WPCC approves $1,000 grant for Cavell Park youth soccer program

The Waite Park Community Council at its Aug. 31 board meeting approved a $1,000 grant from its Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) funds for a youth soccer program based at Cavell Park.

In the fall of 2021, a group of parents from the Waite Park neighborhood decided to organize soccer sessions for their kids. Interest grew, kids and parents showed up from all over Northeast Minneapolis.

The program was recently rebranded NEFC (Northeast Football Club). The goal is to build community, meet new friends, and play soccer (football). It’s for families who want to build community around soccer without the cost or time commitment associated with other programs.

The sessions begin at 5:45 p.m. every Thursday night at Cavell Park. Coach Dan Schuchman starts with skill building games for kids, then everyone scrimmages, including the parents (if they want to). Scrimmages are known to go for an hour or more! It’s very casual, come and go as you please.

There are also occasional special events: an outdoor screening of a USWNT World Cup game, a trip to a University of Minnesota soccer game, and an annual skills clinic with the Edison Girls Soccer team that takes place on the Edison High School field. It’s a big hit with the kids!

NEFC will use the community council’s grant to purchase equipment (nets, soccer balls, cones) and create branded merchandise (water bottle stickers, etc.) to help spread the word and grow the program.

Come to Cavell Park on Thursday nights! 5:45, all ages and stages. Connect on Instagram @ne.fc or just stop by.

WPCC October Regular Board Meeting Agenda

WAITE PARK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
REGULAR BOARD MEETING AGENDA
OCTOBER 27, 2022 via Zoom

7:00: Call to order and land acknowledgement

7:05: Approval of agenda and September minutes

7:10: BOARD REPORTS/UPDATES
Operations Committee, Dan
Treasurer’s Report, Megan
Equitable Engagement, Leah

7:20: 2023 Engagement Plan, Leah

7:30: Approval of 2023-2024 WPCC budget, Operations

8:00: County forfeit tax property, Nick

8:10: Office clean out and restock, Tiffany

8:15: Hybrid meeting equipment purchase, Tiffany

8:25: Annual meeting planning, Dan

New business

9:00: Adjourn

Agenda materials available here.

WPCC board approves election bylaw and calendar changes

At its Sept. 29 board meeting, the Waite Park Community Council formally adopted a bylaw change related to board elections and also approved changes to its meeting calendar for the remainder of the year.

The board of directors gave notice in July of its intent to amend its bylaws, clarifying that nominations to board seats may be made "from the floor" of its annual meeting, a long held practice that was not reflected in the organization's bylaws. The board also added a provision that it will provide a virtual or dial-in option for members who cannot attend elections in person.

Both changes were initiated to comply with new city rules for neighborhood organizations that receive city funding.

The board scheduled a series of work sessions in October to complete its application for city funding in 2023 and 2024. The application asks for details on the organization's progress engaging underrepresented groups in the neighborhood. It also requires a proposed budget for the two-year period.

The Waite Park Community Council is expected to be allocated $11,198 per year from the City of Minneapolis in 2023 and 2024, with $1,198 per year reserved for work related to improving engagement with underrepresented groups.

Board members will meet virtually on Oct. 11, in-person on Oct. 23, and, if necessary, virtually on Oct. 25 to complete the funding application and budget. Members who wish to attend may contact info@waiteparkcc.org for more information.

The council also voted to cancel its regularly scheduled board meetings in late November and December, and replace them with a single meeting on Thursday, Dec. 8, 7pm on Zoom. Agenda and login information will be posted to waiteparkneighborhood.org a few days before the meeting.

Other discussion items at the Sept. 29 meeting:

• The 2022 Waite Park Fall Festival was another success, with attendance estimated around 1,500 people. Thank you to our sponsors Turbo Tim's, Stinson Wine Beer and Spirits, Eastside Co-Op, and Larsen Dental, as well as Ready Meats for donating hot dogs and Fair State Brewing Cooperative for hosting an afterparty fundraiser.

• The neighborhood engagement survey concluded with around 300 responses. The survey consultant was compiling results to share at the Equitible Engagement Committee's meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 4.

• One property in the neighborhood (3300 Buchanan) appears on Hennepin County's tax forfeited property list. WPCC Vice President Nick Stroozas plans to attempt contact with owner and explore whether board should make recommendation to city on the resolution ahead of board's October meeting.

• The board discussed holding a neighborhood wide forum in November featuring an elected official or a panel focused on a specific topic. President Dan Haugen will reach out to Councilmember Elliott Payne's office.

The Waite Park Community Council's next regularly scheduled board meeting will take place 7pm, Thursday, Oct. 27, on Zoom.