General Membership Meeting Minutes 03 - 08

March 8th, Monday – 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.,

Holy Rosary Church Board Room, 24^th and 17^th Ave S

6:30             Introduction:

Board Members Carol pass, Mary Gonsior, Aden Awil, Earl Simms, Rosie Cruz, Linda Leonard.

Members:  Kevin Lieder, Alfonso Cruz, Shoui Tsai, Walter Nugru, Maria Perez Gali; Andrew Fahlstrom; Brad Pass, Margaret Kirkpatrick

Guests:Shirley Heyer , Bob Albee, Joseph Spangler

·          Approval of Agenda--approved as amended

·          Minutes from February 8^th, 2010--approved

Brad Pass made a motion and Linda leonard seconded it to accept the committee of the whole motions made last month about the G4 site.  Carol suggested that we modify that with a friendly amendment by Carol Pass. to strike the first sentence of that particular motion. PASSED

Further discussion about a southern bike connection ensued. Shirley said she is opposed. Joseph asked if he is going to present. Carol said she'll contact him. People can call Shaun at 612 333-2450 and ask for information.

Linda made a motion and Carol seconded it that we read the announcements silently for three minutes before any discussion. Passed.

6:45    Announcements 

·           Xcel High Voltage Transmission Lines, PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ends March 10^th, GET COMMENTS IN!! We need to show our concern and opposition, especially to the overhead lines. SEND TO: Bill Storm, Minnesota Dept. of Commerce, 85  7^th Place # 500, St. Paul, MN, 55101-2198  or

                http://www.energy facilities.PUC.state.mn.us

               Brad and Carol reported that the House Energy and Environment Committee passed the Housefile 1633                requiring them to do a study that might take up to a year. Mark Soulander and Brad found minutes from             power organizations that show this is part of a twelve mile project from 62 where it crosses 35w through             Phillips across Seward across the river to where 280 joins 94. So the presentation included this information that shows how it goes down 35 W and it ends up being all the way to Penn. It's a continuous route and they  are trying to avoid a certificate of need. This process might slow the construction down long enough for  Clark to introduce legislation to prevent overhead lines. Great River Energy/ Excel and NSP had this in  their two year plan.

·          PUBLIC HEARING concerning the proposed route alternatives will be held before Administrative Law Judge Beverly Jones Heydinger in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on April 5 and April 6, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., at Plaza Verde, 1516 East Lake Street.

·         PUBLIC COMMENTS concerning the proposed route alternatives may also be submitted in writing to the Administrative Law Judge and must be received by 4:30 p.m. on May 11, 2010. Public comments may be sent by United States Mail or by e-mail. The e-mail address is: routecomments.oah@state.mn.us.

The mailing address is:Beverly Jones Heydinger, Administrative Law Judge

P.O. Box 64620

600 North Robert Street

Saint Paul, MN 55164-0620.

·           Garden Steering Committee Meeting Saturday April 3rd at 9:00 A.M. - Welna Break Room.

a.     EPIC must appoint Jenny Bjorgo or another Board Member as Garden Steering Committee Member

b.        EPIC must appoint a Board Member as Garden Steering Committee alternate to replace Chiffon Williams.

·          Garden General Membership Meeting Saturday April 10th at 9:00 A.M. in the Garden.

·                                           EPIC ANNUAL  MEETING, Saturday, April 17^th, 9:30 am, Oliver Church, 27^th St. & Bloomington

·                                           Shirley heyer mentioned an announcement about a grant for lead abatement. She and Carol Pass will meet to see if they should submit a proposal.

·                                           Carol and Shirley wrote a planning grant to get $50,000 for Great Streets. Bloomington Ave and an intersection from 29th to 24th could be tied in to the Village Project, Bike routes, and a bridge from the park over to the light rail.  Local people could do the interviews and run meetings. Bloomington and E 25th is now a commercial node.

Shirley received a call that the grant was submitted on time but without the required 5 copies. However the city will consider it anyway. We could have a decision in 30-60 days.

At 7:15  Circulo de Amigos Day Care Center

Motion to move the day care presentation up in the agenda . RC, BP – Motion Approved.

Maria Perez Gali is planning to open a day care that is Spanish immersion. They just purchased the building and are involving an architect. Ms. Perez-Gali’s current daycare has many demand for placement and is out of space. More parents are asking for expansion. The plan is to serve 80 children. Joseph suggested strengthening the drop off space. They intend to hire licensed teachers and aides. She currently offers home cooked meals and has high ratings with families. Further info at  www.circulodeamigoscildcare.com.

MOTION: EPIC aupports the new daycare at 2830 Cedar and will write letters of support  RC,BP passed

7:30  Phillips Community Parks Initiative:  Planning for a unified response to use of all Phillips Park Facilities.

            Bob Albee and Brad Pass, presenters.

            Bob Albee gave a history of the building and noted that the building has been underutilized since the Boys                         and Girls Club left. It is the largest park building in the system. There were only 60 kids a day. Bob has been talking             with clinics about food prep and diet education; adult exercise; etc. for wellness and health issues. He sees doing this             in tandem with the East Phillips Park Community Center.

            Motion made by Brad pass and seconded by Rosie Cruz:

Move that EPIC support efforts by Robert Albee to lead the Phillips Community Parks Initiative in efforts to re-define and re-open the Phillips Community Center (formerly the Boys and Girls Club) in a manner compatible with the diverse interests of the residents and stakeholders of the Phillips Community.

