2010-2011 Annual Report

THE MNA

The Morningside Neighborhood Association (MNA) was founded in 2003 to promote a better community through group action and involvement in local decision-making, and to represent the interests of all residents and property owners in Morningside. In 2005, the MNA incorporated as a non-profit, operating as a 501(c)(4) civic league.

2010/11 STEERING COMMITTEE

MNA activities are guided by the Steering Committee, elected each year at the Annual Meeting. At the 2010 Annual Meeting, members elected Helen Burke (Grimes), Mary Carte (Branson), Patricia Corcoran (Monterey), Jonathan Gross (Grimes), Jennifer Janovy (Inglewood), and Bryan Schmidt (Branson).

2010 ANNUAL MEETING RECAP

The 2010 MNA Annual Meeting was held on Sunday, October 10, at 6:00 p.m. in the Weber Park warming house. The Annual Meeting began with a presentation from special guest, City Engineer Wayne Houle, who shared information on the 44th Street reconstruction project scheduled for 2011. Residents asked Mr. Houle about underground utilities, project schedule and costs, preservation of the historic catalpa trees, roadway design, and sidewalks. Mr. Houle provided answers and encouraged residents to attend public meetings on the project and sign up for City Extra email notices. Following Mr. Houle’s presentation, about 25 members stayed for the business portion of the meeting. Steering Committee member Jennifer Janovy presented the 2009-2010 MNA Annual Report. Election of the 2010-2011 Steering Committee followed. The floor was then opened for residents to bring forward questions or concerns. One resident asked whether there were noise restrictions for snow plowing. The resident was directed to call City Hall or check the City code, since residents at the meeting remembered the code differently. The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m. A copy of the 2010 Annual Meeting minutes is available upon request. Please email [email protected] if you would like a copy.

STEERING COMMITTEE ACTIONS

The steering committee took the following actions during the 2010-2011 year: 44th Street Reconstruction Steering Committee members monitored the 44th Street reconstruction process by reviewing the feasibility study, attending public meetings, and receiving updates and notices. Historic Bungalow Study Steering Committee member Helen Burke attended meetings regarding the City’s Historic Bungalow Study and provided this synopsis of activities:

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Edina Heritage Preservation Board (EHPB) held a “Morningside Neighborhood Open House” from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8, 2011, at City Hall for approximately three dozen attendees. The Open House was an opportunity for all Edina residents, especially Morningside residents, to be informed of the Bungalow Study, prepared for the EHPB by preservation consultant Robert Vogel. EHPB Board members explained the process for designating eligible bungalows as Edina Heritage Landmark Properties and answered residents’ questions. To publicize the Open House, EHPB mailed copies of their printed bulletin describing the study to all 710 Morningside residents, plus the City Council. The bulletin was also emailed via City Extra. Morningside Logo Proposal City engineering staff and the Edina Heritage Preservation Board proposed a logo for street signs in Morningside. The logo had a streetcar design. The Steering Committee considered the proposed logo and prepared a report for the Heritage Preservation Board to consider. The report showed logos for the Morningside Neighborhood Association, Morningside Woman’s Club, Morningside Athletic Club, and design details on the historic Jonathan Grimes house. The report presented the following considerations: The above logos/images share two themes: • The first, and strongest, theme is nature. The Morningside Woman’s Club logo incorporates a morning glory flower. The MNA logo incorporates petals or leaves. The image on the Jonathan Taylor Grimes gate is a flower or apple core and seeds. The MAC logo incorporates a sun. • The second theme is found on the MWC and MAC logos: vertical lettering with strong angles. Morningside’s strong horticultural history: After the War, in 1866, Grimes sold the mill to James Baird and purchased an adjoining parcel of land on the Minneapolis side of France Avenue. There he started the Lake Calhoun Nursery and planted a 1,000-tree orchard. He also planted pine trees on 44th Street, some of which remain today. (Although it is sometimes said that Grimes developed the Jonathan apple, this is not the case.) Grimes was the first president of the Minnesota Horticulture Society. Soon after [the death of Jonathan Grimes in 1903] the family began to sell the farm for the development of homes. The area was ripe for development thanks to the advent of the Como-Harriet Streetcar line that ran down 44th Street. It is no surprise that the Morningside subdivision, with 322 lots, all in Edina, was platted in1905. (Excerpted from SLP Historical Society website) The geographic area of historic significance is a neighborhood with a strong identity: The proposed logo brings another identifying mark into the mix and will compete with existing branding/ neighborhood identification. • Whereas existing logos share themes, the proposed logo is distinct • The neighborhood’s horticultural history is reflected in logos/images currently associated with Morningside. This history is still alive—the historic trees on W. 44th St. are an example. • The City and HPB can work through neighborhood groups to get feedback on: 1. Whether residents favor logos on street signs; 2. Whether residents favor the proposed design; 3. Whether residents would propose an alternative design; 4. Whether residents would propose using an existing design.

