Finding a Green Way to Govern

The CRA work group that I helped set up met for the last time this morning. Our last official action was to recommend that the City go to the Legislature and actively pursue granting subpoena power to the CRA. If we can't get the Legislature to grant the CRA this authority, the group recommends that we go forward with a charter change. Coming into this morning's meeting, the recommendation from the subpoena power subcommittee was to pursue limited subpoena power for the CRA, which could be used only for documents and materials. I moved to remove that limitation, and the group agreed. Concerns were expressed about how the Police Federation might not support this at the Legislature, but it was clear that they also would not have supported the limited power either. This recommendation joins the rest of the recommendations that the group has already made, which you can view here. Last night the group held our final public hearing at the Brian Coyle Center. It was fairly well atten...

Today, the Public Safety and Regulatory Services Committee held a public hearing on a proposed ordinance amendment changing how pedestrians can use alleys in Minneapolis. The proposed ordinance was forwarded to the Council without recommendation on a 2-3 vote. My motion to return it to author failed on a 2-2-1 vote (two votes opposed, two in favor and one abstention). A substitute by CM Johnson, to send it to Council with the committee's recommendation, also failed on a 2-2-1 vote. The proposal would amend Title 15, Chapter 385 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances relating to Offenses—Miscellaneous: In General, prohibiting use of alleys for through pedestrian traffic, except for abutting property owners, tenants, their guests and invitees, law enforcement personnel, emergency medical or fire personnel, persons performing public service activities or inspections, and person performing services for public or private utility, garbage collection, or communication companies. I have con...

There will be public hearing on the new Civilian Police Review Auithority reforms we are proposing. Here are the details: Wednesday, August 30, 2006, 7 p.m. Brian Coyle Center, 420 15th Ave S The Coyle Center is near Cedar-Riverside. (Coyle Center – 338-5282). The location is within walking distance of Metro Transit Bus Routes 2, 3, 7, 16, 19, and 50 and the Hiawatha Light Rail line. (Metro Transit – 373-3333). There is bike and vehicle parking on site. WHAT THIS IS ABOUT The Civilian Police Review Authority (CRA) investigates complaints about any Minneapolis Police Officer and decides if the Police Chief should discipline the officer. People that feel they have been mistreated by a Minneapolis Police Officer can file a complaint with the CRA. We have been working to improve the way the CRA handles complaints and have recommended - changes to improve communication between the CRA and the Police Department - research on how complaints are handled by the CRA and the Police Department’s I...

In regards to the ongoing discussions on e-lists and elsewhere about the Greens, the Zimmermann trial and ethical standards, I feel the need to make a public comment. I am proud and honored to be a Minneapolis City Council Member, Green Party member and Green Party endorsed elected official. One of the things that first drew me to the Green Party was that it was based on principles , not personalities, and put its platform and grassroots democracy before politicians and party leaders. One of the things that helped me make it my political home is the fact that it is part of a larger global movement to transform humanity and make the Earth a more peaceful, just, democratic and sustainable place. Recently, with the trial and conviction of one of our members and a local party leader we are being challenged with something the Greens, as a political party, have not faced in Minnesota before. I know that this is an incredibly delicate situation, perhaps more so for me than other people in th...

Today the City Council passed a resolution supporting federal legislation that would create a United States Department of Peace and Nonviolence . This effort is being led by the Peace Alliance and the legislation is sponsored by both Martin Sabo and Mark Dayton . Several other cities have passed similar resolutions, but this makes Minneapolis the first in Minnesota. I hope that others will follow. Clearly, this is only a very small step in the effort to make this a more peaceful and nonviolent City and world. Still, in light of the recent wars throughout the world but especially Iraq and Lebanon and the recent 61st anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki it is nice to think that I was able to be of use to do something to further the cause of peace and nonviolence. One of the things that made this resolution appealing to many of us on the Council is the proposed Department's direct link to promoting nonviolence domestically, through an Office of Domestic Peace...

Hennepin County’s fall Household Hazardous Waste collection is coming up: August 17-19, 9am-4pm, at 2231 Garfield St NE . The next collection date is September 14-16, 9am-4pm, at 3607 E 44th St . The county will accept many items, including: mercury items (fluorescent and HID lamps, thermostats and thermometers) pesticides consumer electronics (computers, televisions, video cassette recorders, stereos, etc.)automotive wastes (fuel additives, starter fluid, waxes) aerosol cans, paint, lead-based paint chips, fuels, solvents and thinners pool, photographic and hobby chemicals rechargeable tools, household batteries and lead-acid batteries Items are accepted from households only. Find out more here .

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is holding a series of public meetings to help set their long term vision for our park system. The last such plan was prepared more than four decades ago. Go here for more information, including locations and date/time of events.

Please take a moment to fill out the Ward 2 E-Survey at the Ward 2 website . We developed this survey to get general feedback and help assess which issues residents find most pressing in their neighborhoods. Your input is important to me and the results will help me understand people's views better and prioritize my own work in City Hall. I plan to communicate the results widely.