DISTRICT 10 COMO COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Board Meeting
April 15, 2008 - 7:00 p.m.
Historic Streetcar Station
1224 N. Lexington Parkway
St. Paul, MN
The agenda and supporting materials were mailed and emailed to directors prior to the meeting.
Directors present: David Arbeit, Sehoya Cotner, Sharon Frisell, Tony Hainault, Chai Insook, Kim
Klose, Luke Kuhl, Mike MacDonald, John Marino, Marcy Micek, Dennis O’Rourke, Sue Phillips,
Marc Prokosch, Matt Schmitt.
Directors absent and excused: Nathan Volz
Staff excused: Sue McCall, Community Organizer
Guests present: Bob Bierscheid, Mike Hahm
BOARD SECTION
1. Call to Order
David Arbeit called the meeting to order at 7:01p.m.
2. Review, Amend, Approve April Agenda
One amendment to the agenda, a correction to a date. Kim moved to accept the agenda as
amended. Sehoya seconded the motion. The motion passed with unanimous approval.
COMMUNITY SECTION
3. Community Section
Invited speakers: Bob Bierscheid, Director, Parks and Recreation Department and Mike
Hahm, Como Campus Manager. Dennis, on behalf of Events & Institutions – invited public
to the committee meetings.
A. Bob B. led the discussion regarding the Como shuttle/circulator project. He doesn’t see any
road blocks, it’s just a matter of working through the processes.
• It will provide off-site parking for visitors to the Campus.
• Como Campus is defined as the zoo and conservatory.
• Parks and Rec received a start-up federal grant to study the issue, create an initial
planning phase, make initial purchases and begin implementation.
• The goal is to have it running by 2009, operating during weekends April 1-Sept 30.
They will consider the option of adding week-days if it successful.
• Currently working on agreements for the off-site lots (State Fair, St. Paul School
District).
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• Met Council Transit is assisting with the routing system. One possible route would go
from the Fair grounds to Horton/Como to Lexington to Estabrook, to the front of the
Park.
• Parks & Rec wants contract with Metro Transit to operate the busses, but wants to
own the asset (buy at least 2 busses – seats 20-25, ease of access –
strollers/wheelchairs). “green” busses are being discussed, but no clear plans for that
option right now. Goal is to offer service without a fare, but the City will be
responsible for long-term maintenance.
• They will create a couple of bus shelters.
• Advertising/marketing plan is part of their timeline, may ask for help from District 10
when they get to this phase.
• Other items for discussion: Bob acknowledged his desire that Como have better bus
service. They are studying the possibility of parking meters, without compromising
the success of the voluntary donations at the zoo. They would like to increase &
improve bike access. Desire to increase, improve ease of bike access - Brian Belfanz
is the lead project coordinator. Storm replanting is getting ready to begin.
Mike Hahm provided updates on the zoo:
• Polar bear construction has begun, thru 2009, even without the bonding bill from the
legislature. Funds from Met Parks and open parks will cover some of it. Plan A – go
back to legislature next year. Plan B, do without the funds. Flyers were sent to 300
local residents regarding construction issues. Mike is maintaining an email listserv
for announcements regarding construction updates. Please email
Michael.hahm@ci.stpaul.mn.us or call 651-487-8296 to be added to that list.
Overflow parking is fenced off for construction staging.
• The Children’s gallery is open, official opening this weekend (age 6 mos. To 5 yrs).
• There is a temporary butterfly exhibit now through summer 2009.
• Planned facelift to Sparky’s amphitheater (paint, designated stroller/handicapped
area).
• Renovations to the gorilla exhibit are on hold.
B. Other Public Comments: CM Lee Helgen requested the conversation about the design
Charrette be moved up in the agenda. Luke provided his committee update.
Node Study/MGM Update
• Charrette update: Luke reviewed the process and issue to date. This will be an
ongoing issue for next year. There is nothing new to report regarding the MGM court
case. As we go forward: PED (Yang Zhang) will present the recommended plan, the
it will go to the Land Use committee, Land Use will hold a public meeting, Land Use
will bring their recommendations to the Board, the Board will decide how to act.
Then the recommendations will go to the planning commission, they will hold a
public hearing, make their recommendations, and then it will go to the City Council
for a vote. Ideally the City Council vote will be held 3-4 months from now. Another
goal is to create the CIB proposal this year to receive funds from the City.
