KFNA Board Meeting Minutes
9.12.2007

Those in attendance:  Arthur Knowles, Mary Hunter, Amy Joe Gracyalny, Tom Parent, JobyLynn Sassily James, Chris Sur, David Brauer, Ben Kristensen, David Potosky, David Saddoris

Those not in attendance: Niki Stavrou, Darrell Gerber

Staff Present: Sarah Linnes-Robinson

7:30 David B. calls meeting to order.

Contract amendment to MMWO:
In response to budget discrepancies between forecasted and actual budget on the stormwater management project, KFNA has been in negotiations with MMWO to resolve any potential issues.  In the original project budgets, design was a low cost item and construction was a high cost item, but proved the opposite in actuality.  In order to resolve this and also address potential deadline conflicts, a revised contract between KFNA and MMWO created.  The new budget makes KFNA liable for $111 more than original and extends the deadline for completion of the projects to November 30.
David Saddoris made a motion to approve the contract as revised.  Arthur seconded.  Passed unanimously.

Update from Councilmember Elizabeth Glidden:
Urban Partnership Agreement:  Bus Rapid Transit on I-35W south of Kingfield an important step, but large gaps remain that Kingfield could help resolve.  Elizabeth to arrange a date for a community meeting at King Park to involve neighborhood and also arrange a breakfast for “transportation leaders” to provide greater detail to those actively involved in this transportation issue.
Crosstown Construction: With Diamond Lake Road and 50th Street bridges over I-35W out, 46th Street is main access remaining.  So far there have been few complaints about heavy traffic on 46th to Elizabeth, but they are proactively working on addressing traffic issues through the adjustment of lights, signals, etc.
Possible new liquor licenses in Kingfield:  Elizabeth suggested arranging to have a liquor inspector attend the next Redevelopment Committee meeting in order to assist KFNA is establishing its own process for evaluating new requests for liquor licenses.  Elizabeth also offered to personally assist in whatever way possible in this endeavor.

Update on KFNA’s Website:
David P:  Discussions progress on the evolution of the website.  A Requst for Proposals (RFP) for web designers is forthcoming, but David would like to be able to approve $1000 more than the current $1000 ($2000 total) for responses.  Once completed, the website would cost $50-$100 annually.  The goal is to have the website operational by the end of the year.
Arthur moved to authorize up to $200 for creation for the website as laid out in the discussion.  Amy seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

Update on 38th & Nicollet:
Michael Lander and Ben Kerl updated the board on recent developments at their property at 38th & Nicollet (previously the Thiessen Vending Co).  The development model has been revised to be a office / retail building with a marquis restaurant tenant on the corner space.  Blue Plate Group, owners of Longfellow Grill, Edina Grill and Groveland Tap among others, wants to open a restaurant in 6000 square feet of the total 22000 square feet (above ground) of the existing building.  They would recreate the business model of Longfellow Grill, which would require a full liquor license.  Lander is currently figuring out the process to obtain a license, but wants to remain in close contact with KFNA and Councilmember Glidden.  Given market forces, Lander would like to open the restaurant as soon as possible, which would require neighborhood support prior to full project parameters being established.  He recognizes the issues this may create but is optimistic that a solution agreeable by all parties can be reached.
Restaurant may open as soon as February.
This issue will be addressed by the Redevelopment Committee.  Redevelopment will inform the board of progress.

Update on Walldogs:
Sarah Linnes-Robinson provided a sheet entitled “Walldogs on Nicollet” which outlined the Walldogs project. The joint project between KFNA and the Lyndale Neighborhood Association (LNA) will, in short, consist of 6-10 murals along Nicollet Avenue created by artist and volunteers.  The purpose of the project is to use the creation of public art to build community, create a new aesthetic, to spur economic development and to create a safer environment along Nicollet Avenue from Lake Street to 46th Street.
There will not be an equal number of murals in each neighborhood, as Lyndale has greater need and opportunity for the murals.
The Walldogs project will tie into other art projects of KFNA’s, but not replace any of them.
LNA receipts all expenses and keeps the books for the projects.  It was suggested KFNA should ask for a monthly ledger from LNA.
Sarah asked that KFNA’s Board be involved in the project in order to raise awareness, involvement and revenue.
David Potosky moved the Board approve the Project Details from sheet provided by Sarah Linnes-Robinson (listed below) and that Sarah provide the Board with a monthly budget.  Arthur seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.
Project Details:
(insert from S L-R)

Farmers Market:
Budget:  It appears as though the market will generate roughly the same amount of revenue as expenses it has incurred.
Farmers Market Task Force would like to split from KFNA in order to pursue greater resources it feels it needs to survive coming years.

