Windom Community

The Department of Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) of
the City of Minneapolis is proposing funding guidelines for a Capital
Acquisition Revolving Fund for site acquisition and assembly for
redevelopment along major commercial and transit corridors and
commercial nodes (as designated by The Minneapolis Plan).

To view the proposed guidelines, please follow this link:

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/docs/carf_guidelines.doc

If approved by the City Council, the guidelines would:

1. Define eligibility for accessing funds from the Capital Acquisition
Revolving Fund for acquisition of property or financing of property
acquisition for redevelopment of sites located on commercial and transit
corridors and at commercial nodes (as designated in The Minneapolis
Plan) for mixed commercial and residential use. Funds will be used to
assemble or aid in the assembly of larger sites for new mixed-use and
mixed-income rental and ownership multifamily housing and commercial
buildings in areas where mixed use is appropriate. At least 20% of the
housing units must be affordable to those who earn less than 50% of the
Metropolitan Median Income (as required by the City’s Affordable Housing
Policy); and

2. Establish an open nomination process to solicit suggestions for
specific sites and projects from neighborhood organizations, developers,
City staff and other interested parties (note: this process will not be
a formal Request for Proposal process).

It is anticipated that the fund guidelines will be considered by the
City Council’s Community Development Committee on Tuesday, July 11, 2006
at 1:30 p.m. in Room 317 City Hall and by the Ways & Means/Budget
Committee on Monday, July 17, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 317 City Hall.
The full City Council is expected to consider the guidelines on Friday,
July 21, 2006.

Written comments are welcome and should be directed to:

Kevin Dockry
Community Planning and Economic Development
105 5th Avenue South, Room 200
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401-2534
(612) 673-5075
kevin.dockry@ci.minneapolis.mn.us

Comments are due in writing by Friday, July 7.

Community Planning and Economic Development Department’s research staff
has released a new report on Minneapolis housing and economic trends
from 2000 – 2005. The report is available on the City’s Web site at:

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/docs/trend_report_2000-2005.pdf

This is an expanded edition of the “Minneapolis Trends” report which
offers a five-year rather than the normal five-quarter time frame for
many economic, housing, and demographic indicators. This longer horizon
provides a clearer understanding of longer-range trends within the City
and the metropolitan area.

The report is organized in three sections:
- a three page executive summary;
- Part I entitled “Minneapolis Snapshots” is an eight page summary of
the latest available data on selected key indicators; and
- Part II entitled “Minneapolis Trends 2000-2005″ is the main body of
the report which displays multi-year trends for Minneapolis and the
metropolitan area.

Questions about the report can be directed to Jeff Schneider (673-5124;
jeff.schneider@ci.minneapolis.mn.us) or to Cecilia Bolognesi (673-5495;
cecilia.bolognesi@ci.minneapolis.mn.us).

Windom Community Council # mailed = 1,300 to 1,500
NRP Phase II Survey # returned = 144
Spring 2006 % returned = 10% to 11%

Total % of responses on individual questions may be less than100% because not every respondent answered every question and rounding off percents.

General Neighborhood Satisfaction

1. Overall rating of the Windom neighborhood as a place to live
a. good — 81% c. poor — 1%
b. fair — 15% d. don’t know — 0%

2. Over the past 3 years, Windom has become
a. better – 24% c. stayed the same – 42%
b. worse – 22% d. don’t know – 6%

3. Top three reasons people live in the neighborhood
a. sense of community – 17% h. convenient location – 11%
b. proximity to friends/family – 13% i. availability of public transit – 28%
c, affordable housing – 22% k. safe place to live – 38%
d. primarily residential – 18% l. access to parks and lakes – 3%
e. well maintained homes – 38% m. parks and recreational facilities – 7%
f. quiet neighborhood – 15% n. other – 8%
g. close to downtown – 69% o. local businesses – 0%

4. Where respondents expect to live 5 years from now
a. same house – 67% e. other home in Minneapolis – 10%
b. different house in Windom – 3% f. other apartment in Minneapolis – 1%
c. same apartment – 2% g. outside Minneapolis – 8%
d. different apt. in Windom – 0% h. out of Minnesota – 5%

5. Primary reasons to move out of Windom neighborhood
a. need a larger home — 24% j. cultural opportunities – 1%
b. job change – 9% k. city services – 1%
c. live closer to work – 3% l. crime and safety – 29%
d. change in family status – 19% m. property taxes – 22%
e. neighborhood appearance – 8% n. airport noise – 29%
f. housing – 4% o. freeway expansion – 17%
g. schools – 9% p. environment (water/air) – 2%
h. recreation/parks – 1% q. other – 12%
i. libraries – 0%

