Board Meeitng Minutes 09 - 04

September 4th, 2010, 10:00 am

Welna Hardware

 Present: Carol Pass, Mary Gonsior, Earl Simms, Jenny Bjorgo, Tim Chancey, Linda Leonard, Rosie Cruz

Called to Order: 10:30 am

10:00             Introduction:

·         Approval of Agenda (JB, TC) passed

10:10    Announcements

·      EPIC General Membership Meeting, September 13th

·      NCEC Informational Meetings- Thursday, September 9th, 6-8 pm, Van Cleve Park

                                     Thursday, September 30, 6-8 pm North Commons Park

·      Clean Sweep – Saturday, October 9th

·      Garden Harvest Party – Probable Date, Saturday, October 16th

·      Garden Harvest Party – Probable Date, Saturday, October 16th

10:15    East Phillips Park Center: Update, Floor Colors, Kitchen Money,  Rain Gardens, final excavation. We              hope there is no problem with additional pollution.

Still on track for building completion this year. January to be Open-House, February begin programming. The big things left: excavating for the three rain gardens and the parking lot. Encouraging Park Board to get into the grant writing procedure for next year in case we find pollution and have to postpone these items. The fields have $200,000 for renovation which is not enough. Will only remove the asphalt trail. Park Board is renegotiating cost of hauling pollution away - we are very close to buying the kitchen components, and we still need about $15,000; less than before; we are getting closer. Several current partners are involved with healthy food and nutrition. Still need to find a floor color that doesn't clash the awning.

10:30   Phillips Community Center: New Floor Plan, Issues with the RFP and PUC/Waite House, A waiting game

Directors read Bob Albee's report on the Phillips Community Parks Initiative August 2010, and reviewed updated floor plans. Parties interested in PCC met again on Aug. 31, and learned that Pillsbury United - Waite House didn't need all the space they were requesting. This led to a determination and decision that it wasn't in the interest of the community to allow one tenant to sublease; and instead reinforced commitment to work together as partners to implement a PCC that serves all the community. Cecil Smith (VV), Brad and Francisco (WH) met to figure out what is the bottom line for PUC/WH. Based on the concern that PUC/WH might go off on their own and ask for all the space at PCC, VV plans a meeting

MOTION: (JB, TC) Passed

Whereas the idea behind the coalition of four neighborhoods and PUC/WH and Wellness Center is to present a very strong, united front to the Park Board so that we can actually control the PCC building, and whereas it has recently become questioned whether PUC/WH is still on board, therefore EPIC joins the neighborhoods in preparing to write letters withdrawing support for PUC/WH, but only if PUC/WH withdraws from the unified coalition.

10:45   2600-2606 17^th Ave. PROPOSAL FOR APARTMENT of 20 UNITS of  HOMELESS HOUSING by Alliance             of the Streets. Drug activity there. Met Council grant? Gary Schiff’s position? MOTiON: letter to Met.             Council

EPIC will write a letter to Met Council objecting to this proposal. We are supposed to have a tour of Alliance's buildings. Tim, Linda and Carol will coordinate on a tour.

11:00   NCEC Guidelines: MOTION: Number of Housing Units Irrelevant in deciding money dispersal

Distributed guidelines (also sent by email.)

MOTION: (CP, JB) Passed

EPIC opposes use of numbers of housing unit for funding allocations by NCEC Guidelines.

11: 15   Board Member Duties- Responsibilities:  Hannah’s resignation           

MOTION: (LL, The motion failed for lack of a second.)

EPIC will not accept Hannah's resignation from the board, but remove her from the office of Secretary.

MOTION: (JB, RC) Passed with one opposed

EPIC will accept Hannah's resignation and will seek a replacement board director.

FINANCES

Clean Sweep – Saturday, October 9th

MOTION: (JB, ES) Passed

EPIC will provide $300 toward purchasing T-shirts for Clean Sweep.

FANS - Teen Development

Students participating in their program receive $1,000 grants to attend college. Four components of program address known factors affecting college attendance (pregnancy, jobs, etc.) Depending on finances, they will admit student from 8th grade through 11th grade. Ideal length of program is four years.