• Lee Helgen agreed with Luke per timeline and processes. Community input matters
regarding greening, traffic management. He is involved in a parallel effort, talking
with the City (PED) and with MGM regarding their development plans, as well as
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other property owners. There is a separation of processes between the neighborhood
and District 10 and the City. Whatever the outcome, it will not be an amendment to
District 10 plan. Regarding the timeline, there is no intent to rush, but a desire to
make all the pieces fit. David acknowledged that there will need to be ample planning
time for the Land Use committee to organize community meetings – perhaps by June.
There was a question about zoning – can a landowner sell property to a developer?
MGM currently has a B3 zoning, which is the most generous form. Developers can
do almost anything they want. The rezoning process is quite involved, and could
effectively be stopped, given input with property owners. At the time, there is no
proposal to change zoning. Recommendations would provide guidance and
perimeters.
Please direct further questions to the Land Use Committee. Perhaps Luke could
invite Lee Helgen to the next meeting, Monday, 5/12/08, 7:00, Historic Streetcar
Station. Luke will consider holding a special meeting sooner if needed.
• Public question regarding the petition related to Shiang Hai market. There has been
no follow-up.
Community Section closed 8:11 pm
4. Review, Amend, Approve March Minutes
Motion: Luke made a motion to approve the March minutes. Marc seconded the motion.
Discussion item - there is a typo in Sue Phillips name.
Motion: John moved to approve as amended. David seconded. The motion passed with
unanimous approval.
Action Item: Kim Klose will make the requested changes to the March minutes.
5. Board Updates
A. Board Chair Report – David Arbeit
• Sue M on vacation.
• Request that Chairs please email their committee minutes to David.
• Goals and work plans will be submitted soon. Board will revise the process for next year
so it is timelier.
• David attended a District 6 meeting, Marcy attended a Highland meeting. Discussed the
possibility of moving Board elections to spring, as other Councils do, to provide a
common cycle. David encourages members to attend other Districts meetings.
• Web forum to discuss issues – open to public. 1 posting to date. “Discussion Forum”
link on the website.
B. Financial Reports – Marcy Micek
Review and Accept Financial Reports
Marcy reviewed the financials as distributed to board members prior to the meeting. She is
not distressed about current status, but we need to submit the work plans in order to receive
reimbursements. Rain barrel registrations are coming in. Marcy now has access to the bank
accounts. She is continuing to work on improvements to paperwork processes.
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Motion: Kim made a motion to approve the March financial statements. Tony seconded the
motion. The motion passed with unanimous approval.
C. Staff Report (activities, issues, crime statistics, etc.)
In Sue’s absence, David reviewed the staff report as submitted and circulated to board
members.
D. Node Study/MGM Update
Luke provided updates during the Community Section.
E. Committee Chair Reports
Executive Committee – David reviewed rain barrel contracts and workshops; cash reserve &
financial issues, methods of recording revenues & expenses; work plan contract – the goal is
to have draft ready for Sue M next Monday, then board members can review it by 4/30/08.
Neighborhood Safety – Marc P reported that meetings are set for the first Monday of every
month. At their first meeting they discussed: “chat with a cop,” National Night Out, a
database for neighborhood block leaders, committee goals/objectives (Sue M took the notes).
David will confirm the notes he has with Marc as the contract becomes finalized.
Events & Institutions –Chai reported that they have two main priorities for this year: the park
shuttle, and creating a no-drive zone around Como lake. Committee members recently polled
neighbors and received mixed reviews.
Communications Committee – John Marino reported that next mtg will be fourth _DAY__ of
the month. Discussion about the possibility of a Tai Chi class to build community & raise
money. He is hoping to draft a proposal and submit to the Executive committee by their next
meeting, then submit it to the Board as an action item. Discussion about ad hoc fundraising
committee that needs to be larger than the communications committee. Newsletter deadlines:
please submit articles to John by 5/9/08. Garage sale is scheduled for 5/17/08. The
committee is promoting it via the website, newsletter, St. Paul and Minneapolis newspapers,
a poster, and will create a map of participants. Individuals wishing to participate can do so
for free, but donations will be accepted to cover the cost of the event. The committee sees
the sale as a community building event and encourages Board members to visit a few sales as
an outreach event (especially Energy Park). Suggestion: It would be nice if we had a
card/magnet/brochure to distribute to advertise District 10.
