Longfellow Community Council board meeting, July 17
TREASURER’S REPORT
Marcea Mariani reported that “everything looked pretty normal.” Melissa Erjavic commented that liability insurance did increase $600 to cover a garden and that “we can only estimate amounts.” Hiawatha board member Don Hammen said he saw no major issues.
HOWE SCHOOL PLAYGROUND/SAFETY ISSUES
Howe resident Bernadette Ammons addressed the board and discussed a letter she had written to Councilmember Sandy Colvin Roy regarding the condition and chronic youth-instigated disturbances on the old Howe School playground.
Ammons told board members that she has talked to lots of people and been to “countless meetings,” including school board and task force meetings
“We’re asking someone to remove the playground,” Ammons said. “Teenagers are on the playground every night.”
Ammons distributed pictures to the board members taken in 2007, including graffiti on playground toys and a bent wire bench seat. She said that a 4-inch knife, feces and drug paraphernalia are among items found on the playground and that “rattle-the-window” fireworks had been set off on the old playground.
Board president Ed Leaf verified with Ammons that she had come to the meeting to address safety concerns. At-large board member Marcea Mariani questioned whether, should the school actually be torn down, an empty lot for years would improve things. She also brought up the idea of finding other options of addressing Ammons’s issues, such as sprinklers that come on at midnight.
Board members discussed whether or not the playground had received any LCC funding when it was first constructed. If so, perhaps LCC could break down the equipment and place it in storage. Members also discussed whether or not the school board’s permission would be required.
Cooper board member Susan Tertell questioned whether removing the playground equipment would eliminate the nuisance.
Board member Jay Hambridge objected to the issue being on the agenda. “All you said here was already heard,” Hambridge said. “All we want to do is help.”
He commented that the board is not “in league with the task force,” and that they had no real power.
Community representative DeWayne Townsend made a motion to move the issue to the Community Connections Committee to discuss the matter with the school board.
Board member Ela Rausch agreed with the motion to move the matter to the CCC but wanted to come up with “recommended action steps” so Ammons does not feel “passed off.”
LCC executive director Melanie Majors will pass this information to the CCC for inclusion at the next CCC meeting, which is scheduled for August 21.
SAVE NRP UPDATE
Hammen reported to the board that the “Save NRP” committee meeting took place and that the decision was made that the committee was still viable. A meeting is scheduled for July 22nd from 5:30 to 6:30 with Minneapolis City Council member Sandy Colvin Roy. The framework for the future continues to be a work in progress.
NRP is hosting a float as part of the July 23rd Torchlight Parade. An effort is underway for a huge NRP contingent turnout. The idea is to use the parade as a context for neighborhood visibility, and all neighborhoods are invited to participate. T-shirts with the neighborhood’s logo are best worn, Hammens said, because “Save NRP” T-shirts are not allowed.” Longfellow board member Scott Cramer offered to make T-shirts and bumper stickers. All interested persons will meet at the Crown Roller Mill Building at 105 5th Avenue S. The parade begins moving at 8:30 p.m.
HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMUNITY WORKS PROJECT (HCCWP) UPDATE
Leaf updated the board. The project area is between Minnehaha and Hiawatha. His concerns revolve around the process moving too fast and that there being inadequate communication. He has now met with Patrick Connoy, Hennepin County Community Works contact and a resident, and feels that Connoy will be a strong advocate. Their next meeting is July 21st.
Leaf said that the next round of HCCWP task force meetings are scheduled for September and will be videotaped. He wants to see the meetings publicized. Cramer expressed concerns about tree loss, the potential for a negative attitude from the business community, and whether or not the county will have an agenda and hold poorly attended meetings.
GUEST SPEAKER PROTOCOL
Discussion was held regarding a protocol process for guest presenters at board meetings. Issues included deadlines for receipt of information that presenters would like the board to review to ensure pertinent information gets into board packets in time for the mailing to board members.
A requirement for a review of presentations by an appropriate LCC committee prior to a board meeting was discussed. Leaf recommended that anything presenters had in the way of “actionable items” might first be reviewed by an appropriate committee.
Concerns regarding minority opinions surrounding an issue were discussed at length, including whether or not to include information to the board regarding the number of people present, a vote tally, and whether or not to require a written report regarding minority opinions.
The matter was tabled to allow for proper “wordsmithing.”
CENTER FOR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT (CEE) UPDATE
At-large member John Jensen presented the energy challenge pilot project program details and asked that the board for an official endorsement. Townsend commented that the board may want to endorse it for its “historical merits.” The board approved a motion supporting the project.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. Call for more information.
last revised: July 23, 2008