Signed In: Michael Rainville, John Saranzak, Pete Gamades, Sally Grans, Valentina Washchuk, Bohdan Washchuk, Todd Parker, Linda Olson, Diane Hofstede, Tony Hofstede, Ron Korsh, Don Samuels, Jerry Evans, Joyce Vincent, Laura Wiering, Gayle Bonneville (staff).

Meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. by Chair Rainville. Motion was made (Evans), seconded (Gamades) and carried to approve December minutes with inclusion of official name of Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO).

Financial report was reviewed. Treasurer Grans suggested a meeting on segregating general fund accounts among library, general administration and B.F. Nelson. Grans also reviewed NRP spreadsheet of remaining funds. Motion was made (Diane Hofstede), seconded (Vincent) and carried to transfer $22,020.80 from various unused/underutilized remaining funds into the Community Cohesion fund, which is used for communications, staff assistance, outreach, community building and more. Final vote was also taken on NRP Plan Modification, noted at previous meeting, in ad and on Web site, to transfer $140,300.00 from revolving loan home improvement program into Gap housing program. Motion was made (Tony Hofstede), seconded (Parker) and carried to approve of this Plan Modification. Grans abstained.

New police lieutenant plans to attend annual meeting. Rainville will ask about obtaining crime reports similar to those received by neighborhoods in other parts of Second Precinct. Rainville will also call city for progress report on traffic lights on 8th Avenue.

Dave Thomas of SuperAmerica presented plans for landscaping changes on southern portion of site at University and Broadway that would bring site into compliance with city regulations. Plans call for grassed area near corner on south side, with bushes similar to what was approved in 1993. Water drainage, site elevations, alternatives to asphalt and maintenance such as sprinkling were discussed. Thomas said SA usually does not install irrigation but has periodic inspectors. Native plants or rain garden were suggested. Water source is SA building. Size of area in question is approximately 7,800 square feet. Vincent will forward photos of natural grasses, terracing, hardy day lilies and ideas from other sites using natural plantings with limited run-off. Thomas said he is willing to work with city on grading but is concerned about ice/water ponding hazards. He will revisit elevations and plantings and meet again with STAWNO on a Saturday. Rainville will schedule, then plan will come back to full board for final approval.

Recent committee structure meeting was recapped by Korsh. Committees now need to meet, devise mission statements, elect/appoint chairs. For future projects, first step would be for topic to be on board agenda FYI, then committee would meet and refer recommendations back to board. It was noted that sometimes this could delay a proposal, but board needs to know what is in pipeline. Will start with this as a “learning process.” Vincent moved that the four committees (Outreach/Fundraising, Land Use/Planning, B.F. Nelson Site, Livability) and two task forces (Bottineau Library/Fountain, Bylaws) outlined be agreed upon. Motion was seconded by Tony Hofstede and carried. Outreach plans were discussed; Rainville and staff will work on plan for board's approval at February meeting. Ad, newsletter, e-mail, Web site, flyers were suggested. Budget needs consideration. May want co-chairs; could have info booths/tables at annual meeting to recruit committee members. Also need to get word out about annual meeting. Korsh and Diane Hofstede will work on committee definitions for board to review at February meeting.

Vincent reported that Above the Falls Citizens Advisory Committee (AFCAC) wants park board and city to be more proactive in land acquisitions. RFP for consultant on creating development corporation is due this month. Group is meeting with park superintendent to makes sure he's in loop.

Unveiling of Bottineau Library fountain is 5/21. Rainville will e-mail Diane Hofstede with ideas on how STAWNO can coordinate with library board, Sheridan Neighborhood Organization and Art-A-Whirl. Laura Wiering volunteered to help.

Eastside Bike Task Force has been formed by city. Rainville volunteered to be STAWNO rep but would like back-up; Pete Gamades volunteered to do so. Motion made (Tony Hofstede), seconded (Laura Wiering) and carried to approve.

Council Member Don Samuels announced Third Ward Awards, with gala on 2/21. Each neighborhood is asked to select one person from board for job well done, and one non-board person from community who's done something significant. STAWNO will circulate e-mail to neighborhood for nominations.