Further move that EPIC’s Carol and Brad Pass continue to work closely with Ventura Village’s Secretary, Robert Albee to lead the Mr. Albee and representatives from Midtown Phillips Neighborhood Association and Phillips West Neighborhood Association in efforts to ensure that a sustainable set of programs be developed to serve residents of all ages in this important community facility. In this capacity, verbal and written monthly progress reports to EPIC will be presented.

We further move that every effort be made to ensure that the existing swimming pool inside the facility be maintained as a pool and that benefactors be found who will support the pool’s reconstruction to serve current and future residents. 

Discussion:Joseph asked about the Park Board's stance on the building. Bob said Dick Mammon reports that they are reroofing and replumbing with money from the city.  Joseph referred to a big plan and Shirley explained that it was a big proposal for the stimulus money but it didn't go anywhere. Based on a survey during December last year the Superintendent collected data to push his own agenda.

Point of information is that there is a youth leadership group forming at Stewart park under Steve's leadership and these youth leaders will be making recommendations about programming.

Point of information from City Pages reported by Rosie Cruz about the Park Board and taxes for concessions or about space rental.

Carol and Brad both spoke about the importance of the four neighborhoods sticking together on these issues or the Park Board will "divide and conquer".

Kevin Lieder said that Hannah could be contacted about the pool and she would be glad to advocate.

PASSED

7:30     Circulo de Amigos Daycare- Maria Perez Gali:  (Was moved up on the agenda) Announcing a new daycare center in East Phillips.

8:00 PM  Shaun's presentation about the bike connection. He distributed maps involving Bloomington Ave and 18th Ave. It came from a 2001 city master bike plan.

Joseph said his review of plans suggest that these were not major plans, but they might be contingent on funds available. Mary said she hadn't heard about any master plan. Joseph questioned the involvement of neighborhoods at the time.......and doubts that many folks were involved in the past.

Shaun suggested that if plans were made by the City without much community involvement and a comprehensive approach, then we should we do the best thing we can now. He doesn't know the history.

NOTE THE APPENDED PRESENTATION NOTES

THE 21ST IS A PRACTICE RIDE ON THE ROUTES

Comments

Brad ... What are the laws about that you are required to do as an auto driver with bikes? You must give them 3 feet.

Linda noted the amount of diverted traffic when there are accidents and emergency vehicles  on Cedar; the number of accidents on 18th in hit/run/police chases; we have cultural issues of "attitude" so bikes and pedestrians defy drivers

Earl : we need bike police.

Kevin: He thinks 17th would work well; It might be good to have cameras on the street where there are bikes.

Aden: 17th is wider for two blocks and it is narrow in many places; there is a block on E 25th St to keep people from cutting around the stop light;

People leaving Little Earth turn north on 17th to get to 24th and out of the neighborhood.

There is lots of traffic around the church on Sundays.

Margaret is on 17th and would have no objection. Thinks Bloomington isn't a good idea.

Andrew: As a biker he took Bloomington to get there faster........traffic is something he was used to. Potholes were the danger! He thinks Bloomington would make more sense to a biker.

Shaun said they have ways to mark busy streets like Bloomington work. There would be bike lanes on both sides of the streets.

Carol

Spoke about a round about that had been planned for 16th in the past. Crime against bikers is more likely on the residential streets and less so on Bloomington or cedar. No clear preference, but maybe 16th would work if we could close the street.

Carol spoke about a bike/pedestrian bridge from the park over to the light rail.

Mary seconds the Village in Phillips plan for 16th and 25th. They will get it  for Shaun.

7:40   Parking and zoning.........Joseph

Report on Today’s XCEL POWER LINES PUBLIC HEARING - Rep. Clark’s Bill: Carol & Brad Pass & others           

Notes under announcements

8:00   NRP Report:   Review of Phase 1 – Phase 2 planning Parameters, Amount of funding, Planning Process

8:45 Carol reviewed our projects and spending. We have to resolve what to do with the property along the greenway. We could easily lose control because we have no developer. The costs of raising a building is lower now because of competition. The next round of funding requires 70% to be spent on housing. We need a group to offer options about housing to the neighborhood. We also have to do a review of phase one but ours could easily be written from documents we already have.

We could do a survey at the annual meeting. Do we want to preserve our Greenway/Bloomington Ave. investment? Or do we want another home renovation grant program.

8:15  Housing and Redevelopment: VIP Refocus, Board Recommendation. See Hand out.

8:20  EPIC ANNUAL MEETING:  Mary Gonsior, Plans…Want to help???

People asked for an update in April about whether or not to correspond with the judge about the Xcel power line.

Survey on Table for future  - phase 2. Dot-mocracy on the past. Focus Group meetings after Annual Meeting.

8:30    Adjournment

Board Meeting Minutes 03 - 06

 March 6th, 2010, 10:00 am

Welna Hardware Board Room

Agenda:

Announcements:

1. Epic general membership meeting Monday March 8th 6:30 PM at Holy Rosary.
2. EPIC Board Meeting Saturday April 3rd at 10:00 A.M. - Welna Break Room.
3. EPIC Annual Meeting Saturday April 17th 2010 at 9:30 A.M. - Oliver
4. Garden Steering Committee Meeting Saturday April 3rd at 9:00 A.M. - Welna Break
Room.
 a. EPIC must appoint Jenny Bjorgo or another Board Member as Garden SteeringCommittee Member
b. EPIC must appoint a Board Member as Garden Steering Committee alternate to replace
Chiffon Williams.
5. Garden General Membership Meeting Saturday April 10th at 9:00 A.M. in the Garden.