Pledge to Unplug:
Project began last Sunday at the Farmers Market.  The project asks volunteers to enroll in the Minnesota Energy Challenge and provides participants with a Kill-A-Watt device which measures energy consumed by specific appliances.  Participants are asked to record and report on 10 devices in their homes, with the results posted on the website.  Twenty-five Kill-A-Watts were obtained through a micro-grant.

Stormwater Bike Tours:
Bike tours to each of the stormwater management project sites led by a member of the Green Committee are being offered to Kingfield at large.  A sign-up sheet for Board members was passed around.

Driftwood (formerly Westrums):
No update.

3601 Advisory Letter:
Arthur moves that KFNA send the letter written by Tom Parent as the chair of the Redevelopment Committee to the developers of the site at 3601 Nicollet Avenue advising them of neighborhood concerns about the project meeting stated Redevelopment Guidelines for the neighborhood.  Mary seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

October 2, 2007 MLK Park Planning Meeting:
There will be a meeting on October 2, 2007 to address park planning strategies for MLK Park.  While everyone recognizes the possibility that this may be an opportunity to rehash the miscommunication regarding the erection of the baseball field fence earlier this summer, it is hoped that the meeting can be focused on positive steps moving forward.
Chris Sur and Dianna will attend as the KFNA reps / planners.

Arthur moved to adjourn meeting, Chris seconded.  The motion passed unanimously at 9 p.m.

No meeting.

Kingfield Neighborhood Association
Board of Directors Meeting July 11, 2007

Minutes
Board Members Present:
Niki Stavrou, Arthur Knowles, Dave Saddoris, David Potosky, Karen Pieper, Tom Parent, Chris Sur, David Brauer, Amy Joe Gracyalny, JobyLynn Sassily James, Ben Kristensen

Board Members Absent:
Mary Hunter

KFNA Staff Present:
Sarah Linnes-Robinson, Joanna Hallstrom

Others: Jake Weyer.

Meeting Called to Order:
David Brauer called the meeting to order at 7:05PM

Community Forum:
Joanna Hallstrom introduced herself to the new board members.

Secretary’s Report:
Arthur moved to accept the minutes. Joby Lynn seconded. Passed unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report:
No report

Redevelopment Committee Report:
Additional news is July 18 liquor license hearing for The Driftwood (old Westrums) in King Park. They don’t need to apply for a new license but the city council is asking that they hold a public hearing anyway. The committee has started planning for rollout of the Plymouth Church Foundation project to the neighborhood. No updates on La Chaya.

NRP Committee Report:
No meeting.

Green Committee Report:
KFNA got a Grassroots Climate Change Microgrant from the city of $1000. We will distribute Kill-a-Watts to neighbors and get reports back. A grant for $10,000 was recently submitted to the city for an extension on this work into extensive outreach through houseparties, bike tours and other events.

Newsletter:
None

King Bridge Partnership:
None

Farmers’ Market:
None

Crime and Safety Committee:
Several problem houses had been identified during the meeting. Niki reported about the graffiti on Fairy Godmother’s. There is speculation it was retaliation for an article she wrote in the last Southwest Journal about cleaning up graffiti. It was all cleaned up today. They didn’t touch the mural at all.

Bike Task Force:
Some events have been pulled into Green Committee. There is some possible money for next year.

