Special Board Meeting: August 28, 2007

PRESENT: *Gregory Hession, Chair, *Abdullah Abdul-Rahim, *Luzed Guzman, *Walter Kroll, *Jim Llewellyn, *Denise Moccia, *Demetrios Panteleakis, *Rodrick Shubrick, *Ben Swan Jr., *Cindy Williams, *Marianne Winters, Sandra Hession, Kat Wright, (*Members of the Board)

Guests: None

Meeting called to order 7:20 p.m. 11 Board members present

AGENDA: Business of this meeting is to consider for approval the sub-recipient Community Development Block Grant contract with the City of Springfield.

Chairman GH characterized the contract as general boilerplate Federal grant language; the contract is from HUD in the amount of $13,500. He said he had read through the contract several times and did not find anything that would be harmful to the Council; noted that the City places certain qualifications on the use of the funds, includes a City code of conduct and a HUD code of conduct; state open meeting rules apply. Copies of the contract were passed around and the floor opened for discussion.

MW noted that enumerated Goals/Activities and Budget specific to McKnight Council are part of the contract, and that there is some flexibility allowed; suggested that in future board meetings one person be designated to report progress on each of the stated goals/activities.

BS noted that in past years we have been allowed to amend the budget; he read aloud the activities spelled out in the contract.

DP moved to accept the contract; MW seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

GH will complete the paperwork and submit the contract to the City as soon as possible.

Old Business:

GH asked that the board consider a more efficient way forward, asking the question: "What can this Council actually do?" He then proposed a number of issues, asking the board to be prepared to address them at the next meeting, including:

§ Finding alternative office / meeting space that would save money

§ Devising a system for issuing letters, persuasive rather than accusatory, from the Council to neighbors who have messy properties, noting such letters should be factual and not personal

§ Developing some clout to get derelict properties cleaned up, rehabilitated or demolished; noted that there are different issues involved with private business properties, private city properties, and personal properties derelict but not in city control, each type needing its own strategy

§ Assigning various board members to represent the Council at particular City boards, commissions and councils, including City Council, Historical Commission, License Commission, Library Commission, Planning Dept., Housing Dept., Police Dept., and others

§ Considering sidewalks and streets

§ Getting the walking trail back on the table for Council action

§ Putting together before next meeting a method for board members to communicate more easily.

DP volunteered to be Council liaison with David Panagore re Planning/Development, noted there is much information on City Master Plan on these issues; suggested a double approach: Short Term Team and Long Term Team; stated plans for sidewalks and streets are already in the planning stages, and the Council needs to get into the mix and expand that plan, getting what we want on the Master Plan now and in the budget for the next fiscal years. Also noted that there is Federal grant money available now to pay for police officer patrols in the neighborhoods after dark. Concerning Council's current inefficient meeting form, he suggested having sub-committees do the work and bring recommendations to the board meetings for a vote, that executive session (board only) be used to decide goals and priorities, that at regular board meetings public opinions ought to be taken first and then board members discuss and vote.

MW requested that the board do a real planning process together, and include people not present tonight, in order to set priorities and works plans.

JL suggested, regarding sharing ideas, that a Yahoo group (or similar on-line group) be set up.

AAR noted not everybody has a computer.

DP said he is willing to put his ideas out on an email or drop off copies to those without email, for comment and discussion.

BS said we also have the Council website and the newsletter, and that he would like to see representatives from every street who could participate by disseminating Council materials.

WK suggested need to develop a marketing campaign, to put things on the website that affect people, that people need to see "what's in it for us." He offered to help upgrade the website.

8:15 pm - Adjournment:

JL moved to adjourn; DP seconded. Motion passed unanimously.