For the 'who is my neighbor?' file

Star Tribune Sat, 23 Feb 2008 03:07:25 GMT
St. Paul sued on housing enforcement

An Eagan property manager alleges city leaders are trying to keep out poor tenants. An official says that's not happening. An Eagan man and his property management company filed a federal lawsuit Friday alleging that St. Paul city officials have systematically violated fair housing laws by trying to reduce the number of low-income rental units, which has had a disproportionate impact on African-Americans and other minorities. Robert McCampbell, 52, accused certain city officials of having a political agenda to reduce the number of poor tenants in the city, most of whom are minorities. McCampbell charged in his 26-page lawsuit that city officials have used the building code enforcement system to illegally shut down apartments with minority tenants or to force the tenants to move out.

[[keywords: Housing;Officials;Ramsey;]]

Much ado

Star Tribune Tue, 06 May 2008 04:14:01 GMT
Ham Lake mayor apologizes for recent remark

The comment invoked a racial comparison; the mayor's backers say the real issue is a political divide on the council. Ham Lake Mayor Paul Meunier apologized Monday night for a comment some city officials called a racial slur. But his supporters say he's not the one who should be apologizing. Before urging his political foes at Monday's City Council meeting to "stop the politics of personal attacks and focus on the issues at hand," Meunier apologized for a comment his supporters say triggered a "smear campaign" against him by longtime city officials. ... Mel Aanerud, chairman of Ham Lake's Park and Tree Commission, did not attend the April 16 meeting, but said he was appalled -- not by Meunier's comment, but by the reaction to it. Don Wilson, who manages the city's VFW, sent e-mails to key officials, saying he was offended by Meunier's remarks, even though Wilson did not hear them. Council Members Kirkeide, Julie Braastad and Joey Erikson publicly decried Meunier's remarks.

[[keywords: Officials;Metro;]]

Take a ride on the U train

Pioneer Press Sun, 27 Apr 2008 22:56:41 -0600
U's pressure for its light-rail plan alarms partners

The University of Minnesota is not on board the Central Corridor. Still. Whether that's a correction, clarification or reversal of the U's position is a matter of debate â€" and consternation â€" especially considering a key state funding provision for the project lies in limbo at the Capitol. Regardless, in the past several weeks, it's become increasingly clear that the institution's reservations about a plan to run light rail through the heart of campus along Washington Avenue are much more than mere reservations. Top university officials have lobbied members of Congress, stated their case in community forums and submitted a 23-page memo to federal officials, accusing project planners of railroading the route, and suggesting the Metropolitan Council's aggressive timeline could violate federal laws. The re-emergence of the conflict â€" thought by many to have been resolved this winter â€" has raised hackles of county and city officials on both sides of the river, as well inside the Met Council, the lead agency in the effort to build the $909.1 million, 11-mile line linking St. Paul and Minneapolis.

[[keywords: LandUse;Officials;Ramsey;Metro;]]

Shocking development in Brooklyn Park - forward thinking

Star Tribune Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:54:37 GMT
Brooklyn Park's savings account is a novel way to plan

Brooklyn Park is transferring money to savings and making some tax increases permanent to build funds for projects down the road. In 25 to 30 years, when the community center in Brooklyn Park needs a major repair, city officials won't have to borrow millions of dollars or beg residents to vote for more taxes. Instead, they will make a withdrawal from the city's savings account. The idea is unique in the state -- creating an endowment that over 50 years will pay for $300 million of projects. While many cities do plan for the next 10 to 15 years, national experts are seeing local government officials pick up on the idea of planning city budgets like they manage their own retirement funds. Over the past 10 years, Brooklyn Park has been socking away money a little at a time by making annual transfers from its general fund and making some tax increases permanent.

