PRESENT
Directors Present: Carol Pass, Linda Leonard, Mary Gonsior, Rosie Cruz, Hannah Lieder
Members Present: Amy Pass, Stephanie Allen, Kelly Ridge, Alfonso Cruz, Brad Pass, Mario ??, Sofia Maldonado
Directors not Present: Earl Simms, Cynthia Aguirre
Meeting was called to order at 6:41 pm by CP. MG chaired the meeting. Agenda was distributed. Minutes from the August GMM were distributed.
LACK OF QUORUM
Motion (CP, BP)
Motion to conduct the meeting as a committee of the whole. Motion passed.
AGENDA
Motion
Motion to approve agenda with correction to add announcements: Youth Baseball and Board Members announcement. Motion passed.
QUORUM ESTABLISHED
Quorum was established at 6:55 pm.
MINUTES
The minutes from the August 11, 2005 GMM were passed with the following corrections:
Pg. 1, CPED, second line: “HOWE program is looking for vacant properties…”
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Youth Baseball
On Monday, Sept. 26th the Minnesota Twins will recognize the Hispanic Month of Independence and have invited the Hispanic Baseball League to participate in a special event during their game.
Treasurer’s Report
CP presented the projected budget for 2005/2006 CDGB funding in the amount of $4,000. Existing funds at Wells Fargo in the amount of $2,661.06 has been allocated to Reimbursements for the March 2005 annual meeting, Liability Insurance and additional reimbursements for EPIC business expenses in 2005.
Old Business
The liability insurance has been acquired and is paid.
Letters have been sent regarding parking for the Franklin Station Townhomes on 24th Street. In addition, several phone calls have been made to City Council to try to get the parking signs changed.
The board developed a list of potential candidates for open board positions.
The board has not appointed a second director to the garden committee.
The board has not sent a letter of support for the zoning changes required for the condo development on 24th and Bloomington.
A letter of support was sent supporting the work of the Womens Environmental Institute.
Pending: Pushing the Park Board regarding beginning the community center process.
Pending: Stopping the asphalt plant from coming into EPIC. BP reported that he could obtain copies of the CLIC report. The CLIC report recommended NOT to authorize any money in the 2006 budget for the whole site on the corner of 28th and Hiawatha.
Pending: Replacing Police Officers.
Motion (LL, RC)
Send a letter to the City Council, the Mayor, and City Council candidates stating that the neighborhood is opposed to the establishment of an asphalt plant in that location, right next to the Greenway. The neighborhood would prefer transit oriented residential housing given the proximity of the site to Light Rail and the Greenway. Motion passed.
Motion (RC, MR)
Create a petition to encompass the letter of the previous motion, and begin collecting signatures as soon as possible. The petition must have 50 signatures before being submitted to the City Council, candidates, and the Mayor. Motion passed.
Weed & Seed / Phillips Community Clean Sweep
BP distributed a flyer for the Phillips Community Clean Sweep to be held Saturday, October 15th. Residents are encouraged to clean out homes and garages and place items out for pickup on that date. In addition, breakfast will be served at several locations, and neighbors will go out and clean up the neighborhood. We want residents to clean up their alleys and streets. A lunch will be served at noon at Stewart Park. The event is sponsored by Weed & Seed and local businesses.
Union Jobs
CP reported that the hotel on the Sears site will have union jobs available. These jobs are for untrained adults. These jobs will include training and benefits. EPIC will write a letter to the Union Organizer thanking them for contacting neighborhoods and trying to connect with neighborhood residents.
Parking on 24th Street
The letter has been sent and we are waiting to see it happen. We are calling about every four days for a progress report.
Board Members
Because two directors resigned from the board (moved out of the neighborhood) the board developed a list of potential candidates that we would like to invite to run for election to the board including Mark Welna, Rose Pluvois, Stephanie Allen, Daco Abdi, Aden Awil, Latisce Williams, Amy Pass, Jenny Gonsior. Nominations from the floor: Sofia Maldonado.