EPIC's Monday night, March 8th, General Membership Community Meeting
From 6:30-8:30 pm at Holy Rosary Board Room,

AGENDA will include:
• Phillips Parks Planning initiative: Beginning Plans to Unify Park Programs. Planning. An Initiative by
Bob Albee.
RE: EPIC Leadership Designation for Phillips Community Parks Initiative

Move that EPIC support efforts by Ventura Village’s Secretary, Robert Albee to lead the Phillips
Community Parks Initiative in efforts to re-define and re-open the Phillips Community Center
(formerly the Boys and Girls Club) in a manner compatible with the diverse interests of the
residents and stakeholders of the Phillips Community.

Further move that EPIC’s Carol and Brad Pass continue to work closely with Ventura Village’s
Mr. Albee and representatives from Midtown Phillips Neighborhood Association and Phillips
West Neighborhood Association in efforts to ensure that a sustainable set of programs be
developed to serve residents of all ages in this important community facility. In this capacity,
verbal and written monthly progress reports to EPIC will be presented.
 
 We further move that every effort be made to ensure that the existing swimming pool inside the
facility be maintained as a pool and that benefactors be found who will support the pool’s
reconstruction to serve current and future residents.

• Xcel Energy's High Voltage Transmission Lines: Rep. Karen Clark's
bill before the Legislature. Read the bill. Find out how you can help protect our community.
PUBLIC HEARING, MONDAY, March 8th, 2:30 pm AT THE CAPITOL
Join us to testify or just be there in opposition!! We need people to come.
Talking points are attached. Call Carol or Brad at 612-280-8418 or
612-916-8478 if you want to join us. Then come Monday night to our community meeting
to share what happened. Please help Phillips stay free of this health and
economic disaster.

• East Phillips NRP Phase One Review:
Help us review the past and decide the future.We have ONE MORE SHOT at defining our
NEIGHBORHOOD and having the money to actually do something about it. Start thinking about this.
We will begin a survey of opinions Monday night.

• EPIC ANNUAL MEETING: April 17th, Helpers, Board members and ideas needed. Bring ideas.

• Parking Issues on 2900 Block of 16th Ave. (Rosie's Block)What should we do??

• Continuing the Village In Phillips Project: Housing: See the following
Re: 2 houses on 2400 block of 16th Ave. S. – suggested buys for Village in Phillips, Phase 3?
These two purchases would leave 2 privately owned properties (2423 and 2445) on the odd side of the street from E. 25th to 2417 16th Ave. S. and one public housing town home (2425-2427). Of the eight remaining lots, six (in green color) are already owned by the city and there is an opportunity to buy the remaining 2 vacant buildings, a boardup and a foreclosure, (in red color).
-------------------------
1) 2417 16th Ave. S. LOT SIZE 29.33 X 123.5 CPED already owns, demolished 1995, bought by city in 1987 for $42,500 (this is a mistake, a Parker R R bought it in 1986).
-----------------------

2) 2419 16th Ave. S. LOT SIZE 29.34 X 123.5 CPED already owns, demolished 1995, bought by city
in 1987 for $35,000 (this is a mistake, a Parker R R bought it in 1987).
-----------------------

3) 2423 16th Ave S. LOT SIZE 29.33 X 123.5 owned by Lynne Mayo, EMV $120,500, bought in 1989 for $19,000.
-----------------------

4) 2425-2427 16th LOT SIZE 57.7 X 123.5 2- unit townhouse owned by Mpls. Public Housing
Authority, EMV $208,500, built in 1972.
------------------------

5) 2431 16th LOT SIZE 29 x 123.5 (unbuildable) CPED already owns, demolished 2008. City paid
$3,500 for it in Nov. 2008. EMV 2006, $137,500. Boarded as a drug house and demoed 2007 – a Selwin Ortega property, who owned it since 1997 when EMV was $19,000.
------------------------

6) 2533 16th LOT SIZE 43.2 X 123.5 foreclosure, vacant and for sale by Act Properties Llc, 7515 Irvine Center Dr Irvine, CA 92618. Prior year delinquent taxes. For Sale sign in the front yard behind bushes.EMV $72,500. In 2006 EMV was $31,000. Thomas E Malloy is listed as owner 2009. ACQURA C/O Scott Pekarek, CB-Burnet filed Truth in Sale of Housing Dec. 29, 2009.
-------------------------

7) 2435 16th LOT SIZE 43.2 x 123.5 CPED already owns, demolished 1990
------------------------

8) 2439 16th LOT SIZE 24 x 123.5 (unbuildable) CPED already owns, demolished 1997
--------------------------

9) 2441-2443 16th is vacant and boarded, condemned 8-24-09 by city problem properties - this is the
French mansard house. LOT SIZE 41.38 X 123.5, bought by Benson Oct. 2002 for $210,000 Warranty Deed. Current Estimated Market Value by tax records is $211,000 but building boarded and empty two years or so. Currently listed as owned by Thomas Benson, 1770 Beecher Drive Eagan Mn 55122 – last rental license in 2006 (Thomas Benson but different address: 2121 Cliff Drive Suite 212, Eagan, MN 55122, (507-990-5218)
---------------------------

