[Mpls] Saturday morning get together
Everyone is invitedno matter where you were in the last election...to an Open House tomorrow (Saturday) at 10-11 a.m. at my campaign headquarters. (15th St. between Nicollet and LaSalle.) It's my birthday and I am going to blatantly ask for a presenta lawn sign. The idea is to have people from all over the city collect as many Rybak for Mayor lawnsigns as you can and bring them to the headquarters. We have over 3,000 of them out there and would love your help in cleaning up. Just pull them out of people's yards or anywhere you find them, load them in your car and drop them off at HQ. So please come down, meet up with people and talk about where we all go from here. (This is probably not the best place for a broad public policy discussionthere will be lots of time for thatjust come and have fun...and bring any signs you can grab.) Best R.T. Rybak REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Inaccurate statement
I appreciate the chance to correct a very inaccurate statement that was reported on the list in posts about the Stonewall discussion yesterday. I have had the priviledge of working with Deputy Chief Sharon Lubinski in many communities in this city in many situations and she has extraordinary abilities to reach out to include everyone. I have said this in public and private situations, and am proud that Deputy Chief Lubinski has been promoted to direct all patrol operations in the city. I did not make the statement below and it does not reflect my beliefs. R.T. Rybak Megan Thomas mentioned during discussion that Rybak had been quoted saying this: The Black community wouldn't accept Sharon Lubinski as Police Chief. I asked Megan for her source after the meeting, and she said she didn't recall the source - but thought it may have been the Spokesman - and to ask Gary Schiff. I'd like to ask CM Schiff to go on record on this one. I would also like Mayor Rybak to respond: Did Mayor Rybak actually tell people that the reason he decided against Sharon Lubinski is because the Black community would not accept an openly Lesbian Police Chief. If this quote isn't true - then I believe Megan Thomas owes Mayor Rybak an apology. REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Mark Dayton: Quiet Man
Nice piece on Mark Dayton by Craig. Mark has been a very good friend to Minneapolis and to me. I just wrote about that on my blog: http://www.rtrybakformayor.blogspot.com/ R.T. Rybak REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] City budget passes
Budget Passes 12-1 Prioritizes public safety while paying off debt The Minneapolis City Council passed the 2005 City budget 12-1 today largely unchanged from Mayor R.T. Rybak's August budget presentation. I've spent much of the year finding ways to prevent layoffs in the Police Department without affecting the financial health of the City or cutting funding even deeper in other departments. I'm pleased that this budget accomplishes both objectives, Mayor Rybak said. The most significant change to the Mayor's original budget is Council Member Barb Johnson's amendment to increase funding for the Police Department by $500,000 annually, which will fund the equivalent of six police officers. Council Member Johnson and Mayor Rybak have been working together since the August budget presentation to find these dollars by planning to pay off City debt and reduce subsequent interest payments. Our number-one job is to think creatively about how to increase police resources for our citizens, Council Member Barb Johnson said. Third-quarter budget projections indicate that frugal City departments will spend approximately $5 million less in '04 than their annual budgets allow. The City will pay off $5 million worth of debt, freeing up $500,000 annually for the Police Department. This should provide the level of funding necessary to eliminate only three positions in Police Department. The Johnson amendment passed on a 11-1 vote. Federal and state government has cut funding for 120 cops since 2001. The Mayor and Council were able to increase Police funding by employing a combination of budget savings, including actuarial savings in pensions, jail fee reductions, budget and military leave, sales tax funding for convention-related policing, CDBG allocations for problem properties, and a focused early retirement incentive. The adopted budget will increase the Police Department's budget by $2.8 million in '05. Over a 10-year period the Police Department's budget will increase approximately 15 percent, while all other departments except Police and Fire are increasing at eight percent over the same 10-year period. None of these increases come close to keeping up with inflation or the increasing cost of maintaining current service levels, such as skyrocketing health care costs. My budget reflects a vision for the City. I am proud to have passed five budgets, each by a comfortable margin, in less than three years. Providing good services while restoring the City's financial health requires consistent leadership. This is why I am already working with departments on business plans that will be the backbone for the 2006 budget, Mayor Rybak said. The budget passed today maintains the policies established in the five-year financial direction, a plan to pay off inherited debt, and deal with large funding cuts from the state. The only major deviation from the five-year financial direction is increased funding for the Police Department. Elements of the five-year plan include paying off debt, capping levy increases, capping wage increases at two percent and holding the line on fee increases. This budget stays within the City's adopted tax policy that caps the City's share of property taxes increases at eight percent. This translates to about a two percent increase in the City's share of property tax for the average homeowner. Three-quarters of this increase goes just to pay off past debt, while 25 percent pays for the increased cost of maintaining services. This budget reflects the priorities of this Council and Mayor - keeping police funding as our top priority, Council President Paul Ostrow said. The 2005 City budget totals $1.24 billion. Twenty-eight percent of that total ($330 million) is discretionary revenue, supported by the property tax and state-funded Local Government Aid. This is the fifth budget the Mayor and Council have adopted in three years. A complete copy of the City budget will be available next month on the City's website at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/ . R.T. Rybak 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
[Mpls] Giving for the community
I just came from a meeting where I saw a Minneapolis School principal cry, but her tears of joy should remind us that we can do great things in Minneapolis this holiday season. Principal Beth Russell of Anwatin Middle School was overcome with emotion at the news that an anonymous donor has given $750,000 for small grants to Minneapolis Schools. Anwatin is one of 13 schools getting the money and she will use it to buy the basic needs our kids deserve, like supplies, science experiments, and chairs. No one expects you to give $750,000, but a new website just launched gives you the opportunity to make a contribution of whatever size to help the Minneapolis school of your choice. Go to www.impactschools.org http://www.impactschools.org/ , pick a school and give generously to help our kids and their dedicated teachers. Impactschools.org http://www.impactschools.org/ is one of a number of ways you can help the community this holiday season. Last week I received many great responses to my request for a listing of community groups and non-profits in Minneapolis that will be selling items this holiday to raise money for their efforts. This list will be linked to my web-page so that when people are looking for creative gift ideas this year, they can consider purchasing something that will delight their family and friends but also help our community. Please continue to send me any community based gift ideas you see. Send them to [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] and we'll get them included on my webpage. In the meantime, here is a sampling of ideas you have sent us so far: Lyndale Neighborhood Association Join local artists and home-based business owners for the Lyndale Bazaar, Saturday, December 11th from 11 am - 3 pm. The event is at Painter Park, located at the corner of Lyndale Ave. S. and W. 34th St. Minneapolis. The Lyndale Bazaar is your chance to support neighborhood artists and shop locally this holiday season! Art, jewelry, crafts, toys, food, and other gifts are available. If you have questions, call Kristine at 612-824-9402 ext. 16. Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association The Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association is selling books and t-shirts, see below, this holiday season. To purchase any Marcy-Holmes items contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Marcy-Holmes history books Book title: Hiding in Plain Sight; Minneapolis' First Neighborhood Cost: $15/book Award-winning book with lots of photos and self-guided walking tours Marcy-Holmes t-shirts featuring logo of Stone Arch Bridge and fireworks Cost: $16 adult sizes; $12 kid sizes Historic posters of St. Anthony Falls Cost: $5.99 Children's Cancer Research Fund Children's Cancer Research Fund has two holiday fund raisers this season: 1) Butterfly Ornament - The butterfly, which is the symbol of hope for Children's Cancer Research Fund, represents the changes a child experiences while undergoing cancer treatment. From the cocoon of treatment and isolation a child emerges beautiful and ready to take flight. This year's delicate hand-blown glass ornament design is based on a drawing from one of our cancer survivors, Gwen Thayer. 2) Holiday Cards - Four holiday card designs are available. Three of the cards were designed by cancer patients Shari Van Puyvelde, Andrew Youngman and Amy Mareck. The fourth was designed by Dr. Mark Nesbit, who has been associated with the University of Minnesota's Department of Pediatrics for more than 40 years. For more information about Children's Cancer Research Fund's holiday ornaments and cards, visit www.childrenscancer.org http://www.childrenscancer.org/ or call (952) 893-9355. Midtown Greenway Association The Midtown Greenway Association is offering the following memberships and t-shirts, see below, for sale this holiday season. Visit their website at www.midtowngreenway.org http://www.midtowngreenway.org/ . Midtown Greenway Coalition Memberships Business and Organizations $50 Individual$25 Household$40 T-shirts White Tank (women) for $12 or $10 with membership Basic Green T-shirts for $15 or $12 with membership Minnesota Women's Political Caucus Education Council Are you still looking for a fabulous (yet reasonably priced!) stocking stuffer, hostess gift or special gift for women and girls? Look no further than the Minnesota Women's Political Caucus Education Council. They are selling a special deck of playing cards commemorating 52 Minnesota Lifetime Achievement Women. This unique deck of playing cards features 52 women, past and present, who have made a profound impact on women's lives, women's history, and Minnesota history. Decks cost $11.25 (includes postage) and are available online at www.ewomenwin.org http://www.ewomenwin.org/ . For more information, contact them at (651) 228-0995. Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota is having a Holiday
[Mpls] First Avenue
Ken Peterson is right that people in this community should thank the owners of First Avenue for reopening this landmark. I met with Steve, Byron and Jack last Friday immediately after the bankruptcy hearing to not just thank them, but to discuss ways that we can help them. I'm pleased the city staff moved extremely quickly to help make this work and think it's now time for the community to put our money where our mouth isJoin me at First Avenue tomorrow night where I will not only stage dive but spend some money to support a great institution that is, happily, back in business. R.T. Rybak 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
[Mpls] Local police/Justice Department Actions
Moderator Brauer may shut me down on this but I wanted to pass along a national article that has some very direct local implications. It's a report from John Aschcroft's speech to the Chief of Police Convention in which local police officials from around the country are critical of the federal cuts to local police and the direction the Justice Department is asking police to take. This has a very direct implication on the streets of Minneapolis. These federal cuts have meant 80 fewer cops in Minneapolis and the directions are both a distraction and a direction we don't agree with. Chief McManus and I share those concerns. Thought it would be interesting reading to see there are significant national issues swirling around our ability to do what we would like on the streets of Minneapolis. R.T. Rybak Police scoff at Ashcroft speech Chiefs say feds have pushed agencies to 'breaking point' By Kevin Johnson USA TODAY A day after Attorney General John Ashcroft told the nation's largest association of law enforcement executives that the Bush administration had made the nation more secure from terrorist attacks and violent criminals, the group lashed back at the White House on Tuesday. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) said that cuts by the administration in federal aid to local police agencies have left the nation more vulnerable than ever to public safety threats. The 20,000-member group also said in a statement that new anti-terrorism duties for local cops - which have come as state and local budgets have declined and historically low crime rates have crept upward - have pushed police agencies to the breaking point. The Justice Department responded that it is doing all it can to help. The police chief statement reflected the tension between the administration and many local police chiefs, who believe the White House has saddled them with anti-terrorism tasks without much regard to the cost. Among other things, members of the chiefs' group have long complained about localities having to pay millions of dollars in overtime costs when the U.S. government issued terrorism alerts. The group also is annoyed that President Bush is phasing out a $10 billion program begun by the Clinton administration in 1996 to help local departments hire tens of thousands more cops. IACP President Joseph Polisar, the police chief in Garden Grove, Calif., said hundreds of police officer jobs have been lost across the nation during the past four years. And proposed cuts in federal aid in the 2005 budget could reach almost $1 billion, threatening hundreds more, the chief said. Ashcroft, who spoke to the group Monday in Los Angeles, listed a range of accomplishments during his tenure at Justice. The chiefs' group is particularly concerned about how anti-terrorism efforts have changed how police departments get federal aid. Tens of millions of dollars that in the past was sent to local departments each year by the Justice Department now are directed to the Department of Homeland Security. DHS uses the money to help train and equip agencies that would respond to terrorist attacks. Justice Department spokesman Mark Corallo said the department has always supported local law enforcement but acknowledged that much of the funding has been transferred to Homeland. 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
[Mpls] Grow: a tribute to Rocco Forte
Doug Grow wrote a very good and well deserved tribute to Rocco Forte in this morning's paper. It appropriately gave Rocco a ton of credit for his efforts to diversify the fire department. I did want to clarify one point. The article stated: The only negative to the dual success stories of Forte and Bleskachek is that Forte, 52, was squeezed out the chief's job that he loved by a city that was either unable or unwilling to work creatively to improve a pension plan that limited his annual benefits to a firefighter's salary. To get into a pension program that would reflect his higher salary, Forte had to leave the department he molded. He became a deputy city coordinator in charge of regulatory services in March. Actually, I was very willing to work creatively for someone as talented as Rocco. We looked exhaustively at pension options over two years but eventually came upon an idea we both liked a lot, which was to have Rocco take over as a Deputy City Coordinator, where he could continue in his role leading the city's emergency preparedness and take over the reform of the Regulatory Services area. This is a very important area that includes inspections and the key elements of the city needed to make successful our One Stop project, which is about making it easier to do business with the city. He was not squeezed out of the chief's job...this was something we worked on together and he was very happy about the result.So should the citizens of Minneapolis. We are very lucky to have had his talents reforming the fire department and now moving also to other parts of the city.while getting Bonnie as a great new chief. R.T. Rybak 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
RE: [Mpls] Helicopters and Art
Connie, Wizard and other posters have noted the wonderful pieces of public art in the city. They mentioned the rabbit on Minnehaha Parkway, and could have included the giant lizard in Seward, the Aldo Moroni Gateway in Marcy Holmes, the new piece being celebrated this weekend in Hawthorneor the pieces planned for the East Lake and North Regional Libraries next year. This Art in Public Places program is coordinated by one of the city's most effective employees, Mary Altman. In my budget this year I expanded funding for this from $200,000 to $400,000. (Note: This is the Capital Budget, not the Operating Budget, so it competes with roads and bridges, not money for cops, etc). Most of the additional money I put into this was cut out in today's city council Budget mark up. I will continue to try to get this increase into the final budget because I feel this relatively small amount of money can do a great deal to add an element of surprise and delight to neighborhoods. R.T. Rybak 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
[Mpls] Nicollet Hotel Block
I'm glad Dorie raised this issue about the Nicollet Hotel Block...the block north of the new Central Library. The city now owns it and it strikes me that this can and needs to be a landmark developmentit's where three of our great streets meet...Hennepin, Nicollet and Washingtonit's where the river meets the central business district.it's where the Warehouse District meets downtownand it's at the beginning of the proposed Nicollet Mall shuttle. The city originally acquired this as a terminal site for the Nicollet Mall shuttle...but we want it to be more exciting than that...It's a great place for housing. With the shuttle on the main floor, a resident could have the unique ability to come down the elevator and either walk across the street by skyway to the library, get onto a shuttle that takes them to LRT, walk across the street to a park, or a few more blocks to the river. It's potentially a great project that links transit and housing...and the one thing I have to say we don't want to do is anything mediocre. The newsletter Dorie referred to said it would be a shame to have it be a boring glass bus station. That's not going to happen...If we don't get some really interesting bids we aren't going to do anythingWe will hold the block until something really great comes along...it's too good a block to waste on something mediocre. So spread the word if you know anyone who wants to create a landmark project. R.T. Rybak 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
[Mpls] Northern Lights Alert
If you want to see a great Northern Lights display, about the only one I remember seeing in the city, go outside right now! R.T. Rybak 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
[Mpls] Election Day in Minneapolis
___ As I write this a day after the election, I have profoundly conflicting emotions. I'm worried that the harsh national debate has made it even harder for us to come together for the common good and I can't honestly say I see it getting much better anytime soon. I am, however, truly energized by the results in Minnesota. We led the nation in voter turnout. For Minneapolis in particular, I look forward to working with a Legislature where more members are interested in helping us address transit, the special needs of our schools, equitable funding for city services and important capital needs like the Planetarium and Heritage Park. The election process was a stunning success. Record numbers of Minneapolis voters went to the polls and, in spite of dire predictions, the process was remarkably smooth. Here are some of the impressive statistics: * almost a 40 percent increase in voters at the University of Minnesota precincts (where we added a precinct this year) * Double the number of people voted absentee, compared to 2000. * A record number of people -- 48,000 -- registered to vote on Election Day * 93 percent of registered voters, the City record, voted in the precinct near Cooper School (Ward 12, Precinct 1). * over 2,200 election judges -- a record number -- served the City of Minneapolis * The joint efforts of the City, County and many other groups to register and help turn out immigrant communities like Somalis and Latinos paid off as immigrants voted in very high numbers in Minneapolis. Many thanks to Susanne Griffin, Director of Minneapolis Elections Department. She and her team deserve great credit. It was especially moving to see the success of so many efforts to get new voters to the polls. Two nights before the election, I was with a group that helped convince a 65-year-old woman in the Jordan neighborhood who never voted to go to the polls. At Catholic Charities Branch III, Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman and I met a room full of homeless residents who were so proud that so many efforts were made so that they, too, could vote. And I wish all of you could have seen the looks on the faces of the Somali, Hmong and Latino residents as they prepared to vote for the first time. There was one other election that took place Tuesday. At about 10 a.m. Council Member Barb Johnson, Superintendent Thandiwe Peebles, and I went to Jenny Lind Elementary School in north Minneapolis to observe their student council election. We watched the candidates give their speeches, each stepping on a riser to reach the microphone. When they where done, a lunchroom filled with students representing every part of the population in Minneapolis, stood up and sang God Bless America. That image stayed with me all day as I moved around a city where more people than ever before exercised their power. Our sometimes imperfect system of democracy was once again working its magic, and it should remind us all why the fight is so worthwhile. R.T. Rybak East Harriet 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
[Mpls] Promoting affordable, transit-oriented development/Minority home ownership
I am passing along an excerpt from my veto letter for Karmel Plaza. The net effect of the veto will be to send this back to the council for more discussion, which I hope will focus on two important goals this project delivers: creating affordable housing options along transit corridors and increasing home ownership among communities of color: September 9, 2004 Minneapolis City Council Paul Ostrow, President 350 South Fifth Street Minneapolis, MN 55415 Council President Paul Ostrow and Members of the City Council, This is to inform you that I have vetoed two actions by the Council: the denial to add the Industrial Living Overlay District to permit a mixed-use, light industrial development with retail, restaurant, dwelling units above and below grade parking at 206 Elroy Street and 2920 - 28 Pillsbury Avenue; and granting the appeal of the Planning Commission decision regarding the conditional use permit and site plan for this same property. The Planning Commission and City staff both recommended that the City move forward with this mixed-use project. The project will have 33,000 square feet of commercial space, more than 170 parking spaces both above and below-grade, and will increase our tax base over the previously proposed uses of this site. My veto allows us to continue to discuss ways to make this project successful. That is important because this project represents many of the values I believe we should be bringing to discussions of development in Minneapolis and the region. It fosters transit-oriented development and helps close the significant homeownership gap for communities of color. On the first point: The area between the Midtown Greenway and Lake Street offers what I believe to be one of the best opportunities we have in the city for transit-oriented development. This is why I have supported increased housing development along the corridor and why I am a strong advocate of increased transit options in the area, including the proposed street car in the corridor itself and a bus rapid-transit system intended to intersect Lake Street. The proposed project will further these goals at a key site that has had neither transit orientation nor Greenway orientation. I am aware of the fact that the Midtown Greenway Association has raised some questions about the project's siting in relation to the Greenway and believe my action can provide the opportunity to work with the group and the developer to improve this. On the second point: Affordable homeownership is an important goal for the city, especially for communities of color, and even more important for new arrival communities. This challenge is most acute for immigrants whose faith prohibits them from paying interest on loans. I am obviously aware of the fact that developments cannot be built specifically for one population, but substantial work is taking place all across the country on marketing and mortgage programs like this that focus on helping specific communities of color. Toward that end I strongly applaud the developer's stated intention to work with the Islamic community to create financing options to help them own their own units in this project. My action sends a strong signal to the development community that we put a high value on closing the homeownership gap for communities of color and are willing to encourage any developer willing to make the extra effort to ensure all residents of our city have an opportunity to build equity. I also want to make it very clear that my continued support for this project depends in large part on the developer making an even stronger commitment to this goal than we currently see, and ensuring that this program is offered in the most equitable way. I have used my veto very rarely and take this action only because I place such a high value on the goals of creating walkable, transit-oriented neighborhoods, and increasing homeownership for communities of color. I know these are goals that many of you share, including those of you who have not supported the project. You have raised other concerns that are important and I will continue to work with all of you to find a way we can address these challenges together. I look forward to working with members of the Council, the neighborhood, and developer as you reconsider this important project, which will create homeownership opportunities between the Midtown Greenway and Lake Street and increase the tax base of the city. Sincerely, R.T. Rybak Mayor 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
[Mpls] Understanding property taxes
Due to some potentially confusing numbers reported in the media after my budget address yesterday, I want to point out that my proposed budget would result in an estimated increase of $26 to the property tax on a typical home in Minneapolis, valued at $211,500. The total increase in property taxes on that same home in 2005 is estimated at $214. The remainder of the increase not impacted by the City's budget consists of: $74.00 - Caused by increased property value (the State is phasing out limited market value) and the State's decision to shift tax burden from commercial property to residential property, which leaves Minneapolis homeowners responsible for a larger percentage of tax collected.* $114.00 - Property tax revenue to the County, School District, and Watershed District. *Clarification to Star Tribune article of August 13, 2004: The $100 increase referenced in the Star Tribune is the total of the $26 and $74 above. However, due to lost commercial property tax revenue, this $74 does not represent a net increase in revenue to the City. A lot of different numbers and figures were reported on today in various media outlets. I hope this helps clarify the actual result of my proposed budget on homeowner's property taxes. R.T. Rybak 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
RE: [Mpls] Water Quality (Plan to reduce milfoil in our lakes!)
