Jonathan Palmer Wrote: I think that either someone is providing you with incorrect information or you may have the Empowerment Zone confused with some other program. The Small Grants program does not go to the City Council for approval. By City requirement, allocations over $50K have to be done through a Request For Proposal (RFP) and have to go to the City Council for approval. The Small Grants allocation maximum is $25K, the Small Grants, therefore, do not go through the City Council, and neither Samuels nor any other City Council Member would have voted on them at the Council. The Council does get other funding allocation requests and that may be what you're thinking of.
Michelle Hill responds: I walked over to my neighbors house to get written confirmation on the Empowerment Zone Funding. Under Small Grant Program General Funding Process, # 5 states, "Upon approval by the Governance Board, the request is submitted to the Minneapolis City Council for final approval." #6 states, "After the City Council approval, a contract is entered into between the EZ office and the lead implementing agency." Therefore, your information, that the council is not involved is inaccurate. I could fax you a copy if you need it. Now, I will tell the forum what the goal of the Minneapolis Empowerment Zone small grant Program is: " A ten-year initiative(1999-2009), its purpose is to create jobs and business opportunities in the most economic distressed areas of the cities. The goal is to help disadvantaged communities become stable and sustainable through self-empowerment and economic participation. It is a holistic approach to economic development that recognizes to create sustainable communities we must support activities that make it possible for current residents and business of the EZ to grow and prosper." The small grants program, for request under $25,000.00 has 6 points in the strategic plan. 1. Ensuring that EZ investments contribute to the economic well being, opportunity and self-sufficiency for the people of the EZ. 2. Emphasizing wealth creation in all poverty reduction initiatives for EZ residents. 3. Ensuring that residents and business owners of the EZ are the clients of the EZ and receive the benefits. 4. Engaging in opportunities to obtain multiplying-effect leverage and sustainability of EZ investments. 5. Incorporating the needs of people of color, people with disabilities, people with low income and new immigrant arrivals into EZ initiatives. 6. Creating opportunities to increase communication with EZ business and community members. A letter dated, September 14, 2004, signed by Kim W. Havey sent my neighbor a letter stating, "Unfortunately, due to limited funds and because________________ is a for profit business status, the EZ did not approve the proposal for EZ Small Grant funds." Where does it say that the businesses had to be nonprofit? I have the documents, in its entirety. Jonathan Palmer wrote: Further, we generally do not get the Board members writing recommendations for Empowerment Zone proposals, and I have never seen one from Don or any other Board member that I can recall. Michelle Hill Responds: As to the letter of support, my neighbor does have a letter of support from her council member. I have read and confirmed the existence of the letter. She also said that CP Samuels was there offering letters of support also. Also in attendance, at the Empowerment Zone meeting in the community was CP Zimmerman. I think it is a beautiful thing, when council members support people in their ward attempting to empower themselves and in doing so, adding jobs in the community. As long as the business will help the community and the council member does not directly benefit from the business. Now that I have proven my point could you please answer the questions I have asked in past post, but received no response. I have asked if Alimin's(sic) Fish Restaurant received funding from the EZ and if it is a nonprofit business. Since it would be public information, could you please answer that for me. Also, did the EZ give money to Spike Moss and businesses related to Basim Sabri? A response would be appreciated. If would be great if you could just post the list of who benefited from EZ monies. Michelle Hill Cleveland REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
