Board Meeting Minutes 07 - 03

July 3rd, 2010, 10:00 am

Welna Hardware

10:00             Introduction:

·          Approval of Agenda

·               agenda approved

·      Minutes from EPIC Board Meeting 6/5/2010

      minutes approved

·      Attendance: Carol, Mary, Earl, Linda, Hannah

·      Absent: Rosie, Mohammed, Jennie, Tim

10:10    Announcements

·      EPIC General Membership Meeting, July 12^th

·      Parade of gardens: East Phillips showcases our garden, August 21^st, Saturday, 10:00 am

·      Hazardous Waste Pick-Up, July 24^th, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm,  Stuff goes to Phillips Community Center Lot

10:15   East Phillips Park Cultural & Community Center Situation: Brad

·      Pollution Issue – What happened??

            Grants were obtained from the County and State for funding to get rid of asbestos, Brad wrote grants.             Carol worked with Rep. Clark and Sen. Berglin make this happen. Lobbying the State Auditor was     necessary to override Pawlenty’s objections.

·      Kitchen furnishings still not funded including the range hood, the fire suppression system, and makeup air system, nor rain gardens.

         NRP Dollars – Toward the building??  EPIC will receive another $50,000 from NRP, should we spend it                    on the kitchen?  Board recommends this go on agenda for general membership to propose NRP money  for kitchen.

         Motion: Board will bring up using NRP money for kitchen at next general membership meeting

                  LL, ES. Passed unanimously

·      Costs appear to be going up a lot with each change order, should we talk to park board?

         Board will write a letter to park board asking to see Rochon contract change clause and ask park board to enforce original bid. 

         Mary will edit letter, use terms we accepted your offer in “good faith”,

·      Partnership Agreements??

         21 organizations signed up to provide programming.  Park board doesn't have money to put in          programming.  Of 21 partners, 14 or 15 submitted to park staff, MPRB will show what they are          anticipating for programming to create scheduling, this partnership agreement could be the wave of the          future with MPRB and communities, cut down expenses, increase programming, increase volunteerism

10:30   Phillips Community Center:  

·      Issues with the RFP and Waite House

            The final Waite House proposal differs significantly from the one supported by EPIC at our June 14^th  Community meeting. It also differs from the Guiding Principles based by the Board and General Membership meeting of neighborhoods have been cut out of decision-making and control, this is not the agreement that EPIC supported. Sub-leasers don't have power, Waite house has pulled out of collaboration and are going to present own proposal to the Park Board. Neighborhoods (the three) have gotten together and created a new draft, position paper with proposal included.

        

         Motion: EPIC board rejects the Waite House proposal draft 2 and the master lease concept in favor of the original collaborative proposal of a partnership with the neighborhoods, park board csa, a wellness collaborative, and the Waite House as passed at the June 5^th EPIC Board meeting and the June 14th EPIC Community Meeting of June 14th.  CP, ES  Passed unanimously.

        

         Motion: Position paper plus proposal, changed to restore operation of pool in its entirety, the rest of the proposal will be tweaked.  LL, ES Passed unanimously.

         Saving the Pool Progress

10:50   2600 17th Ave Proposed Apartment Building, Other Developments

·      Other possible building arrangement, zoning and funding issues. Francisco

·      Apartment at 2908 16^th, NSP funding issues

·      Foreclosed buildings?

         Motion: Since EPIC supports consistency with the city's recent new zoning rulings supporting R2b in the internal core of the neighborhood and higher density on our corridors, the EPIC Board unanimously opposes any plan that violates the R2b zoning for the interior core of the East Phillips neighborhood. Therefore EPIC opposes the plan for the Alliance 20 unit 3-story apartment building at 2600-2606 17^th Ave. S.  LL, ES. passed unanimously.

Neighbors are requesting faster and more thorough action on foreclosed properties to try to stop rapid purchase and sloppy partial rehab or non-rehab by unscrupulous landlords or purchase and resale of carelessly rehabbed houses by real estate agents. This has a negative impact on the future housing viability of the neighborhood.