Thanks to Tim David for this. (Tim, as list members should know, was one of the most innovative city employees we have had and his work with the city's Management Analysis Division led to many improvements in City Hall). This sounds like the comprehensive and aggressive approach I'd like to see, but would love feedback from those of you who understand the implications. Love to hear your thoughts on this. R.T. Rybak Mayor and List Members Our Lake Association of Bald Eagle Lake in Ramsey County has been actively managing lake vegetation for over 15 years. We have been one of the more progressive metro area lake associations. We have eradicated Eurasian milfoil, removed 2 million pounds of curly leaf pondweed and over 600 lbs. of phosphorous to reduce algae blooms, and now are on the road to re-establishing the native vegetation of our lake. Our learning is that the lake ecosystem is very complex and for every action in the lake there is a reaction; and that it is imperative that you develop a strategy, and take action. We first instilled in our community the understanding that the lake is a very valuable resource that must be actively managed to maintain its value. With community buy-in, our efforts went through the following stages: 1. Utilized block captains to patrol segments of the lake to identify outbreaks of Eurasian milfoil and then used targeted chemical treatments to eradicate Eurasian milfoil. 2. Once milfoil no longer controlled our lake, curlyleaf pondweed overtook our lake and became a greater nuisance than milfoil, and a major contributor to severe algae blooms in the late summers. 3. Developed a 5 year curlyleaf cutting and harvesting program that was funded by contributions from area residents, local government agencies including municipalities, counties, our Watershed District, and DNR, and local businesses. 4. Cut and harvested over 2 million lbs. of curly leaf containing over 600 lbs of phosphorous. 5. With curlyleaf removed, we have a crop of a hybrid milfoil (not Eurasian - as confirmed through DNA testing by DNR) that is a small nuisance. We anticipate that this small nuisance will be overtaken by desirable, non-nuisance, native vegetation. We conduct extensive annual aquatic vegetation surveys, take lake bottom sedimentation fertilization samples, work with our local gov't agencies on upstream improvements, and we hired a lake specialist Steve McComas from Blue Water Sciences for the last 10 years to advise us. He was very key in our understanding the dynamics of the lake ecosystem and providing us with technical guidance on leading practices. Bottom line is we have improved water clarity, substantially reduced the nuisance vegetation, and have reduced the frequency and severity of the algae blooms. It isn't easy, and we are not done, however, this resource is manageable - and your lake resources are so valuable - you must manage them. Tim David 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
[Mpls] MAC vote to negate sound insulation promises
Two stories about yesterday's MAC vote to gut the sound insulation program promised to 6,000 homeowners. http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/local/9194055.htm http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4884034.html The city is pursuing legal options, and I'm interested in hearing your ideas. Please e-mail me privately. R.T. Rybak 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
[Mpls] MACs broken promises
There was a very disappointing turn of events yesterday when a committee of the Metropolitan Airports Commission voted to not go forward with the promise to insulate homes most effected by airport noise. http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/local/9146813.htm?1c If this stands when the full commission votes, it will mean the MAC will be going back on a promise it made to thousands of homeowners who depended on this promise was they made choices about what to do with their homes. And this wasn't just any promise. It was the basic underpinning for the agrement to expand the airport at its current site. I strongly disagreed with the MAC decision in 1996 to expand the airport at its current site---they put $3.1 billion into a facility that is landlocked, is nearing capacity and will increasingly face serious noise pollution problems well beyond Minneapolis; a facility that because of these limitations can't compete with air facilities in competitive cities like Denver and Detroit. But they justified the decision to expand at the current site by saying they would fully insulate homes out to the 60 DNL.* That was a bad deal then but it's much worse now when yesterday's vote says the MAC won't even live up to its promise. The MAC has a lot of new commissioners who were appointed by Gov. Pawlenty. Council members Benson, Colvin Roy and I, along with my rep. Dan Boivin, have had a series of meetings with these new reps to give them this background. Sen. Wes Skoglund and Rep. Thiesen have also been lobbying the MAC. Our meetings with commissioners seemed to have gone very well but there has been tremendous lobbying pressure from Northwest. In recent days there were even letters to commissioners from legislators who should otherewise have no connection to this issue, including House Speaker Steve Sviggum and Sen. Dick Day. In the wake of this pressure great credit should go to former Bloomington Mayor Coral Houle, who with my rep. Dan Boivin, led this fight and put in tremendous blocks of time lobbying other MAC members. Also deserving credit is commission member Lonni McCauley of Coon Rapids. It was greatly disappointing the John Williams, north Minneapolis dentist, voted to break the promise to these residents. Facing such a blatant disregard for its own acommittments, the MAC seems to be, once again, devolving into a group that can be pressured into doing whatever Northwest and the Governor wants...even if it means breaking a long held promise to thousands of homeowners about their single largest investment. Seeing how all this worked, or didn't, it's clear that it's time to consider legal action that will finally establish that the MAC made a promise and it needs to stick to it. R.T. Rybak * (The 60 DNL refers to the neighborhoods on the noise maps that have the worst airport noise. These lines cover neighborhoods closest to the airport but it's important to note that even if the MAC agreed to do what it promised...to insulate to the 60 DNL--it wouldn't come close to providing relief to neighborhoods like Central, Kenny, Lynnhurst, King Field, etc. that also have very bad noise issues. That's why we continue to work hard on issues like landing patterns, quieter jets and cargo hubs at other locations that can help relocate the loudest traffic. We are making progress in these areas, esp. in building a statewide coalition of people to work on these issues. ) 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
[Mpls] City budget
I want to put this morning's news regarding the police five year plan into context. I do not want to cut positions in the police department. I want to add positions, especially by hiring new recurits who relect the makeup of the city. But when I, or anyone else, says simply they want spend more in one area, make sure you ask us where we will cutbecause a city that has built up debt for far too long needs to keep coming to terms with some very uncomfortable financial reality. That's what I will be doing between now and early August when I present my budget. I'm wide open to ideas...we need all the brainpower we can get right now. We have dramatically fewer resources because of a number of factors, including long term debt, massive state aid cuts, rapidly rising health care, pension funds that are gobbling up huge chunks of the budget and a recession that has decreased the value of commercial property. While all this has happened, the state passed a property tax redistribution that shifted the burden from commercial property onto residential. This, plus the commercial value drop above, has meant big increases in property tax on homes, making it much harder to raise property taxes on already overburdened homeowners. The phase out of limited market value makes it even more difficult to raise property taxes. The bad news is that because of these factors above we don't have as much discretionary money. The good news is that all the work we have done on long term planning is giving us a clearer picture of the challenge, and starting to give us some tools to use to get out of the hole. Unlike three years ago, we now have a five year financial framework passed by the mayor and council designed to work us out of the hole dug by years of debt and, based on those numbers we now have every department in the city required to develop a five year budget and five year business plan. The police budget you read about in the paper this morning, or the Health Department presention yesterday some of you may have seen on cable, are parts of that process. The department heads were to build their long term strategies around the numbers in the five year financial direction. The results aren't pretty, as you can see in the police plan and the health department plan.but they are the first step we need to understand the implications. You will continue to see these very stark picutres as each business plan comes forward but it is much better for the public to learn about the implications in a very public way, see what it means over a long period of time...instead of having it sprung on people in each budget. I was also very pleased the most significant part of the police budget had to do with deployment issues: how do we use officers more effectively because, no matter how much money we have, we are safer if the officer is spending more time on the street. As that business plan is presented...it comes before Executive Committee and Public Safety tomorrow--- it will be very helpful to have input from citizens about these ideas, and other input about things not in the plan that could be added. I also want to make it clear we aren't just accepting the situations. I'm working almost exclusvively on budgets issues, as are the people in our budget office, and many other parts of the city...and that work will come out in August when I present my budget. Here are a couple things we are doing to address the long term structural issues that are hurting our financial situation. First, on health care, when we saw forecasts of these costs going up 20% percent for years to come, we worked with our unions to restructure the system to lead to significant savings. Second on pensions, we are about to appoint a high level advisory group with deep background in this area to develop some key recommendations for restructuring. This is going to require cooperation with our pensioneers, and the legislature. You will be hearing more about this in coming times. Third, on the long term debt that I referenced above, one of the key drivers is the Internal Service Fund, which the five year financial direction attempts to pay off. These, and a number of other initiatives were received very well by the bond ratings agencies we met with a couple months back...and I'm pleased to say that they continued to keep the city's ratings, a significant achievement in these times. With that context, I'm very interested in hearing thoughts about how we should address all this. No idea to too out there...we need all the creative thinking we can get. R.T. Rybak 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
[Mpls] RE: Trees Question
CITYTREES is a Park Board and City initiative to plant 5,000 trees in the city. You can already see a big planting in the Central neighborhood, esp. on Park Avenue where several of the trees are a new strain of elm that are supposed to resist Dutch Elm. (Thanks to John Erwin for his great leadership in pushing for these). This is a lot of trees but it won't make up for the loss, which is significant.great, if sad, article about it in the Star Tribune this morning. This makes it all the more important to simply water the trees. That isn't the most important public policy action in front of us but it matters, especially in light of the terrible loss this year. I'm passing out leafletts reminding people about watering at tonights Northeast Parade, we have firefighters out doing in too but please pass the word and adopt some trees in your neighborhoodThey really need help right now. The wet spring helped but it can't lull us into thinking we don't have to water the trees, which need constant care. R.T. Rybak -Original Message- From: ken bradley [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2004 2:50 PM To: Rybak, R.T.; Mpls Forum Subject: Trees Question Hello Minneapolis Issues Folks, I have noticed over the last couple of weeks a significant amount of elm trees marked to be cut down. It just kills me to see these beautiful trees go. Does anyone know if we are losing more trees then normal? The Mayor has an initiative to plant significantly more trees this year and in the coming years, but will that make up for the loses? Ken Bradley Corcoran Neighborhood __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - 50x more storage than other providers! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail 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
[Mpls] President Fox
A great visit today from President Fox. My only concern was that he was not able to see more of the city. Council member Schiff and I had a conversation with the consulate in Chicago when we first heard and proposed a plan to meet him at City Hall, hop on the light rail to Lake and then tour the street...ending at Mercado Central. But there was just not enough time. But the people in his delegation, including the secretary for north American affairs, agreed that they should make a visit later to see everything that is happening in Minneapolis. It was really encouraging to see so many people in the delegation make a point of saying that they had no idea how much is going on in Minneapolis. The big new is that President Fox announced that there will be a full time consulate in either Minneapolis or St. PaulThis is extremely important for our Mexican resident. Here are my remarks, the last part of which I delivered in well-intentioned but really halting Spanish: -- Minneapolis is a city filled with visual signs of the progress being made by Mexicans and Mexican Americans. A walk down any of our major commercial streets, especially Lake Street, or into Mercado Central, will show you one store after the other powered by Mexican and Mexican Americans entrepreneurs. Your presence here honors their work. But your presence also honors the work of those Mexican and Mexican Americans who are not visible. While we eat in our restaurants, they toil in the kitchens; they mow the lawns in our best neighborhoods; at night when we go home they clean our office buildings for the next day. They prepared this room for us tonight. It is these unseen residents of both of our countries who deserve our special attention. They are why Minneapolis was one of the first cities in the nation to recognize the matricula consular, why our police continue to work on outreach, why Iand so many other Minneapolis citizens...will continue to be outspoken advocates for immigrant rights and why we are so pleased tonight to learn of your decision to have a full time Mexican consulate in Minnesota. We are building our cities and countries together with the sweat and ingenuity of Mexicans and Americans. Our futures--both seen and unseen---will be forever linked. -- En Español Presidente Fox, bienvenido a Minneapolis. Minneapolis es una ciudad llena de comprobantes visuales hechos por el esfuerzo de Mexicanos y México-Americanos. Al caminar por cualquiera de nuestras principales calles comerciales, especialmente la Calle Lake, o al entrar al Mercado Central, se demuestra tienda tras tienda con la potencia y energía de empresarios Mexicanos y México-Americanos. Su presencia aquí otorga honor al trabajo de ellos. Pero su presencia también brinda honor al trabajo de aquellos Mexicanos y sus descendientes quienes no son visibles. Mientras comemos en nuestros restaurantes, ellos se esfuerzan en las cocinas; ellos cortan el césped de nuestras mejores vecindades, y en la noche cuando nos vamos a nuestros hogares ellos limpian nuestras oficinas para el siguiente día laboral. Son estos residentes invisibles de ambos países nuestros los que se merecen nuestra atención especial. Es por ellos que Minneapolis fue una de las primeras ciudades en la nación que reconoció la matricula consular, es el porque nuestra fuerza policíaca continua trabajando en la educación comunitaria, es el porque yo... y tantos otros ciudadanos de Minneapolis... continuará la defensa y abogacía franca de los derechos del inmigrante y es el porque es tan esencial que esta región tenga un consulado Mexicano. Estamos construyendo nuestras ciudades y nuestros países con el sudor y la ingenuidad de Mexicanos y Americanos y nuestros futuros - ambos los visibles y los invisibles - serán de por siempre enlazados. R.T. Rybak 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
[Mpls] Thoughts on neighorhood smoking issues
I could use some advice from list members on ways to mitigate an unintended consequence of the proposed smoking ban: After the ban is in place, people at a restaurant or bar who want to smoke will presumably walk outside to light up...forming the kinds of front door smoking gatherings you see already outside office buildings. The groups outside bars and restaurants will probably hang around longer because they probably don't have a boss pushing them to get inside. This has actually set off somewhat of a trend in New York where the new word is, if I have this right, smurting---smoking and flirting---because smokers looking for partners who can tolerate the smoke have a self selected group in that smoking line outside the front door. This all probably won't be such a big deal in entertainment districts, but it could cause real problems outside bars in residential neighborhoods like the Chatterbox or Maslack'sespecially with bars now open until 2 a.m. As I've said, I think the ban is going to pass...and I think on most levels that's a good thing. And I don't think this issue in itself is enough of a reason not to do this but I want to address this, and see if there is anything we can do about it, BEFORE there is a problem. On or off list: Does anyone have any thoughts about how we can address this issue? (FYI: Another issue that I think we have to address before this moves forward is consistencyThis could get real crazy, real fast, if we have a web of different ordinances in every city. Toward that end, I'm meeting tomorrow with a group of suburban mayors to see if there is a way we can get on the same page. From bars and restaurants I've talked to, consistency with key suburbs, esp. Bloomington, St. Louis Park, Golden Valley, Eden Prairieis probably more important that with St. Paul..If anyone has information or thoughts about the suburbs and the proposed ban, please pass that along, too.) R.T. Rybak 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
[Mpls] Barkley's loss can be your gain
Who dares to tred where Sir Charles dare not walk? (FYI: I'm open to more ideas about where to take folks on the nightlife tour.) R.T. Rybak Here's the release that just went out: The tour Charles Barkley was afraid to take Join Mayor Rybak on a tour of Minneapolis nightlife,a fundraiser for Achieve!Minneapolis Background: Charles Barkley breathed a sign of relief Monday night when the Timberwolves were eliminated from the playoffs. The NBA has-been knew he did not have to face the humiliation of returning to Minnesota after ducking Mayor R.T. Rybak's challenge to join the Mayor on a tour of Minneapolis nightlife. Barkley trash-talked the city on national television during the playoffs, but grew uncharacteristically silent when Rybak challenged him to a nightlife tour of Minneapolis entertainment. Your opportunity: Barkley's loss can be your gain: You can be one of a select group of 50 who can join Mayor Rybak Friday, June 11 for the tour of Minneapolis nightlife Rybak designed for Barkley. Tentative scheduled stops include tapas at Solera, snuff at Gasthaus, Latin music at Babalu, martinis at Cosmos and dancing at First Avenue. The tour will leave Target Center at 9 p.m. in the comfort of a Jefferson Bus Lines coach, and conclude with a walk through the Warehouse District that will end at 11 p.m. Your contribution: The evening of fun is a benefit for Achieve!Minneapolis, the non profit organization that raises money and creates school-business partnerships for Minneapolis Public Schools. Your tax deductible contribution of $100 will cover all transportation and cover charges; participants will be responsible for their own drinks. The tour will be limited to the first 50 people to make reservations at the Achieve!Minneapolis office at 612-455-1530. A future opportunity: Achieve!Minneapolis is also taking reservations for two fall events conducted by the Mayor. The Day Line Tours, named after State Sen. Dick Day, will showcase high performing students and teachers in the Minneapolis Public Schools. 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
[Mpls] Night life ideas