Board Directors must commit to attending at least two meetings per month (EBM, GMM) and must be willing to sign the EPIC Board Director contract.
REPORTS
Street Light Committee
PRG has some money to put pedestrian lighting on the two condominium units planned at 24th and Bloomington Avenue. Could we ask Welna’s to do the same? EPIC may have some money for additional pedestrian lighting elsewhere on Bloomington Avenue.
LL and RB drove around the neighborhood and collected a list of two dozen lighting concerns. You can go online at HYPERLINK "http://www.xcel.com" www.xcel.com to report these lights out. LL reported 15 lights out or intermittent lights out. There should be a response within two weeks. RB took note of three particularly dark areas (he has funding to remediate these problem areas.) There is almost no lighting in the alley on Cedar between E. 26th Street and Ogema. This is a stretch of about two blocks.
Xcel Energy reported that it costs about $6-8 per month to install your own security lighting. Neighbors could get together to put additional lighting in streets and alleys. EPIC should report this to the City Council and Public Works.
Financial Policies and Procedures
MG presented the proposed Fiscal Policies & Procedures marked “draft proposed 09/08/2005.” This document was developed by the Board over the last month in order to address EPICs current needs. Since EPIC no longer has an executive director, the current policies required some changes. We replaced the responsibilities identified with the executive director by replacing them with board directors. Following a sample policy received from the NRP office and looking at the existing EPIC policy, the board made changes to simplify the policies for current EPIC needs. A question and answer period followed presentation of each section of the policies. A motion will be presented at the next GMM to approve these policies.
Insurance
EPICs liability insurance has been paid.
Development Issue 1
Gustavus Adolphus is owned by Floyd Olson has submitted an application for zoning changes to permit conditional use to allow a shopping center with residential units above, reduce parking requirements and other zoning changes. There will be a public hearing 4:30 Room 317 at City Hall, Monday, September 19th. This is an inexperienced developer and the property is probably unsalvageable.
Motion (MG, HL)
Letter to oppose all the variances and conditional use permit requested by Floyd Olson for 1626 E. Lake Street and to oppose Floyd Olson as the developer on that property. Motion passed unanimously.
Development Issue 2
29th and Bloomington development. The neighborhood was hoping to put townhomes in this block of property. The city owns two lots here and the neighborhood envisioned three story live-work units that would fill in the block between the chiropractors’ office and the new apartment building. Since there is a shortage of parking on Lake Street and the construction will last about another year, there is an effort going on to get the city to sell these properties in order to build a parking lot here. The owners along 16th Avenue behind the property are opposed to a parking lot. RC stated that housing would be the best choice and would impact the neighboring properties most positively.
Motion: (BP, RC)
Write a letter opposing a permanent sale of this land to build a parking lot. EPIC would only support a conditional lease for a maximum of two years. The lease agreement to include the requirement that at the end of the lease, the property WILL go back to the neighborhood’s proposed development. Motion passed (one abstain, SA.)
Garden Committee
The minutes from August 13, 2005 garden meeting were distributed.
Crime Patrol
The Bloomington Avenue Citizen’s Patrol is ramping up again and is looking for volunteers. Contact Brad Pass.
Picnic in the Park
Ongoing.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Mary Gonsior, Secretary
ABBREVIATIONSCDBG = Community Development Block Grant
CLIC = Capital Long Range Improvement Committee
CPED = Community Planning & Economic Development
EBM = EPIC Board Meeting
EPC 17th Ave. Garden Committee = East Phillips 17th Avenue Community Garden Steering Committee
EPIC = East Phillips Improvement Coalition
GMM = General Membership Meeting
GI = Green Institute
MPR = Minnesota Public Radio
NNO = National Night Out
NRP = Neighborhood Revitalization Program
PRG = Powderhorn Residents Group
WEI = Women’s Environmental Institute
EPIC GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
September 8, 2005 (DRAFT)
Holy Rosary Church
Page PAGE 4 of NUMPAGES 4
Thursday, September 8, 2005
Saturday, September 3, 2005
EPIC Board Meeting - September 2005
PRESENT
Mary Gonsior (MG), Hannah Lieder (HL), Linda Leonard (LL), Carol Pass (CP), Rosie Cruz (11:10 am.)
