Meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chair Michael Rainville. Motion was made (Jerry Evans), seconded (Pete Gamades) and carried to approve minutes and agenda, with addition of committee discussion. Financial report was reviewed. NRP Action Plan funding status spreadsheet was given to Treasurer Sally Grans for review; she will set up meeting to discuss and make recommendations on next steps. Rainville has call into St. Anthony East neighborhood regarding status of untapped funds for St. Anthony Park project.

Crime and Safety: Valdis Rozentals has been in contact with community attorney and sergeant regarding graffiti. Most perpetrators are minors, so authorities suggest submitting community impact statement. Four have been caught, three had plead to lower charges of “lurking.” Neighborhood might want to consider pursuing a civil lawsuit against perpetrators. One perpetrator in question lives in Sheridan neighborhood; SNO is discussing submission of community impact statement. Concerns were voiced about the need for psychological help for perpetrators, the need for other resources, whether impact statement should be done jointly with SNO, and whether this is a growing problem. Comment was made that we have obligation to stand up and say no to this crime, which costs money and time. Individuals affected by graffiti on their property are also being asked to write impact statements. Joyce Vincent agreed to draft statement and run it by board for review via e-mail. Ron Korsh offered to talk with other neighborhoods about the issue.

Lund's/Eastgate Update: Victor Grambsch, president of Nicollet Island East Bank neighborhood association, presented details of the project, which will involve demolishing Eastgate and replacing it with retail (half = Lund's) and 130 condos with parking hidden in middle. Renderings (see handouts) were general schematics, not details of how it will eventually look. Hillcrest Development and Exeter Realty are partnering on this. Grambsch gave them kudos for listening to neighbors and revising plans accordingly. No rezoning is needed, but a conditional use permit may be needed for height and 24-hour grocery store. Final report of community task force recommends going ahead with project but seeks resolutions of support from area neighborhoods. Construction could start in March 2005, with Lund's open by January 2006. Plans go to great lengths to keep Rick's Market and Snyder's open during construction; this elaborate staging adds time to schedule. Funding ($60 million) is all private. Signature restaurant also anticipated. Minneapolis has no façade design review, so developments can get building permit soon. Façade will not be as “glassy” as drawings appear. Condos will have balconies. Community will continue to talk to developers about exterior. Parking exceeds city code. Condos will sell from approximately $300,000-500,000. Question was raised about traffic/blockages during construction and about lighting. Lighting plan is voluntary, with assessment against property owner. What about artists who will be ousted? Grambsch said they have found new space, questioned subsidization and noted need for increased tax base. Rick's prices are higher than Lund's, according to study. Motion was made (Pete Gamades) and seconded (Joyce Vincent) to support the project as outlined tonight. Diane Hofstede requested information on plans for lane closures during construction. Grambsch will provide to Rainville. Tony Hofstede requested more information on landscaping. Grambsch said project entails very little greenspace - most is building - but median beside curbs will be landscaped, most likely with trees. Grambsch was asked to provide future notification of meetings on the project.

RibFest: Boom Island is being considered for this four-day end-of-July festival. If sponsors appear serious, Clear Channel and Park Board would come to STAWNO meeting to discuss. It was suggested that sponsors of Boom Island events make donations to B.F. Nelson fund. Comments: Should not have it here. Event includes alcohol. Events like this run down park and are not conducive to a park like this in a neighborhood - and nothing gets reinvested in park. Events leave trash. STAWNO should require new turf after event. Park gets hard use. Park board needs to be honest about where revenues will go. When park opened, high-quality events were norm there, but no more. STAWNO needs to develop standards on what we will/won't accept there and what we'd like done to park. Conclusion: Neighborhood is “highly skeptical” that this event would have decent impact on neighborhood. Motion was made (Diane Hofstede), seconded (Grans) and carried to tell sponsors that STAWNO is not interested in having this event at Boom Island because it is an activity inconsistent with this park. Desire of neighborhood is to have higher-quality events and resodding.

Fundraiser update: Pete Gamades thanked all involved. 110 tickets were sold for evening event, 55 runners participated. Grans reported that approximately $6,000 was taken in and $2,000 spent. At least one (possibly 5) pavers were sold. Employer matching donations may come from Medtronic and Best Buy. Special kudos were given to Gamades, Lu Anderson, Vincent, Jay Robles, Jerry Evans, Marc and Jenny Texiera, Grans, Korsh, and Ben and Aviva Grans-Korsh. It was suggested to market fun run to schools. Groundwork Minneapolis will pay park permit and donate $500 to fund kids race plus portion of marketing materials.

AFCAC: Group had many e-mails back and forth regarding site on river sold by CP Rail to Ramsey Excavating. No consensus reached. Not consistent with Above the Falls plan. Ramsey may allow strip for trail along river; park board said it was too steep. Planning Commission approved of Ramsey plan with some conditions regarding park board easement or acquisition of strip. Goes to city council for final action. Above the Falls plan has not been officially incorporated into Minneapolis Plan. Working now on riverfront development corporation and McKnight funding for consultant. Another version of veterans memorial is being created, but it probably still won't comply with Above the Falls plan.

B.F. Nelson site: Map in brochure indicates site does not come up to cul de sac on 6th Ave. NE. Rainville explained that consultants who created brochure said they were documenting historic boundaries of site, and this was accurate for that. Need for board member review of materials was noted. Motion was made (Grans), seconded (Vincent) and carried to send letter of support to park board staff Rachel Ramadhyani for EPA grant application and that letters of support be solicited from SNO, St. Anthony East, Marcy Holmes, Nicollet Island East Bank, Groundwork, and Near North/Homewood district. Rainville will draft and e-mail to board for review. Comments on RAP due Oct. 21 to Ramadhyani. STAWNO should also reach out to other neighborhoods along Marshall to get backing for plan to help park board envision a common theme for string of parks along Marshall. More discussion is needed about what should go in the park - perhaps form subcommittee on this and other issues, then have reports at board meetings. Diane Hofstede will report back on “Friends of B.F. Nelson.” Motion was made (D. Hofstede), seconded and carried to formalize this existing B.F. Nelson group, to designate someone to regularly report back to the board, and to publicize meetings as open to all. This will be a subcommittee of the board, with first meeting to be held in October.