ECCO Meeting Minutes for October 7, 2010 Annual Meeting

ECCO Meeting Minutes for October 7, 2010 Annual Meeting

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

Minutes submitted by R. Kean

Attendance

Board members: Ruth Cain, Glen Christianson, Brad Durham, Gary Farland, Anders Imboden, Robert Kean, Ralph Knox, Tim Norkus Crampton, Judy Shields, Linda Todd, Nancy Ward (President).

Safety Officers Reports

· Lt. Jack Kelly and Chelsea Adams gave an update on crime and safety in East Calhoun and Uptown. The good news, violent crime is down; the bad news, theft is up. Residents were reminded to use good security practices and to call 911 if they see suspicious activity. Bicycle thefts have increased also, and people were advised to get a secure lock (preferably a U shaped) and to lock both the frame and front wheel to a secure object. It may be a good investment to purchase security software for your laptop (which can help the police find the computer if stolen and used to connect to the internet). ECCO was also strongly encouraged to reactivate our neighborhood watch patrols. These have been shown to reduce crime in many neighborhoods.
Two up-coming events were noted:
October 25 6:30-8:00 5^th precinct – Block leader training
November 16 7:00-8:30 Martin Luther King Park - 2011 Neighborhood Policing Plans. This is your opportunity to submit your ideas for collaborating with the MPD in order to increase the safety and security of your neighborhood.
Please call Chelsea at 612-673-2819 or see the 5^th precinct website for more information http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/about/5th-precinct.asp

Nature Valley Grand Prix Bike Race

· Andy Dahl and Rita Thofern spoke on behalf of the Nature Valley Grand Prix Bike event, which plans to hold one of the stages in Uptown again next year. They noted that the event raises money for Children’s Hospitals and that they are always looking for volunteers to help. Track the event and get more information at: http://www.naturevalleybicyclefestival.com/ .

Loon Lake Trail

· Eagle Scout candidate Conrad Schmidt gave a brief update of his project, which involved spreading wood chips over the Loon Lake Trail to restore it to good condition. Approximately 35 volunteers helped with spreading the wood chips.

Committee Reports:

Environment

· The Environmental committee is now known as the ECCO Green Team. Committee chair Sarah Sponheim gave an update of the committee activities and plans for the next year.

· The Green Team is working with neighbors to address the impending arrival of the Emerald Ash Borer. There are approximately 160 boulevard Ash trees in East Calhoun, mainly on Holmes and Irving. Residents can request immediate removal of boulevard ash trees (and replacement with another type of tree) by contacting the Forestry Department (Park Board). The Green Team is suggesting a coordinated effort (in collaboration with the Park Board), to remove ~20% of the ash trees per year (to more gradually change the canopy).

· If you have young boulevard trees and would like a watering bag next spring, contact the Park Board (forestry) to get on the list.

· Nancy Ward is exploring options for community gardening projects in East Calhoun. Contact her if you are interested.

· It is not too late to get a cart for organics recycling. Contact Monica Smith, nrp@eastcalhoun.org , to sign up for organics recycling carts.

SECSE

· Go to the “store” link on the ECCO Board website (http://www.eastcalhoun.org/) to purchase fine items with the new East Calhoun logo (designed by resident Ken Ushio). Proceeds benefit ECCO.

· The Wine Tasting fundraiser will be held Wednesday October 20 from 6-9 p.m. at Calhoun Square. Light food provided by Il Gatto. 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.

· See the ECCO Board website for other upcoming events.

NRP Report

· The CEE home energy workshop was held on Sept. 16. About 60 households participated and many have already had their home visits which were scheduled at the meeting. There are still opportunities to participate in the program. Please contact Ashley Robertson, Center for Energy and Environment at 612-335-5869 or arobertson@mncee.org for more information. The first 100 participants will get the home energy visit free (via rebate).

· CEE is also managing the Phase II housing grant and loan programs. Eligible projects include improvements to home energy efficiency and/or exterior repairs or improvements.
The Matching Grant Program features a matching grant of 25% NRP funds to 75% homeowner funds, with a maximum grant of $3,000. There are no income limits.
The Low Interest Loan program offers 4% fixed rate loans with flexible terms with a maximum loan of $7,500. Household income limits apply.
For more information, please go to the NRP section of our website: www.eastcalhoun.org or contact Loan Officer Rachael Rupp at 612-335-5830 or rrupp@mncee.org.
To be eligible for these programs, all bids and a completed application must be received by CEE on or before January 14, 2011. If more applications are received than can be funded, a lottery will take place.

· Home Security Grant - East Calhoun NRP funds will reimburse homeowners up to $250 for home security upgrades (until remaining phase I funds are used up, then up to $100); one grant per household. The grants do not cover monthly service fees for security systems. The application for the home security grants can be downloaded from the ECCO board website or contact Monica Smith 612-821-0131.

