Attending (from sign-in sheet): Michael Rainville, Joyce Vincent, Laura Wolff, Diane Hofstede, Tony Hofstede, Linda Olson, Laura Wiering, Peter Gamades, Bonnie Brozak, Sally Grans, Ed Brozak, Todd Roeder, Gayle Bonneville.

Meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chair Michael Rainville. Draft grievance policy, NRP Community Oriented Public Safety Initiative (COPSI), status of lawsuit and approval of minutes were added to agenda.

Lawsuit: Linda Olson (former board member included in lawsuit) commented on the pending Marchant lawsuit and grievance, and on communications related to these issues. Rainville will discuss with Legal Committee or take up in executive session.

Housing Issues: Sheridan Neighborhood Organization will have 3/20 meeting at 10:30 a.m. at Eastside Neighborhood Service on River Run….Latest report on STAWNO'S NRP revolving loan program was reviewed, showing nearly $900,000 invested….Routine maintenance on electrical lines will be taking place soon at Marshall and 8th Ave….GMHC wrote to owner of burned house at 9th and Marshall; no response received as of this time. CM Samuels' office has also heard no response….Burned garage on 6th Avenue….NRP has new package of housing program options under review now.

COPSI: A one-time $1 million allocation is available from NRP for police projects throughout the city. First Ward has been aggressive in putting together proposal. STAWNO priorities were discussed. Could also ask for funding for added police patrols for special events taking place in the area. Motion was made (Diane Hofstede), seconded (Laura Wiering) and carried to put together a COPSI proposal for up to $75,000 for the Cops on Bikes program and other public safety issues in St. Anthony West, St. Anthony East and Nicollet Island-East Bank neighborhoods, and to authorize Rainville to talk to these other neighborhoods about the proposal.

Crime Reports: How can we get more details on recent robberies? Inspector will be at annual meeting. Will ask CCP/Safe to provide annual report or at least three-month report for annual meeting. Laura Wolff of CM Samuels' office noted that recent bar robberies appear to be slowing; owners are working to fund increased police coverage.

Graffiti: Joyce Vincent recapped tonight's northeast-wide meeting on recent rash of graffiti. Call 911 if you see graffiti in progress. Install motion detectors on garages, etc. Team will obtain property-owner permission to paint over tags; event will be April 3. Perpetrators are not gangs but gang “wannabes,” say police.

Above the Falls Citizens Advisory Council: Vincent recapped several recent meetings related to communications, creation of development corporation, and Upper Harbor terminal's future. She was thanked by STAWNO for her diligent attendance and monitoring of these issues. It was agreed that John Zitur will take Jim Jarvis' place on AFCAC. Rainville noted that Zitur is aware of possible or perceived conflict of interest due to family's interests in Scherer Brothers; Zitur himself brought this up. His job is to represent the neighborhood, not the business. Advantage is that this will make him more aware of neighborhood's interests and the Above the Falls plan itself, said Vincent.

Marshall Street: Rainville met with new city planner (Jennifer Bever) and new head of planning department, as Fred Neet is no longer the contact. Target date for work is 2008. County has agreed to put electrical wiring underground near bridge when bridge is revamped; park board agreed to do so in 2006.

B.F. Nelson Site: Three groundwater test wells are in place. Rainville will meet next Thursday with Park Board about results. Park Board will need to do remediation plan. Former owner is available, however. County paid for tests so far.

Gluek Park: Sheridan Neighborhood Organization sent letter to Park Board seeking closure until park is cleaned or questions about contamination (from asbestos and from Shoreham Yards groundwater) are resolved. STAWNO should support SNO. It was agreed that Rainville should write letter to Park Board in support of SNO's request/letter.

Grievance Policy: Draft was reviewed. Linda Olson will revise according to discussion tonight and e-mail for final review so that vote can take place at annual meeting.

Motion was made (Tony Hofstede), seconded (Bonnie Brozak) and carried to approve of February minutes. Vincent asked that draft minutes be sent out via e-mail before the meeting.