October 2024 Board Meeting Minutes

TNA Board Meeting – October 21, 2024

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

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

Called to order at 7:04

I. Report from Councilmember Koski:

1) 18 units of affordable housing managed by Agate, on Lyndale Ave., were damaged by fire

  1. Monetary donations are being accepted via a website that will be linked in CM Koski’s 10/22/2024 newsletter.
  2. Household item donations being accepted at Washburn Library.

2) The city council has approved a fee that businesses that emit CO2 will start to pay.

3) The South Minneapolis Senior Fair, an annual event sponsored by council members including CM Koski, will be held on 10//23/2024 at Diamond Lake Lutheran Church from 9 AM – 2 PM. It will include free breakfast and lunch, vendors, break-out panels geared toward city issues and wellness.

4) Nicollet Ave. bridge – no update on the application for federal funding.

5) Washburn water tower – funding for concrete repairs is in the 2025 city budget.

6) Affordable housing discussion 

  1. CM Koski stated that approaches and types of housing/support have evolved over the years, but there remains a scarcity of deeply-affordable housing.
  2. $1.5 million for Agate, if they can also get outside $1.5 million for renovations, was approved.
  3. Successes regarding moving veterans into stable housing have used individualized approaches, which are being studied.
  4. The city has a trust fund for affordable housing.
  5. There is a new metro sales tax that will fund affordable housing. The city’s share of that tax will be approximately $6-8 million, with Hennepin County receiving funds as well.
  6. The former Aqua City Motel property has been sold and will be redeveloped into housing. Construction is anticipated in 2026.

7) Research results regarding police hiring and retention have been received and are being reviewed to assist in developing policies for MPD.

II. Report from Seng at Fuller Park, delivered by Andrea Siegel

1)There will be a Halloween party at Fuller on 10/31/2024 from 5:30-8 PM with activities for children

2) Winter park activities registration opens on 10/23/2024.

3) February 22, 2025 works for Winterfest.

III. Minutes from the TNA Board meeting on 9/16/2024 were approved.

IV. Treasurer’s Report from Pat Prochaska

1)  One solar panel rebate application for $500 was submitted by a resident and funded.

2)  A Hennepin County grant payment of $5200 was received.

IV. City funding renewal application

1) The city has streamlined the application process. 

2)  Andrea reviewed the draft of 2025 TNA goals. Edits were suggested and incorporated.

3)  The renewal language was approved by vote. 

V. TNA’s budget was reviewed 

1) The budget was approved by vote.

VI. TNA board meeting and/or social gathering in December

1) Andrea will send out a doodle poll with options

VII. Committee Reports

1) Environmental Committee report from Keri

  1. The stroller drive was a success. Twenty strollers were collected.

2) Equity Committee report from Bill

  1. Two board members were part of the North Minneapolis Environmental Justice bus tour. Bill described the tour and discussed its effectiveness.
  2. Bill joined the virtual Windom meeting, where the Agate housing fire was discussed.

3) Neighborhood Development & Engagement report from Will

  1. Small business engagement is a 2025 goal, with TNA to possibly host an event.
  2. Winterfest will be 2/22/2025 from 5-7:30 PM at Fuller. Volunteers will be needed to run the event.
  3. Curious Tangletown will be a new feature of the TNA newsletters, with neighbor questions encouraged.
  4. The NDEC committee is discussing hosting another community event. Possible topics, including safety, bicycle safety and maintenance, etc., are being discussed.

VIII. SW Neighborhood Collaborative

1) Andrea will attend the next meeting. Progress has been slow.

IX. ED Update from Andrea

1) Regarding the 2025 budget – the Executive Committee needs to meet to discuss staffing needs

2) TNA may have less costly insurance options; Andrea is investigating

3) IDI results are now in the shared google drive.

Meeting adjourned at 8:43 PM.