In case Charles Barkely takes me up on my challenge (see press release below), I could use some help on other places I should be taking him late at night: Press release: Barkley Wimps Out, Skips Town Rybak issues new challenge Charles Barkley, who can no longer compete in the NBA, apparently can't compete at night either. He didn't respond to Mayor R.T. Rybak's challenge to take him out on the town, in response to Barkley's comment last week that the only good thing to come out of Minneapolis was Prince. I had planned an evening of tapas at Solera, music at The Fine Line and the Dakota, dancing at First Avenue and Babalu, and finishing with a blood orange martini at Cosmos and a midnight show at Patrick's Cabaret, Mayor Rybak said. Someone needs to show Barkley what a real town with real nightlife is like. Barkley quietly left town this morning without responding to the challenge. Rybak upped the ante: I'll amend my challenge: If he can't take the heat with some real nightlife, maybe instead we should go to Old Country Buffet and square dancing. In any case, Minneapolis and its Mayor stand ready to show Barkley what a real fun city is all about when the series returns to Minneapolis Saturday night. Rybak said, His prediction that the Lakers would sweep the series has already been proven wrong, and now Minneapolis stands ready to show him how wrong he is about the most fun city in America. ### 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
RE: [Mpls] Velomobiles on Washington Ave
That happy group, Madeline, was headed to the Healthy City Awards, sponsored by Abbot NorthwesternEach year they give an award to the citizen who has made the city a better placeToday it went to Murial Simmons, the great citizen who staked her claim to a corner of Park and 27th when it was a haven for drug dealers, helped chase them from her neighborhood and helped lay the groundwork for Wells Fargo and Allina to come into the neighborhood. She was the one in the rickshaw in the front. I was on roller skiis, as were a bunch of others from the City of Lakes Loppet. The others were on various wheels in a parade from Abbot to the Depot. Next year we are going to expand the wheel concept, hoping to add doctors and nurses in gurney races, etc. So come up with your own wheel concept and join us next yearthe odder the better. (P.S. The person driving the car and keeping other drivers from killing us was the list's own Barb Lickness.) -Original Message- From: md [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2004 8:19 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] Velomobiles on Washington Ave Today about 5:15 pm I saw a wonderful, eccentric, happy group of people heading down Washington Ave So in downtown Minneapolis...with a police escort. They turned down 3rd ave and headed toward the bicycle paths by the Mill Ruins park... There were rollerbladers, guys with skis on wheels, regular bicycles, recumbent bikes, a bicycle taxi, 3-wheeled bikes and yes even two of the delightful flying egg Velomobiles... Life would be splendid (at least on sunny warm days) if we could all commute that way... Who the heck were they and what were they up to?Wish I'd had a camera. Madeline Douglass Kingfield (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 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
[Mpls] State of the City
I gave the State of the City address this afternoon. The full text will be available tomorrow about noon, but the following update gives an overview. I'm interested in any feedback which you can email to be directly at [EMAIL PROTECTED] R.T. News from Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak April 29, 2004 IN THIS ISSUE: 1. STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS HIGHLIGHTS 2. STATE OF THE CITY TRANSCRIPTS __ 1. State of the City Highlights I just finished giving the 2004 State of the City Address in the atrium of City Hall. For those of you unable to be here, these are some of the highlights. My third State of the City Address focused on housing and jobs, keeping Minneapolis the most liveable City in America, and continuing to deliver good government for good value. I am pleased to announce the City has secured over $40 million for the North Side Home Fund, including $20 million each from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and Franklin National Bank. I said affordable housing was one of the most pressing issues when I took office two years ago and the City has responded. Over 3,000 new homes have been built in Minneapolis in the last two years. Every part of the City is growing. Our riverfront is exploding with housing, our condo market is booming and our commercial core is expanding. The City has funded almost 2,000 affordable units, and the vast majority are available to people making under $11 an hour. There was still a clear need for reinvestment on the North Side, so we seeded this project with $1 million, which will be leveraged more than 40-times that in additional funds. The project will renovate boarded and vacant properties, encourage private renovation and increase homeownership among people of color. The City also established the Affordable Housing Trust Fund last year and allocated in the toughest of budget times $12 million dollars toward affordable housing, up 50 percent from spending in 2001. While it's important to continue to create housing, I know it's equally important the City to focus on making sure working families earn enough to pay for that housing. To do this, earlier this spring the City launched Close the Gap, a collaborative effort to close the historic unemployment gap between Minneapolis and the region. The strategy is to train and place 2,400 people in jobs and develop more career laddering programs, such as the Neighborhood Health Careers Institute, which trains people in Phillips for jobs at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. In addition, I announced today that Step-Up, the summer job-creation program, has met its goal of creating 200 additional jobs for kids this summer. To make it easier for the homeowner or the small business the City is creating Minneapolis One-Stop, which will be one location for all consumer development-related services, including basic plan development, and approvals for building and home-improvement projects. Simple e-Permits will soon be available online for licensed contractors, and the City is making more services available online and working on additional ways to streamline the permit and development processes. I also talked about the major accomplishments of the past year, including: Allina's commitment to bring 1,000 jobs to the City in the Midtown Exchange (former Sears Building). 2 big victories for the environment: successfully lobbying to convert the Riverside Coal Plant and securing $20 million from the MAC to complete Phase I of the Sound Insulation Program. Tripling the City's tree planting budget for 2004 and leveraging an additional $100,000 from the EPA for greening the downtown core. Launching the second MOSAIC Arts Celebration and starting to develop a citywide arts plan. Starting to plan an exciting new future for riverfront land now occupied by the Upper River Terminal. Preventing further budget cuts through innovative health care contract changes designed collaboratively with our unions that became a model for others in the state. Receiving over $7 million for environmental health problems through the Lead Task Force, led by Council Member Paul Zerby and Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman. Refocusing the Youth Coordinating Board and starting to develop a comprehensive Children's Agenda. Developing a city-wide, strategy for improving water quality with Council Member Colvin Roy, the Park Board and the Watersheds and developing a city-wide environmental plan. 2. State of the City Transcripts A full transcript of my 2004 State of the City Address will be available on the City's website, www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us by tomorrow afternoon, Friday April 30th. 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:
[Mpls] Trees,exchange,state of city
I'm sending along my latest email newsletter because it has a bunch of news on trees, affordable housing numbers, job strategies at Midtown Exchange and news on the State of the City: R.T. Rybak News from Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak April 22, 2004 IN THIS UPDATE: 1. TREE PLANTING CELEBRATION 2. MIDTOWN EXCHANGE 3. AFFORDABLE HOUSING 4. STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS _ 1. Tree Planting Celebration I am pleased to announce that the City is on track to more than exceed its goal of planting 5,000 new trees in 2004 through a public-private partnership, more than doubling the usual number of trees planted. To celebrate and kick-off the tree-planting season, my office and the Park Board are hosting an event this Sunday, April 25th. This will include a major contribution from the federal Environmental Protection Agency, who will be on hand to announce their grant to the City. We will be planting the first 6 disease-resistant historic Elm trees in the City and will be talking about CITYTREES, the campaign to plant and care for these 5,000 new trees this year. Minneapolis Firefighters and a Fire Truck will be there to water the new trees and talk about the Fire Department's commitment to watering trees. Park Board mascot, Elmer, the Elm Tree will entertain kids. When: 1:00 p.m., Sunday, April 25 Where:1900 block of Park Ave. S. (Park Ave. will be blocked off) Who: The public is invited to join Mayor Rybak; Park Board Commissioners and City Council Members Paul Ostrow and Dean Zimmerman. Other partners to announce tree-planting and care efforts include: Doubletree Guest Suites General Manager Dan Little, announce the hotel's program to plant trees at Minneapolis schools Interim Minneapolis Fire Chief Bonnie Bleskachek Free Colorado Blue Spruce from Doubletree Guest Suites for first 50 people Sunday. 2. Midtown Exchange I'm pleased to announce the City and Ryan Companies, the developers of Midtown Exchange at the former Sears store on Lake Street, have reached an agreement on agressive goals for hiring minority and woman construction workers. Ryan Companies is committed to filling their construction workforce on this site with 15% skilled minority tradespeople, 20% unskilled minority laborers, and 5% women construction workers. All three goals are substantial increases over previous City projects - an 87.5% increase for skilled minority workers alone. Ryan deserves praise for agressively pursuing a diverse workforce on this project. At the same time, Ryan and the City have created a pipeline for people to get hired and start work as soon as possible. Ryan Companies will draw unemployed union workers and apprectices from the surrounding neighborhood first. In turn, community members can join pre-apprenticeship training programs, such as Goodwill/Easter Seals' program, and then start an apprenticeship program on the Midtown Exchange site. The link below will have job and project updates. http://midtowncommunityworks.org/exchange I'm working to bring this project to reality and bring jobs to the community. 3. Affordable Housing Last Thursday the Family Housing Fund and Housing Link released their first annual report called Housing Counts. This is an independent, third party counting of all the affordable housing being supported by the Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Here is the link: http://www.fhfund.org/_dnld/reports/housing_counts.pdf As you can see, it has been a good two years for the City of Minneapolis. We have closed on more than 754 new affordable units (the City's definition of affordable is only those units affordable to a family making less than 50% of the Metropolitan Median Income (MMI) or $38,350 for a family of four) and provided funding to help renovate and keep affordable another 1,188 units. That's nearly 2,000 affordable units that have been built or maintained as long-term affordable housing in just the past two years. I am particularly proud of the fact that the majority of these units, 512 of the new units and 1,066 of the renovated ones, are affordable to those families and individuals making less that 30% of the MMI or $23,010 for a family of four. 4. State of the City Address Just a reminder, my 2004 State of the City Address will be next Thursday, April 29th, at 4:00 p.m. in the rotunda of City Hall. Minneapolis middle-school student Cameron Hughes will sing preceding the address and refreshments will follow. City Hall is fully accessible and my speech will be signed in sign language for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. This event will be simulcast on cable TV channels 14 and 79 and on the City's website at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us You have subscribed to receive e-mail updates from Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. To unsubscribe or
[Mpls] bike trails
Lois raised the following concern was raised about my post yesterday: My concern about all these new projects in the Park system is that they can always find capitol to keep expanding the system but they can't seem to find money to maintain it This is a great question to raise, and I've been raising it in regard to many Park projects, but it does not apply to the mountain bike situation. These trails will not require ongoing maintenance. In this case, remote parts of Wirth Park where there are already unofficial dirt trails will be designated by volunteers as legal routes. If this works out as we hope, it will bring people to remote parts of the park, which may mean fewer resources can be spent policing them. It's also hoped that these legal trails will encourage people to stop using the trails that cause damange to the park, a problem that to date has required signage and enforcement. This is an experiment; we don't know how it will work, but if it works as we hope it will be an example of using citizen volunteers and some common sense to improve access to our parks without additional cost. Thanks again to the commissioners and staff who have been innovative on this. R.T. Rybak 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
[Mpls] Bus strike/economic impact
List members have posted or sent to me a significant number of stories about personal impact of the bus strike. Please keep them coming because they have been helpful to telling the real story of this strike on the radio, in lobbying, etc. Could I ask for additional help: Could people please send or post any stories they have about the economic impact of the strike. The human toll should be enough to move people to take extra steps to solve this but for those who aren't moved, I am hoping these stories of the business impact will touch a nerve. R.T. Rybak 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
[Mpls] Good news from the Park Board
There has been a good deal of criticism of the Park Board on this list, and it's no secret that I haven't always seen eye to eye with them, either. But I just finished signing actions from the Board's last meeting and it included several very good pieces of news. Among them are the Park Board is moving ahead with skate parks at Creek View and Armatage Parks; keeping open beaches at Calhoun, Harriet and Cedar Lake and one that I will use a lot: approve an agreement with Minneapolis Off-road Cycling Advocates for an off road cycling demonstration project at Wirth Park. That last one is the result of the board working with off road advocates to develop a way for responsible riders to have a legal path that protects the environment. Good to see all this good news! R.T. Rybak 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
[Mpls] Business and bus strike
Thanks to list members for posting or sending directly to me stories about people who have suffered during the bus strike. They have been very helpful when I'm talking in the media, or lobbying, to tell the story of the impact the strike is having on people. I'd like to ask for more help: Could people post, or email me directly, about any impact they know that the bus strike is having on businesses. I want to use these to help get more business people active in lobbying for the sides to get back to the table. If anyone knows of any other business people who will speak up I'd love to know that too. R.T. Rybak 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
[Mpls] More loons, with woodducks and screeds
Thanks to Jay for the loon sightings. My wife and I saw two on Lake Harriet yesterday. In the bird sancutary just north of the Lake, we also saw a flock of woodducks and a Greater Screed (I think that's what my wife called it.) The Screed is mostly black on top but it's lower body is white. R.T. Rybak 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
[Mpls] Fire Chief Forte
I got a chuckle out of Booker Hodges statement that I was trying to get rid of Rocco Forte. I want to get rid of Rocco Forte about as much as I want to get rid of my left leg. He is one of the most talented, if not the most talented managers in the city. Right after gettting elected I met with him and said I wanted to get even more of his talents helping even more of the city. That opportunity has presented itself with the following appointment announced today by City Coordinator John Moir: Effective June 1, 2004, I will appoint Rocco Forte as an Assistant City Coordinator to oversee Regulatory services, as well as other yet to be defined responsibilities. Rocco brings proven management skills to this position, including the ability to be innovative in delivering services and managing costs. Rocco has accepted the position as a way to continue his value-added service with the City and to achieve further professional growth. We anticipate an interim Fire Chief designation by the Executive Committee until a permanent department head is appointed. Also, the City Coordinator will forward a new job description for this position through the Executive Committee and the City Council in the next few weeks. This will not require an increase in the existing pay for this position. Rocco has expressed great enthusiasm for this new challenge and is looking forward to using his skills and experience to do even more to keep Minneapolis a safe place to live and work. 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
RE: [Mpls] Minneapolis, St. Cloud Mayors testify for statewide airport strategy
Thanks for the question Allen about aviation strategy: The short answer about MSP is right now we have the worst of both worldsbad for the economy and bad for the environment. Bad for the Economy: The airport will be out of capacity in 10-20 years and that's if we continue to truck 90% of our cargo to Chicago. It takes at least 10-20 years to site new airports or effectively expand current ones. The lack of gates at MSP also means that Northwest continues to dominate our market, meaning citizens and businesses pay a huge cost for the lack of competition. Bad for the Environment: The massive impact airplane noise has on Minneapolis is well documented. We are also exploring impacts from fuel and related pollutants. As we look to the future it's true technology will make some planes slightly quieter but that will be more than off-sent by technology that will also make it possible to have planes flying in much faster sequence... so if nothing is done we are looking at a future of one plane after the other after the other after the other after the other.only slightly quieter but far more constant. There are no easy fixes for any of these issues but the call for a statewide aviation strategy is one step. The goal is this: Use the entire aviation network in the state to INCREASE air capacity (esp. cargo) but lessen the impact over deeply impacted neighborhoods in Minneapolis. We need more cargo flights but instead of flying over our houses in the middle of the night they could go into a cargo hub in Rochester or St. Cloud...or a place on the road to one of them. That military plane, the loud ones that look like Charles Lindberg could fly them, can either roar over intensely populated neighborhoods in Minneapolis or over remote areas near Willmar or Mankato. Night flights could really be effected by this because under some circumstances they could be diverted away from densely populated areas. In my mind we will not, at least in the near future, have what Denver has: a single state of the art airport with large expansion potentialDenver's forward looking decision to do that means that area will also be more competitive in the air than us. But I do think we can use the Chicago area as a model, where several airports...including a new one under consideration...to accommodate today's and future needs. MSP is a good airport...it's just not going to be enough for our region to compete...and I sure don't want a future where we are jamming EVEN MORE airplanes over our heads. Right now we have no single authority that can ask these questions. The Metropolitan Airports Commission(MAC) is, of course, metropolitan. The state transportation department does a study for Greater Minnesota but does not weave in the needs of the metropolitan area. This coalition of Mayors that I have been working with has been making real progress in addressing this idea of a statewide aviation strategy...We have met with great groups of political and business leaders in both St. Cloud and Rochester. We also got a friendly hearing at the Capitol and think this is one of the very first win-wins I've seen on airports. R.T. Rybak -Original Message- 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
[Mpls] Planetarium
