Minutes from 2/23/15 Board Business Meeting

Call to Order: 6:40 pm by Acting Council President Tom Mohr.  Introductions conducted.

Financial Reports: G. Westerberg notes that we need approval of the quarterly report.  Motion made, seconded and approved on voice vote to accept the end of the second quarter fiscal year financial reports.

Staffing Update:  B. Leach provides an update on staffing.  Chia Lor has been hired to assist with the Annual Meeting.  A couple of additional funding sources are set to come in soon.  Chia’s wage is currently coming out of reserves but that will be shifted over as we receive the additional funding.

Capital Improvement Budget:  B. Leach provides a list of proposals and asks board member to rate their support of them by March 9. A brief overview of the projects is provided.

Request from Youth Programming:  C. Melendez asks for financial support for programming participants to cover individual transportation costs.  Motion by P. Fuehrer to purchase 50 single use bus tokens for use by Youth Programming while staff meets with SmartTrips and Metro Transit to explore other options/discounted fares.  Seconded by T. Turner.  Approved on voice vote.

BRT Update:  B. Leach provides a Gateway Corridor planning update on the BRT, especially regarding SunRay station planning.  They are still looking for feedback on the proposal. Community meeting at Grace Lutheran Church on Thursday, Feb 26, 5:30 – 8p

Ramsey County Update:  B. Leach provides an update on the recent County meeting she attended regarding White Bear Ave upgrades. Construction will begin in 2016.

Salvation Army:  B. Leach notes that Salvation Army is looking to take over the Empire Beauty and Napa building on Suburban Ave.   Questions regarding new proposal.

Annual Meeting:  C. Lor introduces herself. She notes that District 1 will be conducting open houses on March 28 and March 30.  Board members are required to participate on at least one of the two dates.  This year we will focus on voter education including voter participation (Voting 101), ranked choice voting (RCV) explanation and a sample RCV ballot.   It is noted that the Secretary of State offers liaison for voter translation services.  S. Ali notes that the Somali community tends to be very visual so video clips would be helpful.  S. Ali also reports on additional needs including more than 400 children under 18 years old that are in need of tutoring and academic help.

C. Lor asks that everyone assist with the Annual Meeting.  Additional ideas – video clips in additional languages, precinct finder and registration information.  It is noted that it would be good to get visual depictions of voting and situations. 

Activity Ideas for the meeting:

1)      A wheel of fortune spinner for an interactive station,

2)      Educational pamphlet/voting 101,

3)      Voter Assistance/Multiple Elections

4)      Find your precinct

5)      Become an election judge

6)      Ranked Choice Voting and Standard Voting

7)      Absentee Voting

8)      Completing your ballot

9)      Spoken word piece on voting/elections

 There are several vacant board seats available. We are especially interested in candidates from Eastview, Conway, from renter community, from communities of color, and from among women.