Projects:
Walldogs – Doing a September Walldog event. 34th and Nicollet and logo on Lyndale Neighborhood office building. These will be a taste of the other 8 murals that will come in July. Neighborhood restaurants in Lyndale and Kingfield are being asked to donate a portion of profits from a day to the project. Other fundraising projects.
Transportation – The Downtown Action Plan has been accepted by the City Council with some modifications. The city has released an air quality study that indicates some problems at 46th and Nicollet. Gerber suggested that the Redevelopment Committee take a look at it. The Comprehensive Plan for the city is also moving along and Gerber suggested that the Redevelopment Committee be active in developing recommendations for the board to submit to the city.
40th and Lyndale – Steve Brandt has resigned from the committee due to his new job. Barbara Crosby has offered to serve on the committee representing KFNA. Despite the design challenge wrapping up there is still a lot to do with the committee.

Updates on Current Issues:
Berry Selling – Berry picking is very time consuming. Two hours of picking made about $80. The berries are very good and sell quickly. Have been very popular at the market but have been a logistic problem. Sales of some of the products at the market are selling incredibly well. David B recommends getting there early and leave yourself a lot of time. You should try to have 4 or 5 people with you. Sarah needs to fill out the next several weeks of picking.

Mosaic Mural – The action for the artists to submit a proposal is in their court.

New Business:
Appointment of Barbara Crosby to the 40th and Lyndale – Tom Parent moved that KFNA “support the involvement of Barbara Crosby as a Kingfield resident on the 40th and Lyndale Committee.” Seconded by Dave Saddoris. Passed unanimously.

Housing Loan Program Contract Preparation – Chris Sur moved to approve the contract revisions. Joby Lynn seconded. Passed unanimously.

Land Trust letter of support – The letter has previously been approved. It just needs to be signed.

Web site proposal – David P. outlined a proposal he has recently submitted for maintenance and upkeep of the website. He proposes decreasing the cost of operation and redirecting the savings into paying for design/development work on the website. The new design would be much more open and interactive allowing for greater input from the community via Wiki and blog technology. This should lower the maintenance and would require less technical expertise to use. It would also allow the community to take more ownership of the site. Tom likes the idea and that it would serve the neighborhood well. Suggests putting this into a committee. David would like to put the design work out to a contractor.  He and Sarah have several people in mind. Several ideas and explanations of blog and Wiki were passed around. David B asked that David P put together a formal proposal to bring to the board for a vote.

August Meeting – Last year we didn’t do a meeting in August. David B asked if we want to plan on having one or not. Joby Lynn moved that “we don’t meet in August unless necessary and try to work votes out via email.” David P seconded. Passed by majority. Arthur abstained. Sarah would like to still send out a board packet to keep everyone up to date on events and get volunteers for Walldogs.

NNO – Last year we biked around giving out ice cream. It went over well but some felt that it was excessive with everyone already having food. Sarah proposed that we do it again just handing out information. Tom thought that the ice cream was a valuable good will gesture. We will buy ice cream and do it again. Several board members volunteered to bike that weekend to help.

Kingfield festival next Thursday 6 to 8PM – The Park will put out a couple tables for KFNA. Committee’s should put out materials and volunteer to serve at the tables. All board members should try to show up wearing their board t-shirt.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30PM

