02-28-13 Connection Project Board of Directors Minutes MINUTES
Envision Connection Project Executive Board
February 28, 2013
7 pm
City Hall Councit Conference Room
Directors Present: Shep Harris (Chair), Jim Heidelberg, Helene Johnson, Philip Lund, Dean
Penk, Mike Schleif, Marshall Tanick (arrived at 8:30 pm)
Directors Excused: Lynn Gitelis, Blair Tremere
Directors Absent: Sharon Glover, Cindy Inselmann
Staff Liaison: Cheryl Weiler, Communications Manager
Guest: Tom Burt, City Manager
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7 pm without a quorum.
Heidelberg asked for an overview of upcoming changes for the Envision Board. Harris explained
the City Council wants to formalize operation of the Board, define its budget, and have someone
other than the mayor serve as chair. Mayor Harris and Council member Joanie Clausen will draft
bylaws and an ordinance to make the Envision Board a City Commission. After meeting with
Board members, they will bring the new bylaws and ordinance to the City Council for approval.
Burt said the staff Iiaison change from Volunteer Coordinator Sandy Werts to Communications
Manager Weiler would give Werts, a part-time employee, more time to focus on building the City's
volunteer services program.
2. Approval of Agenda
Motion: Schleif moved to approve the Agenda as written. The motion was seconded by Lund and
approved unanimously.
3. Approval of November 15, 2012 Minutes
Motion: It was moved by Penk and seconded by Heidelberg to approve the minutes as written.
Motion carried.
4. Old Business
None.
5. Reports and Updates
Bridqe Builders
Discussion centered around scheduling the next Bridge Builders quarterly meeting, possibly for
March 16 or 23 at MnDOT in Golden Valley, with a 10 am meeting followed by a tour. Past
meetings have always included updates by Bridge Builder groups followed by a tour to show off
Golden Valley's various amenities. Topics for the next meeting would include how to get more
youth involved in Bridge Builders. Lund offered to chair April 20 Bridge Builders event.
Harris introduced the idea of getting Bridge Builders involved in the Beyond The Yellow Ribbon
campaign, in which Golden Valley is planning to partner with Crystal, Robbinsdale, and New Hope
to provide help to veterans and their families. Harris will report back to the Envision Board after
attending the March 6 Yellow Ribbon meeting. One possibility is to ask the old 125t"Anniversary
Committee to take responsibility for Golden Valley's Beyond the Yellow Ribbon campaign efforts.
While considering ways to promote Bridge Builders and the quarterly meetings, the Board
discussed putting together a structure for future quarterly meetings as well as a calendar, then
decided a March meeting wouldn't leave enough time from promotion.
Motion: Moved by Harris, seconded by Penk, to have Penk schedule the next Bridge Builders
quarterly meeting for April 20 and contact the City for help with promotion.
Envision Award
A subcommittee of Lund, Penk, and Heidelberg met at 6:30 pm to discuss and approve
nomination of Kristine Frey and Leslie Hendricks, founders of Market in the Valley, for a Visi
Award, to be presented at a March or April City Council meeting.
Motion: Moved by Schleif, seconded by Johnson, approved unanimously that Lund will contact
nominees and present the award at the Council meeting. There was a general consensus to
nominate Trees for Tyrol for the next Visi Award.
Ice Cream Social
Heidelberg wiN contact City Recreation Supervisor Andy Soltvedt regarding dates for the John
Philip Sousa concert and report to the Board in March.
Board members discussed the need for more signs to promote the Ice Cream Social as well as
strategic placement. They also considered the idea of getting more permanent banners or
sandwich boards to promote the event. Weiler will work with Board members replace lost signs
and get pricing on banners and sandwich boards.
Lilac Plantina
Lund reported for the Lilac Committee. Planting location for 2013 will be the cloverleaf of the Hwy
55/Hwy 169 south interchange. Planting date is set for September 28, 2013.
Hall of Fame
The board discussed standards for the Hall of Fame; who will make selections and when; when
and where to present the recognition; and whether the process should be more selective. Penk,
Tremere, and Tanick will invite original Hall of Fame committee members to the March 21
Envision Board meeting to discuss the process and nominees. The Hall of Fame recognition event
is scheduled for Friday, May 17, the day before Golden Valley Days.
Motion: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Heidelberg, approved unanimously that the Envision
Board will work with the former 125th Anniversary Hall of Fame committee to lead the process this
year. The Envision Board will re-evaluate going forward.
6. Communications
Memorial Dav Proqram
Harris gave an overview of a Memorial Day program planned by John Giese with help from Gitelis
and Mark Lowe. Current plans include a Civil War re-enactment, a band, and flags along Golden
Valley Road.
Julv 4 Event
Harris introduced an idea for a July 4 community engagement event featuring a naturalization
ceremony at City Hall. The Board discussed inviting other citizens to attend to renew and/or
celebrate their citizenship, as well as how it would be a way to connect cultures, which is a
Connectiori Project goal. Harris will explore possibilities and report at the next Board meeting.
7. Other Business
Schleif expressed concern about the need to better market and promote stories like Golden Valley
Days and Bridge Builders and the need for better search engine optimization on the City website.
Heidelberg suggested placing the item on the next Board meeting agenda.
8. Future Meetings
The next meeting will be Thursday, March 21, 2013, 7 pm, City Hall Council Conference Room.
9, Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9 pm.