“MISSING LINK” ROUTES, GREEN LOOP, AMENITIES REVIEWED
A route through Southeast Como for the “missing link” in the city’s Grand Rounds parkway is expected to be recommended by the citizen advisory committee in March. Amenities for the route are expected to be recommended in April. The recommendations will go to the city park and recreation board for consideration and approval. The “missing link” is a three-mile gap in Southeast and Northeast in the city’s 50-mile parkway, bicycle, and pedestrian trail around Minneapolis.

At the SECIA meeting, John Irwin, president of the Grand Rounds Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), outlined the remaining route options and a packet of possible amenities, which feature a “green loop” connecting Bridal Veil and Kasota ponds. The loop would be limited to bicyclists, skaters, and pedestrians.

SE Como routes proposed earlier raised concerns about the impact on homes, university student housing, and industries. The earlier proposals would have required removal of some homes and industries. Homeowners and SECIA-favored routes along the east side of the neighborhood, closer to Highway 280. After ongoing neighborhood discussion and several meetings, the remaining route options are on the east side of the neighborhood. They avoid removal of homes, but would impact some industries. Plans for the parkway include development of parkland along the route.

Irwin said the committee is seeking neighborhood support for route and park development proposals in SE Como, Prospect Park and Northeast. SECIA board member Jeff Haberer, and one of two SECIA representatives on the CAC, said SECIA will need to adopt a position by the March meeting. Haberer said the number of remaining route options has been narrowed to three. The CAC is expected to recommend its route option at a meeting March 13, he said.

George Puzak, vice chair of the CAC and a former at-large park board member, said there is a CAC consensus to make a park proposed east of the university student housing larger.

Irwin said parkway and parkland amenities being considered by the CAC include formal gardens, an eco-industrial park, and a sports park. The highest priority was a park on the south end of the route near several grain elevators, he said.

SECIA board member Joan Menken, and a member of the city’s Southeast Economic Development (SEED) committee, noted that the city is still expressing concern about losing jobs to development such as the Grand Rounds parkway. Menken said the city raises the question about who would pay for the route and about possibly removing land from the tax rolls.

Haberer said maps of the remaining missing link routes proposed would be posted on the association website, below. Irwin said a map of the remaining route options is posted at the park and recreation website: www.minneapolisparks.org. Click on Parkway Alignments.

OBENTO-YA BEER, WINE LICENSE REQUEST SUPPORTED
The board voted in favor of supporting an application by the Obento-Ya Japanese Bistro restaurant, 1510 Como Ave. SE, for a city Class D license. It would allow sale of beer and wine.

The vote included a list of criteria and guiding principles that would apply to future license requests by other restaurants. Board member Joan Menken, chair of the zoning committee, said, “We’re setting the precedent now of what we’ll accept.”

Conditions included in the board’s vote dealt with hours of operation, parking, noise, specified a sit-down restaurant, no stand-alone bar, no expansion of the license, and that a new restaurant must provide a business plan. Menken noted that the license specifies that 70 percent of sales must be food. Also, drinks cannot be included with carry-out orders, she said.

Menken reported that most of those who spoke at the city’s public hearing Feb. 11 were positive about the license request. However, some concerns were raised, including the potential impact on vulnerable adult residents in nearby Project for Pride housing.

REZONING FOR AUTO SERVICE RAISES CONCERNS
The board voted to ask the zoning committee to write to the city about concerns about the possible affects of rezoning requested by Medina Auto Service, which is seeking rezoning in order to relocate to 331 Ulysses St. NE, behind Hoover Wheel Alignment, off East Hennepin Avenue.

Zoning Committee Chair Joan Menken said she is concerned about the large site. “I don’t want another junk lot,” she said.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY ADOPTED
The board adopted a conflict of interest policy. SECIA is covered by the Neighborhood Revitalization Program’s (NRP) policy, but NRP is suggesting that each neighborhood organization adopt its own.

GRANT GUIDELINES APPROVED
The board voted to agree to follow guidelines and requirements if the Office of Environmental Assistance approves SECIA’s application for a grant.

