BOARD MEETING MINUTES – Monday, March 17, 2014 7:00 p.m., Fuller Park
Board members present: Ryan Fisher, Steve Bieringer, Lauren Anderson, Karen Costello, Birdie Cunningham, Charlie Siftar, Dylan Sirny, Andrea Siegel, Eric David
Board members absent: Sandra Bartsias, Carolyn Dungan, Jeff Gears, Jane Elias, Mary Jane Mitchell, Tony Proell
Also present: Carole Anderson (Minneapolis Park & Rec Board – Fuller Park Manager), Mary Steinbach (Minneapolis Park & Rec Board – Service Area Manager)
Called to order: 7:05pm
Carole introduced Mary Steinbach, our neighborhood’s new Service Area Manager. Mary gave a quick overview of her role at the Park Board.
Organics update:
Lauren gave an update on the new organics recycling program – the City hasn’t confirmed whether there will be a second drop-off location in southwest Minneapolis but is going forward with its plans to start drop-off services at Pearl Park just after Earth Day. Residents will be able to sign up for the new program at the Green Day event and Annual Meeting. A $500 request to provide free compostable bags to residents who attend an event and sign up for the new program was approved by the board.
Green Day – Sustainability Committee:
Green Day is Saturday, April 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Fuller Park. The event will include three to four workshops, treats, great door prizes, and many info tables and interactive demos from local environmental organizations and governmental entities. The Committee would like to request $500 to fund door prizes, refreshments, printed flyers, and a Southwest Journal insert to promote the event. The board voted to approve this request. Dylan requested flyers to distribute to 54th & Nicollet businesses and Carole is happy to lend us the rec center’s microphone system and podium.
Fuller Park playground and pool shade structures update:
Carole gave a brief overview of the design process for Fuller’s playground structures. Park Board staff members have surveyed Rec Plus students about their preferences for the new playground in addition to feedback gathered through online surveys and the first community meeting held on Tuesday, February 18th. Upcoming project meetings will be held on Tuesday, March 18th and Tuesday, April 8th, both at 6pm at Fuller Recreation Center.
Ryan gave an overview of the proposed reallocation of NRP Phase II funds, which includes putting $5,000 originally allocated for a Housing Coordinator and $10,000 allocated for a Crime & Safety Coordinator toward the pool shade structures. TNA has not utilized these staffing funds in the past and does not see a need in the future. The process to approve the reallocation involves posting the proposed shift on TNA’s website for 20 days with projected approval at the April 2014 board meeting. Steve gave a brief history of the project for the board and clarified that the current proposal is to place the structures outside the pool deck area, which should mean that they require minimal tree trimming and are not impacted by the pool’s redesign in the next few years. Ryan answered a question about the project timeline – once the funds are under contract, the timeline for spending is approximately 18 months.
Garage Sale
Steve updated the board on planning for this year’s garage sale. The sale dates are Friday, May 2nd and Saturday, May 3rd – the deadline to register is Saturday, April 19th. The Salvation Army will do a Monday pick-up for interested neighbors and Fuller Park Recreation Center is happy to have signs available for participants to pick up again this year.
Spring Newsletter
Articles are due tonight to Tjody – currently the list includes the Garage Sale, Annual Meeting, 4th of July, organics, Green Day, Bike Racks, Minnehaha Creek Bike Path, a local business feature, and an update on nonprofit organizations in the neighborhood. The final proof needs to go to the printer by the end of this week to ensure enough time for residents to sign up for the garage sale. The newsletter typically goes out each spring and fall and archived copies are available on TNA’s website. Ryan and Sandra are working to finalize a contract with Tjody for her work on the newsletter and other TNA communication materials.
Annual Meeting
Andrea has taken the lead on planning the event (thanks, Andrea!). The format should be very similar to last year’s event and since there is so much happening with organics, the Sustainability Committee would like to see some time devoted to the new drop-off program. The board brainstormed additional speakers and/or topics including an update on the Fuller Park playground redesign and pool shade structures. Andrea will plan to bring a budget for a postcard mailing, prizes, and refreshments to the April meeting. Board members are encouraged to think about recruitment strategies for volunteers and new board members. Lauren and Eric brought up ideas for a redesigned volunteer recruitment article in the spring newsletter that would include information on some of the specific new opportunities for neighbors.
Email Voting for TNA – tabled until next month
Mural project update and discussion
Ryan gave the board an overview on the history of the grant project, which was created to fund three mural projects. Each project was to involve a local artist working with a local business and students to design and implement a public mural on that business’s façade. TNA originally set aside $6,000 ($2,000/mural) to fund the projects. Questions have been raised around process, geographic requirements, fulfilling contract requirements, and landlords not supporting businesses who want murals. $3,000 of the original $6,000 has been spent. The board discussed next steps and would like to refer back to the original contract and potentially allocate part or all of the unused funds to another arts project.
Business façade
Funds have been awarded and Sandra is working on the reimbursements. The board is looking into approving more funds for an additional round of grants.
Secretary’s report
February minutes were approved with no edits
Treasurer’s report – no report
Other committees
Steve requested that we list names and initials after each committee and project on the board agenda. Andrea proposed an education/schools committee. Ryan and Eric have both contacted Eco Education to follow up on TNA’s $1,000 grant toward the Washburn Urban Farm. The check was cashed before Eco Education laid off its staff and ceased operations, and they will continue to try to follow up.
Bike racks & upcoming Bike Week
The new bike racks are ready to go and will be installed as soon as the snow melts. Charlie gave the board an update on the Minneapolis Bike Coalition’s May 5th – May 10th Bike Week. They’re trying to reach out to Washburn High School to plan a Wednesday, May 7th Bike to School event in addition to Washburn’s existing bike event for students with disabilities on that date. The Minneapolis Bike Coalition is also planning a block party at 48th & Grand Ave on Saturday, May 10th as part of the week’s events. Charlie will continue to coordinate with them and will write an article for the spring newsletter to promote the events.
Neighborhood Connections Conference
The Conference is coming up on Saturday, March 22nd. Registration is free and board members are encouraged to attend.
Fuller Park announcements
Carole gave an update on the rec center – registration for summer programs opens in April. Carole is also retiring next week! Congratulations, Carole on a wonderful career – you will be missed by our organization and neighborhood! There will be an interim manager until a new manager is hired in the next few months.
Adjourned: 8:28pm
Minutes submitted by Lauren Anderson, substituting for Carolyn Dungan, TNA Secretary