Community Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF HIGHLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING

Members of the Highland District Council Community Services Committee (CSC) met at the Hillcrest Recreation Center, 1978 Ford Parkway, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55116 at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, May 19, 2010.

Members present: Teri Albright, WEPBA alternate, Mark Forsberg, Bill Poulos, alternate for Ray Cleveland, Tim Swanson, Gary Thompson.

Not present; Rick Hugley, John Lilja

Mark Forsberg called the meeting to order.

ELECTIONS

First order of business was the election of CSC chair, Mark Forsberg, who ran unopposed.

Elections of community members to CSC: Larry Hampel and Georgia Dietz. Since there were 2 openings, a voice vote by acclamation was held and Mr. Hampel and Ms Dietz were elected.

Election for CSC vice-chair: Tim Swanson and Gary Thompson were nominated. Tim Swanson was elected.

Election for CSC secretary: Georgia Dietz volunteered and was elected.

Mark Forsberg reported that the HDC needs volunteers for the June 12 railroad clean-up. 22 volunteers are needed, 2 have signed up, so far.

Crime Prevention Coordinator

Mark Forsberg stated that the main order of business was discussion concerning the crime prevention coordinator. Gary Thompson said that Sara Issacs was considered for the job and asked if she should be contacted. Bill Poulos pointed out there was an odd set of circumstances under which the previous coordinator left their employ. Larry Hampel asked if we should be more local in our search, citing low pay, long drive, and he didn't think we need to have someone with a police background.

Motion: Bill Poulos moved that we place a "Crime Prevention Position Announcement" add in the next issue of the Villager. Motion passed.

Copies of the previous crime prevention position announcement were distributed to the committee members.

Motion: Bill Poulos made a motion to amend language of position announcement. Motion passed.

Motion: Bill Poulos moved to change wording, 'The ideal candidate will have an interest and/or experience in criminal justice, nonprofits, community organizing, communications, government or related fields." Deleted were the words"...be pursuing a degree or have a vocational interest..." and also to delete the word "temporary. Motion passed.

There was discussion as to whether to ask for Highland community experience in the add. Georgia Dietz stated that the add for community organizer didn't have such language.

Bill Poulos moved to call the question. Motion passed.

Motion: Bill Poulos moved to run written add as amended.. Motion passed.

 (See attached copy)

Crime Prevention Coordinator-Highland District Council: job description

Members were given copy of a copy of CPC job description.

Under supervision section, Bill Poulos talked of changing second sentence to, "Reports directly to Chair of Community Services Committee." Larry Hampel stated that C.O. is always here, CSC chair sometimes not. Bill Poulos talked about history of CPC position; that it was once held by daughter of C.O. Our intern had a back/forth position with C.O. Don't know if we necessarily want this. An autonomous CPC could seek out crime prevention grants, housing grants, etc.

Motion: Georgia Dietz made motion to change first sentence to "Reports monthly to the Community Services Committee." Second. Motion passed.

Motion: Bill Poulos moved to take sentence, "Communicates regularly with the Community Organizer" from the Supervision section and make it #4 under Responsibilities and make #5, "Other duties as assigned." Motion passed.

Motion: Georgia Dietz made motion to change sentence under Supervision, to "Reports directly to the Community Services Committee Chair and makes monthly reports to the CSC Committee. Motion passed.

Under Classification/Status/Contract Term, Bill Poulos questioned whether CPC should be an independent contractor and suggested an employee status, certain benefits come with employee status. Committee members agreed this should be checked out before we interview.

(See attached copy)

Other Business

Georgia Dietz brought up article in May's issue of the Community Reporter, "Community Visioning, 2010: Clear Vision for West Seventh Community in Next Ten Years". She thought all members should read article since West 7^th is in Highland, as well.

She also asked to have the HDC school district liaison, Ann Carroll, come and speak to the HDC about school closings. Mark Forsberg said he would call Ms Carroll.

Bill Poulos asked what the plan is for Homecroft School, going forward.

Georgia Dietz brought up Star Tribune and Pioneer Press articles concerning the future of rec centers in Saint Paul. She questioned whether the CSC would meet before the city meeting being held at Hillcrest on June 9^th so the committee could bring some resolutions for action to the HDC Board meeting being held on June 3^rd. Bill Poulos wondered about HGRA plans for rec centers.

Motion: Georgia Dietz made motion to hold special CSC meeting on Wednesday, May 26 for discussion of committee recommendations. Second. Motion passed.

Larry Hampel made motion to adjourn. Motion passed

The CSC adjourned at 8:35 P.M.