Directors not Present: Cynthia Aquirre
Meeting was called to order at 10:17 by CP. Agenda was distributed. MG was designated as recording secretary.
QUORUM
Andy and Albin have resigned; Quorum was established (4 of 6 directors present.)
Crime Concerns
Discussion of widespread prostitution and dealing along 25th Street and Cedar Park.
AGENDA
The agenda was approved with the addition of property announcements.
MINUTES
The minutes from the July 2, 2005 EBM were approved with the following correction:
Pg. 3, Garden Policy: Response to Corrie Zoll’s email, “AD and CA could find no active gardeners (2005) who…”
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Operation Clean Sweep
This is a clean up the neighborhood day where the city sends out trucks and picks up garbage. It is a very large event planned for October and EPIC’s responsibility will be to organize the community. Food will be offered at several locations. Residents will be able to put out large items to be picked up. A flyer will be available after the date is established next week.
Union Jobs at Sears Hotel
There will be about 80 jobs available. These will be entry level union jobs with training provided. Jobs will be clerical, housekeeping, and maintenance. Jobs are for adults.
Youth Concerns
Discussed concerns about youth employment, health, safety and education. HL will look into creating a resource containing job information for youth. CP will invite Maura Braun to EPIC meeting to share about how they put the resources together for the community center for Harrison Neighborhood.
BUSINESS
East Phillips Commons Project
29th and Bloomington, just south of the new apartment building. Lake Street businesses are very concerned about the lack of parking during the construction period. If the land is sold, the neighborhood has no say in whether the parking lot would be permanent. There is a series of owners who own pieces, and the City owns a big chunk of the property. CP will meet with owners who want to put in a large parking lot to provide parking for the businesses on Lake Street and report back.
Motion (LL, MG)
Motion for EPIC to support the temporary leasing for construction of a temporary parking lot secured with gates, camera and lights, but that the City retain public ownership of property for the East Phillips Commons Project. Motion passed.
Lights on Bloomington Avenue
PRG has some money to put pedestrian lighting on the two condominium units planned at 24th and Bloomington Avenue. Could we ask Welna’s to do the same? EPIC may have some money for additional pedestrian lighting elsewhere on Bloomington Avenue.
LL and RB drove around the neighborhood and collected a list of two dozen lighting concerns. You can go online at HYPERLINK "http://www.xcel.com" www.xcel.com to report these lights out. LL reported 15 lights out or intermittent lights out. There should be a response within two weeks. RB took note of three particularly dark areas (he has funding to remediate these problem areas.) There is almost no lighting in the alley on Cedar between E. 26th Street and Ogema. This is a stretch of about two blocks.
Xcel Energy reported that it costs about $6-8 per month to install your own security lighting. Neighbors could get together to put additional lighting in streets and alleys. EPIC should report this to the City Council and Public Works.
Parking on 24th Street
CP is calling Dean Zimmerman’s office to try to get the No Parking signs removed on 24th Street.
Budget for 501(c)(3) Application
The CDBG budget was approved with the following corrections:
Item number 3 – deleted “Child care expenses.”
Item number 5 – deleted the entire item.
Remove Andy and Albin from list of directors.
Change the amount for Annual meeting, entertainment, hall rental from $1000 to $750.
Change the amount for Additional admin. expenses…from $500 to $750.
General Liability Insurance
CP reported that she had determined that the $1,000 is for general liability insurance. This is required since we are holding public meetings. Payment is approved.
