Board Meeting Minutes 01-04

January 4th 2014, Saturday, 10:00 am

East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center

EPIC web address: http://www.eastphillips-epic.com/index.html

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

“The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers,

but most of all the world needs dreamers who do.”

Present board members: Carol Pass, Mary Gonsior, Linda Leonard, Earl Simms, Sherdl Kordian, Rosie Cruz

Absent board members: Aisha Gomez, Ali Macalin, Jenny Bjorgo

Members: Brad Pass

Guests: Jana Metge

MOTION: Meet as a committee of the whole.

10:00             Introduction:

·      Approval of Agenda –

·      There was no December Board Meeting 

·      Approved minutes from November Board Meeting.

10:10    Announcements: 

·      None

Discussion re: Board Members

Aisha Gomez has accepted a position with Alondra Cano and is considering resigning from the board.

We need to replace Aisha. A discussion proceeded concerning emails and threats of grievances coming from outside the neighborhood.

QUORUM ESTABLISHED 10:10 AM.

           

Motion: Approve previous motions.

EPIC’s response to threats of Grievance filings and negative emails –

Before any board members arrived, Kevin and Hannah Lieder presented five grievances to Brad Pass who was setting up refreshments in the meeting room. The time was 9:55 am. They left before the meeting started and  did not submit them to the Board or 4Board Chair.

Approximately 10:20 pm, James Cook and Peggy Clark entered boisterously into the board meeting, and without waiting to be recognized, began distributing papers. Without introducing themselves, James began speaking, asking if Peggy Clark was here. Peggy Clark turned to James and said, “I am Peggy Clark.” Then James asked for Carol Pass. Before coming in, James handed his personal recording device to an underage park board employee and instructed him to record what was about to happen. James went on to speak loudly at the board and members present. Earl Simms intervened and James responded, “Hey Brother, I have nothing against you, this is against Carol Pass and Bob Albee.”

5 grievance forms from Hannah and Kevin Lieder handed to Brad Pass before the meeting

4 grievance forms from Peggy Clark (non-member)

1 grievance form from James Cook (non-member)

The young man holding James Cook’s cell phone camera was very upset by what he had been compelled to participate in. He had not been informed about what he was told to do and had friends among the group.

James Cook and Peggy Clark continued to disrupt the meeting. The Vice Chair who was chairing the meeting ordered the meeting closed and told all non-members to leave. Brad Pass, Jana Metge, James Cook and Peggy Clark abruptly left and the board had a discussion about what had happened as well as previously a received demand for information regarding EPIC’s association with Bob Albee.

The rest of the meeting’s discussion and motions has been removed from the copy and is considered non-public confidential information.

12:10 PM             Adjourn

Board Meeting Minutes 11-02

November 2nd, 2013, Saturday, 10:00 am

East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center

EPIC web address: http://www.eastphillips-epic.com/index.html

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

“The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers,

but most of all the world needs dreamers who do.”

Present board members: Carol Pass, Mary Gonsior, Aisha Gomez, Jenny Bjorgo, Linda Leonard, Earl Simms,

Absent board members: Rosie Cruz, Sherdl Kordian, Ali Micalin

Members: Brad Pass,

10:10             Introduction:

·      Approval of Agenda – approved.

·      Approval of August 3rd Board Meeting Minutes

·      Approval of GMM Motions:

o   “pollution” passed

o   “walking groups” passed

o   “translation stipend” passed

§  Edit formatting of the minutes so that there are two paragraphs (one for each motion).

10:20    Announcements: 

·      ELECTION, VOTE on November 5th, next Tuesday

·      EPIC Membership Meeting, Thursday, November 14th

·      American Swedish Institute The “Jul Shop” is Now Open!

SHOP HOURS

TUE. 10 A.M.-5 P.M. WED. 10 A.M.-8 P.M. THU. 10 A.M.-5 P.M. FRI. 10 A.M.-5 P.M. SAT. 10 A.M.-5 P.M. SUN. NOON-5 P.M. Closed Mondays.

·      Alley Newspaper Annual Gathering, Friday, Nov. 15th, 6:00-8:30, St. Paul’s Assembly Hall ,2742 15th Ave.

