April 30, 2011

2011 Annual Meeting Minutes 04-30


EPIC Annual Meeting
April 30th, 2011,  9:30am - 12:00
East Phillips Park Cultural & Community Center 
2307 17th Ave S.
EPIC web address: eastphillips-epic.com
Office: 2536 18th Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN 55404

9:30 – 10:10 BREAKFAST, MEET NEIGHBORS, CHECK INFO TABLES

10:10-10:15              WELCOME
                        INTRO INFORMATION
·        AGENDA – Approved (LL, JB)
·        Thanks to Shirley Heyer for organizing the food and to Open Arms Donation
·        REMINDERS ABOUT BALLOTS - Brad explained voting process
·        NOMINATION APPLICATIONS –
10:15 – 10:30 A brief History of EPIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS. SEE BROCHURE
                        FUTURE GOALS.  NRP PHASE II ACTION PLAN
·        RESTORING THE PHILLIPS COMMUNITY CENTER POOL
·        MORE PROGRAMS FOR EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY KIDS.
·        FINISH THE COMMUNITY CENTER- KITCHEN, MORE HOOPS, BALL FIELDS
·        HOUSING, GREENWAY HEIGHTS APARTMENTS
·        HELP PEOPLE IN FORECLOSURES.
·        Added ‘Bring in more Home Owners, help renters own homes.

DOOR PRIZE – Brad had a little kid draw a name for Welna’s Famous ScrewDrivers.

10:30 – 11:00  EXPLANATION OF THE ELECTION PROCESS,
·        NOMINATIONS –Our slate was passed out. Mary Gonsior, Linda Leonard, Earl Simms and Chiffon Williams. One person said she wanted to run but she had never been to an EPIC meeting, which is required.
·        SPEECHES – Each person discussed why they wanted to run for
·        VOTING

DOOR PRIZE - 11:45 A prize from Julie Engebretsen’s Store on Lake

11:00 – 11:20   NRP BILL- EXPLANATION – Q AND A
·        WHO LOSES – WHO GAINS ,  MAP & DATA SHEET Our Map showing that the wealthy neighborhoods gain at the expense of the poor ones was handed out.
·        THE BILL- Copies  were handed out
·        COMMUNITY  ACTION – the work of neighbors at the legislature was discussed,
                                  
11:25 -  11:30   RESULTS OF VOTING - The EPIC Slate won.

FINAL DOOR PRIZE – The Webber Grill was won by a relative of Rosie Cruz.
                                               
11:45              ADJOURN

April 14, 2011

General Membership Meeting Minutes 04-14

April 14th, 2011, 6:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
East Phillips Park Cultural & Community Center 
2307 17th Ave S.
EPIC web address: eastphillips-epic.com
Office: 2536 18th Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN 55404
Our Second EPIC Membership Meeting in the 
new East Phillips Park Cultural & Community Center

Directors Present: Mary Gonsior, Carol Pass, Jenny Bjorgo, Earl Simms, Linda Leonard, Rosie Cruz, Steve Struthers
Residents: Brad Pass, Chiffon Williams, Margaret Kirkpatrick, Pat Fleetham, Karen Clark, Hannah Lieder, Kevin Lieder, Bill Kingsbury, Kim Hadaway, Jason Rodney, Troy, Linnea, Kara   
Guests: Loren Brueggemann, Kathy Wetzel, Mike Buelow, John Gold, Shirley Heyer

6:30    Introduction:
·         Greetings and Introductions
·         Approval of Agenda (JB, CW) approved.
·         Minutes from EPIC General Membership Meeting 3/10 /2011 (JB, CW) approved.

6:40    Announcements:
·         NRP Task Force – If you want to be a part of this committee, Contact Carol Pass, 612- 280-8418
·         Meeting times will be announced, and will be arranged to match schedules of committee members.
·         EPIC’s 12th Annual Meeting April 30th, 9:30 Saturday morning, Treats, Talk and Progress


7:00    New Classes in the Park and Partnerships:  Linda’s ‘Tea and Talk’, Family night, Partner meeting next week,
                 Brad Pass

The doors have been open for about a month and a half. The partners are meeting next week and we are slowly ramping up our programming. The park board has put out bids for 4 additional basketball hoops, a divider for the gym, and finishing out appliances for the kitchen.

