General Membership Meeting Minutes 10-13

October 13, 2011

East Phillips Park Cultural & Community Center 

2307 17th Ave S.

EPIC web address: eastphillips-epic.com

Office: 2536 18th Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN 55404

Attendance:

Board Members: Earl Simms, Jennie Bjorgo, Chiffon Williams, Carol Pass, Linda Leonard, Steve Struthers, Mary Gonsior, Rosie Cruz

Members: David Deloria, Fowsiya Ikur, Jose Alvarez, Susana Luque, Steve Newman, Jim Gonsior,

Sara McLone, Alman Nakhler, Carlyle Bowker, Hannah Lieder, Desirae Bowker, Brad Pass, Kim Hayden, Harold Brown, Amy Pass, Miko Johnson, Fowsiya Ikur, Aden Awil, Lisa Skipintheday, Cecilia Skipintheday, Carrie Anne Johnson, Gabriel Pass, Hindoto Pokawa, Alfonso Cruz, Margaret Kirkpatrick

Guests: Timothy DenHerder-Thomas, Ruby Levine, Jana Metge, Shirley Heyer

6:30    Introductions: (Mary Gonsior chaired)

           Approval of Agenda (approved with amendment) JB, ES

           Minutes from EPIC 9/8/11 general membership meeting approved with corrections and      

           additions: JB, ES

Correction-Announcements: Cepro Site: change “park” to “transit center”

Addition: add EPIC web address to all minutes and agendas

Addition: add “draft” minutes to the web site

Note: later addition during discussion of NRP Phase II: add mailing address to all agendas and       minutes.

6:40 Announcements

1. EPIC 17^th Ave Garden Harvest Party 6 PM this Saturday, October 15th
1. See the garden, enjoy a bonfire; 2400 block of 17^th Avenue, Hang out with  your neighbors.
2. Reopening of the Running Wolf Fitness Center in the restored Philips Community Ctr; 2323 11^th Ave S. This month!
1. Health oriented activities on Mondays. Free for 6 months for those who register before the official opening date. See Native American Community Clinic at the Franklin Ctr.

7:00 Plan Modifications - NRP Phase I

Housing consultant proposal from Doug Wise in response to RFP.

Last month a motion was passed with thirty day review & notice to accept a proposal from Doug Wise in response to our RFP to consult on EPIC’s Phase II NRP Housing Rehab program. Since then, we learned that we received a windfall sum from our Phase I plan.  Some of this is already in the Admin. category. The Board recommends moving the following motion:

MOTION: move to use this “leftover” Admin. money ($7,657.22) to pay Doug Wise’ consultant fee for administering our Phase II Revolving Loan fund as well as other admin. needs.

JB, ES; PASSED unanimously.

East Phillips Park Cultural Community Center Baseball/Soccer fields

See following list of categories & receiving category from agenda. Take the rest of the Phase I funds from existing categories and move them to Playgrounds. Final vote at the next EPIC meeting.

MOTION: EPIC membership moves to transfer $52,280.54 from the following listed categories, consolidating them in the goal named Environment/Transportation/Parks, strategy 6.5.7.1 Playgrounds, to facilitate completion of the East Phillips Park soccer and baseball fields. The categories to be consolidated are:

1. Housing Resource Center                                                                                          $35.09                     

2. Home Ownership Assistance, 1.2.1                                                                         $30,228.31
3. Housing, Vacant Housing, 1.5.1                                                                                  $257.17
4. Crime and Safety, 1.1.1                                                                                              $474.25
5. Lifespan, Early Learning Center 2.1.1                                                                        $7,078.30          
6. Lifespan, 24-Hour Youth Center                                                                                 $1,000.00 

7. Environ/Transport/Parks,‘Green Economy' 3.4.1                                                           $92.30
8. Environ/Transport/Parks, Transportation 4.1.1                                                            $1,495.17
9. Environ/Transport/Parks, Midtown Greenway 4.2.1                                                     $10,017.61
10. Environ/Transport/Parks, Bike Paths 4.2.4                                                                  $17.61
11. Environ/Transport/Parks, Stewart Park, Safety 5.3.1                                                  $1,495.17
12. Environ/Transport/Parks, Forest Management 5.6.1                                                     $71.94
13. Include Environ/Transport/Parks, Playgrounds 5.7.1                                                    $17.61
 Total                                                                                                                          $52,280.54

JB, LL; PASSED unanimously.

MOTION: Stop other pre-existing NRP Contracts

As a precaution, notify NRP that we want to cancel/stop all pre-existing Phase I contracts to avoid any glitches in carrying out the preceding motions.

AP, MG; PASSED unanimously.