         Motion: The EPIC Board supports the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, NSP, funding to be made available to both City-approved non-profit and for-profit groups seeking to restore foreclosed properties.  Linda, earl  passed unanimous

11:10   Xcel Energy's High Voltage Transmission Line Routes & Substations:

·         Negotiated Settlement: in progress

·     100,000 for Solar on  EP Park Center roof ? Roof will not support, may it be put on the side? EPIC needs to research this.

11: 15   Report on MPCA’s mini-conference on: Cumulative Levels and Effects for Air Permits

             Paint Sprayer Building

            The MPCA has been requested to do the Cumulative Impact Study required by the Clark/Berglin Law. The Met. Council is apparently suing to be allowed to put their paint spraying facility in the half-mile radius disallowed in the law. EPIC has a fear that, if the study is completed, the law will cease to stop additional polluting facilities from coming into the Phillips neighborhood. The EPIC Board believes that, if a facility adds additional pollution to the air of Phillips, which when added to the existing level of pollution, reaches beyond the toxic level, the current law, as it is, will fail to stop the permitting of that new facility, since all that is required is that the Cumulative Impact Study is completed, not that there be any greater stringency on the level of pollution that is permitable. This needs resolution.

            Motion: The EPIC Board will request that Representative Clark and Senator Berglund to amend their law to state that if the existing cumulative level of pollution plus the new additional pollution of a new facility will raise a pollutant to a toxic level, the facility cannot be permitted. This includes additional micro-particles of 2.5 and smaller.  CP, ES,  Passed unanimously.

11: 20            Stewart Park and other Soccer Fields: EPIC Board requests that the new soccer fields not be             administered in such a way that they lock out the neighborhood children from playing on them..           

11: 30    Adjournment

General Membership Meeting Minutes 06 - 14

June 14th, Monday – 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.,

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

Attendance:

Board Members: Rosie Cruz, Jenny Bjorgo, Tim Chancey, Mahamed Cali, Carol Pass, Mary Gonsior, Hannah Lieder

Members: Cedric Wash, Paula Weikle, Jen Bjorgo, Shirley Heyer,  Joseph Spangler, Chad Wilkins, Doug VanderVeen, Casey Wostalewicz, Margaret Kirkpatrick, Jeffrey Strand, Ader Kahin, Amran A, Mohemed,

Andrew Fahlstrom, Gail Bjorgo, Zak Hagstrom, Christa Owens, Brianna Besch, Timothy DenHerder-Thomas, Becky Mommens, Fred Jack, Ryan Brueske, Michelle Louviere, Amy Pass, Gabriel Pass, Kris Brogan, Earl Simms,

Linda Leonard, Gary Schiff, Bob Bono, Eric Refsell, Hannah Friedrich, Abah Mohamed, Brad Pass,  Kevin Lieder, Alfonso Cruz

6:30    Introduction:

·       Greetings and Introductions

·       Approval of Agenda

·       Minutes from EPIC Meeting, May 10^th

6:40    Announcements

·       Garden Work Day and Potluck, Saturday, June 19^th Come and Work!!

·       June 29^th , All-Nations Church, 6:00 pm, MPCA is holding a Public Hearing to receive input from the community concerning how to implement the CUMULATIVE IMPACT STUDY required for any new project that may add any new pollution.

·       Next EPIC Meeting, Monday, July 12th

·       July 24^th, Hennepin County Hazardous Waste Pick-up Event, SEE FLYERS!

7:00   Murder on the next Block and Crime Issues- Don Greeley, CCPsafe, Council Member Gary Schiff

·       What do we know? Can we help the families somehow?          

·       Call safe officer 612-673-3482

·       Call Carol Pass 612-280-8418

·       Call 911 and call neighbors

·       These kids need jobs who are on probation because of background checks!!

MOTION:  We encourage the city and county not to do background checks or to provide alternative summer employment opportunities to youth on probation and/or with troubled backgrounds.

