[Mpls] Re: Minneapolis declares Snow Emergency

[Tim Bonham]

Something seems out of whack here.
 If Minneapolis "can mobilize 100 plowing vehicles" to plow "3200 
lane miles", that works out to 32 miles to plow per vehicle.  Now from my 
observation, those plows have to go fairly slow, especially in alleys, etc. 
-- I'd estimate that they average 8-12 miles per hour.  So that means about 
3-4 hours to completely plow the entire city, including all alleys, 
etc.  (And in less than half a work day, so no overtime pay required to do 
it.)
 Now I know this does not take into account the time required for 
issuing a snow emergency, time for people to move their vehicles, time to 
call in the drivers of those "100 plowing vehicles", and time required to 
drive them from their garages to the streets that they have to plow.  But 
it still seems like the city is taking longer than needed here.  The 
current plan takes 72 hours to accomplish what seems to be, from Sara's 
information, about 3-4 hours of actual plowing.  What are they doing the 
rest of that time?

>From: "Dietrich, Sara  L" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: "'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2002 13:52:25 -0600
>Subject: [Mpls] Minneapolis declares Snow Emergency
>. . .
>A few facts about Snowplowing in Minneapolis:
>*   Each street must be plowed in two directions and many streets have
>multiple lanes.  There are 3,200 "lane miles" in Minneapolis ... set end to
>end, those lane miles would stretch from Minneapolis to Seattle and back!
>*   Minneapolis is able to mobilize up to 100 plowing vehicles to keep
>City streets and alleys cleared.

___
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] police chief

[peter dodge]

Dear Mr.Brauer and Mnforum members,

I would vote on no confidence on Olson for the
following reasons: An ill informed investigation of
the Hard Times Cafe during wehich the press was
invited to attend and during which " the large drug
bust" netted a bottle of gin and some "plant material"
used to fill tea bags. Instead of calling off the
troops Olson pushed right ahead with an
"investigation".

on the basis of a similar brutal raid on the Sister
Camelot collective I would consign Olson to another
force!

Another incident is how the Mayday protest was
handled.

i reported a stolen car the other night running , with
a broken window. I could have walked by! and the cops
wanted my drivers license.

I think Olsen in general has not created an atmosphere
in the Minneapolis force where the police can be gruff
when they need to be and kindly and human where it
would do some good. Olson has not addressed the
problem of how to be the best police force for the
money!

It is the responsability of a new mayor to review the
chief and replace him if necessary and to apply good
methods of policing.


--- David Brauer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Having known Trout in college and following her work
> at the Women's
> Press, I think her two cents are worth at least that
> - my question is,
> why exactly the no confidence vote for Olson?
> Personal experience, wider
> analysis? Details, please.
> 
>  
> 
> David Brauer
> 
> King Field - Ward 10
> 
>  
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf
> Of J. Trout Lowen
> Sent: Monday, January 14, 2002 7:34 PM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: [Mpls] police chief
> 
>  
> 
> For what ever my two cents are worth, I share the
> feeling of no
> confidence in Police Chief Olsen and I welcome
> discussion of a contract
> buyout. 
> 
>  
> 
> . 
> 
> J. Trout Lowen
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> 
> 


__
Do You Yahoo!?
Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail!
http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/
___
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] Minneapolis declares Snow Emergency

[Mark Knapp]

Even side ... odd side ... emergency routes ... unless otherwise
posted ...

One of the many advantages to not owning a car in the city is that
you can completely ignore the hassle of snow emergencies and what to
do with a 4000-pound albatross.

Mark Knapp
Lyndale



__
Do You Yahoo!?
Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail!
http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/
___
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] Business Planning Course

[Michael Hohmann]

Thinking about starting your own business or entering new markets with your
existing business?  Need a business loan?  Need a business plan?

A Southwest Community Education (MPS) course offering-- February 2002:

"Online Business Planning--
How you can create a better business plan using the Internet"

Instructor- Michael Hohmann,
Michael A. Hohmann and Co. [ www.mahohmannbizplans.com ]

This course will provide you with instruction and guidance in using Internet
resources to develop your own business plan.  The class will use a
computer-equipped classroom, and you must be familiar with using a PC, the
MS Windows operating system and the Internet.  The course will use a
combination of PowerPoint presentations, a course outline with HTML links to
additional Internet-based resources, and informal class discussions to cover
the various topics that should be included in your business plan-- the types
of information needed and where to get it.  This 'self-directed' learning
environment will include a directed discussion of the basic concepts
involved with developing your business plan, plus online resources for
gathering additional information pertinent to your specific needs.  Course
topics will include an overview of business planning, market research and
analysis, budgeting and profit planning.  Internet-based resources will be
used in the areas of industry and market analysis, market research, target
markets and segmentation; products, services, patents and trademarks,
competition, pricing, advertising and promotion; management and personnel,
training and benefits, financing and growth, franchising and more.
[Course code CB11  $36.00]

4 Tuesday evenings
February 5 -- February 26
7:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Southwest High School, Rm #E105
3414 W. 47th St., Mpls., MN 55410
Call 612-668-3100 to register; class size is limited- call today.


Michael Hohmann
13th

___
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] Volunteers for Justice needed...

[Mark Knapp]

Immigrants do not need to go anywhere in particular to learn about
the dominant religious or social customs of America.  They are awash
in opportunities to learn.

To imply that there is any similarity to their situation and the
ignorance among most Americans about foreign cultures is to
completely miss the point.

Mark Knapp
Lyndale

--- "Thomas Swift" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Where can our Islamic neighbors go to learn more about
> the Judeo-Christian religious and American social
> customs of their adopted homeland?
> 
> I wonder if a give / take kind of arrangement might
> not be of benefit to all concerned.



__
Do You Yahoo!?
Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail!
http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/
___
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] Skiing and PRT

[Annie Young]

Well, well, well...just tonight at The Little Wagon I was having an 
in-depth conversation about skiing and golf. Here in Minnesota.  However, I 
used to be very involved in the ski industry in both Colorado and Vermont 
and spent time taking care of tow ropes, chair lifts and such when not 
teaching "bunny" skiing to the anxious, new skier.  Anyway, this 
conversation about PRT makes me think about tram cars, chair lifts and 
flying through the air overlooking the hills and mountains while you go up 
so you can come down.

PRT in Minneapolis reminds me of those days. However, while I am traversing 
through the air aroun Mpls I wonder what that scenery would really look 
like. ( I digress - it is a beautiful city) And I'm telling you doing it at 
below zero with 20 mile per hour winds isn't my idea of fun.  I am having 
enough trouble figuring out my LRT station in the cold on top of the Lake 
Street Bridge and how much I m going to love that.  In Atlanta, at least 
they are underground (much warmer wouldn't you say).

My point it is PRT one of the many alternatives that should be considered 
in the bigger scheme of things of transportation for the next 100 
years.  But folks the train is going down the track.  This is like Hwy 
55... decisions have been being made for years and years and it's really 
hard to turn it back.

And we are world famous for our skyways but re configuring them at this 
point in a recession is probably not going to happen.

Please let's talk about what is really going to happen with housing, 
development and the businesses coming to the 10 LRT stops in 
Minneapolis.  At the Planning Commission tonight over 100 Somalis came 
before us to tell us they did not want a liquor license (restaurant and 
bar) in their Cedar/Riverside neighborhood by the new LRT station.