Motion: (MG, TC) Passed

EPIC will provide $1,000 in 2010 for the FANS program.

Minutes from EPIC Board Meeting 8/7/2010

(JB, TC) Passed

Board Duties and Responsibilities

Reviewed Bylaws page 9, Duty of Loyalty.

11: 30    Adjournment

General Membership Meeting Minutes 08 - 09

August 9th, Monday – 6:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.,

Holy Rosary Church Board Room was locked up

Meeting moved to 2536 18th Ave S because church locks were changed

6:30    Introduction:

·       Greetings and Introductions  Tim Chancy; Mary Gonsiour, Cary Ann Johnson, Linda leonard, Carol Pass, Margaret Kirkpatrick, Jenny Bjorgo Brad Pass, Muhammed Cali, Rosie Cruz , Earl Simms. Guest Joe Spangler; quorum is present with TC, MG, LL, CP, JB, RC; MC,  ES

·       Approval of Agenda; JB and TC moved to approve the agenda. Approved

·       Approval of Minutes from EPIC General Membership Meeting, June 14th

·       Minutes were approved as submitted.  we asked for an update on motions.

·       Linda and Carol both spoke with the mayor and the chief at a meeting at Stewart park about extended hours and youth curfew. We could all do more to encourage officials to take action to prevent youth crime.

·       Money was moved from the defense fund to pay Paula M

·        

NEW BUSINESS brought up by Cary Ann.

Motion: Margaret made a motion seconded by Jenny to send photos, description of the event involving children and a swat team along with the neighborhood's request to investigate and report back. Passed

Cary Ann was the witness. Rosie:there is collective action that people might join with.

Motion:Margaret and Jenny made a motion for the board to consider a policy and procedures about EPIC referring police and citizen conflicts to the appropriate authorities. Passed

Motion:Cary Ann and Margaret moved that copies of our motions and work for sure go to the City Council and Mayor.  Motion Passed.

6:40    Announcements

·           Next EPIC Meeting, Monday, September 13th

·  2600 17th Ave. Alliance Project,   Community Development Committee Agenda

            A Standing Committee of the City Council, Regular Meeting,  August 11, 2010, rescheduled             from 8/10/2010)             1:00 p.m. - Room 317 City Hall

·      Parade of gardens: East Phillips showcases our garden, August 21^st, Saturday, 10:00 am

·      Clean Sweep, October 9th, Saturday start planning to clean you block

7:00   East Phillips Park Center: Update

          kitchen still not funded, nor rain garden

         NRP Dollars – Toward the building?? EPIC is getting another $50,000 in Phase 2 NRP. Spend it for the kitchen.?? Motion: For review and future vote, To use up to $75,000.00 NRP money for kitchen, when we receive Phase 2. And          inquire about access to this now. Motion by MC and JB to use the $75 for the kitchen. 

         Discussion: Carol is concerned about the lengthy two month process to get these funds and to see if we can          access it. It may barely cover the fire suppression and air exchange let alone the stove.

         Motion JB, MC Passed

The kitchen is plumbed and wired for  appliances and commercial use and we've received a commercial refrigerator and microwave. The range hood and stove are still needed. We've been asked to consider a kiln and there is a special place with wiring for one.  The kiln must be accepted for the donor to give the fridge and micro. Music recording equipment also may be donated.

The Plan: 21 organizations signed up to provide programming.  Park board doesn't have money to put in programming.  Of 21 partners, 14 or 15 submitted to park staff, MPRB will show what they are anticipating for programming to create scheduling,

7:20    Phillips Community Center: Update, Brad. A waiting game. Effort to save and restore the pool, Waite House &                Neighborhood Proposals. Discussion

Motion: EPIC reasserts we join the other Neighborhoods in their efforts to save/restore the pool in its entirety and to support the unified neighborhood proposal for the PCC first agreed to at previous meetings of EPIC. Passed

Discussion:  Waite House has not let us see their proposal. The Phillips Community Parks Initiative proposal has been sent to the whole neighborhood. We have stayed with our initial agreement to unite together with the other neighborhoods and partner organizations to try to keep access for all the people in Phillips. The unity we had hoped for and tried to achieve with the proposal  did not happen very well. West Phillips and several organizations did not stay on board, so things got fragmented.  EPIC has opposed control by one big organization.  Waite House wants a single Master Lease, which places the whole building under their control. There is no pool in south central Mpls. LL, MC, Passed unanimously.