[[keywords: Officials;PropertyTax;Metro;]]

Penny wise

Star Tribune Wed, 28 May 2008 01:52:02 GMT
Ham Lake is leery of refinancing debt to save interest costs

Anoka County voted to go ahead with Ramsey bond refinancing after Ham Lake balked at a chance to save thousands of dollars. Refinancing senior housing projects in Ramsey and Ham Lake could save hundreds of thousands of dollars for both Anoka County cities, county officials said Tuesday. But Ham Lake remained unconvinced. Asking how Ham Lake could stall when offered a chance to save "a half-million in this economy," Commissioner Dan Erhart led the County Board in passing a resolution approving the refinancing of housing development bonds through the county for Ramsey only. If Ham Lake doesn't opt within a month to refinance the debt on the Willows complex, the city would be charged a $50,000 fee to issue bonds if it later chose to refinance, Erhart suggested to the board. With its refinancing, Ramsey could save an estimated $40,000 a year for the next 18 years, county officials said. The principal amount of bonds authorized by the county for both cities combined was set at a maximum of $6.2 million, and the interest rate is capped at 4.5 percent. Clearly frustrated by Ham Lake's indecisiveness, Erhart said he couldn't begin to "explain why the [Ham Lake] City Council is making the decisions they are." "We are very cautious," explained Ham Lake council member Julie Braastad. "We do our research. We don't just jump on the bandwagon. We look at ourselves as being unique."

[[keywords: Officials;PropertyTax;Metro;]]

Leave your car home

Star Tribune Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:54:24 GMT
Plans to get Lakeville on bus line are gaining speed

Local officials are looking at a plan that could include downtown express buses and local routes. And the Legislature could get involved. With plans afoot that could bring two bus stations to Lakeville by 2009, local officials are taking a close look at transit improvements that could mean tax increases. In Lakeville, which does not have bus service, city officials are reviewing a detailed study that outlines what it would take -- and how much it would cost -- to start offering public transit that could include express commuter buses, local routes during the day and dial-a-ride service. The study, ordered as part of a scheduled update to the city's long-range plans, doesn't mean buses are just around the corner, and the City Council could choose to do nothing.

[[keywords: PublicWorks;Metro;]]

Squeeze

Pioneer Press Mon, 05 May 2008 23:18:18 -0600
St. Paul's likely budget gap: $13 million

Let's do it again. After two straight years of difficult budget-gap belt-tightening, St. Paul officials have to take on the task once more. This time, city finance chief Matt Smith is projecting â€" assuming no new spending initiatives â€" a $13.1 million gap for 2009. Smith will take that message to City Council members at a briefing today, as the city begins its annual budget planning. Revenues are projected to be down $5.2 million. Costs â€" consisting of negotiated salary increases, inflation, projected health care and pension contributions â€" are projected to be up $7.7 million, Smith said. Tax increases, service cuts, fee hikes, hiring freezes and personnel reductions â€" they're all on the table, at this point, a spokesman for Mayor Chris Coleman said. But City Hall officials cautioned that it's too early to start speculating on specifics; the annual process has just begun. Coleman last week sent department directors, now drafting their initial requests, his annual list of principles, which are consistent with those he instituted when he took office: Look for ways to absorb inflationary increases, don't ask for increases and look for "solutions." In general, Coleman and Smith have tried to implement a multi-year strategy to eliminate the annual budget gap by 2010. Part of that strategy is to have some cuts and some revenue increases but not just one or the other. The good news for homeowners, Smith said, is that early state projections show the property tax burden shifting from the tanking residential real estate market to the not-so-bad commercial real estate market. So if city leaders opt for a levy increase, it won't hit residents as hard as in years past. Of course, that's bad news for commercial real estate owners.