Eva Young posted about the importance of the Plaetarium. I agree, which is why I've testified twice in the past few weeks about it at the Legislature. I told them, and the Governor, that is Minneapolis' number one bonding proposal, and I was happy to deliver the Governor a letter saying that all Minneapolis Senators and Representatives are now in full supportWe also have a wide colletion of cosponsors, including many Republicans from around the suburbs and Greater Minnesota. I also also trying to recruit private contributors to raise the private dollars necessary to make this work. We have the best chance in years to get this, thanks to many people (esp. Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher!)so anything people can to do encourage non Minneapolis legislators would be great Remind them of a couple points: @ 90% of the visits to the Planetarium were from outside of Minneapolis. @ the Planetarium has a history of inspiring children from around Minnesota to understand space. One example is a young 12 year old from Willmar whose trip to the Minneapolis Planetarium inspired him to learn about out the skies. His name is Pinky Nelson. This history will continue as it is incorporated into a partnership with the six planetariums around the state. @ building this now can save the state significant resources because it is being incorporated into the Central Library. This means the Planetarium does not have to absorb land costs, constructing building systems (heating/air/elevators/etc), parking costs...All they have to do is build out the shell and do programming. This should not only cut cost of construction but also operating. A call would be very helpful to legislators from outside of Minneapolis and whoever your Minneapolis rep. is, thank that person because they are all on board. R.T. Rybak 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
RE: [Mpls] Bus strike and transit
I think Allen is right...It distracts from the message so thanks for the reminder. -Original Message- From: Dan McGuire [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2004 6:34 PM To: Allen G; Mpls Forum; Rybak, R.T. Subject: Re: [Mpls] Bus strike and transit Mayor Rybak is well within the bounds of propriety to suggest that anyone who thinks that this urban area can do without mass transit might as well belong to the flat earth society. A flat earth and an urban area like the twin cities without mass transit are equally illogical. I personally think it is high time that the rhetorical ante be upped a bit; the transit workers deserve at least that from the rest of us. Dan McGuire Ericsson - Original Message - From: Allen G [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mpls Forum [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Rybak, R.T. [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2004 5:50 PM Subject: Re: [Mpls] Bus strike and transit Thank you for your work on this issue, Mayor Rybak. It is good to see that the city of Minneapolis has taken what steps it can in addressing issues due to the transit worker stike. The one thing I ask of you given your position of leadership is to refrain from making statments ...but I'm especially hopeful that these business-government partnerships are what is needed to get around the flat earth society that doesn't see the gridlock that is growing around them. Invoking a term like flat earth society doesn't improve the public discourse on this issue. In doing so you are lowering yourself to the same level as the Taxpayers League. Just as we know a few days of normal traffic doesn't mean that Minneapolis and the metro region don't need buses, we also know that a persons stance in regards to transportation doesn't mean they believe the earth is flat. Such name calling gives the media an easy out in covering the strike. They can focus on the name calling instead of covering the short term issues of the strike such as people whose main means for getting about the city is the bus. Let alone larger long term issues that affect transit and the effeciency of transit such as how much of growth in the region should occur on the fringes of the metro area versus redevelopment in it's core cities and aging first ring suburbs. Sincerely, Allen Graetz Prospect Park - Original Message - From: Rybak, R.T. [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mpls Forum [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2004 12:50 PM Subject: [Mpls] Bus strike and transit Minnesota Taxpayers League President David Strom had a remarkable statement this morning: Transit just isn't that important to the smooth functioning of the Twin Cities transportation systemthere just doesn't seem to be much difference in traffic when buses are running and when buses are not. The bus strike shows decisively that proponents of transit are simply not telling the truth when they say that transit ridership reduces congestion. This ignores a couple things that happened in Minneapolis, at least. First, scores of city employees and business people took extra steps in planning, coordinating car pools, etc. to make those first days a little smoother. This included the city spending additional money to put new traffic control officers on duty, something that is clearly not sustainable long term. Second, and more important, the past two days have seen hundreds of people go through real suffering. I talked to one man who works maintenance downtown who day rode his bike from Hopkins the second day...in the snow. We have been getting many other calls from people going through other real challenges because the buses aren't running, and it's important right now to tell those stories. Toward that end I could use your help. Could people, either on list or direct to me, tell stories they have heard about what people have had to go through with the buses not running.My goal is to have enough of these that I can get them into the media when they are trying to determine whether Strom is right or not. Much of the discussion has centered about those coming in and out of downtown, which is important, but I am especially interested in those whose experience and stories may fall through the cracks in other parts of town. On a related topic, there was a very good letter in the paper this morning by John Akre that leaders of Minneapolis and St. Paul need to help the Metropolitan Council develop a broader consensus for transit in the region. I told John this morning that he's right and there is at least the beginning of some good news on this front: I was at the Met Council Monday for a meeting of Chair Bell, representatives of metropolitan chambers of commerce (including Twin West, Minneapolis and St. Paul) and several mayors (including me and the Mayors of Bloomington and Minnetonka). The goal was for the chambers and the Mayors to work together
[Mpls] Bus strike and transit
Minnesota Taxpayers League President David Strom had a remarkable statement this morning: Transit just isn't that important to the smooth functioning of the Twin Cities transportation systemthere just doesn't seem to be much difference in traffic when buses are running and when buses are not. The bus strike shows decisively that proponents of transit are simply not telling the truth when they say that transit ridership reduces congestion. This ignores a couple things that happened in Minneapolis, at least. First, scores of city employees and business people took extra steps in planning, coordinating car pools, etc. to make those first days a little smoother. This included the city spending additional money to put new traffic control officers on duty, something that is clearly not sustainable long term. Second, and more important, the past two days have seen hundreds of people go through real suffering. I talked to one man who works maintenance downtown who day rode his bike from Hopkins the second day...in the snow. We have been getting many other calls from people going through other real challenges because the buses aren't running, and it's important right now to tell those stories. Toward that end I could use your help. Could people, either on list or direct to me, tell stories they have heard about what people have had to go through with the buses not running.My goal is to have enough of these that I can get them into the media when they are trying to determine whether Strom is right or not. Much of the discussion has centered about those coming in and out of downtown, which is important, but I am especially interested in those whose experience and stories may fall through the cracks in other parts of town. On a related topic, there was a very good letter in the paper this morning by John Akre that leaders of Minneapolis and St. Paul need to help the Metropolitan Council develop a broader consensus for transit in the region. I told John this morning that he's right and there is at least the beginning of some good news on this front: I was at the Met Council Monday for a meeting of Chair Bell, representatives of metropolitan chambers of commerce (including Twin West, Minneapolis and St. Paul) and several mayors (including me and the Mayors of Bloomington and Minnetonka). The goal was for the chambers and the Mayors to work together on moving a multimodel transportation system. This is good news to have the business community helping aggressively on this, which I believe is what is needed to oppose those in the Legislature who have been so anti transit. There are a couple other business/government coalitions that are growing around this, too. Mayor Kelly and I successfully got The Itasca Group, a coalition of ceos of corporations, to take on transit as one of their key initiatives. I also spoke to Charlie Weaver, head of the Business Partnership, yesterday and he, too, seems to be willing to play a role in moving transit issues forward. Another coalition that has been moved forward by Rep. Frank Hornstein and Sen. Scott Dibble is a group of mayors along 35W...We are collectively pushing the idea of bus rapid transit on 35. Also CM Schiff is working on streetcar options and CM Zimmerman is working on PRT It's important for Minneapolis officials keep pushing transit forwardbut I'm especially hopeful that these business-government partnerships are what is needed to get around the flat earth society that doesn't see the gridlock that is growing around them. Anyway, that's a long way of asking for help in getting the stories of people who are had to make sacrifices during the bus strike. R.T.Rybak 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
[Mpls] In this together
While schools are appropriately the key discussion right now, part of the issue is connected to a larger challenge: Minneapolis has too many buildings. That's the problem but there may be some creative ideas out there which could make this part of the solution. Here's what I mean: One of the points behind the school challenge is that the district has too many classrooms for the size of the student population. Maintaining these obviously sucks up money that could be used in classrooms. Meanwhile, library hours have been cut dramatically because we do not have the resources to support full hours with the number of libraries we have. There are similar issues with the parks, which have seen a dramatic increase in facilities in the past decade. And the city has the same challenge, which is why we are in the middle of an enterprise wide facility study that has the goal of finding places for us to consolidateand hopefully selling off unneeded property. In our innovative form of government, all of us are struggling with these challenges independently. I could use some guidance from the list...on list or offabout how this discussion can be brought together. In some cases groups found ways to work together (Barb may give some input on how that happened in Whittier) But in many cases we continue to make decisions independently of each other and in the process suck up more operating expenses. Example: Burroughs School is wonderful but it's really unfortunate that it was built next to an existing park buildingso city taxpayers are paying to operate one gym---staff and expenses--in the school and one gym half a block away at the park. Example: A library sits across the street from Rosevelt School but when there were conversations to build a new one, the choice was to move it further away, instead of across the street into the school where both students AND the community could use itand staffing could be shared. (Twenty hours of library staff SUPLIMENTED with 20 hours of school staff would look really nice right now. So would the saved operating expenses for the library, part of which could be used to help the schools with THEIR operating expenses.) I raise this because innovative thinking about all of this could be part of a solution to some of our current needs. If, for example, some city service was decentralized from City Hall and moved into part of one of the schools with spaceallowing the city to sell a property and share operating costs in the school. If, for example, Walker Library was moved into the school district's Lehman Centerand the valuable land at Hennepin and Lagoon was sold.If the Public Housing Authority moved into part of one of the schools and the existing building on the increasingly valuable north Washington was soldIf, for example, some satellite office of the city's Regulatory Services was moved to a library and the staff helped support a front desk in a move that kept the library open more hours. I am putting up trial balloons...many of which I assume have some flaws... in an attempt to spur some creative thinking the we desperately need right now.Thinking that could get us out of the petty turf battles that have, I believe, been a factor in getting us all into this mess and, battles that I'm certain will have to end if we have a prayer of getting us to a better place. Thoughts? R.T. Rybak 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
[Mpls] RE: full disclosure about successful education
Thanks again for your recent comments on the proposed school reorganization. This is a summary of my comments at a rally at City Hall this afternoon. I am always interested in getting your thoughts, so please keep me informed on your thinking on this. Mayor R.T. Rybak Statement of Mayor Rybak on school reorganization I have communicated with many parents, students and concerned citizens over the past week, trying to learn as much as I can about the proposed school reorganization plan and working through what constructive role I can play. I also met with Interim Superintendent David Jennings on Saturday. Based on all these conversations, I am asking Superintendent Jennings and School Board Chair Sharon Henry Blythe to delay the School Board vote on the school reorganization, and offer both my assistance and support over the coming year while the community works with the District to develop a plan that addresses our very serious long-term challenges. Taking these steps will make it more possible to build broad scale support for a plan that has the significant changes necessary to deal with today's realities for our schools. This will also respond to the very strong call from parents to provide them and their children more time to plan for changes. The needs of parents and students is always important; it is especially important right now because one of the most critical challenges facing the district is maintaining enrollment. No one should kid themselves that taking these actions makes the problems go away. We face very tough choices ahead. It is clear that schools will have to be closed, and many other tough decisions will need to be made. We need to look these challenges in the eye and make the tough choices together. If we don't, if we arrive at this same conclusion a year from now without making tough choices, if we pretend nibbling around the edges will be enough, the situation will be much worse than what we see today. If a year from now the only discussion is about Don't close my school or Don't move my program we will have put ourselves in a worse situation. Choices will have to be made, and if we advocate for keeping one program or school, we have to be part of finding what alternative needs to be sacrificed. The budget and authority for the schools rests solely with the independently elected School Board and Superintendent. I will support them over the coming months as they frame the tough questions we have, including class size and which schools and programs remain open, While I do not oversee the schools, the issue of building community is central to my role as Mayor. And I see almost nothing more important in building strong neighborhoods than maintaining strong community-based schools. I will continue to advocate for community-based schools but I, and all of us, have to be realistic that the district's serious financial challenges will make that even more difficult. Minneapolis is fortunate to have Interim Superintendent David Jennings to lead us through this discussion. He is smart, tough and has the kind of direct honesty we need to face these issues head-on. Minneapolis is also fortunate to have the leadership of Board Chair Sharon Henry Blythe, who is one of the most principled elected officials I know. Minneapolis needs to rally behind these great leaders as they guide us through some tough choices. We also need to recognize that the future of the kids of this city cannot be left solely to the School Board. I will continue to advocate for kids as Mayor and in my new position as Chair of the Youth Coordinating Board, which coordinates the children's agenda of the city, parks, schools, libraries and county. I encourage all of us to use this time to dig even deeper to find ways each of us can stand up for our kids. This year is one of the most important in recent years for kids in the City of Minneapolis. Our choices this year are tough, we can come out of this better if everyone works together toward our common goals on behalf of our children. -Original Message- From: Dan McGuire [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 8:53 AM To: Audrey Johnson; mpls list Cc: Louise Sundin; Colleen Moriarty; Dennis Schapiro; Joe Erickson; Judith Farmer; Louise Sundin; Ross Taylor; Sharon Henry-Blythe Subject: full disclosure about successful education Dear Ms. Johnson, In your op-ed piece this morning you called for full disclosure about the systemic roadblocks that cripple successful education for too many of our children. I'm a teacher and I agree with you. To that end, please detail for me the efforts that you and the board made toward reform of the teacher assignment process in this most recent contract negotiations. If the union that I am a member of thwarted your intentions, I want to know about it, and I'm sure most of my colleagues will as well. I'm willing to talk about how we can make the system better and I
[Mpls] police chief ideas
Over the next few weeks I will be picking a new police chief. As I do that I would like to have your opinions. You can post them directly to me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] I've copied below the criteria I am using: * Maintain public safety. The No. 1 job of the chief and every police officer is to keep Minneapolis safe. * Be a strong leader. The chief must hold officers accountable, reward exceptional performers and deliver immediate consequences for unacceptable behavior. * Be a strong manager. The $100 million police budget needs innovative, efficient management with measurable outcomes. * Demand respectful, consistent service in all communities. This work must include aggressively diversifying the department. * Be a visible leader who builds partnerships with the community. The chief and the force he or she commands should empower all members of the community who want to continue to build a safer city. R.T. Rybak 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
[Mpls] Police chief ideas
Over the next few weeks I will be picking a new police chief. As I do that I would like to have your opinions. You can post them directly to me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] I've copied below the criteria I am using: * Maintain public safety. The No. 1 job of the chief and every police officer is to keep Minneapolis safe. * Be a strong leader. The chief must hold officers accountable, reward exceptional performers and deliver immediate consequences for unacceptable behavior. * Be a strong manager. The $100 million police budget needs innovative, efficient management with measurable outcomes. * Demand respectful, consistent service in all communities. This work must include aggressively diversifying the department. * Be a visible leader who builds partnerships with the community. The chief and the force he or she commands should empower all members of the community who want to continue to build a safer city. R.T. Rybak 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
[Mpls] Pioneer Press on McManus
