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Minutes & Agendas

Minutes June 3, 2010

1978 Ford Parkway

St. Paul MN 55116

Hillcrest Recreation Center

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

Call to Order

 

Roll Call

Directors present: Anderson, Bischoff, Datu, K. Thompson, Cleveland (represented by designated alternate Poulos), Torres, G. Thompson, Brown, Swanson, Lilja, Soderberg, Hassie, Forsberg, Puffer, Hugley, Petterson, and Community Organizer Carruth.  Alternate seated: Carver.

 

Approval of Agenda

Motion made, seconded, and passed to approve agenda as presented.

 

Approval of Minutes of Prior Meeting

Motion made, seconded, and passed to approve June meeting minutes as presented.

 

Outside Speakers

Western District Commander Tom Axtell starts his new position on July 24.  Western District includes about 100 officers and covers the area south of Larpenteur Avenue to the Mississippi River, and west of Western Avenue to Minneapolis.  Commander Axtell expressed his desire to work closely with the neighborhood to keep it safe:  he is moving to Highland Park this year, expects to see increased patrols, and plans to meet regularly with the HDC.

 

Saint Paul Smart Trips representatives, Luke Harris and Max Holdhusen, provided an overview of the 2010 Highland Park Smart Trips program.  Program includes walking/biking/transit kits for residents, events throughout the summer, and neighborhood newsletters.  Smart Trips is a local nonprofit focused on decreasing single occupancy vehicle trips.  An events calendar can be found at www.smart-trips.org/rsvp.

 

Public Comment - none

 

Community Organizer Report

An Emerald Ash Borer community meeting is scheduled for July 28th.  Over 100 ash trees along boulevards are slated to be removed in Highland Park this year.

 

Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) project submissions are due in fall, 2010.  The HDC will appoint representatives to the CIB subcommittee that reviews all CIB submissions to the City.  Carver and Puffer provided an overview of the time commitment required on the subcommittees.  HDC members should contact Carruth if he/she has interest in working on the CIB submission process and/or CIB subcommittee appointments.

 

Circus Juventus is running a contest for seniors to share circus stories from their youth.  A senior show is scheduled for August 6.

 

Energy efficiency workshops sponsored by Xcel, City of Saint Paul and Environment Trust Fund, will be held in September and November.  Highland Park residents can then sign up for a free energy audit.

 

Carondelet Village ground breaking ceremony was on July 21.

 

Treasurer's Report - Mark Forsberg

  • Update on the revenue and expenses for the Home Improvement Fair.  The net income is shared with Mac-Groveland District Council.  Suggestion was made that the Treasurer and Executive Committee consider the use of the income since it is over and above the original 2010 budget.
  • Update on the revenue and expenses for the Spring Clean Up.
  • Motion made, seconded, and passed to approve the treasurer's report as presented.

 

Executive Committee Report

The executive committee set the July HDC agenda, discussed the upcoming CIB process, reviewed the Crime Prevention Coordinator job posting, and allocated funds to run ads for the job posting in the Villager and Pioneer Press.

 

Standing Committee Reports

Community Services

  • Crime Prevention Coordinator job announcement and job description provided for the board to review.  Motion made, and following discussion, passed to tentatively approve the job description with minor wordsmithing to allow the CSC to proceed with the candidate search.
  • Suggestion that CSC work with Red Hen Consulting, the HDC's accountant, look into the IRS rules for salaried employee versus independent contractor.

 

Community Development

  • CDC did not meet in June.
  • Walgreens development is expected to begin demolition and construction in late July/early August. 
  • August meeting will focus on kicking-off the Highland Village Rezoning Study that the HDC requested in January, 2010.  Staff from Saint Paul Planning and Economic Development is invited to present.

 

Transportation

  • Community members, Daniel Matson and Michel Gerner, were elected to the Transportation committee.  Motion made and passed to elect Matson and Gerner as Community Representatives.
  • Neighborhood concerns raised in regards to on-street parking around Saint Kate's University with the addition of Carondelet Village.  Representatives of Saint Kate's will attend the next Transportation Committee meeting to discuss.
  • Sidewalks on Edgcumbe Road and Fairview Ave near the synagogue are still an open issue with the neighborhood and Public Works.

 

Senior Advisory Subcommittee

  • Subcommittee continues to meet monthly with other senior services and advocacy groups working in Highland Park.

 

Business Representatives Reports

HBA

  • no report

 

W7BA

  • Joseph's Coat drive to collect personal care products has been extended through July. Drop-off sites include Cooper's and Highgrove Credit Union.

 

New/Other Business

  • Capital Region Watershed District needs an appointment from the HDC. Carruth is following up on interested parties. Motion made, seconded and following discussion, passed to temporarily appoint Georgia Dietz to the Capital Region Watershed District for their September meeting if a permanent appointment is not made prior to the September meeting date.
  • Discussion on size of the Executive Committee due to the fact that two members of the committee represent both a subcommittee and an executive position.

 

Adjourn

Motion made, seconded, and passed to adjourn.  Meeting adjourned at 8:35pm.

 

Tia Anderson, HDC Secretary