Priority Concerns and Satisfaction with City Service

6. Rate the following services in Windom neighborhood
Very Somewhat Somewhat Very Don’t
Satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Know
a. parks services 44% 32% 8% 1% 11%
b. library services 43% 34% 7% 1% 12%
c. public schools 18% 11% 10% 6% 51%
d. 911 service 39% 22% 4% 1% 33%
e. police protection 31% 40% 7% 3% 16%
f. fire protection 53% 18% 1% 0% 26%
g. emergency medical service
response time 41% 10% 0% 0% 46%
h. housing and building
inspections 19% 17% 13% 4% 42%
i. garbage/recycling
collection 65% 27% 3% 3% 1%
j. snow removal on streets,
alleys, & sidewalks 49% 36% 10% 4% 0%
k. street maintenance 32% 38% 17% 10% 1%
l. street and alley
lighting 39% 42% 10% 6% 2%
m. other 0% 1% 2% 8% 1%

7. How concerned are respondents about the following
Very Not Don’t
Concerned Concerned Concerned Know
a. n’hood appearance 48% 31% 17% 1%
b. maintenance of
residential property 45% 31% 18% 1%
c. maintenance of
city property 41% 24% 24% 5%
d. childcare 10% 16% 40% 27%
e. public school
education 30% 25% 18% 19%
f. crime 66% 21% 6% 1%
g. drug and alcohol
abuse 38% 29% 22% 6%
h. jobs and business
development 22% 38% 25% 5%
i. traffic issues 40% 37% 15% 2%
j. racial discrimination 17% 22% 41% 15%
k. access to parks and
recreation 22% 25% 43% 3%
l. domestic violence 16% 22% 33% 19%
m. other 7% 0% 1% 3%
Housing

8. Type of dwelling where respondents live 9. Rent or own
a. single family – 92% a. rent – 3%
b. duplex/triplex – 3% b. own – 73%
d. town home – 0%
c. condominium – 0%
e. other – 3%

9. How has housing changed in your neighborhood over the past 3 years
Improved No change Worse Don’t know
a. condition of housing
on my block 37% 46% 7% 9%
b. affordable homes available 1% 33% 38% 27%
c. affordable rentals available 1% 20% 10% 67%
d. marketability/ resale value 61% 11% 7% 19%
e. stability/length of residency 15% 41% 21% 22%
f. quality of rental property 2% 16% 14% 67%

10. Agreement with housing and home improvement questions
Strongly No Strongly
Agree Agree Opinion Disagree Disagree
a. outside of home needs
some repair 13% 41% 8% 31% 6%
b. inside of home needs
major repair 8% 19% 8% 47% 15%
c. financial help needed to
remove diseased tree 2% 3% 22% 42% 28%
d. homes in Windom are
well maintained 16% 70% 5% 6% 1%

11. Improvements that respondents would like to make to their home
a. exterior repair or remodeling – 53% f. heating – 12%
b. interior remodeling – 48% g. plumbing – 18%
c. new addition – 15% h. electrical – 18%
d. garage – 19% i. Other – 24%
e. roof – 9%

12. Can the respondent afford to make needed repairs
a. yes – 61% b. no – 29%

13. What should the WCC do to help current residents improve their homes
Yes No Don’t know
a. continue programs for maintenance and repair with
“payback” that revolves back into the program 63% 8% 20%
b. programs for maintenance and repair with pay-
Yes No Don’t know
back that is forgiven if you remain in Windom for
five years 62% 18% 13%
c. create programs for lower income residents
for maintenance and repair 72% 10% 11%
d. create programs for upgrade improvement projects 58% 14% 20%
e. develop programs to enable homeowners to retrofit
home to accommodate decreased mobility of seniors
or handicap conditions 60% 13% 19%
f. other 6% 1% 5%

14. Should WCC create or pursue the following housing programs
Yes No Don’t know
a. maintenance and improvement of existing double
bungalows, duplexes, triplexes, 4 plexes 54% 22% 19%
b. develop small multi-unit buildings as land
becomes available (vacant or underutilized
commercial) 24% 53% 19%
c. create life-cycle opportunities (housing for
families, singles and seniors) 58% 17% 21%
d. create opportunities for working families with
limited incomes (30% of median income) 40% 30% 24%

