who’s online newsletter

Present: 15 Willard- Homewood Residents (including 5 Block Club Leaders): James Nelson, Martha Chatelein, Liz Samuels, Rob MacIntrye, Michael Tabor, Al McFarlane, Beverly Propes,  Glenn K., Kathy Godfrey, Michelle Lewis, B. Hardemen, Charlene Tate, Ernestine Walton-B., Natonia Johnson, Carol Olson. Randy Staton
Guest:  Henry Crosby (YMCA speaker)
[NOTE: apologies for any misspellings and incomplete information!)

Call to order:                6:30  Al stated current chair, Francine Chakolis, would be coming shortly.  Several members requested we nominate temporary chair so we could start on time.  Mike nominated Beverly Propes, James seconded.  Beverly requested we have co-chair.  Randy nominated Al, Ernestine seconded.  13 yeas, 0 nays, 2 abstained.  Motion carried.

1)      Approval of agenda:  6:40 Beverly made motion to approve agenda, Al seconded, motion carries unanimously.

2)      Guest Speaker, Mr. Henry Crosby, from YMCA:                6:45 Survey done showing community not willing to pay high membership prices for current program.  Better product needed. 1^st phase of new facility will focus on family and community needs.  New model will allow multiple functions in building focusing on youth and family.  Gym and pool will remain.   Middle will be gutted to make room for younger kids.  Second floor for technology and other rooms for community use.  There will be a rock climbing wall and a stage for the arts and community meetings will be added.  There will be much more glass to utilize natural lighting and create a more open feel.   Youth is a priority to provide a safe zone for kids.  The 2^nd phase of the project will work with North Point  to build a 17,000 ft. facility next to north point.  The idea is that if health and fitness center is closer to North Point, folks will see value in both health AND fitness.    These two phases of renovation were needed because a YMCA needs about 2,000 paying customers daily to succeed.  Currently only about 200 come daily.  Also, there is a financial goal of helping people fund coming to the YMCA with about $76,000 annually.  Instead they are giving out about $336,000 in financial support.  They don’t want to turn away community members so they needed to create a more workable model for the community.   The time table is 1^st phase done by 10/08 and 2^nd phase by 2009/2010.  The YMCA is collaborating with area services to make sure services are not overlapping.    Mr. Crosby did want to convey his disappointment and apologies that the use of the pool at the Boys/Girls club did not work out for the community swim teams as originally intended.  There was a plan in place but communication broke down and the community suffered.   The new facility will have a pool but not a steam room and some other amenities other facilities have in other cities.  People can go to other YMCAs for those features.  This YMCA wants to focus on family and youth.   To get current updates and to give your input on this project, please go to www.twincityymca.org  or WWW.ymcampls.blogspot.org. 

3)      Year end reports:                 7:15 Mike gives Crime and Safety Committee Report, James gives Communication report, nobody present to represent the Economic Development Committee but copies of last meeting minutes were passed out.  Bill asked if these committees were working independently or working together or just what the structure of these committees was.  Mike said that the by-laws we have yet to pass outline the structure goals of the organization but we have yet to pass the laws.  So, in answer to Glenn’s question, these committees are working quite independently for now.  Beverly made a motion that these yearend reports be posted to the www.willard-homewood.org web site.  Motion 2^nd and passed with a majority (The meeting was moving quite fast now and I did not get who made 2^nd and vote numbers, sorry about that).  Mike ( Crm./Sfty.) and James and Michelle (Communications) will post reports on web site prior to next meeting.  There was discussion about communicating other than by email.  We lack funding to do flyers.  Mike mentioned we have a bulletin board so people can post comments and carry on dialogue rather than mass emailing.  Michelle said that would cost more for the web site or we would need to take something out of the web site  It was also suggested that we have a membership fee for WHO members.  However, this may keep people from participating.   People have been paying out of their own pocket for web site, flyers and other expenses.  Michelle mentioned we have tried soliciting donations without much response.  Our group needs 403C (non profit org) status to receive funding of any kind.  Al suggested we utilize NRRC, Urban League for funding for things like mailings to people without email.  Michelle pointed out that many of these things require money up front .  James mentioned he does not have upfront money as others may not have either.  Beverly mentioned that it would be advantageous to have a vision for expenses for WHO.  Mike said we need to pass by laws first then we need to submit a budget, then we need to elect officers as is all outlined in the bylaws. Glenn asked why we don’t just pass our bylaws so we can get our own funding for our unique needs and events.  Glenn made a motion that we devote our entire next meeting to passing our by-laws so we can move forward more effectively. Many people 2^nd the motion simultaneously and the motion was carried unanimously.                                   

4)      Old Business:                7:35 Mike made a motion that we have no old business.  James 2^nd motion and passed unanimously.

5)      New Business:                7:40 Beverly mentioned that we need to address issues like radon that is in our community and foreclosures in our area.  She also mentioned that you can access smaller crime information, like purse snatchings.  Beverly will send out instructions on how to do this via email but if you want to do it right away it is available on the city of Mpls web site.  As far as the foreclosures, the economic committee is addressing this and all are welcome to attend these meetings. 

Natonia asked if any classes on gun rights were being looked at.  Mike said that Tim Hammett with the MPD would be the one to answer that question.  Michelle said that the martial arts demonstration at the crime/safety fair last year at Plymouth Youth Center was very helpful.  Mike said that these were all great ideas and the fair had lots of great feedback.  However, we need to look at getting financing set up.

Mike mentioned another issue we should keep in mind is to provide resources where people can go for essential issues like home heating and heat bills during winter.  Natonia and Beverly said they would lead efforts to form a task force to lead this effort to explore issue.  Mike also mentioned that we follow up on the race issues that confront our communities as evidenced by the flurry of emails after last month’s meeting.   Natonia mentioned the Harrison Neighborhood had a good program.  James brought a flyer “Undoing Racism” done by Harrison and passed it out.  James will check with Harrison folks to see about duplicating their program. 

6)      Adjourn:  7:50 Mike mentioned that we should adjourn.    Mike made a motion that we have Beverly and Al co-chair next meeting again since it went extraordinarily smooth, professional and efficient.  There were many 2^nd motions and a unanimous passing of the motion for Al and Beverly to be temporary co-chairs again for next meeting. 

GREAT COOPERATIVE, PRODUCTIVE MEETING.  THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING.  HOPE TO YOU NEXT TIME, ON MARCH 20^TH, IF YOU COULD NOT MAKE IT THIS TIME.

These minutes will be reviewed, amended and passed at the 3/20/2008 meeting chaired by Al and Beverly   THANK YOU!!