“The connection between place and health isn’t an intuitive one,” says Patrick Seeb, executive director, St. Paul Riverfront Corporation (SPRC). The fourth annual Placemaking Residency hosted by SPRC, May 11-15, hopes to forge that connection in the Twin Cities.

Titled “Moving the Twin Cities to Better Health,” the weeklong event will explore the relationship between urban design and population health through workshops, walking and biking tours, presentations and social events. Events will take place on St. Paul’s East Side, along University Avenue and in the Ecodistrict in Downtown St. Paul, as well as in the East Downtown area of Minneapolis and the South Loop of Bloomington.

“Well be out in the community, moving around the Twin Cities throughout the day and into the evening, in order to be interdisciplinary and so that participants — including urban planners, community activists, health experts and policy makers — can find different ways to engage,” Seeb says.

Read More

The East Side Event Calendar is a community calendar that will allow residents and businesses to fully see the breath of events and programming that is happening on the East Side.  The calendar includes large community fairs and parades, educational opportunities, arts and culture events, and much more.   Check it out and get involved in your community!

See the calendar HERE!

If you represent a business or organization that would like your events included in this calendar, please contact Nicole Pressley at Nicole@daytonsbluff.org.

Dayton’s Bluff Community Council Resolution supporting
One State, One License campaign and May 1 immigrant rights march
Adopted by the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council Board of Directors on March 16, 2015

WHEREAS, around 11 million immigrants have come to the United States without documents searching for a better life for their families, mostly fleeing extreme poverty and violence in other parts of the world.

WHEREAS, an estimated 90,000 undocumented immigrants live and work in Minnesota and are our families, friends, neighbors and co-workers;

WHEREAS, the U.S. Congress has failed to pass an immigration reform bill that would give legal recognition to the 11 million immigrants who live and work in this country but because of their lack of immigration status, face the constant threat of deportation and separation from their families as well as discrimination in jobs, education, housing and transportation;

WHEREAS, one of the main things that leads to deportation and separation of families is when an immigrant driving without a license is stopped by the police and often ends up arrested and then in deportation proceedings;

WHEREAS, Minnesota formerly allowed any state resident regardless of immigration status to obtain a driver’s license, but ten years ago added restrictions that made it impossible for undocumented immigrants to get Minnesota driver’s licenses;

WHEREAS, a driver’s license only shows that someone has passed the Minnesota drivers test and knows Minnesota’s traffic and safety laws; a person’s immigration status has no bearing on their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle on Minnesota’s roads;

WHEREAS, every Minnesota resident would be safer if every driver on the road has taken the driver’s test and obtained a license;

WHEREAS, several other states allow all residents to obtain a driver’s license regardless of immigration status including most recently California;

WHEREAS, in the current session of the Minnesota legislature, HF 97 and HF 98, sponsored by Representatives Karen Clark and Carlos Mariana, among others, including Representative Sheldon Johnson; and SF 224 and SF 234, sponsored by Senators Bobby Jo Champion, Jim Carlson and John Marty, would change state law to allow any Minnesota resident to obtain a standard driver’s license regardless of immigration status;

WHEREAS, the One State, One License campaign along with other groups will join a peaceful immigrant rights march on May 1, 2015, to support the proposed driver’s license legislation;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council supports eliminating the discrimination and barriers that exist in Minnesota law that deny our immigrant neighbors the ability to apply for a driver’s license only because of their immigration status; calls on the state legislature and the governor to pass a bill this 2015 legislative session that would rectify this discrimination and public safety hazard and would allow our immigrant neighbors to apply for and obtain a driver’s license the same as other Minnesota residents; and calls on the City of St. Paul and Ramsey County to support this effort.

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council supports the May 1, 2015, march for immigrant rights and driver’s licenses.

Board Members Present: Carla Riehle, Sage Holben, Elizabeth Matakis, Alex Bajwa, Tong Thao, Rob Sebo Lubke, Colin Wilkinson, Jacob Lambert, Breann Tierschel, Bridger Merkt, Henry Garnica, Jessica Johnson,

Board Members Absent: Jesus Ramirez

Board Members w/ Scheduled Absence:  Rafael Espinosa

Meeting Called to Order at 7:40 pm by Elizabeth Matakis

Guest Speaker: Ellen Biales

Ellen visited to do an educational session on zoning and land use. The city takes land use recommendations from the district councils very seriously because the city funding for district councils are tied to land use. Full zoning codes are available online www.stpaul.gov under “I want to” and then “read city code.” The Early Notification System (ENS) for any land use issues that is utilized by the district council is also available online at www.stpaul.gov under e-subscriptions. A consistent review process on the district council side will help the city council’s review process and approval. A district plan, reviewed every 10 year, can help improve the land use process.