Crime and Safety

15. Rating of crime and safety issues in Windom
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
a. personal safety in home 37% 51% 8% 2% 1%
b. personal safety outside home 14% 58% 21% 6% 0%
c. safety in n’hood parks 10% 41% 23% 7% 17%
d. personal safety 18% 56% 18% 5% 1%
e. children’s safety 8% 36% 13% 4% 35%
f. safety at bus stops 6% 26% 22% 10% 33%
g. property (home, car, garage) 5% 43% 35% 14% 1%
h. street and alley lighting 11% 47% 25% 15% 1%
i. active/visible block clubs 6% 23% 22% 26% 22%
j. neighborhood businesses 12% 45% 21% 6% 15%

16. Your perception of your block over the past three years
a. safer place to live – 6% c. less safe place to live – 24%
b. remained about the same – 66% d. don’t know – 4%

17. In past 5 years, how has Windom neighborhood safety changed
a. safer place to live – 4% c. safety about the same – 53%
b. less safe place to live – 33% d. don’t know – 10%

18. Have you been a crime victim in the past year
a. yes – 1% b. no – 79%

19. If yes, which type of crime
a. home burglary – 4% g. personal assault – 1%
b. garage burglary – 8% h. business robbery – 1%
c. theft from auto – 8% i. Business burglary – 1%
d. vehicle theft — 1% j. graffiti or other vandalism — 6%
e. robbery of person – 1% k. other—7%
f. rape – 0%

20. Active and visible block club on you block
a. yes – 27% b. no – 34% c. don’t know – 38%

21. If there is a block club, do you participate
a. yes – 30% b. no – 21%

Police Protection and Service

22. Have you dealt with the Mpls Police during the past 2 years about a matter
Windom neighborhood
a. yes – 42% b. no – 56%

23. How satisfied were you with the police in regard to the following
Very Somewhat Somewhat Very Don’t
Satisfied Satisfied Unsatisfied Unsatisfied Know
a. 911 operator assist 22% 10% 6% 1% 30%
b. response timeliness 21% 9% 8% 6% 24%
c. attitude of responding
officer 26% 8% 3% 3% 25%
d. communication with you
about your case 20% 6% 9% 6% 24%
e. help received at the
time of the incident 19% 10% 6% 6% 25%

24. Desired police priorities in Windom neighborhood
Major Minor Not a Don’t
Priority Priority Priority Know
a. auto theft 48% 28% 4% 10%
b. neighbor arguments 7% 32% 41% 8%
c. burglary 83% 5% 0% 4%
d. youth/gang problems 65% 13% 6% 8%
e. traffic control 23% 40% 20% 6%
f. domestic abuse 33% 23% 15% 16%
g. drugs 60% 17% 5% 10%
h. theft from auto 51% 28% 5% 5%
Major Minor Not a Don’t
Priority Priority Priority Know
i. loud parties 11% 40% 31% 5%
j. street robbery or
assault 73% 12% 1% 6%
k. prostitution 38% 18% 20% 13%
l. vandalism or property
damage 60% 25% 2% 3%
m. other 7% 1% 0% 4%

25. How important are the following for dealing with crime and safety issues
Very Not Don’t
Important Important Important Know
a. resident councils, neighborhood
watches & citizen patrols 49% 40% 3% 6%
b. regular police beat walks 33% 35% 18% 8%
c. police car patrols 65% 28% 3% 1%
d. police response time 81% 13% 1% 1%
e. street & alley lighting 60% 33% 3% 1%
f. know your neighbors 65% 28% 4% 1%
g. trusting your neighbors 77% 18% 1% 1%
h. organized crime prevention
activities 38% 44% 6% 10%
i. other 7% 0% 0% 2%

Traffic / Transportation

26. Neighborhood transportation issue rating
Major Minor Not a Don’t
Problem Problem Problem Know
a. level of traffic on
neighborhood streets 15% 38% 44% 1%
b. speeding vehicles 26% 46% 24% 1%
c. traffic congestion 10% 28% 57% 1%
d. commuter traffic 10% 32% 52% 2%
e. traffic noise 13% 36% 46% 1%
f. air pollution from vehicles 15% 35% 43% 4%
g. parking 12% 29% 55% 1%
h. bus service & access 4% 12% 69% 13%
i. bike paths 6% 14% 65% 12%
j. trucks on residential streets 13% 28% 52% 3%
k. other 9% 1% 1% 1%

