AGENDA
SNG Community Development Committee
Matthews Center, 2318 29th Av. S.
October 10, 2017, 7:00 p.m.
7:00 Introductions and approval of the September minutes
7:10 Update on the Proposed 20th Avenue Bikeway
Simon Blenski with Minneapolis Public Works will provide an update on the
proposed 20th Avenue bikeway. Simon attended the committee meeting in June
to explain the plans for the proposed bikeway and SNG passed a motion
supporting the Concept Plan.
The plan proposes the installation of 2.6 miles of protected bikeways
connecting the University of Minnesota and the surrounding neighborhoods of
Como, Marcy Holmes, and Cedar Riverside as part of the city’s Bicycle
Master Plan. Construction is planned for the summer of 2019. Funding has
been received and the project is currently under design.
7:30 I-94 Reconnecting Neighborhoods Project
Scott Shaffer with Seward Redesign will discuss the I-94 Reconnecting
Neighborhoods project including possible alternatives being considered for
the 25th/26th Avenue S-curve.
7:50 Variances Requested for New House at 2301 East 24th Street
In April of 2016, the Committee discussed plans for the proposed new house
at 2301 East 24th Street and recommended approval of a variance from 23rd
Avenue because the lot is classified as a reverse corner lot. The
developer is requesting two additional variances:
1. A reduction in the required front yard adjacent to 24th St E from 20’ to
16’ for a single-family home and from 10’ to 9’ for an open porch.This
request would match the setback of the adjacent home at 2305 24th Street
East.
2. An increase in the lot coverage of the property from 45% to 47.4%.
8:00 Plans for duplexes located at 2418 24th Avenue and 2620-2626 40th
Avenue
Bruce Brunner is purchasing the duplexes located at 2418 24th Avenue and
2620-2626 40th Avenue and would like to present to the committee his future
plans for the properties.
8:15 Illegal Turns at Minnehaha/Franklin Avenue Intersection
The County feels the Cedar / Franklin / Minnehaha area seems to be working
pretty well. However, there has been some confusion and illegal maneuvers
going on near the Minnehaha Avenue intersection. The most critical, and
highest number of illegal maneuvers, are the northbound U-turns around the
median from Minnehaha Avenue. Based on County observations, about 1
vehicle per minute is making this illegal maneuver. Some folks are also
using the wide driveway of the fire station in order to make the U-turn as
well (including semi-trucks which have been photographed making this
maneuver). The County is looking at possible signage to correct the
problem and would like the neighborhood’s input.
8:30 Updates:
City Council Member Gordon
City Council Member Warsame
Seward Redesign
SNG Housing Coordinator
8:40 Other Business
8:45 Adjourn. (The Park staff locks the outside doors at 9 p.m. so
all attendees must exit)
Draft Minutes
Community Development Committee
September 12, 2017
Attending: Ken Webb (Chair), Dan Handeen, Sheldon Mains, Scott Krueger,
Dane McLain, Isaiah Jackson, Elijah Jackson, Mohamed Aodi, Hamza Hussein,
Rafael Gonzalez, Tory S., Fatah, Mohamed Bille, Scott Vreeland, Aaron Afre,
Juliet Patterson, Winston Cavert, Saeed Jaima, Mohamed Ahmed, Jerome Paul,
Scott Shaffer (Seward Redesign), Doug Wise (SNG Housing Coordinator).
The August 8, 2017 Community Development Committee minutes were approved.
Improvements to Matthews Park
Doug Wise said, at the last meeting, the committee received an update on
the construction and dedication ceremony for the playgrounds, which is
scheduled for September 16th in conjunction with Kings Fair. It was
mentioned that only one shade structure is planned for the pool area. The
committee asked that the need for more shade structures be added to the
agenda for this meeting. Since then concerns have also been raised about
the current condition of the basketball courts and a suggestion to install
a Gaga Pit.
Scott Vreeland said the budget only includes funding for one structure. He
said the shade structures cost $6,000-$10,000. If the neighborhood would
like additional structures, they would have to find the funding for it.
Members of the committee felt that more structures were needed since the
trees that provided shade were removed.
Motion: The Seward Neighborhood Group (SNG) will look at funding
alternatives for additional shade structures around the pool at Matthews
Park including funding from the Coop and other sources. Sheldon Mains moved
and Dan Handeen seconded. Motion passed.
A number of regular users of the basketball courts were at the meeting and
expressed their concerns about the condition of the basketball courts. The
hoops, backboards and standards are all in need of replacement. The
pavement is in poor condition and slopes. The standards are also off
center, making it impossible to shoot three pointers from one side of the
court. It was noted that the last time any work was done to the basketball
courts was 1994, 23 years ago. Concerns were also raised about the hoops
not being the regulation 10 feet height.
