The September board meeting was primarily spent discussing the Emerson North proposal for which a motion was passed to draft a neutral letter to the city regarding NRRC’s position. Additionally, we received updates on numerous other developments and approved a staffing plan that will carry us through December of 2012.
Northside Residents Redevelopment Council Board Minutes
Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center
2001 Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Monday September 18th 6:30-8:00pm
Meeting called to order at 6:30: Ariah Fine – Vice Chair (Acting Board Chair)
Motion to approve agenda passed
Welcome and Intro Activity
Board chair Ariah Fine introduced the general board meeting with an exercise surrounding a 1935 Minneapolis planning map delineating sections of the city with racially charged language. View the map and Ariah’s comments at nrrc.org. Director Dehn read the mission statement for all attendees.
Emerson North Proposal
The Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation founded in 1999, is a non-profit housing organization proposing to develop a 48 unit affordable housing complex in north Minneapolis dubbed the Emerson North Proposal. This potential project has major implications both for the community and the NRRC organization. There was a community meeting held on Thursday September 15th 2011 to discuss the project to the community at-large and to stage a vote to gauge community support for/against the housing project being developed in the NRRC district. Director Dehn read and explained (see below) the results of the vote as this was going to further aid the directors and the NRRC board in reaching their decision(s) on the manner. NRRC facilitated the meeting, monitored and convened the election process. Because of the nature of the politics involved on both sides of the issue NRRC is committed to pursuing this process in the most democratic manner. Directors debated several issues surrounding this project.
Voting Results
Row 1 = Voted in Favor of Proposal
Row 2 = Voted in Opposition of Proposal
|
Totals |
55411 Area |
Impact Area |
|
64 |
44 |
20 |
|
96 |
11 |
85 |
Director Bushay made a motion that NRRC be in opposition to any public subsidies and/or variances for that site (1800 Emerson).
Director Mascia raised motion, limiting comments/questions around the Emerson North Project to 90 seconds. Director Everett said we should not rush the process and remain neutral as to our decision until we are able to make a more concerted decision. Interim Executive Director Ishmael stated that this meeting should be following Robert’s rules.
Director Dehn said variances will always happen with projects of this magnitude so the motion Director Bushay offered is very deceptive in nature and has the purpose undermining the project in entirety at its purposed site.
Director Gartell wrote a statement (she was not in attendance) that NRRC is should take a neutral stance on the project at this time.
Vice Chair Fine explained that while the Old Highland email list served to inform a certain constituency about the proposal and Old Highland’s opposition, NRRC’s role as an organization charged with “informing residents” should welcome the opportunity to hold informational meetings for the community, thus the decision to hold the September 15th meeting. It was Director Bushay’s decision, as chair of the RCTF, to hold a vote at that community meeting.
Director O’Brien stated that Old Highland tends to be very subjective and can be racist at times and she also stated they have a bad attitude around the negative “perception” of the people that may be moving into the project.
Director Pier stated Old Highland flyered the impacted zone. It was then clarified that NRRC did not flier at all. Old Highland fliered with their letter stating opposition to the project. PCNF fliered as well in the general area.
Director Amoke stated she would like to hear further details about the project so she can make the best informed decision as it pertains to the Emerson North proposal.
Director Ford presented substitute motion stating correct non-partisan flyering be done as well as a comprehensive effort to educate the entire NRRC district with a letter being sent to the city of Minneapolis for tax credits with community benefits agreement and land use process. Motion 2nd by director Dehn
Motioned passed to become the new motion (replacing the original motion by Director Bushay)
New motion did not pass. End result: No motion regarding the proposal in support or opposition was approved.
Motion by Director Dehn to draft a neutral letter from NRRC stating the results of the community meeting and the communities desire for further dialog, including a community benefits agreement. Motion passed unanimously.
Updates
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Letter of Interest was approved and a full proposal was asked for regarding the CURA Art grant that NRRC is applying for with Works Progress
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Director O’Brien held a youth listening session with teens to talk about the recent violence. The evening dinner also featured a nationally recognized local hip-hop group.
Staffing Plan
The board received a staffing plan drafted by the current interim Director, Ishmael Israel, and consultant Tene Wells, and approved by the Executive Committee. The plan lays out NRRC’s staffing and goals for the next 15 months to utilize contract staff to restructure the organizations and ramp up it’s community engagement. The staffing plan was approved unanimously.
Finances
Director Dehn gave financial report on organization and spoke to the cash position of the organization and the philosophy behind financial management of the organization.
Community Benefits Agreement
Director Everett is leading this movement within the ranks of NRRC. Director Dehn and Director McGlory talked about the upcoming open house at UROC and where the current process is. The CBA is a potentially binding agreement with the University of Minnesota and north Minneapolis that will be brokered through the NRRC membership.
RCTF
Director Bushay talked about what was going on with the residential task force committee and the alliance housing organization’s housing developments in the community.
Motion was made to approve 3 bldgs. W/condition that citizen advisory board be formed prior to 8/19 (Director Bushay confirmed this as done prior to 8/19)
Meeting adjourned 8:09 p.m.
Next Meeting
October 17th 2011
6:30-8:00pm
Minutes prepared by Matthew McGlory