EPIC Community Meeting Minutes 08-11

August 11th, 2016, 6:30 p.m. – 8:50 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

Phone: (612) -280-8418

Board Roster: Jenny Bjorgo, Rosie Cruz, Laura Dale, Shawna Dillon, Mary Gonsior, Kristin Hanks, Linda Leonard, Margarita Ortega, Carol Pass.

Board Members Present: Rosie Cruz, Laura Dale, Mary Gonsior, Linda Leonard, Carol Pass.

Board Members Not Present: Jenny Bjorgo (E), Shawna Dillon, Kristin Hanks, Margarita Ortega.

Members: Craig Seifert, Brad Pass, Michael Green
Guests: Shirley Heyer, Alondra Cano

MOTION: Meet as a committee of the whole. Approved.

6:49     Introductions:

·      Greetings and Introductions:

·      Quorum achieved: 6:51 pm.

·      Approval of Agenda: CS, BP Passed.

·      Approval of Minutes from July 7th, 2016. LL, MG Passed.

6:45     Announcements:

·      Next EPIC Board Meeting will be Sept. 10th, Saturday at the Park 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.

• Next EPIC Community meeting will be Sept. 15th, Thursday at the Park 6:30 to 8:45 pm.
• Neighborhood Network invitation to participate. Next Door is a private social network for you and your community. Talk to your neighbors online.
• Banyon’s open house – everyone is invited to their open house and ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday at 4 pm…26^th Street and 13^th Avenue.
• MOTION: EPIC will send a gift and card ($50 max.) LL, MG, Approved.
• House for sale. Harvey Winge called to say his house is for sale. Location 2621 Bloomington Ave S. 6-bedroom, single family home. Contact Jeff Piper, REMAX.
• Annual report approved – will be posted on website and Facebook posts.

7:10     Red Lake Band Development- MOTION of Support

A new development in Seward neighborhood (Former Amble’s Site: Mino-bimaadizawin (Red Lakes Band) Development – new “embassy” will replace the current embassy on Lake and Bloomington. This may provide a development opportunity for EPIC on the two city-owned properties on Bloomington (2900 block).

Concerns: New development in Seward may create traffic congestion, impact on the park, affordability.

Send a welcome letter and invite conversation to talk about the neighborhood, and partnering to provide mutual benefits. Also invite the county to work on improving the Franklin/Cedar intersection. (Consensus.)

7:30     Traffic Changes on Franklin/Cedar/ Minnehaha Aves

Plans for changes to the Cedar Franklin Minnehaha intersections were discussed and a satellite map was distributed showing the proposed changes. Concerns: semis and large trucks congesting roads, too many stoplights on Cedar (5 between Franklin and 24^th St. There was a serious lack of consultation of EPIC’s needs for these roads by both the County and Seward Redesign, prior to decision making. We are apprehensive that this will make the traffic situation much worse, rather than an improvement.

Seward and Ventura Village were invited to public hearings on this change, but East Phillips was not included even though the EPPCCC park is located in the notification area. This plan was driven by bicyclists; all businesses were opposed to the plan, even though the Seward part of the affected area is “industrial”.  Trucks being re-routed are being routed through residential areas.

EPIC will invite Robert Byers and Peter McLaughlin to present this plan to the community at the next GMM, if possible. Invite residents and businesses from Seward and Ventura Village to attend also. Also invite city staff to be present for comments.

Does Minneapolis lack up-to-date software to run traffic flows. (Reference MPR story today.)

7:55     MNDOT Meeting Report

EPIC, Karen Clark and Alondra Cano presented our concerns, motions and diagram for Hwy 55, Hiawatha, traffic pattern, and access to Roof Depot Site to MNDOT. We had an opportunity to express the negative impact of the Public Works being located here, and the disaster that would result if traffic issues were not addressed at the outset, resulting in additional negative impacts on EPIC residents. Our presentation was well received, and MNDOT appeared interested in EPIC’s concerns. It seemed that MNDOT was really listening.

EPIC will continue looking for acceptable options and bringing attention to this issue.

8:11     Procedure for preparing minutes.

