04-16-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Resolution of the Council of Elders • of Bethlehem Baptist Church (Bethlehem) Originally approved by Bethlehem's Council of Elders March 23, 2004 (with proposed updates added April 15, 2004) Whereas Bethlehem has a decades-long pattern and practice of sponsoring ministries that benefit the local community in which it resides, and Whereas Bethlehem is very excited about establishing a North Campus in Mounds View and becoming a part of the Mounds View community, and Whereas Bethlehem intends to continue this pattern of service to meet local community needs at its Mounds View Campus, and Whereas communities receive many tangible and intangible benefits from religious organizations (like Bethlehem) and their service to the community, and Whereas because of those benefits the state recognizes that there is not and ought not to be any taxation from the state of any religious organization, and Whereas both Mounds View and Bethlehem affirm the legal exemption of such organizations, and Whereas Bethlehem acknowledges that Mounds View's need for tax revenue is legitimate, and ilkereas Bethlehem notes that Mounds View receives approximately $5000/year in administrative fees for TIF trict 1 "Building N" (at 5145 Program Avenue in Mounds View) until the TIF Note expires in 2014, and Whereas Bethlehem is adopting this resolution to formalize its intention to tangibly benefit the Mounds View community as an integral part of its North Campus operations, and Whereas Bethlehem is not being coerced or constrained by this resolution; Therefore: a) Bethlehem declares that it is our intention to create an annual $25,000 "Mounds View Service Project Fund" in upcoming budgets that we use to help meet community needs that are jointly identified' by the Mounds View City Council (or its designate) and Bethlehem. It is our clear intention that funding be used in harmony with our mission2 and our values3, while partnering with Mounds View to solve community needs and problems with "above and beyond"funding as well as potential volunteers drawn from Bethlehem members and attendees. See Appendix A for examples of Bethlehem programs responding to community need. 1 Regarding a committee to oversee our"Service Project Fund": we suggest an even numbered committee made up of 3-5 representatives from Bethlehem and a corresponding number of representatives from the City(possibly the Mayor/Councilmember,City Administrator, Public Works Director,and Community Development Director). The Committee could meet 1-4 times per year. 2 Our mission: We exist to spread a passion for the supremacy of GOD in all things,for the joy of all peoples,through Jesus Christ. r values: These are enumerated in our creme-colored"Master Planning"booklet,available upon request. le BETHLEHEM BAPTIST CHURCH, 720 THIRTEENTH AVENUE SOUTH, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55415 PHONE: 612-338-7653 FAX: 612-338-6909 www.bbcmpls.org