EPIC General Membership Meeting Agenda
July 5th , Monday – 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.,Holy Rosary Church Board Room, 24th and 17th Ave S
Board Present: Carol Pass, Linda Leonard, Rosie Cruz, Mary Gonsior, Jenny Bjorgo
Board Absent:
Members Present: Brad Pass, Sherzad Kordian
Guests: Julia Eagles, Heidi Quesada, Abby
Meeting called to order at 6:42 pm.
Agenda: approved with the following corrections/additions:
None
(jb/aw) Approved
Minutes from the June 12, 2008 meeting: approved with the following corrections/additions:
(mg/jb) Approved
Motion: meet as a committee of the whole
(cp/bp) Approved
Announcements
1. the Open Arms celebration on Saturday was very fun and well attended
2. Parade of Gardens will be on aug. 16. a map will be available at the garden(s)
3. CP attended two police round tables held by an outside consultant – she was the only epic
resident that was present. The police “police” themselves to decide on cased of police
brutality. Most people at the meeting were not comfortable with this – it is not good to
have the police evaluate their own performance. There is a civilian review board, but the
police review board reviews the civilian review board. Only cases that go to court ever
are determined by an outside body. CP recommends that more people attend these police
round tables. Brad commented that the community expressed uncertainty about which
review board to address with their concerns and that he didn’t think that the round table
clarified this very much. Brad recommends that residents can call 311 and ask how they
can report an incident to the internal affairs department. CP wants EPIC to become more
aware of these issues.
a. Q. can people comment anonymously? Yes but this is a problem. There was not
representation on the Phillips meeting by the African American community.
b. Q. why are some police who have a terrible civil rights, or brutality cases, still
policing the community?
4. Julia Eagles (Phillips Energy Coop) announced their seasonal appliance trade-in program
and distributed flyers with more information. Bring used appliances to reported a series
of classes on home energy conservation with college level instruction where residents
will learn simple ways to save energy and money, and learn about energy use in our
homes and in the community. Julia also distributed the latest newsletter. Julia introduced
Abby, who is interning with PEC this summer, and is from the Phillips neighborhood.
5. The village art fair will be held on Franklin and 12th on Aug. 15-16
6. Club Youth Line is taking over management of the Phillips Pool and Gym and will be
holding a grand opening on Tuesday. Sherzad will be doing some short term youth
programming this summer. Youth Line is part of the Mpls. Park system. They are looking
for additional programming.
Housing – Heidi Quesada
Heidi works in Gary Schiff’s office and is attending to distribute updates on the boarded and
vacant properties.
• 2829 16th ave s – recommend demo
• 2440 16th ave s – would like to be informed about hearings
• 2423 17th ave s – water is shut off – check on occupancy
• 1919 EM Stately st. – requested immediate fence and no trespassing notices
• Gary’s office is sending out a letter regarding a home owners strategy meeting for EM
Stately Street.
Brad asked for an update on issues coming up at the city council affecting EPIC. CP reported
that EPIC would like to get the EPIC housing committee going again and would welcome a chair
for this committee. Interested residents should contact CP.
Quorum achieved
MOTION: move to approve the Agenda and Minutes motions
(bp/jb) Approved
Election of New Board Member
The floor was opened for nominations.
• Sherzad Kordian
MOTION: to Accept SK as our new board member by consensus
(bp/mg) Approved
CP gave a message about commitment, loyalty and the importance of being a board member.
When the neighborhood has a critical issue, it is important that we have participation and good
board members.
Park Center
The EPIC board recommends that the members adopt the EPPCC partnership agreement and
model “in concept.” The agreement does not form a 501c3 organization, but does pull together
the various groups in the neighborhood who must work together to raise money and provide
resources for the park. The agreement is not refined yet to a final state, however the committee
did adopt a revised mission statement which was recommended by the EPIC board.
Brad read from the first line, pointing out that the agreement itself is not something that is
written in stone and will instead change as partners come into the agreement and are approved.
Any organization that is willing to commit their resources to the park will be considered for
membership in the partnership.
It is important to create this document to build a plan that is marketable.
EPIC is working to make sure that the organizations that are indigenous are part of it.
MOTION: EPIC will adopt the EPPCCC partnership agreement and model IN CONCEPT.
(mg/cj) Approved
MOTION: EPIC serve as the asking organization for both capital and operating funds for the
community center.
(ll/jb) Approved
MOTION: The Minneapolis Foundation as the holder of two funds: Capital Campaign Fund and
Operations Fund.
(ll/jb) Approved
MOTION: EPIC is strongly in favor of a building a commercial kitchen in the EPPCCC facility for
the purpose of financial sustainability
(ll/jb) Approved
Progress: Fund Raising Advisory Committee
Experts in development from organizations including the Guthrie Theater, Jewish Community
Action, Allina, Abbott Northwestern, General Mills, and AIOIC joined the EPPCCC advisory
committee and were very enthusiastic about our current financial position. In addition, they bring
with them many contacts and ideas for future fundraising.
Housing Development
CPED finally agreed to authorize moving funds of $50,000 NRP to be contracted to PRG to pay
DDK LLC $48,000 for the purchase of 2845 Bloomington extending over to 16th avenue. The
remaining $2,000 was paid as a fee to CPED. We have been working on this since 2001 – this is
a real victory. Because we have moved the closing from June to august, the owners are
threatening to sue EPIC. CP wrote a letter and requested patience with our small organization.
Breaking ground at 2931 Bloomington Ave
The project is stopped because the buyers haven’t finalized the purchase agreements. We need to
find new buyers.
2603 Bloomington
B. Sabri is the developer of this property. There are serious permit and code violations at the site.
Fines have been levied and there is not compliance.
National Night Out Deadlines
All the information for NNO is available online.
MOTION: Adjourn
(bp/mg) Approved
