06-18-09 Envision Connection Project Executive Board Minutes
Envision Connection Project
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
June 18, 2009
Present: Sharon Glover, Jim Heidelberg, Linda Loomis, Philip Lund, Dean Penk,
Marshall Tanick, Blair Tremere
Absent: Helene Johnson and Luke Weisberg (GVCEF Representative)
Staff: Jeanne Andre
The meeting began at 7:05 pm in the Council Conference Room.
Approval of Minutes
Tremere/Tanick moved to approve the minutes of May 20,2009 as presented. Motion
carried.
Envision Award
The Board met as a committee of the whole to review the Envision Award nomination of
Dwight Townes for the Highway 55 Lilac Planting Project. Members noted that the
nomination matched the award criteria read by Jeanne Andre. Heidelberg/Tanick moved
to recommend that the City Council award an Envision Award to Dwight Townes for the
Highway 55 Planting Initiative. Motion Carried.
Members discussed the process for Council review and scheduling the award. It was
recommended that Linda Loomis, as Chair of the Connection Project, contact Mr.
Townes and request his attendance at a Council Meeting to receive the award.
Bridge Building Activities
Quarterly Meeting (June 13) - The Quarterly Bridge Builder Meeting at the Humane
Society was well attended. Some new participants volunteered to distribute Bridge
Builder information at the Police/Fire Open House and the Fire Relief Dance. One new
attendee would like to instigate an evening unit of the Golden Valley Garden Club.
Next Quarterly Meeting - It was recommended that the next meeting be on November
7 or 14, to avoid other scheduled Connection Project/Bridge Builder events. The
Learning Disabilities Association on Golden Valley Road was suggested as a venue.
Lilac Planting - Linda Loomis reported that the lilac planting group met and decided to
limit the planting area to Highway 55 between Winnetka and Glenwood. The date is still
September 26 with Spirit of Hope Methodist Church serving as the Welcome Center and
venue for the celebration. Blair Tremere is helping secure food and monetary
contributions for the after-planting celebration. He mentioned that a new idea came up
at the last meeting to start an effort to replace plantings from previous years that have
not survived. He noted that there is no immediate plan to initiate this project.
Dog Park - Linda Loomis reported that City staff and some Bridge Builders are meeting
with the Animal Humane Society next week to see if the Society would be interested in
a cooperative approach to a dog park on the northeast portion of their property. Some
issues with the site are securing adequate parking and shade for visitors. Board
Members suggested that an area for pet memorials could help to financially support the
park.
Buckthorn Busting - BlairTremere reported that he is still interested in promoting a
educational program this fall, but has not set a date. He would try to avoid dates already
scheduled for other Bridge Builder activities. Members suggested a variety of locales for
Envision Connection Project
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
June 18, 2009 - Page 2
demonstration projects, including the Humane Society dog park area, Brookview and
the General Mills Nature Area.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Jeanne Andre reported that Bridge Builder DeDe Scanlon has been working with
representatives from Calvary Church and Valley Presbyterian Church to see if
volunteers could be mobilized to help residents who have health or financial issues
maintain their homes. Both churches have done this sort of mission work in the past,
largely in other parts of the country. They would like to try to help folks in their own
community. Staff has brought in non-profits to help mobilize the program. PRISM has
agreed to be the primary contact and coordinate homeowner needs with the volunteer
efforts. H.O.M.E. is an agency that helps homeowners sixty and over with minor
maintenance, and is willing to serve as another resource. Jeanne Andre distributed a
draft flyer on the program and indicated that the program hopes to be able to start in
July. At this point it is a pilot project, but other churches and organizations could be
invited to join the collaboration in the future. Marshall Tanick suggested contacting the
Minneapolis Pipefitters 539 Union, which has had a program in the past to help install
furnaces in homes of low-income residents. Members also noted a recent article about
Richfield residents who are helping with lawn care for foreclosed homes to help promote
neighborhood livability.
Golden Valley Outreach - Ice Cream Social
The Ice Cream Social is scheduled for July 20 with Tubby Esquire as the band.
Members identified tasks and took responsibility for the following:
. Dean Penk will contact Mike Pellizzer about providing the ice cream.
. Marshall Tanick will seek donations to cover the cost of the ice cream.
. Blair Tremere will contact Betty Crews and Hilde Ostrow to see if they would be
available to sell mugs and t-shirts.
. Jeanne Andre will coordinate the production of lawn signs and posters and let
members know when they are available to distribute.
. Linda Loomis will make a brief presentation at the intermission and ask the
Council to serve as scoopers.
Proposed Community Foundation/Non-Profit
Luke Weisberg is preparing a set of questions and answers about the proposed
Community Foundation to use in soliciting broader support. He promised to circulate his
initial draft in the near future so Board Members could respond to it and try to finalize a
document at the next meeting. Dean Penk said he would meet with Luke to work on a
draft document.
Upcoming Conferences
Sharon Glover secured more detailed information regarding a Fund Raising Summit
sponsored by the Center for Non-Profit Success on June 30 and July 1. There is a fee
for the whole conference and an option to pay for individual sessions. As there is no
City budget for members to attend these events, members will decide if they wish to
attend on their own.
Envision Connection Project
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
June 18, 2009 - Page 3
Helene Johnson sent information regarding an upcoming National Civic Summit on July
15-17. There is no charge for this event and some members indicated that they may
attend.
Future Meetings
The next meeting will be on July 16.
The meeting ended at 8:30 pm.
Jeanne Andre, Assistant City Manager