Finding a Green Way to Govern

The City is hosting a second public meeting to share results and seek input on the Minneapolis Citywide Pedestrian Master Plan on: Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Presentation at 6 p.m. Minneapolis Central Library 300 Nicollet Mall Please attend and help us spread the word. More information is available here .

I am concerned by the reports of the incident Monday night in which Minneapolis police officers detained three out-of-town journalists/videographers and confiscated personal possessions including two video cameras, two still cameras, two cellphones, notebooks, fliers, a backpack full of clothing and other personal effects, and even allegedly some cash. However, I’m very pleased to say that after the media attention (see here , here , here , here and here ) and my inquiries, the journalists’ property has been returned to them today. I have heard from the MPD administration that these journalists were detained on suspicion of trespassing on railroad property, and that the personal belongings of these journalists were “held pending review by the Joint Terrorism Task Force.” The journalists have flatly denied that they set foot on railroad land. There are several reasons that I suspect they are telling the truth: - They claim to have been walking to the corner of 6th Ave NE and 27th St NE...

Mayor Rybak has presented his proposed 2009 budget to the Council. I'm thrilled about some of the priorities he has set forth: Welcome new investments in infrastructure. RT is proposing $27.5 million in new transportation infrastructure spending, enough to repave or repair more than one third of all the heavily-traveled streets and parkways maintained by the City of Minneapolis. This includes $2.1 million for the Hiawatha Bike Trail lighting and extension project in 2013, $2.2 million for the U of M bike trail from Bridge 9 to the Transitway through Dinkytown, and $2.1 million for the Riverlake Greenway in south Minneapolis. It also includes the first-ever dedicated bike infrastructure maintenance budget line, which will invest $100,000 per year into keeping our off-street trails and on-street lanes in good condition. Continued attention to preventing youth violence. The budget includes $75,000 in one time funding for implementing our Youth Violence Prevention Action Plan. The ...

From the Star Tribune : Concerns about the strength of the pedestrian portion of the Washington Avenue bridge -- the distinctive double-decked span over the Mississippi River that connects the East and West Banks of the University of Minnesota campus -- have prompted Hennepin County to limit where bikes and pedestrians are allowed on the bridge's upper level. Pedestrians and cyclists will be limited to the 'breezeway,' the sheltered semi-indoor space at the center of the bridge. With the high ped/bike volumes on the bridge, it will be pretty congested until the County finishes its work, hopefully by next spring or early summer. While the U is looking into possibilities for keeping a bike facility on the bridge, it may be helpful for as many cyclists as possible to use Bridge 9 to get from the East Bank to the West Bank. This unexpected closure emphasizes the need I see to build more redundancy into our non-motorized infrastructure network, an often overlooked benefit of new...

From time to time, the Minneapolis Police Department puts out a reminder about the curfews for kids in Minneapolis. Curfew is an important tool for preventing youth violence, and ensuring that children get the sleep they need to do well in school. Make sure your kids are in by the following times: Under 12 Weekdays: Home by 9:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday: Home by 10:00 p.m. 12 to 14 Weekdays: Home by 10:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday: Home by 11:00 p.m. 15 to 17 Weekdays: Home by 11:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday: Home by Midnight

Today I got Council approval for a development moratorium in the University District neighborhoods (Marcy Holmes, Prospect Park, Southeast Como and Cedar Riverside). The moratorium prohibits demolition of single family homes, duplexes and triplexes, and also bars new construction of 1-4 unit residential developments. However, projects that wish to be exempted from the moratorium may apply to the City's Zoning and Planning Committee. The purpose of the moratorium is to give City Planning staff the space to work with the University District Partnership Alliance and the neighborhoods on a study to address land use and development concerns in the University district, including parking, occupancy, design standards, zoning, inspections and the development review process. The moratorium will ensure that property owners do not make major changes while the study is being completed. While the moratorium takes effect immediately, the matter is now referred to the Zoning and Planning Committ...

At today's Council meeting, I moved to nominate the Prospect Park neighborhood for local historic designation. The City's Planning staff have been directed to bring this nomination forward to the City's Heritage Preservation Commission ( HPC ) by September 16. If the HPC approves the nomination, the neighborhood will be granted interim historic preservation, which will stay in place until a final decision by the neighborhood and the City's Planning Department about whether to put in place the historic district, what the boundaries will be, and what specific protections will be included. Interim protections will cover all external alterations to buildings and accessory structures (like garages). This includes demolitions, additions, renovations and other improvements to properties are considered to be contributing properties to the district. Basically, if property owners want to tear down a house or put on a new porch, they'll have to bring their plans through HPC ....

This next Saturday, August 16, Gardenworks will host the 3rd Annual Parade of Community Gardens from 10am-2pm, all over Minneapolis. Be sure to check out the community gardens in the Second Ward: - 5th Street Community Garden , 1800 block of 5th St S. - Accord Garden , 15th Ave SE and Como Ave SE - Cedar Highrise Gardens , 630 Cedar Ave S - Glendale Children's Garden , 92 St. Mary's Ave SE - O.W.L.S Community Garden , behind 819 Weeks Ave SE - Seward Youth Peace Garden , 2309 28th Ave S (Seward Montessori School) - Van Cleve Park "Green Thumb" Cutting Garden , 15th Ave SE and Como Ave SE

Please join me Saturday, August 16 , at Bohemian Flats Day at Riverside Park. This is a celebration of the immigrant community that existed in Bohemian Flats in the early history of Minneapolis, and the Cedar Riverside neighborhood’s broader history as a first stop for successive waves of immigrants to Minneapolis.

The City’s new Bike Walk Ambassadors invite you to a Bike Walk Celebration on Sunday, August 17th , from 1-3pm at the park along Historic Saint Anthony Main Street. Meet the Bike Walk Ambassadors and Youth Ambassadors! See bikes for all ages, ability levels, and needs! Gather resources for walking as transportation and Safe Routes to Schools! Bring your family and friends and help launch our new effort to increase biking and walking in Minneapolis and its adjoining communities through education, outreach and encouragement.

Save paper and money on postage by signing up to receive your utility bills online! Just go here , then fill out the form on the back of your next billing stub and mail it in with your payment. If all Minneapolis utility customers signed up for electronic billing, each year the City would safe 44 tons of wood (equal to 302 trees) and enough energy to power seven homes. It’s also a great way for us to make your tax dollars go further.