District 12
New Year, new board members, new goals
As District 12 leaders dive into 2022, they know this year will come with new challenges, joys and a need for the community to come together in support and encouragement for each other.
As District 12 welcomes new board members (sapcc.org/board-members) and each committee sets its goals for the coming year, the community council is committed to making St. Anthony Park a better, more welcoming place for everyone. Check out sapcc.org/committee-overview to see the 2022 goals and places where District 12 can match your passion with a positive outcome in St. Anthony Park.
Homeline joins January Equity Meeting
For the first meeting of the year, the St. Anthony Park Community Council Equity Committee hosted Homeline, a nonprofit Minnesota tenant advocacy organization, as a resource for renters in the community.
Because of having heard several concerns earlier about health, safety and lack of responsiveness in renting communities, the committee had invited residents to attend the meeting to share their experiences to Homeline representatives. Those representatives, in turn, offered practical and legal advice and helped formulate next steps for community members.
District 12 will continue to advocate for renters in the community this year by providing other opportunities for them to share their concerns and struggles, connect them with the resources they need in the language that they need and continue building relationships with both residents and landlords so St. Anthony Park is a safe, healthy place for renters to call home.
Funding changes implemented
During Covid times, District 12 officials have learned how much residents miss by being unable to share meals. Whether it’s with friends, family or strangers, building relationships over meals is an important part of many cultures.
However, the city of St. Paul decided to formally sunset the Innovation Fund at the end of 2021, meaning the funding for food initiatives by the St. Anthony Park Community Council is no longer available.
District 12 previously used these funds for having community meals at the Seal and Union Flats apartments, getting fresh produce to residents during the pandemic and providing boxed meals for neighbors in need.
As District 12 sets goals for 2022, being able to come together over a meal (or a knock on the door and a quick smile to an isolated resident as we deliver a meal) is still a high priority.
Battling food insecurity is only getting harder as the pandemic lingers and evictions increase. Please consider donating to District 12’s Community Fund to help it continue these important programs—give at sapcc.org/donate.
SAPCC February meetings
St. Anthony Park Community Council committees discuss a variety of issues at their monthly meetings. Visit the council’s website at sapcc.org to learn more.
Board Meeting: 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 10
• Environment Committee: 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 23
• Equity Committee: 5:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 28
• Transportation Committee: 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 22
• Land Use Committee: 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 3 and March 3
All meetings are hosted via Zoom. Meeting times are subject to change. If you want to attend a meeting or have questions about joining a committee, please email Kathryn at kathryn@sapcc.org for the link
Submitted by Jessica Willman, District 12 community organizer.