Now the Planning Commission considers the site plan and has nothing to do 
with granting a liquor license but we did listen to some testimony from 
these residents. Another gentleman spoke who has lived there over 50 years 
and says it has always been a restaurant and bar with a liquor license for 
over 90 years.  It is within feet of the station where it is predicted that 
many, many residents will use the train to get to jobs.
It felt really good to listen to them as they explained this was their 
first time coming down to City Hall and many left their children and work 
to come and that they were just learning the process. Explaining that for 
over 30 years in their own country they would have been beaten and tortured 
if they came and tried to talk to the government.  This is another high 
point of grassroots democracy and when it works best- when citizens come to 
express their strong views on an issue.  The new, fresh people who just 
want service and help and have to learn the whole process.  In my years and 
year of organizing the greatest rewards come from seeing  them learn and 
that they are excited, want to learn and want to participate.
And they got the Fire Marshall and dept all worked up - haven't had that 
many people at a Planning Commission meeting in a long, long time.  It was fun!

Back to PRT and the Train...
Even with a recession it is exciting and positive to think about the train 
coming and bringing health and vitality to neighborhoods. And yes, I wish 
the train would have gone down 35W where it would have done the most 
good.  But we got it now - and it is far less time  to the opening from 
where this thing started years and years ago...

PRT in the long range 50-year plan probably.
For the moment,
afraid not,
Annie Young
East Phillips







At 03:32 AM 1/4/80 -0600, mel wrote:


>-Original Message-
>From:   ken avidor [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
>Sent:   Monday, January 14, 2002 6:10 PM
>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Subject:[Mpls] PRT-A Lousy Idea.
>
> >Okay , what's wrong with PRT ? (Personal Rapid Transit)
>
> >If you've read the literature like I have, it quickly becomes
> >obvious why PRT is not the solution to car-choked streets.  I can think
> >of dozens of reasons, but here's a few to start with and maybe you can
> >come up with some of your own.
> >PRT runs on the outside  of buildings and punches large holes into
> >their second floors.  I don't think this idea will meet the approval of
> >groups devoted to the aesthetic appreciation of  and historic
> >preservation of landmark buildings.
> >PRT allows anyone to climb aboard, drunks, prostitutes, teenagers,
> >drug dealers and do what they want in the privacy of the PRT
> >vehicle...leaving behind vomit, used needles, condoms, grafitti,
> >odorshard to police thousands of vehicles whizzing around on
>
> >Ken Avidor
> >Kingfield
>
>Mel
>Rapid Transit is a state of art transportation system consisting of small 
>private
>elevated Cable cars that float on a cable just above regular vehicle traffic.
>  Why is Light Rail being pushed when Personal Rapid Transit
>(PRT) is:
>  CHEAPER, (PRT) costs less tha

RE: [Mpls] PRT-A Lousy Idea.

[mel]

-Original Message-
From:   ken avidor [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent:   Monday, January 14, 2002 6:10 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject:[Mpls] PRT-A Lousy Idea.

>Okay , what's wrong with PRT ? (Personal Rapid Transit)

>If you've read the literature like I have, it quickly becomes
>obvious why PRT is not the solution to car-choked streets.  I can think
>of dozens of reasons, but here's a few to start with and maybe you can
>come up with some of your own.
>PRT runs on the outside  of buildings and punches large holes into
>their second floors.  I don't think this idea will meet the approval of
>groups devoted to the aesthetic appreciation of  and historic
>preservation of landmark buildings.
>PRT allows anyone to climb aboard, drunks, prostitutes, teenagers,
>drug dealers and do what they want in the privacy of the PRT
>vehicle...leaving behind vomit, used needles, condoms, grafitti,
>odorshard to police thousands of vehicles whizzing around on
Ken Avidor
>Kingfield

Mel
Rapid Transit is a state of art transportation system consisting of small private 
elevated Cable cars that float on a cable just above regular vehicle traffic.
 Why is Light Rail being pushed when Personal Rapid Transit
(PRT) is:
 CHEAPER, (PRT) costs less than 9 million dollars per mile to build
and costs only 15 cents per mile to operate, compared to light rail which costs
40 million dollars per mile and costs 50 cents per passenger mile to operate.
 FASTER, maximum wait 3 minutes...non stop service...no transfers
 BETTER, operates 24 hours a day... will not interfere with street
traffic,
Does not require the sacrifice of a traffic lane...uses less energy, the electrical
equivalent of 80 miles to the gallon.
 SAFER, separated from traffic...elevated so pedestrians and traffic
cannot collide/no need to wait at empty stops/or the need to ride with strangers
 Make up your own mind, visithttp//www.cprt.org612-335-1025
 
Sorry to disagree
Mel Gregerson
South 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
___
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] police chief

[David Brauer]

Having known Trout in college and
following her work at the Women’s Press, I think her two cents are worth
at least that – my question is, why exactly the no confidence vote for
Olson? Personal experience, wider analysis? Details, please.

 

David Brauer

King Field – Ward 10

 



-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of J.
Trout Lowen
Sent: Monday, January
 14, 2002 7:34 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [Mpls] police chief

 



For what ever my two cents are worth, I share the feeling of
no confidence in Police Chief Olsen and I welcome discussion of a contract
buyout. 





 





. 





J. Trout Lowen
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

RE: [Mpls] 90 days/budget issues

[David Brauer]

A few general comments/questions on the mayor's plan (thanks for posting
it here, by the way)...
 
The good ideas will stick here without needing my help. The rest I offer
as constructive criticism/worries.

In general, I'm concerned about the light hand of leadership the mayor
is displaying. It's true, he's setting broad parameters for
sweeping-sounding ideas, but without much traction for this citizen to
appreciate.

For example, organizational reform. I have little problem with hiring a
consultant to assess complexity. I do have a problem with the mayor not
identifying development goals and principles up-front. Isn't this why he
ran, and why he was elected? Why the enigmatic talk now? Is this
strategic to include the council, or just namby-pamby after all the
election talk about leadership? I suppose time will tell but I believe
leaders should set principles up-front.

> Housing Finance
> Release the $4 million in 2001 NRP funds reserved for affordable
housing,
> and allocate these funds to eligible projects. Establish a work group
to
> recommended a structure and dedicated funding sources for an
Affordable
> Housing Trust Fund. Establish a work group to explore creative use of
> existing Minneapolis Public Housing Authority assets to increase the
> availability of affordable rental property in the city. Maintain the
> priority of affordable housing preservation and production in short-
and
> long-term financial decisions made by the city.

I think the devil is in the details here. The bottom line is no $16
million release, as talked about in the campaign. I am still willing to
buy the notion that all those funds shouldn't be released until there's
a realignment of development structure. But I'm still skeptical this
will be delayed to death.

This brings to mind a broader Minneapolis-Issues thread: how would YOU
pare $20 million from the city's budget? I suspect that's a driving
force behind the $4-not-$16-million release.

> Restore Trust in City Hall
> 
> Strengthen City Ethical Standards
> Create an ethics task force with representatives from the City
Council, city
> departments, labor unions, and the public to revise the current Code
of
> Ethics to be to be a more comprehensive statement of the current
ethical
> requirements for city employees and elected officials and to include
higher
> ethical standards.

I echo the Strib's observation that there are no specifics here after
the Mayor promised an off-year fundraising ban. We may need a task force
to advise on other elements of an ethical city hall - key question,
"what percentage of the task force is "the public" versus councilliers,
unions, and city employees?" However, the off-year ban and lower
contribution limits seem a pretty straight-up proposal to makeso why
not make it, Mr. Mayor?