·      Clean Sweep Report, Jana Metge

o   6 trucks

o   24,340 pounds of trash

o   300 pounds of recycling

o   Almost 700 volunteers this year

o   Next year

§  we will try to have a recycling truck

§  Set some reach out goals for next year

§  Look for zero waste of food

§  Radio PSA’s

·      Community Garden Harvest Party Report from Saturday, October 19th

·      Basketball sign-up at the Park

10:25   Requirements for Additional Spending -

The Chair discussed the future: Creation of Priority Plan – we are supposed to create a plan every year from now on. A community engagement process to determine the needs and desires of the neighborhood people. We are currently working off our Phase II plan and were told by NCR staff, Robert Thompson and Jack Whitehurst…our neighborhood specialist that this was appropriate.  We need to have some parties, or focus groups to find out what people’s priorities are.

Reason: This huge community engagement process was just finished right before 2012. But now, at this point, we need to re-engage the community again to determine what has changed and what has not. We need to have some parties, or focus groups to find out what people’s priorities are. We also need some leadership from various constituent groups to accomplish this. We have both 2012 and 2013 CPP grants and can accomplish lot with this. A critical piece while we have this funding is to find an office for EPIC.

Community Engagement Process – Suggestions? Parties?

·      Branding

o   Make sure residents of EPIC recognize the name.

§  Street banners/signs

o   Some kind of paper: bi-fold, postcard, other?

§  Translations

§  Marketing consultant (pro bono)

·      Reaching community to determine priorities

o   Hold several events annually with the focus of finding out neighborhood priorities.

§  Annual meeting

§  National Night out

o   Surveys for new people at monthly meetings

o   Focus groups: sometimes  the only way to reach these residents

§  Ethnic communities

§  Elders

§  Families

§  Single adults

§  Businesses

10:55            Report from Aisha on Air Quality Study-

City of Minneapolis Air Quality Study. This is an expansion of past study of existing data to map air quality in Minneapolis. Now they are doing actual testing. We are looking for folks to participate in the study by hosting a collection canister.

11:10             Phillips Community Center. Loss of Running Wolf Fitness Center and help for Pool Fundraising.

·      Collaboration of the Neighborhoods Plan

·      Creation of independent 501©(3) with Board Chair

·      Fund the first year rent – Amount?

MOTION: EPIC supports creating a multi-neighborhood collaborative to create a 501(c)(3) Organization with a multi-neighborhood board, to own and operate a new Fitness Center in PCC. JB, AG passed.

11:45            Homeownership in Phillips:  Foreclosures and Vacant Lots, New Construction: Prepare for a plan. Block Clubs and/or individuals locate vacant lots. (Henn. Cty. Prop. Info.)           

Discussion: Possible partnership with PRG to fill vacant lots with new construction homes and/or to rehab. It seems that for an EPIC investment of $15,000, we may be able to leverage a new, infill house. CP suggested that we all look at possible empty lots for infill house sites. Consult Greater Metro Housing Corp, Hennepin County, PRG, TC Community Land Bank, Inventorying Properties, Seeking new HomeOwners.

·      Issues with rehab loans: We need to be more aggressive in marketing EPIC’s home loans to our neighbors . Problems for people filling them out. CEE lost some staff and replacements are ….EPIC moved the income cap from 80% to 100% of HUD medial income guidelines. This should help move these loans. Maybe we need a party for this?

·      2931 Bloomington Ave. issue. See plan. Ideas?

·      Need for another $200,000 for Greenway Heights.

11:55  Coordinated outreach to ethnic groups w/ Ventura Village: Share translation equipment for Latino and Somalis for streaming interpreting. We have previous motions for this…Reach out to Somali elders & handicapped in apartments north of the park for park uses. 2909 Bloomington multiple needs. Outreach more specific to Spanish speakers. EPIC buy a van??

12:00            Crime Issues on Lake: Powderhorn’s limited involvement. Businesses without their own meeting and coordination. Suggestions? We need to pull in Powderhorn, Central, Corcoran to work together to solve these problems.

