13th Annual Meeting Minutes 04-28

EPIC 13th Annual Meeting Agenda

April 28th, 2012

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

EPIC web address: eastphillips-epic.com

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

Attendance: Directors- Jennie Bjorgo, Linda Leonard, Mary Gonsior, Carol Pass, Earl Simms, Steve Struthers, Chiffon Williams, Rosie Cruz

Members present:  Mary Grace Alton, Jessica B. Binod, Mahamed Cali, Pat Christensen, Karen Clark, Peggy Clark, Ulises Contreras, Alfonso Cruz, Allen Cruz, Angela Cruz, Aheda Elliot, Joani Essenburg, Alondra Espejel-Cano, Pat Fleetham, Candelaria Gama, Joaquin Garcia, Aisha Gomez, Harmaya, Mohamed Hassan, Leroy Jeffers, Al Johnson, Carrie Anne Johnson, Elizabeth Johnson, Kala Katel, Sagar Katel, Margaret Kirkpatrick, Gloria Kordian, Sherzad Kordian, Audrey Marie Leonard, Mary Juanita Leonard, Juan Cruz Mestizo, John Mortenson, Maxwell Mortenson, Dill Motey, Lal Motey, Ignazio Melendez, Don Olson, Omnata, Amy Pass, Brad Pass, Carol June Leonard, Francisca Pass, Gabriel Pass, Mir Poudal, Ganga Ram, Jason Rochey, Mickey Scheu, Cheryl Morgan Spence, Natalie Fuentes Torres, Shoui Tsai, Jose-Luis Villasenor, Scott Vreeland, Cedric Wash, Pat Welna, Erica Wieds, Annie Young, Doug Zimmerman

Guests: Shirley Heyer, Peter McLaughlin, Jana Metge, Doug Wise, Mario Espinoza, Mark Welna

9:30 – 10:10            BREAKFAST (Great Food thanks to Shirley Heyer),                      MEET NEIGHBORS,

10:10-10:15              WELCOME-Brad Pass as MC

                        INTRO INFORMATION

·                          AGENDA, DISCUSSION OF THE ELECTION

·                          NOMINATION APPLICATIONS, REQUIREMENTS/OBLIGATIONS OF A

    BOARD MEMBER These were described. The need to be an EPIC Member and have     attended at least one meeting.

10:15 – 10:30 EPIC’s ACCOMPLISHMENTS. These were listed by Brad Pass,  Hannah Lieder, Carol Pass

                        FUTURE GOALS.NRP PHASE II ACTION PLAN See EPIC Report

·      RESTORING THE PHILLIPS COMMUNITY CENTER POOL

·      MORE PROGRAMS FOR EVERYONE,  ESPECIALLY KIDS

·      FINISH THE EAST PHILLIPS PARK CENTER BALL FIELDS, HOOPS

·      HOUSING, IMPLEMENTING PHASE II PLAN. REHAB LOANS, GREENWAY HEIGHTS APTS.,

·      HELP PEOPLE IN FORECLOSURES. 

10:30 – 10:35 OTHER SPEAKERS The EPIC Board Members were introduce

            Earl Simms, Chiffon Williams, Mary Gonsior, Linda Leonard, Steve Struthers,               Jennie Bjorgo, Rosie Cruz and Carol Pass,

DOOR PRIZE-Brad- gift from Ingebretsen’s

10:35 – 11:00  EXPLANATION OF THE ELECTION PROCESS,

·      NOMINATIONS were called for from the floor, Al Johnson nominated himself. The EPIC Slate was Rosie Cruz, Carol Pass, Jennie Bjorgo and Jose-Luis Villasenor

·      NOMINATION SPEECHES were given by each candidate

·      BALLOTS were explained and handed out

·      VOTING took place.

DOOR PRIZE    11:45 Brad – drawing for Gift from Welna’s

11:00 – 11:20       EPIC AFTER NRP AND REDISTRICTING, Q & A

                                    THE NEW 9TH WARD & THE NEW NRP/CCP (MAPS, FUNDING)

11:25 -  11:30      RESULTS OF VOTING – new Board Members are:

                                 Jose-Luis Villasenor, Rosie Cruz, Carol Pass, and Jennie Bjorgo

FINAL DOOR PRIZE –Brad assisted the drawing for the Webber Grill, which was won by Audrey Marie Leonard

                                               

11:45         ADJOURNMENT

General Membership Meeting Minutes 04-12

April 12th, 6:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

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

EPIC web address: http://www.eastphillips-epic.com/index.html

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

Attendees: Board Members present: Mary Gonsior, Linda Leonard, Steve Struthers, Earl Simms, Chiffon             Williams, Carol Pass, Rosie Cruz,

            EPIC Members: Brad Pass, Margaret Kirkepatrick

6:45    Introductions:

·      Greetings and Introductions.