7:40   EPIC/NRP Draft Phase II Neighborhood Action Plan

Carol made a presentation of the history of all the work that was done by EPIC in developing our Phase II Neighborhood Action Plan, noting the challenges and how these were addressed. The Phase II NRP Neighborhood Action Plan MUST spend 70% of the funds on housing; the remaining 30% of the fund may be spent on other non-housing activities. EPIC has more than met the requirements for communication and participation. Our survey responses came from 12 different language-speaking groups. EPIC worked hard to really listen and to put forward a plan that includes the expressed needs of our community.

A nine-page summary of the plan was distributed at this meeting, and a number of full plan copies were also available. A presentation was given, briefly describing the many projects that will be funded in Phase II.

After a short period of discussion, a motion was presented.

MOTION: MG, JB; Approve the EPIC/NRP Draft Phase II Neighborhood Action Plan;

            Passed unanimously. Members applauded. Carol was presented with flowers.

Rosie Cruz came in with a huge cake. On the top was written ‘Congratulations, EPIC!’ in Spanish. She and Alfonzo handed out cake and ice cream. We partied!!!!

Pursue full funding for Phase II

Everyone is encouraged to write Gary Schiff and say that you voted for this motion. The City Council does want to fully fund 6 of the North side neighborhoods.

MOTION: EPIC’s policy that Phase II should be fully funded. HB, ES; Passed.

7:55 Cooperative Energy Futures (CEF) (Ruby)

CEF conducted 30 workshops in residents’ homes. About 25 residents didn’t know a lot about energy efficiency, and CEF was able to share helpful and money saving information and skills with many. Workshops are in English and Spanish.

8:00 Winter heating help – (Timothy)

There are ongoing workshops available through Our Power and Community Action for neighbors across the south side of Minneapolis. A handout with more information was distributed. Center for Energy is making appliance replacement available for low income residents. Our Power is door-knocking in the neighborhoods now.

8:02 Crime concerns and other livability issues/problem properties

The goal of this agenda item is to create a list of problem properties, receive reports on community crime meetings, and track hot spots, problems and police assistance.

1. Intake information about problem spots/properties; not a “venting” time, but a reporting space of time.

2. Consider utilizing SH’s experience in Midtown; training workshops for dedicated, resident volunteers, provide training materials

            a. Organize crews to clean up trash, overgrown bushes, etc.; reporting to 311.

            b. Citizen patrol, quiet maneuvering, working with local law enforcement.

3. Put Crime concerns at the beginning of the monthly agenda; consider setting a time limit

4. Make motions to address housing and landlord issues; crime issues, etc.

5. Talk about strategies to prevent crime; find activities for youth; getting chronic criminals out of the neighborhood; addressing parents and schools; addressing family violence; addressing school bus and playground violence; dealing with Law Enforcement “hub” houses.

6. Consider what resources could be brought to bear on the lives of people who are “on the edge.”

7. Have a list so people can “log” problem addresses. Have a “box” and forms so people can report anonymously. Collect license plates.

8. Submit problem housing that is bank owned to PRG for rehab and sale.

2927 16^th Avenue S (drugs, prostitution, noise at night)

2931 16^th Avenue S(criminals come at night)

2930 16^th Avenue S (landlord problems)

New house next to 2926 16^th Avenue S (dogs in basement; too many occupants)

Jana reported that a lot of traffic is moving from Midtown (specific address) and moving over to 16^th Avenue.

8:45 Meeting adjourned.

General Membership Meeting Minutes 09-08

September 8, 2011, 6:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

East Phillips Park Cultural & Community Center 
2307 17th Ave S.

EPIC web address: eastphillips-epic.com

Office: 2536 18th Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN 55404

Attendance: Board Members: Steve Struthers, Jennie Bjorgo, Carol Pass, Mary Gonsior, Earl Simms, Rosie Cruz,

         Linda Leonard,

         EPIC Members: Addi Batica, Elsa Batica, Kim Hayden, Al Bangoura, Margaret Castaway, Ayman Nakhla, Hannah Lieder, Brad Pass, Jose Alvarez, Stephanie Allen, Mahamed Cali, Hindoto Pokawa, Margaret Kirkpatrick, Desirae Bowker, Carlyle Bowker, Troy Menenger, , Alfonso Cruz

6:30   Introduction:

·        Greetings and Introductions

·        Motion: Meet as a Committee of the Whole (BP, JB; Passed)

·         Approval of Agenda

·        Minutes from EPIC 8/11 /2011 General Membership Meeting     

·        Quorum achieved, (CP, JB; passed)

6:40    Announcements:

·          Report “Bridging Phillips” August 13th, Saturday, A Celebration of our Connections on our one Connecting Street, 24th St.

