ANA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes (unapproved)

Monday, February 21, 2011

Gustavus Adolphus Church

Attendees:

            Craig Pederson

            Matt Brown

            Corri Sandwick

            Lisa Friedman

            Candace Baker

            Nic Baker

1.   Call to Order

2.   Volunteer Minneapolis: Gary Arnsten of Waite Park spoke to the board regarding the need to select eight representatives for the Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission (NCEC). Another eight are political appointees. Gary asked us that we support the selection process, and the board approved. We will bring it up in the March community meeting.

3.   Farmer’s Market: Wendy Huebner, Market Manager of “Village Farmer’s Market,” spoke to the board about working with us to expand our current farmer’s market, working under her auspices to manage the operation. We could maintain control over it and keep Sarah on-site, but would save money through lower administrative costs. The board will consider the proposal, the first step being to contact the church to see if they would be willing to allow more vendors into the parking lot.

4.   Tom Dunwald from the Waite Park Neighborhood Association addressed the board. He indicated that the Family Involvement Group (FIG) could provide middle-school kids to monitor games for younger kids at the WingDing and possibly provide additional games. Matt will follow up with him.

5.   Officers'  & Committee Reports

            a.   President’s Report: The IRS issues continue, and there is now some concern how to pay the penalties, since we can’t use NRP funds for this purpose.

             b.   Treasurer’s Report: Our NRP balance is fine, but the cash account is getting quite low. Issue: How to replenish the cash account.

              c.   Committee Reports

Newsletter: Robin has requested that we start publishing the newsletter every other month instead of quarterly so articles will be more timely. The board agreed, the one concern being whether doing so would increase cost. Nic will ask Robin to obtain cost information for us.

Welcome Package: Robin and Nic have now selected materials for the welcome package, which will include information on neighborhood housing programs. The board concluded that we should offer merchants the opportunity to include flyers, coupons, and other materials to advertise their establishments. Nic will approach the Johnson Street merchants and call Christine Levens of the Chamber of Commerce about soliciting materials from the Central Avenue merchants.

Housing: The Center for Energy and Environment, in partnership with the City of Minneapolis, was awarded $50,000 by the McKnight Foundation.  The funding will provide grants that Community Energy Services’ partnering organizations can receive based on the highest participation rate, greatest upgrade implementation rate, individual’s efforts and contributions, and related factors. Audubon currently ranks 7^th in overall participation. There will be a housing meeting Monday, Feb 28^th at 7:00pm to discuss how to get the next round of households participating in the program

Corri also informed the board that Habitat for Humanity is building a new house on Tyler. We will invite them to the community meeting to present their plans and, with community approval, will provide them with a letter of support.

Green Home Improvements: Corri proposed the Home Improvement Loan program, which reduced interest rates and made other changes. The money will be taken from the Code Compliance Program. The board approved, recognizing Corri for the quality of the plan.

6.    Funding for Movies in the Park: We have been asked to provide $500 to sponsor this summer’s movies in the parks. The board was uncertain about the appropriateness of spending this much money on the event, so Matt will obtain more information.

7.   The board identified agenda items for the March community meeting.

8.   The board elected Matt Brown as the new president. Lisa Friedman will remain as treasurer and Cindy McCleary as Treasurer. There was some discussion of electing a vice president who would then move into the president’s position in the coming years; the individual would also take over some of the work currently performed by the president. However, there were no volunteers.

9.     The board discussed general, minor issues regarding rain gardens and the WingDing

10.   The meeting was adjourned.