10) 2445 16th?? LOT SIZE 25.00 X 123.50 (unbuildable) Currently owned by Ernesto Lazo lists this as his address. He filed Truth in Sale of Housing report filed 2-8-08 (expires 2-8-10), which means he is trying to sell the property. A former George Grant house 1991-1998. Current EMV $153,500
----------------------------

11) 2445 16th LOT SIZE 25.00 X 123.50 (unbuildable) CPED already
owns, demolished 2007, city bought it for $1 in February 2009.
(This work is compliments of Shirley Heyer. Thanks, Shirley

General Membership Meeting Minutes 02-08

2/8/2010 Minutes

EPIC Board Present: Carol Pass (CP), Rosie Cruz (RC), Mary Gonsior (MG), Linda Leonard (LL),

EPIC Members Present: Brad Pass (BP), Andrew Fahlstrom (AF), Cody Oestrreich (CO),

Hannah Lieder (HL).

Guests:

6:30      Social Time & Introductions:

6:45      Meeting Called to Order as a Committee of the Whole:

            (A quorum was not present)        

            Approve Agenda:

            mg, bp move to approve the agenda, no objections

            Approve December Minutes:

            mg, bp move to approve the minutes, no objections

Announcements

·      Xcel High Voltage Transmission Lines, PUBLIC HEARING, FEBRUARY 10TH, Wednesday, 6:00 pm Plaza Verde (corner of Lake  and Bloomington) We need everyone to come.

·      EPIC Annual Meeting, Saturday, April 17^th   NRP Final Review

·      NPI Grant - $10,000 for Soccer/Homework Help

·      Rezoning issue success. Cancelled all the R3 zoning and left zoning as it is today.  

·      Blueprint for Action: Youth Violence, Wednesday, February 10 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Baha’i Center in South Minneapolis (3644 Chicago Avenue South). Note: Carol and Hanah will attend. 

Xcel Energy

• EPIC along with other neighborhoods has become an intervener.
• The public hearing on 2/10/2010 at 6 pm - talking points have been distributed.
• EPIC and other neighborhoods are seeking legislation from the state to enforce a population threshold on approval for these powerline decisions, rather than a simple acreage threshold.
• The least problematic site is G4, between 31-32nd St and just west of 55. The site is NOT too small and all the neighborhoods are in agreement about site.
• EPIC's Board is trying to find $500-$1,000 in the budget for the Midway Greenway Coalition to help offset their costs in researching this issue and informing neighborhoods.

Motion:   EPIC supports siting the east Substation at the G4 site as the least problematic site. In addition, EPIC requires the smallest possible footprint for the substation. EPIC continues to demand underground lines. EPIC would resist siting the Substation at the G5 site, just across 55 from Little Earth's residential complex at Ogema Place and would resist lines or underground down 26th St. given proximity to the adjacent new residential housing expansion of Little Earth on 26th St.(BP, HL) MOTION PASSED.

Motion:   EPIC will seek a negotiated settlement through our authorized negotiators (EPIC's intervening witnesses, Carol Pass and Karen Clark), making every effort to reach an agreement regarding substation location, routing and underground/above-ground issues and other related matters, unless negotiations do not lead to a solution acceptable to the EPIC Membership.

(BP, AF Andrew Fahlstrom) MOTION PASSED.

Southern Bike Connection through Neighborhood

·      Planner Shaun Murphy will be here at next EPIC Meeting, his contact info: 612-333-2450, email at: shaun.murphy@ci.minneapolis.mn.us

·      Think about best routes. Some issues: people have wanted to connect  the Parks Powderhorn, Stewart, Phillips Community Center for Nonprofit Management Nonprofit.

·      Potential walking, biking bridge across 55 at northeast corner of East Phillips Park across to tLRT Station.

·      16^th closure for VIP Project? 18^th or 17^th or 16th Aves…none at all? Consider these possibilities for a month and we will try to come up with motions net month.

East Phillips Park Cultural & Community Center plus Phillips Community Park Initiative: Update

Brad gave an overview of the history of the project, and an update on construction, which has been started. Excavation was started in the fall of 2009; since the site was previously residential, some pollution issues were expected, but very few problems were found. Construction will now continue in the spring. A partnership of organizations has been formed and planning is ongoing to provide programming at the new center.

East Midtown Phillips Youth Soccer/Homework Help Program

Discussed extensively during announcements.

NRP Review and Planning Process

EPIC has established a calendar for advertising meetings, and presenting the Phase 1 Review, and Phase 2 Plan to the community between March and June of 2010.

8:45   Adjournment

BOard Meeting Minutes 02-06

February 6, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30  a.m.,

Welna Hardware Board Room

9:30      Introduction:

·         Approval of Agenda

·         Minutes from December

9:40    Announcements

·      EPIC General Membership Meeting, Monday, Feb. 8^th,  6:30, NRP Review

·         Xcel High Voltage Transmission Lines, PUBLIC HEARING, FEBRUARY 10TH, Wednesday, 6:00 pm Plaza Verde (corner of Lake  and Bloomington) We need everyone to come.

·      EPIC Annual Meeting, Saturday, April 17^th   NRP Review

·      NPI Grant - $10,000 for Soccer/Homework Help

·      Rezoning issue success. Cancelled all the R3 zoning and left zoning as it is today.  