Citizen Participation

27. How important is it to have residents involved in improvement activities,
such as block clubs, neighborhood organizations, and social activities
a. very important – 51%
b. somewhat important – 40%
c. not very important – 6%
d. not at all important – 1%
e. don’t know — 1%

29. WCC activities with which you are familiar
a. Windom Fall Festival – 74%
b. Windom Community Newsletter – 89%
c. Windom Community meetings – 60%
d. Windom Community Center activities & programming – 42%
e. Windom home improvement programs – 11%
f. Windom business improvement programs – 8%
g. Windom History Book – 16%
h. South Lyndale Master Plan – 29%

31. How familiar are you with the NRP (Neighborhood Revitalization Program)
a. very familiar – 12%
b. somewhat familiar – 42
c. not familiar – 44%

32. Rate the impact of NRP programs in Windom
a. very positive impact – 7% d. very negative impact – 0%
b. positive impact – 22% e. no impact – 3%
c. negative impact – 1% f. don’t know – 58%

33. Because of NRP, Windom has more influence on how important issues are
addressed, public services delivered, and public funds used
a. strongly agree – 8% d. strongly disagree – 3%
b. agree – 19% e. don’t know – 58%
d. disagree – 5%

34. Are you willing to participate in the Windom Neighborhood Revitalization
Program effort or other improvement activities
a. yes – 30% b. no – 26% c. don’t know – 39%

Commercial Areas

37. Rate the following neighborhood business and commercial areas
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
a. variety of stores providing
goods and services 34% 43% 17% 2% 1%
b. quality of neighborhood
stores 36% 44% 15% 1% 1%
c. willingness of businesses to
respond to community needs 15% 31% 12% 4% 34%
d. commercial maintenance 19% 40% 32% 3% 3%
e. industrial park complex 5% 12% 17% 12% 48%
f. other 1% 1% 0% 1% 3%

Demographics

38. How long have you lived in the Windom neighborhood
a. less than 1 year – 3% d. 10–20 years – 26%
b. 1—3 years – 8% e. over 20 years – 31%
c. 3—10 years – 31%

39. Employment status
a. employed full time – 60% d. full time student, not employed – 0%
b. employed part time – 11% e. unemployed – 1%
c. homemaker – 6% f. other – 15%

40. Household income in 2004 before taxes
a. under $10,000 – 1% f. $50,000 – $59,999 – 12%
b. $10,000 — $19,999 – 2% g. $60,000 — $99,999 – 31$
c. $20,000 — $29,999 – 6% h. over $100,000 – 17%
d. $30,000 — $39,999 – 6% i. Choose not to answer – 14%
e. $40,000 — $49,999 – 12%

41. Age
a. 19 or younger – 9% e. 60 – 84 – 13%
b. 20 – 29 – 5% f. 75 – 84 – 7%
c. 30 – 44 – 35% g. 85+ — 1%
d. 45 – 59 – 36%

42. Children living at home
a. no children at home – 66% c. yes, school age (K-12) – 17%
b. yes, under school age — 15% d. yes, post high school age – 7%

43. Number of people in your home
a. 1 – 23% d. 4 – 9% g. 7 – 0%
b. 2 – 44% e. 5 – 4% h. more than 7 – 1%
c. 3 – 17% f. 6 – 1% i. no response – 2%
44. Which racial/ethnic describes you
a. White – 88%
b. black, African American, or African – 3%
c. Native American/American Indian – 1%
d. Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander – 1%
e. Hispanic – 0%
f. Multiracial – 6%
g. other – 1%

Windom Community Council
NRP Phase II Survey
Spring 2006

SUMMARY

Participation in survey 10 – 11%

Participants in this survey are primarily white, homeowners (92%), with no children living at home; have lived in neighborhood at least 3 years, and some, over 20 years; they are employed and earning over a broad range of income levels, and represent people of many ages.

Participants generally rate the neighborhood as a good place to live, which has remained a good place, and for some, an even a better place to live.

Participants live in the neighborhood because of the well-maintained homes, it’s close to downtown, and it’s a safe place to live. Most expect to remain in their home for the next five years. The primary reasons for moving out of the Windom neighborhood include crime and safety issues, airport noise, need for a larger home, and property taxes.

