Meeting Minutes
April 6, 2005
MLK Park
7:00pm
Attendance: Steve Brandt, Peter Hallstrom, Mark Hinds, Steve Jevning, Danya Leebaw, and Kathleen Varner
KFNA Staff: Joanna S. Hallstrom, NRP Project Organizer KFNA
1) Introductions: none.
2) Minutes Approval: postponed to May meeting
3) Recap of the March Community Meetings:
Attendance was low but the effort was important. KBP members and a handful of neighborhood residents had the opportunity to articulate their personal values and goals for the bridge during the group discussion period. Hinds recorded all of the comments.
Other Business:
* A sub group of KBP met last week to work on the budget for this project. Hinds requested more time outside of the regular monthly KBP meeting to organize financial strategies, plan for grant opportunities and create a budget. The goal of the financial meetings is to make sure KBP is set up to move forward with fundraising, the RFQ process etc.
* To Note: With the approval of the cross-town reconstruction Public Works may move ahead quickly with the 35W reconstruction.
4) Communication Architecture for KBP:
Leebaw, who has eight years of marketing experience, facilitated a discussion to help develop KBP’s communication architecture. Leebaw passed out several handouts to guide the discussion.
Leebaw stated that the purpose of creating a communication architecture is to “guide the brand, media and design strategies.†It also helps to “capture the vision, values, character, and promise to each target, typically on one document†(from Leebaws hand out).
The committee brainstormed a list of target audiences from which to base their communication strategy and values (see list below). Leebaw agreed to take the list and distil it down to common groups. The committee will work on working their vision and values.
In the discussion that followed, Leebaw talked about targeting people “psychographically “ (a term used in marketing to identify groups of people by interests and values). Hinds commented that ethnic communities fall into many different groups and that it is important to be strategic in how KBP reaches out to each community. Jevning noted that this project will be difficult to sell to low-income residents and that thought must be given to how the project is communicated. When passing out flyers for the KBP community meeting, P. Hallstrom met concern from residents about how to balance assistance for people’s basic needs in the neighborhood with funding public art. Jevning also noted that the Riverlake Greenway should be distinguished from the Midtown Greenway. Leebaw wrapped up the discussion by saying that it is most important what people see and that KBP needs to know who will be seeing their advertising and treat each group appropriately.
Regarding values “bridging communities†and the mission to reconnect neighborhoods is primary. Hinds commented that the “building communities†idea will draw more support then simply a push for new infrastructure and public art. Leebaw responded that the artistic piece is important in creating leads to funders interested in building projects. Jevning noted that we need to end up with a constituency that reflects the community that is targeted.
Target Audience List
* City residents (kids, family, elderly) / “bridge usersâ€
* Immediate neighbors (live close to the bridge)
* People who use the RiverLake Greenway
* Business owners
* Political Arena (elected officials)
* Beaurocrats (public works)
* Institutions / Organizations
* Funders
* Historical Connections (before / after)
* Property owners
* Artists (appreciate / aesthetics)
* Press / Media
* Designers
Values List:
* Community – inclusiveness/ diversity
* Aesthetics
* Environment
* Safety
* Function
* Precedent setting / Process and outcome
* Visionary
* Historic
* “Walkability†/ Pedestrian friendly
* Identity
5) July 30th Parade
J. Hallstrom gave a report on the parade permits. Permits will not be needed from the State of Minnesota to cross the 40th street pedestrian bridge nor will permits be needed from the Park and Recreation Board to end the parade at MLK Park. KBP does need to inform MLK Park and Phelps Park (proposed parade start) program staff about the parade and work with them to coordinate any details.
The parade route must be submitted with the permit application to the City of Minneapolis no later then 5 days prior to the event. The city will determine how many police officers / barricades will be needed to block roads along the parade path. This is depends on the number of people participating in the parade (i.e. if there are over 300 people and the parade length is more then 3 blocks more police support will be needed). Physical barricades will be needed at main intersections. Clearly marked volunteers may barricade smaller streets. Police officers must be at the front and back of the parade.
It was recommended that KBP hire the police reserve to patrol the parade because their services cost less.
To hire the police reserve a request must be sent in writing to:
Ron Haffman
1811 University Ave. N.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55418
The actual cost will be negotiated after the letter is received.
The committee discussed who is going to plan/coordinate the parade. J. Hallstrom will be primarily responsible for coordinating the Kingfield Festival and will not be able to be too involved with the parade. J. Hallstrom will be able to work on the permits needed to the parade.
No one stepped forward at this meeting to lead the parade organizing. Hinds will try to recruit volunteers to help with the parade at the KFNA annual meeting on April 18th. Hinds will also try to post notice with Tifft for the Bryant Neighborhood.
J. and P. Hallstrom volunteered to walk the proposed parade route and time it. The proposed route is from Phelps Park at 40th Street and Park Ave. along 40th Street to MLK Park at 40th  Street and Nicollet Ave.
6) Out Reach
The committee discussed which groups to promote the bridge project to and solicit support from. The list below was created and people volunteer to gather contact information for each entity:
* Churches along 40th street or near to -Brandt
* KFNA local businesses –
* Politicians / Beaurocrats – Hinds
* Residents
* Local non-profits – Brandt
* Other neighborhood organizations – Brandt
* Bike shops / bikers – Brandt
* Media – Brandt
* Runners (runny room, runny clubs) – Brandt
7) Partnership
The committee discussed what it means to become a partner / support of KBP and what the criteria is for adding partners. Jevning made the distinction that supporters are individuals, businesses and other groups that simply give financially to the project. He added that partners would be more like the local churches, unit of government, organizations and businesses that stand behind the project as well as support it financially.
The committee would like to look at other models of support/partnership building. Brandt offered to contact the Midtown Greenway Project representative and inquire about their strategies. The committee was in agreement that support-building efforts need to be community driven.
Hinds suggested a “dedication program†to raise financial support (i.e. contributions categories for giving toward various architectural features of the bridge).
Regarding partnership it was suggested to have a partnership agreement – criteria still needs to be decided. P. Hallstrom felt it important to maintain ways for people to be casually involved as well such as the helping with the parade.