· The Tree Treatment Grant program will reimburse homeowners up to $250 for licensed professional treatment of elm trees to prevent Dutch Elm Disease, oak trees to treat chestnut borer, and/or green ash trees to prevent or treat infestation by the Emerald Ash Borer. This program includes trees on the boulevard and/or on the owner’s property. The application for the tree treatment grants can be downloaded from the ECCO board website or contact Monica Smith 612-821-0131. This program expires Nov 1, but will be restarted again in the spring.

· Grants are available to reimburse East Calhoun residents for the purchase of a Rain Barrel or Compost bin(up to $100) The application for the grants can be downloaded from the ECCO board website or contact Monica Smith 612-821-0131.

· ECCO is tentatively scheduled to get $18,000/year in funding under the Community Participation Program of the NCR (Neighborhood and Community Relations department). This new City department is replacing the NRP program going forward.

Treasurers Report

· The ECCO Board is in good financial condition with a current balance of $14,000. Income for the year is approximately as expected except for the delay of the Wine Tasting fund raiser (usually in June, scheduled in October this year) and $2000 pending from a CPED grant. Expenses have been about as expected, except that Nancy Ward was able to significantly reduce our insurance expenses this year.

Election of Board Members:

The following were nominated to be members of the board and accepted the nomination:

New Members:
Sarah Sponheim
Heather Wulfsberg
Blake Harper
Katherine St. Martin
Jim Smith
Gael Ellis
Returning Members:
Judy Shield
Brad Durham (position to be shared with his wife Kaitryne Durham)

The slate was elected by motion and vote of those present. A motion was made and passed to allow Brad and his wife to share a board position.

The board is still in need of filling 2 alternate positions. Interested individuals are asked to contact the board.

The president expressed thanks and gratitude for the board members who have completed 2 consecutive terms and are thus ineligible for re-election. These are: Ruth Cain, Gary Farland, Michael Ekholm, Robert Kean, and Ralph Knox

Board member Anders Imboden declined to run again owing to other commitments. He was also thanked for his service.

Other Reports:

Meg Tuthill (City Council)

· Meg brought along copies of the “Minneapolis Goals and strategic Directions”, which was adopted by the City Council in April.

· Meg advised us to call 911 with noise or crime concerns requiring swift attention, call 311 to report things like potholes or graffiti.

· The planned development at Lake and Knox has a requested a wrecking permit to demolish the existing buildings on the site. Concerns have been expressed about how long the site will remain vacant before new construction begins. Please send comments/concerns to Meg at 612-673-2210 or meg.tuthill@ci.minneapolis.mn.us.

· There is a public comment period scheduled Nov 18, 6:05 pm at city hall regarding the city budget and levy. Please forward comments to Meg if you are not able to attend.

Gail Dorfman (Hennepin County commission)

· Hennepin County has been using creative solutions to help chronic homeless find stable housing, even with the increase in need and limited funding.

· There is no planned Hennepin county tax increase for 2011.

· Vincent James has been selected as the architect for the new Walker library. More details will be available as we get further into the design process.

· Five train stops are being planned in Minneapolis for the SW light rail line along the Kenilworth corridor. The closest to East Calhoun will be at West Lake Street (near Whole Foods). Transit connection options (possibly including use of the Greenway) are being evaluated.

Anita Tabb (Park Board)

· The Park Board recently had a layoff as part of a major restructuring.

· The Park Board will soon have a new Superintendent.

· Budgeting is in progress, but is difficult this year due to generally inadequate funding. Fortunately, some dedicated funds are available for capital improvements; including funds to begin development of a 10 acre parcel acquired recently on the river.

· Expansion of the Calhoun sailing school is under discussion again. Please send comments/concerns to Anita.

Scott Dibble (State Senate)

· Scott (speaking for himself and on behalf of State Representative Frank Hornstein) commented on the difficult financial state of the state. A $4 billion deficit still needs to be addressed and the governor has been very confrontational (including veto’s of many bills). The state struggles with providing health care options to the very poor (general assistance).

· On a positive note, a “complete streets” bill was passed. This allows the Department of Transportation to consider multiple criteria (of concern to the community) when designing road improvements (e.g. street character, pedestrian use). Previously, roads were optimized only for movement of motor vehicles.

Brian Elliott (on behalf of US Representative Keith Ellison)

· Brian runs the local office for Representative Ellison. Contact him at 612-522-1212 or at Ellison.house.gov if you need help with any US government related issues.

Meetings are the first Thursday of the month, 7-9 P.M. at St. Mary’s Church. The next meeting is November 4. Meetings are open to all and East Calhoun residents are encouraged to attend.