BOARD OPENINGS
Since no nominations were received for the two vacant seats on the board reserved for people who rent homes in the neighborhood, the board is announcing these vacancies again. Anyone interested in running for a seat should contact the WBCC at 612-338-5282, ext. 224 or email cedarriversidenrp@hotmail.com.

DISTRICT COLLABOARATIVE COUNCIL (DCC)
A representative is needed to serve on the Central Corridor’s DCC. Any resident is eligible. For more information, call the WBCC at 612-338-5282, ext. 224 or email cedarriversidenrp@hotmail.com.

WELLS FARGO GRANT
A grant proposal for $10,000 will be developed to apply for monies aimed at programs to prevent teen violence. Wells Fargo Community Funding Council (WFCFC) RFP has made $130,000 dollars available in lots of up to $10,000 as a special allocation focused on preventing violence by teens. Grant proposals must be submitted to the WFCFC by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 4. Board members acknowledged the tight timeframe and empowered the safety committee to draft the proposal.

NRP HOMEBUYERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HAP)
The housing committee reported that $80,000 remains in the HAP. The committee suggested increasing the amount available per person from $7,500 to $10,000, particularly in light of the observation that potential homebuyers who are Islamic are often required to have a down payment of 10 percent or more. The board approved a resolution to increase the amount to $10,000 contingent upon passage of a similar resolution by the CR NRP and approval by the NRP program office.

CEDAR RIVERSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION PROGRAM (CR NRP)
The board discussed a meeting recently held between three representatives of the CR NRP and three members of WBCC. Board members received a handout including eight principles and associated comments regarding the roles of WBCC and CR NRP.

Some board members voiced concerns about the limited number of representatives at the recent meeting. The board discussed the need to come to resolution quickly about the nature of what CR NRP’s role will be and what the WBCC roll will be. The contract between the NRP and the WBCC is running out, leading to concerns among board members over a potential layoff. The board passed a resolution empowering Board President Silver to sign an extension of the contract.

BLUFF STREET PARK TASK FORCE
The board heard a presentation by Rosemary Knutson regarding the Bluff Street Park Capstone Project. Students developed the project as part of a course offered by the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs to engage the Cedar-Riverside community and bring the public into policy and planning. Two students are in the second half of the yearlong course and will develop a public presentation of their findings, including a history of the site, identifying stakeholders such as the parks department and the neighborhood, and the identification of environmental issues. The project goal is to help the task force be aware of all the issues, including public policy and funding options. The board unanimously passed a resolution of support for the project.

LAND USE COMMITTEE (LUC)
Discussion was held regarding reestablishing a Minneapolis noise ordinance enforceable by officers on the street. The previous one (Minneapolis noise ordinance 360.55) was thrown out by the courts as being too vague, with inconsistent enforcement. St. Preston’s and Corner Bar were two establishments specifically named. Currently, Licensing must gather decibel data and document infractions. The board passed a resolution of support for residents working with police, the city attorney and other council members to rewrite a noise ordinance that courts will uphold. Abstaining board members on the vote were Jean–Lawrence Caron and Russon Solomon.

GOOD NEIGHBOR FUND
The LUC asked the board to support in principle the writing of a grant to request resources to install a sidewalk from Cedar Avenue to Fifth Street, on the property of the former Dania Hall site. Doris Wickstrom described the section as “a muddy path for so many years.” The board passed the motion.

REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
A Round Table discussion regarding free speech during the Republican Convention later this year is scheduled for Monday April 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Augsburg College, Christiansen Center, East Commons. Issues to be discussed include a mandatory registration of protest groups of 26 or more in a public area. Councilmember Cam Gordon called such “pretty ludicrous” and “unconstitutional.”

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TASK FORCE (CETF)
The board reviewed and approved the draft of a comment letter written by Board President Silver regarding the formation of a new citizen engagement program as proposed by CETF. Concerns include ensuring adequate financial resources, making sure the organization does not become part of the city bureaucracy, that it represents the voice of residents, and that it have a democratic and open process.

CENTER FOR URBAN AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS (CURA) GRANT
The board discussed a new grant available through CURA, the Neighborhood Partnership Initiative Program. Grants of up to $10,000 are available through the program for partnerships between a community organization and at least one youth, immigrant or arts organization with nonprofit status. Two concepts were discussed: the creation of a youth citizen program to help youth identify their concerns, and a program between Somali youth and Somali elders to create oral history projects. The board passed a resolution to apply for the grant.

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, April 16, 6 p.m.
MEETINGS: Third Wednesday of the month
Brian Coyle Community Center, 420 15th Ave. S.
CONTACT: 338-5282, ext. 224
www.westbankcc.org
e-mail: cedarriversidenrp@hotmail.com or nrp@westbankcc.org.
BORDERS: The neighborhood is bounded by I-35W on the northwest, I-94 on the south and the Mississippi River on the northeast.

last revised: May 5, 2008

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