This editorial appeared yesterday in the Pioneer Press: Posted on Mon, Jan. 12, 2004 Police chief nominee just what Minneapolis needs Minneapolis police chief nominee Bill McManus is a no-nonsense leader who gets things done, according to former co-workers. He made great strides in diversifying and refocusing the Dayton, Ohio, police department in the two years he served as chief. His stint in Dayton followed a 30-year career in Washington, D.C., where he retired as an assistant chief. His management record, broad experience and commitment to diversity make McManus a strong choice to lead the 1,200-member Minneapolis department. The City Council should confirm Mayor R.T. Rybak's choice when it votes on Friday. If his two short years in Dayton are any indication, expect McManus to shake things up, to accept no excuses and to make a strong effort to bridge the huge gulf between the police and the African-American and Indian communities. Rybak is taking a political gamble in naming McManus, a white male, to lead a department that has struggled in its relations with communities of color. The mayor chose McManus from six finalists, including two female deputy chiefs and three African-Americans. But McManus has won the praise of African-American leaders in Dayton as well as community leaders in Minneapolis. McManus has also been endorsed by St. Paul Police Chief Bill Finney. Finney, who praised McManus's police credentials and his record of outreach to minority communities, said had McManus not been selected simply because he was white, That would have been a serious mistake. McManus, 51, who was also a finalist for the police chief job in San Jose, Calif., immediately set about making changes in Dayton when he arrived in 2001. He shook up his command staff, hiring three African-American commanders, one of whom is expected to take the reins of the department on McManus's departure. McManus is a strong advocate of community policing and took impressive stands against racial profiling and unnecessary use of force in Dayton. As Southeast Asian Community Council director Cha Lee, a member of the citizens' advisory committee that interviewed chief finalists, told the Dayton Daily News about McManus: This guy lives diversity. He may not show it on the outside, but he gets it into his heart and lives it every day. The hiring of Bill McManus would set a good police department with some lingering problems on the path to greatness. The City Council would be wise to confirm him. 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
[Mpls] McManus: Front line crime fighter
Much has been written about Chief McManus but I'm surprised more hasn't been discussed about how much he has been on the front lines of crime fighting. This point really struck me during the testimony when one of the officers he commanded got choked up talking about how McManus led other officers as they pulled bodies out of the Potomac after the Air Florida plane crash in D.C. Here's a part of the Chief's testimony to the Council that gives some background on where he's been, and why I want very much to have him with us next summer when we are fighting gangs, drugs and livability crimes on the streets of Minneapolis R.T. Rybak - I'd like to share some of the countless public safety challenges that I've faced in my nearly 30 years in law-enforcement: a Presidential assassination attempt when I was a young officer, investigation and follow-up of a major bombing, rescue and recovery efforts of the Air Florida crash into the Potomac River after hitting the 14th Street Bridge on a snowy winter evening, the shooting of the Mayor and subsequent simultaneous take-over of the City Council chambers and B'nai British Jewish Center by the Hanfi Muslims, planning and providing security for no fewer than four presidential inaugurations, the assassination of a DC police sergeant and two FBI agents in DC Police HQ, planning and providing security and traffic control for the week of events leading up to and after the NBA All-Star game in 2000. No city has more demonstrations that the nation's capitol. As a police official, I played a leadership role in planning for, and managing from the front-line, countless demonstrations both large and small, some violent and some not, that routinely occur in the District of Columbia every day. They ranged from anti-war, animal rights, and anti-abortion protests and bike rallies. My strategy was always to allow free speech and to attempt de-escalation before things could get out of hand. It was not always an easy balancing act, but I'm proud of the fact that in most instances we were able to successfully avoid confrontation. Many of these events involved working alongside the FBI, ATF and other federal agencies. Let me now fast-forward to the last major event I was involved with in DC- the crash of an airliner into the Pentagon on 9/11. This one event forever affected the lives so many people, not to mention the lives of the hundreds of public safety personnel and federal agents involved in the investigation, recovery, and clean-up efforts. Street prostitution is a problem in every major city and DC was no exception. As Assistant Chief, I worked with neighborhoods and residents in the Logan Circle and Thomas Circle sections to implement various strategies that significantly reduced a chronically entrenched prostitution market. Because prostitution was so severe, the effort required a community-police partnership even stronger than the prostitution problem itself. Through this combined, persistent and focused approach, residents were finally able to sleep in peace at night without constant traffic and carrying-on in residential neighborhoods. As Commander of First Precinct and then as Assistant Chief, I worked closely with the Downtown Business Improvement District. In the months, weeks and days before and during the World Bank and WTO demonstrations in DC I made sure the business community was informed on how the overall police operations plan would protect their establishments. Also, along with the First Precinct Commander and the BID, we initiated Operation Outta Sight to reduce thefts from vehicle in the downtown area. In those same positions, I worked with neighborhood leaders in southeast DC to move a violent, open-air drug market out of their neighborhood - an area similar to the Jordan neighborhood. It took some time and considerable effort, but we were successful. Again, as Precinct Commander and then as an Assistant Chief, I worked with community leaders and the African-American clergy in the North Capitol Street corridor to reduce gang-related violence in that area. Through police-clergy intervention and assistance from the Department of Recreation we reduced the number of youth-related homicides and assaults to nearly zero the year following the implementation of the partnership. I would take this kind of collaborative approach in Minneapolis as your chief. In Dayton, we worked with residents and community leaders to reduce five chronic call locations in each precinct. Results were significant: calls for police were significantly reduced, crime reductions ranged between 16 and 39 percent. As Chief in Dayton, we implemented a community policing model that helped reduce violent crime approximately 10 percent and property crime approximately six percent in 2003. Few events
[Mpls] Why I chose Chief McManus
I wanted to send the List an outline I just gave to City Council members about my selection of Chief Bill McManus. FYI, the Executive Committee just voted 4-1 in favor of Chief McManus, with the yes votes being me, Council President Ostrow, Council Member Paul Zerby and Council Member Natalie Johnson Lee. Council member Robert Lilligren voted no. I know people have a lot of interest in the horse race issue here...how are the votes coming, who's changing, etc. That's understandable. But most of the council members were pressed into taking a position on this before they even had a chance to meet Chief McManus. I didn't arrive at this choice overnight, I had a chance to have several face to face meetings and the council members deserve the space to do that, too. I'm not going to be pushing hard for people to change today and instead hope the whole community can stand back from the vote question to get to know the Chief. I'm confident that when they do they will know we have a great leader for the police department. R.T. Rybak I began the process of selecting a new Chief of Police for Minneapolis by listening to people in our community talk about what they expect from the Police Department and from the Chief in particularfirst by doorknocking throughout the city, and then through my two years in office. Based on this input, I drafted a set of community expectations that have guided the entire search process. We received additional input at a public hearing and from the Advisory Committee we assembled to assist with the evaluation of candidates. These five expectations formed the structure for the questions they asked each of the finalists, and were the framework for the input I received from the Committee. They are the objective basis for the selection of my nominee, Chief William McManus. As we approach the formal process of action by the Executive Committee and City Council on this key appointment, I want to return to the community expectations that have guided this very public process, and summarize how I believe Chief McManus uniquely meets these expectations. 1. Maintain Public Safety: The number-one job of the Chief and every police officer is to keep Minneapolis safe. Starting as a beat cop and working his way up to Chief of Police, Chief McManus has been on the front lines of crime fighting in some of the toughest neighborhoods in the country. Some highlights of his work illustrate the effectiveness of his approach. In Dayton, Chief McManus developed and implemented a geographically-targeted community policing model that resulted in significant reductions in crime in less than two years. He worked with residents and community leaders to focus on five chronic call locations in each district, resulting in crime and call reductions of between 16 and 39 percent. You can't arrest away nuisance crimes, McManus said during his Committee interview, you have to work with the community. His holistic approach included training for community members, officers from surrounding jurisdictions and the Sheriff's department, as well as the restructuring the Police Department and tough enforcement. Overall, the policing model he implemented in Dayton helped reduce violent crime citywide by approximately 10 percent and property crime by approximately 6 percent in 2003 alone. 2. Strong Leader: The Chief must hold officers accountable, reward exceptional performers and deliver immediate consequences for those who step over the line. In Dayton, Chief McManus proved himself an effective leader and change agent by establishing clear performance expectations and holding officers accountable. In one high-profile incident, he fired an officer who struck an injured, minority suspect with his gun during an arrest. But strong personal leadership is only effective when it is respected and followed by the rank-and-file. The high marks McManus receives for improved police-community relations in Dayton demonstrate that he successfully created change - not just at the top, or within a particular command - but throughout the department and out in the community. As a career professional who worked his way up from beat cop to top-cop, McManus has demonstrated exactly the combination of street smarts and command presence I believe we need here in Minneapolis. 3. Strong Manager: The $100 million police budget needs innovative, efficient management with measurable outcomes. As Assistant Chief in Washington, DC, McManus managed 1,000 sworn officers and a $77 million operating budget within a total force of 3,800 sworn officers and budget of $300 million. (By comparison, Minneapolis currently has 781 sworn officers.) As Police Chief in Dayton, he has gained crucial executive-level experience during a very challenging period, managing fiscal, labor- and police-community-relations
[Mpls] Meetings on televison
There has been a great deal of discussion about what happened, or did not happen at Park Board meetingsbut if you weren't there, or if a reporter wasn't there, it's pretty hard to know. That's why I believe these meetings should be on cable. Those with cable can see them; those without it can have a tape. Reporters who weren't there could review the tape. This could happen almost immediately for both the park and library boards. The city council chamber has state of the arts cable facilities that have served the community very well. Park Board and Library Board meetings come be held in the chamber, and use the existing equipment. I would support making this happen quickly, help adjust schedules and charge only if there are additional costs. I've raised this before and the usual push back is that this is a city building that should not be a place for an independent board to meet. I understand this on some level but in the inperfect, fiscally restrained world we are in, isn't it better to use an existing facility than waste a lof of money on another facility that could instead go into park programs...Or worse, not televise at all? If it's not the right image to be in the council chamber, explore ways to make it clear this is a park meeting...It could be as simple as hanging a sign in back of the members during the meeting saying Minneapolis Park Board. These are small matters that can be resolved when compared to the very serious issues that take place when meetings are not televised so more people can see them. In any case, this simple move of having the meetings in a place where they can be on cable and tape could helped clarify many of the issues that grew out of the he said/she said debate about the last meeting. I'm ready to help make this happen if people are interested. R.T.Rybak 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
RE: [Mpls] Appointment with the Mayor
Dennis: Not sure which appointment you are talking about but I'm always interested in talking to you...What's your phone number and I'll call. -Original Message- From: Dennis Plante [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 10:19 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Mpls] Appointment with the Mayor Lee, I see a scheduling conflict... You've got my 19 seconds scheduled the week the Mayor takes his vacation. Dennis Plante Jordan _ Grab our best dial-up Internet access offer: 6 months @$9.95/month. http://join.msn.com/?page=dept/dialup 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
[Mpls] Patriot act and chief candidates
In one of the posts I read today someone asked about chief candidates and the patriot act. I told all five finalists that Minneapolis is a city that protects free speech, I have opposed the Patriot Act, have marched in anti war protests and Chief Olson and I have met with hundreds of immigrants to tell them our police are not the INS. I told all five that I don't care about their politics but expect them to protect those values. I'm very pleased all of them agreed. 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
RE: [Mpls] re: police chief
Can I add that I have actually been to crime scenes with Barb Johnson and I can assure you she cares as deeply as anyone. -Original Message- From: Greg Abbott [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2003 3:44 PM To: Tamir Nolley Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Mpls] re: police chief As our list manager is on vacation and may not be accessible -- let me say this comment is totally out of bounds. On Dec 21, 2003, at 10:19 AM, Tamir Nolley wrote: At least Barb Johnson has actually made this statement point blank. You can almost see the smile on her face every time someone not convicted of a crime is beaten up or killed by the police. --- Greg Abbott Linden Hills 13th ward 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
[Mpls] Loving libraires=different thinking
Carol Becker obviously has every right to propose different spending for the city but I found her attack on my motives a bit odd. If I was out to kill the libraries slowly I probably would not have spent an hour yesterday with a major funder trying to get money to finish the downtown library. Or working with that funder to consider programming to help close learning gaps at community libraires across the city. If I was out to kill the libraires slowly I would not have made another call on a major library funder last week, or had a number of other fundraising calls for the library in coming weeks. I would not have made the future of Franklin Library such a big part of my pitch to Faith in the City, which helped get Thivent's gift to keep that library open and hopefully will lead to more support there. I would not have been working with McKnight and Cargill on new visions for Sumner Olson, or co chaired the Library Implementation Committee. If I'm trying to kill the libraires, I hope more assasins step forward. We need the help. Insted of questioning my motives we should be working together to try to find a way to make ends meet, because right now they don't. I am not alone in this. The Capital Long Range Improvement Committee(CLIC), a group of independent citizens from around the city, strongly opposed the libraires capital plan. I also, like many other people, believe there has not been enough focus on how to keep the existing libraries operating well. Shorter hours and cut programs hurt most in the neighborhoods where people have the least access and greatest needs. Until there is a better plan for integrating the libraires capital program with its operating budget we will have more cuts in the services that residents need. The good news from my perspective is that Director Hadley is moving in the right direction. I met with her last week to review capital plans, she made her case about the progress that is being made. I said I would remain open and would continue to work very hard to raise more money to help close the gaps. But the one thing I won't do is close my eyes and pretend we can do things the same old way. For those of us who love librairies, that means even shorter hours, even fewer programs and borrowing from our kids when they deserve better. R.T. Rybak East Harriet Over time, our libraries would be come ramshackle and obsolete 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
[Mpls] Airport strategy
Below are two articles from the Rochester Post Bulletin re. our recent trip to Rochester to discuss airport strategy with local leaders. My trip was part of a strategy to build support around Minnesota for a statewide aviation strategyThe goal is to have Rochester, St. Cloud, Mankato, Duluth and Willmar competing for increased traffic...first a cargo hub and later passenger. This is part of the long term goal of diverting traffic from MSP, and over our houses. I was joined on this trip by CM Sandy Colvin Roy, Dan Boivin, who is my rep to the MAC, Merland Otto, the city's airport specialist and Karen Lowrey Wagner, who is part of the city's lobbying team. Earlier this year CM Benson and I went to St. Cloud for a similar trip. We got a great reception in both places, to me a clear illustration that there is a way to deal with the long term issue of the airport. We need to fight today's battles, i.e.. soundproofing, but also have an eye toward tomorrow, which in this case means finding places for new traffic that takes some pressure off our neighborhoods. R.T. Rybak Rochester-Minneapolis air-service plan gets another look Wednesday, August 20, 2003 By Jeffrey Pieters The Post-Bulletin Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak met with local leaders Tuesday in Rochester to enlist their support for developing a statewide commercial air service plan. Such a plan, Rybak said, would help utilize underused airports outside the Twin Cities, put the state on better competitive footing with other Midwestern markets and help Minneapolis-St. Paul avert a state of air gridlock projected to occur within about 20 years. A likely outcome of the plan would be to divert some air traffic from the Twin Cities to airports such as Rochester's or St. Cloud's. I'm arguing against our (Minneapolis') immediate self-interest in favor of a longer-term solution, Rybak said. I'll take some heat because it's a smart long-term strategy. The meeting at Rochester City Hall was attended by every area legislator, a representative of Congressional Rep. Gil Gutknecht's office, business leaders and several municipal officials. A sense of urgency The subject of discussion -- a Minneapolis-Rochester airport link -- is nothing new. Rybak's predecessor, Sharon Sayles Belton, visited Rochester in January 2001 to discuss a high-speed rail link between the two airports. And a consultant hired by the Metropolitan Airports Commission issued a report two years ago calling for formation of a cargo twin to the Twin Cities airport. Rochester was named as a leading candidate to fill that role. What seems to have changed in the discussion is the level of urgency. Rybak left the meeting after asking each person to take on an assignment. His job, he said, will be to unify the Minneapolis-area legislative contingent and win support of Twin Cities congressman Rep. Martin Sabo. The bigger job, Rybak said, rests with people in Rochester. The business community from Rochester is going to have to play a large role in this, he said. The person or people carrying this through the Legislature are going to have to be some of the people who will benefit from it. The push for a Rochester cargo hub has to come out of Rochester, he said. A handful of other airports -- notably St. Cloud, Duluth and Mankato -- are similarly vying to become Minneapolis' partner. Competing with Chicago For now, though, the task is to get state leaders to appreciate the importance of developing a plan, Rybak said. An estimated 90 percent of the state's outgoing air cargo is sent by truck to Chicago before being loaded on a plane, he said. As a result, businesses are forced to consider whether they wish to locate in Minnesota, expand here or even remain here, he said. I think we really should be looking at, 'Can we compete with Chicago?' Rybak said. Right now, we're competing from our knees. I believe Rochester can help us compete from a far better standpoint. Let's say we have aspirations to be an international shipper, he said. Grab the opportunity. Striking a partnership with an outlying airport, rather than building a new Twin Cities airport, is preferable because of the costs and regulatory hurdles involved in building. Noise, pollution and congestion are problems in the Twin Cities -- both on the runways and the roads. For cargo, the southern half of the state is preferable to shippers, said Merlin Otto of the Minneapolis Planning Department. Advantages here The Rochester airport already has a steadily growing cargo operation, said Airport Manager Steve Leqve. The airport is reporting annual freight figures approaching 30 million pounds per year, Leqve said. The Rochester airport has advantages over its rivals because of its infrastructure, including one runway that has recently been extended and another -- the primary runway -- that will be lengthened starting next year. Rybak said the state-approved biotech