Participants are generally satisfied with public services, particularly garbage and recycling collection. Participants indicated that they do not know much about the public schools, children’s safety issues and childcare issues – 66% of the respondents do not have children living at home.

Crime and safety appears to be of concern to the participants, however, 75% of the respondents have not been a victim of crime in the past year or more. As seen in other neighborhood surveys, people generally feel most safe at home, and as the distance from home increases, the feeling of safety decreases. Safety of property (home, garage, car) was rated by 49% of the participants as fair or poor.

Participants indicated that the marketability and resale value of their homes has increased. While most agree that their homes are in good condition, they are still interested in interior and exterior home improvements. Most report that they are able to afford to make needed repairs.

There appears to be a broad approval of all types of home improvement programs (using NRP funds), but the greatest support is for programs created to help lower income residents with maintenance and repair costs. Support for developing small multi-unit buildings (when the opportunity exists) and support for life-cycle housing opportunities are evenly divided. Fifty three percent oppose the development of small multi-unit buildings, while 58% support life cycle housing.

Respondents rated police response time and police car patrols as important to very important. Burglary, street robbery or assault, and vandalism or property damage were rated as a major priority. Knowing and trusting your neighbor was rated as important to very important in helping to deal with crime and safety issues.

Participation in block clubs, neighborhood activities and social activities rated as very important to somewhat important for citizen participation. Most respondents are familiar with the Windom Community Newsletter. Many respondents are not familiar with the Neighborhood Revitalization Program and its impact on the Windom neighborhood.

This survey also indicates things that we don’t know and things that we need to find out about, including:
Renter and Landlord issues
Issues and concerns of non-white neighbors
Perception of crime VS actual crime statistics
Issues and concerns that affect children
How we can improve communications about the
role of neighborhood residents in the NRP

Bylaws of the Windom Neighborhood Association
(Enacted by a Majority Vote of the Board on March 10, 2005)

PREAMBLE:
The intent of these bylaws is to clarify how the Windom Neighborhood Association will conduct business to ensure the equal opportunity of eligible Windom residents and businesses to a voice in the affairs of the Minnesota Corporation known as the Windom Neighborhood Association. The purpose of the Windom Neighborhood Association shall be to promote the common good and general welfare of the Windom community.

WINDOM NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION VISION STATEMENT
Windom seeks to be recognized, locally and beyond, as an attractive, active, supportive and involved neighborhood that takes pride in its cultural diversity and rich history.

We are a community of people who strive to provide a safe, clean, educational and prosperous haven for all of our residents and businesses.

ARTICLE I. Identity

a. Name: The name of this organization shall be the Windom Neighborhood Association.

b. Jurisdiction: The Windom Neighborhood Association shall have the following boundaries: Hwy. 62 on the South, Hwy 121 and Lyndale on the West, Diamond Lake Road on the North and Hwy. 35 on the East.

ARTICLE II. Windom Neighborhood Association General Membership

a. Membership: Membership shall be open to any person 18 years of age or older whose primary residence is within the jurisdiction of Windom as defined in Article I b. or any one representative of a property or business owned or operated within the same jurisdiction. Membership entitles the right to voice opinions to the board and to make petitions to the board on any and all matters related to the Windom community. Members also have the right to nominate and vote for eligible candidates at the Annual Membership Meeting. Members may attend any regular meeting of the Board of Directors and vote on particular issues before the board which may require a full membership vote.

ARTICLE III. Board of Directors

a. Eligibility: A Director must be a member of the Windom Neighborhood Association as defined in IIa.

b. Duties. The Board of Directors shall conduct the business of the Association, attend all duly called meetings and shall establish standing committees and ad hoc committees as needed. The Directors shall also elect from themselves at least four officers, or as many as the board may determine is necessary and sufficient to further carry out the business of the board. Each director shall actively serve on at least one standing committee each year in office. Directors are expected to be responsive to the needs and issues affecting Windom and provide the necessary leadership, time and fund raising commitment to carry out the actions that will best address these needs and issues.

c. Size and Tenure. The Board of Directors shall consist of no less than seven (7) board members and no more than thirteen (13) board members including officers. Each Director shall serve a term of two (2) years until a successor is elected. A member may serve on the Board as many times as s/he may be elected; no term limit being herein specified. At least seventy-five percent (75%) of the board shall have their primary residence within the jurisdiction defined in Ib.