·      Blueprint for Action: Youth Violence, Wednesday, February 10 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Baha’i Center in South Minneapolis (3644 Chicago Avenue South).  Please let me know your designees’ availability

9:50    East Phillips Park Cultural & Community Center plus Phillips Community Park Initiative: Update

·      Building progress

·      Soccer field

·      Partnership Progress

·      Grants??

·      Note on Phillips Pool & Gym

10:00   East/Midtown Phillips Youth Soccer/Homework Help Program:

·      CURA/NPI Grant - Budget

·      Contact with Bethel for interning tutors

·      Anderson School

·      Problems

Xcel Energy's HIgh Voltage Transmission LIne Routes & Substations

Distributed talking points for the upcoming public hearing on Wed. Feb. 10th. Distributed copies of "Intervener" application by Carol Pass on behalf of EPIC. Discussed the possibility of providing some funds to Greenway Coalition. Since Tim Springer has spent a considerable amount of time working ont he Xcel issue, and has provided the fruit of his work to neighborhood organizations, Tim has requested that the neighborhoods provide some funding to the Greenway org. Greenway org has provided $20,000 payment to an attorney to represent the Greenway in the Xcel issue, and EPIC is not able to provide direct funding to this attorney due to conflict of interest issues. Discussion of Property Value Loss to businesses and Home Owners. Discussion of EMF and health issues.

Action: CP will research whether it is possible for EPIC to use any funds in hand to make a contribution to Greenway org to help offset these expenses, probably in the range of $500-1,000.

Action:    Motion: Add to previous motions: EPIC is not prepared as a neighborhood organization to jeopardize the positive impact of our immense past work and enormous investment nor are we willing to risk the future completion of these and other new projects to accommodate overhead high voltage transmission lines through any route in any part of our neighborhood.

Bike path through neighborhood.

Report same as agenda - no discussion.

NRP Review and Phase 2 planning

Distributed copies of neighborhood NRP Phase 1 review documents which ranged from elaborate full-color reports, to a 3 page document that was successfully submitted. Set up a "calendar" for completing EPIC's Carol spoke with Bob Miller about running Phase One Review and Phase Two planning close together. This avoids re-educating the neighborhood a second time and is more efficient.

Phase 1 review, and submitting a proposal for Phase 2 to the neighborhood for consideration, comments and final approval (see calendar below.)

Consensus Decisions Re: NRP progress

Action: EPIC will schedule announcements in the Alley to publicize this calendar and process, in accordance with NRP notification requirements.

Action: CP will prepare participation agreement and Begin Phase One Review Study

Action: CP will call PRG and find out what is happening with the Greenway site.

CALENDAR

February

    * CP to research and present a Participation Agreement as required by NRP

March

    * Advertise public meetings related to NRP Phase 1 and 2

    * Advertise completion of Phase I review and provide online link to document

    * Present completed Phase 1 review at the Annual Meeting for public comment, Dot-mocracy and comments,

    * Present very general proposal for Phase 2 plan at the Annual Meeitng

April (Annual Meeting) April 17

    * Advertise public meetings related to NRP Phase 1 and 2

    * Advertise completion of Phase 1 review

    * * Provide a means of giving feedback/comments online

    * Use Dot-mocracy for Phase 1 review and comment pages at Annual Meeting

    * * Distribute feedback forms for final Phase 1 review

    * Distribute general categories and proposal for Phase 2 plan and comment pages

* Conduct elections

* Added by Mary while writing calendar.

May

    * Final vote on Phase 1 review

    * Focus groups, comment sheets

    * Present final Phase 2 plan for vote next month

June

    * Final vote on Phase 2 plan                                                                                             Mary Gonsior

General Membership Meeting 06 - 08

EPIC General Membership

6-8-2009 Minutes

Attendees:

Brad Pass (BP), Carol Pass (CP), Chiffon Williams (SW), Rosie Cruz; Mary Gonsior; Stephanie Allen; Linda L

earl sims; eonar

CP Chaired and called the meeting to order at

Introductions:

MOTION:   Approve the agenda.   Moved,   Seconded Motion Passed

Meeting called to order as a committeee of the whole.

BP moved to approve the agenda and Earl seconded it. No objections.

May minutes...Mary arrived for a quorum. Chiffon and Rosie arrived.

mary moved to approve the minutes and there was no objection.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Milwaukee Trip...Rosie wants to go; Linda suggested Sarah and Becky of the Urban 4H group about going.

Development on Hiawatha...No one seems to know about the Seward Redesign Group and what it is doing or when it was established. Modification 113 may just be a minor change is what Kathy explained. Carol will try to meet with them to find out the history. Bystrom may have been bought by the redesign group Mike said.

Charter commission: Carol reported that it was very interesting. Our city charter has a commission that can propose changes. We have a strong council; independent board of taxation and have a city mayor. Council  Ostrow proposed a number of changes. The park board was left independent; board of taxation will be on the ballot; city manager will not be proposed.

Hope Community will present a significant analysis of comparative expenditures per capita for children in different parts of the city and different demographics. 6-8 pm June 3rd at Hope.

Introductions

Report on Design Team

Brad said the cost will not go beyond the budget set for the total budget for the architects.

