September 11, 2014, 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
“The world needs dreamers and the world
needs doers,
but most of all the world needs
dreamers who do.”
Board Roster: Jenny
Bjorgo, Rosie Cruz, Mary Gonsior, Jean Howard, Linda Leonard, Ali Micalin, Carol Pass, Cesar
Prado, Earl Simms
Board Members Present: Carol Pass, Rosie Cruz, Mary Gonsior, Linda Leonard, Jenny
Bjorgo, Ali Micalin, Jean Howard, Earl Simms
Board Members Not Present: Cesar Prado,
EPIC Members: Brad Pass, Laura Dale, Kyla Sisson, Will Gilman
EPIC Members: Brad Pass, Laura Dale, Kyla Sisson, Will Gilman
Guests: Don
Greeley,
6:40 Introductions:
6:45 Approval
of Agenda (BP, MG approved.)
Approval
of August 14, 2014 minutes (BP, MG
approved.)
7:00 Announcements:
· Next EPIC
General Membership Meeting – October
9, 2014, 6:30 - 8:45 pm
· Clean
Sweep: Saturday, October 11, 2014. 9 am. Help
clean the whole neighborhood with your neighbors. T-shirts and more. Meet at
Welna Hardware at 9 am for breakfast, and at Noon for lunch at Stewart Park.
· EPIC
Community Garden Harvest Party: for
Gardeners and anyone interested in joining the garden group; in the garden, October 18th at 4:00 pm.,
until the fire goes out.
· Ambassador
Program “safety orientation for volunteers” with Don Greeley: this Saturday, September 13, 2014. 10:30 – 11:30 am., here
at the park.
7:05 Crime and Safety, Don Greeley: 911 Reports: Problem Houses, 25th
St. Barricades,
911 Reports
·
There was a stabbing resulting in a homicide, at Little Earth
around 9:45 pm. last night.
·
Precinct-wide and specifically East Phillips, the crime rate
(focused on violent crime; no. 1 priority; property crimes are no. 2 priority)
is decreasing. Violent crime has decreased from being up 25% at the beginning
of the summer to being up 14% as of last week.
·
Police have applied extra resources over the past few months
and have put extra directed patrols out, particularly to three focus zones
which are based on the crime data received. Lake Street has been a part of
these focus zones all summer. Currently running 3 overtime shifts weekly for 6
hours; 2 officers on bikes between 4 pm and midnight; assigned just to the Phillips
neighborhoods; main focus is to prevent robberies.
·
Non-English crime reporting. Call dispatch and request
interpretation. LL reported that dispatch does not refer to Spanish/other
language dispatcher when informed that the victim does not speak English.
Off-duty Officers
·
Discussed the ins and outs of obtaining services from
off-duty police officers; working with Little Earth and Midtown to coordinate
information. These contracts are individualized. Little Earth contract cannot
be extended into East Phillips.
Problem Properties
·
Don Greeley and others met with owner of 2900 16th
and discussed calling 911. The residents are calling 911 and police are
responding. Told owner he needed to fix the doors and get better locks. Owner
promised to get the doors fixed.
·
26th and 17th (12 gunshots at 5 pm
recently.) Witnesses did not call 911 and by the time Police heard about it, it
was over. Banyan community has information about this.
25th Street Barriers
·
Doug Vanderveen spoke with EPIC at the June meeting and
talked about the barricades on 25th Street, and some residents would
like something more stable, beautiful, more neighborhood “friendly”. After
investigation, we decided we need a point person to work with Doug.
·
Don’t worry about the fire department – they know there is a
barricade, so they don’t go that route.
·
City offered garbage cans; people at EPIC meeting said “no” –
they look like garbage cans.
·
The city doesn’t like them there; they would like to move the
barricades.
·
EPIC has to submit a plan for approval, a permit is required,
an individual must take responsibility,
and address snow plow issues.
·
Most residents expressing opinions think we need the barrier,
but it is time to make it look better.
History: Gary Shiff put up the barrier at the request of the
neighbors on 16th Avenue, and Don Greeley observed the change
personally. There was an immediate drop in drug dealing and prostitution.
SuperAmerica was also attracting a lot of problems; they have gotten a lot
better in what they are doing.
Mary G will work with Doug.
Gas Station on 18th and Lake: Please meet with
Rosie after the meeting.
7:15 Crime Prevention/Public Safety Neighborhood Priority Plan
MOTION:
(JB, BP) Motion passed. 12 For/4 Opposed/ 1 Abstained.
Some members who opposed this plan stated that the process
for this NPP was not diverse enough. One diverse person defended the plan
and stated she wished us to move
on and implement this plan.