STAFF REVIEW PROCESS REVISED
The board agreed to a proposal by the Personnel Committee to adopt a less extensive staff review process “due to the low staff turn-over and consistent performance.”

“We are very, very lucky that we have had a basically permanent staff, [who are] committed to the neighborhood,” Joan Menken observed.

FUNDS APPROVED FOR DETECTOR LIGHTS
The board approved use of NRP II funds for subsidization of solar motion-detector lights as part of the Green Village Project.

LETTER SUPPORTING ROAD IMPROVEMENT APPROVED
The board voted in favor of a letter to the city supporting board member Jeremiah Peterson in his ongoing efforts to have city streets installed north of East Hennepin Avenue.

RENTAL HOUSING ORDINANCE SUPPORTED
The board voted in favor of a letter supporting a city ordinance that proposes raising the fee for the sale of an owner-occupied home for rental use from $400 to $1,000. Board President Wendy Menken said the ordinance is, in part, in response to housing foreclosures in North Minneapolis. Menken said the ordinance is a step toward establishing a certification of occupancy and to raise funds to hire more housing inspectors.

IDEAS SOUGHT FOR ALLIANCE PROJECTS
Secretary Marilyn Burns said ideas are being sought by the new University District Partnership Alliance for a demonstration project. Burns and Wendy Menken are members of the Alliance’s steering committee.

The state Legislature asked the Alliance conduct a demonstration project and to report to it in January 2009. The Alliance was proposed in the 2007 University-Neighborhood Impact Study. The study investigated the impact of the university on nearby neighborhoods and business districts. The report called for efforts to stabilize and improve housing and livability in the neighborhoods. The Legislature allocated $750,000 to fund a demonstration project. See the SECIA website, and click on “U of M Alliance Demonstration Projects” for forms and information.

Ward 2 Council Member Cam Gordon has scheduled a Roundtable meeting about the Alliance. It will be held Monday, March 17, 7–9 p.m., Van Cleve Park, 901 15th Ave. SE.

CITY MASTER PLAN UPDATE REVIEW ENCOURAGED
Wendy Menken encouraged residents to look at the city’s proposed master plan update. See: www.minneapolisplan.info.

Board member Connie Sullivan said the proposed plan is “much more pro-development.” There no longer is an emphasis on historic or older neighborhoods and restoration, she said. The plan’s goal seems to be to enhance redevelopment, Sullivan said, adding, “They’re willing to tear down homes.”

Menken said one criticism of the plan has been that it has little mention of the university.

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE APOLOGY OFFERED
Mitch Anderson, a participant in the Restorative Justice Community Action, Inc. program, apologized to the association. He was cited for underage drinking at a large party in the neighborhood.

VAN CLEVE PARK CONTACT PERSON INTRODUCED
Van Cleve Park supervisor Ann Heath introduced Scott Krueger, who will be the lead contact person while Heath is on maternity leave. Heath will return in September. Krueger’s email address is: skrueger@minneapolisparks.org.

Also, Heath said Ryan Flanders, a city park and recreation board Youthline staff member, works Mondays. Another part-time employee is being hired and will start the beginning of March, she said. Heath suggested that SECIA contact the park board about staffing and its commitment to the neighborhood.

STATE OF THE SECOND PRECINCT MEETING SET
Ward 2 Council Member Cam Gordon invited residents to the State of the Second Precinct meeting, Feb. 23, 10 a.m.–Noon, Aveda Institute, 400 Central Ave. NE. For further information, call 612 673-2874.

A full report from Gordon to Southeast Como is available on-line. See www.secondward.blogspot.com.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, March 4, 6:30 p.m., 2008, Van Cleve Park building.

REGULAR MEETINGS: 1st Tuesday of the month, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Van Cleve Park, 901 15th Ave. SE.

SECIA CONTACT:
James De Sota, neighborhood coordinator
837 SE 15th Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612-676-1731
secomo@secomo.org
“www. secomo.org”:secomo.org

last revised: February 15, 2008

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