Again, this might be strategy because the council has to pass this
stuff, but it looks like a step back from election pledges.
 
> Open the Doors of City Hall
> Host a "Mayor's Night Out" in different part of the city each month to
meet
> citizens to get ideas for improving the city. Establish regular office
hours
> for the Mayor to meet with the public, first come, first-served, at
City
> Hall. 

As a neighborhood board president who was only contacted once in three
years by the mayor's office, this is somewhat attractive. However I
don't know if such a rigid set-up is the most efficient (first-come,
first-served sounds like a recipe for the most-motivated and possibly
most wacko, not necessarily the most representative or important.
There's a reason you have trusted staff - a simple instruction to have
them sift for significance, not political butt-covering, would probably
do the job better and do more to boost public trust). 

In general, though, more citizen meetings are a good thing in principle
- the real trick is to make them relevant, interesting, and a reason for
people to take an hour or two out of their busy (or tired) nights. As
one who has now chaired a few dozen of these meetings, I can tell you
people seem to be most motivated by fear of an immediate harm - not
often a desire to plan ahead positively. Will these just be gab sessions
for the same old crowd?

> City Boards and Commissions
> Reinvigorate the 56 volunteer Boards and Commissions of the city of
> Minneapolis.  

How 'bout getting rid or, or consolidating the
dopey/outdated/ineffective ones?
 
> Focus on Diversity
>Launch the
> Office of New Arrivals with the appointment of a permanent Director.  

Speaking as a board president who has unsuccessfully tried to reach out
to new arrivals in his neighborhood, this is a great idea - if the
person/people are really good and can really help knuckleheads like me.

> Improve Fiscal Management and Basic City Services
> 
> Address Impacts on 2002 Budget
> Work with the Ways and Means Chair and City Council leadership to
address
> the changes that need to be made to the current 2002 budget. The plan
will
> include the following components:
> 
>

[Mpls] Online Involvement in City Hall?

[Steven Clift]

Howdy,

In my just released "Future of E-Democracy" speech, I describe 
important and useful things that leading governments around the world 
are doing to use the Internet in representative democracy. 

I also pitch Minnesota as a global test-bed for "e-democracy."  Why 
don't we build on Minneapolis city government web efforts and the 
Mpls forum to enhance the formal decision-making and public problem 
solving processes in our city? 

What do think? What would you do? 

I'd like to see active forums for all the neighborhoods not just the 
ten or so that exist now.  I'd also like to figure out ways to use 
online tools to help the city solve problems and implement community 
priorities with citizen involvement.  We have built the "commons" 
with this forum, what is next? Ideas?

Check out my new article (details below):
 http://www.publicus.net/articles/future.html

If you are interested in "e-democracy" generally, you should join my 
Democracies Online Newswire or browse its archive:
 http://www.e-democracy.org/do

Cheers,
Steven Clift
Carag Resident
http://www.stevenclift.com
Board Chair, Minnesota E-Democracy

P.S. If you are really interested in the nitty gritty details on the 
online future of Minneapolis, join the Minneapolis Communities Online 
e-mail list <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>.

--- Forwarded message follows ---
Date sent:  Mon, 14 Jan 2002 16:21:52 -0600
Subject:[DW] Future of E-Democracy - Major Speech by Steven 
Clift
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]


*** Democracies Online Newswire - http://www.e-democracy.org/do ***


   --- Please Forward --->

Future of E-Democracy - Speech by Steven Clift, January 2002


An extended version of my "Future of E-Democracy - The 50 Year Plan"
speech is now available online at:

  http://www.publicus.net/articles/future.html

This article shares a pragmatic, yet futuristic vision of governance
when e-democracy exists as an integrated part of "real" everyday
representative democracy. It includes dozens of examples and web
links to leading government e-democracy applications and important
primary source material.  I try to answer two big questions - Which
e-democracy applications will become universal in the coming decade?
What long-term trends will influence efforts to improve our
democracies through the use of information and communication
technologies?

This my most important article since the release of my E-Democracy
E-Book  in June 2000.

Here is the outline of the speech:

Introduction
Defining E-democracy
E-Governance - Exceptional Practice Makes Perfect
-- E-mail Notice
-- In-person Public Hearing Recordings and Materials
-- Online Public Hearings and Consultations
-- Wired Politicians Reach Out and Serve, or Perish
-- Local Civic Deliberations and Global Networking
Trending Toward the Future - Why not look through 2040?
-- Family and Social Networking
-- E-Government - The E-Business Model that Works?
-- New Breed of Politician After 2015
-- E-Citizens, the Ultimate Challenge
Conclusion

Read it online from .
Please send in your comments or share your thoughts publicly on the
web forum linked from the speech.

I also want to note that additional short articles, including "An
Internet of Democracy," the "Top Ten E-Democracy 'To Do List' for
Governments Around the World," and the "Top Ten Tips for "Weos" -
Wired Elected Officials" are available from .
My next short article will share the top ten tips on government and
civic online consultations.  Join my Democracies Online Newswire
 (details below) to be notified about
the pending article and other online resources related to democracy
and the Internet.

Sincerely,

Steven Clift
http://www.publicus.net
Democracies Online
http://www.e-democracy.org/do

P.S. Here is my mini-bio and an invitation to join my Democracies
Online Newswire.

About the Author

Steven Clift is an online strategist and public speaker focused on
the use of the Internet in democracy, governance, and community. For
the a decade he has worked to fundamentally improve democracy and
citizen participation through the use of the Internet.  Introduced
around the world as one of the leading experts on e-democracy, he
actively networks people around the world and shares information and
ideas through his 2300 member Democracies Online Newswire. For his
full biography, visit .

Democracies Online Newswire

Join now from:

 http://www.e-democracy.org/do

DO-WIRE is your primary source for what's important and happening
with the convergence of democracy and the Internet around the world.
DO-WIRE is a free, low volume, moderated e-mail announcement list.

Launched in January 1998, DO-WIRE now connects over 2300 experts,
practit

[Mpls] police chief

[J. Trout Lowen]

For what ever my two cents are worth, I share the 
feeling of no confidence in Police Chief Olsen and I welcome discussion of a 
contract buyout. 
 
. 
J. Trout Lowen[EMAIL PROTECTED]

Re: [Mpls] Gov's Bonding Stiff/Northstar Stiffs Hood

[PennBroKeith]

In a message dated 1/14/02 11:28:26 AM Central Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

<< 
 Good chunk of funding for transit though, especially
 the Northstar line from St. Cloud to Mpls. 
 
