Board members attending: Michael Rainville, Rochelle Prondzinski, Jerry Evans, Joyce Vincent, Meg Beekman, Dan Brady, Todd Parker, Bob Margl, Lydia Jarmulowicz

Meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by chair Michael Rainville. Motion was made (Prondzinski), seconded (Vincent) and carried to accept agenda with addition of Third Ward summit info table. Motion was made (Prondzinski), seconded (Beekman) and carried to approve September minutes.

Financial reports for both STAWNO and the NE Farmers Market were reviewed. The market is still looking for four more volunteers for its advisory committee. About 150 customers come through each time; last market for season is in two weeks.

Land Use and Planning Committee met with adjacent neighborhoods regarding Bottineau proposal at last meeting to deal with foreclosed homes. Written meeting minutes were distributed. It was noted that city is already doing work related to foreclosed homes and prevention, but neighborhoods might be able to serve as distribution point for information. Task force discussed how to get these properties into the hands of good owners, so maybe the issue is more about vacant homes, not necessarily foreclosed homes. Land trust concept has been suggested as way to keep homes affordable, and task force is delving into this more.

Jerry Evans recapped the Autumn Eve and run fundraisers. Events again were successful. Tickets raised about $2,825 so far. Donations were $275. Silent Auction so far appears to have raised $3,640, or $150 more than last year. 330 participated in run/walk. Sponsors donated another $2,000 or so. Thanks for Joyce Vincent, Todd and Nancy Roeder, Rochelle Prondzinski, Kieran Lennius, Meg Beekman, Jerry Evans and Pete Gamades for all the help. At least 111 attended the Autumn Eve social.

Bob Margl distributed a comment/analysis sheet on the Gap housing program that will be included in the Phase I NRP Review document. Consensus is that this statement is appropriate.

Funding for Phase II of NRP was discussed, with handout from NRP office indicating only 70 percent of latest (cut) amount might be available unless the city council acts.

Lydia Jamulowicz noted that 38 people signed up at Autumn Eve event for the Minnesota Energy Challenge as part of STAWNO's micro grant from city. STAWNO is now sixth out of 124 participants in energy savings. She has bulbs left to distribute at a future event, and will do so at Third Ward Summit.

Second Precinct Advisory Council is debating bylaws-related issues. Crime is down in our area. Neighborhood 311 Walking Patrol will begin again in spring. Apartment building at 901 Second St. NE has been condemned but it is unknown at this time what the future holds for it. Debate centers on whether it should be rehabbed or torn down. Rainville will follow up to get update.

B.F. Nelson Committee will meet Dec. 3, Feb. 4, and April 7, all at 7 p.m. in the MainStreet Lodge lower level conference room. Will put these dates on Web site. Rainville distributed historic photo of Pioneer Statute in original location and being moved in pieces. Challenge is to keep pressing to have this whole project move forward with the park board. Park Board staff Nick Eoloff will attend committee meetings. Thanks were given to Park Commissioner Walter Dziedzic for ridding the Nelson park area of “hobo camp” this summer. Six trucks and 20 works were needed to clean it up, and some of the folks living there had arrest warrants pending.

Grand Rounds Missing Link Task Force work was discussed. Rainville is a member. He does not support the plan SE residents were very upset about. Plan needs to “go wide,” and state also needs to be persuaded to keep trail open under the new I-35W bridge. He would also like to see Main-Marshall revamped in conjunction with Grand Rounds work so that it is more bike/ped friendly and provides a river loop in Northeast.