Seward Neighborhood Group (SNG)
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE REPORT: Joan Vanhala, program manager of Seward Longfellow Restorative Justice Initiative, summarized the recent activities of her organization. Vanhala discussed the success of two area youth circles– one that meets in Longfellow Park and the other in Matthews Park¬–that have consistent memberships.
Restorative Justice is considering expanding its services to include truancy issues, curfew violations and children under the age of ten. There has also been interest about starting two new youth circles at Brian-Coyle, Vanhala said.
The diversion organization recently signed a contract with the Minnesota Department of Corrections to receive an additional two years of funding.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT: Robin Garwood, policy aide to Ward 2 City Council Member Cam Gordon, delivered City Hall news on Gordon’s behalf. Gordon’s office recently hired four Community Outreach Interns. One of the interns, Annie Welch, is working to form National Night Out programs. Garwood said Welch is available as a resource for the community in this area.
Although the City Council passed an ordinance making it illegal to ask for money within 10 feet of a crosswalk, 50 feet of entrances to a park or sporting stadium and 80 feet from an ATM at night, Gordon voted against it, saying it “criminalized poverty.”
After what appeared to have been a long struggle by board members to compel MorningStar Coffee, 2309 Snelling Ave. S, to mitigate the smell of roasting coffee emitted from the building, the business has agreed to install an afterburner on July 16. Garwood said all new coffee shops will now have to have a similar device in place to receive a license from the city.
Hexagon Bar, 2600 27th Ave S, was granted its sidewalk café license by the City Council, which is valid for one year.
SEWARD CO-OP: The Board said it approved of the incorporation of the property at 2016 29th Ave S. into the plan for the new Seward Co-op, but extended its sympathies to the homeowner who decided to sell her home after a significant act of vandalism to her property occurred over Memorial Day Weekend.
The new plan would result in additional green space on the south side of the building and resolve an alley accessibility problem for city vehicles, such as garbage trucks, by increasing the turning room for larger vehicles.
NRP PRESENTATION: Jack Whitehurst of NRP said Seward is now the last Minneapolis neighborhood that still needs to compile its reconciliation. Whitehurst called it a serious problem that needs to be addressed.
Whitehurst also said NRP wouldn’t contract any additional housing money until Phase I issues were resolved.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT: SNG Executive Director Lori Stone announced the VISTA voluteer’s last day will be July 17th. A new volunteer will take over the position July 20.
Stone said she would bring a clear-cut list of expenditures for the Seward Arts Festival to the next meeting, after one person at the meeting took issue with the fact that the itemized report didn’t jive with an earlier report.
FINANCIAL REPORT: Board member, Perry Caranicas announced SNG exceeded its goal of foundation money raising by 8 percent. Caranicas said net income minus expenses to date was roughly zero. “In other words, we’re on budget,” he said.
An Executive Committee motion on the Forward Financial Procedures Manual, to be approved by the full Board, was withdrawn when dissatisfaction was expressed by at least one member about how the report was written up. It will now automatically be sent back to the Executive Committee for possible revision.
NOMINATIONS FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Bob Hain moved to nominate Dick Westby, a local resident, to take over an open seat on SNG’s Board of Directors. Jean Johnstad indicated that at least one other person, not present at the meeting, was interested in joining the board. A final vote will take place at the next board meeting on July 25.
For the remainder of the meting, the board entered into executive session to talk about a personnel issue. Non-board members could not be present for the discussion.
Next meeting: Wednesday, July 25
7 p.m.; call for location
Contact:
Seward Neighborhood Group
2323 Franklin Ave. E
Minneapolis, MN 55406
612-338-6205
www.sng.org
last revised: July 10, 2007