I think the concept is good, but implementing such constituent services
will probably result in another layer of inaccessible bureaucracy downtown
unless it is done with the intent to decentralize access. One way of doing this
is
to define regions of the city that cross ward boundaries and provide
constituent resource centers central to those regions. Move staff out of City
Hall and
put them in direct contact with constituents and you may come up with
something that works. Maybe I'm splitting hairs here, but if NRP has taught us
anything, it is that engaging citizens directly on the issues can be messy, but
also
beautifully effective. How does one institutionalize such an approach to
constituent service?
Prospect Park and Como (and Marcy Holmes to a lessor extent) neighbors
may represent an example of how this can work through their "Southeast
Environmental Coordinator" position--interestingly enough funded initially by
an NRP
subsidy--operating from the Como neighborhood office and resource center. The
Coordinator serves as a liaison between neighbors, business, and government
representatives on air quality and pollution prevention issues. I won't say
that
this Southeast Minneapolis program is a rip roaring success yet, but it
continues to attract grant funding and that indicates at least some promise. It
is
my hope that some level of government will take over this coordinating function
for the city and/or region as a whole.
Institutionalizing a similar approach to constituent service addressing
the broader picture may be better than merely creating another office in City
Hall. Crossing ward boundaries could serve to engage the Council in city wide
approaches to things and greater regional considerations, rather than the
"fiefdoms" that are said to exist in our present MO inviting Herron/Sabri type
scandals. I think Minneapolis is blessed with a great number of capable folks
shackled by a poor government structure. The whole thing sort of begs the
Charter
question again; we should have a convention or something on it to narrow
issues for an amendment measure reasonable enough to win.
Bill Kahn
vegetating in Prospect Park
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