[linda was out and Brad can type this] The city spends more on dogs than kids in our neighborhood. Now we have partnerships to reestblish and approach them with programming. We had 21, but things might change. We plan to be fully operational when the building opens: soccer/tutoring; soccer; baseball; urban 4H

Xcel

There is a motion from the board about preference for the location of the facility to keep it from housing and away from the park planned by the Greenway coalition. A proposal would be to have xcel take the site of a building for sale on Minnehaha. We know they plan to expand a substation by Hway 280.

Motion to support Xcel’s putting the substation inside the empty building that exists just east of the Greenway Park, or tear down the existing building and use that space. The greenway trail should be moved to the south side of the building, providing space for the substation to expand north if needed. (JB) (CW)

Motion passed.

Board motion with the addition that the lines be buried.  Passed unanimously. Made by Mary seconded by Chiffon

Future of neighborhood

Eight districts. The 8th crosses the river. We are group 7. We are easily overlooked and overshadowed by the neighborhoods south of us. The Board has 16 people. 8 are appointed by the mayor and predominantly a group of the mayor's friends and white male. Other agencies that were in NRP will not be represented.  The election is the 16th. Chiffon ia the elector and Jenny the alternate. Linda asked about NRP funding and a change about wording. Carol had pointed out publically that the Native groups will now be left out. For seven years the mayor has tried to unravel NRP.

7:40  24th and Bloomington and Village in Phillips

Comments

It needs to be developed as close to what we want as possible or a private developer will impose a plan that could be adverse. Carol met with a developer called the Velvet Hammer! PRG has tried to find an appropriate developer and AICDC seems to be the one. There will be fewer people than another plan with larger families.

Mike said they run the county detox and other buildings. The site is small. The elders will bring low impact with their age and lifestyle. There should be stability for the neighborhood with this plan.It is partnering with Common Bond.

Stephanie said it seems like too much rental. They would not have bought had it been a rental plan. Cynthia voiced similar concerns.

Carol said in1999 about 90% was rental. Now we are closer to 30%. Other neighborhoods are still high rental. We had lots of vacant lots and put in houses. We lost about 70 buildings in 1.5 years. Carol never endorsed condos.

Kathy had two points: they tried every possible scenerio for owner housing, but the number of units possible would not support the land cost. A study about property values with nonprofit well-managed rental properties did increase value compared to 4 plex and duplex properties because of funds available for landscape and upkeep. She offered more information about a similar site in St. Paul.

Chiffon said St Paul has better housing optons. She recommends that we look at what they are doing because it is working.

Kathy discussed the factor of having an elderly population and that it would have a lower impact on the neighborhood in terms of numbers.

Mike talked about the partnership with Common Bond in managing the building over the next 40 years. Once the original agreement is over, the partnership typically owns the building and follows up with "sustenance funding" for replacing the roof, and other major repairs to sustain the building into the future.

AICDC likes the design of the original VIP plan and wants to maintain the architectural idea and is working with the original architect.

PRG and AICDC are meeting with Midtown Phillips on the 23rd to talk about AICDC's interest in the west side of Bloomington Avenue, and their commitment to work with the neighborhoods to build projects that enhance the neighborhoods.

Linda reported on previous presentations from Common Bond where they discussed  about the many different ways they can work with a community to build partnerships between the developers and the residents. She encouraged AICDC and Common Bond to think of ways to build bridges to the closest residents, the townhome association.

Mike would like to receive a motion of support for AICDC but didn't come expecting this. We discussed ways that more information could be presented to the townhome owners in a written format so that association members can be informed about the proposal and prepared for a personal presentation and meeting AICDC.

Carol pointed out the EPIC board members and long time participants in the VIP plan tend to view the opportunities that come in terms of what fits best with the original plan and meet the needs of the community in spite of all the challenges that we are confronted with. EPIC would prefer to wait until we can bring more townhome owners into the process.

Midtown Greenway

Margaret Kirkpatrick presented a report on the Xcel Hiawatha Project.  There was an update at the coalition meeting. The Utilities Commission accepted Xcel's application as complete (which is questionable). Midtown Coalition has one member on the commission to study the Xcel Plan. Each neighborhood touching the line gets one member on the committee, city council members will probably serve on the committee, along with a number of other relevant groups having a rep. There is going to be a very large committee - 15 or so.

June 18th will be the first big public meeting about the application from 6-8 pm. We are encouraged to get a lot of people to attend this meeting which will be held at the Midtown Global Market. Our effort will be to help define the "table of contents" on the environmental impact station. People should come and tell their story, bring petitions explaining their position (EPIC and other groups.)

Main points: underground, not on the greenway, location of the substation. the more consensus we can get among the neighborhoods the better, as consensus will tend to be adopted if widely accepted. This is the start for building consensus.

Linda noted that her HP Printer (recently purchased) that if your printer is operated under high power lines, your print product may be diminished. She also asked where Allina's reports are on the impact of this on people's health. As they are the primary customers for the Xcel power generated by this line, why haven't they presented information on the health factors.

Tim will distribute talking points from the Midtown Greenway Coalition point of view and possibly petitions also.

Urban 4H

Meeting every Saturday in the garden from 10 until about noon. All EPIC neighbors from 5 to 20 years old are welcome to participate. Parents of children must be involved. The group has a plot and has planted vegetables and flowers. By the end of the summer the group will decide whether to incorporate as a 501(c)(3) organization. Sara is the groups unofficial leader and all the parents take turns helping. There are also some volunteers. The club focus is urban 4H and gardening.

