March 19, 2020

EPIC Community Meeting 3-12


EPIC Community Meeting Minutes
March 12th 2020, 6:30 – 8:50
East Phillips Park Cultural & Community Center, 2307 17th Ave S.
EPIC web address: eastphillips-epic.com
Office: 2433 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404
Phone: (612) -280-8418

Board Roster: Rosie Cruz, Laura Dale, Mary Gonsior, Cassandra Holmes, Shontal Lajeunesse, Abah Mohamed, Carol Pass, Steve Sandberg, Sarah Santiago. 
Board Members Present: Shontal Laujeunesse, Laura Dale, Mary Gonsior, Cassandra Holmes, Carol Pass, Steve Sandberg, Sarah Santiago
Board Members Not Present: Rosie Cruz, Abah Mohamed
Members: Carol Hill Kennedy, George Kennedy, Brad Pass, Jolene Jones, Bill J
Guests: Faith Cable Kumon

6:30     Social Time

6:45     Greetings and Introductions
·      How to become a member
·      Fill out cards with your crime and safety questions (include name, phone and email so if we don’t get to your question we can give your question to the officer to reach out to you)
6:50     Approve tonight’s agenda, passed by consensus
Approve minutes from February community meeting, StS, SL, approved
           

6:45     Announcements

·       EPIC’s Annual Meeting will be Saturday April 18th
o   EPIC has 4 directors up for re-election
o   Primary qualifications for becoming an EPIC board of director:
§  Must be 18 years of age and have attended one previous EPIC General Membership Meeting in the previous 12 months.
§  Must reside or own property in East Phillips, OR be designated as the voting representative of an organization or business in East Phillips
§  Go to EPICs website for nomination forms
·       Next Board Meeting will be: Saturday, April 4th at 10am at the EPIC office (2433 Bloomington Avenue)
o   Board Meetings are open to the public
·       Next Community Meeting will be: Thursday, April 9th at 6:30 here at East Phillips Park
·       Next Executive Committee meeting is Thursday, April 16th from 7-8pm at the EPIC office
o   Executive Committee meetings are the third Thursday of every month
o   Executive Committee meetings are open to the public
·       Next Southside Green Zone meeting is Monday, March 23rd from 6-8pm in the Phillips Community Center (2323 11th Ave. S)
·       South Minneapolis Safety Council March 11th 3-4:30 at the Salvation Army on Lake Street
·      Proposed resurfacing project in East Phillips on all the streets from 26th Street East to Lake Street and Longfellow Ave to Bloomington except Cedar, Bloomington, 26th and Lake Street
o   Informational meeting is on Tuesday March 10th at 6:30pm at Steward Recreation Center (2700 12th Ave)
o   Public hearing is March 17th at 10am at Room 317 in City Hall (350 South 5th Street)
·      Increased bus service is coming to Chicago and Lake. Metro Transit wants to test a mobility Hub where people can connect with other transportation modes in a safe, comfortable and accessible place. Join one of four community listening session to tell them what will help you connect to transit at Chicago and Lake – all events will be held at the Midtown Global Market, Ziadi Event space:
o   Monday March 23rd 5:30-7:30pm – Kick off event (food and refreshment will be provided)
o   Tuesday March 24th 5:30-7pm
o   Wednesday March 25th 5:30-7pm
o   Friday March 27th
§  noon-1pm: Final community presentation
§  1-5pm: community open house
·      Roof Depot report:
o   Picketing has begun: this Friday, March 13th, 5PM at 28th and Longfellow
o   Support letters have been written on our behalf by Sen. Jeff Hayden, Sen Patricia Torres Ray, and endorsed by the entire Minneapolis Delegation; Dibble, Hornstein, Champion, Hassan, Gomez, Wagenius, Long, Davnie
o   MPCA Commissioner Craig McDonnell and Greta Gaultier met with EPNI Monday 3/9/20 at the Minnesota Senate Building arranged by Sen. Torres Ray. EPNI explained that the Clark/Berglin Environmental Justice Law needs to be enforced. The authors of the bill are willing and available to testify that ALL sources of pollution mean ALL sources, and that the City of Minneapolis is not exempt
o   South Side Green Zone Council has also passed a resolution in support of the Community Plan; Clyde Bellecourt has written a letter to
Attorney General Keith Ellison in support
o   Please write and thank these supporters! Please show up for picketing on Friday
·      Neighborhoods 2020 program guidelines
§  East Phillips future funding:
o    2021: $20,000 – Network Fund
        + $44,598 (up to) – Equitable Engagement Fund (see page 18 for details)
         =$64,598
o    2022: $15,000 – Network Fund
        +47,460 (up to) – Equitable Engagement Fund
       =$62,460
o    2023-ongoing: $10,000 – Network Fund
                       +$51,514 (up to) – Equitable Engagement Fund
                       =$61,514
§  The official public comment period will be held from February 28 to April 17, 2020.
§  Space where residents can submit public comments. Current meeting dates include:
o    March 9: Urban Research and Outreach Engagement Center (UROC) - 6:00-8:00p.m.- 2001 Plymouth Avenue N. Minneapolis, MN 55411
o    April 2: Northeast Park and Recreation Center - 6:00-8:00p.m. - 1530 Johnson Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
·         The City of Minneapolis is preparing the 2020 Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) Program Policies and Procedures and Request for Proposals.  The Program’s purpose is to help finance the production, preservation, or stabilization of affordable rental housing in Minneapolis. There are a number of changes proposed this year, the public review is now open, comments must be submitted by 4pm on Monday April 20th to Amy Geisler amy.geisler@minneapolismn.gov
o      Changes include new language limiting rent increases to once annually; new language for sustainability requirement; updated policy guidance for Minneapolis 2040 and Renter Protections
·      If you smell a foul odor around Smith foundry call 311 to report

