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Home My WebLink About2012-05-18 - MinutesFFEAC Council Meeting Notes Meeting Facilitator Susan Norton Meeting Scribe Colleen Pancake/ Teresa Mauer Meeting Date May 18, 2012 Meeting Start Time 9:OOam Location Fayetteville Public Library Meeting End Time 10:30am Susan Norton, Teresa Maurer, Julie McQuade, Mayor Lioneld Jordan, Attending Steve Clark, Pattie, Williams, Rachel Townsend, Sarah Marsh, Colleen Pancake, Phil Stafford Topics Lead by... Meeting Notes from April 20, 2012 meeting were accepted with group consensus. Action Groups and Other Reporting Inclusion - Pattie Williams and Rachel Townsend a) Rachel Townsend was introduced as the new facilitator of the inclusion group. She previously worked on worker justice issues and now works for No Kid Hungry and has a particular interest in who is doing feeding programs. Patti will assist until Rachel is ready to be full representative on FFEAC, and then will pass baton as leader but continue as member of inclusion group. b) Inclusion Group is reviewing their mission, vision and values and will report action after finishing the strategic focus statement. This will prepare 4-5 projects to move from awareness to action. c) Amassadors project, spearheaded by Gladys Tiffany, will involve going door to door with trained volunteers to ask citizens if they feel included and seek ways to include citizens, eventually compiling the information gathered. d) Transgender project, to help educate the public on transgender issues. 1 e) Compassionate Cities Project Susan Norton f) Aging Project -Making Fayetteville a more aging -friendly city. Green Economy — Sarah Marsh a) A&P Commission awarded a $1000 grant to Green Economy Group to fund the Experiential Economy Tours Series that started with Southside restaurants, and a walking tour that visited historical places in town, including events depicted in the Walker park mural. Next tour will be about trailside development and the third tour will be about "Hidden Gems," which are unique architectures and businesses. b) 5 Green Economy members received Eco Awards as part of Earth Day (40 days) of activity. c) Transit initiative, Election Day on Tuesday, May 22, 2012. Group working to educate and promote electoral participation through call bank, sign holders and banners and yard signs. d) Citizens First Congress preconference was attended by 4 Green Economy members, 2 representing other groups. The Economic development caucus and the Environmental caucus were attended. FFEAC Council Meeting Notes were mechanism) and the BIG idea, Building Industry Guidelines to inform decision making through energy audits. Like a nutritional label for your building. f) A comprehensive plan including the above mentioned programs is being assembled to encourage the Governor to adopt a long term energy plan. g) 3 Green Economy Delegates will be sent in June to the Citizens First Congress convention. h) Rails and Rivers Initiative was introduced to promote the idea of making Arkansas the hub of a nationwide transportation system. It has been recognized that statewide appeal on issues will be necessary to achieve the goal. i) A delegate was sent to the forum on the Economic Status of Women in Arkansas. j) Plan to offer endorsements of candidates in the coming election cycle. k) Monthly showcase of local businesses at meetings was decided, starting with group members and their businesses. 1) Continued development of Green directory to showcase local businesses. m) Working on getting a 501-C6 status. Creative Economy Action Group- Colleen Pancake a) An Art Survey is ongoing to compile nformation and engage the community in "what do YOU create" listings. b) June 30`h, 2012 Mid -Summer meeting to promote the next "Last Night' and it will be held at Brick House Cafe in Nightbird books. c) FFEAC reporting forms were adopted for use by the group. d) Other projects on hold until committees report. Local Food Group- Teresa Maurer a) Local Food directory finished early for Art -O -Sphere kickoff and Michael Pollen on May 3. 