Anyone interested in being an urban 4H volunteer can contact Sara (612) 810-7581. Sarah has children participating in the program. The kids have been meeting for about 6 weeks.

EPIC (owner of the East Phillips 17th Avenue Community Garden) requires that anyone writing grants for programs going on in the garden must first get approval from EPIC. EPIC is ultimately responsible for the performance expections of any grant. Brad pointed out a grant program for 2010 up to $1,000 from Home Depot. The grant would be a perfect fit for the Urban 4H group.

Meeting Adjourned 8:50 pm.

General Membership Meetiing 05 - 11

EPIC 5-11-2009 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Holy Rosary Conference Room

Present: Jennie Bjorgo (JB), Linda Leonards (LL), Earl Simms (ES), Brad Pass (BP), Aden Awil (AW), Mary Gonsior (MG), Deb Ekener (DE), Rosie Cruz (RC), Carol Pass (CP),

Guests: Kathy Wetzel-Mastel (KM), Mike Goze (MG), Dean Dovolis (DD), Heidi Quezada (HQ)s

6:50 meeting called to order. Introductions

Approval of Agenda: (BP) Motion to approve agenda passed by consensus.

Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve minutes from April Annual Meeting passed by consensus.

Announcements:

Carol went over some highlights from the Annual Report that was distributed at the Annual Meeting in April. Highlights included improvements in homeownership, replacing lost housing and reducing crime.

Penta Power Poles bill.

Rep. Clark’s bill HF 1993 addresses the toxic emissions that are a result of the utility poles that Xcel Energy and other utilities are using in Minneapolis and elsewhere.

Funding for EPIC programs – see agenda.

East Phillips Park Cultural & Community Center

Dean Dovolis reported that there is a lobbyist in Washington who has volunteered to work the system to see if he can find the $1M needed to support the Dovolis design; will be investigating Federal stimulus funds. EPIC was shut out of the process for several months and has since been able to work with the Park Board to implement a plan that meets the needs as expressed by the EPIC community. Things seem to be going pretty well now, and we are continuing to work to raise the funds to add on to the south end of the building, to add a community room and a full-commercial kitchen.

Public hearing on May 20^th is a final endorsement of the EPIC proposed building. Once this meeting goes forward, then the project will proceed to drawing actual building plans.

Garden

There is still one plot available.

2931 Bloomington Ave

We have a building that EPIC has been trying to build as part of East Phillips Commons Phase 2 since 2003. This project took a long time, and acquisition of the property was difficult. The developer (Sherman Assoc.) acquired the property and with EPIC set about to proceed with building two Live-Work units in this project. Together, we held many meetings with potential families. Eventually, we found two buyers. After putting down a large deposit, both dropped out. To date, the remaining land has been purchased and two basements are already constructed on the property. A full year was lost just from working with these two buyers. Subsequently, the economy took a downturn. Since then EPIC endorsed using the same design for rental housing instead, given the current downturn in the home owner market and the current need for rental housing in this area.

At this time, EPIC has a city and neighborhood-approved design, the foundation is laid, and Sherman Assoc. will manage the property along with their larger apartment building on the same block. This larger building has had a very positive effect on the area and has remained crime free without police calls. The property can be built using the existing design. However, CM Gary Shiff has recently become opposed to this plan, though it enjoyed his support in the past.

Discussion followed regarding parking issues, now less of a concern,  and the exterior of the design, and conversion from Live-Work to rental.

Heidi, CM Shiffs aide, requested timely notices. Linda apologized for the late notice, however, EPIC is at the mercy of “available” space. The space was found only on short-notice.

Gary does not oppose the plan to change the design from Live-Work, however, Heidi reported that the city attorney is looking into a violation of the contract. Heidi reported that Gary informed the developer of this violation, and explained that if the contract is found to be a violation, and if there is land that was owned by the city, the land would have to go back to the city, and new RFP’s considered. There were differing accounts of this issue. CP stated that this precedent would have to be applied citywide to avoid a charge of unfairness and also that Sherman Assoc. now owns the land and has begun to build. She stated that if there were complaints they should have been lodged before the time and financial investment of the owner of the development site.

Dovolis suggested that perhaps the neighborhood could “amend” the contract.

Rosie reported that since the primary, Gary doesn’t say hi, and hasn’t responded to emails from EPIC. Heidi responded that the staff at Gary’s office responds equally and fairly to all. She stated that because there was a legal issue, she was not able to respond to inquiries about the project. Carol responded that a response of “there’s a legal issue” is at least a response and that she has received no response to several request for information regarding why the sudden opposition. Linda acknowledged that no one present is criticizing Heidi’s work, but mistrust has developed as a result of a lack of timely communication from Gary’s office and the sudden opposition to EPIC’s project without any explanation.

Two arguments: why not cancel a contract when the developer doesn’t meet the contractual agreement, and open the site for an RFP process? Dovolis stated that after sitting through financing meeting over and over with many bankers, and with the current economic climate, a new RFP process is no “silver bullet.”

It was also remarked that city litigation against a developer for failing to complete a project in the allotted time would establish a precedent, which would apply to many developers in the city, and if fairly carried out, would send a chill through city developers.

When did the investigation by the city attorney start? Heidi stated it was unknown.

LL (RC) Motion requesting that EPIC president meet with CM Shiff, Sherman Associates, Dean Dovolis, Rep. Karen Clark, and an EPIC board member for the purpose of working out an amended contract so that this project can move forward. Motion passed. No votes opposed.