·         Final Review of NRP Phase II Plan at Next Monthly EPIC Meeting, Oct. 13, 2011

o   There needs to be neighborhood-wide notification of the vote. Flyers, ads

o   We have done sufficient communication, surveys and more. But, we want to do MORE than what is required. We are concerned that there is political pressure to “stall out” EPIC’s Phase II plan. We want to be so thorough that there can be no reason to stall our completion.

·         CLEAN SWEEP, Saturday Oct. 8, 2011 (Flyer distributed)

·         Basilica Songs of Hope, Readings & Songs from Many Traditions, Saturday Sept. 10th, 7:00 PM to commemorate the 10^th Anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.

·         Cepro Site Celebration Oct. 6^th 5 to 6:30, Open House on the site, Community ribbon cutting, music, refreshments

o   New “accessible” park near Abbott Hospital

·         Reopening of the Running Wolf Fitness Center in the restored Phillips Community Center, 2323 11^th Ave S, This Month! No date yet, but hoping for September.

7:00        Preparation for EPIC’s NRP Phase II Housing Rehab Support Deferred Loans for East Phillips          Residents, RFP:

            Q&A, Final Approval for this. (Board recommended CEE as provider.)

Motion: Ratify Board motion: Approve the Draft Housing Rehab Proposal dated 8/8/2011 to carry out Phase II Housing Rehab Program. (CP, JB; passed.) EPIC will try to contract this as soon as possible.

7:20      Housing consultant Proposal, Board motion:

Motion: Ratify Board  & community motion: Accept the proposal from Doug Wise (PRG) in Response to our       RFP. This includes the $4,200 fee to come from consolidated Phase I funds. ( JB, LL) Passed. Time line        may need amending.

7:30     Motion: Ratify Board motion: Close the old People of Phillips NRP Contract and become recipients of 22.69% of the remaining dollars (JB, BP; passed)

7:35      Programs for Kids:

We have a lot of kids, and we have a lot of needs. We have a lot of people who want to meet these needs. How can we bring together the people and resources needed to provide activities and programs for kids? What can EPIC do? Can we write grants? Can we provide money? Can we provide expertise? EPIC has done what it can to

support all these efforts to carry out these projects. Al B is coming with a request for a Rock Climbing Club; this is an example of the kind of requests that we expect to continue receiving, and we want to respond in ways that help get these programs funded and running.

Rock Climbing Club:

Al Bangoura: The Park has invested $6M into various programs for youth, along with local employers. They, like EPIC, try to always leverage their funds to bring in additional funding. The park needs help to continue to expand programming, they need financial support from many to continue and grow these programs. The Rock Climbing program is very exciting; but there is a cost: transportation club participates, equipment, etc.

Jennifer:   shared how this “club” got started. Kids learn safety, responsibility, problem solving, physical strength, focus mentally, coordination, balance, self-reliance. The list goes on…The $400 for access passes, and $200 for transportation. The Park is underwriting the other costs involved.

Motion: EPIC will provide $600, $400 for passes, $200 transportation from CPP Funds to the Park for the EPPCCC Rock Climbing Club. (LL, JB; Passed)

8:15      EPIC/NRP Draft Phase II Neighborhood Action Plan:

Passed out the short version of the plan(both versions have been available for some time, short version online).

There are two numbers listed on the document. The plan proposes how to spend NPR phaseII money if NRP had dispersed all the money originally allocated to NRP Phase II, there is also a second column with different amounts listed in case EPIC only receive the smaller amount of money.

We want to approve the plan with both numbers so that we are ready in the case of whatever amounts gets approved.

Questions were raised as to how the plan A and plan B would get changed if the whole amount of money was received. Brad stated that after submission and approval, we can alter the plan. Doing so would be an easy process and may make the most sense.

Motion: (Ratify Board motions)  See Carol’s copy of plan…moving $50,000 from Housing Goal 1, obj 3 to obj 2.   and amend the Participation Agreement time table to reflect current timing.

            (cp, mk;  passed.)

Motion: (Ratify Board motions) Pass the EPIC/NRP Draft Phase II Neighborhood Action Plan(Final form, as        amended), for a final vote on Oct. 13, 2011 (LL, MC; passed.)

8:40      Crime  & Problem Properties

Sat Aug 27^th, there was a break in at cars at town homes.  There was discussion on ways EPIC could assist town home residents with crime prevention and organization

Cities management runs the association meetings for town homes and residents will contact them for follow up.

