ANA Meeting Minutes

3/21/23 / 6:30 PM / Armatage Community Center

BOARD ATTENDEES

Eli Johnson, Ethan Komoroski, Sharla McIntosh-Ziegler, Kevin Ross, Judy Vecere, Charlie Wolfe, Vikisha Goberdhan

NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Nikki Lindberg

OTHER ATTENDEES

Tara Brown, Lauren Anderson (coordinator)

THE MEETING

Updated financials were sent via email and are posted online.

6:30pm Welcome and Introductions

6:35pm Comments from the Community 

None.

6:45pm Park Update

6:50pm Springtime in Armatage Planning Update (5/13, 9-12am)

• North side of the lot, stage tables in set up similar to Pet Fest – final setup to be decided over the next two CE meetings. Set up volunteers arrive at 8:30am.
• Activities
  • Tool Swap – staffed by Green Team members and SWHS Green Team members
  • House Plant Swap – Neighbor Liz to staff this with a Green Team member, great copy on the website
  • ANA Table – raising awareness about election, recruiting new candidates?, signing up neighbors for eNews
  • Adopt a Drain – bringing own volunteers
  • DNR – backyard birding best practices, wildlife talk
  • Master Gardener – yard tool maintenance, general lawn, flora, garden knowledge
• Vendors
  • Need to get coffee and pastry situation figured out- will do that at April CE meeting. Lauren to reach out to Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer to see if they can help out (LCCR said they’d love to bring at least baked goods). Then we’ll ask the board for funding on this in the April board meeting if necessary.

7:00pm Annual Meeting & Board Election Planning Update

• Food: Maybe a 300 dollar limit, 15 pizzas or so based on Judy’s research of current pricing and our historical purchases. Leaning toward splitting them between Lola and Red Wagon. (Decided on Lola in email afterward)
• Speaker: House Novel will be reached out to by Eli, hopefully they’re available. Lauren will make a handout with what the ANA has been up to.
• May 13-16 Hybrid Election Plan
• “Sign up to serve” goes live in April. Then it will stay open until May 16 @7pm to announce the winner at the Annual meeting. Kevin and Sharla are the only incumbents so they will be auditing and authorizing the vote

7:15pm Approval of Minutes & 2022 Annual Report – Kevin

• Motion to approve passed unanimously
• Added a major highlight of pivoting from Summer Festival to multiple events throughout the year
• Take a look at the annual report for opportunities for the next year, the city gives us a list of engagement options (surveys, etc)

7:25pm SW Neighborhoods Collaborative Update – Lauren

• Grant Update: Our group got the grant! First meeting to organize was a little tense, but the energy to make this useful for all of us is there. More updates to come.
• Vote on Designated Rep: Nikki to be the designated rep

7:35pm Park Commissioner Cathy Abene

• A couple of initiatives she wanted to talk about (passed committee unanimously).
  • Stormwater runoff (water quality). Currently the MPRB does water quality measurement and communication. There’s been a stormwater utility since 2005 that the city hasn’t been paying a lot to the MPRB. They want to build a staff to do stormwater management, including maintenance plan and compliance. Currently there’s no engineers on staff to map pipesheds and watersheds. This is a need for our public cooling areas and shared natural resources.
    • Action: Send an email to the mayor to amend a $2 fee onto the current water bill to fund that (Green Team taking this action).
• Parkway funding has lagged. Contracted with the city but the funding isn’t adequate anymore. Rather than a 30 year maintenance plan, many of the city’s parkways have been on a 100 year plan, and it shows. Looking for $6 million/yr to redo the parkways, looking into other funding streams for this as well

7:55pm Washburn Tot Lot Pollinator Garden  – Ethan & Tara B.

• Garden Design shared
  • Metro Blooms scheduled for excavation, tree planting May 8
• Maintenance plan shared with committee
• Request made to elevate legal agreement with MPRB. Commissioner Abene will try to help the Green Team/ANA to ensure we have all the details finalized before we break ground
• Open House & Mailing Budget
  • $250 approved for postcard printing and mailing. Targeted mailing to households within 1-1.5 block radius
  • $100 approved for hot drinks and treats for the April 13th Green Team meeting/open house.
• Planting Days
  • May 19/20. 4th and 5th graders to help plant on the 18th/19th
  • Green Team members to be forepeople for these days, direction positioning and planting for each of the beds

8:05pm New Business

• Resolved the agenda for the Spring newsletter, Lauren to share draft in April, expected to hit mailboxes before the election.

8:20pm Adjourned

UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

• Apr 6 – Community Engagement Committee (6:00-7:00pm, Book Club)
• Apr 11 – SW Collaborative Meeting (7:30-8:30pm, 3537 Nicollet Ave)
• Apr 13 – Green Team Meeting (7:00-8:30pm, Zoom)
• Apr 18 – Monthly Meeting (6:30-8:30pm, Armatage Park)
  • Councilmember Palmisano is coming to next month’s meeting. Send Kevin questions for her by 4/11
• Apr 22 – Earth Day Clean-up (9:30am-12:00pm, Armatage Park)

ANA 2023 Planning Calendar

2023-24 Neighborhood Engagement Plan

ANA Meeting Minutes

2/21/23 / 6:30 PM / Armatage Community Center

BOARD ATTENDEES

Eli Johnson, Ethan Komoroski, Nikki Lindberg, Sharla McIntosh-Ziegler, Kevin Ross, Judy Vecere, Charlie Wolfe

NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Vikisha Goberdhan,

OTHER ATTENDEES

Jordan Nelson and Brian Hall  (Rec Center Director)

THE MEETING

Updated financials were sent via email and are posted online.

