Board Meeting Minutes 06 - 06

June 6th, 2015, Saturday, 10:00 am

East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center

EPIC web address:  www.eastphillips-epic.com

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

Board Roster: Jenny Bjorgo, Rosie Cruz, Mary Gonsior, Jean Howard, Linda Leonard, Rita Ortega

Carol Pass, Gloria Reyes

Present board members: Mary Gonsior, Jean Howard, Linda Leonard, Rita Ortega, Carol Pass, Rosie Cruz,

Absent board members: Jenny Bjorgo (E), Gloria Reyes

Members:

Visitors: Jovita Morales, Petra

10:00   Introductions:

·       Introductions

·       Approval of June 6^th Agenda, JH, RO, Approved.

·       Approval of May 2nd Board Minutes

Jovita Morales shared about an upcoming community conversation about housing problems. Flyers in Spanish are being distributed through Phillips neighborhoods.

Community Forum, June 20^th 11am-1pm.

Waite House, 2323 11^th Ave S

Housing issues, conversation with City Council Members

Two residents from Ventura Village shared about problems with the building where they live (2323 16^th Ave South.) The new owner raised the rent from $595 to $725, but there are a lot of problems with the building. The apartment is not in good condition. A lot of broken equipment, heating/cooling is not working, the floors are bad, $595 nnow is $725 for a 1 BR. Landlord’s name is Daniel.

LL This is happening all over the city. Have you spoken to the free legal aid through the county? Also free legal aid clinic is available at Park Avenue United Methodist Church.

EPIC will have some resources at the next membership meeting. Waite House also has some resources. We agreed to provide what help we could.

Quorum achieved: 10:40 am

11:00   Presentation and Discussion of the CIF grant

Copies of the proposal that was submitted were distributed. There was no way that this could be distributed to the board in a timely way – there just wasn’t time. Carol said she thought the program was good and pointed out that it included the things we had agreed to at the previous Board meeting.  Linda provided about 6 hours of work on the narrative for the grant, editing and revising the narrative to strengthen the grant, and reviewing the budget. We requested but did not receive a Word document of the Narrative and so were unable to add these efforts at collaboration.  CP reported that there were some challenges with this grant partnership, especially the time constraints. There was no one available to respond to questions so information that was needed could not be found until the last minute and arrived often at the last minute. RO and JH feel there should be an evaluation of how the process worked. MG feels we need to have an MOU to facilitate how EPIC and LE will work together to administer the grant/program. We will wait to see if we receive the grant before setting up a meeting for Robert, Ethan, Carol, Mary, Jean, and Rita,

11:17   Discussion of the NPP Plan, CPP Plan finance,   

CP distributed copies of the East Phillips “Crime and  Safety Initiatives” Neighborhood Priority Plan for the years

2014-2016 and the board discussed implementation of the various programs. The Board also viewed copies of a contract amendment to the original 2014-2016 Community Participation Program Submission showing changes to the budget.

We discussed putting these all on line. CP will check other neighborhood organizations to see what documents they post online and will report at the next board meeting.

11:45   Discussion of Fiduciary Responsibility of Directors of Charitable Organizations

            Duty of Care, Duty of Loyalty, Duty of Obedience, Getting along

This discussion was postponed. We were running out of time..EPIC has a pooled insurance policy with all the other neighborhoods. There has been so many people suing everyone, the policy for the whole city has been cancelled once , and the cost has gone up considerably.

The Board agreed by consensus to sign up for the City’s policy because we didn’t want to mediate potential debates with insurance companies if there was a law suit.

Board training…retreat style? August 1^st. LL and RO will plan and invite all board members.

11:55   Discussion of Edwin’s Candidacy Meeting with Ellen

Letter from Ellen McVeigh (attorney) confirming summary of EPIC’s meeting with her.

Agreed upon conclusions

1. EPIC’s letter was professional and explained that in accordance with EPIC bylaws, Edwin was not eligible.to run for the board.

2. The only parties that have standing and should be discussing the issue of Edwin Gonzales election are EPIC and Edwin Gonzales and no one else.

3. There is confusion about two apparently contradictory rulings in Robert’s Rules and the attorney deferred to the parliamentarian.

Carol remarked that the letter was heavily edited by Ellen McVeigh and had a copy that demonstrated that.

EPIC is seeking an opinion from a certified parliamentarian.

12:20   Grievances-

JH had to leave the meeting.

M. Green grievances: we are seeking assistance from Craig Seifert to assist us with a response. Craig is a para legal with extensive experience related to similar situations.

MOTION: Allow the previous Executive Committee to deal with Hannah’s grievance. MG, RO. Passed.

LL had to leave the meeting.

12:35   Self Evaluation

Board members completed a self-evaluation.

12:40   Adjourn