Daily Archives: December 11, 2015

November 17, 2015 Minutes

November 17, 2015

Armatage Neighborhood Association Meeting

Meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm by board president Denis Houle

ANA board members in attendance: Denis Houle, Sarah Broich, Bri Keeney, Jeff Forss, Laurel Luxenberg, Tara Brown, Sara Emmenecker

Others in attendance: Nikki Lindberg- ANA Coordinator, Nikki Frederich- Park Director, Guest Speaker from Fulton neighborhood: Bart Phillips, 2 interested neighbors (Dave DeNamur and Judy Vecere)

City Council Update: No update; no one from Ward 13 office was able to attend

Park Update:

  • The Halloween event went well (4-7 time frame was good); Nikki F. thanked board for contributing to the hayride; Nikki is brainstorming new ideas for event next year
  • Basketball registration has started and the online registration is working
  • Started to prepare for ice rink
  • New program brochure is out for winter and spring programs
  • “Fire on Ice” event is on Friday 1/22; Nikki F. will communicate with Nikki L. about how board might support
  • Nikki F.’s hours are generally 10-6 and her contact info is in the brochure

Fulton Small Grant Program:

Bart Phillips from the Fulton board presented on Fulton’s Micro Grant Program

  • The program rose out of the idea that small amounts of money can be really helpful for small organizations/projects
  • It took about one year to get going
  • Overview: the program requested applications this past fall, received 7, a small group on the board reviewed apps, funded 4 of the apps in February. At the October annual meeting the groups presented about their community engagement projects.
  • The range of the grants was $500-2000; this year they are offering up to $2500
  • It was important that the projects followed the NRP rules/guidelines

Mr. Phillips further described how the applications were reviewed and answered questions about the project. He offered to assist the ANA if we are interested in pursuing a similar program.

Committee Updates:

  • Safety- there was a request for a safety committee chair. No board members volunteered at this time.
  • Community Engagement – Committee Chair Bri made requests for the board to discuss at December and January board meetings:
    1. An Armatage definition of community engagement–something we agree upon and operate under
    2. Board should set 3 engagement goals for 2016. They can be quantitative or qualitative.
      Bri will also email this request to the board.

Coordinator Update:

  • There are 6 new resident welcome bags; Nikki L. asked board members to help deliver them. Nikki also asked for ideas for things to add to the welcome bags. Email her with any ideas.
  • Nikki L. posed a question to new board members: “what do you need as a new board member?” She is working on adding a board member section to the ANA website and wants ideas for information that should be included.
  • Announced that the Fix-it loan money has now rolled into the combined account with other SW neighborhoods.
  • Blueprint for equitable engagement- the end of the month is the deadline for any feedback.
  • Grievance policy- ANA has one. Nikki L. submitted it to Michelle Chavez to review. If she approves it, we’ll leave it as is.
  • Kwan’s was able to get their beer and wine license.
  • Nikki L. announced that the ANA website is updated.
  • Nikki L. forwarded email to board with information from a community meeting about Solar Gardens. She asked board members to read this information and let her know if ANA has interest in any involvement with this.

Treasurer Report:

No report; there were no changes this past month

Secretary Report:

October meeting minutes were approved via email

New Business:

Judy expressed interest in joining the board. Jeff made a motion that Judy Vecere become a board member. Tara seconded. The motion carried.

Tara announced that she recently completed a master recycling course. She asked if the board would be interested in having her put together a plan to educate Armatage neighbors about organics recycling as it rolls out. Board members encouraged her to pursue this and noted it as a possible community engagement goal for 2016.

Denis asked board members to email him if interested in leading the micro grant program. Bri said she would be interested in being involved in this.

Nextdoor continues to have a lot of posts about package theft. There is information in the newsletter about preventing this.

There was a motion to adjourn at 7:10 pm. Motion was seconded and carried.

December 11, 2015 eNews

December Meeting Agenda

December 15, 2015
6:30pm in the Armatage Community Center

  • Welcome
  • City Council Update, Linea Palmisano
  • Park Update
  • Board and committee positions
  • Committee Updates
    • Safety
    • Community Engagement
  • Coordinator Update
  • Secretary Report (Nov minutes approved via email vote)
  • New Business

Please submit agenda items and requests for childcare at least 3 days in advance.

Package Safety Tips from the MPD

The police shared these tips (in English & Spanish) for trying to keep packages safe as well as what to do if you see suspicious activity.


Solar Gardens

Much is being heard about solar gardens. Not sure what they are or how they work? Check out this article from the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) to learn more about this hot topic.