Minutes from 03/16/2015 approved

Add Breann Tierschel to Scheduled Absence

Approval of the Agenda: approved

-Add Sage Freedomworks, add Rob to agenda

Freedomworks – Sage:
Sage gave a review of her experience with Freedomworks and their quick acquisition of the old Sacred Heart Convent and its land use change. The overall perception of Freedomworks is softening up. There have been numerous community meetings already and will be more meetings to review the contentious shifting around of tenants in different buildings. The City Council will review the project at the end of the month. The community meeting on Monday April 27 will be more telling of how the community feels about the project. Neighborhood Dev. Comm. will write a letter to be reviewed by the Executive Committee on behalf of the full board.

Committee Reports:

Community Engagement:

• Had a meeting with Mesa Latina about the May 1st march to the capitol. CEC will be marching from ESEC to the capitol to join Mesa Latina and other organizations to talk to legislators about drivers license for all. CEC is also involved with a district council collaboration called Dialogue to Action which is focused on working with 3 different city departments on racial equity.

Neighborhood Development:

• The bike path plan will have a huge impact on the East Side, it is still in its early stages so we need to be more involved.
• Rob invited a few people (4) off of the East St. Paul Facebook to a meeting at ESEC and realized that no one knew about the district council systems but want to get active. Rob encourages us to work with them.

Internal Operations & Board Development:

• Did not meet last month but will continue to complete its three goals

Business Development and Partnerships:

• Did not meet due to scheduling problems.
• Brenda gave a very short presentation on the BizCAP program offered by the partners of ESEC, which offers a loan readiness support to businesses who have been denied a loan or are minority or women owners.

Radio Station:

• The radio station is working now and Rob has completed his first show. The Advisory Committee has met on several occasion and is working hard to create a vision and mission statement as well as finding programing ideas. Rob will bring a mic next board meeting to record some drops.

Executive Director Updates:

Deanna gave an overview of the success stories of last year and the multiple economic victories with the STAR program. After the inception of the Make it Happen on E. 7t, DBCC is the primary implementer of the Near East Side Road Map, and the East Side will look greatly different from how it is now. Brenda will do some research on what the impact of the STAR grant has been, hopefully this will incentivize additional funding.  DBCC got the Carpenters Union to build a fence around the Children’s garden to the specifications of the Historic District. There are orders on the Phoenix Market to remove the art on their wall because it is considered an advertisement, there were suggestions to create a community mural on the side of Phoenix Market instead. Deanna requests that she would like more guidance about the work of the council and its direction.

Announcement:

• Both of DBCC projects rank on the top 20 list, which is an awesome achievement!
• Mounds Theater has a lot of things happening, contact Jessica Johnson or Alex Bajwa for more information!
• MPLS/STP Home tour is still going on and still needs volunteers!
• DB Senior Spaghetti Dinner @ First Lutheran Church tickets are on sale.
• Nicole is creating the East Side Events Calendar, which will lessen the Announcements section on the agenda.

Motion to adjourn at 8:45 – Approved

Board Members Present: Rafael Espinosa, Carla Riehle, Sage Holben, Elizabeth Matakis, Alex Bajwa, Tong Thao, Rob Sebo Lubke, Jacob Lambert, Jessica Johnson, Bridger Merkt,

Board Members w/ Scheduled Absence: Breann Tierschel

Board Members absent: Jesus Ramirez, Colin Wilkinson, Henry Garnica,

Meeting Called to Order at 7:00 pm by Elizabeth Matakis

Guest Speakers: Glenn Pagel from St. Paul City Works

Glenn Pagel presents on the Kellogg blvd project which will replace two westbound Kellogg Blvd bridges. Not many people know that Kellogg blvd is actually a series of bridges, which is now deteriorating. Construction will start April 1st, substantial completion by November 1st. For more information, visit stpaul.gov.