d. Election. The Board of Directors will be elected by all the general community members present at the annual meeting Six (6) Directors shall stand for election in one year, and the other seven (7) shall stand for election the succeeding year. Nominations may be submitted by a committee formed for such purpose and may also come from the floor.

e. Action by Consent. Any action may be taken by the Board of Directors without a formal meeting if authorized in writing and signed by all Directors.

f. Vacancies. Any vacancy on the Board of Directors, apart from the elections at the Annual Meeting, may be filled by an election at the next board meeting, by a majority vote of the eligible members present. No special notice of this meeting need be given. Any Director so elected shall fill-out the remaining term of the Director position vacated. If the vacated Board Member was an officer, the Board of Directors shall elect a new officer from the available candidates on the Board.

g. Removal of a Director. Three (3) unexcused absences by a director from duly called board meetings within one calendar year shall give cause for immediate removal from the board unless rescinded by majority vote of the other members of the board. Any Director may be removed from office, with or without cause, by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the entire Board of Directors at a regular or special meeting called for that purpose, but with due notification of such action and the right be heard therein.

ARTICLE IV. General Membership Meetings.

a. Annual Meeting. There shall be an Annual Meeting of the general Windom Neighborhood Association membership held each calendar year at a time and place within the Windom neighborhood as set by the Board of Directors. At the Annual Meeting, year-end reports of the general business and activities of the corporation shall be presented by the officers to the general membership. Nominated candidates to the Board of Directors shall be voted on and elected at the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting of the general membership shall be advertised at least one month in advance. Minutes of all board meetings during the year shall be made available for review by the general membership at the Annual Meeting.

b. Quarterly Meetings. The Board of Directors may call quarterly meetings of the general membership as needed to communicate important actions by the Board or to gain added input and direction from the general membership as needed.

c. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the general membership may be called by any two officers, or by twenty-five percent (25%) of the Board of Directors, or by any fifteen (15) eligible members of the Windom Neighborhood Association. At such meetings, any action may be taken including the removal of one or more Directors and/or the election of replacements.

d. Notice. Notice of the Annual Meeting of the general membership shall be given by an announcement in the Windom Neighborhood Newsletter or special mailing. Notice of the Annual Meeting shall include an agenda and notice of the nominated candidates for election to the Board of Directors. Notice of special meetings shall be given at least five (5) working days in advance, by mail or other such means as the Board of Directors shall deem appropriate.

e. Voting. Passage of a motion or resolution shall require the vote of a majority of the general community members present for the meeting. No general community member may vote by proxy or cumulatively.

f. Quorum. A Quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of, at a minimum, a majority of the board of directors and any general member present.

ARTICLE V. Meetings of the Board of Directors

Any member of the Windom Neighborhood Association may be heard at a meeting of the Board of Directors. All meetings will be open to the public.

a. Regular Meetings. The regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held at a time and place determined by the Board.

b. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by any two officers, or any four (4) Directors acting jointly.

c. Notice. Notice of the meeting including the agenda shall be given by the Secretary by mail, email or by such other means as may be agreed upon by the Board.

d. Quorum. A majority of Directors in attendance at any board meeting shall constitute a quorum.

e. Voting. No item may be voted on by the board unless it has passed the appropriate committee. Emergency items may be voted on without committee approval. A majority vote is required to declare an item to be an emergency.

ARTICLE VI. Officers and Their Duties

The Officers of the corporation shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and such other officers as may be elected by the Board. No person may hold two (2) offices at one time. Except as provided in these by-laws, the Board shall affix the powers and duties of all officers.

a. Election and terms of office. The officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors at its first meeting after the annual meeting. The officers shall be elected for a term of one (1) year and shall serve until their successors shall have been elected or until their earlier resignation, removal from office or death. No officer shall serve more than two (2) consecutive one-year terms in the same capacity.

b. Duties held in common. All financial instruments must be signed by two (2) officers, usually but not necessarily, the Treasurer and the President. Any two (2) officers may call a meeting of the membership or the Board.

c. Duties of the President. The duties of the President are to set the agenda and lead the board meetings at which s/he attends, nominate Committee chairs, act as official spokesperson for the organization, address grievances of the membership, and perform other such duties as the Board may decide.

d. Duties of the Vice-President. The duties of the Vice-President are to perform the duties of the President if the President is unable to do so, and other duties as the Board may decide.

e. Duties of the Treasurer. The duties of the Treasurer are to record and maintain all financial transactions with respect to the Windom Neighborhood Association’s money, budget, tax reporting, fiscal affairs, and any other duties as the Board may decide.

f. Duties of the Secretary. The duties of the Secretary are to prepare the agenda for board meetings, record the minutes of each board meeting, to send notices of each board meeting, and to assist in the preparation of all letters and reports of the Windom Neighborhood Association.