                

7:35     2600-2606 17^th Ave. PROPOSAL FOR APARTMENT of 20 UINTS of HOMELESS HOUSING by Alliance Housing.    

EPIC voted overwhelmingly at a very large meeting to oppose this project. The question is: Do residents have any say in what happens in our own neighborhood??

Motion: The EPIC board will work to develop a maximum of 2 one or two family buildings at this location, and request            

            that Alliance Housing Inc. pursue this goal to house families at 30% or less of area medium Income.

            The EPIC Membership does not oppose homeless housing on the corridors where it is zoned for this, but actively             opposes any Alliance Housing Inc. for 19 transient monthly efficiency units at the 2600 17th Ave. location. CJ, JB,             Passed unanimously.

Motion: EPIC supports neighborhood stabilization program NSP funding for city approved both non-profit and for-profit groups seeking to restore foreclosed properties and more help from the City with our foreclosures. MC,JB, Passed unanimous.

Rep. Karen Clark arrived, Yeah!!

8:00   Pollution Issues return: The MPCA has been requested to do the Cumulative Impact Study required by the Clark/Berglin Law. The Met. Council is apparently suing to be allowed to put their paint spraying facility in the half-mile radius disallowed in the law. EPIC has a fear that, if the study is completed, the law will cease to stop additional polluting facilities from coming into the Phillips neighborhood.

Motion: The EPIC Board will request that Representative Clark and Senator Berglund to amend their law to state that if the existing cumulative level of pollution plus the new additional pollution of a new facility will raise a pollutant to a toxic level, the facility cannot be permitted. This includes additional micro-particles of 2.5 and smaller.

all in favor no oppose no obstaining  CJ, TC. Passed unanimously.

8:50            Meeting adjourned.

Board Meeting Minutes 08 - 07

August 7th, 2010, 10:00 am

Welna Hardware

Attendance:

Linda Leonard, Rosie Cruz, Earl Simms, Jennie Bjorgo, Mohamed Cali, Carol Pass, Tim Chancey

10:00             Introduction:

·          Approval of Agenda, Approved

·      Minutes from EPIC Board Meeting 7/3/2010,  Approved

10:10    Announcements

·      EPIC General Membership Meeting, July 12^th

·      Parade of gardens: East Phillips showcases our garden, August 21^st, Saturday, 10:00 am

10:15    East Phillips Park Center: Update, Brad Pass discussed current progress, cited the grants received for the asbestos pollution issue. Brad wrote County grant for $261,000, Carol Pass /Rep. Clark worked on State grant for $300,000. Both were received. Commercial kitchen is still partially unfunded. We received donations of a commercial Refrigerator and Microwave. Also received donation of a pottery kiln.

10:30   Phillips Community Center: Issues with the RFP and Waite House, A waiting game. EPIC co-submitted with our partners in the Phillips Community Parks Initiative: Ventura Village, Midtown Phillips and the Wellness collaborative, which includes several area clinics and other health related organizations. West Phillips opted out of this group project. Freeport West opted in, but submitted a proposal of their own anyway. Mpls. Swims submitted their own proposal but is also included in the larger neighborhood proposal. Our effort at unity did not fare well and this could have a major impact on how our proposal is received.

10:30   2600-2606 17^th Ave. PROPOSAL FOR APARTMENT of 20 UNITS of  HOMELESS HOUSING by Alliance of the Streets. (See attachment.) What now?? There will be a meeting on their funding next week. EPIC voted overwhelmingly at a very large meeting to oppose this project. The question is: Do residents have any say in what happens in our own neighborhood??

The neighborhood believes that we need to keep the zoning and preserve the residential family neighborhood culture on the inside of the neighborhood. The perimeter is another matter.

11: 00  Bylaw issues, Communication, Membership contact, Fiscal Agency – What are issues and

1.            One challenge is the fact that the board has a rule that we must be united in public about proposals and motions. One board member has submitted a proposal to the Minneapolis Park Board in contrast to the proposal the neighborhoods submitted in unity, which was supported by the board and membership.

