Here are some useful tips that renters can rely on to ensure safe housing:

Look for a rental or lodging license posted on the property

Your bedroom ceiling should be higher than 7 feet high

Look for smoke detectors within 15 feet of your bedroom

You should not have three or more unrelated roommates living in one unit

Rooms should be bigger than seven feet across

The room you sleep in should have a window or door that leads to the outside

There should not be more than four people sleeping in a single bedroom no matter how big the room is

To Report a Code Violation call Minneapolis 311. Or fill out a complaint form online:

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/contact/email-form-tenantcomp.asp

To: MHNA Board and General Membership
From: MHNA President Arvonne Fraser
Re: Tues. January 19, 2010 Meetings:
Board at 6 pm
General Membership at 7:30
University Lutheran Church of Hope
601 13th Ave SE
Lower level

An accessible elevator is located inside parking lot door (park free in lot)

Board Agenda

• Call to order, approve agenda
• Secretary’s Report – approve November 2009 minutes, also a bit of brainstorming on adding new members and re-invigorating our committees
• Treasurer’s Report, including fund raising update
- adopting a 2010 operating budget
- follow up on NRP funding from last meeting
• Executive Committee Report – Recommendations for changes in CEE loan guidelines
- New student rep on board - Martin Chorzempa
- New MHNA rep to SEMCOL
• Safety & Livability Committee Report – Eric Nauman, chair
• Land Use Committee report, Jo Radzwill, chair
• A few words from CM Diane Hofstede
• Misc updates and announcements including the University Alliance, Central Corridor Light Rail, Granary Road, etc.

General Membership Agenda

• Call to order, approve agenda
• Approve October 2009 General Membership minutes
• Board actions from earlier tonight, including CEE Revolving Loan guideline changes to attract more beneficiaries
• Update from CM Diane Hofstede on Granary Rd, City of Mpls 2010Legislatrive Agenda and other matters
• Meet Liz Wilenski, new MPRB Commissioner for our district. She will be chairing the MPRB Recreation Committee and also serving on the external boards of NRP, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization and the Riverfront Corporation. Bring questions and comments for her first appearance at MHNA.
• Scott Dyer, U of MN, Parking & Transportation, re: new traffic management & control tools to help guide street traffic in preparation for Washington Ave LRT

• Misc updates and announcements
Adjourn

– Next General Membership meeting will be March 16, 2010.

A group called Minneapolis Historic Homeowners Association is holding some sessions that may be of interest:

Thursday, January 21, 2010
7:00pm
“Stained and Cut Glass, History, Styles, and Maintenance”
By Jacob Honer, Honer Stained Glass Studio

Jefferson Auditorium, Jefferson Community School
1200 West 26th Street

Tickets: $3.00

Watch in March and April of 2010 when they will present Historic Preservation Seminars on Historic Tiles and Antique Lighting.

For more info or to join the organization, contact Joel Baird: 1915bung@gmail.com

Minutes- Land Use Committee
Tuesday –  January 12, 2010

University Lutheran Church of Hope
601 13th Ave. S.E. Minneapolis
5:30 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:
Arvonne Fraser, Dan Lanske, Kelly Phillips, Larry Prinds, Bo Sherman, Sonny Schneiderhan, Ardes Johnson

Presenters:
Gretchen Camp BKV Group, John Stephenson, Property owner-624 University Ave, John Gould, BKV Group, Jim Lavalle, Doran Companies (Sydney Hall).

Nick Cichowicz, guest.

1. While waiting for a quorum to arrive, informal discussion before meeting was held: Arvonne asked presenters “What do you expect the MH Land Use Committee to be and do?” Gretchen Camp (BKV) commented on the lack of communication re: December information sent by BKV to Land Use when there was no scheduled committee meeting. BKV had asked for an informal meeting. Gretchen also commented on the apparent disconnect between the Land Use Committee and the MH Board particularly on the Triangle development.

II. Meeting called to order by Arvonne Fraser in absence of chair Jo Radziwill who was out of town. Ardes Johnson agreed to serve as secretary for the meeting. Introductions.

III. The Thomas Apartments, 624 University Ave. S.E.
John Stephenson, property owner introduced himself. He is also owner of apt. building at corner of 4th Street. S.E. and 8th Avenue. as well as property outside of MHNA. Mr. Stephenson says that hiring BKV demonstrates his commitment to building high-quality multi-unit housing which will have on-site management.