 Jim Berg
 Ward 9-Corcoran >>
   Keith says; Please excuse any bold type as this was written for the 
www.wbac.net
almost a year ago. Job opportunities are much tighter now in the hood so 
there is more need for access now.  Ostrow led the charge, then, to move the 
station and it is his ward so I blame him not. Jackie is gone now but I still 
do not know what lamb went to slaughter that our North Side CM's passed on an 
opportunity to "hook-up" north side job seekers and commuters with jobs in 
the burbs. I am still fighting this one.  Hence...
  Reprint:

 NEEDED: FULL BROADWAY BUS ROUTE AND NORTH STAR RAIL STATION AT 
BROADWAY/CENTRAL, topic by I SWEAR TO TELL THE TRUTH, PENNBROKEITH, March 06, 
2001, 10:47 PM CST
Why have City Council Leaders Joe Biernat and Jackie Cherryhomes deprived the 
Northside Community of a new rail station at Broadway and Central Av.? Lake 
Street Renewal includes a bus route along all of Lake Street and on into St. 
Paul with a grand connector to the new Light Rail Line at Hiawatha Av. Don't 
we need the same?
Why did our two civic leaders remain mute when a classic BAIT AND SWITCH was 
played on the whole Northside? 1.THE BAIT:A rail station at Broadway/Central 
was penciled into a plan for the new North Star Rail Line coming down from 
Elk River and St. Cloud to D.T. Mpls. 2.THE SWITCH:Once the Government $ 
was in place, the station was moved farther south toward D.T. to better serve 
White collar types AKA-WHITE PEOPLE at the cost of easy access for Northside 
commuters AKA-THE REST OF US!
People want jobs to advance themselves. A quick commute by train to jobs up 
north of us is ideal for the bottled up work force in Northside 
Neighborhoods. A bus line running the full length of West Broadway Av. N and 
Broadway St. NE should connect to that rail line and the factory and 
warehouse jobs of North East Mpls. It would clearly benefit West Broadway 
Restoration.
Jackie and Joe, you pulled the plug on our rail station instead of fighting 
for it, who's $ are you working for now?
 Keith Reitman, Near North
___
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] Lydia lawsuit - Full disclosure?

[PennBroKeith]

In a message dated 1/14/02 1:08:33 PM Central Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

<< 
 so, its not a real surprise that John Cevette is cheerleading for his
 co-plantiff Lynne Lowder in her Lydia House posts.
  >>
  The list of plaintiffs is helpful but the comment on motives is the low 
road, you can do better. And have. Keith. PS I think they are very brave, 
right or wrong, to be plaintiffs. Bravo to them for taking ACTION with little 
reward.
___
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] 90 days/budget issues

[List Manager]

Additional background on the mayor's 90-day proposal from the Strib:

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/1031359.html

David Brauer
List manager

> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf
Of
> R.T.Rybak
> Sent: Monday, January 14, 2002 6:29 PM
> To: Mpls Issues List
> Subject: [Mpls] 90 days/budget issues
> 
> I'm attaching a copy of the 90 day workplan we announced today.  This
> represents key initiatives I will be focused on in the next couple of
> months.


_
Do You Yahoo!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

___
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] PRT - a caution

[List Manager]

Folks, the PRT debate - which comes around reliably on the list like the
solstice or maybe the flu virus - usually devolves into quasi-religious
and nearly endless back-and-forth. 

Having watched a few of these pointed debates over the years, the PRT
discussion quickly  leaves the borders of our fine burgh and become
general discussions of PRT philosophy, even when there is no local PRT
proposal.

Some of that is probably inevitable to evaluate whether the technology
works. However, I'd ask list members to concentrate any further analysis
on the impacts of PRT to Minneapolis specifically - that is the charter
of this list. If it become a more general technological discussion, at
some point - probably sooner than debaters like - I'll have to ask
everyone to end the discussion and find a new city-specific thread.

Also, as fond as I am of the Empire Builder, it doesn't stop in
Minneapolis and is, at best, a larger issue for our sibling forum,
Minnesota-Politics-Discuss. See http://www.e-democracy.org for more
details.

Sincerely,
David Brauer
List manager


_
Do You Yahoo!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

___
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] 90 days/budget issues

[R.T.Rybak]

I'm attaching a copy of the 90 day workplan we announced today.  This
represents key initiatives I will be focused on in the next couple of
months.

We are also doing this in the midst of significant financial issues.  I will
be addressing those in more detail tomorrow...We are asking city employees
to join me and council members in the City Hall rotunda to hear an overview
of the budget issues.  We are also asking for their help; The people who are
delivering city services every day know better than anyone how we can get
through this.

I'd also like to extend that invitation to people on the list...This is a
great time for anyone to come forward with ideas for making the city more
efficient. I'll be monitoring the list...or you can email me directly at
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

Here's the 90 day plan:

R.T.Rybak
East Harriet




Mayor Rybak Unveils 90-Day Plan



In my first 90 days in office I will focus on my four priority areas from my
campaign:

§   Build Vibrant, Affordable Neighborhoods.
§   Restore Trust in City Hall.
§   Improve Fiscal Management and Basic City Services.
§   Protect our Environment.

In my first 90 days as Mayor I will work with citizens, businesses, the City
Council, city staff and other units of government to accomplish the details
of the following four pages.


Build Vibrant, Affordable Neighborhoods

Regulatory Reform
Develop a package of regulatory reforms that promote and simplify the
development and preservation of affordable housing in the City of
Minneapolis.  These reforms may include revisions to the building and zoning
codes, fee structures, regulatory approval processes, and improvements to
our housing information systems. Forward an initial package of regulatory
reforms to the City Council in January, and develop a proposed work program
and timeline for implementation of changes to the Comprehensive Plan and
Zoning Code by the end of March.

Organizational Reform
Begin to align the work of the Minneapolis Community Development Agency
(MCDA), the Planning Department, Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP),
and other city departments and agencies with city-wide development
priorities. Engage an independent consultant to assist the city with the
assessment of this complex organizational reform. Develop preliminary
recommendations for planning and development goals and principles to help
guide this process, and identify immediate opportunities to align city
development activities by the end of March.

Housing Finance
Release the $4 million in 2001 NRP funds reserved for affordable housing,
and allocate these funds to eligible projects. Establish a work group to
recommended a structure and dedicated funding sources for an Affordable
Housing Trust Fund. Establish a work group to explore creative use of
existing Minneapolis Public Housing Authority assets to increase the
availability of affordable rental property in the city. Maintain the
priority of affordable housing preservation and production in short- and
long-term financial decisions made by the city.

Civic Engagement and Advocacy
Integrally involve citizens and businesses in developing and implementing
our affordable housing strategies.  Host two housing summits in January and
March to get citizen input on our 90-day and longer-term strategies. Partner
with the HousingMinnesota campaign to promote public understanding of
affordable housing and the people it serves. Develop a legislative housing
agenda, and work with the regional Mayor’s Task Force, the private sector,
and the statewide housing coalition to advance this agenda during the 2002
session.


Restore Trust in City Hall

Strengthen City Ethical Standards
Create an ethics task force with representatives from the City Council, city
departments, labor unions, and the public to revise the current Code of
Ethics to be to be a more comprehensive statement of the current ethical
requirements for city employees and elected officials and to include higher
ethical standards.

Develop recommendations to reform city policies and procedures (including
purchasing and the awarding of contracts) to reflect higher ethical
standards that will restore public confidence in city government.  The task
force will present its recommendations to the public and the City Council by
July 1, 2002 and should include specific proposals to:

·   Reform campaign finance and disclosure requirements
·   Improve lobbying practices
·   Expand conflict-of-interest provisions
·   Change the city’s selection processes to be more fair and open

Open the Doors of City Hall
Host a “Mayor’s Night Out” in different part of the city each month to meet
citizens to get ideas for improving the city. Establish regular office hours
for the Mayor to meet with the public, first come, first-served, at City
Hall. Improve the city’s constituent service by hosting a
joint-council-department meeting to coordinate existing resources. Partner
with city departments, starting with the Poli

[Mpls] PRT-A Lousy Idea.

