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MINUTES OF HIGHLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETING

 

May 6, 2004

 

Members of the Highland District Council Board met at the Hillcrest Recreation Center, 1978 Ford Parkway, St. Paul, Minnesota 55116, at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 6, 2004. Council members present were: Peter Armstrong, Shawn Bartsh, Scott Bunin, Sally Couser, Bill Driver, Jim Graham, Bill Klein, Angie Kline, Greg Lunak, Patrick Mooney, and Jenny Winkelman. Absent and excused were John Goering, Gary Marx, and John Nelson. Also
absent was Dan Galles.

1. Approval of Minutes/Treasury Report

The minutes of the March 4, 2004, meeting was approved with minor revisions.

Gayle Summers presented the Treasurer's report through the end of April. The report showed that approximately $17,850 had been spent in the first four months of the year. The balance remaining of budgeted 2004 expenditures was roughly $37,500. After discussion, upon motion duly made and seconded, the report was approved as presented.

2. Election of Grid Representatives and Alternates

Because of a lack of sufficient grid residents at the 2004 annual meeting, no representatives were then elected for Grids 11 and 12. Pursuant to the Council's bylaws, the Council considered candidates to fill these vacancies. Several persons expressed interest in the positions or were absent but were nominated by Council members. Laura Deuberry was the only Grid 12 resident seeking a position, and was elected by acclamation to a full two-year term as the Grid 12 representative. Following a written ballot, Pat McCallig was elected to a one-year term to fill the Grid 11 vacancy.

Following the election of Grid Representatives, the Council considered the election of Alternates for 2004-2005. Rita Johnston and Mike Wilson were elected by written ballot. As they had the same number of votes, a coin was flipped to determine ordering. Rita Johnston was designated first alternate and Mike Wilson as second alternate.

3. Election of Officers

President Angie Kline then turned the meeting over to Jim Graham, who presided over the election of officers. With each of the offices considered separately and in the following order, the following persons were elected as officers of the Council for 2004-2005:President Angie Kline
Vice President Scott Bunin
Secretary Bill Klein
Treasurer Dan Galles

4. President's Report

President Angie Kline indicated that volunteers were still needed for the Highland-Macalester Groveland Spring Clean-Up scheduled for Saturday, May 15, at the Ford plant. Angie applauded the high attendance, more than 100, at the Council's annual meeting on Thursday, April 15.

Angie also indicated that she and Community Organizer Gayle Summers had spoken with City Councilmember Pat Harris and John Marshall concerning funds that may be available to the Council for crime prevention and other purposes. They will be following up with Councilman Harris' office with respect to these matters.

5. Community Organizer's Report

Community Organizer Gayle Summers reported that the City is exploring alternative funding formulas for the District Councils, reviewing the effects of overall population and population below the poverty levels and how that should affect funding. Many variations that have been discussed would benefit the Highland District Council, but could severally hurt other
districts.

Gayle also discussed her service on the ad hoc committee that recommended Commander John Harrington for appointment as police chief to replace William Finney, who is retiring from that position. Shawn Bartsh moved that a letter be sent to the Mayor and City Council on behalf of the Highland District Council indicating that, in our experience, Commander Harrington has served the City well, that he has been very responsive to the concerns of the Highland District Council, and that we believe he would be a good choice for the Police Chief position. Following a second and discussion, the motion was approved.

Crime Prevention Coordinator Melissa Summers reported additional issues with respect to apartment buildings owned by Ira Kipp. Two units had been condemned at 2040 Saunders for ceiling, bathroom, and mold problems. Legal Aid is talking with residents about possible ways to improve the situation.