John Gould, BKVArchitect presented the following information re: the development plans:–8 units, with 28 bedrooms in 3 story building organized into 3-4 bedroom apartments at north/south ends of building and 2-4 bedroom townhouses between with separate entrances

– Surface parking at rear of building and tuck-in parking west side of building allowing for .5 parking spaces per bedroom. Tuck-in parking for compact size cars. Must use current curb cut off University Avenue as block has no alley. Bike racks in tuck-in parking do not meet city code requirements so bike racks will be added outside.

– Landscaping includes over-story trees and shrubs on East side, and plants at front.

– Handicapped accessible from first parking stall in tuck-in parking for first floor handicapped accessible apartment.

– Developer requested MHNA support for conditional use permit for multi-unit dwelling and the front yard variance. The planned building is set back 15 ft as required by city but there is an overhang at front entrance supported by columns by 5′4″ into front yard. Upper floor bay window projects 1′4″ into front yard setback.

The variances required by 624 University re:
– Providing 57% compact parking spaces for required vehicle parking (25% compact parking are allowed)
– 10 foot high retaining wall (6ft. is allowed)
– Bicycle parking does not meet the standards for long term bicycle parking
(16 bike racks are enclosed; 25 stalls are required to be enclosed)

Discussion: Committee members noted that placing garbage collection carts and recycling on University Avenue may not be allowed by city and that front portico needed adjustment to allow for garbage truck entrance and exit. Developer agreed to look at waste management for building. Committee members also expressed concern about the 4 bedroom units which are likely to result in undergraduate housing when affordable, graduate student housing is a greater need.

Kelly Phillips moved that LU Committee approve the development plans. Larry Prinds seconded and the committee unanimously voted to approve the BKV plans for 624 University Avenue S.E.

IV. Sydney Hall, Jim Lavalle:

– Progress report: 40 of 125 units have been leased. A model apartment is now open for viewing on 2nd floor from 11-5 p.m every day or by appointment. Property manager Tia at 612-455-7777. Retail area now projected to include Wells Fargo, Erberts and Gerberts and CVS pharmacy.

– Initial plans to place transformer on interior side of building would require boarding 2nd floor windows to meet city clearance requirement. In order to preserve the 2nd floor windows, the transformers are now moved to east side of property. Developer requests approval of new site for transformers.

– The University is now not able to lease portion of Dinky Dome as planned for office space. Doran requests support for a conditional use permit to add residential units to the original plans. Parking is adequate for additional residential units.

Dan Lanske moved that the LU Committee support the variance for the transformer placement and the permit for conditional use for residential units. Larry Prinds seconded and the committee unanimously approved.

Meeting adjourned.

Here are some useful tips that renters can rely on to ensure safe housing :

Look for a rental or lodging license posted on the property

Your bedroom ceiling should be higher than 7 feet high

Look for smoke detectors within 15 feet of your bedroom

You should not have three or more unrelated roommates living in one unit

Rooms should be bigger than seven feet across

The room you sleep in should have a window or door that leads to the outside

There should not be more than four people sleeping in a single bedroom no matter how big the room is

To Report a Code Violation call Minneapolis 311.
Or Fill out a complaint form online
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/contact/email-form-tenantcomp.asp

The 2010 Minneapolis Earth Day Watershed Clean Up will take place Saturday, April 17, from 9:30am - Noon.

We are looking for a site coordinator at our site, Father Hennepin Bluffs Park.The total time commitment for site coordinators is roughly 6-8 hours. Responsibilities:

• Attend two site coordinator planning meetings prior to event (if you are unable to make meeting, MPRB staff will follow up with you regarding the pertinent information).

• Pick up Earth Day supplies (gloves, bags, first aid kits, maps, environmental education materials) from MPRB Headquarters prior to the event.

• Set and oversee the volunteer registration table, pass out supplies, answer questions from volunteers and communicate any concerns or issues to MPRB staff during the event.
•Return all left over supplies to MPRB Headquarters following the event.

Contact the MHNA Office to volunteer 623-7633 or office@marcy-holmes.org

The US Census is hiring 1,200 people in Minneapolis to do the field work for the 2010 Census. The jobs are temporary and will start sometime between January and March and should continue into June. The jobs pay about $14 to $18 an hour depending on the level of the position for which someone is hired. The Census wants to hire people who live in the neighborhoods to work in the neighborhoods. Persons who are bilingual or multi-lingual are particularly desired to work in neighborhoods where their second language would likely be encountered. You must be able to commit to a 40-hour week of paid training.

