Facts about the Minneapolis United Neighborhoods
Council NRP referendum initiative
Minneapolis United Neighborhoods Council, a political
action committee, is an outgrowth of an informal
meeting that was held on Saturday July 30, 2001. The
discussion was about preserving the NRP. Working
groups were dispersed from that informal meeting. Due
to the time constraints associated with placing a
referendum issue on the ballot, the referendum group
has moved forward to bring the proposed tax referendum
to the voters in Minneapolis. Other groups are
researching other alternatives to the funding issue.
All the volunteers are to be applauded for their
efforts.
The volunteers working on this issue are united in the
belief that Minneapolis should honor the commitment
made to neighborhoods through the NRP. Neighborhoods
should continue to address issues like affordable
housing, housing preservation, commercial corridor
revitalization, parks, schools, libraries, streets,
green space, the environment, and social and
educational needs. The NRP is the only vehicle that
allows neighborhoods to address these issues in such a
comprehensive way.
The City of Minneapolis is the enabling authority for
the tax funds that would be received through the MUNC
initiative. The referendum language states that the
funds received are to be used for the purposes under
which NRP was authorized by the State of Minnesota in
Chapter 604/Minnesota Laws 1990, as amended by Chapter
291/Minnesota Laws 1991. Tax funds levied under this
referendum must be used for the purposes set forth in
the legislation and cannot be arbitrarily diverted.
Changes to the NRP Program as it exists can only be
made through the State Legislature by amending the
governing law stated above. Policy changes to NRP are
made by the NRP Policy Board and approved by the City
Council.
Some volunteers have suggesting that a special
election be held to bring this referendum forward at a
future date. The volunteers of MUNC believe that a
special election would be expensive and unnecessary.
There are only a few months during a four year council
member and mayoral term where citizens can truly hold
their elected officials accountable for their actions
and that is during a city election. The volunteers of
MUNC believe that this referendum should be an issue
in the City election this year and that council member
and mayoral candidates should go on record regarding
their thoughts on this issue.
The NRP informed volunteer neighborhood activists
regarding the State Legislature changes in February
2001 during the NRP Conference. Since that time, a
group of volunteers have been working to gather
information regarding replacement funding mechanisms
so that a "Plan B" could be enacted should it become
necessary.
MUNC did not seek the guidance of the current City
Council members or the Mayor in this effort. The City
Council and Mayor have known since February that the
potential existed that the funding stream to NRP and
MCDA might be significantly reduced or eliminated.
The City Council and Mayor did very little to lobby
the legislature to save the NRP during this 5 month
period of time.
The volunteers of MUNC believe that this referendum is
both responsible and timely. The NRP program is for
neighborhoods in Minneapolis. The people living in
neighborhoods should decide if NRP should be
continued. Taxpayers can anticipate a large reduction
in their property taxes next year. The MUNC
volunteers believe that it is worth receiving a lower
property tax reduction to continue the revitalization
efforts underway in the city of Minneapolis.
MUNC has mobilized a large group of volunteers from
neighborhoods all over the city. The group is
receiving donations of money that will be used to
educate thousands of voters all over Minneapolis
regarding the importance of continuing this effort.
To volunteer, e-mail MUNC at mplsunc2001@yahoo or
call the MUNC office at 827-8111. Donations can be
sent to: MUNC at 2116 - 2nd Av. So. Mpls, MN 55404
Jeffrey Hayden
Powderhorn Park Neighborhood
MUNC Chairperson
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