Kathleen from Saint Paul Public Library will try to attend board meetings. There are extended hours at the library now with classes and programs available.

Minutes from 2/23/2015 approved

• Add names of absentees, and excused absences

Agenda for 3/16/15 approved

Housekeeping: agenda has been loosened up to allow more discussion, only comments from people who are called on by chair. Items brought up not on agenda will be put in parking lot and will be followed up within one week.

Committee Work plan review:

Community Engagement committee

• Presented on their three work plans, approved.
• Community Engagement committee also presented the Driver License for All Resolution, which will be circulated to other district councils – Motion to adopt resolution with friendly amendments, [From “in Mexico and other Central American Countries” in the first paragraph to “from locations around the world” AND add “encourage the City of Saint Paul and Ramsey County to support this language”  after “hazard” on second to last paragraph] passes

Neighborhood Development Committee (NDC):

• Presented on their three work plans, approved
• NDC Committee motioned there be no installation of transit lines through Swede Hollow Park, as it would destroy a natural community asset. There were extensive conversations on the motion, board members are opposed to any transit lines through Swede Hollow but are supporters of transit lines in the neighborhood. The motion could not be supported until there are further discussions. This motion should come back to the board again next meeting. Let it be known that Rafael Espinosa is one supporter of the motion.

– Rafael calls the question, approved
– Vote to support motion – aye 3, nay 6, 1 abstain

Internal Operations:

• Presented on their works plans, approved
• Youth engagement and business development committees will be held off until next board meeting.
• Board minute and agenda template was presented by DBCC staff, to be submitted electronically to their respective committee staff person. Minutes should be sent in 1 week after committee meeting. Agendas are due 3 days before the meeting, preferred 1 week before.

Land Use Discussion:

• Formal Motion that the NDC priorities of Land Use items and Review for the City become full board responsibilities.
• Executive Committee’s alternative: NDC would handle residential issues under $1 million, Economic Development Committee would handle business land use issues under $1 million. Under strict time tables, land use issues can come to the full board, executive committee, or a special Land Use meeting can be called.  The full board still has authority to overrule any decision, at any point.
• Motion withdrawn by NDC

Radio Station:

• The temporary studio is set up at the old office and is halfway functional. The permanent studio is slowly being built out.  Things are looking optimistic and the outreach effort is paying off with more people coming out with interests in hosting programs. East Side Freedom Library is willing to host a small studio for recording purposes. There are still challenges with a training program. The advising committee will be formed soon.

CLUES Letter of Support:

Two proposals:

1. CLUES will take care of NAPA building. They will tear it down to build a two story building.
2. First Lutheran Church, proposal to renovate kitchen and increase signage. “City Folk School”

Motions approved

Announcement:

Myra Smith will take a leave of absence until June.

Tong announced his employment of DBCC partner Latino Economic Development Center and will be staffed in ESEC building.

Urban Oasis and Shared Ground will do a report back about their trip to Cuba on 3/20

Karin DuPaul is looking for artists for Art in the Hollow, Karen is also looking for volunteers for the St. Paul Home Tour on April 25-26.

Mounds Theater has programming planned, so keep an eye out for that.

Urban Oasis is renovating the commercial kitchen on 3rd and Bates.

Motion to adjourn at 8:35 – Approved

Learning Session 6:30-7:30 PM

Organization: Zoning & Land Use Overview & The Role of the District Council

Guest Speaker: Ellen Biales

More Information: Deck to be provided

Board Session  7:30-8:30 PM

1. Introductions & Call to Order  (5 minutes) Liz Matakis, President

a. Approval Of Minutes – December  22nd

b. Approval Of Agenda

2. Committee Updates (25 minutes)

a. Community Engagement

b. Neighborhood Development

c. Internal Operations & Board Development

d. Business Development & Partnerships

e. Youth Engagement

3. Radio (5 minutes)  Radio Team

a. Update

5. Executive Director Update (15 minutes)  Deanna Abbott-Foster

6. Announcements  (10 minutes)

7. Adjourn

Next Meeting Monday May 18th 6:30-8:30 PM, Enterprise Center

Driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants are under discussion at the Minnesota Legislature — again. Previous attempts to allow the undocumented to drive legally have failed, but this year the measure should pass. As public safety officials have argued for years, the change would make roads safer. LEARN MORE