For further information on Census jobs including a practice test, please go to the website:

2010censusjobs.gov

To be considered for hiring, please call toll free to 1-866-861-2010 and ask for an appointment at a “testing session.” If you are also interested in a supervisory position, then also request an appointment for the “supervisor test.”

Opportunity for Energy Projects in Commercial, Industrial and Nonprofit Buildings

Applications due Feb. 12, 2010
energy.mn.gov

The MN Office of Energy Security is requesting proposals for competitive funds to implement cost-effective projects that maximize energy savings, displace fossil fuel energy inputs and reduce the total energy demand of buildings.

Third Ward CARE meetings are scheduled for 2010: Jan 20, Feb 24, March 24, April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, Aug 18, Sept 15, Oct 20, Nov 17, Dec 15.

Winter/Spring location is Center for Families, 333 4th St SE ( Jan - June).

July - Dec meetings held at Eastside Neighborhood Services, 1700 2nd St NE.

Hosted by MC Diane Hofstede

Mill City Museum
704 Second Street South

For more information about Mill City Museum events call 612-341-7555, or visit millcitymuseum.org

Minneapolis in the 20th Century with Iric Nathanson
Thursday, January 14, 2010
7 pm

Hear a free talk by author Iric Nathanson about the checkered history of Minneapolis based on his new book, “Minneapolis in the 20th Century: The Growth of an American City,” published by MHS Press. Nathanson shines a light in dark corners of the city’s past, exploring corruption that existed between the police department and city hall, brutal suppression of Depression-era unions and reports on anti-Semitism at midcentury. At the same time, community leaders made a difference when racial violence exploded across the country and concerned neighbors guided transportation policy from more and bigger highways to forward-looking light rail transit. By the end of the 20th century, the riverfront was transformed into a magnet for people wishing to live and play at the site where the city began to grow.

Books will be available for purchase and Nathanson will sign copies.

We just got word that MHNA won another Metro Blooms award, “Garden of Merit 2009″.

Thanks to all the Boulevard Garden adopters and Community Flower Garden volunteers who helped beautify the neighborhood last year.

Following is a link to a recent story on alcohol and college life, from Chicago Public Radio’s “This American Life.” In case you missed it:

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?sched=1330

It’s interesting to note that ours isn’t the only community grappling with these problems and also to hear what has worked, and what hasn’t, around other campuses.

Several of the newly-planted boulevard trees on the east side of Marcy-Holmes have been vandalized. The Marcy-Holmes neighborhood and the Forestry unit of the Minneapolis Park Board have invested in many new boulevard trees over the years. The neighborhood association has used NRP funds and a University Good Neighbor Fund grant to fund tree planting.

Because of the ongoing destruction of our trees, we sought U of MN advice about improving the survival of boulevard trees, and talked about a possible class project with Professor Gary Johnson of the Department of Forest Resources, for Spring Semester. His Greenscape Management class will do a small research project on the social properties of greenscape management, to include an event on or around Arbor Day, April 30, 2010.

This will be followed by a community tree stewardship project that will be informed at least in part by the lessons learned in the students’ research. MHNA Board Member Ardes Johnson has volunteered to serve as the principal client for the class project. Thanks U of MN & Ardes!

We really appreciate your support! Many thanks to those who made tax deductible donations to MHNA this year:
Read the rest of this entry »

Working with Gardening Matters and the Minnesota Energy Challenge, the City has helped develop (through the use of their highly successful Climate Change micro grants) a new website called “Yards to Gardens.” It helps connect people who have land available for gardening with people who want to garden.

Check it out here: y2g.org

The Minneapolis Public Schools invites you to attend a community meeting to learn more about proposed MPS “New Schools.”

“New Schools” are intended to encourage innovative teaching and learning methods to improve student learning and narrow achievement gaps. They are designed to complement existing school models and provide an environment in which students are able to achieve at a faster rate. The creation of high performing “new schools” is one important strategy outlined in the MPS strategic plan to ensure that every MPS student is academically proficient in reading and math and college ready, and to close the racial and economic achievement gaps.