6:30 Welcome and Introductions (Kevin)

6:36 Comments from Community

• None

6:45 Armatage Park Update (new Park Director Brian Hall)

• Brian has been with the Parks for 29 years. He has worked all across the city, except for the southwest area, but has experience with sites that share with a school and loves to be engaged with the neighborhood associations and PTO groups.
• Ice rinks are likely done for the season (especially with the expected snow this week). Check online before heading to the rink! It was a short but great season with a waitlisted ice skating program and host site for a pond hockey league. They will assess their need for any loaner ice skates and let us know if we can help re-stock their supply.
• Armatage will again be hosting the 11u basketball tourney (March 17-25). 16 teams will participate (8) co-ed and (8) girls. The park always needs concession volunteers. They will also be holding a food drive throughout the tournament.
• Spring registration is open and ongoing. Summer opens tomorrow.
• The park request for use of the Showmobile for Summer Jam has already been approved.

6:50 SW Neighborhoods Collaborative (Nikki) 

• Invite to Participate: The board was sent a summary of the efforts of this neighborhood association collaborative with Armatage, Kenny, Windom, Fulton, Tangletown and Windom. In order to move forward, each neighborhood was asked to sign a letter of intent supporting the work of the group, allowing staff to put time towards these efforts, and to elect a representative to serve on this new board.

• A motion was made to have the ANA sign this letter. Seconded. Motion carries.

• Collaboration & Shared Resource Grant Application: As one of the first acts as a collaboration, they have written an application for this grant (a draft has been shared with the board). If funds are awarded they will be used to help create structures and procedures for how the collaboration will work, as well as support the creation of a series of collaborative events. All collaboration work is focused on improving understanding, adopting practices and supporting systems around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The final version is due February 28.

• A motion was made to have the ANA participate in this grant application. Seconded. Motion carries.

7:10 Annual Meeting & Board Election Planning (Kevin)

• May 13-16 Hybrid Election Plan
  • Candidate registration to begin in mid-April (through May 13)
  • Voting will take place May 13-16
  • Current board positions on the ballot: Ethan, Charlie, Vicky, Eli, Judy, + one open seat (Please let Lauren know if you are planning to run or not.)
  • It was asked if we could resurrect a social event to help us network with neighbors in a more casual (non-meeting) setting like we have done in the past at Cafe Maude and Red Wagon.
• May 16 Annual Meeting Speakers ideas
  • House Novel (gathers and documents the history of a home through photographs and  stories)
  • Old Home Certified (Rethos)
  • Both have a slightly different take on the history of homes, and could be a nice compliment to our work with Just Deeds
• Budget & Plan for Treats
  • Judy offered to reach out to Lola and Red Wagon about ordering pizzas for the meeting.

• A motion was made to approve up to $500 for food at the annual meeting. Seconded. Motion carries.

7:30 Partnering with Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer (Sharla & Ethan)

• The Green Team is considering having a meeting on their patio, next to their rain garden, when the weather permits.
• There are some concerns about hosting events at a church (may not feel inclusive to all), but are excited to have them engage with and participate in our events, and the church is already interested in being involved in our spring event and Summer Jam.

7:40 Office Clean-out Progress (Nikki, Charlie & Ethan)

• The Welcome Bag supplies have all been relocated to the office. There are still some files to get sorted, then a second sorting will need to take place, as it is assumed that there may be several duplications in what was set aside.
• There are several items that we no longer need/want and plan to find a way to donate or recycle these (once the weather is nicer and we can more easily move things outdoors for pick-up).

7:45 Approval of Minutes & Amended City Budget (Kevin)

• Motion to approve January minutes. Seconded. Motion carries.

• Motion to approve amended city budget. Seconded. Motion carries.

7:55 Committee Updates

• Community Engagement (Sharla)
  • Welcome Bags. With the new agreed upon distribution plan, six of the board members in attendance each took 6 bags, and this should help clear up most of the current back log.
  • They continue to ask for Armatage Affirmation, and considered a campaign: Love Thy Neighbor
  • Garden Tool Swap & Spring neighborhood event [May 13] (with coffee/tea vendor) — Brainstormed an event name (Springtime in the Neighborhood). Plan to partner with the Armatage PTA
  • Summer Jam [Aug 27 4-6] — Already have 2 food vendors and several potential sponsors.
• Green Team (Ethan)
  • Met with the city regarding the Washburn tot lot garden. In April they plan to invite the area neighbors to show them the design, and recruit weeding and watering partners. May 20/21 is the tentative planting day.
  • Springtime in the Neighborhood: Tool Swap, Adopt-a-Drain, Settergrens is willing to rent electric lawn implements (but can’t help staff, so uncertain as to whether or not we will do this), Ask a Master Gardener
  • They plan to crowd-source for future project ideas this spring and summer.
• SW Collaborative (Nikki) — (discussed above)

8:10 New Business

• We need someone to do minutes in March. Ethan is willing.

Meeting adjourned at 8:23

Note: After the meeting, the ANA Board approved a letter of support for the East Phillips Urban Farm and a letter of support for the Great Plains Institute’s MN GreenCorps application via email. 

ANA Meeting Minutes

1/17/23 / 6:30 PM / Armatage Community Center

BOARD ATTENDEES

Vikisha Goberdhan, Ethan Komoroski, Nikki Lindberg, Kevin Ross, Judy Vecere, Charlie Wolfe

NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Eli Johnson, Sharla McIntosh-Ziegler

OTHER ATTENDEES

Lauren Anderson (Armatage Coordinator), Jason Green (interim Rec Center Director), Amy Schutt  (Assistant City Attorney), Ryan Tvenge (new neighbor), Denis Houle, Linea Palmisano (City Council)

THE MEETING

Updated financials were sent via email and are posted online.

6:37 Welcome and Introductions (Kevin Ross)

6:39 Comments from Community

• Denis Houle — former board member (served about 15 years) and sat on the NCEC city board. Denis spoke at the December City Council budget meeting. He is hoping to get some organization around the budget needs of neighborhoods. He is concerned about the current trend by the council to defund neighborhood organizations. Nikki shared info about a collaboration group meeting of six area neighborhoods, and their hope to work together to address these funding needs. Linea also spoke to the new Mayoral process, and the current $10k base funding (which isn’t sufficient to professionally run these organizations that are a key component in citywide communications).