[Mpls] Your budget ideas
I want to invite people to the budget forums I will be holding over the next couple months. I will go over the budget I just released, and hear ideas people have for addressing the city's financial issues. The first of these is Monday night at St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church (that's the one with the big gold dome overlooking Lake Calhoun)3450 Irving Av. S.from 7-8 p.m. I also welcome other ideas that can be sent to me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] R.T. Rybak Rybak says 2004 budget plan spares police, fire departments BY LEILA FADEL Pioneer Press Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak titled his 2004 budget address on Thursday the Light at the End of the Tunnel, and for firefighters and police the light appeared surprisingly bright. Despite a $35 million two-year cut in local government aid from the state and debts owed to the city's pension fund and elsewhere, Rybak's $1.24 billion budget proposes rehiring the 32 firefighters laid off earlier this year and hiring a class of police cadets who had been trained but left in limbo because of the budget crunch. Half of the cadets are minorities. City Council members interrupted Rybak with applause as he announced his hiring plan. The mayor called it an opportunity to finally move forward on something that we have been far too slow at, which is making sure that the police department of the city represents the full character of the city of Minneapolis. The city would, in part, pay for the rehired firefighters by changing the way it inspects multi-apartment complexes. Firefighters would have sole responsibility for the inspections, a change from the city's practice of dual checks by the department and the Inspections Division. The change will save about $800,000 as the Inspections Division restructures and cuts positions. The mayor's budget of $1.24 billion - compared with 2003's $1.2 billion - relies on increasing the city's property tax levy by 8 percent ($13.2 million), the maximum allowed by city policy. Rybak also proposed dipping into a $34 million rainy day fund resulting from the sale of a Hilton Hotel about five years ago. About half of the fund would be spent on community development projects. The rainy day fund would be replenished in 2009 when the city is repaid money previously lent to a property management company. The plan was first suggested by Council Member Barret Lane. The rest of the rainy day fund would be used to pay down pension fund debt, freeing up $1.5 million annually for the general fund. That's what I call the common sense solution, Rybak said. The city is in a better position to balance its budget thanks to deep cuts and reorganizations made earlier this year, Rybak said. He said the city had no choice but to cut spending and find other revenue sources in light of state funding cuts. Local government aid will be a source of unstable aid for a long time, Rybak said. Rybak also plans to allocate $200,000 to help restore the canopy of elms and other trees that line city streets as well as money for two skateboard parks, bike trails, public art and graffiti control. Council Vice President Robert Lilligren supported many of Rybak's suggestions but questioned some of the practicalities. I think we need to look at how a change like (firefighter inspection) is done, Lilligren said. That will take a high level of training and time. Minneapolis police Inspector Donald Harrison was pleased at the prospect of hiring a diverse group of police officers. Harrison said he has been working with other African-American officers to bring minorities on board for almost 16 years. The mayor told me, 'You hire people and I will find the money,' Harrison said. Rybak said that his budget address was the first time he stood at the podium at City Hall with good budget news. I'm proud to look you in the eye and say, I think we're beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, he said. Leila Fadel can be reached at [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] or 612-338-8198 TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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
[Mpls] Responds to own emails
A question was raised about whether I respond to my own emails. The answer is yes with some details: I don't have a chance to read all of them...I see them when I have a minute, some people on my staff help direct others. I do like emails a lot because it lets people go into detail, let's me get back to them when I have time and/or direct them to others in the city who may be able to help. Minneapolis issues has been a good place for me to track issues and hear lots of different views. Some people get a little too personal, which is a drag, but mostly it's very helpful. Emails don't go out under my signature unless it's from me. If my name is signed it's from me. R.T. Rybak TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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
[Mpls] Mayor Rybak delivers second budget address
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak today delivered his second annual budget address and presented his 2004 City budget to the City Council. There's light at the end of the tunnel. Mayor Rybak said. We have to sustain the cuts we made earlier this year in response to state aid cuts, but the good news is that through common-sense management and long-range planning we can balance the budget without making a deeper round of cuts in 2004. Key accomplishments of the Mayor's proposed budget include: * Prioritizing public safety. Despite massive Local Government Aid (LGA) cuts from the state, including an additional $1.8 million cut imposed last week, there will be no further cuts in the Police or Fire Department. This budget also allows the City to hire back the 32 laid-off firefighters and the Police Community Service Officers (CSOs). Transferring some inspections work to the fire department, innovative management and long-term planning mean the City can do more with less and that citizens in crime- impacted neighborhoods will see more firefighters and cops on the street. In addition, the City will fully fund an upgrade for the criminal case management system at a cost of $2.8 million, which will help address the problem of repeat offenders. * Minimizing cuts across the City. While deep cuts made in 2003 must be maintained, deeper cuts are avoided for other city services in 2004. By making tough choices as soon as LGA cuts were announced last year, the City avoided deeper cuts this year. * Stabilizing community development. This budget establishes a smaller, but stable funding stream for housing, jobs and economic development activities, including the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP). Activities will be aligned with city priorities and targeted to those most affected by state cuts. * Maintaining a responsible tax policy. This budget stays within the City's adopted tax policy that caps the City's share of property taxes increases at eight percent. Half of this goes just to pay off past debts, while half pays for growth in costs, such as the 20 percent increase in health care costs for the workforce. A number of factors contributed to balancing the budget, including: * Making tough choices early this year. By making tough choices as soon as proposed LGA cuts from the state were announced last spring, the City avoided deeper cuts this year. * Creating a leaner, more efficient government. Reforms and management efficiencies like the merging of the Minneapolis Community Development Agency, the City planning department and other development functions to create the Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) department have created economic efficiencies. * * Maintaining our wage policy. The two percent cap on wage increases the City approved last year will save the City $5 million in cuts and save 500 jobs over five years. * * Fiscally responsible use of the Legacy Fund. The budget uses a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Hilton Hotel to pay down inherited pension fund debt, which eliminates $1.5 million in annual debt payments from the City's General Fund. While we have to focus most of our attention on the City's financial condition and the basic services the City provides, we can't lose sight of the many small things that make Minneapolis livable, Mayor Rybak said. The budget includes a small investment of $200,000 for restoring our canopy of elms and other trees that line our streets. The City has sustained a serious Dutch Elm hit this year, and we haven't been replacing trees at the rate they have fallen. This investment will triple what the Park Board normally spends on new trees each year. The City's budget for street, bridge and lighting maintenance took a serious hit of more than 30 percent last spring when the LGA cuts were adopted. The Mayor was planning to build more stable public works funding in this budget, but the last week's additional $1.8 million LGA cut forced the elimination of these funds. The challenge in 2004 will be to pursue new revenue sources for Public Works so we can maintain our infrastructure. Mayor Rybak said This is now more urgent due to additional cuts. The 2004 City budget submitted by Mayor Rybak totals $1.24 billion. The General Fund budget was cut by $29 million, as compared to the originally adopted 2003 budget. This is the fourth budget the Mayor has crafted in his 20 months in office, because of state budget cuts passed on to the City and cuts left to be made from the previous City Council. A complete copy of the Mayor's proposed 2004 budget will be available on the City's website at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us. Laura Sether Office of Mayor Rybak Standish-Ericsson P.S. For those paying close attention to the list, I just want to note that even though this is posted under the Mayor's name, I am not the Mayor (although
[Mpls] Gangs and state help
There has been some good discussion of the gang issue in the last couple days. A point or two I'd like to clarify: First, the help we sought, and got, from the state is not for Jordan alone. The request was for help for key neighborhoods that have seen drug and gang activity, Jordan being one, several south Minneapolis areas being others. In the discussion with the Governor I made it very clear that the approach should be to go after drug and gang hot spots, which include Jordan, but also other areas. Second, I requested, and the Governor agreed, that the additional people should be under the direction of the Minneapolis police. Strategy on these issues is best made at the local level so choices about what type of tools to use and when and where will be made in Minneapolis. Third, an immediate action has been needed but twelve people alone for a month will not solve the problem. This needs to be mixed with an ongoing effort by the state to be more aggressively involved in fighting drugs and gangs, whether they are in Minneapolis or anywhere. The Governor agreed with our request for an ongoing group to coordinate statewide efforts with a higher profile. While the Gang Strike Force has played part of this role, I felt the Governor's office could be helpful in also bringing various other important parties to the table, esp. the courts. Council Member Dan Niziolek, who heads both the Public Safety Committee for the city and the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee (which includes Hennepin Co. participants across many jurisdictions) will be an important player in this. CMs Schiff and Lillegren, who have been working on these issues in the areas they represent will also be involved. The Governor is appointing Rich Stanek to lead the state's coordinating efforts. So in general the idea is to have a quick response followed by ongoing coordination. Feedback will be very helpful as we look for ways to bring as many resources to the table at once, in Jordan, and other hot areas. R.T. Rybak TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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
[Mpls] Dayton helping/Thanks ROAR
I just got off the phone with Sen. Mark Dayton, who is already working hard to stop a backdoor attempt to limit the sound insulation program for homes impacted by airport noise. As you may have read in the Star Tribune this morning, Sen Trent Lott has tried to prohibit use of Airport Improvement Program funds for noise mitigation beyond the 65 DNL. In other words, agreements made in Minnesota, involving hundreds of hours of negotiations, could be immediately erased by a maneuver in Congress. Sen. Dayton said he would do everything possible to defeat this in Congress. (Those of you who remember Sen. Dayton's run for Senate may note that he came to the ROAR forum, said he would be an ally fighting airport noise in Congress and it's good to know he's kept his word.) ROAR's email on this topic helped generate needed calls to the Congress people, which has helped shed light on what could have been a backroom maneuver done before most of us knew what happened. It illustrated how important it is to have citizens helping in this fight so I encourage people to go to ROAR's Website (www.quiettheskies.com) and sign up for email alerts. R.T. Rybak TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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
RE: [Mpls] The Step Up Program
Dennis has a great suggestionto have people from the list get together to get kids to this site. Can people help get kids to the site? It would say a lot about the List as a community. I also hope people get the idea that this is not nec. just for any kid who has all sorts of opportunities but for those who would otherwise not be able to have a meaningful summer. (By the way, closer to Dennis' home in Jordan, the General Mills Foundation has also stepped up...As part of this program we asked them to help and they funded four jobs at Farview Park. I have to tell you that for a corporation headquartered in the suburbs, General Mills seems to ALWAYS be there when we need help...esp. in north Minneapolis. ) -Original Message- From: Dennis Plante [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 5:12 PM To: Rybak, R.T.; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Zerby, Paul G; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Mpls] The Step Up Program There's GOT to be a way we can put our heads together and come-up with a way to overcome the obstacles the intended audience face in using this program. I can think of several neighbors that would be willing to set-up a car-pool system to take care of transportation. Think about it for a moment. With all the effort and energy that's already been expended in putting this program together, why not take it a step further and make it really work? It could be a turning point. -D From: Rybak, R.T. To: Barbara Lickness , Dennis Plante , Zerby, Paul G , Subject: RE: [Mpls] The Step Up Program Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2003 16:41:31 -0500 A few weeks ago I told U. Pres. Robert Bruiniks about the very serious problems with summer employment and activities. He immediately created the summer camp opportunity by calling a few key leaders and getting contributions. It was great action on his part, and a good example of his goal to have the University play a role in helping the community that surrounds it. The goal of the openings was not to have it open to just any kid. The goal has been to find kids who could not otherwise have this opportunity. Transportation has been a huge limitation. So it would be very helpful if people could help spread the wordAND especially go to families you know of whose kids could not otherwise do thisand even help find ways to get kids to the site. Brunicks and the U deserve a lot of credit for helping...and it was very impressive to see the U. Pres., who has some huge issues on his plate, make such a personal effort on behalf of kids in Minneapolis. R.T. Rybak _ Protect your PC - Click here http://g.msn.com/8HMBENUS/2755??PS= for McAfee.com VirusScan Online TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Merger process can take awhile
A subtle but important point I wanted to make about the discussions with Hennepin County and the city. Some have referred to this quickly as a merger of the city and the county. That's a lot more than we have on our plate. We are looking at a variety of services that we provide and seeing how we can provide them better, and more efficiently together. This is going to work very differently, I'm sure, in various areas. In some, notably health, it may make sense to merge departments...we'll have to see what we find out...but in others it may mean coordinating actions, i.e.. public works. In some administrative areas...i.e. printing, translation services, it may make sense to have a single office. But I don't want people to have the impression that we are planning on having a single government. TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Kudos' to Rybak Opat
Craig Miller raised the point anyone should as we look at working together with Hennepin County. This should not be one arm of government bailing out another...city to county, county to state, vice versa. The idea is to find ways for the arms of government to find ways to work together that make more sense when combined than separate. When one plus one equals three. So, for example, it would not have made sense for the county to be asked to help the city out of long term development problems. That was our job, which is why we have spent so much time on MCDA reform/Focus Minneapolis/CPED. It DOES make sense to ask if we can better serve undeserved populations and their health needs by coordinating more health services. This is especially important because the populations we jointly serve are being disproportionately hit by state budget cuts. Or, less dramatic but financially important, it does make sense to see if our technology departments, or printing departments, have some economy of scale. Or whether, when we're speaking more than 80 languages in the county, we can have joint translation services. We are, after all, just across the street from each other. It's also important to say this should not just be about the city of Minneapolis and the county. The other cities in Hennepin County should also be encouraged to explore how they can work together with the county. And the city is exploring ways to work with other cities, i.e. our fire department could provide some services to surrounding citiescutting their costs and allowing us to save more firefighter jobs. So I'm wide open, as are most of the others I talk to, to ideas about what those areas are. There aren't any magic bullets here that can solve everything at once but it's the right time to be asking these questions. R.T. Rybak TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Closing parkways
Three cheers to John Erwin and others on the Park Board for reinstating the special days when there won't be cars on parkways! This was hugely popular in the olden days when they used to do it and I'm sure it will be again. Great idea. R.T. Rybak -Original Message- From: Young, Annie Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 12:42 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] Closing parkways I have had some calls today about, What is cost saving about closing the parkways on Sunday? My answer: nothing as far as the Park Board budget that I am aware of. I think the article in today's Star Trib was mixing apples and oranges. However, personally, I believe the Sunday breather is more of a saving regarding our health and the planet. I have been very concerned about our last particulate smog alerts. Having lived in LA and Denver I see it coming to Minneapolis. That brown air that comes from too many cars and them running all the time along with other air emissions floating through our air. So if nothing else closing the parkways around the Lakes is a simple step the Park Board can take towards addressing climate change/global warming. Will it cut down on the overuse of millions of visitors to our Lakes? I doubt it! I'd love it if the closings were on every Sunday from like Noon to 6 but I am sure that will never fly. But let's at least try the once a month deal and see how it goes. When we did it about 10 years ago I don't recall lots of problems and I can't remember why we quit doing it - a think it just fell silently into a crack. Weighing in on the closing of wading pools is very heavy. When you write or call please make some suggestions for a substitution in the budget for $50,000. Looking forward to your input, Annie Young citywide Park Commissioner TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Minneapolis is the state economic engine and a net contributor