·       LL, MK, motion passed

MTION:  City of Minneapolis and MPRB find funding to keep parks in troubled neighborhoods open for extended hours and staff them to provide programming for the summer.

·       BP, JB, motion passed

MOTION:  Ask the 3rd precinct to enforce curfew hours in our neighborhood.

·       LL, MG, motion passed

·       Gary Schiff could be at every EPIC meeting if we moved it from Monday night.

·       He shared crime numbers.  Increased violent crimes that are in specific areas.  Aggravated assault, larceny, burglary, car theft, in East Phillips.  Community meeting on gangs, drugs, next week, Monday or Tuesday.  Boarded and vacant properties in East Phillips.  Drug activity talk to Gary or call 311 or call Carol.  Monthly shot spotter reports. 

·       Vigil?

·       Motions to address the problem?

·       What to do about problem properties.

7:35     2600-2606 17^th Ave. PROPOSAL FOR APARTMENT of 20 UINTS of HOMELESS HOUSING by Alliance Housing. (See attachment.)

·      The Green Space appears inadequate for housing of this type.  Front or side yards are too small for people to hang out. They will tend to be on the sidewalks or yards of others. There is no setback.

·      Parking inadequate for this number of people, not to mention any guests they may have.

·      Zoning of this and all surrounding area is R2B. This is filled with new single family home ownership.  Home owners are entitled to count on the zoning to protect the residential character of the neighborhood when they buy or build.

·      Alliance’s management track record in the neighborhood is not positive. Residents who are in a position to know see known dealers frequenting the cur rent Alliance housing there.

·      Supportive housing of this sort right near our children’s bus stops and centered in a very residential part of the neighborhood is not appropriate.

·      Two buildings dedicated to Elderly, potentially homeless are being built already on 24^th St. and Bloomington Ave. These will contain 34 Units on the east side of the intersection and 12 units on the west side of the intersection. This is 46 units of new housing for the elderly  only two blocks away. East Phillips is doing its part already.

·      17th will be BIKE CORRIDOR with added bike traffic. This street was chosen for its residential character.

·      we doorknocked and inquired. The area residents are very upset and do not want this building. They asked,  “if we don't want this, do we have any say? No, because we are mostly immigrants?” 

Long term homelessness 50+, 20 units - 19 studios, 1 caretaker, studio apartments, access to services as needed.  Hiawatha Commons, homelessness, working middle class, 17th will be BIKE CORRIDOR, no setback, zone 4 or 5, haven't meet with planning commission, 8 parking spots, 2011 Pillsbury - 27 units, Timeline -- 3 months from now at earliest, concerns? talk to Allaince, If anyone is interested let Carol know if you would like to take a tour

      MOTION:  To Support this project as presented. RB, Motion failed.

MOTION: EPIC members oppose a zoning change, oppose a high density homeless facility in this location, and support relocateion of elderly homeless project to a corridor zoned for that use and duplexes for family housing at this site.

            GP, JB  3 abstention, no opposed, rest support, Motion passes

7:50    The NCEC, replacement for NRP (the previous funding and assistance organization for the Neighborhoods

·       What kind of funding do we need for East Phillips

·       What do we think about decision-making?

·       Would we like to research this whole issue more?

·       Funding starting as of 2011, 90% listening, 10% talking, meetings before decisions are made, Neighborhood Community Relations, CRF, NRF, we need more money, we need representation on panel

8:20   East Phillips Park Cultural & Community Center Situation: Brad Pass

·       What happened with the Asbestos , Two Grants

·       What we are doing about it and are we going to be successful

8:30    Phillips Community Center:  Issues: Retaining the building for the four Phillips Neighborhoods. Brad Pass

MOTION: Support the Board Motion to accept in principle the Proposal for the Phillips Comm. Center on June 5th contingent on further review. Passed GP, LL

·       How to pay the Bills

·       The role of the Park Board

·       How to save the Pool

MOTION:  Money to Phillips Defense Fund, move to pay $2,000 to pay Paula Macabbee.

