BOARD MEETING MINUTES – Monday, July 18th, 2016 – 7:00 p.m., Fuller Park
Board members present: Dan Williams, Eric David, Lauren Anderson, Joy Gottschalk, Dick Fiala, Mary Jane Mitchell, Dick Wager, Kathy Kornblum, Briana Daymont, Joy Glasser
Board members absent: Andrew Buss, Steve Bieringer, Sandra Bartsias, Ryan Fisher
Also present: Abby Rowan (TNA coordinator), Jennifer Waisanen (Minneapolis Police Crime prevention specialist)
Called to order: 7:05pm
Crime Prevention
Jennifer Waisanen reported on an uptick in burglaries has been reported in Tangletown over the past few months. Since January 1st there have been 17 burglaries, 6 dwellings forced, 6 dwellings unforced, 3 garages forced, and 2 garages unforced. There were only 17 burglaries in all of 2015. The police believe there is only one person responsible for the recent set of incidents. They have increased police patrols by car and request that residents report any incidents (even if those incidents don’t result in a loss) to police via 911 (if the incident is in progress or soon after) or 311 (if found later). The police use crime reports to determine patterns of crime and direct patrols so it’s important to file reports. While some residents were home at the time of recent burglaries, there have been no incidents with armed robbery at this time.
Some tips for prevention include getting newspapers and mail stopped, ensuring sidewalks are shoveled during the winter, leaving outside lights on at night, making sure all doors and windows are locked, and calling the 5th Precinct desk to put your home on their vacation list. For more information on crime prevention and other questions, contact Jennifer Waisanen at (612) 673-5704.
Landscaping
Neighborhood residents Dirk Nicholson and Christopher Massey spoke about landscape management for a 50ft MnDOT easement near their homes, along Interstate 35W at the corner of East 51st Street and Stevens Ave. Residents have started a conversaton with MnDOT and city planners and will start working with the City Landscape Partnership, but the City requires a neighborhood entity to partner with. Residents already have maintenance labor lined up and funding comes from MnDOT, so no funding from TNA is required. But they may need a board representative to attend a meeting with the City and MnDOT.
Lauren moved to partner with and support residents along the easement in their landscaping efforts. Seconded, voice vote. All in favor, none opposed. Motion approved.
National Night Out Compost Supplies
Thirty block leaders responded for a total of 1200 participants. Lauren proposed to cover whatever block leaders need instead of setting a hard limit. TNA will provide Biodegradable Products Institute certified plates, cups, napkins, utensils, and two large compostable bags. We need volunteers to staff pick-ups and do some quick education and hand out literature.
Mary-Jane suggested printing signs about composting for block leaders to tape on compost bins, and having block leaders take pictures of their block parties that TNA could post. Dick Wager suggested printing and handing out TNA mailing list signup sheets that block leaders could have available.
Lauren made a motion to spend $1,000 NNO compostable supplies. Seconded, voice vote. All in favor, none opposed. Motion approved.
Projector and Sound
TNA has previously discssued purchasing a projector for TNA meetings and activities at Fuller Park. Briana will investigate suggestions from Best Buy; Dan and Briana will get some quotes for the next meeting.
Communications Committee
The committee would like to add an events calendar on website and purchase some new templates for Constant Contact. They would also like to give each block leader 10 Tangletown postcards with TNA meeting times and other information to hand out during National Night Out. Mary-Jane will write up the copy.
Community Solar Gardens
Joy will contact each previously identified solar developer and ask if they will allow sharing the three main variables of their contract with residents. If they will, we can distribute a simplified comparison and list of options to neighbors. Joy proposed sending the comparison to the board which would review/approve and then re-send to the neighborhood via the TNA mailing list.
Fall Forum
Tangletown has historically been quiet between 4th of July and end of year, without many planned events. This would be a nice time to gather residents and focus on a topic sometime in October or early November. Last year’s fall event was focused on communoity solar. Possible topics for this year could include include “energy” (solar follow-up and energy audit/getting ready for winter) and simplifying and organizing your home including bulk donation collection.
Officer Reports:
Secretary – A motion to approve the June 2016 minutes was made, seconded and approved.
Treasurer – no report this month
Adjourned: 8:30pm
Minutes submitted by Dan Williams, TNA Secretary