[Mpls] It seems history is -- well, it's history!

[Christine Viken]

If you can wade through this, you deserve a medal for civic responsibility
and ability to focus above and beyond that of most mortals.

But you also get a view of your Park Board at work in its inimitable
fashion. It's the story of a little citizen advisory committee to be formed
to "review all aspects" of the proposal for a DeLaSalle stadium on Nicollet
Island.

History on Nicollet Island? Seems it's now history.

Green space? Think synthetic turf.

Football and Soccer? Now you're talkin'.

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From: Christine Viken <c1900 at sihope.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 16:33:36 -0400
To: <jrietkerk at minneapolisparks.org>
Subject: CAC composition policy


Mr. Judd Rietkerk  
Director
Project Planning and Construction Management
Minneapolis Park and Recreation
    
Mr. Rietkerk,

Thank you for the Advisory Committee material you promptly supplied today in
response to my request.

The type starred was the Citywide Comprehensive Committee, so unless I hear
differently, I'll assume that is the form the Nicollet Island/DeLaSalle
Citizens' Advisory Committee (CAC) will follow.

With regard to the committee composition, I need information regarding the
following points:

1 - Who had input and who had the final decision on the categories composing
the CAC regarding the Nicollet Island/DeLaSalle Athletic Field, i.e. if
staff members, please identify which staff personnel?

2 - How are representation for the specific categories "Business Owners (1)"
and "Special Interest Groups (2 alloted -- identified as  a. Football and
b. Soccer)" to be  filled?

3 - If appointees of a business owner and the Football and Soccer Special
Interest Groups identified in #2 are chosen by staff, please identify the
criteria used and staff members involved in the process.

4 - Please explain the rationale for identifying Football and Soccer as the
two SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS to the exclusion of ENVIRONMENTAL/NATURE
CONSERVANCY and HISTORY CONCERNS in structuring a CAC for a Regional Open
Space Park which is located in a National, Regional and Locally designated
Historic District?

5 - Who developed the rationale used to determine #4?

7 - What is the appeal process to challenge the decision that determined the
selection and/or inclusions under "Special Interest" categories?

8 - What was the rationale for including a County Commissioner's appointment
to the CAC? (City Council Members and the Mayor are listed as making
appointments to the CAC, "particularly when the project involves regional
parks," as this does. In contrast, County Commissioner is not listed on page
4-4 of MPRB General Operating Procedures -2/99 as one who may appoint
individuals to the CAC.)

8 - What is the appeal process to challenge Categories selected to appoint
members of this Citizen Advisory Committee, i.e., inclusion of an
appointment not listed in Policies statements?

According to PB11.1 Citizens Advisory Committee, "The citizen advisory
committee shall be balanced and representative of the interests impacted by
the proposed park facility construction or redevelopment."

With that in mind, there appear to be some ommissions in areas needed to
balance and represent interests impacted.

If historical and natural resources are not considered "special interests,"
please provide a definition of what basis or determination constitutes
"special interests."

This holds special significance in light of the language starred in the
Policies page you supplied regarding CACs: (Pg.3-35) "Its makeup should
represent citywide interests, and it should MAINTAIN A BROAD, HISTORICAL
PERSPECTIVE..."

This is the basis for the request of information on this specific appeals
process, which, unlike the appeal for the CAC recommendation, I can not find
spelled out in your handbook.

Considering the importance of this citizen input, plus the tight timeframe
that has been a goal for this process, I'm certain you will supply a
detailed and complete reply as quickly as possible.

To facilitate a speedy reply, an email response is fully acceptable.

Thank you for your cooperation in obtaining information that is so important
to guarantee that this Citizen Advisory Committee process moves forward with
unquestioned integrity.

Sincerely,

Christine Viken
1900 La Salle Avenue
Minneapolis, MN
Business owner