[[keywords: Officials;PropertyTax;Metro;]]

Public health

Pioneer Press Sun, 10 Feb 2008 23:14:26 -0700
Woodbury / Psychiatric hospital plan clears a hurdle

A key criticism of a proposed psychiatric hospital in Woodbury - that it wouldn't take its full share of state Medicaid patients - may no longer be a problem. When Prairie St. John's first proposed a psychiatric hospital, its leaders believed that a federal rule prevented them from getting paid to admit poor and disabled adults covered by Medicaid. It turns out, they were wrong. Minnesota has an exemption to the rule. The discovery addresses one concern among leaders of Twin Cities hospitals, who fear that Prairie will refuse adults from the low-paying Medicaid program and leave the financial burden of their care to everyone else. In a Jan. 30 letter to the Minnesota Department of Health, Prairie officials said this new understanding ensures the Woodbury hospital "will operate on a level playing field with existing hospital psychiatric services." Prairie officials pressed for state support despite "fear mongering, turf protection and disingenuous rhetoric" by the competing hospital officials who oppose the project. The finding could change the Health Department's review of the proposal, said Julie Sonier of the state's health economics program. A department recommendation is needed before the Minnesota Legislature can decide whether to lift a construction moratorium and allow the $22 million hospital project.

[[keywords: Living;Metro;]]

There is some land available for that Ramsey station

Star Tribune Wed, 13 Feb 2008 03:54:33 GMT
More stations being discussed for Northstar commuter rail

Officials are discussing the feasibility of adding more stops to the 40-mile Northstar rail line. Plans to expand the Northstar commuter rail line are already in the works after the project received $156.8 million in federal funding in December. The Anoka County Regional Railroad Authority (ACRRA) met Tuesday and discussed how to add stations in Fridley, Coon Rapids and Ramsey. Members also approved a $190,000 study that will look at the feasibility of extending the commuter rail line from the proposed Coon Rapids-Foley station to Cambridge. Ramsey city officials recently renewed their pursuit of a stop on the 40-mile line from Minneapolis to Big Lake. Northstar officials have expressed support for the city's request, but they still have to determine how many people might use the stop and how it would be paid for. They said they will look at what it would take to secure federal funding for the Ramsey stop, which could cost more than $8 million.

[[keywords: PublicWorks;Metro;]]

Just for leaving an item off the agenda

Pioneer Press Fri, 16 Nov 2007
5 Wisconsin officials accused of violating open meetings law

The members of the county Board of Supervisors' finance committee were accused of discussing the possible sale of Golden Age Manor at a meeting without notifying residents. The future of the county nursing home is of great interest in Polk County, special prosecutor Tim Laux said, who added that not telling residents it would be on the agenda kept the public in the dark. The dispute stems from an Aug. 16 meeting of the committee. The Polk County sheriff's office investigated a citizen's complaint about the discussion and turned over its findings to Laux. "I believe there was a violation of the open meetings and records statutes," Laux said. The state's open meetings statutes dictate that "any member of a governmental body who knowingly attends a meeting held in violation" of the law is subject a fine of $25 to $300. The county often relies on a special prosecutor because of a heavy caseload and to avoid any conflicts of interest. ... "We didn't do anything wrong," Newville said. "Finance is in charge of the budget. And we have a right to discuss it." ... Wisconsin's open meetings law requires that a governing body "shall set forth the time, date, place and subject matter of the meeting" for the public, according to a complaint filed in Polk County Circuit Court last week. The committee, as required by law, advertised the meeting. But the public notice failed to provide the required details, officials said.

[[keywords: Legal;Officials;Metro;]]

Good talent is hard to find

Star Tribune Tue, 29 Jan 2008 03:12:28 GMT
Park Rapids new city administrator will start as scheduled, despite DWI

City officials in Park Rapids, Minn., said Monday that newly appointed City Administrator Scott Larson will start on Feb. 4 as scheduled, despite being charged last week with drunken driving

[[keywords: Officials;]]

All aboard!

Star Tribune Sat, 19 Jan 2008 05:25:54 GMT
Study: High-speed rail to Duluth costly, attractive

Proposed train appeals to many along the line, including the owners of the Grand Casino in Hinckley. The cost of the proposed passenger rail line from Minneapolis to Duluth could exceed $400 million -- $50 million more than previously projected -- and there's no guarantee that federal funding will cover 80 percent of the project as local officials hope, the rail expert who recently completed a study of the line said. But a potential partnership with the Mille Lacs tribe, enthusiasm from federal officials and unexpected support along the corridor have rail experts considering additional stations and running as many as eight trains along the route each day.

