Finding a Green Way to Govern

Last Friday night, a constituent of mine was attacked and robbed on the Hiawatha LRT Bike Trail. Here is the account he posted to the Seward E-Democracy list: I was just mugged on that path last night in a very dark area near 24st. I was biking south on the path from the cedar riverside area to the greenway. Around 24st two guys came out of the darkness on either side of the road and one of them tackled me off my bike. They then proceeded to kick and hit me after I crashed. They didn't take much. Not even my bike which is in pretty bad shape from the crash. The drivetrain is messed up and the back wheel in now untrue. Though they hurt me pretty bad and I'm also messed up from the crash. Because it was so dark I didn't get a good look at them and I think that they were able to ambush me because of my headlight. That area needs better lighting and call boxes. Some approaching bikes scared them off while they were trying for my phone. If that hadn't happened it would have...

This morning, I was one of only two Council Members to vote against a proposal to reclassify all of the Council Associates from civil service positions with union protections, to appointed positions without those protections. Here's a little background. Each Council office has three members: the Council Member, her/his appointed Aide, and the Associate. In most offices, the Associate does much of the direct constituent service, schedules meetings, tracks the office budget, files, and otherwise provides administrative support. Associates are paid on an hourly basis, unlike CMs and Aides, who are salaried - a reflection of the common understanding that whereas CMs and Aides work irregular hours including numerous night meetings, Associates have more predictable daytime-only schedules. I joined AFSCME local 9 in opposing the move to reclassify Associates as appointed positions. I understand the reasons that Council leadership is bringing this forward, and I agree that Council Membe...

I'm glad to report that the Council strongly supported my motions to strengthen the Police Policies resolution this morning. We reinstated the complete prohibition on rubber and plastic bullets fired from conventional guns (this excludes the only less-lethal projectile the MPD uses, a 'foam round' that is fired by a different sort of weapon). We added new language prohibiting MPD from subjecting law abiding demonstration organizers to disparate enforcement actions, and targeting law abiding persons not engaged in demonstrating, including journalists, camera people, and legal observers, for enforcement actions. We clarified the protections I got added back in at PS&RS last week, making explicit that cameras may never be destroyed or tampered with, and may only be confiscated in compliance with 4 th Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure. We also clarified that the use of tear gas, pepper spray and less-lethal projectiles may only be used if that...

We are expecting more than 45,000 delegates, 15,000 media, thousands of protesters and a host of other visitors to be in Minneapolis for the Republican National Convention, Sept. 1 – 4, 2008. To help the public understand what to expect during this period, my colleague, Council Member Lisa Goodman, the City of Minneapolis, the RNC Host Committee and other key stakeholders are hosting public meetings to detail plans and preparations for this historic event. RNC Plans & Preparation – Public Meetings Wednesday, Aug. 6, 4 – 5:30 p.m. and 6 – 7:30 p.m. Terrence Murphy Hall Main Auditorium, University of St. Thomas1000 LaSalle Ave. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Last Wednesday, the Public Safety committee voted unanimously in favor of what I agree is a disappointing compromise on the police policy resolution. I thought it might be helpful for people to understand the context and effort that led me to this compromise. Here is some more detailed history on the issue: On May 21 at the Public Safety and Regulatory Services (PS&RS) committee meeting I presented a substitute resolution on police practices to larger one proposed by CM Ostrow that also included a section of registering public assemblies. It didn’t pass. The Ostrow resolution passed, without my vote, and went forward to the Council on June 6. On June 6th, with the help of other like-minded Council members, we successfully divided the police policy section from the public assembly registration section. The registration section was amended and passed (without my support) and the police policy section was referred back to the PS&RS committee after CM Johnson introduced and then wi...

This year, on August 5, more than 60,000 Minneapolis neighbors will gather for the 25th Annual National Night Out, celebrating and building community across the city. Advance planning makes it easier for everyone to have a good time, share the work and make things go smoothly on NNO. Last year, over 900 groups planned their parties in advance. Some events will be as simple as neighbors sharing food and conversation on a front porch; others will close off streets and provide music, face painting, chalk art, potlucks, dancing, games, and piñatas. So start your planning early and join the celebration. It’s Free and It’s Easy to Register Your NNO Party and to Close Your Street for NNO One process makes it possible to register your NNO event and apply to close your street. Visit here or, if you don’t have Internet, call 311 or 612-673-3000. If you register by July 22, you’ll be eligible for a door prize drawing. It’s not essential to close your street to have a successful NNO event. Many ...