ECCO Meeting Minutes for September 2, 2010

ECCO Meeting Minutes for September 2, 2010

Meetings are held at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church at 7:00

Minutes submitted by R. Kean

Attendance

Board members: Brad Durham, Michael Ekholm, John Ellis, Robert Kean, Tim Norkus Crampton, Linda Todd, Nancy Ward (President).

Others in attendance: Monica Smith (NRP Coordinator); Councilman Meg Tuthill; Breanna Patsch (assistant to Meg Tuthill); Elke Stepan; Mike Weiland.

Announcements and Community Forum

· Thanks to 35 volunteers who helped spread wood chips on the Loon Lake trail as part of the Eagle Scout project of resident Conrad Schmidt. The Park Board has indicated that they will clear and put wood chips on the remaining portion of the trail (continuing south towards 36 street), which is currently overgrown.

· Hennepin County organizes one-day collection events in Minneapolis neighborhoods to give residents more convenient, local disposal options for their household hazardous wastes. The next event will be taking place:
Saturday, October 9th, 2010 from 9am – 1pm
3800 Bryant Ave S (Mpls Park Board Southside Operations Center).
For more information, please visit Hennepin County’s Neighborhood Hazardous Waste webpage.

· Robert Kean reported on the August 26 meeting of the Lakes District Council:

o Ginger Cannon will be the working for the Park Board in the position of Community Outreach and Research Planner.

o A Citizens Advisory Committee is being created for the South west Light Rail corridor. Contact Anita Tabb if you are interested in participating.

o Bids are in for the reconstruction of the food concession building at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. Renovations should be completed by spring.

o People for Parks is actively seeking contributions for projects in our park system; including adding pavers at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. Contirbutions are tax deductable. See www.peopleforparks.net for more information or call 612-767-6892.

Review and approve minutes

· The August minutes were approved.

Meg Tuthill Update

· Bike thefts are up, so be sure to secure your bicycle with a strong lock system. Keep a record of you bike’s serial number (often found on the bottom under the pedal crank), to facilitate getting it back if it is recovered by the police.

· October 2-10 is Bike/Walk to work week. See http://www.bikewalkweek.org/ for more detail.

· The Mayor has proposed a 6.5% tax increase next year. Contact the mayor’s office with comments.

· The Palio parade and festival is scheduled for Sunday September 26 at Kenwood park, starting at 12:30 p.m. (and running until 3:30).

· The fall cycle for Boards and Commissions Open Appointments process has been launched as of August 18th. This cycle is bigger than the spring cycle with over 100 vacancies. To view those boards and commissions that have openings, please visit their webpage. If you have any questions, please contact Julie Meintsma, Program Assistant, Office of the City Clerk, at 612-673-3358 or julie.meintsma@ci.minneapolis.mn.us As always, we would like to encourage you, or those you know, to apply if you are interested.

Committee Reports:

Environment

· The Environmental committee is working to develop a comprehensive neighborhood approach to the impending arrival of the Emerald Ash Borer. Approximately 21% of the boulevard trees in Minneapolis are Ash trees. There are approximately 160 boulevard Ash trees in East Calhoun, mainly on Holmes and Irving.

· The board voted to include treatment of Oak trees in the list of eligible services for the NRP tree treatment program.

SECSE

· Details were finalized for the Labor Day event. The flyer design was approved for distribution with one correction. Thanks to all the volunteers for making this possible again.

· The next neighborhood social potluck will be held September 23 from 6:00-7:30 on the lawn of the Greenhouse Condos (3540 Hennepin). The board approved continuation of the events each month. The $250 received from the Bike Race should cover the costs for these events.

· The Wine Tasting fundraiser will be held Wednesday October 20 from 5-8 p.m. at Calhoun Square. Tickets will be $25 in advance ($30 at the door). All proceeds from advance sales go directly to the selling organization; so please buy them in advance from the ECCO board. This is the ECCO board’s main fundraiser, which makes many of our neighborhood events possible.

· Michael has set up the website with an ad free subscription. A motion was made and passed to pay in advance for 1 year of service (which will save money). There have been some merchandise sales, and Michael and Monica will make sure the graphics are properly sized for the items. Michael also reported that there have not been any issues or problems associated with non-board website members (“neighbor” level of users).

Annual Meeting

· Brad, Nancy, and Monica are putting together the agenda for the annual meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday October 7. We will be voting on 8 board positions, including 5 positions that will be open due to board members completing their maximum term length.

NRP Phase 2 Report

· A motion was passed to allow renewable energy projects under the loan and grant programs.

· The CEE home energy workshop is scheduled for Thursday Sept. 16. 6:30 p.m. As of meeting time, 48 registrations have been received. The first 100 participants will get a free home energy audit. Monica will check to see if a second workshop can be scheduled, possibly before the annual meeting.

The next meeting is our annual meeting , October 7. There will be a pizza dinner starting at 6:00. Childcare is provided.