Environment Committee – Mike MacDonald reported that the committee meets on third
Wednesdays of the month. The Park clean-up event was held last week. Bird festival
(Ramsey Co. Audubon) will be held 5/3/08. Rain barrel workshops will be held 5/10 and
6/14/08. The Boy Scouts are volunteering to distribute flyers for the event, and Mike would
like to make a donation to them, from the participant fees. A shore line weeding event is
scheduled for 5/13/08. The tree trek is schedule for June. Val Cunningham received award
for environmental stewardship on the bluebird trail. Val also received grant for native plants
in the garden at the pavilion. The nominations we submitted for Sustainable St. Paul
Environmental services did win, and will be awarded on Wednesday.
Land Use Committee – Luke Kuhl provide updates during the Community Section.
F. 2008 Work Plan and Contract Status
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David reported on this earlier in meeting. He asked members to review the draft that was
distributed via email. There are few items left to fill in, but Sue M can help complete it when
she returns on Monday. Chairs are asked to review their committee sections.
6. Action Items
A. Resolution EN0415081 (Environment Committee) – Contract with Verde, Inc. to conduct
rain barrel workshops.
The original letter read payment is $800 per workshop, for $1600 each day, for a total of
$3200. Mike amended it to read that we’ll pay them $600 each day (from participant fees)
with remainder payable after we receive the grant from CRWD.
Motion: David moved to adopt the resolution. The Environment Committee is asking for
board vote of approval to sign a contract with Verde Strategies to provide rain barrel
worksheet. Tony seconded the motion.
Tony moved to accept the letter as amended. David seconded the motion. The motion passed
with unanimous approval.
B. Resolution EX0415081 (Executive Committee) – Approval to complete and submit city
contracts. The contract needs to be submitted prior to the May Board meeting. David will
call a special meeting of the Executive Committee if necessary.
Motion: Marcy made a motion to approve the resolution. Sue P. seconded the motion. There
was no discussion. The motion passed with unanimous approval.
C. Resolution LU0415081 (Land Use Committee) – Support for Java Train parking variance
request.
Motion: David made a motion to support the request for variance. Marc seconded the
motion.
Discussion: Current parking is on the street, behind the building, and the owner has written
permission Holy Childhood to use the church parking lot. The City has a formula (based on
the size of the building) to determine how many spaces are necessary. The variance goes
before the City Council on 4/21/08.
Community input: Bill Sylvester (neighbor to the Java Train) raised a concern that the
parking variance is related to the possibility of application for wine & beer license. He
requested that District 10 not support the resolution. He stated his concern that community
members holding opposing views were invited to the Land Use committee meeting to have
input in the letter from the Council. Community and Board members have different
recollections of neighborhood support regarding possibility of beer/wine license. David
called an end to the comments, and redirected the conversation to the issue at hand – a
variance for two parking spaces.
Sue Phillips has a conflict of interest, and will abstain from voting. Nathan Volz asked Kim
to vote for him by proxy, as per email. David stated that a proxy vote, especially on a
controversial issue, is not allowed..
Q: Is the variance the last step before a beer/wine license? Can Lee Helgen offer any
comments on the required number of spaces for a liquor license?
Luke will draft an amended letter and circulate it to Board members. District 10 is
supporting only the parking variance. There are some concerns expressed as to future
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impact, we are not prepared to take any action toward the liquor license at this time. The
board has no opinion regarding that issue at this time. This notification came to us with
limited time, and we were not able to solicit full neighbor input. If any members have
objections to the language of the letter, Luke will address those concerns.
Motion: David called the question: asking for a vote in favor of resolution as amended.
There were 11 ayes, one nay, and one abstention. The motion passed.
D. Resolution BD0415081 (Board) – Support for Central Corridor
Discussion: Sehoya would like to draft a letter to Governor & legislature to accompany the
resolution as written. Tony advocates for a clear but polite letter, nothing inflammatory.
Luke encouraged members to recognize the loss of a half billion dollars to our area. Sehoya
and Tony will draft the letter, circulate it to Board members. If any members have objections
to the language, they will address those concerns.
Luke and David will abstain from the vote. David does not want to be the signatory on the
letter.
Motion: David made a motion to draft a letter to accompany the resolution, circulated and
reviewed by members. Marc seconded the motion. The motion passed with unanimous
approval.
7. Discussion Items
A. Other discussion items Tony acknowledged and appreciated the time delegations on the
agenda.
8. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 9:38 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Kim Klose.