7:01 Council Vice President Linea Palmisano

• 57th and Penn update. The city received over 1,000 traffic calming applications (map on the website). Public works is working to narrow down the most feasible projects, and have capacity and budget to implement 10-15 projects. Hope to know by spring to know which projects are selected.
• One-sided parking. Feedback over recent plowing and parking issues has the city considering implementing 1-sided parking restrictions to help right-of-way access.

7:12 Armatage Park Update (interim Park Director Jason Green)

• Jason also manages Bryant Square and has been with the MPB since 1985, and has worked for 12 different neighborhoods. Jason commented about the importance of the work neighborhoods do, and is happy to support us if needed.
• Fire & Ice (January 27th at Armatage Park). Events (such as Fire & Ice at Kenny) for this weekend will likely be canceled due to warm temperatures (hope to reschedule).

7:19 Minneapolis Just Deeds Program
(Amy Schutt, Assistant City Attorney)

• Just Deeds helps homeowners discharge racial covenants from their deeds. They also help educate residents about the impacts of discrimination in homeownership and its long term impacts. Launched in 2021, they initially got over 1,800 applications, and are now positioned to re-engage their efforts with a more focused approach.
• Just Deeds is willing to help with any number of outreach efforts. We can consider doing door knocking, mailing a targeted postcard, hosting a presentation, tabling at an event (like Summer Jam, August 27) and adding more info online.
• Longfellow is using a grant to help them do this type of outreach in partnership with Free the Deeds.
• The process to discharge the covenant is free. Just Deeds is able to get the needed documents, file with the county, and access an electronic notary service.

7:42 2023 City Engagement Funding

• Discussed above. City leveled up some neighborhoods to a $20,000 total budget ($10,000 base operating  funds and $10,000 equitable engagement funds). Neighborhoods can now spend some limited amount on food (a small %) .

7:44 Welcome Bag Program Changes

• In February we will work on distributing the remaining bags. Moving forward we will switch to different bags (paper w/ sticker…clip on magnet?) and a shared delivery method, with assembly taking place just before a regular monthly meeting.
• We are drafting a postcard to invite renters (and homeowners) to receive a welcome bag, and plan to have a limited supply available at ANA events.

8:05 Office Clean-out Progress

• For the people who have volunteered to help, more clean out sessions will be scheduled. Currently, we have gathered a lot of information to go to the Hennepin County Library archives, set aside materials we’d like to keep a copy of (and need to figure out the best way to create that copy/storage plan before giving this to HCL).

7:50 Approval of Minutes & Financials

• Motion to approve November minutes. Seconded. Motion carries.

8:14 Committee Updates

• Community Engagement — Welcome bag recommendations (noted above), Fire & Ice on January 27, Planning has starting on spring events (neighborhood election day/garden tool swap on May 13)
• Green Team — Finalized grant submittals for Lawns to Legumes, Securing garden tool swap volunteers (master gardener for questions, tool maintenance info), Washburn tot lot meeting soon for final design plans, and working on building connections with neighbors for weeding and watering needs (May 20 & 21)

8:20 New Business

• Need someone to do minutes in March and May as Nikki will not be able to attend those meetings

Meeting adjourned at 8:23

UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

• Jan 27 – Armatage Fire & Ice Skating Party (6:00-7:30pm, Armatage Park)
• Feb 2 – Community Engagement Committee (6:00-7:00pm, Book Club)
• Feb 9 – Green Team Meeting (7:00-8:30pm, TBD)
• Feb 21 – Monthly Meeting (6:30-8:30pm, Armatage Park)

ANA Meeting Minutes

11/15/22 / 6:30 PM / Armatage Park Community Center

BOARD ATTENDEES

Eli Johnson, Ethan Komoroski, Nikki Lindberg, Sharla McIntosh-Ziegler, Kevin Ross, Charlie Wolfe

NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Vikisha Goberdhan, Judy Vecere

OTHER ATTENDEES

Lauren Anderson (Armatage Coordinator), Dillon Clements (Rec Center Director), Debbie Goettel (Hennepin County Commissioner, District 5),  Graham Faulkner (Goettel’s Communications Director),  Lara Bergman, Ben Smith, Rachel Ireland-Henry (bookkeeper)

THE MEETING

Updated financials were sent via email and are posted online.

6:30 Welcome and Introductions (Kevin Ross)

6:35 Comments from Community

• Update from Lara on the pedestrian crossing at 57th & Penn. The application has been submitted. They got lots of support (school, neighbors, park users). They are unsure as to when they will hear about their project, but expect it won’t be until the new year.
  • Commissioner Goettel mentioned some options if we don’t get selected by the city for this crossing. There are some funding options from the county to help slow traffic, including tree planting, public art installations, and wayfinding signage. We could look into relocating the park sign closer to this intersection and have an electrical information sign installed (grant funding available for this sort of project). Safe routes to schools funding should be coming back, and might be a resource. There are also funds for bike & walking trails that could be considered. Plus, she is presenting a new proposal around safe routes to transit. This crossing is co-located with a bus stop, and could be another potential avenue.

6:45 Armatage Park Update (Park Director Dillon Clements)

• The MPRB has many opportunities available for various advisory appointment positions (https://www.minneapolisparks.org/volunteer-and-give/advisory_board_commission_appointments/) including the tree and bicycle advisory committees, the racial equity committee and Homegrown Food council. Apply online.
• No update on when the ice rink will begin construction, but the boards have been delivered.
• KPAC to help support funding new batting cage netting
• 31 basketball teams (across all age levels) 25 last year
• Fire & Ice Friday, January 27 in partnership with the ANA and Armatage PTA
• It was asked about who is responsible for the sidewalks around and in the park. The City is responsible for the perimeter, the park for any within, but the park will clear snow from all.

