There were no additions and/or corrections to the agenda available at the meeting. Motion made and seconded to: "Accept the meeting agenda available at the meeting as the official agenda for the meeting." On a voice vote, motion adopted.
Mike Atherton, PPERRIA member, made a parliamentary inquiry about why there was a video camera at the back of the room and whether it was "official"? The chair responded that he had no idea whom or why there was a video camera but that if the questioner wanted to know, he was free to go back and ask the camera operator.
Motion made and seconded to: "Approve minutes of the 9/27/99 PPERRIA B/M/N meeting as published in the 10/99 PPERRIA Newsletter." There were no proposed changes or additions. Motion approved on a voice vote.
Motion made by Harrison Nelson and seconded to adopt the minutes of the 4/24/99 Special Meeting as amended.
Motion made by Mike Atherton and seconded to table the minutes of the Special Meeting until the amended minutes have been published in the newsletter. After debate, the motion to table was defeated on a voice vote.
The question reoccurred on the motion to approve the minutes of the 4/24/99 Special Meeting. On a voice vote, the chair was in doubt. On a standing vote, the motion to approve the minutes was adopted.
Motion made by Harrison Nelson and seconded to approve the minutes of the 4/26/99 Annual Meeting.
Motion made by Mike Atherton and seconded "To add to Item 5 that there was a statement heading the ballot for Board of Directors that "you must vote for 21 directors." Mike Atherton indicated that he objected to the ballot wording at the meeting. It was indicated that at the Annual Meeting that a point of order was well taken that voters did not have to vote for exactly 21 but only up to 21. In view of that, it was pointless to amend the minutes further.
The question reoccurred on the amendment by Mike Atherton. It was defeated on a voice vote.
The question reoccurred on the motion to approve the minutes of the 4/26/99 Annual Meeting. On a voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes was adopted.
Nicole Magnan and Jabra Kawas, Minneapolis Police S.A.F.E program provided crime statistics and reported that now that school has started (public and university) the increase in various types of theft should go down. The Minneapolis Police Department 2nd Precinct has set up an E-mail announcement list to quickly get the word out on crime activity.
Send an E-mail to: 2csafe-on@lists.pandh.com and use the subject: "subscribe."
In answer to questions, it was reported that most stolen autos are recovered; Friday and Saturday nights are the most busy; and non life-threatening 911 calls may not get answered as soon as a caller would like; for party house calls the answering officer has discretion as to the type of citation issued; the Minneapolis Park Police have few officers available at night; and, currently there is no formal working agreement between the Minneapolis Police Department and the University of Minnesota Police Department.
Motion made by Bill Kahn that "PPERRIA supports the establishment and maintenance of off-dog-leash areas and will consider the support of East River Flats and West Bank Sites once the actual sites are known." Bill Kahn, PPERRIA Environment Committee co-chair, reported that the organization Responsible Owners of Mannerly Pets (ROMP) has been working on this issue throughout the metro area and that the issue of a friendly relationship between neighborhoods and pets and their owners is included in the PPERRIA/NRP Action Plan.
Motion by Mary Ann Page and seconded to amend the Kahn motion to have the question returned to PPERRIA once the Park Board has narrowed its choices of sites.
The question reoccurred on the Page amendment. On a voice vote, it was adopted. The question reoccurred on the Kahn motion as amended. On a voice vote, it was adopted.
The chair said that the next three items on the agenda referred to him. Under Robert's Rules of Order, when the presiding officer is referred to in a motion, he or she must relinquish the chair for the duration of that debate.
Point of Order by Mike Atherton that the provision in Robert's only is effective when the chair is named. The chair ruled that the point of order was not well taken. The chair said that the provision in Robert's was clear and that whether or not there was a name stated when it was clear that the chair was referred to; he or she must relinquish presiding.
The chair said that none of the four vice-presidents wished to preside so he had asked Tom Kilton, a former PPERRIA president to preside as chair pro-tem. The chair asked whether there was any objection to electing Tom Kilton chair pro-tem. The chair said he heard no objection and ruled that Tom Kilton was elected chair pro-tem by unanimous consent.
Mike Atherton indicated that he had objected and was asking for the floor when the chair ruled that there was unanimous consent. The chair responded that he was sorry that he hadn't seen that Mike was objecting. However, the ruling stands that unanimous consent was received.
Tom Kilton took the chair as chair pro-tem.
Point of Order by Mary Ann Page on whether if the first of Mike Atherton's three motions was defeated, voting on the other two was then moot. Before a ruling by the chair, Mike Atherton said he would withdraw the last two motions if his first motion was defeated.
Motion by Mike Atherton and seconded that: "The PPERRIA president includes a statement in the newsletter apologizing for the mis-statements made in an official PPERRIA memo, titled, "Facts regarding neighborhood street lighting project," addressed to the Minneapolis City Council Transportation and Public Works Committee, dated 5/10/99.
Mike Atherton pointed out that the copies of the 5/10/99 PPERRIA memo available at this meeting do not have PPERRIA's letterhead. He asked all to listen to the facts-"they are not disputed." The letter was sent to the Minneapolis City Council Transportation and Public Works committee on 5/10/99. It is not known who authored the letter. PPERRIA bylaws indicate that in the event of an issue of importance, any action must be pre-approved. This is the issue: bylaws violated. In his opinion, there are a number of mistakes and lies that he can prove.
It was pointed out that PPERRIA had earlier approved its position regarding the issue of neighborhood sidewalk lighting. There followed at least one hour of discussion regarding this issue. Several pointed out that statements were "becoming personal." Several PPERRIA members said that questionable statements were attributed and documents not approved by them were used to support the "no" position on neighborhood sidewalk lighting. Mike Atherton said all he is asking for is a few sentences of acknowledgment that maybe this issue was not done right: "This will not go away, I will make sure PPERRIA does the right thing. I will sue. I will file grievances and who will pay the attorney costs?"
Motion by Mary Ann Page and seconded to call the previous question on the first Atherton motion. On a voice vote, the call of the previous question was adopted.
The question then reoccurred on the Atherton motion to require that the PPERRIA president publicly apologize for "mis statements" in a letter to the City Council. On a voice vote, the motion was defeated.
Motions by Mike Atherton:
Motion 2: "The PPERRIA president send a letter to the Minneapolis City Council that a PPERRIA memo titled, "Facts
regarding neighborhood street lighting project" addressed to the committee, dated 5/10/99, included statements that were
either mis-representive or false."
Motion 3: ""The individual/individuals who were primarily responsible for authoring the PPERRIA memo titled 'Facts regarding neighborhood street lighting project,' addressed to the Minneapolis City Council Transportation and Public Works committee, dated 5/10/99 resign from official duties on the PPERRIA Executive Committee or the Board of Directors." The maker withdrew those motions.
The PPERRIA President, Steve Cross, resumed presiding.
The chair noted the lateness of the hour and asked for and received unanimous consent to table until the next meeting the remaining items on the agenda which were:
The chair called for announcements:
There was no new or old business. Motion made, seconded and passed on a voice vote "To adjourn."
- Daniel Patenaude, PPERRIA Secretary. Comments and corrections to 117 Arthur Avenue SE or marko001@po.metrostate.edu