Livability issue:  Question was raised about how have some blocks have public trash cans for their blocks along walk ways. –One can get a trash can by calling waste management and must adopt the trash can for 2yrs. Adopting person is  responsible for trash can to be emptied and free of graffiti.

EPIC is writing letters to landlords where we suspect illegal activity: 2520 17^th Ave S

Townhouse Association – President

How do we communicate?

9:00     Adjournment

Board Meeting Minutes 09-03

September 3rd,  2011, 10:00 am

Welna Hardware Board Room
2307 17th Ave S.

EPIC web address: eastphillips-epic.com

Office: 2536 18th Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN 55404

Attendance:  Mary Gonsior,  Steve Struthers, Carol Pass, Earl Simms, Rosie Cruz, Linda Leonard, Jennie Bjorgo

Guest: Brad Pass, Shirley Heyer

10:00    Introduction:

·        Approval of Agenda, JB/LL

·        Approval of Minutes from EPIC Board Meeting Minutes from 8/6/2011  JB/LL

10:10    Announcements and Rundown of Activities and Accomplishments: 

• EPIC Website is Updated and improved. Plan and Survey are OnLine.  Awaiting Somalli & Spanish translations.

• EPIC Membership Meeting:  Thursday, Sept. 8th, 6:30 at the East Phillips Park Community Center, Meeting will center on a discussion and comment period for EPIC’s Draft NRP Phase II Plan, Solutions to Crime Issues, Fall and Winter Programming for kids and adults. Also the

            Phase I view is now on this Website in the next leaf of the accordion on this page.

• EPIC Membership Meeting:  Thursday, October 13th, 6:30 – 8:30 at the East Phillips Park Community Center. This will end a 45-day comment period for the NRP Phase II Plan in which it can be further tweaked to reflect neighborhood concerns. Voting on the Plan at that time will allow the neighborhood to move with work for the future.

·          “Bridging Phillips” Progressive Festival Report:  This was am awesome party. Different EPIC members joied the party at different times. Each piece was lovely according to reports. Thanks to

·         Phillips “Clean Sweep” Saturday, October 8th. Get ready to help and get your old junk out of the basement and in the Alley for Pick Up!

·         Meeting with McKnight, Report-need, they gave us $10,000 grant and it would be good to have more people at meetings to speak about ongoing activities.

·         “Our Power” Report: About 30 home visits and presentation to families about energy efficiency have been  completed with positive responses,

10:40    NRP Funds: Look at copy of the OnLIne Survey,  Plan Explanation and Plan Summary.

            Critique??

·         Focus Groups …Somali …Nepalese, Spanish,  African American

                        Native American, Need more help.

·         Time Line

--need people to read and send in comments to Carol on  the EPIC NRP Phase II Action Plan:

Explanation and Process- Discussion

--NRP outline hand out reviewed, comments were made that it could use a key for explanation of goals.

Current form of outline was based on other neighborhood NRP outlines.

--Concerns were expressed that theSummary of changes in funding for EPIC NRP Phase II action plan is receiving criticism from city officials, Some officials don’t want the loss of funding to be so visible. Others think putting down the whole initial allocation will make it more likely that we will receive the whole thing.

Suggestion was made that the outline only use number with the full amount of money previously allocated rather than the new lower amount as a result of changes to NRP funding.

Suggestion was made that EPIC request to work with other NRP people downtown.

--Concerns were expressed that documents should be presented in as simple of format as possible.

--Suggested that we present the funding numbers as a table instead of outline.

11:00    Housing Consultant Proposal from Doug Wise, Additional programs, Housing Task Force

            MOTION: LL/MG, (passes) EPIC accepts the proposal to work with Doug Wise on the housing loans.

            Carol alerted us that there may be additional fees associated with loan officers that will be built into the       contract with CEE.

                       

11:20   Employment Readiness Classes, Margaret Castaway- CP thought this person or someone like this could bring this skill set to our neighbors . It was  discussed  and issues of creating such a program were brought forward for consideration. Who would be the hiring entity?  Who would monitor it? It was agreed to return to this after we have our Phase II funds in hand.

11:30    Tae Kwan Do Classes for teens: This is another program we want to have occur. Needs research. Discussion arrived at same conclusions.

11:40    Foundry Report – Multiple other residents and organizations have also expressed concerns that their properties are shaking as a result of Smith Foundry.  Cedar condos on 28^th and Cedar as well as Metro Hope has expressed concern. Smith Foundry has done another vibration study and believes they have a solution which will be implemented by October 1rst. 

11:50  Crime Situation – Where are we at? Claim is that crime is down….No one believes this. Meeting attendees feel this needs a special meeting…

           

11: 30    Adjournment