2.            Carol had copies of the Bylaws and the Roberts Rules of Order book so that we could talk about policies and practices. We began going through these. We also discussed what ‘Conflict of Interest’ is and how to treat members of the board in meetings and elsewhere. Fiscal agency was brought up. EPIC can incubate programs and they can spin off into organizations. Staff requirements for full fiscal agency for other organizations are too great for EPIC at present. We started going through Roberts and some of the board documents The discussion was lively.

3.            Tim proposed that we have a coffee meeting for informal discussion and analysis of these issues. We agreed.

4.            Board members agreed to share contact information, but did not wish to share this with the whole neighborhood.  They also wanted some ethics regarding use of contact info.

11: 30    Adjournment

General Membership Meeting Minutes 07 -05

EPIC General Membership Meeting Agenda

July 5th , Monday – 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.,
Holy Rosary Church Board Room, 24th and 17th Ave S

Board Present: Carol Pass, Linda Leonard, Rosie Cruz, Mary Gonsior, Jenny Bjorgo
Board Absent:
Members Present: Brad Pass, Sherzad Kordian
Guests: Julia Eagles, Heidi Quesada, Abby

Meeting called to order at 6:42 pm.
Agenda: approved with the following corrections/additions:
None
(jb/aw) Approved
Minutes from the June 12, 2008 meeting: approved with the following corrections/additions:
(mg/jb) Approved
Motion: meet as a committee of the whole
(cp/bp) Approved

Announcements
1. the Open Arms celebration on Saturday was very fun and well attended
2. Parade of Gardens will be on aug. 16. a map will be available at the garden(s)
3. CP attended two police round tables held by an outside consultant – she was the only epic
resident that was present. The police “police” themselves to decide on cased of police
brutality. Most people at the meeting were not comfortable with this – it is not good to
have the police evaluate their own performance. There is a civilian review board, but the
police review board reviews the civilian review board. Only cases that go to court ever
are determined by an outside body. CP recommends that more people attend these police
round tables. Brad commented that the community expressed uncertainty about which
review board to address with their concerns and that he didn’t think that the round table
clarified this very much. Brad recommends that residents can call 311 and ask how they
can report an incident to the internal affairs department. CP wants EPIC to become more
aware of these issues.

a. Q. can people comment anonymously? Yes but this is a problem. There was not
representation on the Phillips meeting by the African American community.
b. Q. why are some police who have a terrible civil rights, or brutality cases, still
policing the community?
4. Julia Eagles (Phillips Energy Coop) announced their seasonal appliance trade-in program
and distributed flyers with more information. Bring used appliances to reported a series
of classes on home energy conservation with college level instruction where residents
will learn simple ways to save energy and money, and learn about energy use in our
homes and in the community. Julia also distributed the latest newsletter. Julia introduced
Abby, who is interning with PEC this summer, and is from the Phillips neighborhood.
5. The village art fair will be held on Franklin and 12th on Aug. 15-16
6. Club Youth Line is taking over management of the Phillips Pool and Gym and will be
holding a grand opening on Tuesday. Sherzad will be doing some short term youth
programming this summer. Youth Line is part of the Mpls. Park system. They are looking
for additional programming.

Housing – Heidi Quesada
Heidi works in Gary Schiff’s office and is attending to distribute updates on the boarded and
vacant properties.
• 2829 16th ave s – recommend demo
• 2440 16th ave s – would like to be informed about hearings
• 2423 17th ave s – water is shut off – check on occupancy
• 1919 EM Stately st. – requested immediate fence and no trespassing notices
• Gary’s office is sending out a letter regarding a home owners strategy meeting for EM
Stately Street.
Brad asked for an update on issues coming up at the city council affecting EPIC. CP reported
that EPIC would like to get the EPIC housing committee going again and would welcome a chair
for this committee. Interested residents should contact CP.
Quorum achieved
MOTION: move to approve the Agenda and Minutes motions
(bp/jb) Approved
Election of New Board Member
The floor was opened for nominations.
• Sherzad Kordian
MOTION: to Accept SK as our new board member by consensus
(bp/mg) Approved
CP gave a message about commitment, loyalty and the importance of being a board member.
When the neighborhood has a critical issue, it is important that we have participation and good
board members.

