Committee Members Present: Alex Baumann, Tom Parent, Arthur Knowles, Marie Wolf, Alex Anderson, Dean Muldoon, JobyLynn Sassily James
Staff Present: Sarah Linnes-Robinson,
Community Members Present: Michael and Mary Vanderford
Variance for 4154 Blaisdell: solar hot water
Vanderford’s have applied for a variance to place the solar hot water cells on the side of their garage. Their roof is not strong enough to hold them and placing them within the set-back area for their yard would further obstruct the neighbors view as well take up additional usable space in their yard. Knowles moved and Muldoon seconded, and the committee approved the variance request. Alex Bauman will draft alter for the board’s consideration to be shared with the City.
Foreclosure steps: status and next steps—we need more people to work on this and update the list of vacant and blight properties! Please let Sarah know if you can help!!!
The Lander building: The southern building, 3804, was purchased by the Aliveness Project. Linnes-Robinson met with them to learn more about their organization and intended use of the space, as well as to coordinate communication and events in the neighborhood with them. Quick facts:
• Serves ¼ of folks in MN with HIV (62,000in MN/ 326 new cases last year)
• Use for food shelf (44 tons last year), meals (35,000 each year), and integrated services
• Operate M-TH 9-7 and Friday 9-4, Saturday brunch
• Hope to move in summer of 2010
• Need 1 million in pledges and $500,000 in actual cash
 Energy Efficiency project with CEE:
• Somewhere in the range of 40 KFNA Staff hours so far, the program is seen to be ours without the responsibility of planning it and running it.
• 30 people attended training—about 10 more blocks expressed interest out of our 100
• Issues—message of workshop—name, marketing, contact person, etc.—necessity of training….these are continued to be documented and will be communicated later ….HOWEVER….project feels well worth it as most is outreach.Â
Nicollet Avenue repaving update: Nicollet Avenue is back on the 5 year plan. And Nicollet Pothole is a big hit at Anodyne! Linnes-Robinson and Mark Hinds are trying to arrange a public photo opportunity with the Mayor to thank him.
3816 Blaisdell: the City has put the ball in KFNA’s court and will not sell the property to any other without our ok. Linnes-Robinson will set up a meeting with Parent and CPED staff to discuss next steps towards purchase. The possibility raised by a neighbor of the new owner of 3812 Blaisdell of providing his site with CIG funding to stabilize his front hill in plantings as opposed to concrete was tabled since there was no proposal on the table. Basically the committee felt that although the intent of doing this might be well-intentioned, the precedent it could set was dangerous.
Driftwoods—after the meeting we learned Driftwoods request for an entertainment upgrade had been approved by the committee, and neighbor’s concerns over this had been noted into the record.
Retaining wall at van nest and Blaisdell—Linnes-Robinson informed the group that she was continuing to work with the neighbors to find financing to replace the crumbling retaining wall. Both parties are low income and the wall is proving costly. She has been interfacing the residents with the MPLS Senior Ombudsman who has also been working with the inspector.
Graffiti Grant:
Soundwalls—secured an agreement and funding from MnDOT to plant walls and maintain for 2 years. Draft plan will be presented soon to staff that will review and be able to outline appropriate steps for a community presentation (if plan seems ok) or discussion (if there seem to be some issues in the plan)
Utility boxes—test wrap done the day of the meeting. In the process of setting up an inspection with the City. Looks awesome!
Alley Prevention—one project in process. 2 or 3 more being discussed.
Dog Park—meeting on Sept 1 to talk with Park Commissioners.
Super America—lost right to reopen due to excessive timing of vacancy. Information and strategy session help with city to see discuss options. No steps outlined as of yet.Â
BRT station—we need to move this conversation forward in the city
Bike Lanes on Blaisdell and 1st –    No news
Los Ninos—no news
PCNF Co-op—resident interest expressed in this idea…burden placed back on them to create a group of interested residents.
Minutes provided by Sarah Linnes-Robinson, KFNA Staff.