February 19, 2009
Meeting called to order at 6:43
We convened a committee of the whole with no objections.
Margaret, Chiffon, Brad, Alfonso, Mary
Board: Carol, Linda, Aden, Sherzad,
Rosie, Earl
Agenda: We
added NRP and Housing and approved the agenda.
Minutes from November were approved.
Comments: The Berglin/Clark bill spared us the paint shop,
the asphalt plant, and the burner.
Tomorrow is an Xcel Mtg at 3 pm at the NELC to determine
next steps in regard to the project.
6:52 EPIC Financials
2009 Budget and 2008 expenses explained. Filed with the
minutes. Possibility of funding our two sports/tutoring programs. There was
agreement that it is time to work on greater support for Phillips youth,
especially the ethnics that have no programs specifically for them. Admin.
funds not needed.
We could finish out phase one funds with program support.
7:00 quorum reached with Rosie.
Rosie talked about 45 kids to play soccer and a tutoring
program at Anderson. The background checks will be done. The kids in the soccer
league who have academic problems are welcome even if they don’t attend
Anderson school.
Linda moved/Chiffon seconded the proposed 2009 budget.
Budget adopted without opposition.
Earl arrived.
7:19
Chiffon moved and Aden seconded a motion to the effect that
EPIC take a request to the county commissioner to include support for the
pedestrian bridge over Hiawatha connecting East Phillips Park to the Franklin
Light Rail station. Passed.
7:22 Xcel
Margaret pointed out that if/when there is streetcar service
on the Greenway, it would be very difficult to work around power lines. Carol
reported that xcel plans to crisscross these big wires which will disrupt all
sides of the Greenway. We don’t know what motion the Greenway folks want us to
support. The next meeting is tomorrow
and people should come. There was a meeting at Little Earth, but there was no
follow-up plan. Carol Pass wants to ask Karen Clark to introduce a bill for
Minnesota that would tie the power line issue to density of population,
especially in an urban area. Margaret concurred. Carol and Margaret are working
on the issue and will report back.
CP passed out Xcel’s data sheet on the spread of Magnetic
flux of underground as opposed to overhead high voltage power lines. The
underground application is dramatically better as far as the spread of magnetic
flux.
BP compared today’s lack of information on the health
effects of Magnetic flux to the health effects of Arsenic on the population in
the 1930s. Today it is clear that arsenic is a huge problem. It is
unconscionable that we are considering exposing this underprivileged population
to something that 30 years from now may prove to be as egregious as arsenic and
lead.
BP suggested coming to the 2-20-09 NELK information meeting
with a motion which is similar to the Greenway Coalition’s motion in opposition
to the project.
CP not much happened in opposition to the Burner until
people showed up with signs and banners. Perhaps we should consider a sign.
The City council has no legal right to stop the powerline.
It is up to the PUC.
MK pointed out that the PUC could say to the city – “if you
want to pay the extra $15 million to put the line underground you can do it”.
Funding for
Programs:
Covered in discussion on financials. These two
organizations, Liga Hispana de Beisbol and the Soccer/Tutoring program have
been put forward for additional funding. Motion for review of funds and support
for the programs and proposed language change, see Agenda for motion. Passed
unanimously.
EPPCCC
Park Board authorized LHB to phase the building with a
redesign using the 4.136 million we have. If and when we raise 3 million more
we can add phases. Most commissioners and LHB probably will promote a one story
building. John Gurban sent commissioners a letter saying he doesn’t want the
building on the west side of the park and wanted it to be reconsidered. Most
commissioners were incensed and reminded him that a 7:1 vote was to be west
side. Later Gurban sent Brad a note indicating that all communications about
the project were to go through him and him only. Brad went down to a meeting at
Keith’s office and saw Mike and others who refused to speak with him about the
project because of Gurban’s gag order. There will be a report March 4 at the
Park Board. One of the commissioners made a motion at a meeting to return all
the funds.
CURA Grants:
One in midtown is to study the different park buildings and resources and use
and programs.
We’ve been told that our plans are competing with the
gym/pool building. That we have duplication of services. EPIC will continue to
ask for funds and submit grants. We wrote a letter in support of public art in
the park.
EPIC supports a redesign that will utilize the full amount
of money raised and it will approximate as closely as possible the design
approved by the neighborhood and park board in May, 2008. This plan must
facilitate and not preclude the addition of the second floor plan as accepted
in 2008. Brad made the motion and Mary seconded it. Passed.
Linda made a motion and Earl seconded:
That the request for public art for the building reflect the
cultural diversity of East Phillips and be intergenerational in nature. Passed
Park Patrol:
Little Earth suggested that we get compatible equipment and we did. One training
has been completed and about 8 people were there.
Annual Meeting:
Will try to find a space for one of the last two Saturday meetings in April.
NRP. It was not Davney that introduced the NRP bill. It was
Karen Clark, Torres Ray, and the neighborhood. Gary misrepresented the history
in his mailings. It was Davney and Dibble who split the bill in half in
committee giving the money to the city to manage and the neighborhoods lost
out. The money we lobbied for at the legislature has essentially been removed
from the program it was designated for. The new money might only be able to be
used in the areas where the taxes are raised. This means it would all go to the
downtown where the tax increment would
be accrued. The city said NRP couldn’t go back to ask the legislature for
clarification, but some NRP people still do intend to go back to this session
to correct what has happened. The money is going to be limited to buying office
supplies, but nothing for housing or organizing or building. We agreed that if
there is no money to manage, there’s only limited reasons for meeting. The only
available big bucks will be competitive and that will make it hard for
neighborhoods like ours.
Meeting adjourned at 8:33 pm