Reimbursements
LL submitted receipts for reimbursement of expenses for the annual meeting last March. Payment to LL in the amount of $268.07 was approved.
Financial Policies
MG and CP prepared proposed financial policies to be submitted in conjunction with our 501(c)(3) application. The proposed financial policy is a blending of the existing EPIC financial policies and samples that were provided by Robert Thompson from NRP. In addition, “procedures” were deleted from the policy – so that the policy includes general statements describing “what” EPIC does with money. These policies should be general enough so that they do not require frequent changes. In addition, the policies need to be approved by the general membership.
Specific procedures stating “how” EPIC manages money, including step by step descriptions of performing financial tasks will be adopted by the board and are included in the 501(C)(3) application.
CP, HL and MG will meet again on Tuesday evening at HL’s house to review and finalize the policy for presentation to the September GMM.
Discussion of Board Business
HL expressed disappointment that the board doesn’t seem to have enough time to address issues that are of great concern to her, including youth employment, crime, etc. CP noted that if we can put together a budget, learn to operate by Roberts Rules of Order, and create financial responsibility, the neighborhood will be able to begin working on these more important issues. Unless this administrative work is done, the organization will stall out completely.
Additional Board Meeting
MG proposed an additional board meeting 3-5 days after the GMM for board directors to review the “to do list” and schedule whatever meetings, projects need to be completed.
New Board Directors
Discussed potential candidates for board directors.
Mark Welna
Rose Pluvois
Stephanie Allen
Daco Abdi
Aden Awil
Latisce Williams
Amy Pass
Jenny Gonsior
Agenda for GMM
Submit agenda items to the chair.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:52 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Mary Gonsior, Secretary
CDBG = Community Development Block Grant
EBM = EPIC Board Meeting
EPC 17th Ave. Garden Committee = East Phillips 17th Avenue Community Garden Steering Committee
EPIC = East Phillips Improvement Coalition
GMM = General Membership Meeting
GI = Green Institute
NRP = Neighborhood Revitalization Program
SWMCB = Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board
EPIC BOARD MEETING
September 3, 2005
2435 Bloomington Ave. S.
Mary Gonsior (MG), Hannah Lieder (HL), Linda Leonard (LL), Carol Pass (CP), Rosie Cruz (11:10 am.)
Directors not Present: Cynthia Aquirre
Meeting was called to order at 10:17 by CP. Agenda was distributed. MG was designated as recording secretary.
QUORUM
Andy and Albin have resigned; Quorum was established (4 of 6 directors present.)
Crime Concerns
Discussion of widespread prostitution and dealing along 25th Street and Cedar Park.
AGENDA
The agenda was approved with the addition of property announcements.
MINUTES
The minutes from the July 2, 2005 EBM were approved with the following correction:
Pg. 3, Garden Policy: Response to Corrie Zoll’s email, “AD and CA could find no active gardeners (2005) who…”
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Operation Clean Sweep
This is a clean up the neighborhood day where the city sends out trucks and picks up garbage. It is a very large event planned for October and EPIC’s responsibility will be to organize the community. Food will be offered at several locations. Residents will be able to put out large items to be picked up. A flyer will be available after the date is established next week.
Union Jobs at Sears Hotel
There will be about 80 jobs available. These will be entry level union jobs with training provided. Jobs will be clerical, housekeeping, and maintenance. Jobs are for adults.
Youth Concerns
Discussed concerns about youth employment, health, safety and education. HL will look into creating a resource containing job information for youth. CP will invite Maura Braun to EPIC meeting to share about how they put the resources together for the community center for Harrison Neighborhood.
BUSINESS
East Phillips Commons Project
29th and Bloomington, just south of the new apartment building. Lake Street businesses are very concerned about the lack of parking during the construction period. If the land is sold, the neighborhood has no say in whether the parking lot would be permanent. There is a series of owners who own pieces, and the City owns a big chunk of the property. CP will meet with owners who want to put in a large parking lot to provide parking for the businesses on Lake Street and report back.
