New officers elected
Sheldon Mains was re-elected board president. Mains indicated this would likely be his last year in the role, though he said he would consider one additional year after this one.

Board member Charlie Hoffman nominated fellow board member Annie Welch for the position of vice president. “We kind of understand this probably came out of the blue a little bit,” Hoffman told Welch, referring to the nomination. Hoffman said Welch would bring a fresh perspective and new energy to the board. Welch accepted the nominated and was elected to the post.

Hoffman was re-elected secretary and board member Diann Anders was re-elected treasurer. Anders said the Finance committee could use some more members. She also said anyone interested in taking over the treasurer position next year should join the committee so she can start showing them the ropes.

Board member Marnie Zafar was re-elected as one of two at-large members to the Executive Committee. Welch nominated board member Lara Dreier for the other at-large membership position. Dreier accepted the nomination and was elected.

Trail improvements update, new trees, possible Park Board charter change
Scott Vreeland, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Commissioner for the Third District, said improvements are planned for the pedestrian trails along West River Parkway. The park and walking trails will be redone, but the not streets, he said. At the request of some park users new trails will be made of asphalt, not concrete.

Vreeland informed the board that the Mississippi Watershed will provide a grant to Seward Co-op and Seward Redesign for the co-op’s rain garden.

He also discussed the need for new trees. Vreeland said the area has lost a lot of trees and that locations need to be identified to plant new ones.

Vreeland mentioned that Ward 1 Councilmember Paul Ostrow and Ward 5 Councilmember Don Samuels are expected to propose an amendment attempting to change the Park Board charter.

Lesson on reading financial statements
Robin Westacott, a non-board member who is a member of the Finance committee and acts as the organization’s volunteer accountant, walked the board through the process of reading a financial statement using the December financial statement. Westacott told board members to keep an eye on the ratio between assets and liabilities, as well as balances where cash has been collected, but not yet earned. Westacott fielded questions about the meaning of certain acronyms — TRNA, for example, refers to temporarily restricted net assets — and explained how the accounting software she uses operates. Westacott said she is available to take any questions that arise in the future.

2009 budget introduced
Anders discussed the 2009 budget, which she called “conservative.” The 2009 budget does account for some repayment of the line of credit, as well as repayment to the state for some of the organization’s unpaid unemployment insurance. The budget also includes an additional $161 for rent each month, in the event that the rental rate does increase. It has not, as of yet, Anders said. The budget includes $20,000 of McKnight funding, which has not yet been secured. Anders said the organization is hoping for at least $20,000 from McKnight, but plans to apply for $30,000 or more. Overall, Anders said she’s anticipating around an $11,000 shortfall in 2009. Hoffman said he appreciates that the “gaping hole” in the budget was made very apparent and that it will be helpful to keep it in mind when planning programming and seeking donations. Mains said SNG should increase its canvassing activities in an attempt to acquire more unrestricted operating funds which could be used to pay down more of SNG’s debt.

Financial policies clarification
Anders notified the board of an addition to the financial procedures manual. In the event that no administrative staff are employed, the president is authorized to sign all contracts. In the president’s absence, the executive committee may authorize the vice president, treasurer or secretary to sign a contract. “This has always been our procedure,” Anders said. “It’s just never been written down anyplace.”

Contract with Seward Towers Corporation renewed
Anders presented the board with a motion to approve a new two-year contract with Seward Towers Corporation. The contact is the same as the last one the organization signed, she said. The new contract was approved; Mains will sign it.

Environment committee to meet with Xcel rep
Environment committee chair Carol Greenwood asked the board for the authority to meet with an Xcel representative and Ward 2 Councilmember Cam Gordon regarding Penta poles. She also asked that the Environment committee become the committee responsible for this issue. Her requests were approved.

Compost collection in Seward
Greenwood requested approval from SNG to move forward on a project that would make Seward the second neighborhood in Minneapolis to offer curbside compost collection. Approval is needed from Gordon as well, she said. Mains told the board the project would include more than just composting options. There would also be expanded recycling opportunities — pizza boxes, for example would be collected as part of the program. Mains said the idea to participate came from Birchwood owner Tracy Singleton. He also suggested SNG ask the city if there is money available to promote the program. The city has said it would not cost Seward anything to participate in the program. The board approved participation.

Should an energy audit be required to secure housing loan funds?
Greenwood introduced a motion stipulating the terms of SNG’s new housing loan program include a mandatory energy audit in order to obtain funds. Hoffman called the proposed requirement “unduly restrictive” at this point and said he worries it would restrict homeowners and limit use of the money. Hoffman suggested the motion be changed to state that environmental concerns be strongly considered when money is loaned. A substitute motion — requiring the Environment committee work with the Community Development committee in the program development stages — passed.

SNG joins Greenway, Gordon on Hiawatha Project resolution
A motion from the Environment Committee, to support resolutions by Councilmember Gordon and the Midtown Greenway Coalition regarding Xcel Energy’s Hiawatha Project, passed.

City Hall news
Councilmember Gordon updated the board on the 2009 city budget. He said the governor’s “unallocating” of $13.1 million in local government aid means significant changes will need to be made to the city’s budget this year.

Gordon also said he recently learned that Councilmembers Ostrow and Samuels will propose changes to the charters of the Park Board and the Board of Estimate and Taxation be put on the ballot.

Restorative Justice training in April
Michele Braley, program manager for the Seward Longfellow Restorative Justice Partnership, said a training for new facilitators will be held in April.

SNG to contact county attorney regarding New Year’s Eve kidnapping
A motion to provide the county attorney with a pre-impact statement about a family who has caused multiple disturbances in the neighborhood, carried. At least one member of that family has been changed in a kidnapping that took place in the neighborhood on New Year’s Eve. Board Member Adrienne Hyde said a memo explaining the New Year’s Eve incident should be posted at the Towers, since the two residents who were kidnapped lived at the Towers. More information might help dispel some of the rumors that have circulated about the kidnapping, she said.

Parking issues to remain under jurisdiction of Community Development committee
Mains asked if the Community Development committee should continue to handle parking issues in the future since its workload has increase substantially. Hoffman said because parking issues are usually tied with development issues, it makes most sense for the CDC to continue to handle them. If the committee becomes too busy, it will ask that parking issues be reassigned.

Peace Garden lacks funding
The Peace Garden project currently lacks funding, Anders said. An intern at Seward Redesign applied for several grants, but none were funded. Anders said something has to be done quickly to keep the program going. One person suggested approaching the Seward Co-op for funding, but Anders said she was weary of tapping the same sources too often. Last year, a number of businesses, including the co-op, were happy to help, but indicated they wouldn’t be able to offer continued support at the same level in the future.

2009 activities
Mains briefly made announcements related to 2009 programming. Volunteers are needed for this year’s King’s Fair. Welch suggested adding a survey component to any canvassing activities that take place during the year. Mains said Erik Riese will again head the Seward Arts Festival. It will probably take place in October.

Community Engagement Commission representative appointed
Anders was appointed to represent Seward Neighborhood Group at the Community and Citizen Engagement Commission’s Feb. 21 meeting.

The next SNG board meeting will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 7–9 p.m. Location: Seward Towers East – Advantage Center. Contact SNG for details.

Contact:
Seward Neighborhood Group
2323 Franklin Ave. E
Minneapolis, MN 55406
Phone: 612-338-6205
www.sng.org

last revised: February 5, 2009

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