January 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

January 21, 2025 TNA meeting:

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

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

Called to order at 7:02

  1. Councilmember Koski updates:
    1. City budget finalized at the end of 2024
      1. Many things were shifted around and reduced from Mayor’s proposed budget
        1. Only 1.3% of total budget was moved around when Mayor vetoed the council budget
      2. Homeowners’ tax assessment should go down, but a school referendum passed that will increase other property tax costs
      3. Budget now allows civilian investigators
        1. Currently a backlog of 5,000 investigations, so this will help keep police on the street while civilians work through some of backlog
      4. Small business pilor program received some funding to allow these businesses to comply with labor standards
        1. Will provide education and bookkeeping assistance
        2. Some cultural-specific bookkeepers have been identified to offer assistance
      5. New process last year in which council identified potential projects in spring and voted on them
        1. These were not “pet projects” passed at the last minute, but had been vetted by full council earlier in the year
    2. MPD Consent decree with federal government was the first thing passed in 2025
      1. Now in hands of judge for final approval 
      2. Minnesota Department of Human Rights consent decree already implemented and is mostly duplicative
      3. Will provide a lot of additional training for officers
  2. Fuller Park update
    1. Building hours now close at 8pm rather than 9pm
    2. TNA will meet from 630-8pm in February and vote at February as to how to adjust hours going forward
  3. Secretary update:
    1. Heather moved to approve October minutes; Rob seconded; passed unanimously
  4. Treasurer update:
    1. Invoices are tricky in Qwickbooks for nonprofits, so some items appear as pledges at present
    2. We received payment for staff time for the Stroller Drive
    3. Reimbursement check for covering the Environmental Justice Bus Tour was received
    4. These payments will be put in the correct spots
    5. Ended the year $395 in positive revenue above costs (while still drawing down NRP funds)
    6. Waiting for 2024 city NRP reimbursement (majority is for staff time)
  5. 2025 Budget
    1. Heather moved to pass the proposed 2025 budget; Claire seconded; passed unanimously
  6. Winter Fest
    1. Need 3 fire pits besides those at Fuller Park
    2. Andrea to discuss with Seng whether Fuller Park will provide any hot chocolate (and logistics if so)
    3. Most other things are flowing over from last year
  7. Neighborhood Day
    1. Mayflower Church parking lot may be under construction, so location to be determined
    2. Potential speakers for May board meeting discussed
      1. Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
      2. Public Works about Nicollet Avenue Bridge
      3. Public Works in general
      4. Likely to not have Councilmember Koski because then must invite all mayoral candidates
  8. Committee Updates
    1. Environmental
      1. Trying to expand a rebate to cover eco-friendly appliances
      2. Hope to bring back Adopt A Drain
      3. Compost pickup will occur at Neighborhood Day
    2. Equity
      1. Still working on finalizing bystander training
        1. Have a contact, but struggling with scheduling
        2. Would like full board to attend
      2. Food drive on April 27 through Joyce Uptown Food Shelf
        1. Will get list of needs before drive
        2. Volunteer drivers will pickup and deliver to Joyce
      3. Upcoming fifth anniversary of murder of George Floyd
        1. Want to provide details of events for people who wish to participate
        2. Working to have an event in June for people to attend
      4. Want to remind full board of the Equity questions
    3. Neighborhood Development and Engagement
      1. Winter Fest planning is progressing
      2. Rob will attend next committee meeting to help coordinate next steps with small business engagement
      3. Hoping to partner with Tangletown Bikes for a bike safety clinic, but need to figure out details
  9. Southwest Neighborhood Collaborative
    1. Now defunct, five neighborhoods opposed another organization
  10. Executive Director update
    1. Southwest neighborhood association staff met and are trying to encourage a “Give to the Max” type idea on a different date
      1. Will reach out to the city for resources 
    2. Waiting to be assigned a city accountant to complete 2024 taxes
    3. NCR report due on March 1 to the city, will be drafted for vote at February meeting

Meeting adjourned at 8:02pm