PROGRAM

 

15 members, including 3 on Zoom, and prospective member Paul Nealy heard City of Fridley Housing and Redevelopment Authority Assistant Executive Director Paul Bolin provide an update on recent activity in the city. Three apartment developments with a mix of market-rate, affordable, and senior units are complete or nearing completion. The city also offers low-interest home improvement loans to residents, and operates rebate and grant programs for residents completing energy-conservation or “front-door” improvements. Bolin also reported that the Northern Stacks development is now fully occupied and has gained rapidly in values.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Steve Klaers announced that a STRIVE field trip to Hennepin Technical College and North Hennepin Community College will take place on Thursday, April 25. Rotarians are invited to accompany the group.  Rotarians are also invited to accompany STRIVE students as they participate in the Kids in Need school supplies distribution event on May 7. 

 

Kristen Stuenkel reported that the Operation Pollination meeting yesterday morning discussed City of Columbia Heights’s plans to promote “No Mow May”, the effort to preserve spring pollinator habitat by persuading residents to delay lawnmowing and garden cleanup. She, City of Columbia Heights Forester Liam Genter, and Michele Schalenter of the Heights Next Community Foundation described pollination events and projects planned for the summer. Rotarians Kelli Bourgeois, Steve Klaers, and Bob Tholkes, attended, as did Columbia Heights High School “Blooming Heights” program coordinator Wes Nujteren and Jenny Scholtes of the new non-profit Melissa Vaughn Pollinator Fund.

 

REMINDERS

 

The next Zoom meeting of the Operation Pollination group will be held Tuesday morning, May 3, at 7:30 a.m. Contact organizer Stuenkel with any questions at stuenkek@colheights.k12.mn.us. The link to join the next is https://colheights-k12-mn-us.zoom.us/j/86961226644.  

 

Fridley High School’s scholarship assembly, at which STRIVE awards are presented, is scheduled for May 19; members are invited to attend.

 

Volunteers will be needed for the planned 49er Days Fun Run, which Bob Olsen will organize in May upon his return from Florida.