[[keywords: LandUse;PublicWorks;Living;Metro;]]

No more buttons to push

Pioneer Press Wed, 02 Apr 2008 22:59:27 -0600
Rosemount / City OKs Town Centre project

Without a peep from the public, Rosemount officials have approved final plans for redeveloping a downtown block that has been the epicenter of past controversy. No residents voiced concern as plans for the Town Centre project cruised through the planning commission in February and the City Council last month. But getting to the final step has hardly been easy for the city, which began acquiring land at the roughly 3-acre downtown site â€" known as Core Block East â€" more than 10 years ago. Most notably, in December, the city avoided using eminent domain after reaching an agreement with a local landowner for the final piece it wanted for the project. In the months leading up to a scheduled court hearing on the matter, residents and businesses circulated petitions and spoke out against the approach the city threatened to use to acquire the half-acre parcel. In the end, the city and landowner Kurt Hansen, a local veterinarian, agreed on a $525,000 selling price. If eminent domain proceedings had played out, it would have been the first time in more than 20 years the city had used the process to attain property. Instead, the agreement with Hansen allowed city officials to move ahead with plans and concentrate on design details such as the amount of brick on the facade, landscaping and the style of lights. Important, yes, but hardly contentious.

[[keywords: LandUse;Metro;]]

New bright ones for New Brighton

Pioneer Press Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:39:51 -0600
Residents sign up for New Brighton task force on stalled development

New Brighton has received 10 applications for spots on a panel that will look at the finances of the city's Northwest Quadrant, officials said. Some members on the City Council had expressed interest in establishing a financial task force that would provide a new perspective on the future of the Northwest Quadrant mixed-use project. The council will discuss applicants next Tuesday at their work session and may make appointments at their regularly-scheduled meeting that night or in May. The project includes redeveloping about 100 acres of land, which sits at the northwest corner of interstates 35W and 694 and is split by Old Highway 8, for new homes, stores, offices and parks. It has been plagued my a poor real estate market and environmental clean-up issues.

[[keywords: LandUse;Officials;Metro;]]

A different view of motivation

Star Tribune Sun, 09 Dec 2007 05:28:17 GMT
Money may entice New Hope's workers to move there

State law bars residency as a condition of employment, but extra cash might persuade New Hope's city workers to live there. ... Laura Kushner, director of human resources and benefits for the League of Minnesota Cities, talked to New Hope officials about their proposal. While the league doesn't keep track of cities that offer residency incentives, she said she doesn't think there are any other cities in the state doing anything similar. Kushner encouraged New Hope officials to consider several factors as they worked on drafting a plan. The initial proposal included awarding hiring preference points to prospective employees who live in the city, but that was taken out after concerns were raised about the program affecting equal employment opportunities. The revised plan also includes employees who rent as well as own homes. New Hope is setting aside $10,000 for the program in its 2008 budget, but Kushner said there are state regulations about how city money can be spent. "They need to make sure they identify what is the public purpose associated with this," she said.

[[keywords: Staff;Metro;]]

TIF to the rescue

Pioneer Press Fri, 28 Mar 2008 22:42:43 -0600
New TIF law gives Burnsville tool for makeover

The largest makeover project in the history of Burnsville is on track again. The Legislature this month guaranteed a way to help fund redevelopment of the 1,700-acre Minnesota River Quadrant, Burnsville officials announced Friday. Gov. Tim Pawlenty cemented the deal by signing the legislation into law. With the measure, the city can create tax-increment-financing districts in the area. The districts would be used to capture the taxes on anticipated property value to fund new infrastructure and other improvements. The City Council intends to approve the districts April 7. "It's a milestone for us," Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz said. The districts could capture $80 million in property taxes over 40 years, based on the site's current market values, said Tammy Omdal, deputy city manager. Once the area is updated, city officials estimate its market-value growth could be up to $700 million. The city's dreams for redevelopment include an 18-hole golf course, a medical professional campus, a trail system along the Minnesota River and a city park with a beach and boat launch. The land accounts for 10 percent of the city on its northwest corner. It borders the Minnesota River and Interstate 35W. Heavy industry occupies the site, including a quarry, three landfills, a rock processing center and a landscaping business. ... The law lets the city bend the rules when creating financing districts. For example, unlike with regular TIF districts, the city could use tax proceeds anywhere in the project area; project deadlines could be extended from five to 10 years; and districts could be created because of poor soil conditions caused by heavy industrial operations.