Mary G read the new, formalized procedure for EPIC’s process for preparing minutes.

Michael G. expressed concern regarding the “google” site that appears to contain a copy of the minutes, and that sometimes it seems the minutes are changed. Michael G. also would like to see edits to the minutes recorded at the meeting and that are edited by the board members prior to being published as draft minutes. Mary G. expressed that was a layer of detail that wasn’t needed; CP expressed that there should be no changes in the minutes from what is approved, and asked for examples. Stated that the minutes are posted to the website, which is accessible from the eastphillips-epic.com address. Mary G and MO asked Michael G. to send the “google” links to minutes that he is aware of.

8:20     Alondra Cano report

Distributed Ninth Ward Update (crime/police accountability; transportation).

Having a celebration of the 3^rd Precinct to thank them for all their hard work and commitment to good policing in the neighborhood. Neighborhoods have agreed to co-host, inviting people to attend, etc. Will be held at Plaza Centenario (12^th Ave & Lake St.)

Funding for the Orange Line is connected to the funding for the Lake Street Station…located at Lake St. and 35W. This Orange Line is important to Minneapolis in providing access to 200,000 jobs for people in our communities. Press conference on Monday at 11 am (bottom of the stairs at the Lake Street Station.)

Actions you can take:

Email decision makers; Attend the CTIB meeting Wednesday, August 17, 8:30 am; Ramsey County Plato Boulevard Building; use #SaveOrangeLine.

8:30     3^rd  Camera  Proposed for Cedar Field and Camera Contract.

MO and CP received a demonstration of high definition camera specifications and estimated cost of $7,000 to $10,000 per camera.

MOTION: EPIC will look for additional moneys in our uncontracted funding and will commit to the first two cameras, and consider a third camera at a cost of $7-10,000 per camera. CP, LD. Approved with one abstention (Michael G).

8:40    Progress on Speed Bumps

All the money for all the speed bumps has been raised; the contract is being written. Funds came from a combination of East Phillips and individual donors. We have all the required signatures.

The 2500 block of 18^th Avenue has now qualified for speed bumps. LL will print the petition and start gathering signatures.

Note: two board members own property on this block:

·      Linda Leonard owns property on this block.

o   (2) daughters own property on this block.

·      Carol Pass owns property on this block.

o   (1) son owns property on this block.

MO will talk to the Park Board about the Cedar Field park on the 2500 block and see if EPIC can get a contribution toward speed bumps on this block. There has to be a way to fund this in addition to EPIC funds.

8:55    Update on Radio Station: Mohamed Cali

Speaker not present.

8:55    Adjourn

EPIC Board Meeting Minutes 08 - 06

August 6th, 10:00 am -12:00

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

EPIC web address: eastphillips-epic.com

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

Phone: (612) 280-8418

Board Roster: Jenny Bjorgo, Rosie Cruz, Laura Dale, Shawna Dillon, Mary Gonsior, Kristin Hanks, Linda Leonard, Margarita Ortega, Carol Pass.

Board Members Present: Jenny Bjorgo, Mary Gonsior, Kristin Hanks, Linda Leonard, Carol Pass.

Board Members Not Present: Rosie Cruz (E), Laura Dale (E), Shawna Dillon, Margarita Ortega(E).

EPIC Members: Brad Pass, Khadga B. Poudel, Michael Green dropped off a request but did not stay for the meeting.

Guests: Shirley Heyer

10:20   MOTION: Meet as a committee of the whole. Passed.

Quorum Achieved 10:25

Introductions:

·       Greetings and Introductions.

·       Approval of Agenda: Approved.

·       Approval of Minutes from July 2nd, 2016, (Not available; CP will distribute via email.)

10:33   Announcements:

• Next EPIC Membership Meeting, August 11th, East Phillips Park, Thursday 6:30 pm.

• Next EPIC Board meeting, Sept. 10th, East Phillips Park, Saturday, 10:00 am.

