March 21, 2005
Minutes
Committee Members Present:
Wayne Anderson, Rolf Johnson, Arthur Knowles, Sean Wherley, Niki Valens, and Sam Zordich.
Committee Members Absent:
Barb Chung, Natalie Lenz, Melinda Ludwiczak, and Lisa Rudy.
Meeting called to order:
Wherley called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Bus Shelters
According to Metro Transit, a bus stop with at least 40 pickups a day warrants a shelter. Metro Transit will reinstall a traditional shelter at 38th Street and Grand Avenue if KFNA does not first install an art shelter. For ideas of potential art shelters, Wherley suggested the stop on Como Avenue near Muffalettas restaurant in St. Paul, and the one at the gas station on Lyndale Avenue and 28th Street.
If KFNA wants, it can incorporate the same glass used in the standard shelters in an art shelter and Metro Transit will maintain the glass. KFNA can also put art panels over the standard shelter to add an artistic feel and Metro Transit will maintain the shelter.
The committee requested KFNA staff to clarify from Metro Transit whether a standard shelter at 38th Street and Grand Avenue is required. Some said that a shelter would obscure the mural on the adjoining building. Talk with the original building mural artist and find out if they would do an add-on panel to camouflage the shelter, or even another shelter in keeping with their mural. What is required for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The committee questioned whether there is adequate clearance between the shelter and either the street or building. Valens said that an upscale consignment store is going in the old Lucky Girl space.
Theisen Building
It is unknown if Lander Group is seeking assistance from KFNA for redeveloping the former Theisen Building.  Environmental and cleanup funds requirements are pending and many grants currently exist to accommodate the situation. No action needed at this time. However, we must hold to KFNA’s requirement that the building include affordable housing units.
Grant Review—Morris Miller
Morris Miller is requesting the final $2,500 payment of its grant from KFNA. They sent the budget with a book written by the children describing the program. Sarah was going to meet with the director to review questions brought up in a previous NRP meeting about the level of outreach and incongruent budget numbers. To our knowledge, the meeting has not happened.
Lighting Petition
Sarah has a message in with the city for an update. The signatures have been verified and the city must now set a public hearing. It is still possible that installation can occur this summer.
Tree replacements
Need promotion materials to have on display at the Farmer’s Market. KFNA will have 38 trees planted in the spring and another 38-40 in the fall. Nothing new is known yet about the DNR proposal.
Mural Project
The deadline for businesses to apply is April 1 and April 11 for artists. In the last half of April, 3-4 artists will be selected and paired with businesses. A kickoff party will happen in May. Designs will be reviewed in June. Youth Artist applications will be reviewed in June as well.
Valens agreed to be the NRP Steering Committee representative on the mural task force and Martha Ingram will be the KFNA Board representative.
A promotion for artists is going to happen through a mailing to an existing list of artists. Also letters will be mailed to all the businesses in the neighborhood. We’re not anticipating too many businesses to respond because there aren’t many left with appropriate sized facades.
Annual Meeting
The Kingfield Annual Meeting is Monday, April 18. A potluck will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the business meeting at 7 p.m. During the business portion Knowles will review NRP Phase I, ask the neighborhood to move funds, and promote the September 27 public meeting. It is during the public meeting that KFNA will seek permission to begin NRP Phase II planning.
Valens will cover recruitment of block leaders and neighborhood initiated grants and how blocks can be active in that effort.
Adjournment
Knowles moved to adjourn; Wherley seconded. The meeting adjourned at about 9 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Sam Zordich.