ARTICLE VII. Contracts, Loans, Checks and Deposits

a. Contracts. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer (s) or agent(s) to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instruments in the name of and on behalf of the Windom Neighborhood Association, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

b. Loans. No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the Windom Neighborhood Association and no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution proposed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board of Directors.

c. Checks and Drafts. All checks, drafts or orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of the Windom Neighborhood Association shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the organization, and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

d. Deposits. All funds of the organization not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Windom Neighborhood Association in such banks, trust companies, other depositories of investments as the Board of Directors may select.

ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification

The organization, acting through its Board of Directors, or as otherwise provided in the Bylaws, shall as fully as may be permitted from time to time by the statutes and decisional law of the State of Minnesota or by any other applicable rules or principles of law, indemnify each officer of the organization against the expense of any action to which he/she is or was an officer of the organization. Any provision in these Bylaws which would prevent such indemnification to the full extent permitted by law as it may from time to time be expanded by statute, decision of court or otherwise, shall be deemed amended to conform to such expanded right of indemnification without formal action by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IX. Affirmative Action

The Windom Neighborhood Association agrees to adhere to the most currently enacted City, State and Federal guidelines for Affirmative Action. In general, no person shall be discriminated against by this organization in its hiring policies, delivery of services, or other business on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry national origin, sex, affectional preference, disability, age, marital status, source of income, or criminal record where this offense is not validly related to the fob, services or corporation business.

Affirmative action is not mere passive non-discrimination. It is action, including procedures, methods and practices that will equalize opportunities relating to all means of participating in this organization’s activities for members, staff and other community residents. This organization encourages people and other organizations to make recommendations about how this organization can act affirmatively to increase participation in the activities of the organization.

ARTICLE X. Conflict of Interest

A member who receives any direct or indirect financial benefit from, or serves on the Board of Directors of any organization, project or development that is being considered by the Windom Neighborhood Association, or by any of the organization’s task forces or committees, its Board of Directors, or membership, must declare that affiliation and shall abstain from voting on any related issues. A conflict of interest shall be deemed to exist if that person is a member of the same immediate family (spouse, son, daughter, father, mother, brother, or sister) of the beneficiary of any action of the Windom Neighborhood Association.

ARTICLE XI. Complaints

Any complaint against the Windom Neighborhood Association, or any of its activities, shall be made in writing and directed to a meeting of the Board of Directors which shall, in turn, respond to the complaint in writing within thirty (30) days.

ARTICLE XII. Bylaws

The Windom Neighborhood Association may amend its bylaws from time to time as needed to incorporate the most contemporary, legal standards in established neighborhood association policies and decisions, code of ethics, and other issues it deems necessary for official inclusion in its bylaws. Revisions to the bylaws may only be recommended by an officer of the Windom Neighborhood Association at a regular meeting. Enactment of any changes or revisions to the bylaws must be agreed on by a majority vote of the Board of Directors present at any regular meeting. All changes or revisions to the bylaws must meet all state and federal requirements for non-profit organizations.

Hello all,

Notes from our last meeting on May 15 (seems like just yesterday !):

To Do:
Jessica – quotes on blank campaign signs (consider sponsor name on sign)
Pat S – check with friend at cardboard/paper store
Pat S – check with daughter who works at a print shop
Jesse – research bird houses and mounted police
Ryan – will create rough drafts (to be presented to the board) of postcard and signage. Will have ready by the end of June/July.

Other rambling brainstorms:
* have TC Bear, Goldie Gopher and/or Crunch visit the festival. (Jessica has contacted all and is waiting on response)
* Search and Rescue Dog
* Floral display
* Apples donated by a local orchard (Jessica will research)
* Classic Car Show (Jessica has been in contact with Nancy Darvig (612-861-6302) , her chapter has a show that weekend. Will continue to research)
* Art show and wine
* Bingo (Jesse will research. To be held in the gym)
* T-shirts
* Art Fair
* Volunteers in shifts

See ya’ll on Thursday. Next meeting to be determined, likely the week of June 12.

Jessica

Post ideas and comments about the Windom website here

Planning for the fall festival is happening now.