            CP, MG, no abstentions, no opposed, motion passed

8:40   Adjournment

Board Meeting Minutes 06 - 05

June 5^th, 2010  10:00 am -11:45 am

Welna Hardware

Attendance: Tim, Hannah, Mary, Mahammed, Linda, Carol, Earl

Absent: Rosie and Jennie

10:00             Introduction:

·         Approval of Agenda

·      Minutes from EPIC Board Meeting 5/7/2010

10:10    Announcements

·      East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center is being built, much is still precarious.

      Mary is going to help with oversight. Brad and Carol have been taking pictures.

·      Phillips Community Center Walk-Through, June 7^th, Monday, 5:00-7:00 pm

·      EPIC General Membership Meeting, June 14th

·      NCEC meetings.......in place of NRP @ powderhorn, wed. June 9, 6 pm; We received one million dollars  for Phase One NRP and $490,000 for Phase 2 NRP. The new plan is only $40,000 per neighborhood.  Brad has argued for need-based allocations instead of housing units where there are few children. Family size, percent of children, etc. is a better set of criteria

·      Stewart Park Soccer Field......6 pm Thursday,    june 10

10:15   EPIC rep on the Garden Board: Appoint Tim Chancy, Carol Pass (alternate)

10:15   East Phillips Park Cultural & Community Center Situation: Brad

·      Pollution Issue – What happened??  We have a county grant and a state grant. There is a debate about whether or not the state will let us have the money. The problem is that we have to build right now.  Judd on park board staff gave info to the commissioners that they voted to continue the project. Judd is backpeddling but asking us for NRP money. Karen Clark and Peter McLaughlin might be able to resolve the grant problems within two weeks......the debate is about when the contract was signed and the project. We might have to fund the commercial kitchen and space.

·      NRP Dollars – Toward the building?? We have $490,000 but 70% must go for housing. We only have $150,000 for youth, employment, crime, etc.    and we don't have the Phase II money available yet. We might have  to fund this.

10:30   Phillips Community Center:  A way forward with Bob Albee

·      What is Phillips Community Parks Initiative?

·      The 4-Phillips Neighborhood's (plus Waite House) Proposal for Retention and Use: MOTION

         Public Walk-Through

         It is very elusive what programs 'for the neighborhood' might mean.

Funding involves Freeport West.and clinics using insurance money.....Allina, Childrens, etc; are part of the Wellness Group with diabetic associations; Pillsbury United is strong and firm; The Public Community Section is undefined for leadership. Some space would be free and some rented. Lisa is going to put together detailed budget proposals. She is a consultant hired by Pillsbury.

MOTION : The EPIC Board endorses the Phillips Community Center Proposal in principle subject to review of the final proposal and details. [LL and MC]

10:45   2600 17th Ave Proposed Apartment Building, Other Developments

            We would have to mount concerted objection to 20 units for singles. We need to collect information and data about impact; variances; information about Alliance Housing

­We need to know the zoning; we need to find out the plans and variances needed; we need to know the city contact and why wasn't the community notified about 4 properties.........there is no review process.......We must door knock......

·      What do we think? Action?? .

·      --- Can Currie Building; Wakiagan; other Tramp Camp settings........for police records

·      --Carol can get zoning together about variances

·      Apartment at 2908 16^th, Phoenix Development--could get gov't money and fix it. Loren Bruggeman would       try to control the building for the benefit of the neighborhood. It was 7 units but is down to four units.

·      Greenway site--Dean Dovolis of DJR and Loren might be able to help. Dean will do some checking and have some conversations. He would need 48 units with family space.