6:50 Hennepin County Update (County Commissioner Debbie Goettel)

• Goettel (pronounced “Go Tell”) has been commissioner for Richfield/Bloomington area, but picked up some precincts in Minneapolis in the redistricting, so is Armatage’s new county commissioner.
• She gave an overview of her experience and involvement in various committees and projects (learn more https://www.hennepin.us/your-government/leadership/5th-district). Professionally was an environmental engineer, so has always brought an environmental impact lens to her civic engagement.
• Her party affiliation is Democrat, and she is on the national board for Democratic county officials, and a member of the Minnesota national committee.
• To help outline some of the projects the county has been working on, she walked through the $250 million in pandemic relief dollars and the various projects, including:
  • Education (helped deploy technology with community partners for schools and senior centers, providing hotspots, etc)
  • Employment (online training programs)
  • Health (providing rides to appointments to avoid public transit, Covid shots, Covid tests, PPE, vaccine incentives)
  • Housing (developed faster intake processes, helped shelters renovate and pay for staffing so could function 24/7, provide legal services to address evictions and created a program where a landlord could apply on behalf of the renter)
  • Income (participating in a guaranteed basic income pilot program)
  • Justice (with partners in the community to help with violence prevention)
  • Transportation (broadband and digital inclusion, infrastructure improvements to address coverage and connectivity, new hotspot/plug-and-play option coming, Telemed and new  kiosks to connect people to the help they need)
  • Other (HVAC system improvements, voter participation/Ipads, expansion of early voting locations)
• It was asked what funding opportunities there might be from the county to support the neighborhood. Many mentioned during the pedestrian crosswalk discussion above, but there may be youth sports grants and capital project funding to support park needs, environmental related projects, arts projects, and recycling. She also suggested we look at Met Council grants.

Minneapolis School Board Update (Representative Ira Jourdain)

• Has to reschedule due to a school board meeting postponement

7:20 Welcome Bag Program

• Current process (Ethan, Eli, Kevin): assembling welcome bags with coupons, trinkets, recycling info, info about the ANA, etc.; Ethan has been storing materials at his home; it has become very difficult to find people at home for delivery. Currently have a backlog of about 86 new homeowners; Judy has helped out, and was delivering bags and got us down to 47. Average about 12/month, with spring and summer peaks. We get a list of the new homeowners from Eli through his work as a realtor. Joyce has also agreed to help out.
  • Would like to move the items to the ANA office
  • Looking for new ways to help manage this program
• After much discussion and sharing of ideas, it was decided that we’d pilot a postcard program, mailed directly to the new resident and invite them to express interest in receiving a bag (and selecting a day/time). It is hoped that this helps save time for our volunteers and still accomplishes what we hope this program does, to welcome new people and help them become aware of the ANA. Lauren will work with Nikki to create a postcard. We are working on office improvements, and should be able to move the supplies to our space in the community center.

7:35 2023 Budget

• We did a quick walk through of the proposed 2023 budget. With the approval of the below contracts, a motion was made to approve the budget. Seconded. Approved.

7:50 Staff Contracts (closed portion of meeting)

• Motion to accept Rachel’s bookkeeping contract. Seconded. Approved

• Motion to increase Lauren’s hourly rate. Seconded. Approved.

8:10 Approval of Minutes

• Motion to approve the October minutes statement. Seconded. Approved.

8:15 New Business

• December meeting. Switch to the 13th due to  several conflicts, cancel meeting and instead have a social event at Book Club.

Meeting adjourned at 8:32

UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

• Dec 1 – Community Engagement Committee (6:00-7:00pm, Book Club)
• Dec 8 – Green Team Meeting (7:00-8:30pm, TBD)
• Dec 9–18 – Holiday Light Tour (each night 5:00–8:00pm)
• Dec 15 – Monthly Meeting changed to social gathering  (6:30-8:30pm, Book Club)

ANA Meeting Minutes

10/18/22 / 6:30 PM / Armatage Park Community Center

BOARD ATTENDEES

Kim Herring, Ethan Komoroski, Vikisha Goberdhan, Sharla McIntosh-Ziegler, Kevin Ross, Charlie Wolfe

NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Eli Johnson, Judy Vecere, Nikki Lindberg

OTHER ATTENDEES

Aryca Myers – NCR, Dillon Clements – SW Rec Center, Cathy Abene – MPRB District 6 Representative, Lauren Anderson – Armatage Neighborhood Coordinator

THE MEETING

Updated financials were sent via email.

6:30   Welcome and Introductions (Kevin Ross)

6:35   Comments from Community

• Clarification on what became of Lara Bergman’s traffic calming letter/application. Lara is asking residents east of Penn to sign on.

6:40   Armatage Park Update (Park Director Dillon Clements)

• Flag football and soccer season finishing up, week of season-ending parties
• Basketball, other winter sports sign ups start 10/26
• Staffing at Armatage and Kenny has been very strong, worker engagement is great

7:17   Board Representation Survey (NCR representative Aryca Myers)

• Diversity survey is administered every few years. Results are published anonymously to show how the Boards compare to their constituencies through a number of different characteristics (home ownership, gender identity, race, age, etc)

7:35  Park Board Update (MPRB District 6 Commissioner Cathy Abene)

• It’s budget season. Commissioner says that she’s found MPRB’s style of budgeting and governing to be incredibly transparent. https://www.minneapolisparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Superintendents-Recommended-2023-BudgetADA.pdf
  • Youth focused, caring for park assets, and climate change mitigation
  • Opportunities to comment on 10/26, 11/2, 11/12, 11/30 and 12/6
• Didn’t get full ask from the Board of Estimate and Taxation (around 7 percent of the property tax levy)
• Got no bonding money from the legislature despite historic state surplus
• 6-year Capital Improvement Plan has some aggressive carbon reduction goals https://www.minneapolisparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Recommended-2023-2028-MPRB-Capital-Improvement-Program-ADA.pdf
  • Graco Park rec center to be net-zero
• Potential of MPLS waiving registration fees for children’s sports like Saint Paul did
  • MPRB never turns away people who cannot pay
  • There is a sponsorship program where you can pay for someone else to play/do activities
  • MPRB looking at “pay what you can” model. Commissioner Abene believes that this model may actually result in MORE revenue, as many parents/participants view programming as very good value and would probably pay more to support MPRB and cost-burdened participants.
• Harriet Pavilion
  • Renovation pushed back to next year (spring, pause during summer programming, then finish in Fall)
  • It will be BLUE. Neighbors will be weighing in on the final hue.
  • Roof will be wood, stained then going grey over time.

