West Bank Community Coalition (WBCC)
Sep. 19, 2007 board meeting
By Chris Stedman (date)
OFFICER REPORTS
Treasurer report
The treasurer was not present, but a finance report was distributed.
Secretary Report
The secretary is remaining busy but had nothing significant to report.
President’s Report
President Jim Ruiz discussed the Dania Partners meeting, reporting that the decision was made to begin with the issues that directly affect Dania, the sidewalk and encroachment. Ruiz also stated that a routine audit of WBCC by the state will occur throughout the month of October, and talked about the new website which contains minutes from WBCC meetings.
NEW BUSINESS
Capactity Building Work Presentation
There was an extensive conversation surrounding the Capacity Building work plan by the Community Development Committee (CDC) staff. The initial presentation addressed the administrative operations between NRP, WBCC, the Steering Committee, and subcontractors. The issues of accountability, authority, and the nature of each’s involvement in the Capacity Building work plan was discussed, but no decision was reached. The presentation was only intended to inform the board of concerns regarding the plan, with no decision about a course of action to be reached until a later date.
Smith Partners Contract update
Ruiz informed the board the the Smith Partners contract was not signed because the necessary funds were not yet secured from NRP by WBCC to pay for the according costs. Once there is ammendment to the NRP program contract that will allow the funds to be released for the Smith Partners contract, then it can be signed. Ruiz revealed that he made this decision because the ammendment had not yet gone through and he did not want to be held accountable for paying without the money.
“I don’t want to be pushed to sign things where we have to take all the risks,” said Ruiz.
Meeting Date Change
Ruiz proposed a change in the Annual Meeting date to Nov. 28, as the originally scheduled date is Nov. 21, the day before Thanksgiving. This motion was unanimously passed by the eight board members present.
Election to fill Board Vancancies
There was an election to fill the open Renter Resident seat. With only one proposal of interest, a motion was made to accept and elect Laura Silver. The motion was passed with one abstention. Silver will serve in this position through the 2008 Annual Election.
Land Use Committee Resolution
The resolution by the Land Use Committe recommended to the City of Minneapolis that it not sell the portion of the Dania Partners lot encroached upon, stating that such an action would be harmful to community members. The resolution also suggests that the City seek the consult of an outside, independent attorney and report back. The coalition endorsed the resolution.
COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT
Council member Cam Gordon presented his report, which addressed the reopening of the 10th Ave. bridge, MNDOT’s interest in closing 14th Ave. S., and the incident at the Sept. 14 Critical Mass, a monthly group bicycle ride, where nineteen people were arrested and many more were pepper sprayed. The arrestees included a Second Ward Intern, and Gordon stated that he had “serious concerns” about the police’s response at the event and will be “pushing for a formal review of both the specifics of the event and the MPD’s plans for dealing with future nonviolent protests, especially during next year’s RNC convention.”
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Due to the shortened meeting for Ramadan, the committees were to have submitted written reports this month. The board did not receive any, so a couple board members made brief verbal presentations.
NEXT MEETING: Annual meeting, Nov. 28 (replaces regular board meeting, originally scheduled for Nov. 21)
MEETINGS: Third Wednesday of the month Brian Coyle Community Center, 420 15th Ave. S
CONTACT: 612-338-5282, ext. 224 or 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: October 17, 2007