Stay Warm and Save Money

CERTs also offers great tips for helping to save money and stay warm this winter.


Recycle Your Holiday Lights

Recycle Your Holidays takes place from November 15 through the end of January each year. Over 840,000 pounds of holiday lights have been recycled since the program’s start. Strands are dismantled by individuals with disabilities at vocational centers in Minnesota and recycled locally. Check out this map to find where you can recycle your lights.


Phishing Scam

The Minnesota Department of Revenue is warning taxpayers of a recent over-the-phone phishing scam. Beware of automated phone calls and voice messages saying legal action is being taken against you by the IRS. More information about these types of scams can be found on the IRS website.

Phishing (as in “fishing for information” and “hooking” victims) is a scam to trick taxpayers into revealing personal and financial information which can be used to steal the taxpayer’s identity.

Use caution and NEVER provide personal information unless you are absolutely sure the situation is legitimate.

Learn more about frauds and tax scams and how to report suspicious calls or messages you may have received by visiting our website.

For more emails like this, please sign up for our email subscription service and select “scam and fraud alert updates.”

December 15, 2015 Minutes

Armatage Neighborhood Association Meeting

Meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by board vice president Kelly Falsani

ANA board members in attendance: Kelly Falsani, Sarah Broich, Judy Vecere, Jeff Forss, Bri Keeney, Laurel Luxenberg, Steve Johnson, Tara Brown

Others in attendance: Nikki Lindberg- ANA Coordinator, Councilmember Linea Palmisano, Matt Perry, 3 interested neighbors- Ryan, Dave DeNamur, Mary Curtain

City Council Update

Councilmember Palmisano attended meeting. She began by reminding us that she welcomes communication through 311 or email. She described her role and role of her staff. She stated they try to have a representative from the Ward 13 office at every 2 of 3 neighborhood meetings.

Updates:

City Council adopted 2016 budget last week- Councilmember stated she works hard to be accountable with tax dollars. She is especially pleased with: money toward Domestic Violence Initiative (pilot of this was successful- now the program can continue), increase for auditor’s office- will help with better, more secure technology services, 13 million to affordable housing, money toward employment programs/job training/alternatives to college, extra training for police, extra money for next presidential election to prevent long lines, make the process efficient (also added 2 new precincts), money for additional housing inspectors in construction code services dept.

Voted 10-3 to scrap working families agenda in October. Instead, established workplace regulations partnership to create recommendations for the council; they will report back to council by end of February. The first meeting was last Friday; was not well publicized- council office will get schedule of future meetings out- these are public meetings.

Committee Updates

Community Engagement

  • Think about working definition of community engagement for ANA- Bri shared the current language of our Bylaws
  • There was a discussion about what we mean by community engagement (follow through, action, spectrum of community engagement, inclusiveness- reaching out to different groups
  • Talked about keeping in mind the larger context of the city’s definition
  • Maybe focusing on underrepresented groups
  • Discussed specific goals and ideas:
    • Targeted speaker each month- to attempt to reach out to different communities of folks; track attendance and follow up with folks who participate- get contact info; Perhaps a theme for each monthly meeting
    • Emergency Preparedness might be a topic of interest for an event- Jeff thought this was brilliant (CPR could fall in this category)
    • 2x a year social hour for board/meet the board happy hour
    • Continue welcome bag/packet for new residents
    • Idea to personally introduce ourselves to new neighbors
  • Bri would like to finalize goals at our next meeting

Park Update

  • Warming Housing not open- rink dependent on weather
  • Lake Harriet Kite festival is weather dependent
  • Fire on Ice is 1/22- will adjust to weather accordingly
  • Online basketball registration went well

Coordinator Update

  • January Newsletter- send newsletter ideas to Nikki. Nikki will email draft out to board before printing. Some ideas suggested were: organics, blurb on community engagement, “New Years resolution” proposal to the neighborhood to get more involved, ask neighbors to give reasons they love the neighborhood, For new residents: map of neighborhood small businesses
  • Matt Perry talked about SWBA (provides this the neighborhood small business info already)- suggested a note about this in newsletter and talked about a new app that SWBA has developed (Experiencesouthwest.com/xswapp)
  • Encourage folks to use # (most popular is #armatage)

Secretary Report

November Minutes were approved via email

New Business

Matt Perry gave update on working families agenda; he clarified some things about the workgroup- it is only about paid sick time. Matt is collecting feedback from local businesses regarding this (predicts this will be burdensome for small businesses and new businesses). Will present findings at a future meeting.

