September 17, 2015

General Membership Meeting Minutes 09 - 17


September 17th, 2015, 6:30 p.m. – 8:50 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

“The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers,
but most of all the world needs dreamers who do.”


Board Roster: Jenny Bjorgo (E), Rosie Cruz, Mary Gonsior, Jean Howard, Linda Leonard, Margarita Ortega, Carol Pass, .
Board Members Present: Rosie Cruz, Mary Gonsior, Jean Howard, Linda Leonard, Margarita Ortega, Carol Pass,
Board Members Not Present: Jenny Bjorgo (E). 
EPIC Members: Shawna Dillon, Laura Dale, Simon Cecil, Luce Guillea-Givins, Brad Pass, Peter VanKoughnett, Erica Schultz, Michael Green, 
Guests: Shirley Heyer (Midtown), Tammy Skinaway, Julie Hanks,

6:35     Introductions:

·       Greetings and Introductions
·       Approval of Agenda: approved by consensus.
·       Approval of Minutes from August 13th, 2015, MG, LD, approved by consensus.

6:55     Announcements:

  • EPIC Membership Meeting, October 8th, Thursday 6:30 pm, East Phillips Park,
  • EPIC Board meeting, East Phillips Park, Sat, 10:00 am, October 3rd
  • Planning Meeting for Clean Sweep, Next Wednesday, September 23rd, Maria’s, 9:00 to 10:00 am, 8:30 am Bkst
  • All City Community Garden Day, In the Garden at 2428 17th Ave. S. 10:00 am to 1:00 pm; Saturday, Sept. 19 from 10 am – 1 pm.
·       Open House at the EPIC community garden
·       Combined with a work day for gardeners
·       Statewide garden day, everyone is welcome and encouraged to visit community gardens (map available.)
  • Clean Sweep, Saturday, Oct. 10th, 9:00 am at the Welna Ace Hardware Parking Lot. Free Breakfast & T-shirts
  • EPIC Fall Harvest Party and Potluck at the Community Garden, Oct. 17th, Sat. 4:30 until the fire goes out.
  • Ground Breaking for the Banyan-What it is
·       They held their ground-breaking on Wed. afternoon. 100 families and 150 children in their community development non-profit. They have 150 children on their waiting list. Construction starts in October. Visit their website (Banyon House).
  • Read the Alley Articles – EPIC posts in every issue.

7:00     Progress on the Native Youth Arts Collective Grant – Ratify Advance of $2,000 to Little Earth to start the program.

There is a contract for EPIC and Little Earth to partner in providing a program through a $25, 000 CIF grant. Because the contract is taking so long, EPIC wishes to advance funds to Little Earth so they can get the program going. EPIC’s board passed a Memorandum of Understanding to endorse the advance of $2,000 to Little Earth. This MOU requires community support through a motion/vote.

MOTION: EPIC will provide an advance of $2,000 to Little Earth to begin the program for Native Youth Arts Collective, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding. MG, JH, approved.

CP will sign the MOU and present to Little Earth.

7:30     Two New Board Members chosen by the EPIC Board to be ratified by the EPIC membership. Questions
Jean received 3 applications at her office, and picked up one application by request. CP received one application. The board read and discussed the applications. The board directors voted by ballot, and the vote was almost unanimous, and the board ultimately decided to accept the following two candidates by acclamation, and is submitting to the community for approval.

Laura Dale: Laura’s financial background is a highlight of her skills, and her attendance at meetings is appreciated. A homeowner for 30 years, she is very invested in the community; spent a lot of years on the sidelines, but started coming to EPIC meetings and is very glad to be here. She will do her very best.

Shawna Dillon: Margarita works with her and is very happy to recommend her. Shawna has 2 children, a boy and girl. She was born and raised in Minneapolis, lived for awhile in Pine Ridge SD, and moved back to Minneapolis. She has put in a lot of time volunteering in multiple organizations in the community. Went to school for catering and likes cooking. Currently serves on the LERA board and Community Building Team. She is honored to be selected, and wants to work to help make positive change.

VOTING RESULTS: Requires 9 of 16 votes to ratify.

16 votes for Shawna
12 votes for Laura

7:15     New Home Construction at 2424 16th Ave. to start – House Elevations, Discussion

Michael Green asked many questions, and made a comment about making his “point” – which he would like to be included in the minutes.

7:30     Report on the Swimming Pool

CP reported that EPIC has been working along with others in the neighborhood to bring back the swimming pool at the Phillips Community Center. Discussed the research and work that went in to bringing this project forward, and distributed plans that were considered during the course of community conversation.

Discussion of the site going back to the 70’s was also presented noting that the public had paid for the building which was owned by the City. Over time, the City turned it over to the Park Board, who leased it out to the Boys and Girls Club. The building was not maintained during that period of time, leaving the building with a leaking roof and water damage. The community got together again and stopped the Park Board/City from selling the property and insisted that investment be made to bring the building back to a state where it would benefit the community.

We will have a pool. The Minneapolis Park Board will own and manage the building, hiring an executive director. The tenants will have a say in the ongoing management of the property. The community is still negotiating their ongoing involvement in management. Currently, we are lobbying for additional needs that the community wants for the PCC: Therapy pool, swim teams, Elevators, more classroom space, 2nd floor build-out. EPIC put in $25,000 to produce a business plan, and $50,000 to provide the Shakopee-Sioux matching grant.

