FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 26, 2014 MEDIA CONTACT: Blong Yang Minneapolis City Council – Ward 5 612-673-2205 Abdi Warsame Minneapolis City Council – Ward 6 612-673-2206 Two Council Members Resign from the Community Action of Minneapolis Board We are the two newly elected council members who were appointed as the two required City elected official representatives in the spring of this year to the Community Action of Minneapolis board of directors. Both of us appointed alternates to serve on our behalf and never personally attended any meetings of the Community Action of Minneapolis Board. Appointing alternates to serve on our behalf is both appropriate and, in fact, necessary given the demands of our positions particularly as newly elected officials. Notwithstanding that fact we understand the expectation from the public that all organizations receiving public funds (and particularly those with elected official representation on their boards) need to be operated above board and in full compliance with all legal, regulatory and ethical requirements and we share that expectation. After consultation with our City Attorney and City leadership, we are resigning from the board of Community Action of Minneapolis, effective immediately. The audit from the State Department of Human Services covered a period of time before our service on the board. However, we understand that in our roles as council members, we are held to a higher standard. Thus, we cannot in good conscience continue to have our names associated with Community Action of Minneapolis. State law requires that the board of a “community action” agency have 1/3rd of its members as elected officials. With our departures, there will be no “public sector” representatives. We are very concerned about the allegations against Community Action of Minneapolis, specifically those against Bill Davis. We hope and have every confidence that, if the allegations are confirmed, appropriate action will be taken by the responsible federal and state governments. The people most harmed by this episode are the residents of Minneapolis who need the services offered through Community Action of Minneapolis, many of whom are from our wards (5 & 6). We will work with our city staff to ensure that residents affected by programs through Minneapolis Community Action continue to receive the services they qualify for.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 19:21:51 +0000