Reminded the group again that the new SWBA app is available

Nikki L announced she is now also Windom’s coordinator.

Laurel motioned to adjourn; seconded by Tara. Motioned carried. Adjourned at 7:25.

August 11, 2015 eNews

What a lovely evening for a festival!

Thanks to our donors and volunteers who help make this event possible. And thank you to the over 2,000 residents that joined us at the park for an evening of music, games, food and fun!

Check out some event photos on Facebook (and please add yours)! Already looking forward to August 8, 2016!

Event Feedback

We did a lot of new things this year and we want to hear what you think. Please take a few moments to respond to our event survey or feel free to email our coordinator with your thoughts.

 

The Fix It Fund – Armatage Home Improvement Loan Program

Low-interest home improvement loans are available to area residents. Learn details about both programs and get application materials online through our loan administrator GHMC.

 

Organics in Armatage

Many area residents who opted in to the program will be getting (or already have) their organics collections bins! To learn more about organics and how you can get started in organics recycling, visit the City organics website.

 

Do It Green! Guidebooks

Available at the park or you can pick one up at any ANA meeting. Learn more online!

 

Notice of Public Hearing

Monday, August 17 at 4:30pm in Room 317, City Hall (350 S. 5th St)
City Planning Commission will hear the recommendation by the Planning Department regarding restaurants servng alcohol  (Title 20 of the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 536)

 

Notification of an Application for a Zoning Variance

5324 Oliver Ave. S.
Owner: Magnate Investments, LLC

The Board of Adjustment generally meets every other Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall, Room 317.

The property owner at 5324 Oliver Ave. S, is proposing to demolish the existing structure and build a new Single Family Residence. The existing structure was built in 1923 and is approximately 750 sf with a basement and single story living space. The house is situated at the rear alley property line and a new single family home is proposed to be built on the lot. The proposed new house will be approximately 2900 sf, a full two stories with unfinished basement.

The applicant is seeking a variance to reduce the 44’-0” front yard by 10’-0”. This variance would allow for a detached garage with entry from the lane thus allowing for a landscaped backyard. The variance setback would locate the front of the house 34’-0” from the front property line. All other aspects of the house design are within the Zoning guidelines of the R1 district.

 

Xerxes Construction

There will be construction on Xerxes in Edina through the Sidewalk Participation Program between 56th and 60th. This is an initiative coming out of Edina, but we wanted to let you know as it will be across the street.

Volunteer Coaches Needed

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s (MPRB) Fall Youth Sports programs begin in August and we are seeking volunteer football, soccer, and volleyball coaches at recreation centers in Minneapolis.

  • Athletes range from 6 to 18 years old
  • MPRB’s fall sports programs end in November/December
  • Teams practice 1-2 times per week
  • Games are scheduled 1-2 nights a week and/or Saturdays
  • All new coaches will be provided with orientation by the MPRB

Can’t coach this Fall? We’ll need coaches for Basketball, Hockey, Wrestling, and Gymnastics this Winter, too.

Contact Nicole at 612-499-9258 or email recvolunteers@minneapolisparks.org for more information about coaching and other volunteer opportunities.

 

Register now for Pain.Pill.Problem

What: Join stakeholders across our state to define the problem with prescription painkillers and determine how to adress it.
Registration: The event is free. Space is limited and registration is required. Lunch is provided to those who register. To register, visit www.PainPillProblem.com
Where: University of MN, TCF Stadium, DQ Club Room (420 Southeast 23rd Ave., Minneapolis, MN)
When: Tuesday, Aug. 25, 8:30am-5pm
Who: We encourage anyone interested in this topic to attend including the faith community, health care professionals, law enforcement, community leaders, educators, and parents.
More: Credit will be available for pharmacists, physicians, dentists, nurses and LADC’s. POST credits have been applied for, details to follow on the registration site.
Featured speakers: Governor Mark Dayton, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Congressman Tom Emmer, and Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek are among the speakers.

What makes your neighborhood special?

Please take this opportunity to be part of a research study about the character of your neighborhood. This study is being conducted by Madelyn Sundberg from the University of Minnesota for her Master of Science in Architecture: Heritage Conservation and Preservation thesis.

This anonymous online survey will take you approximately 15 minutes to complete. As an incentive, you will be given the option to enter your email address at the end of the survey for a chance to win an iPad Air. To participate, click the link below or copy the url into your browser.
https://umn.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_40ldE75vDG1KSIR