Monthly CARAG Neighborhood Meeting Minutes: October 18, 2016
CARAG Neighborhood Meeting
October 18, 2016 Minutes
Attending: Blake Bailes, Diana Boegemann, Ginny Buran, Diana Crane, Colin Harris, Brad Klein, Jay Lindgren, Tricia Markle, Nancy Riestenberg
The meeting was called to order at 7:04PM.
Introductions & Announcements
– Board members and attendees introduced themselves.
Agenda & Minutes
Motion, seconded to approve the agenda and August 16 meeting minutes,. Approved.
Bryant Square Park, Shay
New window blinds and a new furnace are scheduled to be installed soon within the recreation center.
Park staff is getting ready for the Halloween Party and donations of bagged candy is welcomed.
Contact Bryant Square Park at (612) 370-4907 for more information.
10th Ward City Council Update, Ron Harris
The Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) department has begun outreach on the City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The plan describes how Minneapolis will grow, how people use streets, and how to deal with challenges over the next decades. Interactive open houses are scheduled for October 25 and 27 to gather feedback.
The minimum wage ordinance will not be on the ballot this fall, but the City Council commissioned a study to determine economic impacts of such an action. The report found significant economic improvement for works.
The City Council is currently working on the 2017 budget, which will be finalized in early December. The Mayor’s proposed budget includes funding for more police and firefighters, bike & pedestrian safety, and youth violence prevention efforts that CM Bender strongly supports.
“Winterizing” Your Home, Samantha Strong
Strong provided tips to prepare homes for cold weather by insulating roofs, windows, doors, and drafty areas. She noted that furnace tune-ups can improve efficiency and save money on energy costs. There are energy rebates available, but they will expire at the end of the year.
Land Use & Transportation Committee, Colin Harris
The LU&T Committee will take down the CARAG Parklet located at Morrissey’s Irish Pub on October 29 to be stored for the winter. The group will discuss where to locate it in 2017.
The CPED Department and CM Bender are proposing changes and expansion of the area’s Pedestrian Oriented Overlay Districts to include more of Hennepin, Lyndal, Lake Street, and lagoon Avenue. The district guides new development to be more oriented to pedestrians and prevent car-oriented buildings. The LU&T Committee discussed the proposed changes and created a list of comments to be considered by CPED staff before the ordinance is revised. Motion, seconded to approve the LU&T comments document as CARAG’s comments. Seconded. Approved.
CARAG Committee Policy, Scott Engel
The Committee Policy describes the four committees, guidelines for how they operate, and committee membership. The group discussed interest from other residents to participate on the LU&T committee, but all nine slots were proposed to be filled. It was agreed that the attendance requirement described in the Committee Policy should be enforced and that these volunteers will be considered candidates to fill vacated positions. Motion, Seconded to approve the CARAG Committee Policy document, including committee membership, as proposed. Approved.
Treasurer’s Report, Brad Klein/ Scott Engel
The CARAG Operations and NRP Administrative account balances and register reports were available for review. End of the Fiscal Year reports were available and showed a positive balance and spending generally as expected.
The CARAG Accounting Procedures and Conflict of Interest documents were available for review. Motion, Seconded to approve the FY 2017 Accounting Procedures and Conflict of Interest Policy as proposed. Approved.
Each year the CARAG Board is required to approve account signatories on the CARAG bank accounts and reaffirm the bank for those accounts. Motion, Seconded to approve Tricia Markle, Diana Boegemann, and Brad Klein as check signers and maintain the accounts at Bremer Bank. Approved.
Engel noted that the VOA SW Senior Center is adding employees and needs the office space currently occupied by CARAG. Markle, Boegemann, and Engel looked at space within Aldrich Presbyterian Church at 3501 Aldrich and recommended moving there. The monthly rent would be $350 including phone and internet, which is similar to the existing rent + phone/internet cost. Motion, seconded to support a move to a new office at Aldrich Presbyterian Church. Approved. Engel will work with church leadership to develop a lease agreement to be reviewed and approved by the CARAG Board at a future date.
CARAG has an agreement with MPRB to maintain the mosaic panels and keep a fund of about $1,000 on hand in case of damage. So far, we have raised about $150 towards that goal.
Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 8:43PM.