Park Center
The EPIC board recommends that the members adopt the EPPCC partnership agreement and
model “in concept.” The agreement does not form a 501c3 organization, but does pull together
the various groups in the neighborhood who must work together to raise money and provide
resources for the park. The agreement is not refined yet to a final state, however the committee
did adopt a revised mission statement which was recommended by the EPIC board.
Brad read from the first line, pointing out that the agreement itself is not something that is
written in stone and will instead change as partners come into the agreement and are approved.
Any organization that is willing to commit their resources to the park will be considered for
membership in the partnership.
It is important to create this document to build a plan that is marketable.
EPIC is working to make sure that the organizations that are indigenous are part of it.

MOTION: EPIC will adopt the EPPCCC partnership agreement and model IN CONCEPT.
(mg/cj) Approved
MOTION: EPIC serve as the asking organization for both capital and operating funds for the
community center.
(ll/jb) Approved
MOTION: The Minneapolis Foundation as the holder of two funds: Capital Campaign Fund and
Operations Fund.
(ll/jb) Approved
MOTION: EPIC is strongly in favor of a building a commercial kitchen in the EPPCCC facility for
the purpose of financial sustainability
(ll/jb) Approved
Progress: Fund Raising Advisory Committee
Experts in development from organizations including the Guthrie Theater, Jewish Community
Action, Allina, Abbott Northwestern, General Mills, and AIOIC joined the EPPCCC advisory
committee and were very enthusiastic about our current financial position. In addition, they bring
with them many contacts and ideas for future fundraising.

Housing Development
CPED finally agreed to authorize moving funds of $50,000 NRP to be contracted to PRG to pay
DDK LLC $48,000 for the purchase of 2845 Bloomington extending over to 16th avenue. The
remaining $2,000 was paid as a fee to CPED. We have been working on this since 2001 – this is
a real victory. Because we have moved the closing from June to august, the owners are
threatening to sue EPIC. CP wrote a letter and requested patience with our small organization.
Breaking ground at 2931 Bloomington Ave
The project is stopped because the buyers haven’t finalized the purchase agreements. We need to
find new buyers.
2603 Bloomington
B. Sabri is the developer of this property. There are serious permit and code violations at the site.
Fines have been levied and there is not compliance.

National Night Out Deadlines
All the information for NNO is available online.
MOTION: Adjourn
(bp/mg) Approved

Board Meeting Minutes 07 - 03

July 3rd, 2010, 10:00 am

Welna Hardware

10:00             Introduction:

·          Approval of Agenda

·               agenda approved

·      Minutes from EPIC Board Meeting 6/5/2010

      minutes approved

·      Attendance: Carol, Mary, Earl, Linda, Hannah

·      Absent: Rosie, Mohammed, Jennie, Tim

10:10    Announcements

·      EPIC General Membership Meeting, July 12^th

·      Parade of gardens: East Phillips showcases our garden, August 21^st, Saturday, 10:00 am

·      Hazardous Waste Pick-Up, July 24^th, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm,  Stuff goes to Phillips Community Center Lot

10:15   East Phillips Park Cultural & Community Center Situation: Brad

·      Pollution Issue – What happened??

            Grants were obtained from the County and State for funding to get rid of asbestos, Brad wrote grants.             Carol worked with Rep. Clark and Sen. Berglin make this happen. Lobbying the State Auditor was     necessary to override Pawlenty’s objections.

·      Kitchen furnishings still not funded including the range hood, the fire suppression system, and makeup air system, nor rain gardens.

         NRP Dollars – Toward the building??  EPIC will receive another $50,000 from NRP, should we spend it                    on the kitchen?  Board recommends this go on agenda for general membership to propose NRP money  for kitchen.

         Motion: Board will bring up using NRP money for kitchen at next general membership meeting

                  LL, ES. Passed unanimously

·      Costs appear to be going up a lot with each change order, should we talk to park board?

         Board will write a letter to park board asking to see Rochon contract change clause and ask park board to enforce original bid. 