Linda's Tea and Talk sessions have seen some success with multi-cultural conversations (Sat. 1-3 pm.) Family night (Wed. 6-8:30 pm.) is popular, playing organized games in the gym, Wii was set up, people watching a video in the rotunda, and more.

Vending machines: we want to have healthy choices.

MOTION: Replace snacks and pop with healthy snack and beverage options. (CW, JB) passed.

Park Board has a fee structure for many things. EPIC will explore the fee structure and see if there is some way of mitigating these costs for local residents.


7:10      Phillips Community Center Partnership and Swimming Pool – Minneapolis Swims Update, Hannah Lieder
             Progress of the bonding Bill submitted to the legislature by Rep. Karen Clark. Q & A, Next Steps

We are hoping that the bill will be considered by the bonding committee and put forward to the legislature. EPIC believes if the neighborhoods put up some money, this is a strong statement to the legislature and other funders.  If the legislature did approve this funding, it is likely the governor would sign it.

7:25        EPIC Development: Greenway Heights apartments: EPIC’s completion of NRP Phase I project. Loren Brueggemann, Phoenix Development and Kathy Wetzel, PRG, neighborhood nonprofit.

Additional presenters: Michael Buelow from Phoenix, John Gold, project architect (BKV).

Presentation of a plan for a 4-story/40 unit building of workforce housing for the vacant property on Bloomington Ave & 29th St. Seeking support from EPIC in advance of the next funding round ---.

Loren Brueggeman discussed that the project is designed to accommodate community expressed needs for family housing, community friendly,  child friendly, green friendly, cost effective/affordable rents. The bulk of the units are 2 & 3 bedrooms, with a few 1 bedrooms included.

Drawings presented are the early stages of the concept for the project. The conceptual site plan was presented showing a very tight footprint, using the space very efficiently.

Concerns expressed: eco-friendly, energy efficient, pedestrian walkways, play areas, safety, etc. Concession of those attending this meeting are in favor of making the walkway to the south of the building, private for the building for the sake of safety and privacy.

MOTION: EPIC approves the project concept and supports applications for funding, with the understanding that the project will be in consultation with EPIC as the design develops. (CP, MK) passed.

7:45      Participation Agreement and Draft Phase II Action Plan: Business & Resident Survey, Review of Plan, Preliminary                 Approval Motion

In the last two years, one neighborhood went from 53 boarded houses to 144 (2009-2010.) NRP money could possibly have reduced this level of foreclosure, by helping to re-sell these homes. EPIC has created tax income from the housing projects that were created through using our NRP funds. While we are hoping that the legislature will support the bonding bill for projects such as the Phillips Community Center Partnership and Swimming Pool, the uncertainly causes us to set an aggressive schedule for completing our Phase II NRP plan before the close of the legislature.

NRP Survey findings so far:

Residents want to help people that are on the edge (emergency housing needs.)
Residents want us to offer foreclosure assistance.
Residents want us to do other things in addition to housing, i.e. kids programs, swimming pool, etc.

MOTION: EPIC approves  basic concepts and direction of the Draft EPIC NRP Phase II Action Plan. (JB, CW) approved.
Survey will continue to reach more of the neighborhood. Additional focus groups planned. Some with tiny ethnic groups.

Suggested that an addition to the plan would include a vision for transition to a post-petroleum society.

8:05        Food Resource Hub- Bill Kingsbury

Grow your own food - Minneapolis' new organization of neighbors distributing

8:10        Getting ready for EPIC’s 12th Annual meeting April 30th: Planning?? Volunteers?? Board membership??
                Shirley Heyer will be organizing the food for the morning. We will be providing a full healthy breakfast, in part coming              from Open Arms. They have offered a big egg dish. Also Tamales. Need volunteers

8:25       Crime Concerns and Other Livability Issues:

MOTION: EPIC recognizes the situation of heavy industrial bordering residential housing, and (SS, JB) By agreement, this motion was tabled to the next meeting.

There is a CARE grant through the EPA to identify toxins along the minnehaha-hiawatha corridor. Google Hennepin Cty website. for more information.