10:35      Update on Speed Bumps and Cameras – letter to Property owners

Speed Bumps: CP sent letters out to all property owners on 16^th Avenue who are “absentee landlords”. We only need one or two more people. Alondra may be able to assist us if we don’t obtain these last couple of signatures. LL called 311 about a month ago requesting that a study be done on 18^th Avenue between 25^th and 26^th Streets. LL has heard and seen nothing in response to this request. CP will add this to her agenda with Shane Norton. EPIC asked Shane to look at the problem on Cedar and 28^th, and he said he needs a letter from the community.

MOTION: EPIC will propose to the City of Minneapolis that a left-turn arrow be added to the westbound 28^th Street Signal at Cedar Avenue. LL,  JB, Approved

Cameras: CP and MO met yesterday to review locations for the cameras. Issues: we have to place it on a poswt that has electricity; it is easier to use a “city-owned” post vs. Excel Energy owned post. Strongly feel 2 cameras are needed at 18^th Ave location. The park board needs to do some tree trimming. We need to address potential strong objection from some. We reviewed the sample lease agreement from Ventura Village; EPIC will investigate insurance costs for camera replacement if damaged, liability, etc. Terry Honkomb of police department gave a demonstration of the cameras. If the community approves a 2^nd camera at the park (3^rd camera total), we can simply amend an existing lease agreement for the additional camera.

MOTION: EPIC board defined and approved  Lease agreement template with the City of Minneapolis, acting through its Police Department, to lease up to 6 powered cameras. KH, LL, Approved.

Note: implement changes to sample agreement (Ventura Village Lease Agreement – Mobile Camera System), in the following sections: (1) Parties (EPIC, Equipment), (2) Term (dates), (3) Rent (LESSOR’s office), (4) Usage (locations).

10:53    Discussion and Motion for EPIC 2015 Annual Report

MOTION: EPIC board members unanimously approved the EPIC Annual CPP Report and expressed gratitude to Carol Pass for her detailed and excellent annual report. MG, LL

As the board knows, Carol and her family have suffered multiple illnesses, property damage, injuries and more this summer, and in spite of many challenges, the annual report is thorough, and accurate; it is an evaluation providing both the positives and negatives of EPIC’s performance, and EPIC’s evaluation of NCEC’s performance in supporting neighborhood efforts to improved lives and our community.

It is unfortunate that the City is unwilling to publish EPIC’s feedback on how the City of Minneapolis and NCEC might improve their operations and support for community organizations; EPIC should find a way to publish this report for the community. Suggestions: Post EPIC’s evaluation of City Services and Interactions section of annual report on EPIC’s Facebook page (each area could be a separate weekly post, with introduction to why EPIC is posting). Board members and EPIC members should “share” posts on their own Facebook page, thus spreading the evaluation with neighbors, and Minneapolis residents in general.

11:23      Presenting EPIC’s Concerns and Motion for Hwy 55, Hiawatha, traffic pattern, access to Roof Depot Site, to MNDOT

EPIC presented our motion and diagram to MNDOT. We had an opportunity to express the negative impact of the Public Works being located here, and the disaster that would result if traffic issues were not addressed at the outset, resulting in additional negative impacts on EPIC residents. Our presentation was well received, and MNDOT appeared interested in EPIC’s concerns. It seemed that MNDOT was really listening.

11:32     New Developments and More New Traffic Issues

A new development in Seward neighborhood (Former Amble’s Site: Mino-bimaadizawin (Red Lakes Band) Development – new “embassy” will replace the current embassy on Lake and Bloomington. This may provide a development opportunity for EPIC on the two city-owned properties on Bloomington (2900 block).

Concerns: New development in Seward may create traffic congestion

11:55   Agenda for GMM

Michael’s request for agenda items: two of three are requests for information that is available on EPIC’s website. These requests are not appropriate additions to the GMM agenda, rather are requests for summaries of available information (minutes posted from past meetings). MG will respond to these questions by email. EPIC will summarize process for EPIC Meeting Minutes in GMM agenda for August 9, 2016.

·       3^rd Camera (2^nd at Park location)

·       Midtown Greenway – bridges & streetcar (15 min. as early as possible.)

·       Annual report approved – on website and facebook posts

·       Contract for cameras

·       MNDOT meeting report

·       Red Lake Band development

12:10    Adjourn