[ken avidor]

Okay , what's wrong with PRT ? (Personal Rapid Transit)

If you've read the literature like I have, it quickly becomes
obvious why PRT is not the solution to car-choked streets.  I can think
of dozens of reasons, but here's a few to start with and maybe you can
come up with some of your own.
PRT runs on the outside  of buildings and punches large holes into
their second floors.  I don't think this idea will meet the approval of
groups devoted to the aesthetic appreciation of  and historic
preservation of landmark buildings.
PRT allows anyone to climb aboard, drunks, prostitutes, teenagers,
drug dealers and do what they want in the privacy of the PRT
vehicle...leaving behind vomit, used needles, condoms, grafitti,
odorshard to police thousands of vehicles whizzing around on
monorails.
A terrorist could plant a bomb in a PRT vehicle and send it like
guided missile to its destination...PRT is supposed to go right into
buildings.
All those ugly pylons covered with graffiti, dirt, dropping chunks
of dirty ice on pedestrians below.
Is there supposed to be an elevator for the disabled at every stop.
That could get expensive AND ugly.
We would be the first to try out a VERY complex technology.

What I find interesting is that PRT literature and supporters
frequently bash light rail as too expensive and ineficientit's hard
to defend a rail system with a record against an unproved system with no
record...just a lot of promises
PRT supporters sometimes say "Americans don't like to ride with
strange people" which is totally untrue ...Americans rave about trains
and trolleys when they vacation in Europe or Disney World.
 The PRT people are careful not to mention trolleys which are an
inexpensive, popular, reliable way to move people.  People LOVE
trolleys! Look at San Francisco, New Orleans and Europe, Disney
WorldLake Harriet
Forget PRT...bring trolleys back to Minneapolis!

Speaking of rail.  The Bush administration is planning to break up
Amtrak and sell off its assets (that's prime real estate like train
stations) Are we in danger of losing the Empire Builder.  If we lose our
rail link how much more dependent will we be on Northwest?
What if we have an oil embargo and the airports are shut down again?

Ken Avidor
Kingfield






___
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] Attention Qwest.net subscribers

[List Manager]

If you're a member who had a qwest.net address and it's going dark in the
qwest-to-msn switchover, please let me know (directly, off-list) if you need
help switching your Minneapolis-Issues subscription.

It's a drag for everyone getting these automated messages that tell us about
your switch...it's much better if we do the switching pro-actively (or as
soon as possible retroactively).

Thanks,
David Brauer
List manager


_
Do You Yahoo!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

___
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] Lydia lawsuit - Full disclosure?

[loki anderson]

I'm only casually following this thread and agreeing
with Barb, et al regarding putting too much special
needs housing into such a small geographic area, but
this last post baffled me. 

Terrell seems to be asking whether the current 6th
ward councilmember was a part of this 13-0 vote. Barb
seems to be responding that a former councilmember
from the 6th ward was responsible for the 1/4th mile
requirement. Which wasn't his question.

Did Dean Zimmerman vote to allow Lydia House or not
(Since this thread started after the new year I assume
the new council voted on this and not the old one with
Jim Niland as the councilmember)? Or has it even
gotten to the full council for a vote? Inquiring
minds

 Loki Anderson
 Marshall Terrace
 [EMAIL PROTECTED]

--- Barbara Lickness <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Terrell Brown wrote:
> 
> "BTW, wasn't this a 13-zip vote on the council?  Was
> the Councilmember representing Stevens Square and
> Whittier napping when he cast his vote?"
> 
> BL:
> 
> No, he wasn't napping, in fact he was the author of
> the quarter mile spacing requirement that got so
> blatantly ignored for Lydia House, but he is no
> longer
> on the council. 
> 
> __
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail!
> http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/
> ___
> 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


=
"Let me tell you how it will be
 There's one for you, nineteen for me
 'Cause I'm the Taxman..."
   -George Harrison

__
Do You Yahoo!?
Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail!
http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/
___
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] Volunteers for Justice needed...

[Thomas Swift]

--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> Volunteers may be able to help in the following
> ways:
>  Learn about Islam and organize an education session
> are your place of worship, workplace, or
> neighborhood group

> Two more training sessions for those interested in
> signing up to be a volunteer and learning about the
> Islamic religion are offered at the following times
> and dates:

Where can our Islamic neighbors go to learn more about
the Judeo-Christian religious and American social
customs of their adopted homeland? 

I wonder if a give / take kind of arrangement might
not be of benefit to all concerned.

TJSWIFT
Saint Paul



__
Do You Yahoo!?
Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail!
http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/
___
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] Minneapolis declares Snow Emergency

[Dietrich, Sara L]

What follows is a news release announcing that the City of Minneapolis
declared a Snow Emergency today (Jan. 14, 2002). 
- Sara Dietrich, Communications Department, City of Minneapolis
(and Kingfield resident)

Minneapolis declares Snow Emergency
Clearing all Minneapolis streets of accumulating snow - curb to curb - the
goal

Jan. 14, 2002 (MINNEAPOLIS) Officials today declared a Snow Emergency in the
City of Minneapolis. To ensure that roadways remain safe and clear for
drivers and emergency vehicles during the winter season, Minneapolis
residents and visitors must follow Snow Emergency parking regulations so
that the City of Minneapolis can effectively plow all City streets from curb
to curb. Snow Emergency information is available by:
*   Calling 612-348-SNOW
*   Checking the City's Web site:  www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us.
*   Reviewing the Snow Emergency brochure that was mailed in the 2002
Minneapolis Calendar.
*   Calling the Spanish Snow Hotline at 612-673-3819.
*   Calling the Somali Snow Hotline at 612-673-2141
*   Watching Minneapolis Cable Channel 14 (34 in non-upgraded cable
areas).

On average, Minneapolis receives 50 inches of snowfall each winter.
Whenever it snows, Minneapolis' crews are working throughout the city to
ensure that streets are sanded and plowed.  But when a significant amount of
snow falls, the City of Minneapolis declares Snow Emergencies to remove
accumulating snow on City streets from curb to curb.  Snow Emergencies are a
set of predefined parking regulations that allow crews to completely clear
streets of accumulating snow.  

A few facts about Snowplowing in Minneapolis:
*   There are more than 1,100 miles of streets and parkways in
Minneapolis.  
*   Each street must be plowed in two directions and many streets have
multiple lanes.  There are 3,200 "lane miles" in Minneapolis ... set end to
end, those lane miles would stretch from Minneapolis to Seattle and back!
*   Minneapolis is able to mobilize up to 100 plowing vehicles to keep
City streets and alleys cleared.

MINNEAPOLIS SNOW EMERGENCY 
Parking Information:

*   Monday, Jan. 14, 2002 is the FIRST DAY of a Minneapolis Snow
Emergency.  Beginning at 9 p.m. tonight, parking will be prohibited on BOTH
SIDES of ALL SNOW EMERGENCY ROUTES until 8 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan. 15,
2002). 

*   Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2002 will be the SECOND DAY of a Minneapolis Snow
Emergency.  Parking will be prohibited on the ODD NUMBERED SIDE of NON SNOW
EMERGENCY ROUTES and on BOTH SIDES of PARKWAYS from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
After 8 p.m. on Jan. 15, Minneapolis residents should move vehicles from the
even side of non Snow Emergency routes to the odd side.

*   Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2002 will be the THIRD DAY of a Minneapolis Snow
Emergency.  Parking will be prohibited on the EVEN NUMBERED SIDE of NON SNOW
EMERGENCY ROUTES from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.  After 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan.
16, Minneapolis residents may park vehicles on both sides of all streets
until the next Snow Emergency, unless posted otherwise, or unless
Minneapolis imposes winter parking restrictions.