Carol noted that the EPIC board passed a motion to recommend that the EPIC neighborhood accept the change to rental on this project. It was noted that the board passed this motion without having the knowledge or explanation of why CM Shiff opposed the project.

LL and RC accepted a late amendment to invite a representative from Midtown to the meeting with CM Shiff.

VIP Project Area - Franklin Station Town Home area

Kathy Wetzel explained the situation and perspective of PRG regarding the VIP Project as follows:

PRG has been working to find a developer to own and operate Phase 1B (rental properties at the corner of 24^th and Bloomington Ave.) After the neighborhood declined one group, Common Bond developed a plan and presented it to EPIC in August 2008. After running the numbers again in January, they found that there was a $800,000 gap in their funding. They found that many of their projects had similar gaps, and deciding to focus on their own projects, Common Bond withdrew from the development.

Kathy stated PRG then went out and met with many developers (Sherman Assoc. etc.) Recently, AICDC contacted PRG about the project. PRG shared the history and challenges of the project. Feeling that the AICDC project would be a win-win situation for EPIC and PRG. Kathy believed the project would bring about rental housing consistent with the architectural plans, and the constituency of the project (senior housing) would appeal to the EPIC community. PRG’s investors would receive their funding back (which was spent on architecture, etc. in the process of planning.)

Mike (office in Powderhorn), formerly part of POP, all-nations church, a long-time member of the community. His involvement with AICDC began in June 2008, as CEO/director. The native community has always talked about an “elder housing” unit in the neighborhood. Mike went to the elders and asked if they would support AICDC in developing senior housing. HUD provides about 80% of the cost of building and the maintenance of the housing is also highly funded by HUD. Generally, you need to have a sponsoring agency (often it is a church.) The sponsoring agency partners with a development agency with experience working on (202) buildings. This is not a “money-maker.” AICDC has been looking for land on which to develop this housing. AICDC has met with Common Bond who has a long history of 202 housing experience. Those talks are moving toward a contractual partnership.

AICDC wants to build a 30-unit building on the East side of Bloomington. There is currently no plan for developing the West side of the Bloomington.

Dovolis calls the HUD 202 Elders Housing is a specific program that runs for 40 years. It has a “good, quality, very strictly-managed” housing option. Any project is only as good as the manager – Common Bond does have a good reputation for this. We are somewhat lucky to even find a developer. HUD allows an initial marketing plan to “core” constituents, but the housing is “equally open” to all.

Mike reports that marketing to able-bodied seniors who are able to live independently; would not have a high impact on the neighborhood. It wouldn’t bring in a lot of kids. The design would be four stories, and would have an elevator.

DE, town home representative, pointed out that Town Home residents are concerned that their investment will be stressed. In addition, home ownership would be the ideal, as a stabilizing force for the neighborhood, and the block in particular.

Dean estimates that the housing market will not recover for another 3-5 years. He also noted that Minneapolis rental laws don’t apply to condo owners making them actually more difficult to manage than rental housing.

Carol Pass concurred with the management difficulties of condos.

Linda noted that this neighborhood desires to build “multicultural” community design, and ways to bring the community together.

A question was asked: What happens to parking? HUDS are very tight on budgets. We did add another entry in the center of the building. The original design brought it all the way to the corner. Dean recommends that the neighborhood begin a “design process”, including the Town Home owners, to look at the design.

Kathy was asked: Why the rush ?– a decision to say we have financial obligations, others have a stake in this. Is this enough reason to go ahead with this project?

PRG responds that this doesn’t feel like a rush to them – they have notes going back to 2004 and their funders are calling in their notes. After granting repeated postponements in an effort to find a workable plan for building on the site, these funders are no longer granting extensions. Kathy noted that PRG has over $110,000 in time and money in the project, that is not even going to be covered – they are not making any money in this.

Kathy stated, “The city owns the land”. What can happen to this land in terms of our project? Dean recommends the best way to serve the neighborhood is to begin a community process so that all the information is on the table, all the neighborhood gets to air their concerns, and try to build something that conforms to neighborhood desires as much as possible.

PRG is willing to “work with the community, to take into account that there are concerns, and that there is a lot of financial investment concerned” but can’t speak for AICDC.

PRG has site control contractually, and therefore, there is not actually an “open opportunity” to redesign the project, however, there can be an opportunity to present different options to the community. AICDC plans to submit an application for HUD 202 Elder Housing funds in 2009. Their proposal could be skipped over the first year which is often the case.

Kathy noted that Sherman Associates has entered the process to verify whether they can make the project viable, but predicted that they will come up with the same $800,000 gap that was found by Common Bond. Mike confirmed that there is no money available for workforce housing, as AICDC has found in projects they are currently investigating.

CP asked, what happens if AICDC tries to do this, is the land then permanently locked up? Can any other planning go on in the meantime in case this option does not receive funding? She mentioned the neighborhood does not want to be left without a project in any case. The developer, PRG, has control over how long the land can sit vacant. Minneapolis hasn’t gotten any HUD 202 funding so it is highly likely that a Minneapolis project would be funded.

DE, town home representative, continued to point out the value of home ownership and that if the development would take two years to garner funding anyway, asked why they could not wait to see if the market would support homeownership at that time.

Meeting adjourned 9:18 PM.