12:05             Adjourn

Board Meeting Minutes 09-07

September 7th, 2013, Saturday, 10:00 am

East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center

EPIC web address: http://www.eastphillips-epic.com/index.html

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

“The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers,

but most of all the world needs dreamers who do.”

Present board members: Carol Pass. Mary Gonsior, Linda Leonard, Aisha Gomez, Rosie Cruz, Ali Micali, Earl Simms

Absent board members: Jennie Bjorgo, Sherdl Kordian

Members: Brad Pass,

10:00             Introduction:

·       Approval of Agenda – Passed

·       Approval of August 3rd Board Meeting Minutes passed

10:10    Announcements: 

·       EPIC Membership Meeting: Thursday, September 12, 6:30 pm, the East Phillips Park Center

·       Today is the Monarch Festival, 10am to 4pm, East Lake Nokomis Ave. & 50th St.

·       Bridging Festival- Sunday,Sept. 8, 1pm -Whittier side of 24th St Ped. Bridge over 35W.

·       Peavey Park Celebration, Saturday, Sept. 14th, 12am – Sunday Sept. 15th 12 am

·       9th Annual Native American Day, Saturday, 12 am Sept. 28th-12 am  Sun, 29th MIDTOWN FARMERS MARKET

·       EPIC Harvest Party …October 19^th at 5 pm in the Garden.

·       Clean Sweep- October 12^th, first meeting yesterday; this is about our 15^th year; give away 400 t-shirts each year (kids design); this is a great community event

·       EPIC funded East Phillips Programs: EPIC Park Youth Soccer, A Partnership of Diabetics, A-POD Collaborative

·       Roofs – Insurance pay outs are benefitting the neighborhood. Tell your friends to contact EPIC for details.

·       Crime Report- Lights and Cameras in the Alley behind the Cedar Store.

10:15             Requests for Program Funding:

Somali American Community Organization: funding for Back-to-School Backpacks, Reimbursement receipts required and addresses. Budget to be presented at GMM.

10:25             LITTLE EARTH Request for Support from EPIC:  for Little Earth Apartment Building Rehab

10:35            Homeownership Crisis in Phillips:  Foreclosures and Vacant Lots, Completion of the Village in Phillips and others with PRG. Possible Contract

·       Other lots and opportunities. Actions taken, Greater Metro Housing Corp, Hennepin County, PRG, TC Community Land Bank, Inventorying Properties, Seeking new HomeOwners.

·       Progress on rehab loans: EPIC moved the income cap from 80% to 100% of HUD medial income guidelines. This should help move these loans. Maybe we need a party for this?

Notes:

Remove “for up to five houses” from paragraph 3.

Questions for PRG:

1. How would houses be selected? For which blocks?

2. Is there any cap on the total cost?

3. What category of housing does this apply to? Can “John Doe” get his house rehabbed under this program? Or, does this apply to only foreclosed, or tax-forfeited housing? Where is this explained in the funding documents?

10:50            Blueprint for Equity Report:   

District 7, Corcoran, Powderhorn, Central, Bancroft and four Phillips neighborhoods.

Based on the motion that was passed by EPIC (see below), EPIC should think about and have a conversation (among board members, and some others) how we understand equity and what we are doing to achieve it among all the groups in our neighborhood: political, religious, gender, age, sexual orientation, geographic, economic, and ethnic. We should write a policy or have policies regarding these issues.

NOTE: MOTION: (CP, AG) EPIC will join with the other District 7 neighborhoods to respond to the BluePrint for Equity from NCR, and will question the outlined process and seek to honor the Core Principles of Community Engagement , in particular items 4 and 5. Our concern is that the initial design of the process was not done in consultation with the neighborhoods, and the intake of information, and ultimate goals for this process are not transparent, were not initiated by the neighborhoods, and appear to violate the Core Principles of Community Engagement. (Passed.)

Health Insurance – MN Care new program

Minnesota is setting up its own outreach program, called MNsure. EPIC should facilitate education, outreach and enrollment for residents to access new health care program. There are funds available for training, and SH may write a grant.

11:15             Adjourn