Thanks for making these points Chris. Yes I am absolutely making the case that Minneapolis is the economic engine for Minnesota. The line I'm adding a lot is that the Minneapolis economy will lead the state out of the recession...as it has before. This economic line is one of the key points we are making in our printed materials and talking points to legislators, and the more others make this the better. Thanks for the help! -Original Message- From: Chris Johnson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, March 10, 2003 10:51 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] Minneapolis is the state economic engine and a net contributor Are the Minneapolis legislators, mayor and other officials making the point to the governor and the rest of the legislature that taking out the state's financial woes on the city of Minneapolis is like shooting the state in both feet? If so, why aren't they listening and agreeing? If not, why not? Minneapolis is the major economic driver in this state, and it's not a matter of opinion. The size is outlined below, although I have not been able to find exactly corresponding numbers for all categories, i.e. some are from 2001, some from 2003 and some from the state Fiscal Year 2003, which ends June 30 of this calendar year. With just 7.8% of the state's population, Minneapolis contributes roughly 10% of the state government's tax revenue. 71 to 82%[3] of state revenue comes from income taxes (43-50.7%) and sales tax (28-31.2%). For those 2 primary categories, Minneapolis residents paid $342 million in sales tax in 2001[1]. For the 2003 fiscal year, Minneapolis residents will pay more than $402 million in income taxes[2]. Of the remaining 29%, corporate tax and motor vehicle sales are the next largest. Minneapolis corporations paid $101 million in income taxes generated in Minneapolis in 2001[1]. I was unable to obtain numbers for the amount of other taxes paid by Minneapolis residents, such as motor vehicle sales, motor vehicle fuel taxes, liquor/tobacco taxes, statewide property, etc. which are the remaining large revenue sources (i.e. 2% or greater). The state fiscal year 2003 total state tax revenue is coming in at about $12 billion. [Total budget is much larger, but the remaining revenue sources are federal aid and non-tax revenue.] Despite mixing 2001 (smaller than 2003 will be) and 2003 figures, it's clear that Minneapolis is contributing an easily identified $850 million in direct tax revenue to the state. Estimating that Minneapolis contributes about 7% of the remaining taxes just to get a ballpark number brings the figure well over the billion dollar mark. Those are just direct taxes collected inside the Minneapolis city limits. Minneapolis' share of the state work force that goes to work each day in Minneapolis is 12%[1]. The amount of other commerce involving Minneapolis is clearly of major significance. Now imagine turning Minneapolis into a has-been urban derelict like some other industrial inner city has-beens in earlier decades. Think that would be good for the state? Clearly it would be disasterous. I think a far better case can be made than I've made here by those with better access to demographic and financial figures. A good case could even be made to that Minneapolis deserves a larger share of the LGA money simply because even without any cuts to the LGA total, Minneapolis is a net contributor to the state, not a net receiver. Contrary to the apparently prevailing view among the wealthy suburbs, they are actually net receivers, when one looks at things like the cost of building infrastructure for those cities (see I-94 interchanges in Maple Grove for a good example). Chris Johnson Fulton (officially, but really more like the Bermuda Triangle for all the good it does those few of us down here in the Harriet Heights addition) [1] Minneapolis StarTribune, 2/24/03 [2] Estimate based on MN State Finance Department estimates [3] Revenue source ranges from several MN State Finance and Revenue Department web pages which supply slightly differing numbers. TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Keep the ideas coming
There have been some very good budget items coming forward in the posts I've had a chance to read, and I want to encourage people to keep sending them. We need all the ideas we can get. As you do that, remember that we have two related, but separate challenges...Short term for 2003 and slightly longer term for 2004. The 2003 budget ideas we need are obviously those that can be implemented right away. Over the past year, as we've done the budget reforms, we've tried to think as long term and strategicly as possible. We will still do that but right now we also need to look especially hard at ideas that can be put into place right away, don't require partnerships with other groups, etc. The 2004 budget challenges are greater, possibly double if the Governor's budget goes as proposed, but they also open the potential to be more strategic. So here's where we can get into play some of the more reform minded ideas that have emerged. Ideas in both camps are needed. To update on how things are going so far: We may not know the actual number that the state will cut until late spring, or even mid summerConsidering the controversy so far, and the scope of what the state is dealing with, it's anyone's guess when an agreement will be made. But we can't wait to act: If we get the news in July that we are getting a $26 million cut to our LGA, and we haven't cut spending, we will have to squeeze that money into the second half of the year so in many ways that $26 million cut becomes a $52 million cut. This is why you will hear the fire chief and the police chief talking about the need to make a decison as soon as possiblethe sooner we make cuts the more jobs and services we save long term. For this reason, I've asked the council to take action Thursday that will allocate the budget cuts proposed in the Governor's 2003 budget. This will give managers the power to do what they have to do. Between now and the end of the month department heads will be coming forward to present to me and the council how they will manage those cuts. The fire chief already presented. Friday Public Works and the City Coordinator. Most of these meetings will take place the last week of March. The most complicated will be the police department, where there are some real challenges. I met this morning for a couple hours with the chief and his command staff. We made good progress and will continue to meet to make sure we come up with a plan that ensures public safety. The cuts proposed by the Governor give us some very real, and extremely serious challenges. We are also working on cutting spending in areas not effected, such as the MCDA where there were cuts announced Friday. So keep sending ideas, short and long term...We can use your help. R.T. Rybak TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Give it up Phyllis
I've been reading a few of these emails about Rep. Kahn and the proposed bill re. city elections. I strongly oppose this bill but really feel those who have questioned Rep. Kahn's motives are off base. I've heard Rep. Kahn at both hearings, read her posts, and talked to her about this. I believe she sees this as a legit. public policy debate...and she has a couple of decades of record showing she is willing to ask broad philosophical questions. She's not a party hack; never has been, never will be. Quite a few hacks, and opportunists, and people who just want to get back at Minneapolis for whatever reason, have joined her cause, but I don't think she is in it for partisan reasons. I think she is wrong, and I think this is just about the LAST thing Minneapolis needs at a time when every legislator...and every citizen...should set all these distracting, divisive issues aside to strongly unite behind fighting a proposed $80 million cut that will have a devastating effect on all of usbut I do think she is sincere. R.T. Rybak East Harriet TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Tribune 2-26-03 pB3 Rybak meeting with Indians is tense at times
Wizard raises some good points in her post but did say my comments seemed to say I was not willing to listen to people at the Indian event. For background: This event was set up after a large group of Indians came to City Hall a couple months ago to discuss incidents with police. There were many people in that audience and I wanted to hear them. I canceled two meetings to be with this group and spent about an hour and a half. Unfortunately most of the citizens who came could not present their points to me because a couple leaders took most of the time. So at that event I said I was sorry that those who came could not speak and we would have another event in the community, in which they didn't have to come downtown, and I could hear their stories. The Indian Center event was planned to be a place where I could hear these individual stories. We also had the head of Internal Affairs there, and representatives of the Civilian Review Board there, so individual incidents could be reported and investigated. I wanted them there because I felt it was important for us to not just hear the reports but property investigate them. The event had some very good moments. However at one point Clyde, who was not on the agenda, spoke for an extended period of time. He made some good points about what has happened over time but much of this had been covered in great depth at the event at City Hall so again the citizens in the audience who wanted to talk were not able to have their chance. I did not leave early. I was scheduled to be there for one hour and the organizers knew that in that hour I wanted to hear from the citizens who had not yet had a chance to bring their ideas forward. The speeches by Clyde and others took about 2 1/2 hours. The organizers were reminded several times that I was only supposed to be there for an hour and wanted to hear the people but finally at the 2 1/2 hour markan hour and a half after I was scheduled to leaveI finally had to go. I am often in situations in which programs run long, it's part of the job, but I considering how much work we went through to make it clear I wanted to hear from citizens in this hour...and the fact that I had been up since 4:30 because I was at the hospital with the family of a shot officer at 4:30 a.m..I finally had to leave. TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Loppet big success
The City Of Lakes Loppet, which started as an idea posted on Mpls Issues less than a year ago, was a huge success yesterday. The snow right now is great but we had plenty yesterday, thanks for volunteers who shoveled and groomed the course, and the people from the Mora Vasaloppet, who sent down a machine that grinds up ice into snow. We expected a couple hundred people to compete but by early Sat. morning, more than 850 people had entered and registrations closed! We think this makes it the third largest ski race in north America (after Mora and the Birkie.) Friday night there were also about 150 people on the lake, many of them kids skiing for the first time. Some of the best skiers in the region were thereand a lot of us who aren't. (For the record, I put the lope in loppet by finishing near the very end of the pack.) Even better there is now a very strong base of volunteers who want to make this even better next year. We have established a foundation to put on the race, but also have the added goals of improving ski grooming in the city and bringing more kids into the sport. The Park Board did a great job in helping,(thanks esp. John Erwin, John Olson and Annie Young) as did the sponsors, Abbot Northwestern, Clear Channel, Lifetime and a group of others. Anyone who wants to be part of this can email me and we can put you on a list. R.T. Rybak Happy but sore TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] anti-war resolutions
Citizens can obviously petition council members and me whenever they want about the war resoltuion but could I offer an alternative that would seem to have far more inpact in the short term. If you are going to petition anyone, how about those in a position to directly influence the action, esp. the state's congressional delegation. Minnesota has a senator who is supporting this action and it would seem that time could best be sent making it clear that people from around this state are opposed to this. -Original Message- From: phaedrus [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Sunday, February 02, 2003 4:26 PM To: Minneapolis Issues Subject: [Mpls] anti-war resolutions It is my understanding that the Mayor and city council members opposed to voting on a resolution against a unilateral war are opposed because they do not feel they were given the mandate by the voters when they were elected to city council. Those who support the resolution would like to send a powerful message to President Bush and the congress that the City of Minneapolis is opposed to this war without first exhausting other options and obtaining international support. A referendum would be ideal (and more powerful as it would prove a greater degree of support), but time and the legal mechanics don't make it a viable option. If enough of their constituents petition the city council members to support such a resolution, the council members should feel secure that they are acting with mandate. Although I am caught up in the redistricting mess, I am technically still in Ward 1, and I voted for Paul Ostrow in the last election. I would like to organize with other people in Ward 1 to get a petition circulated and signed with enough names to make Council Member Ostrow feel satisfied that he is acting with the mandate of his constituents. Anyone interested in working on this, please contact me offlist. I'd encourage constituents in other wards to do the same in their ward - even in the wards with council members in support of the resolution to show them the support and help convince Mayor Rybak. - Jason Goray Sheridan NE Interesting reading: Did Hussein gas his own people? http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/31/opinion/31PELL.html (requires username and password, signup is free) __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Loppet big success
Barbara asked if the Loppet was timed to tie in with the Winter Carnival. The date was actually picked to be sensitive to the fact that next weekend there is a ski race in St. Paul and we did not want to compete. TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Public housing funds
I'm happy to see discussion of the funding issues at public housing because this is going to be a significant issues for Minneapolis. (The strib story was already posted; here's the Pioneer Press) http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/5027138.htm I just got back from the U.S. Conference of Mayors where we met with both officials from HUD and advocates pressing HUD. The impact of this differs, with the administration saying the Housing Authorities will be getting about 90% of what they have a right to get, but others saying it could be less. This comes just as the Housing Authorities are trying to react to cuts in security funding and, of course, at a time when maintenance costs are significant because there has not been new public housing built in this country in a couple decades. There will be more coming on this but it would be helpful if people who do not live in public housing would read these stories and try to become familiar...we need help from many sides so we can help get these buildings the help they need. R.T.Rybak East Harriet TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] mppoa
Thanks for raising thisI read it just as I was walking into a meeting with the Police Chief. He said this is not a group associated with the Minneapolis Police and is not recommending a contribution. If you hear their pitch and it makes sense, that's up to you, but this is not a group sanctioned by the Minneapolis Police. R.T. Rybak ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Third Ward politics and endorsements
A minor clarification to an earlier post that included this statement: And two candidates who were perceived as blocking DFL endorsements: Rybak and Niziolek went on to win. I can't speak for Dan but when I was running for Mayor I did not set out to block DFL endorsement. I set out to win it but also said I would run in the primary. My goal was to respect those who spent the time to show up but also give those who could not spend all that time, or who felt shut out, or simply did not know about the processa chance to also have a voice. I did the same with the Green Party, where I showed up, made a case for endorsement but would not be bound by it. I can't honestly remember what I was thinking about the Republican and Independence Parties, but if I thought the campaign had the time and money (which we did not) I probably would have done the same for those parties, too. (If I remember right I didn't know about the Independence Party convention until I read about it in the paper.) Some people may argue that this was a good strategy for a candidate like me who seemed to have no chance of winning any of these endorsementsEven though I did well at the DFL and Green conventions, it seemed like a long, long shot going in. Expedient or not, as I look back over that strategy it seems to make some sense in a period like today when I believe we should respect those who are active in the very time consuming process of party/interest group endorsementbut also give voice to the vast majority of potential voters who for whatever reason are not. My advice to candidates in the 3rd Ward and others: Go to the convention and the screenings, talk about your issues, make your case to those in the process and very knowledgeable in the issues. Even if you lose some votes because you aren't bound by the process, you will learn a lot, and probably pick up supporters. (I have to say I learned so much from this process...on the phone every night with delegates who really know their stuff, who gave me great ideasSome people trash this process as litmus tests and ideological straight jackets but to me it was one of the best learning processes I've ever gone through. (I should also add that the fact that I came within a very few votes of actually winning the DFL endorsement...in spite of running against an incumbent and in spite of saying I would not abide by the endorsement and in spite of very strong opposition from labor... proves wrong all those people who so willingly trash the DFL as having a closed process that is not being open to new ideas and candidates. Most delegates I've come in contact with are smart, have minds of their own and are not led around by the nose by any interest group.) Then no matter what happens at the convention or screening, go door to door, try to identify the people out there who haven't been part of the process, go into detail with those who are very knowledgeable but turned offand try to excite those who have given up, or who just aren't paying attention. This may not be the perfect world for parties and interest groupsbut it isn't so bad for them either. They can grill the candidates about issues that matter to them and if the candidates respond in a way they like, the groups and parties can swing their support behind them. The candidates who want their support have to respond to them but the candidates should not feel obliged to drop out if they don't get endorsed. (For example, the Central Labor Union and several other unions told me they were endorsing Mayor Sayles Belton before I even sat down to screen. I used the screenings as ways for me to give my views on labor and learn something along the way. Some life AFSCME were very engaged and asked sincere questionsOthers like the Central Labor Union were polite enough, gave me a little pat on the head and sent me on my merry way. Their strategy to endorse one person before they even heard from me was not, in my view, very smart, but I hope my victory in spite of this has helped illustrate for them and others that there is a danger in not giving emerging voices a fair chance to make their case...If candidates see this kind of behavior from interest groups trying to shut you out, feel very free to use this example as a cautionary tale.It's about time we were rid of this old style politics.) I go into all this to encourage the candidates running in the Third Ward to show some respect for those who spend all that time to learn about issues and show upGo to the conventions and the screenings. It can't hurt you, you can learn a lot, all but the most doctrinaire will listen to you and...if you're really good, and/or lucky...you may even get endorsed. But also show respect for those who aren't in the room. Those people who are at home, or driving their kids to something, or working, or volunteering on something else worth while or who simply don't
[Mpls] Anti-war resolution
I am opposed to action in Iraq. However I did want to make it clear that if a resolution opposing the war did pass the city council, I would veto it. We were not elected to run the country's foreign policy. We were elected to run the city of Minneapolis, where we have huge issues on our plate. We need to keep focused on them. I will continue to make my feelings clear as I have in the past by marching in the protest at the Capitol, joining a protest at the Federal Building and communicating my opposition to the war to my federal elected officials. R.T. Rybak ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Heart of the Beast Lost?
