West Bank Community Coalition board meeting, July 16
BOARD MEMBER NEWS
Board member Abdifatah Samatar sent a letter of resignation from the board on June 18. This created a third open seat on the board. On July 11, Jim Ruiz nominated Mohamed Abdulaahi for board membership/ Abulaahi is the director of the Somali American Education Program in Minneapolis. Abdulaahi’s election to the board was unanimous. He will fill a renter seat, with the term expiring 2009. There remain two more renter seats and one business seat vacant on the board.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Jean Lawrence Caron delivered the treasurer’s report to the board and distributed a WBCC balance sheet standard, current as of July 12, 2008. He also distributed the WBCC profit and loss by class breakdown for Jan. 1–July 12, 2008. He reported that the Smith Partners payment was reviewed and placed in the files.
BOHEMIAN FLATS DAY
Gera Poduba addressed the board regarding Bohemian Flats Day. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16. It will be held in the upper area of Riverside Park.
“A lot of people attend the event who are elderly,” said Poduba.
Poduba passed out volunteer sheets and a letter with basic event information. Comcast has expressed interest in interviewing Poduba and requested that someone from the West Bank be part of the interview; she asked for volunteers from the WBCC board.
For more information or to volunteer for Bohemian Flats Day, visit the website.
MINNEAPOLIS SCHOOL REFERENDUM
Ona Keller outlined the Strong Schools Strong City Referendum campaign for WBCC board members. The $60 million referendum equates to about $17 a month for a home valued at $250,000, said Keller. Half of the money would be earmarked for basic educational materials, and the other half would go to ongoing class size management efforts. An independent oversight committee will oversee the referendum. Educational goals are to have all students reading by the 3rd grade and doing algebra by 8th grade.
(For more information on the referendum, visit the Strong Cities, Strong Schools website.
Keller is one of two paid staff managing the referendum effort; she is a Minneapolis high school graduate. “This thing is truly a citizen-led, grassroots campaign,” Keller said. “You know strong schools make strong cities.
Board member Doris Wickstrom suggested that Keller hook up with Poduba to be part of Bohemian Flats Days
Ceadr-Riverside online ‘e-democracy’ forum
Board member Ben Marcy presented information regarding the eDemocracy project. Program coordinator Steve Clift has offered Marcy part-time work to gauge interest in creating an on-line community forum in Cedar-Riverside.
The merits of such a program generated much discussion among board members. Board president Laura Silver was concerned regarding the need of some residents for oral-based education and stated the matter warranted further discussion.
Wickstrom felt that there were lots of challenges, such as language differences in the diverse community. She added that she would not want create a venue where the end result was the same people talking about the same things.
“Getting issues out to people is a big item in itself,” Wickstrom said.
Marcy said he would work with advanced DSL classes in Cedar-Riverside helping residents learn how to use the internet. The more computer savvy population would be served, but grant dollars would be based on targeting and educating immigrant and low-income citizens. Two hundred participants would be the goal for participation.
Councilmember Cam Gordon advocated for the concept, saying that the Seward neighborhood has an eDemocracy forum and that immigrant residents communicate with him electronically.
MURDERS REMAIN UNSOLVED
Councilmember Cam Gordon advised the board that there is no news regarding the murders of Joseph Sodd III and Abdullahi Abdi; both cases remain unsolved.
COUNCILMEMBER CAM GORDON’S UPDATE
The Fifthth Street sidewalk funding “did not make the first cut,” Gordon told the board, but that “all (was) not lost.” The project is still under consideration on another list of items.
The potential exists for hiring off-duty officers to patrol Cedar-Riverside, but nothing definitive is established at this time. Board member Doris Wickstrom commented that residents are talking about inadequate police presence in the area. Gordon responded that even though he sees more evidence of Riverside Park coverage since he took office, it would be great to see “more officers out of their cars.”
Board secretary Jennifer Moates asked Gordon about funding for T3 police scooters, which cost about $8000. Gordon said that December was budget time, and suggested private funding raising activities could help with purchases.
NRP UPDATE
Board President Laura Silver advised the board that the contract had not closed out yet, but that efforts to do so continue, and that no new NRP director has been hired.
LAND USE COMMITTEE
Wickstrom explained that 20th Avenue South was to be surfaced. One day would be needed to grind off the old asphalt, then another day would be needed to reapply it. No dates are scheduled.
Central Corridor issue: The Augsburg traffic study for the ramp is finished, Wickstrom said, so possibly Augsburg will be involved in looking at the issue.
SAFETY COMMITTEE
Board member Benjamin Marcy updated the board regarding citizen safety patrols, which have been ongoing. Since early July, six walks have been held on Tuesdays and Fridays. On the last walk, Marcy said, 20 people were recruited just by contacted while walking. Marcy suggested that an hour a week commitment from the board would be a positive thing.
BRIAN COYLE YOUTH COUNCIL MURAL PROJECT
Marcy explained that three projects are planned, one for each year. Hot spots for graffiti or good spots for a good visual image will be assessed. A “listening session” for “Painting a New Community” will take place at 6:30 on Thursday July 24. Three potential sites are the side of the bakery on 4th Street, a wall of the Cedar Cultural Centre, and the side of the African Mall facing the light rail.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
National Night Out will take place in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood from 6 to 9 p.m. on August 5th at Currie Park, 500 15th Avenue South (next to the Brian Coyle Community Center). Contact Hani Mohamed (mohamedh@puc-mn.org, 612-338-5284, ext. 69348) or Marcy (Benjamin.j.marcy@gmail.com) for more information on participating. Flyers printed in English and Somali were distributed to the board.
Central Corridor public comments and meeting
Jessica Hill with the Metropolitan Council presented a hard copy of the Central Corridor LRT environmental impact statement supplemental draft. The document, which resembles two telephone-book-size books, costs $200 a copy. Copies are available at the public library. An open house for the public will take place at the Brian Coyle Center Aug. 7. At 5 p.m., engineers will be available for Q&A in an informal setting; then at 6 p.m. a formal hearing will take place where citizens can give testimony.
The 45-day comment period began July 11 and will end August 25.
CAPACITY BUILDING UPDATE
Marcy will be forming a vision statement for what is meant by capacity building by the next meeting scheduled for July 30.
Wickstrom presented a handout containing five points she would like the vision statement to include regarding the purpose of WBCC. They include stimulating the interest of residents in the welfare of the community; create an awareness of problems and challenges of the community; working toward widespread participation by community residents in thinking and planning for the community’s needs and goals; cooperation with all individuals, organizations and agencies; and representing the community for constructive development of several areas. She suggests the coalition be noncommercial, nonsectarian and nonpartisan, and that no commercial enterprise or political candidate be endorsed by WBCC.
FREE COMPUTERS
Desiree Culpitt from the Humphrey Institute Chance for Neighborhood Collaborative Engagement (CHANCE) Program advised the board that the Humphrey Institute is replacing 40 computers and looking for organizations to which the old computers could be donated. A letter of interest needs to be sent regarding how WBCC would use the computer. Suggestions for other organizations were offered, such as new councilmember Abdulaahi’s organization and the African Women’s Center.
The next WBCC meeting is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at the Brian Coyle Community Center.
last revised: July 23, 2008