[[keywords: LandUse;Metro;]]

Undercurrents

Star Tribune Fri, 02 May 2008 03:07:52 GMT
Stop talking about fire or face losing your jobs, Oak Grove administrator warns

Oak Grove hits city officials -- including the fire department -- with a gag order after a fatal March 5 fire. ... Referring directly to the March 5 fire and criticism of the department discussed at City Council meetings Monday and April 14, the memo states: "All Employees, including Paid on-call Fire Department personnel, City Council members and City staff need to immediately stop talking about or commenting, publicly or privately, on tactical responses, opinions about employment matters or observations about the same." The memo further states that a pending investigation "will severely be compromised by continued comment and attempts to influence others with public comment." It says employees who fail to follow the directive not to talk "shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.''

[[keywords: Legal;Officials;Metro;]]

South Washington schools get the blues

Star Tribune Fri, 25 Apr 2008 04:08:57 GMT
Washington County school boundary plan settled

The South Washington County district ended months of debating how its students will be split up next year. The so-called "blue" plan to redraw attendance boundaries for elementary and middle schools in the South Washington County School District won approval Thursday night after intense debate over the merits of four proposals. Proposals dubbed the blue, red and white plans were compiled by task forces that included dozens of county residents. A fourth plan, in which Board Member Jim Gelbmann wanted to blend the white and blue plans, was added before the vote. The plans varied in the number of students who would be moved to different schools. District officials wanted to reduce the time children spent on school buses, leave space for more students near schools where more housing is being built and limit the need to make further changes in the future. School officials said the blue plan does the best job of moving students from the district's east side, where population is growing fastest, to the west side, where more school space is available. "You can't make a wrong decision, just a difficult decision," Superintendent Tom Nelson told the seven school board members before the vote. The blue plan beat out the white plan 4-3.

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Note: title refers to a favorite cult movie

[[keywords: Schools;Metro;]]

Oakdale wants longer TIF

Star Tribune Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:21:09 GMT
City hopes to redevelop Oakdale Mall, Tanners Lake area

Oakdale city leaders are looking to do a little spring cleaning of old commercial properties. In a quest to redevelop the Tanners Lake commercial area into a city gateway and to update the Oakdale Mall, the city is seeking special legislation to extend the maximum time frame for tax-increment finance (TIF) districts to fund the work. Under state law, a redevelopment TIF district may go up to 25 years, said Bob Streetar, the city's director of community development. Oakdale officials are seeking an exception that would grant them up to 35 years. "These properties bring down surrounding properties because they are either issues or eyesores," said Oakdale City Council Member Lori Pulkrabek. "To keep the community up as a whole, we need to take care of these issues."

[[keywords: LandUse;Officials;PropertyTax;Metro;]]

Straw man bursts into flames

Star Tribune Tue, 04 Mar 2008 04:28:17 GMT
Busing to suburbs didn't boost test scores

Students who stayed in Minneapolis Public Schools rather than choosing a suburban school fared as well or better. For the second straight year, low-income students in the Minneapolis Public Schools fared better than the ones who were bused to suburban schools under the Choice is Yours, a voluntary desegregation program. Minneapolis students in the district nearly doubled their test scores in reading and finished practically even in math compared with their suburban counterparts last year, according to results released Monday by the Minnesota Department of Education. State education officials reasoned that the difference may be because the suburban choice students tested each year are not the same students; only half of the suburban choice students were enrolled in their schools the previous year. However, Minneapolis officials say their students' results are significant enough to start urging parents to think twice about sending their kids to suburban schools.

[[keywords: Schools;Metro;]]