3-YEAR
CRIME AND SAFETY ESTIMATED BUDGET (PRIORITY PLAN)
|
||||||
ITEM
|
DESCRIPTION
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
TOTAL
|
|
Garden
Diversion
|
Barrier
on 25th Street*
|
1,500.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
1,500.00
|
|
Police
Bike
|
One
special bicycle
|
1,000.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
1,000.00
|
|
Off-duty
police hours
|
260
hours per year**
|
0.00
|
13,000.00
|
0.00
|
13,000.00
|
|
Brochures/flyers
|
Translation
fees, printing
|
500.00
|
500.00
|
500.00
|
1,500.00
|
|
Block
club materials
|
Office
supplies, etc.
|
500.00
|
500.00
|
500.00
|
1,500.00
|
|
Communications
|
Stipends
for bilingual outreach
|
333.00
|
333.00
|
334.00
|
1,000.00
|
|
Grants
for residents
|
Lighting
for homeowners
|
1,000.00
|
1,000.00
|
1,000.00
|
3,000.00
|
|
Ambassador
program
|
Vests
and materials
|
500.00
|
500.00
|
0.00
|
1,000.00
|
|
Extra
lighting for block clubs
|
Added
street lighting
|
0.00
|
1,000.00
|
1,000.00
|
2,000.00
|
|
Large
camera
|
Location
TBD
|
15,000.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
15,000.00
|
|
Patrol
materials
|
Communication
devices
|
1,000.00
|
500.00
|
500.00
|
2,000.00
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
TBD
|
333.00
|
333.00
|
334.00
|
1,000.00
|
|
3-YEAR
TOTAL FOR CPP-NPP CONTRACT
|
21,666.00
|
17,666.00
|
4,168.00
|
43,500.00
|
||
Ambassador
Program Startup: Packets, Vests, Walkie-Talkies, Volunteers, Meet-Up. Flyer
distributed for Ambassador Program “safety orientation for volunteers” with Don
Greeley: this Saturday, September 13, 2014. 10:30 – 11:30 am., here at the
park.
Report on Steven Square Walkers.
8:00 2909 Bloomington Ave. Letter to Sherman
& Associates.
Jason started managing buildings with Sherman &
Associates in January. Did hear of resident complaints about safety, and
addressed those issues as far as he knows. Held a meeting with residents on
Aug. 27th and discussed safety issues. We are working with the
residents and so here we are.
CP shared that EPIC had a meeting with residents who had some
very serious issues, and since then, had not learned of a meeting that S&A
held with residents, so perhaps better communication is needed. Thanked Jason
for work being done. There are some issues that were not mentioned today,
including the vestibule, and an open play area for children. Parents are
fearful for the safety of their children. Could S&A consider some AstroTurf
that doesn’t wear and tear like grass and sod. Can there be a physical barrier
so children can’t run into the alley.
AM reported that a large part of the problem is the cars
speeding down the alley, and a speed bump would be helpful. Sometimes cars are
driving 30 mph down the alley.
JM reported that speed bumps could be a crime/safety issue as
it needs neighbor’s approval. Other blocks might also be interested and EPIC
might include funds in the crime/safety budget.
Jason: Would need help with speed bumps, esp. regarding snow
removal. Vestibule has a dual door entrance with telephone entrance/key
card/metal key; discussed moving the telephone to the outside door. This would
be a large expense for S&A, inconvenience for residents to wait to be
admitted. Jason reported that there is an architect team and plan for the area,
including a 4 foot fence, but doesn’t span the complete length of the area. The
area is not meant to be a “park” although there is a playset there. A soccer
field would not be appropriate. Right now, kids are playing there, unsupervised
and going in and out. The problem is a joint problem of the building and
parents.
8:20 Clean sweep – Jana Metge.
Clean sweep is a four-neighborhood event and partners among
leading organizations located in the four neighborhoods of Phillips. Saturday, October
11, 2014. 9 am. Help clean the whole neighborhood with your neighbors. Once a
year opportunity to unload tires, household construction materials, old
furniture, electronics or Lutheran Social Services, and more. Meet your
neighbors, Eat and have fun, receive T-shirts and more. Meet at Welna Hardware
at 9 am for breakfast, and at Noon for lunch at Stewart Park.
8:25 Fall Harvest Party.
The garden that was purchased and supported by EPIC holds an
annual harvest party the third Saturday of October. Gardeners and anyone
interested is welcome. in joining the garden group; in the garden, October
18th at 4:00 pm., until the fire goes out.
8:30 Bridging the Digital Divide.
CP and BP have been attending HUB meetings (every other
month); one item that has come out of desire to provide computer access is
updated and upgraded computers here at the park. Looking for mentors who can
monitor the labs and help people learn. Would like to start programs in that
direction and are looking for ideas. Some funds are available to pay youth to
serve as mentors.
·
CP: EPIC might consider a “community mini-conference” to
learn about bringing computer literacy to the many East Phillips residents not
online.
·
LL: Ambassadors might carry this information around with
them.
·
Are there others in the neighborhood who can do this? (Waite
House, for example.)
o Abdi would like to take
a leadership role.
o Will Gilman is also
willing to take a leadership role.
8:30 Focus groups for the next neighborhood
priority plan.
How to reach diverse groups in our neighborhood: ethnicity,
language, ability, block, business, renters, homeowners, employees, seniors,
youth, issues (ie., spending funds on food, entertainment), etc.
Residents are invited to indicate their interest in helping
to identify and/or host focus groups in the area.
8:45 Adjourn
