From: Cam Gordon, NRP Policy Board Neighborhood Rep. As a Neighborhood Representative, I offer the following about what is happening at the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) Policy Board. Since my last report in July we have had two Board meetings and a great deal has happened.
I am particularly interested in any feedback regarding I and IV I. Revised NRP Ordinance and Reduced Allocations II. Policy Board Approves Policing Set Aside III. Two Mayoral Proposals IV. Diversity Task Force Proposal V. Special Attention on Cedar Riverside Called For VI. Other Actions that might be of interest VII. Upcoming Workshops I. Revised NRP Ordinance May Mean Reductions in Neighborhood, Affordable Housing and Commercial Corridor Allocations In August the City Council revised the city's Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) ordinance and defined a base funding source for Phase II (2001-2009). I (and many others) lobbied and testified in favor of the ordinance and see these revisions as the best option to secure a future for NRP. It is projected that $58 million in Common Project revenues will be available to the NRP through 2009. This is significantly less than the $180 million originally anticipated for Phase II. Of the $89 million for Phase II ($31 million provided in 2001 and 2002 and $58 million projected for 2003-2009), $21 million are already committed to the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund ($16 million), the Commercial Corridor Reserve Fund ($4 million) and the NRP Community Policing Initiative ($1 million). The reduced Phase II funds will mean that neighborhood allocations will need to be reduced and that, in order to preserve more discretionary funds for neighborhoods, there will be pressure to reduce the Affordable Housing and Commercial Corridor set aside funds. II. Policy Board Approves $I Million Set Aside for Community Policing Partly in order to help build City Council support for future funding of NRP, as well as to address public safety concerns, the Policy Board voted in August to dedicate $1 million to community oriented public safety activities to be expended by December 2004. The final resolution that had been considered and modified over the span of several months also included provisions that police administration work with NRP and precinct advisory committees to develop a plan for spending these funds as approved in neighborhood action plans. Both concerns expressed by neighborhood organizations and a clarifying opinion issued by the NRP's legal counsel resulted in a change to the proposal that makes individual NRP Neighborhood Action Plans the driving force behind all funds transferred to the Police through the initiative. According to the resolution, community policing funds can be used for such things as: CCP/SAFE staffing, bike patrols, foot patrols and community-based and directed police presence across the city. I supported this version of the proposal, with some reluctance, in large part because of the new focus on neighborhood approval through action plans. III. Mayor Proposes Using CDBG Funds and Coordinating more with CLIC in 2004 The Mayor presented two noteworthy proposals to the Policy Board in August. First, he proposed that 1/2 of the "Mayor's allocation," ($1.2 million targeted to Social Services) of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds go through the NRP Policy Board for spending recommendations. The NRP policy board would work with the Empowerment Zone Board and the Youth Coordinating Board to identify uses of these funds. This was discussed and approved, along with a draft process, at the September meeting. Second, he proposed forming a working relationship between the NRP Policy Board and the City's CLIC committee. (Capital Long range Investment Committee). Better communication and coordination between NRP and this citizen advisory committee as well as other departments is something I strongly support. IV. Diversity Task Force Proposal At the September meeting I offered the following resolution to create a task force to recommend options for including more diversity on the Board: specifically for people representing "communities of color" and renters. It was tabled but will be on our October agenda. Where as: - Part of the NRP Policy Board's purpose is to "ensure an open process and promote citizen participation in all aspects of the program." - The Policy Board bylaws call for "community interests" to be represented on the board including someone representing "communities of color." - We have had no person present at any Board meetings representing communities of color for at least the past ten months and the designated person no longer lives or works in Minnesota. - Consistent and enduring concerns about NRP and the participation and inclusion of renters and people of color have been raised throughout Phase I of NRP and during discussions of Phase II. - Including the perspectives of a person or persons representing communities of color and residents who do not own homes will likely promote better participation of these groups throughout NRP, will serve as an example to neighborhood groups, and will offer this and future Policy Boards valuable, and currently absent, perspectives on the important issues and decisions that will come in the future. Therefore be it resolved that the NRP Policy Board establish a task force, open to any and all interested Board member and alternates, to bring to the Board at its October meeting recommendations or options of how to include one or more person representing communities of color and one or more person representing renters/non-homeowners on the Policy Board. V. Special Attention on Cedar Riverside Called For In August the Board briefly discussed the Cedar Riverside Neighborhood noting that it is the last of the original neighborhoods yet to complete a Phase 1 Action Plan. We passed a resolution that directed the NRP staff to explore all means available and provide recommendations for expediting Cedar Riverside's NRP participation and present a progress report to the Policy Board within 60 days. At the September meeting approved Cedar Riverside's new participation agreement. VI. Other Actions that might be of interest At the last two meetings we also approved the following: Phase II Participation Agreement for Standish Erickson Waite Park Plan Modification McKinley Neighborhood Action Plan (Phase I) Use of Hennepin County funds for Downtown Gateway Fountain Project Corcoran Phase II Advance Fund Request Sheridan Plan Modification #10 Logan Park Phase II Neighborhood Action Plan VII. Upcoming Workshops Two NRP workshops worth attending - Safety Committee Outreach and Organizing, Monday 9/29 6:30-8:30 at the 5th precinct 3101 Nicollet Ave. So. - The Minneapolis Plan and Your Community, Monday 10/20 6:30-8:30 Pershing Park 3523 W. 48th St. To register call 673-5149 or email [EMAIL PROTECTED] ===================== Please feel free to contact me if you have any ideas or questions about anything i n this report or about NRP in general. You may also visit the NRP website a www.nrp.org for more information. Cam Gordon Seward Neighborhood, Minneapolis, Ward 2 SD 59 (612) 296-0579, 339-2452 REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
