On the Point

Thank you to all those who have sacrificed, and continue to serve in defense of our inalienable human rights.

I appreciate the concern that the previous comments voice. It is not without a great deal of thought and humility that the mechanism by which we hold elections is modified. Although the city overwhelmingly voted for the amendment, it does not go without notice that it was not a unanimous vote. It is my belief that I owe those that did not vote for this action, as well as those that did not vote for me in the election a year ago, the same respect and consideration as those who did. I will serve the additional year of my term with with the gravity and sense of responsibility that it derserves. 

In my opinion the move to a even year cycle, is a net positive for the city. The first benefit is the obvious reduction in cost to the city. I tend to believe that the actual cost savings are probably a bit less than the $15,000 dollar amount that gets thrown around, but I think that we have conversely underestimated the savings in staff’s time dedicated to the administration of municipal elections. I don’t agree, nor do I believe I have ever said, that the elections are a ‘wasted expense’. Rather, the impetus for this change was to make the process better and more efficient.

The example of the fiberglass animals, I would contend, does more to refute your claims of government waste and of unchecked power run amok. The fact is that the animals were funded primarily by two sources: a state transit grant and private donations. There were some direct costs to the city, mostly in the form of labor, that were minimal. I would also submit that the council stood in opposition to some of the processes by which the project came about. Without putting word’s in the Mayor’s mouth, I would assert that he would not agree with the idea that the council simply allowed him to do what he wanted, most likely the opposite is true.

Back to the election… We also have to remember that these decisions do not exist in a moral vacuum, and must be made in a pragmatic way for the benefit of the community. The extension of terms, voted on by the citizens of East Grand Forks, while arguably not the ideal path, can be offset by an increased voter turnout in future elections. The Ward 1 voter increase from last year’s election was about 30%, which is a great sign for continuing electoral participation.

The Poor Voter on Election Day 

The proudest now is but my peer,

The highest not more high;

Today, of all the weary year,

A king of men am I.

Today, alike the great and small,

The nameless and the known;

My palace is the people’s hall,

The ballot-box my throne!

Who serves today upon the list

Beside the served shall stand;

Alike the brown and wrinkled fist,

The gloved and dainty hand!

The rich is level with the poor,

The weak is strong today;

And sleekest broadcloth counts know more

The homespun frock of gray.

Today let pomp and vain pretense

My stubborn right abide;

I set a plain man’s common sense

Against the pendant’s pride.

Today shall simple manhood try

The strengthen of gold and land;

The wide world has not wealth to buy

The power in my right hand!

While there’s grief to set redress,

Or balance to adjust,

Where weighs our living manhood less

Than Mammon’s vilest dust-

While there’s a right to need my vote,

A wrong to sweep away,

Up! clouted knee and ragged coat!

A man’s a man today!

The following are a few facts from which we can begin our budget analysis:

• We have been operating under the assumption that our general fund reserves are in good shape (42%) as reccomended by the MN State Auditor (38% – 50%) at of the end of 2007. We assume that that fund will be at roughly the same level at the completion of the 2008 fiscal year.
• Our estimated share of Local Government Aid for 2009 will be $3,113,000, which is a $165,000 (5.6%) increase over the 2008 amount. Tied to that increase is the State mandated property tax levy increase limit of $109,672 (4%).
• Major projected expenditures include:

• Summary of projected expenditures by objective and type:

• Summary of projected revenue sources:

• The preliminary budget deficit as of today is approximately $162,000.

With these figures in mind, it is my goal, and I believe that of the Council, to maintain an adequate fund reserve, ensure that our capital maintenence funding is at par with need, and that we do not incur deficit spending.

2009 Budgeting Process

The Council has just begun the formal budgeting process for 2009, and will continue to have open work sessions focused on budgeting with the following schedule:

Wednesday, October 29: Water & Light, Police, Fire, Capital Improvements

Wednesday, November 5: Parks & Recreation, Library, EDHA, Administration & Finance

Thursday, November 10: Resolution Introduction

Tuesday, November 18: Resolution Adoption

All meetings will be held at 5:00pm in the City Hall Training Room with the Exception of the November 18th Regular Meeting which will be held at 5:00pm in the Council Chambers.

The agenda for tonight’s work session can be found here:

http://www.eastgrandforks.net/council/packet/081208/packet.pdf

A couple of the meatier topics to be discussed include:

• Agenda Item No. 4. We will be going over how best to allocate the money that we get for our Municipal State Aid Roads. This is money disbursed by the State to build, rebuild, or maintain our dedicated State Aid System. In doing this we will also be looking at how to best expand the system. Because of city growth and removal of some roads from the system, we currently have a surplus of useable miles to be added to our system. The current proposal would add the loop Rhinehart Dr., (from Bygland Rd. to Greenway Blvd.); Greenway Blvd./13th St. SE, (from Rhinehart Dr. to 17th Ave. SE); 17th Ave. SE, (from 13th Ave. SE to 10th St. SE); 10th St. SE, (from 17th Ave SE. to James Ave.); and James Ave., (from 10th St. SE to Bygland Rd.)
• We will also begin to look at the budget for 2009.

I agree with Jay, greenglass, and EGF Mike, that the Go-Kart Track/Amusement Area idea may fit in nicely with the other businesses in EGF. I will look into this further and see what possibilities there are.

What other types of business do you see complimenting East Grand Forks?

Thank you Dan, Ron and EGFMom for your questions and concerns regarding sidewalks and trails on the Point. The completion of the the remaining bike trail over the Hartsville Coulee is estimated to be the end of September. The reason for the deliberate pace in that area is to ensure that the levee there will not slump. I too anticipate that that trail will be a great addition to the system, but it would be a shame if we rushed to finish only to have the integrity of our flood protection system compromised.

The "Safe Routes to Schools" path on the East side of Bygland Rd. from 6th St. to 13th St., is ready for construction. I would imagine that the contractor will begin sometime next week. The same contractor that is finishing the 13 St. project will also be doing the sidewalk along Bygland, so I am sure that as the first one is completed the second will begin. As for when 13th Ave. will be completed, it looks as if the fine grading and seeding will be taking place soon and after that the road should be opened.

As for sidewalks in general, I am in favor of them. I think that they provide a much safer place for pedestrians and bicyclists, and they may make us a little more inclined to get acquainted with our neighbors. The prohibiting factor is almost always cost, and who is responsible for the maintenance of the sidewalks. I am underaware of the specific history involving the 19th Ave. area. I will look into that issue more in the next couple of weeks.

Sorry for neglecting this site. I was away attending the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities meetings in Mankato, and did not keep up with my postings. Thankfully some of you have kept active in my absence, which is part of my hope for this blog, that you engage each other as well as me. I do intend to get back to your questions and comments, in a timely manner. The problem with being away is that you spend twice as much time preparing beforehand, and three times as much effort trying to catch up once you get back. I can only ask for your patience.

Tonight’s meeting was a lengthy one, covering a wide variety of subjects. the agenda can be found here:

http://www.eastgrandforks.net/council/packet/080508/packet

The highlights included a hearing to discuss the proposed utility and paving projects on 17th Ave SE; we voted to approve an ordinance to move the city’s elections from odd-numbered to even-numbered years, and place it on the ballot this november for city wide vote; we approved the LELS Union Contract for 2008 and 2009; and we approved a new Recreation Supervisor position in the Parks and Recrecreation Dept.

If you have any questions or comments on these issues or any others please feel free to comment below.

Tell me what’s on your mind…