Webber-Camden Neighborhood Organization
Board Business Meeting — Zoom
July 2, 2020 — 6:30-8:30 PM
DRAFT MINUTES
Attendees: Robin Lewis, Brock Schumacher, Eric Hoffer, Monica Colberg, Kevin Aldwaik, Sheree Breedlove, Jeff Schmidt, Executive Director Patricia Deinhard-Bauknight
6:32 PM Call to Order: Robin Lewis, Chair
6:38 PM Presentation: Councilmember Phillipe Cunningham
[See Facebook for full recording of the presentation]
Highlights: CM Cunningham shared an update on public safety, specifically related to the proposed charter amendment to the City of Minneapolis Constitution. CM Cunningham wanted to dispel some rumors that the police were already defunded, and give clarity to his approach–especially given how words like “abolish” and “defund” are being used without consistency. He (and much of the city council) envisions “equitable rightsizing of investments across a comprehensive approach to public safety.”
Currently, the charter requires a “police department” and a minimum ratio of officers to residents of the city. The proposed amendment 1) removes the minimum ratio of officers to residents, 2) moves some legislative control from the mayor to the city council, 3) allows for the creation of a Department of Public Safety with several sub-departments including Law Enforcement and Violence Prevention). CM Cunningham lifted up how these changes would make space for increased work around equity and addressing structural disparities.
According to CM Cunningham, the charter review process is important and urgent, as it must be officially approved to be on the November ballot by August 21st. If passed by Minneapolis voters, the amendment would go into effect May 1st, 2021. However, the process of re-imagining public safety and shifting structures would take over two years, and include a lot of public listening and engagement, as well as test cases.
7:20 PM Review and Approval of June 2020 Minutes: R. Lewis (see board packet)
MOTION (by Kevin Aldwaik) to approve June minutes. Seconded. Approved unanimously.
7:22 PM Treasurer’s Report: Brock Schumacher
Financial updates & reports were sent, but internet issues arose during the meeting.
Treasurer’s Report tabled until later in the meeting.
7:25 PM Executive Director’s Report: Patricia Deinhard-Bauknight (see board packet)
ED has been meeting with WCNO Treasurer and City Accountant to learn the financial status and procedures of WCNO. ED has been in contact with other neighborhood association leaders to learn further models from which WCNO can learn. ED has submitted a $15k grant request to the Minneapolis Foundation to assist in WCNO’s response to the murder of George Floyd and ongoing needs in the community, as well as boosting WCNO’s communication capacity and consistency.
7:30 PM Board Roles and Responsibilities: P. Deinhart-Bauknight (board packet)
ED shared about the intended relationship between the WCNO board and staff, as well as separation of responsibilities. [See handout] In short, the board is care of setting the vision for the organization, and the staff is responsible for carrying out that vision. Additionally, the staff is responsible for evaluating staff and recruiting/developing future board members.
Board and Staff Division of Labor: P. Deinhart-Bauknight (board packet)
ED shared about the difference between standing committees and ad-hoc committees. WCNO has several committees (both standing and ad-hoc), but they are not meeting, reporting, or involving neighborhood residents consistently. The ED should be able to add structure and outreach capacity to the committees, and perhaps add more.
7:50 PM Revisit Treasurer’s Report: Brock Schumacher
Reviewed reports and numbers. All is well. MOTION (by E. Hoffer) to approve Treasurer’s Report. Amended by K. Aldwaik to include “pending audit.” Seconded. Discussion to clarify that the audit is as desired or needed. Approved unanimously.
7:55 PM COVID-19 Response Task Force & Response
Webber Mart has distributed 10,000 masks and counting. In addition, they have handed out 400 boxes of food, with 7 meals per box.
Outreach Committee: Monica Colberg and Sheree Breedlove have tabled all over Webber Camden (and beyond) for voter registration and census completion. They have handed out masks as well.
George Floyd Response
In addition to the grant that has been applied-for, a task force has met to reach out to local businesses and determine need.
8:15 PM By-Law Review: R. Lewis, P. Deinhard-Bauknight (see board packet)
Tabled, though a task force made great strides in crafting an updated draft.
8:16 PM 4146 Fremont Ave. Update: P. Deinhard-Bauknight
Jamil is hoping to come to a WCNO meeting soon. After some slowdowns in seeking funding, especially during the pandemic, he is hoping for county funding. WCNO is asked to update the community and continue support.
8:20 PM Camdentown Business District Relations Update: K. Aldwaik
Houston White has connected with Upper Northside Business Association, as well as WCNO. We are hoping for further conversation and uniting goals in the future.
8:25 PM Outreach Committee (Continued): M. Colberg
M. Colberg and S. Breedlove have plans for visiting 4 additional local businesses for voter registration and census outreach (in addition to mask distribution). Suggested to visit Mykonos in their morning rush, as well. Ask for support, as available.
8:35 PM Quarterly General Membership Meeting in August
Will convene a meeting soon to plan the meeting. E. Hoffer will send out an initial email.
8:38 PM Adjourn
Respectfully submitted by Eric Hoffer, WCNO Secretary.