7:30   Edits and Approval of 2023-2024 Funding Applications (Equitable Engagement, Neighborhood Network Fund)

• • Some edits to our two documents:
    • 2023-2024 EEF
    • Engagement Plan

• Motion to pass these two documents along to the city, seconded, motion carries

8:00  Board Refresher Training

• Robert’s Rules, fiduciary responsibilities, examples of what we do and how we do it

8:30  Minutes Approval

• Motion to approve the September minutes. Seconded. Carries.

Meeting adjourned at 8:32

UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

• Oct 24–31 – Halloween Decoration Tour (nightly 6:00–8:00pm)
• Nov 3 – Community Engagement Committee (6-7p, Book Club?)
• Nov 10 – Green Team (7-8:30p, TBD)
• Nov 15 – ANA Monthly Meeting (6:30 – 8:30p, Armatage Rec Center)

ANA Meeting Minutes

9/20/22 / 6:30 PM / Armatage Park Community Center (park)

BOARD ATTENDEES

Ethan Komoroski, Nikki Lindberg, Sharla McIntosh-Ziegler, Kevin Ross, Charlie Wolfe

NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Vikisha Goberdhan, Kim Herring, Eli Johnson, Judy Vecere

OTHER ATTENDEES

Lara Bergman, Daniel Rosenblum, Linea Palmisano/City Council

THE MEETING

Updated financials were sent via email.

6:30    Welcome and Introductions (Kevin Ross)

6:35   Comments from Community

• 57th & Penn Pedestrian Crossing — (submitted letter about concerns) Lara represented several neighbors asking for support for their application with the city for one of the new traffic calming projects. It was recommended that they look at the evaluation points that will be factors in the city’s project selection, but the letter felt like it was well thought out and may address these factors. Linea was able to share that, through Vision Zero, pedestrian safety is improving in areas of the city that haven’t typically been the focus of improvements. Linea was able to share that there may be other sources to help fund this type of project if this application isn’t accepted and we can contact her if needed. What isn’t clear, is if an application is denied, will it stay in the pool for future consideration, or would you have to reapply.
• Action item: Board to either sign-on to this letter or draft their own letter of support and/or submit their own request for this same location through the new program.

6:45    Ward 13 Update (Council Vice President Linea Palmisano)

• Linea was given some questions ahead of the meeting, including a question about Mayor Frey’s statement about not signing the park board decision around the Hiawatha golf course. Though she can’t speak to the mayor’s thinking, she did help clarify that by not signing it, it would just take a little longer through the process. Once the time frame allowed for the signing passes, it is automatically approved and will move forward.
• She also was asked about the use of MPD off-duty officers at construction sites. It was noted that traffic control/management is a part of the labor contract with that vendor. Although there may be  other ways to address that requirement, there are some benefits as it spreads officer visibility across the city, and if a situation arises, these off-duty officers can be called into action. Officers can choose to take on this type of work, and it is included in their overtime hours at the precinct.
• The Committee of the Whole met regarding the government restructure issues from the passed amendment, and it is hoped to have approval by Oct 20 for the details around implementing this new government structure.

7:17    Racial Housing Covenant Project (Daniel Rosenblum, Researcher)

• Daniel is doing a research project as part of his doctoral degree around racial covenants in south and southwest Minneapolis. He is interested in gathering stories of both historical and current experiences. He is interested in talking to residents, how it relates to their sense of their neighborhood, how it has impacted interactions with neighbors, etc. Contact anacoordinator@armatage.org for more information.

7:30    Minutes approval

• Motion to approve the July minutes. Seconded. Carries. (Note; No August meeting.)

7:35    City Funding Application — Equitable Engagement Demographic Priorities (application due Oct 31)

Ideas for potential engagement projects for the next two years:

• Annual dinner for new homeowners and renters
• More pop-up events at Washburn
• Landlord outreach (racial covenant renouncement, transit program, etc.)
• Neighborhood covenant renouncement goal (with a notary party)
• Leadership development
• Organize walking groups for light tours, rain gardens, etc.
• PTA and Kenny neighborhood engagement plans/partnerships
• Skating event with James

8:15    New Business

• • Equity rubric (board to review and adopt to use to help provide consistency around decision making and event planning)
  • Communications policy (board to review and adopt to provide communications guidelines for individuals and groups within the ANA)
  • Upcoming Kenny/Armatage partner events: Halloween and Holiday light tours.

• Motion to partner with Kenny Neighborhood Association for the Halloween and Holiday light tours. Seconded. Motion approved.

• Starting in 2023, we’d like to include an approval of financials as part of the regular meeting (are currently posted online and send to board members)

Meeting adjourned at 8:00

UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

• Sep 24 – Electronics Recycling & Paper Shredding Event (9:00am–12:00pm, 106 E Diamond Lake Rd)
• Oct 1 – Fall Neighborhood Clean-up (9:00–11:00am, Armatage Park)
• Oct 6 – Community Engagement Committee (6:00-7:00pm, Book Club: 5411 Penn Ave S)
• Oct 13 – Green Team Meeting (7:00-8:30pm, GT Member Backyard TBD)
• Oct 18 – Monthly Meeting (6:30-8:30pm, Armatage Park)
• Oct 24–31 – Halloween Decoration Tour (nightly 6:00–8:00pm)

ANA Meeting Minutes

7/19/22 / 6:30 PM / Armatage Park, next to the wading pool

BOARD ATTENDEES

Vikisha Goberdhan, Ethan Komoroski, Nikki Lindberg, Sharla McIntosh-Ziegler, Kevin Ross

NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Eli Johnson, Judy Vecere, Charlie Wolfe

OTHER ATTENDEES

Tara Brown, Kim Herring, Sarah Komoroski, Park directors, past Jordan and new Dillon, Sheila Dingels, Clare (bookkeeper), Eva Schwartz

Clare – introductions. Helps to get all the $ info in the system for reporting, 990s, processes city reimbursements requests, etc.

