General Membership Meeting Minutes 03-10

March 10th, 2011, 6:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. 

**Our First EPIC Membership Meeting in the new

East Phillips Park Cultural & Community Center 
2307 17th Ave S.

EPIC web address: eastphillips-epic.com

Office: 2536 18th Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN 55404

Directors Present: Linda Leonard, Mary Gonsior, Jenny Bjorgo, Earl Simms, Carol Pass,

40 Residents Present: Sign in sheet missing, 12 Somali Elders from the Apartment north of the Park

PARK BOARD PUBLIC MEETING to REVIEW and  COMMENT ON THE DESIGN of the EAST PHILLIPS              PARK ATHLETIC FIELDS RENOVATION PROJECT

Presentation about the fields:

There was not originally funding available for the fields. There was a presentation of a diagram (Concept D) presented showing a baseball field at the north end of the park, and also two soccer fields running side-by-side between the baseball field and the basketball/former tennis courts. The grade of new fields will be raised by 1-2 ft to help with drainage and in-ground irrigation. The soil on the site has been remediated, but now there will be fill added to adjust the grade. High quality field needs time to grow and rest, protection from overuse. Will community accept a fence to protect fields? Will the community respect temporary fencing? Fields need to rest (3 weeks). People must stay off fields when wet. MPRB staff is trained in CPR and safety. Perimeter fencing is okay but needs to provide access.

Comments

• Lighting is needed for all fields and pedestrian areas, along paths and sidewalks, for safety.
• Sidewalks getting here today were slippery and dangerous.
• Some residents would like to restore the tennis courts in the plan.
• Neighborhood has requested separation of baseball field and soccer fields.
• Have requested meeting w/Superintendent Miller about Park safety.
• Fencing between baseball and soccer may be needed.
• Community organizing will be important.
• Temporary fencing OK to protect turf when needed.
• Permanent fencing to protect turf is not desirable.
• Does the PB have the money to pay for programming and maintenance? How does this cost affect other services in the neighborhood?
• Are there alternative turf options that are more resilient?
• Grass is a better solution and more affordable than artificial turf (needs to be replaced every five years at $250K .
• EPIC wants to know if funding is needed, and would like to help.

SPECIAL MOTION: (BP, CW) Passed. We accept and endorse the plan for the fields, and we favor grass over artificial turf and we favor education for the community regarding stewardship of these fields over a huge fence to keep everyone out of the fields. Further, we commit ourselves and will encourage neighborhood elders to foster stewardship of these fields among all residents using these resources. We thank the park board and county for doing this for the neighborhood.

6:30    Introduction:

·        Greetings and Introductions

·         Approval of Agenda (no vote)

·         Minutes from EPIC General Membership Meeting 2/17/2011 (no vote)

7:30        New Classes in the Park and Partnerships: Art Classes, Youth Martial Arts, Basic Soccer and Basketball, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Pottery Classes and more. Al Bangoura and Brad Pass

Park Board is programming based on community need. Continuing to ask people to complete surveys about use of the building, programming, adult, senior, preschool, youth, sports, etc. Seeking quality partnerships with organizations that bring expertise and knowledge.

Science, Arts, Music and Technology

• Institute of Production and Recording. Audio engineering, record CD's, create covers, same technology industry uses
• Screen Printing. A local teacher
• Music - we want to bring music into this neighborhood. Partner with McPhail Music
• New Kiln. Pottery programs

Family Programming

• Family Night - Wednesdays. The whole building. Parent-Tot Time - afternoons

Sports

• Baseball, Soccer camp, Basketball camp, Girls Softball, Golf, Tennis

Seniors

• Rotunda was created especially for seniors to come in and sit down during the day,
• Any rooms can be booked for programming
• International Neighbor Women's Tea Time

Comments

• Senior exercise
• Climbing opportunities for children

7:40      Phillips Community Center Partnership and Swimming Pool – Minneapolis Swims receives 501©(3).                  

             Bill submitted to the legislature by Rep. Karen Clark. Hand outs,  Q & A, Next Steps

Distributed Minneapolis Swims Facts on Swimming including map of Metro Area and indoor/outdoor pools. There is a bonding bill that is being put forward to fund our pool.

6:40    Announcements:

• NRP Task Force – If you want join this committee, Contact Carol Pass, 612- 280-8418
• Discuss greater participation
• focus groups, helping, taking minutes
• Meeting times will be announced, and will be arranged to match schedules of committee members.
• EPIC NPI  Grant Received $10,000 granted and received. EPIC won this grant over 43 other applicants. about 3-4 grants were given out.

7:50        NRP Phase II Survey: Business & Resident Survey

Distributed Resident Survey and EPIC discussed and presented ideas for the Future Action Plan EPIC projects, and the need to contract Phase II monies before the city tries to take away the other half of our NRP allocation. Everyone did the survey and expressed opinions,  which they noted on their forms. EPIC will try to follow the tight time line in the Participation Agreement, Survey will continue, trends determined and a DRAFT NRP PHASE II ACTION PLAN will be offered for early review at  the April 14th EPIC community meeting.

BLOOMINGTON-LAKE CLINIC

MOTION: (CP, CW) Passed. Contact the head of clinic and city officials and others (possibly Alina) and request that they do everything in their power to bring our clinic back.

8:00        Housing and Redevelopment Update: 

• Greenway Apartments - EPIC’s Final NRP Building Project
• Habitat House: 2428 16TH Ave. S. apparently was sold today.
• 2620 17th Ave. S. (PRG is looking at it.) - very nice but needs a lot of rehab.

8:10        Opening of the Community Garden: 

Notice of first garden meeting April 9 at 9 am has gone out to the former gardeners. There will be several lots available, send an email to Brad at bpass @usinternet.com. The soil has been maintained organic. The plot fee will be about $35 per plot if it remains the same as last year. Goal is to keep the garden affordable for all.

8:15        Crime Concerns and Other Livability Issues:

Distributed a map of the impact on Minneapolis Neighborhood NRP Funds. The map clearly shows that all of the 15 neighborhoods that have lost over $4.1M, will receive only $787,016 in property tax relief. All of the neighborhoods receiving over $2.1M in property tax relief will lose less than $1.4M in NRP funding.

SH: An innocent victim of a shooting several years ago, passed away from complications of the shooting. Asked that EPIC send condolences to the mother of the victim.

8:25       Getting ready for the Annual Meeting Volunteers??? Board membership?? On April 30th

We need a couple new board members. Contact Carol to obtain an application and agreement. Meetings are scheduled the 2nd Thursday of each month. cpass@runbox.com.

8:30       Adjournment: