The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board held a rear numbing meeting of 4 1/2 hours on Wednesday September10, 2003 to discuss budget reductions based on a commissioner survey and superintendent recommendations (Dr. Merrill-Anderson at the time). They went through 35 pages of cuts they could and did in most cases enact to meet the budget shortfall of $5,185,248. "Option 4A: Should we review options to reduce or eliminate paid overtime for non-fee supported areas?" This would result in a savings of $100,000. Sounds good, get rid of OT.
"Milfoil Harvesting has been reduced by 1/3rd. This was a manageable situation in 2003, in part because of the number of beaches operated by the MPRB was reduced. If beaches are restored we will not be able to continue to operate wihout additional OT cost." I believe that Assistant Superintendent Schmidt addressed this issue. He said that the milfoil mowers (yes they mow off a few inches and then comeback and do it again, that is how it works) could only be operated so many hours per week and then OT would kick in for the staff. Yes, they are unionized. They could run them seven days a week and mow more but it would cost them. To her credit Commissioner Hauser questioned this savings and Commissioner Berry-Graves mentions the milfoil being bad alot. He also said that based on a DNR policy they can only mow 60% of the lake's surface. I would hate to accuse the MPRB of doing anything as a publicity stunt but what better way to get people hackles up then to choose their beach as the 40% they don't mow. I'm sure that a big corporation like ALLINA will be willing to jump in here and donate $100,000 to improve the HEALTH of our ailing lakes. I bet Commissioner Dziedzic would even be willing to drive out to the burbs to pick up the check. If that doesn't work maybe the City of Minneapolis Inspections Department could claim they were in violation of the weed ordinance like they did when the MPRB cut back on mowing the grass. Liz Wielinski Columbia Park REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