·      Approval of Agenda

·      Approval of Minutes from EPIC 3/8/2012 General Membership Meeting,

6:40    Announcements:

·        EPIC Community Garden Meeting, Saturday, April 14th, 9:30 AM in the Garden

·        EPIC Annual Meeting, Saturday, April 28th, 2012, 9:30 AM; East Phillips Park Center

·        Running Wolf Contract completed.

7:00  Redistricting Outcome…Our New Ward 9- Q and A, Maps were handed out, discussion of implications some appearance of greater fault lines along racial lines. Some worry about how this will impact the future, especially of Ventura Village Native population.  EPIC and Midtown now have the largest Latino population of any ward in the City

7:20   Phase II Housing Contract with CEE-

·      Housing Rehab Loans – Loan Pool - $90,000.00, Lottery??? Discussion about contents?

·      Home Buyer Loans – Loan Pool $32,000.00

·      Emergency Repair Loans – Loan Pool $18,000.00

·      Foreclosure Assistance Loans – Loan Pool 

DEFERRED LOAN PROGRAM (HOMEOWNER REHAB) we want to include this in the name.

·      Doug told us that CEE cannot do a lottery for these loans. How can EPIC ensure that non-English speakers and immigrant households can successfully apply for these loans? Discussed several options, including hiring Doug w/translators to “hand-hold” residents through the application process.

·      Doug will talk with CEE to find out what resources they can provide. A lottery is more fair, and EPIC really wants to pursue this option.

·      Decided to remove the “match”, due to the financial climate. Therefore, the 50% income limit is moot.

·      We prefer to require repayment of loan upon refinancing. Doug will find out more about this from CEE.

·      EPIC wants to review the list of improvements that are allowed by MHFA Fix Up Fund.

HOMEBUYER DEFERRED LOAN PROGRAM

We prefer to require repayment of loan upon refinancing. Doug will find out more about this from CEE.

EMERGENCY DEFERRED LOANS

·      Program intent: Doug will check with CEE to determine whether CEE will follow criteria stated in EPIC’s intent statement.

·      Interest rate: too complicated to administer – agree to use 0%.

·      We prefer to require repayment of loan upon refinancing. Doug will find out more about this from CEE. (Drop “or within 5 years.”)

·      What is the process for applying for emergency loans in light of the $100 inspection fee.

FORECLOSURE ASSISTANCE LOANS

     PRG has money for foreclosure counseling and assist in obtaining funds, and has an 80% success rate. Consider providing funds through PRG as “last resort” foreclosure assistance. Doug will write up a proposal; may have CEE administer if it is a loan program. Other possibility would be a grant program, and no one would have to administer it.

BUDGET

·      Is the $15,000 admin fees a “cap”? Are the fees on page 2 included in the cap.

·      Admin service fees; Doug will bring additional questions to CEE:

·      $425 fee

·      $100 fee

·      $6 per month fee

7:50   Alliance Housing Project – 2600 17th Ave S. 15 Land Use Issues: Already have these issues: Smith   Foundry, Bituminous Roadways, Now we have this again!!

      Issues – History -  2600 17th Ave. Alliance Petition – Other options??

      How do we get action from our Council Member?

      Several residents, who have written letters and emails to Gary S. to support neighboring residents’ efforts to see the 2003 Minneapolis Plan and Greenway plan for this area, implemented in this neighborhood, that is, the removal of heavy industrial activities at these sites. Bituminous Roadways. Smith Foundry

8:30 EPIC Annual Meeting: Plans so far:

·      Contracted with Shirley to do food

·       Room reserved

·      Ad in Alley botched, E-News Ad out, Door-to-door needs a little translating, flyering will happen

·      Music to be arranged

·      Board Members whose terms continue: Mary Gonsior, Linda Leonard, Earl Simms, Chiffon Williams,       Steve Struthers, who wishes to run again? Jennie Bjorgo? Rosie Cruz? Carol Pass?  ?? Slate??

·      Door Prizes??

·      Other?? Speaker??

Shirley’s Memorandum of Understanding

Will write a new agreement for making arrangements for food for annual meeting.

Help Needed on Friday

Setting up tables, Food,Table decorations

Rosie will bring about 4 students

Help Needed on Saturday

Clean up (Brad has to attend a meeting immediately after the meeting)

Rosie will bring about 4 students

Door Prizes

Only a few are already arranged,  Roger Beck (Mary will contact)

12:20 Adjournment

Board Meeting Minutes 04-07

April 7th, 2012, Saturday, 10:00 am

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

EPIC web address: http://www.eastphillips-epic.com/index.html

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

                       

10:00             Introduction:

·         Approval of Agenda (JB, MG)

·         Approval of Minutes from EPIC Board Meeting, We worked with Mike Dean on redistricting plans.

