Archives for April 2006

Kingfield Neighborhood Association
Board of Directors Meeting
April 12, 2006

Minutes

Board Members Present:
Thor Anderson, Dave Saddoris, Pete Hallstrom, Ben Kristensen, Erik Lindseth, Ryan Raleigh, JobyLyn White-Weidow, Diana Schleisman, Niki Valens, Darrell Gerber

KFNA Staff Present: Sarah Linnes-Robinson

Board Members Absent:
Mark Hinds, Martha Ingram

Meeting Called to Order:
Lindseth called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Lindseth welcomed Sarah Kirchner, a freelance journalist who will cover board meetings for the SWJ newspaper.

Community Forum:
Mike Flowers, from the Carag Community, shared information on a crime patrol program that is being organized in his neighborhood. Kingfield board members shared information about our neighborhood’s current efforts in this area.

Secretary’s Report:
March Minutes were adopted with the following changes: correct spelling of Darrell Gerber and JobyLyn White-Weidow.

Treasurer’s Report:
Certain items of the budget report appear to be inaccurate and need to be reconciled. The report will be visited again at the next meeting.

Redevelopment Committee Report:
Hallsrom shared that KFNA has received information from the Great Minneapolis Real Estate Company regarding their remodeling contest. Discussion was tabled.

Zoning Committee Report:
None

NRP Committee Report:
None

Green Committee Report:
None

King Bridge Partnership:
It was reported that he “draw bridge” contest has appeared in the SWJ.

Farmers’ Market:
Regarding the notes from the task force meeting of April 5, it was clarified that Maura Bosch, our new market coordinator, was hired by Sarah and approved by the board.

Crime & Safety Committee Report:
It was noted that, as this is a new and timely response to what has been taking place in the neighborhood, we should make sure to highlight the ongoing efforts of this committee at the annual meeting.

Art is the Key:
Many individuals spoke to the unqualified success of this event. There is strong support for repeating the event next year with an eye towards “community focus”.

Lyndale Streetscape Committee:
Sarah summarized the results of a recent survey (see committee notes) that was developed and circulated to the effected neighbors by the committee. The survey results indicate that the neighborhood should pursue pedestrian level lighting.

Sarah explained that while the inclusion of a “tree and turf median” is also indicated by the survey, the funding mechanism for that portion of the project is still in question.

Transportation Action Plan:
Gerber reported that there would be a series of workshops (see news release) hosted by the City of Minneapolis. The purpose of the workshops will be to give the public an opportunity to share their ideas on how the City can improve its transportation system, and give an overview of the City’s 10-year Transportation Action Plan.

Farmers’ Market Update:
Sarah described how the recent hiring of a “market coordinator” had played out. There had been technical issues which hampered efforts to post the position on the website. Nonetheless 10 individuals had requested information, 4 had sent résumés and 1 individual was interested in the job of being coordinator every Sunday. Maura Bosch was hired.

Cathy Raleigh was selected as the new “market administrator”. Sarah indicated that she was selected because of her experience and background.

The board reviewed a draft contract for the lease of the parking lot at 4310 Nicollet Ave. –the intended site of the 2006 Farmer’s Market. There was ranging discussion regarding the degree to which the various involved parties will be indemnified against claims by the contract. Lindseth, who drafted the contract language, assured board members that the language of the contract protects KFNA’s interests, while satisfying the requirements of the property owner. Saddoris moved to approve the contract. The motion was seconded and carried.

Hallstrom and others expressed concern over the issue of pedestrian safety during market hours. The board agreed to continue seeking solutions to this potential problem.

Kestrel Contract:
Saddoris reported that Kestrel had rejected the contract that KFNA had drafted. Subsequently Kestrel provided a contract to KFNA and it was not acceptable to the latter. Saddoris believes that an acceptable contract will be achieved but the project will be moved into the future, perhaps as far as next spring.

Sarah reminded the board that it is not a problem to extend the project by up to 6 months. The downside could be that if construction costs go up we will get less for our dollar.
It was moved and carried that the parties continue to hash out the terms of the contract and bring it back before the board.

Graffiti Task Force Resolution:
Scott Moore, from the Lyndale Neighborhood, is seeking KFNA support for a resolution he wants the Minneapolis City Council to consider. The resolution invokes the new 617.90 statute, which instructs the City Attorney to retain private counsel to prosecute graffiti crimes against City property. Board members questioned Moore regarding the reliability of methods for identifying and prosecuting graffiti suspects. After a ranging discussion the board moved and carried a motion to support the resolution.

Moore invited participation in the Lyndale Graffiti Task Force, which meets every Saturday at 4 o’clock at Lula’s Café on Nicollet Ave.