THE MEETING

Updated financials were sent via email.

6:40    Welcome and Introductions (Kevin Ross)

6:43    Comments from Community

• Concerns about community garden at 61st and Washburn on a city designated plot were sent to the board. Green team will try to reach out to those organizing this effort to learn more. Looks like a work in progress. Was noted that there was a firepit, and questions were raised over the rules and regulations around this in a community garden setting.

6:49    Ward 13 Update (Council Vice President Linea Palmisano)

• Linea addressed a recent letter written by our Green Team and submitted to SW Voices. The letter was written in response to her comments during an event. It was noted that the Green Team’s response was based on the SW Voices article, and no members attended this event. What was expressed was a frustration by the members of the Green Team about mischaracterizing their efforts. While the team is proud of the work they have done and the incredible support they have achieved through grant writing, they know that these local-level activities, while important for our neighborhood, are not solutions for the bigger issues of climate change. Those impacts can be much more effectively handled at systemic levels, such as the city, state and national levels. Linea was frustrated for also being mischaracterized, as the event wasn’t as she expected, and had little time to answer questions, so gave easier to digest answers in the limited format, but does know the significance of having to act, and in her role with the city is involved in committees working to address change (such as noise and air pollution from the airport). The Green Team hopes that her actions and future policy votes reflect this more strongly in the future than they believe has been demonstrated in the past. Linea also mentioned her plans for a climate discussion this fall, and
• Overall, Linea requested that we feel free to submit questions ahead of meetings so she can be prepared to talk about topics the neighborhood is interested in.
• A question was raised regarding the recent comments by City Councilmember Rainville. Linea had not made any formal comment about this situation (in print) but has spoken out at various community meetings condemning his comments, and seeing this as an opportunity to learn and do better. Rainville has apologized, and has spoken with members of the Somali community. It was suggested that as VP on the Council, a written statement would have been appropriate, perhaps in her newsletter.

7:15    Park Update (Interim Park Director, Dillon Clements)

• Dillon has been at Corcoran for about 5 years. Fall registration is open. He has submitted the food permit for the Summer Jam event. Currently he feels they are fairly well staffed, but the broader parks programming is still looking for people.

7:19    ANA Events & Program Debrief

• Recommendations for upcoming events/programs
  • Tool swap will happen again – consider bundling with board election
  • Gardening programming could bundle with school efforts
    • Would like to find ways to better partner with the school

7:25    Fall Fun at the Washburn Tot Lot

• • Budget for treats

• Motion to approve up to $100. Second. Motion carries.

• Renter engagement with Green Team outreach regarding garden installation
• Partners: LWV, Homeline info (multi-lingual biz cards), first-time homebuyer opportunities (still contacting). Other ideas:
  • Move Minneapolis (bus passes) – Tara Brown
  • Edina Realty (Spanish)

7:38    Approval of Minutes & Financials

• Motion to approve the June minutes and financials. Seconded. Carries. 

7:39    President’s Report

• New board member: Kim Herring
  • Has lived in Minneapolis a long time (moved back after a short stint out of the city during Covid) and has lots of experience as a volunteer (at risk youth, etc.), fundraising, organizing events, and more. Enjoys bringing the community together.
  • Vote to approve Kim as a new board. Approved. (Kim will join Community Engagement Committee)
• In response to the Green Team letter, the board will create a policy and guidelines for external communications
  • Issues around protocol and maintaining good relationships to help us continue to be able to have constructive discussions
  • Anything coming from a part of our group (committee) is seen as coming from the entire group (board), thus all of the group members should be made aware of these types of communications.
  • Public letters, while may be related to a person, can reach the broader community. In this instance, the Green Team was hoping to share pro-climate voices.
  • Protocol for expressing strong feelings about topics (including time frame, contingency ideas, and disclaimer language will be drafted)

8:06    Coordinator Report

• August meeting (8/16) will instead be an informal gathering at Nikki’s house (bring something to share)
• Mail: the ANA had some of its mail missing for a couple months this spring and early summer.  We’re still experiencing delays and will work with park staff to hopefully install a locked outdoor mailbox.

8:05    ANA Committee Updates

• • Community Engagement
    • Summer Jam: 5 food trucks, band, face painting, Magic by Bruce, lawn games, $950 in sponsorships
    • Meeting schedule – Book Club patio for some future meetings (Sept 1 at 6pm)
    • Welcome bags – finding people at home is still a challenge. Still looking for more content.
    • October senior event has been canceled
  • Green Team
    • Rain garden program
      • Low income seniors and renters working really well and connecting

• 3 additional low-income applications, and are asking for an additional $600 to help support these additional rain gardens (to create a total of 5 scholarships, 2 full and 3 partial). Seconded. Carries

• • Washburn Tot Lot garden (engagement at September meeting)
  • 2 zero waste volunteers at the Summer Jam
  • October 1 fall cleanup
  • Tech Dump Sept 24 (Mayflower)

8:21    New Business

• SEO committee members will be working on creating an equity rubric/policy/guidelines

Meeting adjourned at 8:20

UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

• Aug 6 – Armatage Summer Jam (4:00–6:00pm, Armatage Park)
• Aug 11 – Green Team Meeting (7:00-8:30pm, GT Member Backyard TBD)
• Aug 16 – casual board meeting at Nikki’s
• Sept 1 – Community Engagement Committee (6:00-7:00pm, Book Club Patio)
• Sep 8 – Green Team Meeting (7:00-8:30pm, GT Member Backyard TBD)
• Sep 17 – Fall Fun at the Washburn Tot Lot (10:00-11:30am, 5825 Washburn Ave S)
• Sept 20 – Monthly Meeting (6:30-8:30pm, Outdoors at Armatage Park)

ANA Meeting Minutes

6/21/22 / 6:30 PM / Armatage Park, next to the wading pool

BOARD ATTENDEES

Ethan Komoroski, Sharla McIntosh-Ziegler, Kevin Ross, Charlie Wolfe, Vikisha Goberdhan, Judy Vecere

NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Eli Johnson, Nikki Lindberg

OTHER ATTENDEES

Lauren Anderson (Coordinator)

THE MEETING

Updated financials were sent via email.