10:10    Announcements: 

·      EPIC Membership Meeting:  Thursday, April 12th, 6:30 PM, the East Phillips Park Center,

·      EPIC Annual Meeting, Saturday, April 28th, 2012, 9:30 AM; East Phillips Park Center

10:20             Redistricting Outcome…Our New Ward 9- Q and A

EPIC distributed a copy of the approved districting map. 

10:50   Phase II Housing Contract with CEE- Doug Wise,

·      Housing Rehab Loans – Loan Pool - $90,000.00, Lottery??? Discussion about contents?

·      Home Buyer Loans – Loan Pool $32,000.00

·      Emergency Repair Loans – Loan Pool $18,000.00

·      Foreclosure Assistance Loans – Loan Pool 

DEFERRED LOAN PROGRAM (HOMEOWNER REHAB) we want to include this in the name.

·      Doug told us that CEE cannot do a lottery for these loans. How can EPIC ensure that non-English speakers and immigrant households can successfully apply for these loans? Discussed several options, including hiring Doug w/translators to “hand-hold” residents through the application process.

·      Doug will talk with CEE to find out what resources they can provide. A lottery is more fair, and EPIC really wants to pursue this option.

·      Decided to remove the “match”, due to the financial climate. Therefore, the 50% income limit is moot.

·      We prefer to require repayment of loan upon refinancing. Doug will find out more about this from CEE.

·      EPIC wants to review the list of improvements that are allowed by MHFA Fix Up Fund.

HOMEBUYER DEFERRED LOAN PROGRAM

We prefer to require repayment of loan upon refinancing. Doug will find out more about this from CEE.

EMERGENCY DEFERRED LOANS

·      Program intent: Doug will check with CEE to determine whether CEE will follow criteria stated in EPIC’s intent statement.

·      Interest rate: too complicated to administer – agree to use 0%.

·      We prefer to require repayment of loan upon refinancing. Doug will find out more about this from CEE. (Drop “or within 5 years.”)

·      What is the process for applying for emergency loans in light of the $100 inspection fee.

FORECLOSURE ASSISTANCE LOANS

PRG has money for foreclosure counseling and assist in obtaining funds, and has an 80% success rate. Consider providing funds through PRG as “last resort” foreclosure assistance. Doug will write up a proposal; may have CEE administer if it is a loan program. Other possibility would be a grant program, and no one would have to administer it.

BUDGET

·      Is the $15,000 admin fees a “cap”? Are the fees on page 2 included in the cap.

·      Admin service fees; Doug will bring additional questions to CEE:

o   $425 fee

o   $100 fee

o   $6 per month fee

12:00 Garden Use Agreement

Brad distributed changes to the Garden Use Agreement: Gardeners agree to give up plot if plot fee is not paid by 2^nd weekend in June.

12:05 Running Wolf Agreement

Agreement is completed and ready for signatures.

12:10 EPIC Annual Meeting: Plans so far:

·      Contracted with Shirley to do food

·      Room reserved

·    Ad in Alley botched, E-News Ad out, Door-to-door needs a little translating, flyering will happen

·    Music to be arranged

·    Board Members whose terms continue: Mary Gonsior, Linda Leonard, Earl Simms, Chiffon Williams,             Steve Struthers, who wishes to run again? Jennie Bjorgo? Rosie Cruz? Carol Pass?  ?? Slate??

·    Door Prizes??

·    Other?? Speaker??

Shirley’s Memorandum of Understanding

Will write a new agreement for making arrangements for food for annual meeting.

Help Needed on Friday

Setting up tables

Food

Table decorations

Rosie will bring about 4 students

Help Needed on Saturday

Clean up (Brad has to attend a meeting immediately after the meeting)

Rosie will bring about 4 students

Door Prizes

Only a few are already arranged

Roger Beck (Mary will contact)

12:15 Land Use Issues: Already have these issues: Smith Foundry, Bituminous Roadways,

            NOW 2600 17th Ave. Alliance Petition

            How do we get action from our Council Member?

Several residents, who have written letters and emails to Gary S. to support neighboring residents’ efforts to see the 2003 Minneapolis Plan and Greenway plan for this area, implemented in this neighborhood, that is, the removal of heavy industrial activities at these sites. Bituminous Roadways. Smith Foundry,

·      Get the people together: 2850 Cedar, Steve’s block club, 28^th & Cedar building.

·      Alliance Project Petition

Get as many signatures as possible and return to Carol.

12:20 Adjournment