KFNA Budget 2006:
Sarah highlighted aspects of the 2006 KFNA budget. She pointed out that income is down because there are fewer projects. Expenses are up, in part, because there are extra hours worked by staff. Among various budget adjustments, relative to last year’s budget, it is noteworthy that KFNA’s monetary investment in the “festival” will be scaled back in favor of a partnership with MLK Park.

Adoption of the 2006 budget was moved by Gerber and seconded by Raleigh. The motion carried.

Gerber suggested that in the future is would be helpful to represent the percentage of our annual budget that goes towards fundraising. Board members agreed.

Variance Request at 3616 1st Ave.:
Saddoris reported that owners want to change their duplex back to a “single” residence. They would like board approval to raise the roof. It was moved and carried that the board support the variance request.

Executive Director Review:
Anderson reported that the Executive Committee is seeking input and approval on its annual review of our Executive Director. Board members approved the content of the letter (see letter), with the addition of several points, as follows. 1) The salary increase will be retroactive to the last approved contract. 2) We would like Sarah to help seek participation from more diverse groups – this would apply to all KFNA functions.
3) The board invites Sarah to comment on our assessment and share her sense of where the neighborhood (and thus KFNA) is going or should go in the next several years. How does she feel her position can best be leveraged to get positive things done for the neighborhood?

Board minutes respectfully prepared by Thor Anderson

KFNA Board Secretary – Thor Anderson
KFNA Board President – Erik Lindseth

Kingfield Neighborhood Association

Annual Meeting

April 17, 2006

Minutes

 

Board Members Present:

Thor Anderson, JobyLynn, Mark Hinds, Darrell Gerber, Martha Ingram, Ben Kristensen, Erik Lindseth, Dave Saddoris, Pete Hallstrom, Diana Schleisman, Ryan Raleigh, and Niki Valens.

Board Members Absent:

None

Others Present:

60 neighborhood residents, various elected officials, neighborhood staff.

Meeting called to order:

Lindseth called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m., welcomed the community, and introduced board members who provided a summary of KFNA committees and activities.

Lindseth presented a KFNA By-Law change as detailed below.  It was voted on by the community with a show of hands.  All members voted to approve the change. 

Kingfield Neighborhood Association Proposed Bylaw Changes 4/17/06

(Underlined phrases are proposed to be added to the Bylaws.)

Article 4 (Board of Directors), subsection D (Vacancies) is proposed to be amended as follows:

                1.             Vacancies Among Directors.  Vacancies occurring on the Board other than those cause by the expiration of a term of office shall be filled by the appointment of a Director by the remaining Directors, from among the alternates elected at the last annual meeting in order of the highest number of votes received.  If no alternates remain to be appointed, the Board of Directors by a two-thirds (2/3) vote may appoint a Member of the Association to serve as a Director.  A Director appointed to fill a vacancy shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term of his or her predecessor and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified.  A vacancy may be created by the resignation in writing of a Director upon delivery to the President, the automatic removal of a Director through excessive absence as defined in section G of this Article, or by removal of a Director as provided for in section G of this Article.  A vacancy shall be declared by the President at the first meeting after it occurs and may be filled immediately.

                2.             Vacancies Among Alternates.  If at any time fewer than three (3) alternates remain from among those elected at the annual meeting as provide in Article 4, section C, the Board of Directors by a two-thirds (2/3) vote may appoint a Member of the Association to serve as an alternate for the balance of the one (1) year term.

Kingfield NRP Phase II Plan Presentation and Community Vote

Knowles and Valens, NRP Steering Committee Members, presented a summary of the NRP Phase I Wrap-up and the NRP Phase II Planning process.  The briefly summarized the structure of the plan and KFNA Executive Director, Linnes-Robinson, explained restrictions upon the neighborhood in the allocation of the Phase II dollars and answered questions concerning the Phase II spreadsheet summary. 

The only question coming from the community was why some strategies had $0 allocated to them.  It was explained that these items were raised by the community as priorities but were not eligible for funding with in the NRP funds.  They were noted so that they are remembered and still focused on in the future. 

A vote was taken of the community with a show of hands.  All members in attendance voted in favor of the plan, none voted against it, or abstained from voting.  

Board Elections:

Twelve candidates vied for seven open board positions.  Those elected for two year terms which will expire in April 2008 include: Darrell Gerber; Dave Saddoris, Niki Valens, Arthur Knowles, Ben Kristensen, JobyLynn, and Shawna Gibson.  Kathy McGillvray, Ryan Raleigh, Tom Parent, Ann Becher-Ingwalson, and Ed Racky will serve as alternates. 

Public Officials:

Hennepin county Commissioner Gail Dorfman, State Rep. Frank Hornstein, and City Councilmembers Elizabeth Glidden and Scott Benson addressed the meeting. 

Meeting Adjourned:

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Sarah Linnes-Robinson.

KFNA Board Secretary – Thor Anderson
KFNA Board President – Erik Lindseth