6:47     Crime and safety – Kali Pliego and Officer Hand -- TABLED
·      Sent officers home due to the spreading of Corona Virus in Minnesota
·      If you have questions or concerns contact epic.ssantiago@gmail.com and she can pass them along
·      A community member saw a Minneapolis Police bulldoze a person who is homeless and an addict in front of Holy Rosary, holding his hands and slamming his head on the ground. She is wondering if there will be or if there is training for police officers for dealing with community members who are homeless and/or addicts without weapons. These community members are already experiencing health issues and a head injury does not help.
·      What kind of precautions are Minneapolis Police taking to ensure they are protecting community members from the spread of Corona Virus (i.e. from infected police officers)?
6:59     Karen Clark – update on Community Partnership TABLED
·      Have Karen email changes
7:00     2nd community vote on two EPIC funding motions:
MOTION: EPIC moves to fund the following projects totaling $25,399.00
·      MPRB Swimming $6,000
·      MPRB Summer in the City $6,899
·      PACE – basketball camps $6,500
·      Standing Solid Cheer Team $6,000
Board vote, community vote, approved
Discussion: Are there openings for the Standing Solid Cheer Team? Will the cheer team be serving East Phillips community members? Proposal says the target will be East Phillips residents
MOTION: EPIC moves to fund 50% of the cost up to $33,000 for the Little Earth NELC Playground project, upon receipt of three bids and subject to secured funding for the balance of the cost. This commitment will expire on 3/31/2021 in the event that Little Earth is not able to secure the remaining funds, board vote 2/1/20, community vote 2/6/20, approved, one abstention
EPIC will send this motion to Mary LaGarde
7:08     MOTION: EPIC moves to write thank you letters to Sen. Jeff Hayden, Sen Patricia Torres Ray, and Clyde Bellecourt for writing letters in support of the community’s vision for the Roof Depot space; and for the entire Minneapolis Delegation, Dibble, Hornstein, Champion, Hassan, Gomez, Wagenius, Long, Davnie for endorsing the letter, StS, BP, approved

7:11     MOTION: East Phillips Improvement Coalition fully supports the 2020 Precinct Caucus resolution passed at the Ward 9 precinct 4 in support of the East Phillips Community-Based Environmental Justice in South Side Green Zone and supports carrying it to the Democratic Convention, BP, CH, approved, unanimous

7:30     Lake Bloom development – Faith Cable Kumon from Project for Pride in Living
·      Bloom Lake Flats is a new 42-unit affordable supportive housing project proposed by Project for Pride in Living at 3020 16th Avenue S. The project will target people living with HIV and AIDS and Clare Housing will be the service provider
·      The project will be at or below either 30 percent or 50 percent of Area Median Income, all units will have rental assistance
·      The project includes 20 surface parking spaces to the rear of the building in a lot shared with Family Partnership
·      Family Partnership has started construction of their portion of the project at the corner of Bloomington and Lake Street
·      Mostly bond funding is being used, no tax credits are being used
·      PPL is hoping to break ground in Mid-October, projected move in October 2021
7:48     Adjourn