# # #
___
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] Lydia House

[Steve Brandt]

David Piehl writes:  Does anyone know how this study was constructed?  (yes, I know I 
should read the book.)

Steve Brandt:  For those who do want to read the report, it can be ordered at this web 
site: http://www.cura.umn.edu/search/fullRecord.php
A summary is appended below:

Author: Goetz, Edward G., Hin Kin Lam, and Anne Heitlinger. 
 Title: There Goes the Neighborhood? The Impact of Subsidized Multi-Family Housing on
Urban Neighborhoods. 
 Date: 1996 
 Pages: 94 pp. 
 Publisher: CURA 96-1. Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, University of Minnesota. 
 Sponsor: Funded by the Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR) 
program. 
 Available: Photocopy. Free from CURA.
 Type: Call #: H1016 
 Keywords: NPCR, Minneapolis, property values, subsidized housing, renters, tenants, 
low income
groups, neighborhoods, urban planning, community development, crime 
 Abstract: Does subsidized housing ruin the neighborhood? In 1996 a professor of 
housing and
two graduate students studied the impact of twenty-three subsidized 
multi-family
projects developed by nonprofit community development corporations (CDCs) 
in the
central neighborhoods of Minneapolis. They found that property values 
actually go up
next to CDC housing projects, that crime goes down, and that the projects 
add to the
stability of the neighborhood. Project residents, however, are more likely 
to be poor and
to be people of color than the rest of the neighborhood and this may be 
the basis for
opposition, by some, to subsidized housing. The study points to the huge 
need for
more affordable housing in the central neighborhoods of the city. An 
article
summarizing this full report appears in the April 1996 CURA Reporter. 


Steve Brandt
Star Tribune
Drowning in housing studies

___
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] Lydia lawsuit - Full disclosure?

[Barbara Lickness]

Terrell Brown wrote:

"BTW, wasn't this a 13-zip vote on the council?  Was
the Councilmember representing Stevens Square and
Whittier napping when he cast his vote?"

BL:

No, he wasn't napping, in fact he was the author of
the quarter mile spacing requirement that got so
blatantly ignored for Lydia House, but he is no longer
on the council. 

__
Do You Yahoo!?
Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail!
http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/
___
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] Lydia House Etc.

[Russell W Peterson]

David makes some excellent points. Here's some additional
help from the research:

I don't believe they were trying to evaluate the difference
between a subsidized nonprofit developer and a private
developer who doesn't take any subsidy. I think the original
intention was to see if there was any truth to the urban
legend that subsidized housing decreases property values and
contributes to degradation of a neighborhood. Their
conclusion in terms of cost value was that property values
increase with subsidized nonprofit developers while property
values decrease with public housing and subsidized, private
developers.

"From page 51 of the study: "We also find that the condition
of the private housing market and the practices of private
landowners are more important determinant of property values
than the existence of subsidized housing."

I also think the overall impact of onsite management was a
big factor in livability if I remember the entire study
correctly.

As for methodology in terms of price, they studied two to
three block areas around a property with a price model that
incorporates a series of building and lot characteristics.
They used data from the City of Minneapolis Assessor's
Office from 1988 and 1994 using one as a control over time.

Please remember, I'm not necessarily advocating for Lydia
House, just trying to deepen the discussion.


Russ Peterson


R u s s e l l   W.   P e t e r s o n

Saint Michael, Minnesota
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

"You can only fly if you stretch your wings."


___
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] Good spot for the PRT system?

[Dean Lindberg]

I see there has been some "miscommunication" regarding circulator bus
service between the light rail stations and convention center:   
http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/1029661.html

Seems like a ripe opportunity to look at the Personal Rapid Transit
(PRT) system to showcase Minnesota ingenuity to our out of town
convention visitors.  A mile-long PRT in downtown would be a great
demonstration of the technology.
-- 
Dean Lindberg

Minneapolis, MN 55417
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
___
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] Lydia lawsuit - Full disclosure?

[Terrell Brown]

> John Cevette writes:

> Bravo Lynne, ...


[TB]  The planiffs on the Lydia House lawsuit include these
individuals: George Roerhdanz, Tom Bisson, Becky C. Olson, Manuel
Lavin, Rita Lavin, Lynne Lowder, Lyle Delawiche, Johanna Delawiche,
Terry Erickson, Tom Berthiaume, John Cevette, Cathie O’Rourke  
 
so, its not a real surprise that John Cevette is cheerleading for his
co-plantiff Lynne Lowder in her Lydia House posts.

BTW, wasn't this a 13-zip vote on the council?  Was the Councilmember
representing Stevens Square and Whittier napping when he cast his vote?




Terrell Brown
Loring Park

__
Do You Yahoo!?
Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail!
http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/
___
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] WCCO reports Bloomington PD patrol MOA

[Bob Velez]

Story from Channel 4000 (WCCO website)

http://www.channel4000.com/news/stories/news-118872420020114-120153.html

Now, I remember when the fur protesters were hanging out by Macy's that the
argument was that the Mall was private property and the suggestion that
since Bloomington PD were there that it was a public place was dismissed
when it was said that they were hired by the Mall and were there off
regular duty hours.

Now they are regularly patrolling the Mall.  Does this mean that it is
finally considered a 'town square'-like place?

I know that this is Bloomington and not Minneapolis specifically, but I
figured there would be more than enough opinions on this to go around.  I
hope it's appropriate for the list.

Bob Velez
Shingle Creek
Ward 4


___
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] Lydia House Etc.

[DPIEHL]

Russ Peterson quotes Ed Goetz's book:

"We find that proximity to nonprofit-developed subsidized
housing actually enhances property values at a rate of $.86
per foot...Crime data on fourteen nonprofit projects show
that there were significantly fewer crime calls at these
properties after their rehabilitation and conversion to
subsidized housing...The tenants of subsidized nonprofit
projects are less transient than other renters in the
project neighborhoods."


David Piehl writes:

I haven't read the book, but I've heard this info at community meetings.

Some thoughts:

If a non-profit developed property enhances values by X amount, I wonder how
that compares to a privately developed property?

When renters in post-rehabilitation non-profit properties are compared to
renters in "the rest of the project neighborhood", are they comparing to renters
in privately rennovated buildings, or renters in blighted properties?  It makes
a difference, as blighted properties would be far more likely to accomodate
problem renters than a recently rennovated property given the larger pool of
renters that gravitate to recently rennovated properties.

Does anyone know how this study was constructed?  (yes, I know I should read the
book.)

David Piehl
Central




__
The information contained in this message is private and confidential
information which may also be subject to the attorney-client privilege and work
product doctrine.  This information is intended only for the individual or
entity named above.  If the reader of this message is not the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or
copy of this message is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this message
in error, please notify the sender by return e-mail and destroy all copies of
the message.  Thank you.


___
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] Lisa Goodman vote tally

[John Cevette]

Bravo Lynne,

While listening may be an important attribute of leadership, building
consensus rather than fueling conflict may be the more important leadership
asset.  If the 7th ward council member fails to embrace the later with the
same vigor as she does the former, "former" may be prefix more commonly
associated with her name.

Those of us who recently endured her heavy hand and harsh homilies are more
than willing to work to give her the new moniker.

John Cevette
Whittier

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of
Terrell Brown
Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2002 10:45 PM
To: Minneapolis Issues
Subject: RE: [Mpls] Lisa Goodman vote tally


Lynne Lowder wrote:

>   I wonder how
> well someone could do next time if they had a little
> support, a little money and the desire to listen to
> their constituents?

