Finding a Green Way to Govern

Due to the historic snow storm last weekend - the fifth largest in Minneapolis history - the City has put winter parking restrictions into effect. The restrictions, also known as the "one side ban," went into effect this morning at 8am. The reason for these restrictions is that streets narrowed by snow and with parking on both sides can become difficult or even impassable for emergency vehicles. That's why Police Chief Tim Dolan and Public Works Director Steve Kotke – in consultation with Fire Chief Alex Jackson - made the decision to put the restrictions into effect. To avoid being ticketed and towed, do not park on the even side of non-Snow Emergency routes, except where specifically instructed by signage. Parking is allowed on both sides of Snow Emergency routes and parkways, and the odd side of non-Snow Emergency-routes, unless otherwise posted. Please also keep in mind that it is possible that Snow Emergencies can be declared while Winter Parking Restrictions are in ...

For the first time as Council Member, I voted against a budget. I do not take this vote lightly. In all past budgets, there have been things I would have liked to change and fights that I have lost. These issues have not been important enough for me to vote against the final budget. This year’s assault by the Mayor and Council majority on the already-allocated Neighborhood Revitalization Program Phase II funding is fundamentally different. I could not in good conscience vote for a budget that reneges on the commitments the Council has made over the years to neighborhoods. One we unanimously reaffirmed this June when we voted to allocate the full NRP Pahse II funding to our partners in neighborhoods. I am saddened that neighborhood organizations will no longer be able to rely on the commitments – or even the formal actions – of the Council majority. I am disappointed in my colleagues’ decision that will, in my strongly-held opinion, fundamentally damage both the capacity of neighborhood...

This week the Zoning and Planning Committee unanimously approved the application for an interim use permit for an overnight shelter located at 810 7th St. S. The shelter will be operated by First Covenant Church in cooperation with the Salvation Army and will provide 50 addition mats for single adults each night until April of 2011. While I wholeheartedly supported this action, I did so with regret. Clearly this is a situation we wanted to avoid. At the committee we learned that on a recent Monday night, the 364 sleeping spaces at one of our largest facilities were all full, but an additional 103 adults showed up looking for a place to spend the night. Even though there were no mats avaiable on the floor, they were not turned away, but had to squeeze into hallways, corners and corridors. If the full Council approves this next Firday, it will be the first new overnight shelter the Council has approved since the late 1990s and shows the serious level of economic suffering that the p...

Three Second Ward residents are joining Minneapolis advisory commissions this month: Bill O'Connor and Jonna Kosalko are joining the Minneapolis Arts Commission and Ginny Lackovic is joining the Heritage Preservation Commission. Thanks to you all for your willingness to volunteer your time to make Minneapolis a better place, and welcome!