I have heard quite a few people suggest that the size of the Minneapolis city council be trimmed from 13 to a smaller number.
The usual justifications are that a smaller city council would "save money" (mostly from council member and aide salary and benefits)or make government more "streamlined" (fewer members equals less squabbling and debating with speedier resolution of issues) or "less parochial" (larger, more diverse districts in theory) or "more accountable" (no longer would 13 members share the responsibility, the buck would stop on fewer desks). None of these justifications has ever been particularly compelling to me but perhaps there are others! Mr. Graetz suggests "several advantages better left to another conversation" so I am proposing to start that conversation - what do you think are the advantages of a smaller city council and, how would a smaller city council lead to a better/more effective/ city council process? Jim Bernstein Fulton -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Allen Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2004 9:04 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: City Council Size For sources of funding for the trail system, I would suggest to start with trimming the city council back to a reasonable number, 7. This would have several other advantages better left for another conversation. Also, we seem to have a civil rights department that seems to receive 2 to 3 times the funding that other CR dept's in other comparable cities receive. Between those two we'd have another $2+ million to make use of. Or we could enact a city fuel tax to help pay for city streets and trails. Allen Graetz Lowry Hill -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bob GUSTAFSON Sent: Friday, July 30, 2004 9:17 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Mpls] Clic report on some funding ..Libraries verus bike trails The city's investment is highly leveraged. There are however growing concerns about how we will absorb the ongoing maintenance and capital costs of the bikeway system we are developing, but that is little different then our concerns for a library sytem that is committed to keeping all libraries open when they don't have the funding to keep the doors open once the facilites are improved. 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 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