[TB]  I live in the 7th Ward (Loring Park).  When Lisa ran the first time
(1997), I lit dropped for her opponent.  Lisa goes to every neighborhood
meeting in the 7th Ward, she holds regular luncheon get meetings for
residents of the ward where she brings in various people to present on
topics of interest to residents of the ward.

I often speak with people from other neighborhoods in the 7th ward who are
very impressed with her work with the neighborhoods in the ward.  Why would
anyone run against or try to recruit someone to run against the good
representation that we have?

I doubt there is any member of the Council to spends more time listening to
constituents than Lisa Goodman.  Actually I doubt that there is any elected
person in the City of Minneapolis that spends more time with constituents
than she does.  I think she has done a good enough job that this past
election I was lit dropping for her.

You may have a grudge because you have a difference of opinion on a specific
issue with her.  We could probably all find something we disagree on, but
lack of listening certainly is NOT one of her faults.



Terrell Brown
Loring Park

___
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] Pawlenty picks running mate

[Eva Young]

At 08:04 AM 1/14/02 -0800, Jim Berg wrote:
>MPR reports on its web site:
>
>"Republican gubernatorial hopeful Tim Pawlenty has
>chosen another state legislator for his running mate.
>Pawlenty, an Eagan Republican who is the Majority
>Leader in the Minnesota House, chose State
>Representative Carol Molnau, R-Chaska, as his running
>mate. She chairs the House Transportation Finance
>Committee. She and her husband Steven own and operate
>a farm." http://news.mpr.org/headlines/index.html#2
>
>Not likely to be a team favorable to Minneapolis or
>urban issues. Unless some Republicans on the list can
>enlighten us.

Pawlenty does realize that a Republican can't win statewide by writing off
urban areas.  I think folks who live in Minneapolis have an opportunity to
get more responsiveness from Molnau now that she is running for a statewide
office.  People certainly should be contacting both Pawlenty and Molnau on
their feelings about 35W widening, transit -- and about better ways to work
with the city -- rather than having the screw Minneapolis attitude that way
too many of the legislature seem to have.  

Eva 
Eva Young
Central

___
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] Inquiry and Meeting notice re: Hate flyers/Speech in MPLS. neighborhoods

[Sheila Delaney]

Hello Everyone,

As some of you may recall, there have been several incidents of flyers
being distributed in the Longfellow and Seward Communities by the
National Socialist Movement. In addition, the LCC office has been
informed about a few incidents of neighbors making racist remarks to
neighbors on their block. 

The LCC and Seward neighborhood are working with the Minneapolis Hate
Crime Response and Prevention Network, the Jewish Community Relations
Council and area churches to address this issue. We have decided to have
a community discussion about how best to respond if hate
flyers/incidents occur on your block and how to create a more welcoming
community. Please read the text of the meeting agenda below. Anyone
interested in this meeting is welcome to attend. 


My question to the list is:

Does anyone on this list know of other incidents of National Socialist
Movement Flyers being circulated in Minneapolis Communities? If so,
could you please respond to me off list? Thanks. This would be helpful
information to have at the community discussion.  


Sheila Delaney
Lyndale Neighborhood
( I am also the director of the Longfellow Community Council)

MEETING NOTICE TEXT


Longfellow & Seward Neighborhoods
Community Response to Hate and Bigotry

Come to this community discussion to learn about steps that we can take
to counteract the distribution of hate literature in our
neighborhoods and to build a stronger community. You will leave this
meeting with ideas and tools that will help you promote a healthy and
accepting community.

Tuesday, January 29th 7-9 P.M.
Minnehaha United Church of Christ, 4001 38th Avenue South

Agenda
7:00 Welcome and Introductions
7:15 Music By Larry Long
7:25 Panel discussion: representatives from; the Minneapolis Police
Department, the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office, the Jewish Community
Relations Council, Longfellow and Seward Residents, members of the East
African, Latino/Latina and Islamic communities.
8:00 Open discussion and brainstorming about what we can do to build
community and counteract hate in our neighborhoods.
8:30 Music by Larry Long

You will leave with the following tools:
1. Minneapolis Hate Crimes Response and Prevention Network list of Resources
2. Longfellow and Seward Neighborhood Community Building Posters
3.  Handbill distribution and the law

Please call, 722-4529 for further information
Sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council, Minnehaha United
Church of Christ, Longfellow Community Council, Seward Neighborhood
Group, Minneapolis Hate Crimes Response and Prevention Network

Information about Hate Speech and Hate Incidents:
About 250-300 hate incidents on the average are reported to law
enforcement each year in Minnesota. In Minneapolis, an average of 50-55
hate incidents are reported annually to the police. The three most
common hate incidents are in the following categories: race, sexual
orientation and religion, in that order.  In the past two years
approximately 7-10 hate incidents have been reported in the Longfellow
and Seward Areas. They include the distribution of Nazi propaganda and
hate speech.  We know that these incidents do not reflect the real
spirit of Minneapolis communities.
___
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] Gov's Bonding Recommendations Stiff Mpls projects

[Jim Berg]

Jesse's Bonding Recommendations are on the Finance
Department's Web site: http://www.finance.state.mn.us/

There are no local projects funded, for Mpls or any
other local government. So the top four Mpls city
identified priorities, the Planetarium, the Shubert,
and the Guthrie, are ignored. (I forget what the other
one is.) Clearly we'll have to contact our legislators
if we want state funds for any of these projects.

Good chunk of funding for transit though, especially
the Northstar line from St. Cloud to Mpls. 

Jim Berg
Ward 9-Corcoran

__
Do You Yahoo!?
Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail!
http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/
___
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] Volunteers for Justice needed...

[KHarley471]

The YWCA has pledged its support for Arab and Muslim members of our community who are 
being harassed or intimidated since the Sept. 11 attacks, and is working with leaders 
of Muslim communities to identify opportunities for volunteers to assist them, 
particularly women who may be targeted because of their dress.

Volunteers may be able to help in the following ways:
 Learn about Islam and organize an education session are your place of worship, 
workplace, or neighborhood group
 Clean up graffiti or other hateful messes inflicted on homes, mosques, or businesses
 Stand in solidarity outside of mosque during prayers if there are threats of 
harassment there

Two more training sessions for those interested in signing up to be a volunteer and 
learning about the Islamic religion are offered at the following times and dates:

Saturday, January 19th  9am - Noon at Downtown YWCA (1130  Nicollet Mall) in Room 113

Wednesday, January 23rd  6:15 - 9pm at Midtown (2121 E. Lake Street) in Room 155

Please RSVP to Barbra Banks by January 17th at
612/215-4120 or [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Kristine Harley
Sheridan
___
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] Pawlenty picks running mate

[Jim Berg]

MPR reports on its web site:

"Republican gubernatorial hopeful Tim Pawlenty has
chosen another state legislator for his running mate.
Pawlenty, an Eagan Republican who is the Majority
Leader in the Minnesota House, chose State
Representative Carol Molnau, R-Chaska, as his running
mate. She chairs the House Transportation Finance
Committee. She and her husband Steven own and operate
a farm." http://news.mpr.org/headlines/index.html#2

Not likely to be a team favorable to Minneapolis or
urban issues. Unless some Republicans on the list can
enlighten us.

Jim Berg
Ward 9-Corcoran

__
Do You Yahoo!?
Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail!
http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/
___
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] Parkboard at a Crossroads

[Robert Gustafson]

Annie wrote that as she understood it "in the service
redesign the Park Board got all the trees in the City
while the City got all the sewers."

