full board. TNA will submit this finalized report to the City’s Neighborhood & Community Relations Department.

Fuller Park playground and pool shade structures update:
Kris updated the board on the pool shade structures, which have been installed at the Fuller Park Pool on the west side of the pool, outside the pool deck to accommodate future pool renovation. The structures provide some welcome shade during the afternoon.

Kris also reported that the installation of new playground equipment, which has been pushed back to October. The Park & Recreation Board may have construction completed in late October or finish the installation in spring 2015. Community members were able to provide input on the final design through a series of three community meetings and online surveys this spring.

4th of July event:
Sandra report that TNA made a profit of $282.53 on the 4th of July event. For comparison, TNA made a profit of $621.97 in 2013 and spent $792.16 in 2012 when TNA provided food to attendees. Promotional postcards printed to promote this year’s event but were not used. Since they do not have a specific year, the Board plans to use them for the 2015 event, which should significantly cut down on promotional costs. The postcards and pop-up tents will spend the winter in Ryan’s garage until next year’s event.

Business façade:
Tjody was not able to attend tonight’s meeting but sent an email update to the Board. CK’s convenience store at 48th & Nicollet would be happy to adopt two previously completed murals funded through TNA’s grant program. Tjody has communicated with the staff at CK’s about installing the murals, but approval from the building owner is still pending. The board discussed renewing the business façade grant program at a level of $5,000 based on past demand for the funds but opted to table the conversation for this month.

Saguaro Public Hearing:
The public hearing on the new Saguaro restaurant took place on Tuesday, July 29th at 6:00pm at Fuller Park. Board members weren’t able to attend but Saguaro is opening as planned in the previous Caribou Coffee location near 53rd and Lyndale.

Center for Energy & Environment Grant Programs:
TNA has historically worked with the Center for Energy & Environment (CEE) on neighborhood home improvement loans and grants. Ryan attended a recent meeting with CEE and the City of Minneapolis and learned that CEE will start charging a $5,000 administrative fee per contract as part of their agreement to host neighborhood home improvement loan and grant programs. To cancel this contract and avoid paying the new administrative fees, TNA is required to send a letter by the end of August. The City’s Neighborhood & Community Relations Department doesn’t yet have an alternative organization for neighborhoods to work with on these programs, but TNA could work with CEE or another organization under a new contract at some point in the future. Loan repayment funds will continue go to a secondary loan organization; TNA will have no issues accessing these funds should a contract with CEE end. Ryan proposed that TNA send a letter to CEE to terminate the contract. This motion was seconded and passed by the full board.

Officer reports:
Secretary’s report – June minutes were approved by the board
Treasurer’s report – Sandra reported that we had a net income of $177.88 during the June 2013 – May 2014 fiscal year. $15,748.46 in TNA account and $22,095.78 in our NCR account. Most expenses come from the NCR account while food and other ineligible purchases are funded through the TNA account.

Committee reports:
Arts – nothing to report outside of mural project update
Halloween Walking Tour – Tjody proposed leading a walking tour without sign-ups. More board members are needed to help plan the tour. The Board also discussed the Fuller Park Halloween event and ways to either partner with the park’s celebration on October 31st.
Sustainability – Lauren gave an update on the organics drop-off at Pearl Park, which has been really successful. The drop-off is now available to residents 24/7 and the South Transfer Station has started to accept residential organics, too. The Sustainability Committee will meet soon to plan a fall educational event.

Special Services District update
The Special Services District at 54th & Lyndale is moving forward. Businesses will pay into a fund to cover costs of garbage pick-up, plantings, graffiti clean-up, and maintenance of garbage and recycling bins, and benches. Multi-family housing structures are typically exempt but Mount Olivet’s care center opted in to help cover the costs. Businesses and neighborhood representatives walked the street to start identifying locations for each structure. Ryan proposed spreading benches and bins evenly throughout the district, including in front of the apartments on the east side of Lyndale.

Fuller Park update:
Kris reported that the Music in the Park was a huge hit – approximately 250 people were in attendance to enjoy root beer floats and live music. Kris also gave an update on the hiring process for the Fuller Park Manager position – the Park & Recreation Board will start interviewing candidates soon and anticipates that the position will be filled by early September.

Fall newsletter:
The Board discussed the upcoming fall newsletter, which should hit mailboxes 1-2 weeks prior to Halloween. Tjody provided design and coordination services in the past and TNA would like to contract with her again for this newsletter. Articles will need to be drafted prior to the September meeting – board member assignments include each of the following: articles on home energy audits and 4th of July business donation thanks from the 4th of July (Andrea); lawn sign iniative to remind neighbors to keep leaves out of the street and storm drains (Mary Jane); organics recycling update (Lauren); update on the Fuller Park shade structures and playground installation (Ryan). Laura volunteered to write a new business feature article and to serve on the Communications Committee (thanks, Laura!). Steve will follow up with Tjody to finalize the printing timeline.

Adjourned: 8:31pm

Minutes submitted by Lauren Anderson, TNA Secretary