Following the presentation, the steering committee met and voted to approve the following statement: The MNA steering committee supports a citywide policy for neighborhood identification signs that: treats all neighborhoods equally; provides clear guidelines for initiating, designing, and posting neighborhood signs; and provides for neighborhood input in the logo design. The steering committee does not support neighborhood identification signs in Morningside or the use of any graphic image on a sign to convey or represent the history, character, or identity of the neighborhood, outside of the context of such a policy.

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With this statement, the steering committee also requested the City not pursue the development or use of a graphic image to represent the historic resources in the neighborhood until there has been an opportunity to consider and adopt a citywide policy related to neighborhood identification signs. After further discussion, the Heritage Preservation Board decided not to move forward with the proposed streetcar logo or neighborhood identification signs in Morningside. It is anticipated that a citywide policy for neighborhood identification signs will be developed.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The MNA hosted a City Council Candidates Meet and Greet in conjunction with our 2010 Annual Meeting. Candidates Joni Bennett, Steve Brown, Todd Fronek, Timothy Kehr, and Josh Sprague attended. The MNA supported the City of Edina’s Winter Neighborhood Night Out in Weber Park on January 24, 2011, with a financial contribution and volunteers at the event. In August, the MNA sponsored Neighborhood Night to Unite in Weber Park. As always, the event was well attended, as individuals and families of all ages came out to enjoy a beautiful evening together. Residents brought picnics for themselves and treats to share.

SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES QUESTIONNAIRE

The MNA believes in sharing information to help residents take informed action on issues that are important to them. To this end, the MNA Steering Committee invited all four Edina School Board candidates running for election this year to submit answers to a brief questionnaire. Each candidate was sent the same questions and asked to answer each question in 200 words or less. All candidates responded. Their answers were emailed to the MNA distribution list and are posted on the MNA website: www.edinamorningside.org.

STAYING INFORMED

The MNA communicates with the neighborhood in three primary ways: an email distribution list, website (www. edinamorningside.org), and through flyers hand delivered to every household, thanks to a network of dedicated volunteers. Although our email list continues to grow, there are still many Morningside residents who do not receive our emails. If you are not currently on our email list, please sign up by sending your name and address to edina.morningside@ gmail.com. We make every effort limit the number of emails we send and never share your address with any outside organization.

2009/10 TREASURER’S REPORT

The MNA starting balance on October 1, 2010 was $675.28. Donations totaled $589.90 and submitted expenditures totaled $494.79, bringing the ending balance on September 30, 2011 to $770.39. The MNA, like all volunteer organizations, relies on financial contributions from members. Your financial contribution will directly benefit our neighborhood by funding social activities that build community and communications that keep us connected and informed. In order to grant membership to all Morningside residents, dues are not charged; however, a voluntary contribution of any amount is very much appreciated. To make a financial contribution, please send a check, made payable to the MNA, to Judy Plant, Treasurer, 4350 Morningside Road, Edina, MN 55416. Thank you.

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THANK YOU

• City Engineer Wayne Houle for presenting at last year’s Annual Meeting • City Council candidates Joni Bennett, Steve Brown, Todd Fronek, Timothy Kehr, and Josh Sprague for attending the City Council Candidates Meet and Greet at last year’s Annual Meeting • Edina School Board candidates Jason Berger, Cathy Cella, Sarah Patzloff, and Leny Wallen-Friedman for answering this year’s School Board candidates questionnaire • Edina Park and Recreation Department for waiving the fee for the use of the warming house for the 2010 and 2011 Annual Meeting • Edina Police Department for preparing crime data to distribute at the 2011 Annual Meeting • Edina A Better Chance Foundation (www.edinaabc.org) for rescheduling their use of the Weber Park warming house • Marci Matson of the Edina Historical Society for researching historic Morningside (school and village) logos • Kathryn Aby and all who participated in her plant sale for the very generous donation ($304!) to the MNA • Franklin Street Bakery, Caribou Coffee, and McDonalds (Excelsior Blvd.) for Annual Meeting refreshments • All volunteers who helped at MNA events and delivered flyers this year

IN MEMORY OF SPUD CARPENTER May 25, 1930 — June 2, 2011 MNA Steering Committee October 2006 — October 2010

2011 ANNUAL MEETING • 4:45 P.M. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 MNA membership is automatically extended to all Morningside residents and property owners age 18 and older. Dues are not required, but donations are welcome. All MNA members may participate in and vote at MNA meetings, be elected to serve on the steering committee, and serve on subcommittees. Please state your name and address the first time you speak at today’s meeting. Please sign in and/or update your information for the email distribution list.

AGENDA Guest Speaker: City Manager Scott Neal Announcements Presentation of the Annual Report Election of 2011-2012 Steering Committee Questions, interests and concerns of members Adjourn

© 2011 Morningside Neighborhood Association No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from copyright holder. For more information email [email protected] or see www.edinamornigside.org.

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