The Heart of the Beast project has been up and down many times in the last weeksand I will ask Erik Takeshita from my office to give a more complete update when the office opens tomorrow...But I do want to say Erik and others in my office have been working very very hard on this project for weeks now because we think this is so important. The numbers on this make it a very difficult deal that has had an exceptional amount of assistance from my office. If there is any way to keep it alive we will do it because it would be a great addition. R.T. Rybak -Original Message- From: Diane Wiley [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Saturday, November 30, 2002 9:32 AM To: Minneapolis Forum Subject: [Mpls] Heart of the Beast Lost? I just heard that the deal fell through for the old Antiques Minnesota building that Heart of the Beast was set to buy. Does anyone know if this is true, and why did it happen? I heard that the city messed it up because the bank that was going to do the financing felt that the city didn't have their ducks lined up. It seems so unfair -- we are trying to keep a neighborhood together here. Diane Wiley Powderhorn Park ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] For Tyesha
I never had the priveledge of meeting Tyesha Edwards. Over the past week I've wondered whether our paths would have crossed if things had turned out differently. Maybe I would have met her at Banneker School, giving out an award to a promising girl who excelled in math. Or maybe in later years when she realized her dream of becoming a lawyer. Or when she became Mayor. I like to think I would have met her when I was walking down the street. I'd hear laughing up in a tree, look up and find Tyesha and her sister Kia in the branches in front of their house where they loved to climb. I'll never have the priveledge of meeting Tyesha. But I've come to know her, and I'm not alone. Over this horrible but extraordinary week thousands of us who may never crossed paths with Tyesha have come to know her. We heard about a girl who lived life so well, and with so much joy, that she was surrounded by friends and lifted up her classmates. About a girl who worked hard because she was on her way to big things. And we met her family...Linda and Leonard, Jimmy and Jimmy Jr., Kia, her Grandmother Cora and her husband Kenny, her uncles Ricky and Jimmy, and all the other aunts and uncles. Getting to know them it has become clear that Tyesha didn't grow up alone. She was formed by the love and character of a great and warm family, and they gave us all a gift. As we got to know Tyesha, she insprired us. Even the most hardened police, and attorneys and politicanssometimes with tears in their eyesgot from her the energy and ingenuity it took to begin to bring about justice. And hundreds of people, some neighbors and friends, some total strangers, came to bring comfort to her familylighting candles and making signs, from north and south, Mad Dads and Million Momsto show that her life was not only about justice, it was about peace. How unfair it is that we won't be able to meet Tyesha. But there will be many ways we can continue to know her: :The Kwanza celebration she performed in last year will be held this year in her honor. :Every year a scholorship will be awarded in her name to a student as promising as she :was. :A tree will be planted at the school so other kids can climb into the branches and :see what she and Kia saw. There will be many other signs, and each one should remind us about what we have all lost and what we have all gained. But the most important signs of Tyesha may be those we can't see and touchthe signs that show us that one person can find a way into a whole community's heart. They will show us that at a special moment in time in Minneapolis, a girl lived her life so well, and with so much joy, that she reminded us all to find a way for each of us to do what we can to bring about not only justice...but also peace. To do what we can to love our brothers and sisters, those in our own families and those we don't know. To reach out across boundries to find those who really aren't that different after all. In that way we will have the priveledge of knowing Tyesha. And when we say her name it will be with love. R.T.Rybak ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] City of Lakes Loppet/Silent Sports
An idea that started on this list is moving closer to reality. The first City of Lakes Loppet is being planned for this winter. www.cityoflakesloppet.com. The idea is for this 31k cross country ski race to go from newly planned cross country ski trails in Theodore Wirth Park, along a usually remote trail under Hwy. 55, across Glenwood Av. behind the Wildflower Garden, across Theodore Wirth Parkway near the Quaking Bog, along a snowpacked Wirth Parkway as it crosses 394, then down along Brownie Lake and into the Chain of LakesThe tentative end is through the channel from Isles to Calhoun. No other city in America could do anything remotely like this and if all is pulled off, and it snows, this could be a major national event. The idea really started last winter when I posted to the list after skiiing in the Birkie that we should do more to let silent sports (cross country skiing, mountain biking, rowing, running etc) get training in the city.A bunch of people responded, John Erwin, Jon Olson and a bunch of Park Board staff helped and soon work teams were planned on skiing, biking and the like. The ski group is moving very fast on this race and on getting new grooming of trails in the park. This is part of the more extensive Silent Sports Initiative, which will include bringing more attention to running, rowing and other non motorized sports that we can uniquely participate in within the city. A goal is for this year is for there to be one major Silent Sports event in each season. We have the Twin Cities Marathon in the Fall and the Lifetime Triathalon in the summer. Watch for news on a new bike race and the skiirace. R.T. Rybak ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls;mnforum.org Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] New development director
I would be interested in the List's thinking about potential candidates for Interim Director of Community Planning and Economic Development. This is the job created to implement the first phase of Focus Minneapolis, which grew out of the McKenzie report on ways to make the city's development functions more responsive and effective. This person will also hold the title of Executive Director of the Minneapolis Community Development Agency (MCDA). An online version of the job description is being added to the city's website and I have asked Brett McNeal of HR to post the link when it is ready. Specific names can be forwarded to HR Director Ann Eilbracht ([EMAIL PROTECTED])and if anyone has a private suggestion they can pass it along to me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] R.T. Rybak City Hall ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls;mnforum.org Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Development job description
Below is an outline of the priorities for the Interim Director of Community Planning and Economic Development, and skills we would like to see. Ideas on who fits the bill? R.T. Rybak City Hall PRIORITIES FOR THE NEW INTERIM DIRECTOR · Oversee economic development activities for the City of Minneapolis and implement actions to address financial, strategic and organizational barriers. · Manage the directors of the Housing department, Business Development department, Planning department, and the deputy director of the current Minneapolis Community Development Agency (MCDA). · Increase accountability, improve coordination and align the organization with adopted City priorities. · Establish priorities and goals focused on housing, job creation, transportation, education and community building. · Develop four new processes, including a strategic planning process for development to improve the governance and management of development activities. · Strategic Planning -Re-evaluate current development goals, strategies, and priorities. -Measure progress against development goals and adjust strategies to improve that progress. · Performance Management -Establish accountability measures for progress towards citywide goals, and institute regular goal setting and performance evaluations for individual departments. · Project Selection and Prioritization -Develop and institute a process to make clear, fact-based tradeoffs between development opportunities based on city strategy and priorities. · Customer Service Improvement -Make improvement to development processes so it's easier for neighborhoods, developers and businesses to work with the city. THE IDEAL CANDIDATE · Demonstrated success in economic development finance and management. · Knowledge and experience in organizational development. · Full understanding of the nature of work of community development projects. · High intellectual capacity with the proven ability to manage multiple, concurrent change initiatives. · Able to create and communicate a vision, and build consensus to achieve that vision. · Strategic thinker and planner. · Strong and ethical leader. · Demonstrated success working cooperatively with unions. · Demonstrated success working in a large, complex organization. · Sophisticated human resource management skills, with a proven record of developing a highly skilled and diverse workforce. · Ability to form partnerships with community organizations, business organizations, and the financial/development community. · Understanding of how to build and maintain public accountability and trust. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls;mnforum.org Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Twins lose...only silver lining...
I have to call the Aneheim Mayor this morning to work that out but sadly you will get advance notice. -Original Message- From: David Brauer [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Sunday, October 13, 2002 7:21 PM To: 'Mpls list' Subject: [Mpls] Twins lose...only silver lining... When does R.T. Rybak wear the Mickey Mouse ears all day? (The consequences of losing his bet with Anaheim's mayor...) It'd better be a work day, and we'd better get advance notice, Laura Sether! David Brauer King Field (Who also saved $210 by not going to Games 6 7...but would've rather spent it.) ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Library and glass
There have been a couple quick characterizations of the new library design as just another glass boxThat's a pretty understandable impression based on the pictures but there is actually much more to it than that. First, the exterior as planned is a mix of glass and stone. One of the stones being considered is the indigenous Mankato Kasota Stone, which you see on the WCCO building and which is similar to the Italian stone on Norwest Center. I find this to be a very warm stone that is especially welcome in winterAt one point someone said we would not want it to be the same tone as Norwest Center...I disagree...It's great to have an indigenous stone and I find it far warmer than other stones. (Contrast Gavidaae Common 1 with Saks, which does have the warmer stone, with Gavidaae II which has a nice but no where nearly as warm a stone.) Second, this is much more than just simple glass. They are talking about a very rich overlay of contrasting glass treatments, including a couple versions that would have a light skin on them to create a shimmer effect. I don't like bland glass boxeswhich is why I was so excited about Pelli's work when I first saw it as a reporter writing about him when he was getting ready to do Norwest Center. I was sent to Houston to see what he did with what would otherwise have been bland suburban glass buildings. Using a series of glass treatments he made the building shimmer and catch light in a way that made them just jump out of the otherwise sterile surroundings. He did this in a very different way with the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, and his office has gotten far better with this over the years. I'm really confident this will be a very very rich exterior that's warm, translucent and exciting. This will also set up a very new look along Hennepin. Think about what the new Walker will do a few blocks up Hennepin.Here another glass building will take one of our busiest cornerswhere we now see blank wallsand open a window into the world of art...Lots of people and activity inside will hopefully draw people out of their cars.A few blocks down Hennepin, the library will be doing the same, and people will approach it to see activity and people and lightAnd at night, from Hennepin or coming across the river, it will add a real sparkle to a part of the city that is now often too dark.If we can now just get the Planetarium added to it, this will be even more exciting. Even better, the wing connecting the two sections of the building will be visible for several blocks. A final separate note, I want to reinforce what CM Goodman said yesterday---and what CM Zimmerman has said in other meetings... about making this a green building. This is going to be the most important building of our time, certainly from a civic point a view, and it's our hope that it can be done in a way that inspires others to incorporate rooftop gardens and sustainable designs. R.T. Rybak City Hall ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Civil rights commission
I asked Laura to post this statement because an article in the Skyway News had some speculation that was way off base and I did not want people to have the wrong impression. The article speculated that the tight budget would cause a number of things to happen, including elimination of the Civil Rights Commission. The Commission is a citizen body that costs the city very little money. So I have no interest, nor have I ever had any interest, in eliminating it...and even if I did, it would not be for budget reasons because elimination would have very little impact on the budget. If the speculation was intended to refer to the Civil Rights DEPARTMENT, they could have some budget implication, but, again, that's not something I have suggested. I asked Laura to post this today because I got a call wondering why I wanted to eliminate the Civil Rights Commission, based on this article, and I wanted to shut off any more inaccurate information on this. As a side note, we just finished appointing a new round of Civil Rights Commissioners, they are a very promising group and I'm anxious to see the work that they come up with. R.T. Rybak East Harriet -Original Message- From: Sether, Laura S [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, July 22, 2002 5:09 PM To: 'Jon Lewis'; Sether, Laura S; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Mpls] Civil rights commission The Civil Rights Commission is a different organization from the Civil Rights Department. My understanding is that the only public cost of the Commission is for some city to staff the Commission. Laura Sether Office of Mayor Rybak -Original Message- From: Jon Lewis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, July 22, 2002 5:10 PM To: Sether, Laura S; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Mpls] Civil rights commission This is an interesting subject, complete with an interesting statement by Ms. Sether. Can someone articulate why we need the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department? When it was first created, as I understand it, the City of Minneapolis had sexual orientation as a protected class in its civil rights ordinance, but the State civil rights statute did not. Now, to the best of my knowledge, the protected classes are the same in both statute and ordinance. So, what does the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department do that the Minnesota Department of Human Rights doesn't do? What is the benefit to us from having this group there? To Ms. Sether, on what basis do you claim that the Civil Rights Commission has a negligible (if any) budget impact? Is the department a money maker? If not, then it has a budget impact, and I would think that it's not negligible. It's hard to believe that cutting an entire department wouldn't save some money. I'm not questioning the work that the department does. However, if this work is also being done by the Minnesota Dept. of Human Rights, then why should we pay for this department? I'm paying state taxes to maintain the state department. Why should I support a city department that appears to be superfluous? I'd like to hear some justification for this. Jon Lewis Lyndale ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Licensing Boards
Great post by Mike. I strongly support Paul's proposal to eliminate these boards and encourage others to voice their support, too. Shortly after getting elected I found out that I had an appointment to the board of dry wall installers. It's always nice to have an appointment, but my first reaction was: I don't think anyone elected me because of my knowledge of drywall. In fact my wife, who knows how little I know about any kind of home improvement, laughed for about three days when she heard I had this appointment. Eliminating these boards is an ethics issue because of the recent news. In addition, it's long term value is to cut regulation and make it easier for people to improve the city without getting hung up in a bunch of red tape. R.T. Rybak Don't know nothin' 'bout drywall. -Original Message- From: Michael Hohmann [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2002 9:08 AM To: Mpls list Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] Licensing Boards I applaud Paul Ostrow's efforts to eliminate city boards that certify (or refuse to certify) construction trades workers to work in the city. There is no reason these trades people shouldn't be allowed to take an objective test and/or meet other objective skills-based requirements to demonstrate competence. This issue may be the silver lining of the Biernat cloud currently floating over City Hall. Several years ago the city settled a suit brought by non-union gasfitters and HVAC workers that were being denied city licenses by union-controlled city licensing boards. Such restrictions only serve to raise costs for consumers by reducing the pool of qualified workers. According to today's STrib article, Mpls. and St. Paul are the only cities in the state that require such local certification of trades workers. I urge all members of the City Council to support this effort to reduce unnecessary regulations in our city. The Council's efforts will begin with the Public Safety and Regulatory Services Committee (PSRS). List members may contact PSRS Committee members and your own CM to encourage their support in eliminating these city licensing boards and reducing costs for consumers in Minneapolis. Committee members include: Joe Biernat, chair; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dan Niziolek; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sandy Colvin Roy; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Barbara Johnson; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Paul Zerby; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dean Zimmermann; [EMAIL PROTECTED] A pertinent question-- Should Biernat participate in the discussion? What do you think? Full story in STrib regarding Ostrow seeking changes in city's licensing boards: http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/2245111.html Michael Hohmann Linden Hills ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] books
My nomination is: Heart Song of Charging Elk It's about a Lakota man at the time of settlement who eventually becomes part of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. They travel to France, he gets left behind by mistake...and the rest of the book is about his experience in this foreign land and culture. It's an outstanding book for someone from Minneapolis right now. First, it's a great insight into Native culture. It also is insight into what it is like to drop into a world with a completely different language and culture, dropping unprepared into an industrial world.an experience many of our new arrivals are having in Minneapolis right now. I got my copy at Louise Edrich's book store in Kenwood. R.T. Rybak ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Critical Mass
I agree with Holle here. A great idea. Council member Zimmerman and I talked about this idea yesterday morning and plan to meet with Critical Mass members to go into this furtheras well as talk about the issues of enforcement surrounding this. David Fellman of my staff is trading calls with the Critical Mass folks so if anyone knows anyone from that group, could you please have them call David (673-2100) so we can get them on the schedule soon. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2002 8:48 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] Critical Mass Maybe it's time to make the Critical Mass ride a legal, city-sponsored event, to build awareness of bike safety and support for alternative transportation. I think a lot of people (myself included) would enjoy coming out once a month for the ride, who right now are reluctant to risk injury or having their bikes damaged or confiscated by the police. -- Holle Brian Bancroft ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Yesterday's incident
There has been a good deal of discussion about the value of the list lately, but it's clear to me this is a time when it plays a very important role in getting information out to the community. It can also play a very important role in educating public officials about what the public is thinking. So I encourage people to continue to post on this topic, and, especially important right now, seek out as many diverse opinions as possible. List members would be playing a very important role if they could solicit someone who HAS NOT participated on the list and encourage them to post so we can get some fresh perspective. This way we can continue to show how a list like this can bring new perspective to a community dialogue. Here is a statement I put out after meeting this noon with Somali leaders: Our city has suffered a terrible and tragic loss. On behalf of all of Minneapolis I want to express my very deep sorrow to the family of the victim and to members of the Somali community. The most important goal we can all have right now is to gather as much information about the incident as possible, and to ensure that the community has the confidence that the investigation will be independent. Toward that end, the Hennepin County Sheriff is conducting an independent investigation. The public should report all information about this case directly to the Sheriff at (612) 348-3755. I just met with over 40 members of the Somali community to talk about the process and their concerns. We are working with Somali community organizations to make sure information is coming forward for the investigation I want to reassure all people in Minneapolis that this city will continue to be safe and respectful for every member of our community. I am fully aware of the fact that many people in the community do not see this as an isolated incident. Issues of race and mental illness, and the police, have been raised for some time and I want to make it clear I take these questions seriously and will take the steps necessary to ensure that all of the information comes forward and the investigation remains independent. R.T. Rybak ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