Motion (LL, MG)
Motion for EPIC to support the temporary leasing for construction of a temporary parking lot secured with gates, camera and lights, but that the City retain public ownership of property for the East Phillips Commons Project. Motion passed.
Lights on Bloomington Avenue
PRG has some money to put pedestrian lighting on the two condominium units planned at 24th and Bloomington Avenue. Could we ask Welna’s to do the same? EPIC may have some money for additional pedestrian lighting elsewhere on Bloomington Avenue.
LL and RB drove around the neighborhood and collected a list of two dozen lighting concerns. You can go online at HYPERLINK "http://www.xcel.com" www.xcel.com to report these lights out. LL reported 15 lights out or intermittent lights out. There should be a response within two weeks. RB took note of three particularly dark areas (he has funding to remediate these problem areas.) There is almost no lighting in the alley on Cedar between E. 26th Street and Ogema. This is a stretch of about two blocks.
Xcel Energy reported that it costs about $6-8 per month to install your own security lighting. Neighbors could get together to put additional lighting in streets and alleys. EPIC should report this to the City Council and Public Works.
Parking on 24th Street
CP is calling Dean Zimmerman’s office to try to get the No Parking signs removed on 24th Street.
Budget for 501(c)(3) Application
The CDBG budget was approved with the following corrections:
Item number 3 – deleted “Child care expenses.”
Item number 5 – deleted the entire item.
Remove Andy and Albin from list of directors.
Change the amount for Annual meeting, entertainment, hall rental from $1000 to $750.
Change the amount for Additional admin. expenses…from $500 to $750.
General Liability Insurance
CP reported that she had determined that the $1,000 is for general liability insurance. This is required since we are holding public meetings. Payment is approved.
Reimbursements
LL submitted receipts for reimbursement of expenses for the annual meeting last March. Payment to LL in the amount of $268.07 was approved.
Financial Policies
MG and CP prepared proposed financial policies to be submitted in conjunction with our 501(c)(3) application. The proposed financial policy is a blending of the existing EPIC financial policies and samples that were provided by Robert Thompson from NRP. In addition, “procedures” were deleted from the policy – so that the policy includes general statements describing “what” EPIC does with money. These policies should be general enough so that they do not require frequent changes. In addition, the policies need to be approved by the general membership.
Specific procedures stating “how” EPIC manages money, including step by step descriptions of performing financial tasks will be adopted by the board and are included in the 501(C)(3) application.
CP, HL and MG will meet again on Tuesday evening at HL’s house to review and finalize the policy for presentation to the September GMM.
Discussion of Board Business
HL expressed disappointment that the board doesn’t seem to have enough time to address issues that are of great concern to her, including youth employment, crime, etc. CP noted that if we can put together a budget, learn to operate by Roberts Rules of Order, and create financial responsibility, the neighborhood will be able to begin working on these more important issues. Unless this administrative work is done, the organization will stall out completely.
Additional Board Meeting
MG proposed an additional board meeting 3-5 days after the GMM for board directors to review the “to do list” and schedule whatever meetings, projects need to be completed.
New Board Directors
Discussed potential candidates for board directors.
Mark Welna
Rose Pluvois
Stephanie Allen
Daco Abdi
Aden Awil
Latisce Williams
Amy Pass
Jenny Gonsior
Agenda for GMM
Submit agenda items to the chair.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:52 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Mary Gonsior, Secretary
CDBG = Community Development Block Grant
EBM = EPIC Board Meeting
EPC 17th Ave. Garden Committee = East Phillips 17th Avenue Community Garden Steering Committee
EPIC = East Phillips Improvement Coalition
GMM = General Membership Meeting
GI = Green Institute
NRP = Neighborhood Revitalization Program
SWMCB = Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board
EPIC BOARD MEETING
September 3, 2005
2435 Bloomington Ave. S.
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