Not being a member of the Park Board I might be
incorrect so rather than making a statement I will ask
a question. I understood that the Park Board
transferred responsibilty for capital replacment as
well as maintenance of not only the Park Board sewer
system but also the Parkway streets. I recollect the
Parkway light fixtures were included as well. If I am
correct the total replacement value of all assets
passed from the Park Board to Public Works was
approximately $170,000,000. The total annual capital
savings for Park Board on these items was estimated by
the Park Board to be about $4,400,000 per year and the
estimated maintenance savings was estimated at $1
million per year. The annual savings for the Park
Board should be about $5,400,000 per year. Any Park
Board members out there let me know if I am wrong.

For those of you worried about the Park Board
infrastructure remember that they were also scheduled
to have their stated infrastructure gap closed by an
increase from $1,920,000 per year for capital programs
to $7,420,000 per year (A 386% increase over a three
year period).

I've always been supportive of the Park Board and
their need for greater capital investment to maintain
our parks at the high level we expect in Minneapolis.
I have never understood however the previous
administrations aggressive approach to funding the
Park Boards infrastructure gap compared to their
approach to the Public Works gap. In the same three
year period Parks recieved a 386% increase Public
Works gap spending is scheduled to go from $18,200,000
to only $21,800,000. If budgets are a little tighter
now than everyone expected I would rather be in the
Park Boards situation than Public Works when it comes
time to trimming budgets.  

My concern for this Park Board is that they remember
they are called to not only be stewards of our Parks,
but stewards of our dollars as well.  

Bob Gustafson
MMM






__
Do You Yahoo!?
Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail!
http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/
___
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] Gandhi-King-Ikeda exhibit opens in Minneapolis

[Jhpalmerjp]

There is an exhibit opening today at MCTC, 1501 Hennepin Avenue, profiling the works 
and philosophies of Mohandas K. Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Daisaku Ikeda 
entitled: Gandhi-King-Ikeda: "A Legacy of Building Peace".  The open ceremony is 
tonight from 7-9pm.

The exhibit was created with the hope of inspiring people through the message of hope 
and peace for all human beings.

The exhibit consists of panel featuring photographs, quotes and factual information 
about the three leaders.  

The exhibit will be at Minneapolis Community Technical College (MCTC) from the 14th to 
the 17th with a brief display at the Basilica on the evening of the 15th as part of 
the "Celebrate the Dream" event at 7:00pm. 

The exhibit is sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel of 
Morehouse College, the Gandhi Institute for Reconciliation, Soka Gakkai 
International-USA, Gandhi Smriti Darshan & Samiti, The Gandhi, King and Ikeda 
families, the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, the Southern Christian Leadership 
Conference, the Global Association of New Thought, the Foundation for Community 
Encouragement, India American Cultural Association, Lewis University. For more 
information you can check out: www.sgi.org, www.morehouse.edu, or 
www.gandhiinstitute.org.

Jonathan Palmer
Stevens Square-Loring Heights
___
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] This Week in The Minneapolis Observer

[Craig Cox]

T H E  M I N N E A P O L I S  O B S E R V E R
A Weekly Digest of All Things Minneapolitan
Vol. 1, No. 22
January 14, 2002

This is a preview issue of The Observer. To subscribe to the full-text version ($12/48 issues from Independent Media, 4152 Snelling Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55406), e-mail us at [EMAIL PROTECTED], and we'll set you up. Thanks.

**

THIS WEEK IN THE OBSERVER:
* Three More Things for R.T. to Think About
* Does the City Owe a Debt to John Biggers?
* Carol Johnson Talks Back
* Pressure Builds to Extend Downtown Bar Hours
* Met Council Winners and Losers
* The Green Party Paradox
Plus: More of our nosy checkbook survey, Pogemillers' redistricting revenge, Afghans on Central Avenue, our first annual pothole diagram, and remembering Earl Craig

**

THREE MORE THINGS FOR R.T. TO THINK ABOUT
After a whirlwind introduction to local government that included a City Council meltdown, a much-ridiculed encounter group, and a controversy over doing business with a campaign contributor, Mayor Rybak is already scrambling to get his 90-day plan on track. Still, he graciously indulged The Observer by responding to three impertinent queries from editor Craig Cox.

CITY DISSES NORTH SIDE ACTIVISTS, ARTISTS IN MURAL DEMOLITION 
When city crews demolished the Celebration of Life mural last month, the move sent shock waves through the North side community and sent a chilling message to local African American artists. 

THE SUPER SPEAKS
Minneapolis schools superintendent Carol Johnson, responding to an article by Ed Felien in Southside Pride criticizing the district's budget allocations, defended her choice to hire Dave Jennings as district chief operating officer and argued that the district is operating efficiently and will operate even more efficiently in the future.

PRESSURE BUILDING FOR EXTENDED DOWNTOWN BAR HOURS
Economic hard times and a fresh batch of politicians in City Hall is encouraging supporters of later downtown bar hours, reports Ellen Nigon in the Skyway News (www.skywaynews.net). But the move still faces stiff obstacles at the State Capitol and among public safety advocates.

NOSY CHECKBOOK SURVEY CONTINUES
Last week, we reported Second Ward City Council Member Robert Lilligren's intention to sock away a few bucks every payday from a $63,000 salary that is more than twice the amount he's ever earned in his life. Our nosy checkbook survey, which asks City Council newcomers if their new job represents a hike or a drop in pay from their last gig, continues this week with reports from Ninth Ward CM Gary Schiff and from 11th Ward CM Scott Benson.

WINNERS AND LOSERS
The Met Council recently released its Livable Community Demonstration Act grant awards. The winners and losers, as reported in the January issue of Property:

SLOW DOWN, POTHOLE DIAGRAM AHEAD
We at The Observer feel that we can explain a pothole as well as anybody, even with slightly less sophisticated graphics capabilities than the big daily newspaper.

BACK IN THE DAY
10 Years Ago This Week
"One thing we continued to share over the years was the belief that progressive politics and social activism were not incompatible with the good life--good food, good wine, and good furniture."
--State Senator Allan Spear, at the funeral of fellow DFLer and Neighborhood Revitalization Program director Earl Craig, who was found murdered in his condominium three days earlier
Star Tribune
January 19, 1992

_
RAVES, RANTS, AND OTHER CONSIDERED OPINIONS
_

IT'S JUST MY OPINION, BUT . . .
By Mark Engebretson
Perhaps Mayor R.T. Rybak's most important--and difficult--task is to get all of Minneapolis' elected officials on the same page. It's essential if Minneapolis is to have success at the Legislature. That means City Council members, parks, school and library officials, and the city's legislators need to be united on critical city issues, such as affordable housing, transportation, K-12 education, and local government aid.
That often wasn't the case with the previous administration. The adverse impact on city finances caused by state property tax reform is a good example of what can happen when city leaders aren't working together--which is downright shameful considering that they collectively represent the same constituents and are overwhelmingly DFLers. Yes, they're all elected leaders, but it's the mayor's job to pull them together.
Rybak--given a mandate by city voters for his reform agenda--is in a good position to do so. However, he has his work cut out. For starters, he doesn't bring with him the 30 years of legislative experience or the connections that his counterpart in St. Paul, Randy Kelly, possesses. To his credit, Rybak has reached out to Kelly and the two have vowed to work together on common issues. Such a relationship