         Mary will edit letter, use terms we accepted your offer in “good faith”,

·      Partnership Agreements??

         21 organizations signed up to provide programming.  Park board doesn't have money to put in          programming.  Of 21 partners, 14 or 15 submitted to park staff, MPRB will show what they are          anticipating for programming to create scheduling, this partnership agreement could be the wave of the          future with MPRB and communities, cut down expenses, increase programming, increase volunteerism

10:30   Phillips Community Center:  

·      Issues with the RFP and Waite House

            The final Waite House proposal differs significantly from the one supported by EPIC at our June 14^th  Community meeting. It also differs from the Guiding Principles based by the Board and General Membership meeting of neighborhoods have been cut out of decision-making and control, this is not the agreement that EPIC supported. Sub-leasers don't have power, Waite house has pulled out of collaboration and are going to present own proposal to the Park Board. Neighborhoods (the three) have gotten together and created a new draft, position paper with proposal included.

        

         Motion: EPIC board rejects the Waite House proposal draft 2 and the master lease concept in favor of the original collaborative proposal of a partnership with the neighborhoods, park board csa, a wellness collaborative, and the Waite House as passed at the June 5^th EPIC Board meeting and the June 14th EPIC Community Meeting of June 14th.  CP, ES  Passed unanimously.

        

         Motion: Position paper plus proposal, changed to restore operation of pool in its entirety, the rest of the proposal will be tweaked.  LL, ES Passed unanimously.

         Saving the Pool Progress

10:50   2600 17th Ave Proposed Apartment Building, Other Developments

·      Other possible building arrangement, zoning and funding issues. Francisco

·      Apartment at 2908 16^th, NSP funding issues

·      Foreclosed buildings?

         Motion: Since EPIC supports consistency with the city's recent new zoning rulings supporting R2b in the internal core of the neighborhood and higher density on our corridors, the EPIC Board unanimously opposes any plan that violates the R2b zoning for the interior core of the East Phillips neighborhood. Therefore EPIC opposes the plan for the Alliance 20 unit 3-story apartment building at 2600-2606 17^th Ave. S.  LL, ES. passed unanimously.

Neighbors are requesting faster and more thorough action on foreclosed properties to try to stop rapid purchase and sloppy partial rehab or non-rehab by unscrupulous landlords or purchase and resale of carelessly rehabbed houses by real estate agents. This has a negative impact on the future housing viability of the neighborhood.

         Motion: The EPIC Board supports the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, NSP, funding to be made available to both City-approved non-profit and for-profit groups seeking to restore foreclosed properties.  Linda, earl  passed unanimous

11:10   Xcel Energy's High Voltage Transmission Line Routes & Substations:

·         Negotiated Settlement: in progress

·     100,000 for Solar on  EP Park Center roof ? Roof will not support, may it be put on the side? EPIC needs to research this.

11: 15   Report on MPCA’s mini-conference on: Cumulative Levels and Effects for Air Permits

             Paint Sprayer Building

            The MPCA has been requested to do the Cumulative Impact Study required by the Clark/Berglin Law. The Met. Council is apparently suing to be allowed to put their paint spraying facility in the half-mile radius disallowed in the law. EPIC has a fear that, if the study is completed, the law will cease to stop additional polluting facilities from coming into the Phillips neighborhood. The EPIC Board believes that, if a facility adds additional pollution to the air of Phillips, which when added to the existing level of pollution, reaches beyond the toxic level, the current law, as it is, will fail to stop the permitting of that new facility, since all that is required is that the Cumulative Impact Study is completed, not that there be any greater stringency on the level of pollution that is permitable. This needs resolution.

            Motion: The EPIC Board will request that Representative Clark and Senator Berglund to amend their law to state that if the existing cumulative level of pollution plus the new additional pollution of a new facility will raise a pollutant to a toxic level, the facility cannot be permitted. This includes additional micro-particles of 2.5 and smaller.  CP, ES,  Passed unanimously.

11: 20            Stewart Park and other Soccer Fields: EPIC Board requests that the new soccer fields not be             administered in such a way that they lock out the neighborhood children from playing on them..           

11: 30    Adjournment