SH: History - Midtown received a grant on behalf of the entire Phillips Community  that provided a grad student to do a survey that really started this process. The key thing is that we have a list of options for all of the 11 original requests that we wanted for the site which will be posted online soon. EPIC will send out notice when important community meetings will be held. It is important that we get people out to these meetings.

7:50     Report on Clean Sweep

Flyer distributed…EPIC provided $999.99 and has participated in the Clean Sweep annually for many years. This is a great community event, with free breakfast and lunch. Get to know your neighbors, get rid of some trash, and help build neighborhood pride.

New in 2015…Little Earth will be participating by setting out a dumpster for residents to dispose of trash for free (see flyer for details.) Clean sweep trucks will also be stopping by.

Planning meetings are held on Wednesay mornings at 8:30 am at Maria’s Café. Sponsors must make decisions for supporting the event soon, so T-shirts can be printed. Contact Brad Pass.

Suggestions: Put the flyer on the website/send announcement with attachment.

8:00     Bike Lanes discussion

The City asked residents to count the number of people using the bike lanes.  Michael Green reported that he has seen no bikes. LL reported seeing bikes on 26th. MG reported seeing bikes during commuting hours on 26th St. Others reported being out there and/or seeing folks out there.

Cedar intersection and further east, people are observing accidents and problems. Traffic during rush hour backs up 3 blocks from Bloomington to Cedar on 28th St. There have been 3 accidents involving a vehicle landing on a pedestrian pathway.

The board will take up at our next meeting to invite the City to come and listen to traffic and safety concerns. If you are aware of specific concerns, please write them in an email to CP or Secretary.

MOTION: Post invitation on EPIC website and in emails to EPIC list to make comments on the bike lanes including information about specific points on the lanes. PV, MG. Approved.
8:50     Adjournment. JH, MG Approved.

September 12, 2015

Board Meeting Minutes 09 - 11


September 12th, 2015, Saturday, 10:00 am
East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center
EPIC web address:  www.eastphillips-epic.com
Office: 2536 18th Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN 55404

Board Roster: Jenny Bjorgo, Rosie Cruz, Mary Gonsior, Jean Howard, Linda Leonard, Rita Ortega
Carol Pass
Present board members: Jenny Bjorgo, Rosie Cruz, Mary Gonsior, Jean Howard, Linda Leonard, Rita Ortega
Carol Pass,
Absent board members:
Members: Laura Dale, Shawna Dillon
Visitors:

10:15   Introductions:
·       Introductions
·       Approval of September 12th Agenda: MG, JB Approved
·       Approval of August Board Minutes: No minutes available from Board Retreat.

Announcements
·       Community Garden Day – Sept. 19th, 10 am – 1 pm
·       Clean Sweep – October 10th, 9 am, Annual All-Neighborhood Breakfast, Clean the Neighborhood, then lunch at Stewart Park at Noon.
·       Garden Fall Harvest Party, Saturday, October 17th, 4:30 pm, Potluck (bring food)
·       East Phillips Park Programming Partnership: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 11:30 am – 1 pm, Free lunch

10:30  Consider and approve contract for CIF Grant funding: Discuss the Scope of Service and Budget.

Representatives of EPIC, Little Earth and CPP met and discussed the Contract for the CIF grant and how the funding and reporting would be managed.

MOTION: Approve the Contract for the CIF Grant with the change of the budget item, Indirect/Administration (10%) to split between EPIC and Little Earth (5% each.) (JH,CP) Approved unanimously.

10:45   Contract for CIF Grant funding
The City agreed to allow EPIC to use CPP funds to provide $2,000 funds to Little Earth so that the Youth Program can move forward.

MOTION: EPIC approves the advance of $2,000 to Little Earth for the Native Youth Arts Collective, and accept the MOU stating the requirements for this money. CP, JB Approved.

11:00   Annual Clean Sweep funding  

MOTION: EPIC approves $999.99 for Clean Sweep trucks, t-shirts, bags, gloves and other needs. JB, MG Approved.

11:10  Election for new board member: EPIC’s Bylaws. Consider candidates. Vote.

MOTION: Accept Troy Benjegerdes Application. LL, JB Approved.
Notes during discussion:
Update application form to include EPIC’s Mission.
EPIC should purchase board training material.

MOTION: EPIC’s board unanimously endorses Laura Dale and Shawna Dillon as board members. LL, JH Approved.

Jean will notify Laura and Shawna and invite them to the September GMM.

11:50   Board Training Resources

MOTION: EPIC will purchase board training materials in English and Spanish (Parli.com). LL, JB Approved.

Cost about $1,000. Linda will bring details to the GMM.

12:00   Bylaws

MOTION: EPIC will schedule a special meeting to discuss Bylaw changes. MG, JB
Nothing will be passed at this meeting. It will be a working meeting to discuss and work on changes.
Monday, September 21, 2015 at 7:15 pm at Perkins on Franklin. Discussion only.

12:04   Self Evaluation

12:05   Adjourn