Minutes prepared by Darrell Gerber

Kingfield Neighborhood Association (KFNA) board meeting
May 9, 2007
Presiding: Erik Lindseth, outgoing President
Attending: David Brauer, JobyLynn SassilyJames, Darrell Gerber, Karen Pieper, Amy Joe Gracyalny, Mary Hunter, Ben Kristensen, Tom Parent, David Saddoris, Chris Sur
Absent: Shawna Gibson, Niki Stavrou, Arthur Knowles
Neighborhood forum
Steve Brandt expressed concerns about a chain-link baseball fence erected over the soccer field at King Park. Brandt was unhappy there was little Park Board consultation with the neighborhood. Matt Perry, president of the East Harriet Neighborhood Assn., introduced himself to new board members.
Issue Updates
Park fence: KFNA Exec. Dir. Sarah Linnes-Robinson said there were two issues – the fence layout itself and the parks’ decision-making process. There is no comprehensive plan for the park. Park area Supt. Paul Hokeness and Park Board Director Bob Fine have offered to attend a future meeting. The KFNA board will discuss what type of neighborhood meeting will be held regarding these issues.
38th & Pleasant: A meeting about parking problems on the corner was organized, but the meeting grew beyond its planned scope and representatives from various organizations including Sagrado de Corazon congregation felt that if they attended they might be beat up. Mediation may be possible.
Westrum’s Bar: The board has received a letter from Heidi Fields & Bryce Anderson, 4303 Harriet Ave., the potential new owners of the now-closed bar. Their inquiry was referred to the Redevelopment Committee, which will invite Heidi to meet with them.
Secretary’s and Treasurer’s reports:
Approved without objection
Committee Reports
Redevelopment: Plymouth Neighborhood housing is considering buying the Werness Funeral Home at 37th & Nicollet as a home for at-risk youth. The plan is three years out at best, and Tom Parent said it was a good sign they’re huddling with the neighborhood so soon. The board will meet with a representative to be backgrounded on the issue in June.
NRP: no report
Green: The stormwater demonstration project will be implemented this summer – four residences and one business have been selected to participate.
Newsletter: May need a new editor and layout person this year.
King Bridge Partnership: no report.
Farmer’s Market: First market is two weeks out. The next two years will determine its fate. Augmenting early markets with crafts because food is in short supply. Pursuing a grant for weekly live entertainment. Will feature only local food at market. New vendors include Rustica, free-range chicken seller, and berries. A second, non-KFNA market may open at 36th & Nicollet, selling more clothes and other non-food items. As far as we know, they have no licences.
Crime Prevention: no report.
Bike: Five-six people are interested in forming a group to raise area ridership. Transit for Livable Communities is also interested in something. Interested groups will be brought to Green Committee.
Art to Di For: Produced $3,533 profit, not including staff time. KFNA now owns the portable walls that show the artwork and perhaps they can be rented out.
Walldogs: The September 2007 mural-painting event has been postponed to September 2008. Some of the Walldog volunteer painters, who are from all over the area and country, have safety concerns about urban areas. We may need to find urban painters. This year, we’ll do one wall as a teaser, continue fundraising, and try to tie into a big Hudson, Wi. event in 2008.
Transportation: Meetings continue about 40th & Lyndale Task Force.
New Business
New member: Shawna Gibson resigned because she is moving. David Potosky offered to serve; Darrell moved that David be appointed second alternate board member, behind Karl Narvesen, who was elected first alternate at the April annual meeting. (The other alternate elected in April declined to move up to a full board post). David Brauer seconded the motion, which noted that if Narvesen declines to assume a board post by May 16, David Potosky will become a board member. Adopted on a unanimous voice vote.
Officers elected: On voice votes with no opposition, David Brauer was elected President, JobyLynn vice-president, Karen Pieper treasurer and Darrell Gerber secretary. All were unopposed. Minute-taking at meetings will rotate among board members. Erik Lindseth handed over the meeting to David Brauer.
Berry selling: Sarah said board members need to volunteer to pick berries at a Hugo, Mn. farm to sell at the Farmer’s Market; proceeds will go to KFNA. The board deferred commitment until an email vote between meetings or the June board meeting.
Farmer’s Market electricity: Sarah said $1,600 is needed for exterior electric outlets on the dialysis center’s building at the Farmer’s Market site, on the 4200 block of Nicollet. The outlets will allow vendors who need electricity to offer products at the market, and replace generators. Some concern that the lease at the site has only two more years to run, and will the money be well-spent? It’s unclear whether we have a vendor nailed down who will need electricity. Will the dialysis center extend the lease? Darrell moves to approve a $1,600 expenditure for electrical outlets at the Farmer’s Market site; David Saddoris seconds. David Saddoris make a friendly amendment that Sarah will handle the details, and she and staff will be a good-faith effort and there will be a reasonable expectation that we will have a vendor or vendors that use the power. JobyLynn seconds. Motion approved on a voice vote without objection. Chris moves that the board also direct Sarah to work on getting a lease extension. Ben seconds. Approved on a voice vote without objection.
David Saddoris moves adjournment; Bens seconds. Approved on a unanimous voice vote.