Proposals for “New Schools” applying for approval from the Minneapolis Board of Education will be presented at a community meeting on Thursday, January 14, 2010 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center (UROC), 2001 Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis. School leaders will also address questions from the public. Recommendations will be presented to the Board of Education on January 19. The board is expected to make approval decisions on January 26. A light dinner and child care will be available.
Please call (612) 668-0230 to reserve a space.

WHAT:
Community meeting to learn more about proposed MPS “New Schools
WHEN:
Thursday, January 14, 2010
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center
2001 Plymouth Ave. N.

If you have additional questions, please contact John Bacal, Executive Director of the Office of New Schools, at Jon.Bacal@mpls.k12.mn.us

Jon.Bacal@mpls.k12.mn.us

Highlights in 2nd Precinct: Theft of Motor Vehicle

During the colder months, car thieves take advantage of residents who leave their cars running unattended. The temptation to start the car and let it warm up while you stay warm inside or leaving it running while doing a short errand could be a costly mistake! Officers may issue tickets (with fines of $34) to any cars that are running with no driver present. Even if you lock the car, it only takes seconds to break a window or jimmy a door lock. It is against City ordinance to leave your key in the ignition while you are not in your car (Minneapolis City Ordinance 478.160, Open Ignition-a petty misdemeanor)*. In fact, if your car is reported stolen and your keys are in it, you may get a ticket. Running your car to keep it warm may leave you in the cold! Please help us to reduce this winter crime.

Upcoming Events

Housing Inspections — Informational Meeting about Housing Inspections
Angie Hugen, Housing Inspection Supervisor, will give a presentation on how Housing Inspections addresses community concerns. The program will be part of the 2nd Precinct PAC meeting on January 11th at 6:00 p.m. at Monroe Village, 1900 Central Avenue Northeast. Everyone is welcome to attend. If you have questions, please call 673-2874.

Block Club Training — Will be held on January 27 at the 2nd Precinct, 1911 Central @ 6:00 p.m. please consider attending to learn how you can work with your neighbors to decrease the opportunity for crime in the community. Please call 673-2874 to make reservations.

For questions, contact:
Carol Oosterhuis, Crime Prevention Specialist
Minneapolis Police Department, 2nd Precinct
(612) 673-2874

carol.oosterhuis@ci.minneapolis.mn.us

2010 Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour wants your home!

The 2010 Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour is looking for homeowners and home improvement professionals who would like to put their homes on the Tour. Nomination/applications are due Thursday, January 21, 2010, and early submissions are encouraged.

The Tour, in its 23rd year, will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 24 and 25, 2010.

Community leaders are asked to identify individuals or clusters of well-kept and remodeled homes to ask to participate. Contractors and other vendors may nominate homes they have worked on, and are encouraged to call for more information. Green, energy efficient, and historically-sensitive remodels and expansions get special notice. Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) manages the tour as a celebration of city living that encourages homeowners to improve existing homes. Many organizations and businesses sponsor the tour.

For more information, call Tour Coordinator Margo Ashmore at 612-673-5103 or email her at link@nrp.org.

The application can be downloaded from MSPHomeTour.com under “nominate.”

New signage has been installed along the 6th Ave Greenway, from University Ave to Main St SE.

In spring, a group of gardeners will work again to revamp the native plantings — this time with a guidebook of plants (and weeds!) to assist.

New flyers about the greenway have also been printed and are available at MHNA office, Dunn Bros, and nearby condo and apartment residences and offices.

Many thanks to Sandra Brick, MHNA member and graphic designer, for her help along with other members of the MHNA gardening committee: Cordelia Pierson, Marnie Loven-Bell, Sonny Schneiderhan, Pat Sevedberg and Cindy Jounson. This project was funded by a grant from the Stewardship Fund Program of the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization.

The MHNA Revolving Loan program will likely be changing. The MHNA Board will be discussing ways to improve the program at their January meeting. More information will be presented at the MHNA General Membership meeting following the board meeting, 7:30 pm on Tuesday January 19, 2010. Please join us.

The LNYW rentals page is live now: livenearyourwork.net.

It is designed to help graduate students, downtown workers, U of MN faculty and staff find rental housing in the four neighborhoods near the campus. Listings are free and remain posted for 60 days. Owners of houses, condos or apartments who wish to rent to this market should check the site — it’s easy to upload photographs and information.