Southeast Como Improvement Association July 1 meeting
GOOD NEIGHBOR FUND GRANT
An editorial short from the July 29 edition of the Star Tribune was distributed, which described a $30,000 grant from the Good Neighbor Fund SECIA awarded the end of June. The monies fund research on how neighborhoods located near large universities can maintain livability. Board President Wendy Menken explained that the goal of the grant is to explore, from a neighborhood perspective, how other places have handled these issues. The Good Neighbor Agreement was signed.
BURNER UPDATE
An update on the Rock-Tenn power plant was given by Bill Kahn, a member of the Rock Tenn Community Advisory Panel, during an approximately 45-minute PowerPoint presentation entitled “Finding A Solution” . A website for up-to-date information and a list serve area for comments and questions is www.rtadvisory.org. The presentation was entitled “Finding A Solution” and included the topics “Why are we here?” “The Process,” “Emissions,” “Community Impacts,” “Fuels,” “Technology” and “The Next Step.”
The next Rock-Tenn Community Advisory Panel meeting is scheduled for July 21, at which there will be a panel deliberation. The study is due to be finalized in early summer, with midsummer recommendations made by some member organizations of the panel to the St. Paul Port Authority. District Council review is slated for late summer. If the facility proposal is approved, environmental review would begin by year’s end.
GRAND ROUNDS “MISSING LINK” ROUTE UPDATE
Connie Sullivan updated the board regarding public hearings held during June. She said that some Como people seemed to support it but some do not, and that she was disappointed that only two Park Board directors were there. “The Park Board is not listening,” said Sullivan. “It’s out of our hands now,” said James DeSota; the last public meeting was held the same evening as the July 1 SECIA board meeting.
Sullivan proposed a face-to-face meeting with Park Board members in a more relaxed setting, such as over coffee or lunch. Joan Menken suggested keeping such an interaction balanced, such as having a couple of people on hand.
The mature trees along the proposed route are “gorgeous,” said Menken, adding that it would be a shame to bulldoze them for a bike path.
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ALLIANCE UPDATE
Katie Fournier was nominated and approved to be the alternate representative to the U of M Alliance. She will replace Marilyn Burns.
ZONING UPDATE
Menken updated the board regarding the purchase by Tim Vaith (Vaith Construction) of the Manning Service Station. He will be building offices, including an office for his son’s real estate business. She added that the tanks were to be removed from the Rayvic site. DeSota reported that there was no official application yet for T-Mobile to erect a cell tower.
SECIA OFFICE BUILDING SOLD
DeSota reported that the building housing the SECIA office has been sold and is due to close on approximately July 16. SECIA still has use of the space and will probably need to enter into a new lease agreement in August.
MID-CITY INSUTRIAL MERGER EXPLORATION
Menken reported to the board regarding the potential for creating a larger neighborhood with bigger boundaries. She said it is an “ongoing conversation” and that issues include a cost sheet and border territory. Board members will develop questions to share in the ongoing dialogue.
AUGUST BOARD MEETING
The August SECIA meeting has been cancelled, but the date (Aug. 5) is being reserved for a 30-minute emergency meeting, should the need arise.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, Sept. 2, 6:30 p.m., Van Cleve Park, 901 15th Ave. (No August meeting)
REGULAR MEETINGS: 1st Tuesday of the month, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
CONTACT:
James De Sota, neighborhood coordinator
www.secomo.org
837 SE 15th Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: 612-676-1731
email: secomo@secomo.org
last revised: July 14, 2008