Scott Vreeland said there is no funding in the six-year Capital
Improvements Plan for replacement of the basketball courts. He said
complete replacement of the courts would cost $100,000. Scott Vreeland and
Scott Krueger (the Park Director) went over the criteria used in order for
something to be placed on the six-year Capital Improvements Plan. He said
there is other funding for less expensive repair and maintenance items,
which could be used to replace the hoops, backboards and standards.
It was mentioned that someone was injured when they ran into a bench that
was missing a board. Scott Krueger said this is clearly a safety hazard and
when someone sees something like this they should immediately notify the
front desk, they will contact the maintenance staff to have it fixed as
soon as possible.
Motion: The Seward Neighborhood Group requests the installation of new
hoops, backboards, standards, resurfacing and striping of the basketball
courts at Matthews Park as soon as possible. It is also requested that the
hoops be raised to the regulation 10 feet height, except for possibly one
can remain at 8 feet. Sheldon Mains moved and Ken Webb seconded. Motion
passed.
Juliet Patterson said she was the person who suggested the addition of a
Gaga Pit. Scott Krueger, the Park Director, said that he would meet
individually with Juliet to discuss it.
Temporary Paving of Pedestrian Ramps at 26th and Franklin Avenues
Doug Wise said Hennepin County Public Works has paved the pedestrian ramps
at 26th and Franklin Avenues with asphalt, which is very unattractive.
According to Hennepin County Public Works, this is temporary fix. New
concrete work is scheduled for 2019 (Based on past experience with Hennepin
County Public Works project scheduling could mean this would not happen
until 2020 or later). Doug said the County had received a complaint from
someone in a wheelchair and the person said the change has improved access
for them.
Sheldon Mains said they are very ugly. Hennepin County going ahead and
doing this work is not in keeping with our previous relationship with the
County. It was pointed out that the paving actually makes the ramps more
hazardous for people who are visually impaired.
Motion: The Seward Neighborhood Group (SNG) does not find the recent action
of installing asphalt on ADA ramps on Franklin Avenue by Hennepin County
acceptable and it is not in keeping with the relationship the neighborhood
has had with Hennepin County in the past. SNG requests the permanent
replacement of the ADA Ramps next year at the latest. Sheldon Mains moved
and Scott Shaffer seconded. Motion passed.
Extend the Greenway Partnership
Doug Wise said several organizations from Minneapolis and St. Paul are
working to launch a new partnership to extend the Midtown Greenway over the
Mississippi River and through St. Paul. The greenway extension includes
converting the Short Line Bridge over the river into a bicycle and
pedestrian trail. The project includes creating a new St. Paul Greenway,
extending through Union Park, along Ayd Mill Road, and ending in downtown
St. Paul at the river.
The Partnership seeks to include elected officials, government agencies,
neighborhood groups, nonprofits, and businesses from both Minneapolis and
St. Paul. The SNG board was contacted about joining the partnership and the
board referred it to the CDC to review and make a recommendation regarding
SNG’s participation in the Partnership.
Scott Vreeland said the Short Line Bridge is still being used by the
railroad, but it is the best option for crossing the river. He said the
bridge is in poor condition and would need to be rehabbed. He said the
piers holding up the bridge are very attractive and he does not want to see
them removed.
Motion: The Community Development Committee recommends that the Seward
Neighborhood Group join the Extend the Greenway Partnership to extend the
Midtown Greenway across the Mississippi River and through St Paul using the
existing Short Line Bridge over the river. Ken moved Sheldon Mains
seconded. Motion passed.
Report from Scott Shaffer, Seward Redesign
Scott summarized the community engagement on August 27th at Open Streets on
Franklin Avenue and the walkability audit on August 31st at Seward Tower
West for the I-94 Reconnecting Neighborhoods project. The walkability audit
drew 15 participants, who went on walks in two groups to examine the
condition of sidewalks near I-94 and the footbridge, 25th Avenue, and
Riverside Avenue crossings. Each participant group completed a survey after
each section of the walks. A more detailed summary is forthcoming.
Scott said that the Management Committee has decided to focus on the
25th/26th Avenue S-Curve. The group considered three options to create a
safe crossing for Seward Tower’s residents to access their outdoor space at
Triangle Park:
1. Narrower S-curve - Remove one travel lane on the southbound portion of
the s-curve to install a mid-block crossing to connect the Towers and the
park
2. One-way pairs - Re-open 25th Avenue for southbound only traffic and
retain the current northbound only lane of the S-curve and install a
mid-block crossing to connect the Towers and the park.
3. Close the S-curve - Close the S-Curve entirely and re-open 25th Avenue
between Franklin and 9th Street.
Scott said they would be taking these three options to the Steering
Committee for discussion and input at their next meeting on September
25th. He said they will also be asking for more participation from the
City.
Report from Doug Wise, SNG Housing Coordinator
Doug reminded the committee that Kings Fair is on September 16th and there
will be a fundraiser for SNG at Pizza Luce on September 18th.
The meeting adjourned at 8:29.