11:00   Election of Officers   took place by agreement

Carol Pass as President

Mary Gonsior as VP

Hannah Lieder as Secretary

Mohammed Cali as Treasurer

11:20   Xcel Energy's High Voltage Transmission Line Routes & Substations:

·         Negotiated Settlement--lines will be buried and down E 28th St.  We are debating the exact location. It's going to cost households about $1 a month for some years........still being negotiated

·     100,000 for Solar on  EP Park Center roof. It would reduce the utility cost. Maybe they would help with the pool.

·     Tim Springer wants them to help get grants and Tim is writing something about "work with" under Carol's pressure.

11: 45   Adjournment

General Membership Meeting Minutes 05 - 10

May 10^th, Monday – 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.,

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

6:30             Introduction: 6:42 (4 board members present)

            Attendance:

            Board Members: Carol Pass, Mary Gonsior, Tim Chancey, Jennie Bjorgo, Mohamed Cali, Earl

            Simms, Rosie Cruz,

             EPIC Members: Brad Pass, Margaret Kirkpatrick

            Guests:;Robert Albee

·      Approval of Agenda (JB, TC) approved.

·      Minutes from EPIC Annual Meeting, Saturday, April 17^th (JB, TC) approved with corrections.

6:40    Announcements (6 board members present)

1.     Xcel High Voltage Transmission Lines, Final Comments due TOMORROW!                                   4:30, Tuesday, May 11^th

2.     EPIC E-News for May 10 include instructions and talking points for writing to the Judge in the case,   comments are due tomorrow.

3.     Site risks include loss of property value, affects insurability of property near the power lines, decreased- or in-ability to develop in the area, health risks, including childhood leukemia.

4.     5 out of 7 Somali children in E. Phillips already have asthma.

5.     Xcel Petition was passed around for signatures

7:00   Xcel Energy's High Voltage Transmission Line Routes & Substations

·      Hearing Results are not in yet, Judge Heydinger will rule soon. Carol Pass and Shirley Heyer were our neighborhood cross-examiners.

·      Next Steps will be negotiating and writing briefs

7:15   Phillips Community Center:  A way forward with Bob Albee

·      Phillips Community Parks Initiative is a group including East, Midtown, and West Phillips, Ventura Village, Waite House, and Hope Community formed to determine how to retain the Phillips Community Center for use by the residents of Phillips.,

·      Policies for Use were discussed. The need for a single property manager was agreed on. .

·      Saving the Pool, a work in progress, Bob Albee wants it to be in part a therapeutic pool to bring in revenue and be used by area clinics, leaving some space for swimming,

·      East Phillips' (12 Guiding) Principles for the Future of the Phillips Community Center. Motion to Pass (JB, MG) Passed. See list of Guiding Principles.

8:08  East Phillips Park Cultural & Community Center Situation:

·      Excavation testing revealed large asbestos contamination on the site. After considering options for lopping off parts of the center, BP researched grant opportunities related to clean up for the site. He wrote a Hennepin County grant for $271,000 and is 3/4 written. Handed off the grant to Park Board to complete the application with the budget etc.

·      Park Board approved removal of contamination, as needed.

·      Also, an overall plan is required to remove the contamination from the site.

·      Braun Intertech (consultant) is working on a plan for removing the contamination.

·      Karen wrote a separate grant to the State of MN to clean up the pollution for $300,000

8:20    NRP Review and Phase 2 Planning

·         EPIC's allotment for Phase 2 is around $480,000. Not as much as before (over $1M), and 70% has to be spent on housing. Some interesting options that have been done by others, includes financing that brings money back to the neighborhood for future use, and raising matching funds. These funds have been used to created revolving funds for emergency repairs, home improvements, and home ownership. The risk would be if there were foreclosures on loans.

·         Very limited funding and limited decision-making after NRP

·      There is a plan to fade out the NRP office and fade in the Neighborhood & Community Engagement Commission (NCEC).

·      It is a shame since over the years, the NRP program has been refined to the point of working very well for the community and the city.

·      EPIC should move its process along to access the funds, and we should spend it. The city is looking at this money and would like to take over control of spending it.

·      see April minutes for notes on "the process"

8:30  Adjournment