8:30       Adjournment:

April 2, 2011

Board Meeting Minutes 04-02


April 2nd, 2011, 10:00 am
First EPIC Board 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

Present: Carol Pass, Linda Leonard, Mary Gonsior, Earl Simms, Rosie Cruz
Guests: Brad Pass, Shirley Heyer, Chiffon Williams

10:00    Introduction:
·         Approval of Agenda (approved)
·        Minutes from EPIC Board Meeting Minutes 3/5/2011 (approved)
10:10    Announcements
·         EPIC General Membership Meeting, April 14th Thursday at EPPCCC 6:30 PM
·         EPIC Annual Meeting- April 30th, 9:30 – 12:00 noon, at EPPCCC
·         Demonstration at the Capitol for Workers’ Democratic Rights to Collective Bargaining, Monday, April 4, 2011, 5 PM, meet at Cathedral Hill and march to the Capital
·         Check out the slide show of the Grand Opening of the East Phillips Park Community Center on our website, The web address is EastPhillips-EPIC

10:20     Housing and Redevelopment-  
              
Greenway Family Housing – Recommendation with caveats

Phoenix Development and PRG will present a concept plan on April 14th to request approval of the plan to move ahead with developing the property. The project is being called "Greenway Family Housing."

12 1-BR, 12 2-BRm 22 3-BR (46 total) units, entryways on the greenway, fenced in outdoor play area (location optional), entry for parking on 16th Avenue, visitor parking off Bloomington Avenue, landscaping.

Amenities that the neighborhood requires include functional balconies (not cosmetic only), a community room, an outdoor play space, and 3-BR units. We will accept the flat facade on the Greenway provided there are functional balconies (1st floor patios). There is tentative agreement to include an exercise room.

MOTION: Recommend endorsement of these plans and design. (MG, CP) approved.

2428 16th Avenue S.- Meetings with Town Home Group??

It appears that the City has not notified neighborhood regarding plans for this property. CP will contact the city and find out if notification is required, and submit EPIC housing requirements to the city.

10:35     Park Programming  – Brad

EPPCCC has been open for about 6 weeks, and programs are ongoing. More programs will be added, including a new program proposed by LL at 1 PM today.
There will be another partner meeting at 11:30 on April 19th (Tues). Lunch will be served. The partnership between the Partners and the Park Board is very important - the Partners will provide programming that the Park Board can't afford.

MOTION: Motion to approved previously moved actions by the Committee of the Whole. (MG, CP) approved

The Park Board laid off three individuals that worked with EPIC in making the EPPCCC a reality.

MOTION: EPIC will send a formal thank you letter and a letter of professional recommendation to carry with their next job application. (Julia Clein Rossler, Judd Rietkirk, Lonnie Nichols) (LL, MG)

10:45     Phillips Community Pool -- Update

The Park Board is working on a contract with Mpls. Swims. The agreement will be signed at the next Park Board meeting.

10:50    NRP Progress: Participation Agreement, Business  Survey, Resident Survey,  Results, Focus Groups, etc.  for Phase Two

Phase II Participation Agreement is completed. Send comments to CP no later than Friday, April 8 (the sooner the better.) CP is working on completing Phase I review, but it is a challenge. All of EPIC's property, archives were lost several years ago including our computers and files. CP has to account for all projects and money spent in the last 12 years.

The Phase II surveys have over 170 responses. The process has been very effective. Focus groups need to be scheduled, hopefully in April.

11:10    EPIC Annual Meeting – Food ?  Music? Where to meet in the new building? Who will run for office?

Food: Breakfast theme, menu tbd (zambus, tamales, breakfast rice stew, grits, donuts/rolls/frybread) . Latino orientation…Open Arms donation?? Super America donation?

MOTION:  EPIC agrees to pay Shirley Heyer $200 to order, arrange payment, print out menu, and arrange delivery by  8:30 April 30th LL, CP, passed
Music: CP
Elections: Rosie, Mary, and Linda - term expires. All will run. Chiffon new again after being gone wants to run.

11:00    NRP Legislation: COIN -

Citizens Organized for Improved Neighborhoods is a registered corporation whose mission is to defend the NRP funds and to return these funds to the neighborhoods. They also work to help all the neighborhoods come together as a group to protect and enhance their common concerns. COIN is currently working to get the SAVE NRP bill passed.

11:05     Opening of the garden listserve

The garden opens on April 9th. You have to sign up to receive a plot. EPIC needs to appoint a steering committee member and an alternate for the garden. Chiffon is appointed, and Carol will be the alternate.

11: 30    Adjournment