6:30    Welcome and Introductions (Kevin Ross)

Park Update (email from Jordan Nelson)

• The park is aware of recent graffiti incidents, but painters cannot keep up. Parks employees will step in to temporarily cover smaller or more offensive works of graffiti art. Park police have been doing extra sweeps to try to catch people/deter this activity.
• Staffing: seasonal maintenance is far below preferred/historic levels. So activities like weed whipping are being skipped altogether for higher impact activities. Park center staff is fairly healthy, a number of younger staff (high school and college age) are filling up the ranks.
• Side note: Jordan has gotten a promotion to SW Parks Director, which is both super exciting but a bit of a bummer since we won’t be working as closely with him on our events. Congrats to Jordan!

6:35  Comments from Community

• The board voted unanimously to enact the policy document to guide public comments. That will be linked on the website.
• Comments from the Community will now be a standing agenda item.

6:45    Executive Committee Election

• Sharla was voted in unanimously as Vice President
• Nikki was voted in unanimously as Secretary
• Judy was voted in unanimously as Treasurer

• Motion to approve the May minutes and Financials. Seconded. Carries. 

6:55    Recent ANA Events and Program Debrief

• What’s gone well?
  • Setup has been very smooth. Lauren making maps of layouts has been super helpful and visual.
• Opportunities to Improve? Ideas?
  • Can we consolidate our equity efforts (Senior focused events) into our larger events rather than standalone?
  • Could the ANA be at school events? And promote specific things, Board outreach?
  • Could we do a newsletter with senior outreach? Develop a senior steering committee (Ward 11 has one, through CM Koski’s office. Our efforts haven’t been fruitful)
  • Annual meeting: could we consolidate with PTA meeting? What about a meeting at the same time as a school event?
    • Garden Tool Swap will be coming back to Armatage next year. This simple event drew a TON of people this year so consolidating it with the Board Election seems like a good idea
  • Should we spread out the master calendar?
    • It’s tough because seasonal weather, COVID
  • What about a Saturday standing event? Something like a pet rescue or popsicles at the playground or Julie from Unwind Within doing chair massages, etc. Just to increase ANA visibility beyond our big events and also spotlighting good and/or local causes.

7:25  Summer Newsletter

• Board Feature
  • Vicky
• Articles
  • Shout out neighbors (Armatage Affirmations)?
    • Neighbor on Queen who does exercise happy hours on Fridays
    • Neighbor slip and slide
  • Tech Dump
  • National Night Out
• Volunteer proofreaders (soon after 7/4)
  • Charlie

7:40    Board Recruitment

• Discussion on how to increase interest in joining the Board. Seems to be a lack of awareness about the open positions despite multiple social media blasts, etc.
• What about bringing back neighborhood happy hours for more face-to-face discussion about the work we do with interested neighbors?
  • Red Wagon host? Lola? Vin?
  • Could also be more intentional about having these conversations at our new ANA Tent at events.

7:55    Coordinator Report

• Learning the ins and outs of the new projector
• Capacity reduction in the coming months with personal commitments all falling concurrently. Ask is that committee members take on Lauren’s tasks, facilitate Board discussions, etc when Lauren is unable.
• New accountant (Claire) contract updates
  • Exec committee is discussing how to manage expectations and will be handling the contract negotiations internally.

8:05    ANA Committee Updates

• Green Team
  • New, final rain garden contract with Metro Blooms is signed.
• Safety, Equity & Outreach
  • Scaling back, group direction is leaning toward consolidating with Community Engagement
• Community Engagement
  • Looking into sponsorships for Summer Jam
  • Motion to approve $550 for band, face painter, and face paint for Summer Jam. Passes unanimously
  • Motion to approve $700 for tent with custom ANA insignia AND weights to hold it down in the wind! Passes unanimously

8:15    New Business

Meeting adjourned at 8:20

UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

• June 3 – Movie in the Park
• June 14 – Green Team Meeting (7:00-8:30pm, Zoom)

ANA Meeting Minutes

4/19/22 / 6:30 PM / Zoom

BOARD ATTENDEES

Eli Johnson, Ethan Komoroski, Nikki Lindberg, Sharla McIntosh-Ziegler, Kevin Ross, Charlie Wolfe

NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Samantha Bild, Vikisha Goberdhan, Janhel Leandre, Judy Vecere

OTHER ATTENDEES

Lauren Anderson (Coordinator), Jordan Nelson (Armatage Park Director), Sarah Komoroski

THE MEETING

Updated financials were sent via email.

6:30    Welcome and Introductions (Kevin Ross)

6:35    Park Update (Jordan Nelson)

• The park hosted additional programming over spring break
• The park board hosted an in-person buoy-draw event for summer lake buoy usage
• Summer Rec+ full (waitlist) and fall is almost full already
• Hiring summer staff (prefer 16+ but the parks do have some opportunities for younger teens through Team Teenworks)
• Saturday is the city-wide clean-up for Earth Day, and the park is hosting the ANA’s Tech Help for Seniors event
• May 14 the park will also be hosting two ANA events: Garden Tool Swap and Pet-fest

6:40    Comments from Community

• The board discussed adding a standing agenda item to encourage regular community comments (2-3 minutes/person; anything longer would need to added as a regular agenda item)
• We have examples of language from a couple other neighborhoods to help lay some groundwork/foundations of expectations. The board will develop this language over email.
• This will start in June.

6:50    Approval of March Minutes & Financials

• Discussion regarding the ANA mask policy. We are requesting masks at the indoor Tech event in particular because distancing is not an option. Will continue to evaluate the recommendations and levels of illness to help determine when masking at ANA events is requested or required.
• Nikki will be out of town for the May meeting. Ethan has volunteered to take notes during the annual meeting.

• Motion to approve the March minutes. Seconded. Carries. 

6:55    Renter Engagement Fall Event

• Date selected: Sept 17 / 10-noon (will be reaching out to the LWV to coordinate voter registration at this event) at the Washburn Tot Lot
• Organizational Partners
  • LWV/voter registration
  • Homeline (Nikki and Charlie to reach out)
  • SEO will discuss other renter focused services to invite
  • Tables available to borrow from neighbors, ANA and Nikki
  • Plan to have some sort of treats for kids
  • Will be mailing a targeted invitation to encourage participation

7:05    Annual Meeting & Board Election Final Details

• Speaker & Agenda Update
  • Kevin (welcome, intros, ANA key messaging)
  • Elected reps: Palmisano, Greene, Long (tentative) (10-min each)
  • Julie from Unwind Within (20-minute keynote)
• Set-up, take-down & tabling volunteers (Lauren has list)
• Committee updates (will do printed sheets with info from each committee and financial summary) and 3-minute presentation from each
• Kevin to close and present election info
  • We have one community member who has expressed interested in running for the board
  • Requested to reach out to neighbors to see if there is any other interest
  • Will try to reach out to area businesses/organization over social media (Kevin & Lauren)
• Will evaluate location near the park outside for set-up (likely by the archway)
• Bad weather plan is to move indoors (ANA and park have masks and hand sanitizer, if needed)
• Election team (Lauren has list)

7:25    Update from Council Member Palmisano

• She came directly from an in-person open house in Fulton about the proposed development at 50th & Beard. This is one of four developments proposed in Fulton this year. As a neighborhood, Fulton has set forth goals to support affordable housing and address environmental impacts for any development in their neighborhood. She expressed an appreciation for being with people again, and the ability for people with different perspectives to come together and discuss, listen, learn and civilly interact.
• Her office hosted a hybrid public safety forum (there were about 100 in-person and 100 online participants).
  • Mount Olivet did a great job of creating a quality experience for those attending both in-person and virtually.
  • Panel participants included people from the behavioral health team, the head of juvenile  corrections, a city attorney, and Inspector Blackwell from the MPD
  • Several elected officials were in attendance as well
  • The community input guided the discussion, and tried to show how the system works, types of consequences, how decisions are made, etc.
• Council will be discussing the approach to homelessness and encampments next week and hopes for better coordination with the county
• They have heard a lot of positive feed-back around the Final Four and the free events hosted by the city
• A question was raised about the funding of the Open Streets events. There has been some confusing messaging around this issue, but fundamentally the city and Our Streets had come to an agreement for 2022-2024. After that agreement was signed, Our Streets has come to the city requiring additional funding beyond the scope of the initial agreement. They are working together to see how they address these additional needs, and will do what they can to have 2022 events, and may have to go out for proposals again depending on this year’s negotiations.

7:55    Transition to In-person Meetings Update

• AV Equipment Needed
  • Kevin said a donation from the U is a good possibility, and more likely after the end of the semester in May
  • Other items on the ANA wishlist: laptop or tablet, microphone/speakerphone
• Committee Plans for meetings: will mostly be outdoors, but will be taking it back to each committee to see what they want to do

7:55    Coordinator Report

• Training tomorrow morning for Lawns to Legumes. Budget remaining $3,000 could help with staff support, as this looks to be somewhat involved.
• Uploaded items to our YouTube channel (to help off-load Zoom) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgTyQI1gD-lo_SYQKQVRjaA
• Will be stepping down from Kenny (facing a lot of personal challenges in the next year)

8:05    ANA Committee Updates

• Green Team
  • Lawns to Legumes program grant recipient ($25,000)
  • Washburn tot lot natural barrier ($5,000)
  • Clean-up event on Saturday
  • June 11 Gardening as you Grow Older
  • Soil health series (on YouTube) and great panel event
  • Partnering with other neighborhoods and Mayflower for Tech Dump event on September 24 at Mayflower Church (including anything that has data). Asking for a max of $250 per partner (but could get some donations at the event)
  • Motion to commit up to $250 from the ANA for the Tech Dump event. Seconded. Carries.
• Safety, Equity & Outreach
  • Tech Day for Senior event Saturday 1-3
  • Next meeting May 3
• Community Engagement
  • Talked about ways to follow-up (email, phone calls, tablets/sign-up sheets at events)
  • Senior workshop (Oct 1, 10-12, topic: home maintenance)
  • Food truck festival
    • Trying to secure a band
    • 5 food vendors committed
  • Pet Fest on May 14 (https://armatage.org/petfest/)
    • Pet food and supply drive
    • Animal chiropractor / Rescue / Woof Central / Caricature artist / Obedience demos / and much more!

8:20    New Business

Meeting adjourned at 8:22

UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

• April 23 – Earth Day Clean-up (9:30am-12:00pm, Armatage Park)
• April 23 – Senior Tech Day (2:00-4:00pm, Armatage Park)
• May 3 – Safety, Equity & Outreach Committee (6:00-7:00pm, Zoom)
• May 5 – Community Engagement Committee (6:00-7:00pm, Zoom)
• May 12 – Green Team Meeting (7:00-8:30pm, Zoom)
• May 14 – Pet Fest (2:00-4:00pm, Armatage Park)
• May 17 – Annual Meeting (6:30-8:30pm, Zoom)