(November 16, 2021)
In conjunction with a funding model change, Windom Park Citizens in Action board of directors has authorized a vote to adopt new bylaws for the organization.

We will be reviewing the current bylaws and the proposed bylaws at a public Neighborhood Meeting on November 16, 2021 conducted via Zoom. In accordance with the update & amendment rules in our current bylaws, we will need to have at least 15 members of the organization to form a quorum and will need a 50+1% majority to approve the changes.

Current bylaws can be found here.

Proposed bylaws can be found here.

Proposed bylaws were drafted based on the template document provided by Birken Law Firm PLLC in conjunction with City of Minneapolis as part of the Neighborhoods 2020 model. In drafting the new bylaws, Windom Park Citizens in Action referred to current bylaws for a majority of the language and rules.

Major changes in proposed bylaws:

Includes language for Member Grievance Procedure
Clarifies and adds language for meeting types and procedures
Removes requirement to conduct meetings using Robert’s Rules of Order
Includes clear language for hiring staff, contractors, and volunteers
Removes requirement of monthly neighborhood meetings

The latest Financial Report for WPCiA is available to view here. Please contact us with any questions. Reports are posted here after being reviewed by the Board of Directors at their monthly meetings on the fourth Tuesday of the month unless otherwise scheduled. All are welcome to attend our board meetings.

• State of Minnesota COVID-19 Hotline: (651) 201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Interpreters available.

• State of Minnesota School and Child Care Hotline: (651) 297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Interpreters available.

• City of Minneapolis questions, complaints, and information: 311 or (612) 673-3000

• Our physical office is closed until further notice due to COVID-19 restrictions, but we are still operating off-site. You can reach us by email at info@windompark.org or by leaving a voicemail at (612) 788-2192.

• WPCiA’s home fix-up loans and commercial rehab loans are still available. Call our vendor CEE/The Lending Center at (612) 335-5858 for details and to apply.

• Home Energy Squad visits are still taking place to address energy-efficiency concerns. Call (651) 328-6220 for details.

• For fastest action on your Home Security Rebate during COVID-19, please email your completed applications to us instead of mailing or dropping them off at the office. Our physical office is not open at this time.

WPCiA provided partial funding for 15 neighborhood rain gardens in 2019 and 2020; we have now allocated $5,600 for eight more of these environmentally smart, stormwater-filtering gardens in 2021. We are working with Metro Blooms on this project. Estimated cost to the resident installing the rain garden is $300-450, depending on size of the garden and plants used. Deadline for applying is April 30, 2021 (first come, first served). If you are interested in participating, send your name, address, email and phone number to info@windompark.org

The Minneapolis City Council on Dec. 7, 2018, approved the “Minneapolis 2040” Comprehensive Plan and forwarded it, as required by state law, to the Metropolitan Council for final approval during 2019. The plan provides a roadmap for where the city sees itself in the coming years. Urban design, density, zoning, housing, transportation, heritage preservation, equity, community engagement and more are detailed for each area of the city. Check this link for details from the city. 

The plan and its public meetings generated debate and news coverage; in the Windom Park neighborhood, debate generally centered around the city’s initial proposal to allow dwelling structures of up to four units (four-plexes; later reduced to tri-plexes plus an Accessory Dwelling Unit) on all residential properties – in conflict with the Small Area Plan the neighborhood approved. The Small Area Plan called for zoning to remain “as is” in this neighborhood.  WPCiA submitted comment to the city stating that we support the Windom Park Neighborhood Small Area Plan and wish to have it incorporated into “Minneapolis 2040.” Your neighbor volunteers worked for over two years seeking community input, conducting surveys, holding community engagement sessions, working with a special consultant, conferring with city staff, listening to neighbors, revising and ultimately creating a plan for this specific area of Minneapolis.

The City of Minneapolis’ approved 2040 plan can be found here. WPCiA remains committed to its Small Area Plan. If you are interested in volunteering to help work towards implementation of the plan, contact WPCiA or attend our monthly meetings.