May 5th, 2018, 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: Rosie Cruz, Laura Dale, Mary Gonsior, Tom Harris, Cassandra
Holmes, Linda Leonard, Abah Mohamed, Carol
Pass, Linda Vermillion
Board Members Present: Laura
Dale,
Mary Gonsior, Linda Leonard, Carol Pass, Linda Vermillion, Rosie Cruz, Abah Mohamed
Board Members Not Present: Tom Harris, Cassandra
Holmes.
EPIC Members: Brad Pass, Halima
Abdi
Guests:
10:20 Introductions: Meeting as a committee of the whole
· Greetings and Introductions
· Approval of Agenda as amended: LV, LD, approved
· Approval of Board Minutes from April 7th, 2018: LV,
LD, approved
10:15 Announcements:
· General Membership Meeting, May 10th, Thursday, at East
Phillips Park, 6:30 to 8:45 pm.
· SummerFest will be June 24, 2018 (Sunday)
10:15 Parking on 16th Avenue
Discussion of long standing parking issues and
neighbor relationships on 16th Avenue.
10:51 EPIC Finances
· EPIC has received $10,000 from our unused NRP dollars.
The contract allows EPIC to spend these funds on Admin. We’re still waiting for
the contract to come through for completing the Little Earth project.
· WEI withdrew from EPNI, and Chad Hebert, Urban Farm
Project will replace WEI and will receive $20,000 contract.
· EPIC turned in a payment reimbursement request to DEED
for $58K, to be disbursed to the partners of EPNI, in accordance with invoices
submitted.
10:30 Welcome New and Incumbent Board Members:
EPIC welcomes Abah Mohamed to the board!
MOTION: Accept the current executive committee to serve
another year. LV, LD, approved.
11:24 EPNI - Urban Farm Project
· Our payment request submission was described as
“perfect”. We have a bill in the legislature for $3M which would also come in
through EPIC.
· CP and CH will advocate for the funding next week at
the legislature.
· EPNI is working on incorporating itself for future
sustainability.
· The city hasn’t changed its response to us – they
don’t want to give us any space at all.
· CH suggested looking into treaty rights in the area
considering there are 30 different tribes represented at Little Earth;
highlighting the impact of lack of jobs and opportunities, and the effect of
pollution on youth in the area.
· LL referenced an article about the impact of pollution
on infants in the womb; miscarriage rates in the neighborhood. Fund a health
survey at Little Earth and other nearby neighborhoods. Request stats from
CUHCC, clinic at St. Paul’s community clinic, Smileys, and other neighborhood
health clinic.
· SH reported that the city is planning to build a
public works building over NE – if this is approved, why would they need the
Roof Depot site.
11:34 Swimming program
· LL met with Park staff to present our concerns about
roadblocks to our community to take advantage of the new swimming pool.
· LL created a contact sheet so that EPIC can identify
some families that are interested.
o
Families who
qualify for free or reduced lunch, will receive a reduced fee for lessons.
o
Family pays $5
and EPIC pays $50 per student.
o
Sessions include
8 lessons.
o
Children 5-8 must
be accompanied by an adult, in the water. Pool is 4.5 feet deep.
o
Children 9-12
must be accompanied by an adult (who does not need to be in the water.)
o
Park Board has
not yet scheduled swimming lessons for the summer. Jean will have access to the
schedule, but they are expecting children’s lessons to occur in the evening and
on weekends.
· Open Swim $5 (children ages 12 & under are free,
up to four per paid adult.)
· Monthly and Seasonal Passes are available.
· Free swimsuit and life jackets are available for use
by children and adults.
· Some bi-lingual instruction will be available.
11:40 Summerfest Planning
See Handout.
Planning meeting is planned for Wed. May 9th
at the park.
