NRP
The current NRP contract expires at the end of July. Board Chairperson Jim Ruiz met with NRP Representative Robert Thompson about extending the contract, which will be renewed through 2008 with no changes to the contract.

Robert Thompson will also speak at the next Organizational Development meeting.

NRP STEERING COMITTEE UPDATE
The committee has a part-time position available and will be accepting applications until Fri, June 29. The individual hired will work with the planning committee. The committee plans to have the position filled within the next few weeks. Any questions email: Rhonda Eastlund, eastlundr@puc-mn.org.

Jim Erchul, committee treasurer and Rhonda Eastlund, committee chair, had a brief training with Robert Thompson. Erchul will be working to implement a new accounting service, which will be beneficial in achieving regular payment requests going to the city. Erchul will also be working to fix issues with timesheets and should have them completed within a few weeks.

SAFETY COMITTEE LOOKING FOR BLOCK CLUB LEADERS
The Safety Committee is looking for more volunteers to be block club leaders. The committee needs at least 10 people to sign up before training sessions can begin. Five or six people have volunteered to be leaders. Ward 2 Council Member Cam Gordon suggested setting the training date in hopes of generating a buzz with the community. The next Safety Committee meeting is July 3. For more information email: NRP organizer, Hani, hani@westbankcc.org or Russom Solomon, RussomSolomon@aol.com.

COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT
Second Ward Council member, Cam Gordon, has hired four new people to serve as community outreach interns: Annie Welch, Mustafa Adam, Paul Kristanovich and Adam Engleman. Mustafa Adam was in attendance at the WBCC board meeting; he will concentrate on starting block clubs east of Cedar Ave. and will help organize safety walking groups.

The Council has passed an ordinance proposed by Council Members Paul Ostrow and Ralph Remington, making panhandling illegal within ten feet of a crosswalk, convenience and liquor stores, within 50 feet of entrances and exits to parks or sporting arenas, within 80 feet of ATMs, and also at night.

Gordon stated there have been discussions on possible bike path improvements and enhancements throughout the City. Riverside Avenue may see new bike paths connecting to the light rail. For more information visit: www.ci.minneapolis.us or see our story online.

The Free Speech Work Group, formed to help preserve civil rights and community life during the 2008 Republican convention has drafted a set of operating principles. A public meeting will be held, June 26, 4:30—6:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers at Minneapolis City Hall. For comments or concerns email: Cityclerk@ci.minneapolis.mn.us or write: City Clerk, 350 S 5th Street, Room 304, Minneapolis, 55415.

WBCC AND DANIA PARTNERS, JOIN FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Tim Mungavan, executive director of the West Bank Community Development Corporation (WBCDC) and a representative of Dania Partners, addressed the WBCC with a proposal to improve community engagement. The board passed the following objectives:

• The WBCDC will provide technical assistance to the WBCC in order to develop a sustainable infrastructure.
• The WBCDC will provide five hours per week of administrative staff support.
• The WBCDC will assist WBCC in coordinating outreach interviews with stakeholders, especially Dania Partner organizations.
o The WBCC board amended the wording of this bullet point, because it was confusing. The suggested wording passed “The WBCDC would have obligation to use the grant as described in the current grant application.”
• WBCC will lead a discussion with Dania Partners about the WBCC role in relationship with the NRP to explore the potential for receiving NRP funds to support community-organizing activity in the neighborhood.
• The WBCDC will engage Dania Partners in a discussion and decision making about a potential transition in leadership to WBCC.

LAND USE COMITTEE
Deb Wolking, housing development program manager with WBCDC, addressed the board with a proposal to support the Red Nelson Project, for two new single-family homes. The homes would be built in the vacant lot at the corner of 20th Ave. and 7th St. The homes would be for larger households and have the possibility to be converted into duplexes.

Wolking felt that this project would be beneficial to the neighborhood by giving it more housing diversity and choices. The West Bank CDC is really pushing for this project to happen, Wolking said, People are showing more interest in the homes—there is a wait-list generated for interested candidates. The committee was looking to receive a letter of recommendation from the WBCC, so they can send applications to the City of Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota for government assistance to make the housing more affordable. There was a motion to write a letter of recommendation for the committee.

SALE OF SEVEN CORNERS PARKING RAMP
The Minneapolis City Council Community Development and Transportation & Public Works Committees have scheduled a special joint meeting, Tues, July 10, 11 a.m. at City Hall, Room 317. The meeting will be a public hearing to learn more about the potential sale of the City-owned parking ramps. For more information visit: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us.

SECRETARY’S REPORT
Secretary Jennifer Moates recommended that the WBCC refund the money for a two-year-registration with godaddy.com, a website server. Godaddy.com was chosen because it was the most inexpensive. Moates said the decision for a new web server hasn’t yet been made for the website update. The board passed the motion for the refund.

Minnesota E-Democracy, 3211 E 44th St, is a non-profit, volunteer-based project focusing on expanding participation and stronger communities through the power of information and communication. The organization would like to address the board at the next meeting. The board was in favor of a brief discussion at the next meeting.

TREASURER’S REPORT
WBCC treasurer noted that in the accounts there were enough funds available for the next three payrolls or until mid-July. The next city payment will be received also mid-July.

Jennifer Moates and the treasurer will be learning to use Quick Book to help with bookkeeping.

PERSONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
The WBCC vice president announced he will be having surgery and may be unable to attend the next meeting.

Jim Ruiz was serving as a representative for the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for Metro Transit. He would like to resign from the committee. He was told in order to withdraw he must put in a formal letter of termination.

Mohammed Issa announced his resignation from the board. He has to travel for family business and will be gone six months to a year.

NEXT MEETING: Weds, July 18, 6 p.m.
MEETINGS: Third Wednesdaty of the month
Brian Coyle Community Center, 420 15th Ave. S
CONTACT: 612-338-5282, ext. 224
www.westbankcc.org
email: 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: June 28, 2007

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