5000 printed. Funding from private sponsors this year instead of A&P grant again. There is local interest in adopting a magazine format to include more information. b) Will have an online update of directory, to include new listings of farms, restaurants, etc that could not be included in printed guide. c) Just finished a "Mayors Corner" for the Government Channel on the directory. d) Thanked Julie McQuade for her volunteer work on the design of the 16 page color directory. e) Will have a potluck at "Lean Green Cuisine" on May 29 to review the future direction for Local Food Action group now that directory is done. f) Fayetteville Food Policy Council Initiative: there is interest in forming a group to bring together groups that are working on hunger and food issues, to work on policy that impacts food issues, to exchange information and collaborate. The local food group hopes to act as an umbrella group for initial (possibly quarterly) meetings of the council. FFEAC Council Meeting Notes g) A Matrix listing of local groups that work with tood has been started as a communication and information tool. It will assist groups to ask for help, share volunteers or collaborate. h) EBT machine is now at all Fayetteville Farmers Markets to allow food federal assistance programs recipients to shop at Farmers Market. A Walmart Community Foundation grant is allowing the market to double up to $20 per day of benefits while funds last. Once the match runs out, EBT cards will still be accepted all season. i) Senior Voucher Program was established at Farmer's Market, and also allows matching funds for a limited time. Research and Technology Park - Phil St afford a) Worked with Steve Patterson of Arkansas Advance Energy to do a round table at the UA research park with local companies, hosted undersecretary of energy, and will have tours at 3 locations regarding the energy field. b) They are working with the chamber of commerce to host June 6 meeting of NW Economic Development Council (9 counties) including touring the research park. Jammin Java is the new business there, with hopes for fitness and child care centers. Chamber Update -Steve Clark a) Farmers market and Block St. party have been successful for local businesses. b) Purple blazers are being worn on Fridays and for ribbon cutting ceremonies. c) Sports Academy has been sited, a 20 million dollar investment. d) The trail system has become ribbons of commerce. e) Karcher, a German company has moved largest building in the industrial park. f) Fayetteville created 1000 jobs last year, 218 in new businesses, and expect as many this year. g) Working towards a partnership with the Cherokee nation on UAMS teaching collaboration, also to perhaps establish a visual monument and possibly a cultural center—ideas came from a very special meeting between Mayor Jordan and Chief Bill John Baker. h) Steve and Patti expressed pride and appreciation for citizen engagement in Fayetteville, the role of appreciative inquiry and the council's role in keeping the work begun in 2009 going. FFEAC Council Meeting Notes Mayor's Comments a) Construction has started on the round -about by the Mall and other work in that area. b) The Hotel off of the square (The Chancellor) will be finished by September. c) The final decision for the parking deck will rest with the council in August after all the information is in on the locations. d) The first week of June there will be new building codes introduced that will be 2 the first in the state of Arkansas, including HERS ratings and labels. e) Involved in NWA water, a group mobilizing Northwest Arkansas to bring sustainable, clean drinking water to communities in developing nations. Mayor Jordan believes that clean water everywhere will be a huge issue soon and must be addressed. f) Spoke about several books: That Used to Be Us (Thomas L. Friedman), The Servant, by James C Hunter and I'm No Hero, by Charlie Plumb. Talked about the difference between Power and Authority. Lioneld Jordan FFEAC Council Meeting Notes Topic # 1—Process for filing collaborative agreements a) Collaborative Agreements are now uploaded along with minutes on Community Link. ACTION REQUESTED: all FFEAC groups need to file these agreements between now and December 31, 2012. b) There was a suggestion that each meeting feature 1 group to come and present at the FFEAC Council, including the facilitator plus group members. This could help encourage interaction across groups. Julie 3 c) Sarah Marsh said her group has agreement on file, and also saw directory (ies) McQuade Mc Q as tool for working across groups. d) An FAQ to provide assistance for start-up groups will need to be developed. Susan and Colleen volunteered to help Julie with this. e) Phil volunteered to bring a process forward next time that would become the foundation of the FAQ. Topic # 2 —Directories 4 Between now and June meeting of FFEAC gather information on structure to Julie McQuade provide to Julie. Topic # 3 - Facilitation 5 Susan Still waiting to hear from Tom on whether he would like to facilitate. Norton