6. St. Paul Parks and Recreation - Renovations to Highland Park and Picnic Area

Bill Pesek and Jamelle Anderson of the City's Parks and Recreation Department informed the Council of proposed renovations and improvements to the Highland Park pavilion and picnic areas on the north and south sides of Montreal Avenue, west of West 7th Street. The project has been awarded CIB dollars for the proposed improvements and is a high priority for the Department. There are separate funds for each of the north and south picnic areas. Total project cost at this point is estimated to be somewhat in excess of $2.5 million. Unfortunately, the dollars do not allow any improvements to the pavilion on the south part of the park or the old pool building on the north part of the property near the corner of Montreal and Edgcumbe Road.

The Department's plan involves the creation of a more formal entry for these areas, with improvements to the existing pedestrian bridge, including lighting, improved pathway connections, and improved pedestrian paths and nature trails, including sight lighting on the trails. Parking lot improvements and a restroom shelter are also included, as are improved picnic areas with picnic tables, benches, grills, and bike racks. The City hopes to include a top notch play area and renovations to the disk golf area, which would be reduced from 12 to 9 holes.

Landscaping and reforestation would involve removal of buckthorn and undesirable trees, along with the planting of seasonal varieties among what are now mostly oak, ash, and hackberry trees. This would make the forest areas somewhat less monochromatic.

The plan calls for eliminating the through street status of Antonio Drive, a park road that presently connects Edgcumbe Road to Montreal Avenue. Antonio instead would serve as the main entry to the north area of the park from Montreal. It would dead end in the park, and would include 90 degree parking less spaces roughly equal in number to those of the old north parking lot.

The City expects to start work in late summer of 2004 and to complete the project in the summer of 2005. Work will start on the southern portion of the property with the parking lot and pavilion area.

Councilmembers expressed concerns about traffic in the area, focusing on the intersection of Montreal and Edgcumbe Road, which already is considered a problem even without taking into account expected traffic increases likely to occur by reason of the closing of Antonio Drive, the 2005 opening of the Highland Park Golf Course, and additional park traffic from increased use attributable to the park improvements. Concerns also were voiced regarding the eventual repair or replacement of the bridge on Edgcumbe Road immediately prior to the intersection of Edgcumbe and Hamline Avenue, and how this might affect adjacent neighborhoods, especially if Antonio Drive has been closed as an alternate route to Montreal Avenue.

Stewart Shacter, Kathy Sirek, and Mary Killian, residents of the area, echoed these concerns. They also expressed concerns regarding public safety, especially the possibility that the park may serve as congregating areas that could lead to problems and the intended location of the playground in an area that is not easily visible from main roads. Questions also were raised regarding the environmental affects the renovations might have on the area.

Since the issues raised crossed the boundaries of the Council's existing committees, Council agreed to establish an ad hoc committee to review the plan more closely. Membership on this committee would come from each of the Council's Transportation, Community Services, and Community Development Committees as well from interested members of the community. Despite the concerns expressed, the reaction of the Council to the proposals was generally very favorable, and the plan was viewed as a welcome step. The Council expressed thanks to Mr. Pesek and Mr. Anderson for the information
they provided and for their patience in discussing the history of the park and the project as well as the concerns raised regarding the plan.

7. Committees

Members of the Council then separated into groups based on the committees on which they wished to serve during the coming year. At these breakout groups Peter Armstrong was elected to chair the Transportation Committee, Jenny Winkelman was elected to chair the Community Services Committee, and Jim Graham was elected to chair the Community Development Committee.

8. District Plan Update

Scott Bunin reported on the progress of the Ad Hoc District Plan Committee. The City's Planning and Economic Development Department has indicated that it would not be able be of much help to the committee, especially when it comes to writing the plan. While Scott indicated that some help is available from John Marshall and Community Organizer, Gayle Summers, he would like authority to raise some money to pay for writing and research support. Mark Moeller, one of the members of the committee, has indicated that he was committed to helping to find funding for this as well. To start the process, Scott asked the Council to permit the Committee to spend up to $1,000 for internship and writing assistance related to the drafting of the plan. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Council granted the Committee authority to spend up to $1,000 of council funds for these purposes.

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

William D. Klein
Secretary