Note for final version of
September 9th Board draft Minutes
Action of the EPIC Executive Committee: A remark in the September draft minutes of
the EPIC board meeting contained a mistaken supposition made by a board member about
the Longfellow Community Council. The executive director of Longfellow Community
Council asked that the remark be removed. EPIC did so and we apologize for this
mistaken remark and for any further misunderstanding. The finalized September
board minutes will continue to reflect this change.
September 9th, 2017, 10:00 am -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
Phone: (612) 280-8418
Board Roster: Jenny Bjorgo, Rosie Cruz, Laura Dale, Mary Gonsior, Tom Harris, Cassandra Holmes, Linda
Leonard, Carol Pass, Linda Vermillion.
Board Members Present: Laura
Dale; Carol Pass; Linda Leonard, Mary Gonsior, Rosie Cruz
Board Members Not Present: Jenny Bjorgo, Tom Harris, Cassandra Holmes, Linda Vermillion
Excused? Mary is going to follow up
Members: Brad Pass;
Members: Brad Pass;
Guests: Shirley Heyer
10:15 We agreed to meet as committee of the whole.
10:20 Introductions:
· Greetings and Introductions.
· Approval of Agenda:. Approved by consensus
· Approval of Minutes from August 5th, 2017 approved by
consensus
10:25 Announcements:
Shirley
announced E 29th and Bloomington has planters now as part of the
upgrade of the effort to make 29th more friendly for pedestrians. It’s a
temporary installation to see how things go with the picnic table. Block
residents and dealers and prostitutes are using the site. There is more
lighting up the ramp on the greenway with solar LED.
The public is invited September 23 at 10-noon
for a picnic. Donations are taken with an RSVP to Soren’s newsletter.
- EPIC Community Meeting, September 14th, Thursday, at East Phillips Park, 6:30 to 8:45
- Phillips Clean Sweep, Saturday, October 14th starting at 9:00 AM with a free Breakfast at the Welna Hardware parking lot, then Clean the ‘Hood, followed by Free lunch and entertainment at Stewart Park.
- EPIC’s East Phillips Community 17th Ave. Garden Fall Harvest Party on Saturday, October 21st starting at 4:30 PM at the Garden. Party continues until the fire goes out.
The secretary and president signed 8 original copies. They were distributed.
10:30 Funding for Clean Sweep
The standing contribution has been $999.
MOTION: Laura moved to appropriate that sum and Linda L seconded it. Motion passed.
10:40 Evaluate Internet and Security System packages
Xfinity and Century link costs were compared.
Xfinity gives us more in terms of phone lines and alarm. A camera would only cost $10 more a month. At our board meeting last month we had already authorized $999 for the internet and another $999 for security so the 1777.44 fits the budget. We also get a camera.
This price was better than all the others
11:10 Consider staff position. Funding the position
Results of the board discussion: An executive director instead of coordinator would be best because a director can take initiative, write grants, raise money, manage budgets, respond to lots of meetings and correspondence, manage contracts, carry out community organizing events, etc. The Corcoran neighborhood advertised for someone as an associate director for $45, 000 and benefits to a part time person. This was 2014.
We looked at a posting from Lyndale Neighborhood Association. We received a copy of PPL, Inc. position description of Neighborhood Coordinator. Laura spoke about the person she works with in the neighborhood organization where they bought a house. There is a lot of work she does for about $45,000 full time. Field/Regina/Northrup is the group. They pool three neighborhood’s funds to have their director.
Few neighborhood residents have seemed to have the interest and skill and education required to fulfill these major needs...It was oncluded that we ought not to confine ourselves to a director who resides in the neighborhood. We also need to look outside the neighborhood as well as internally and perhaps consider someone who is older and experienced with nonprofits or even neighborhoods.
Carol reviewed the kind of people we have hired in the past and their different skill sets. We talked about the value of experience.
We also had a copy of the Executive Coordinator position for EPIC in about 2004.
Mary Gonsior arrived at 11:40 and Rosie Cruz is also here so now there is a quorum.
The consensus vote was to accept the Xfinity Internet and security bids and the motion to spend $999 for Clean Sweep were ratified by the five Board members.
Mary asked if we had a timeline in mind for the job posting. There may be new law about $47,476 or something like that for minimum salary based on recommendation from Department of Labor. Othewise they would have to pay overtime for people. A court case is pending. Minneapolis requires sick leave. We have to find out if Minneapolis requires nonprofits to provide certain benefits.
11:40 Raising funds for Roundabout.
MOTION: to raise funds to improve roadways, crime, and safety improvements including speed bumps, round abouts, special parking permits, etc. There seemed to be agreement. Mary made the motion which Rosie seconded. Motion passed.
We have to send out an email for the garden meeting next Saturday to have a board member in the garden
at 9 am.
12:15 Adjourn
