[Mpls] Park Agenda and Eloise Butler update

[Elizabeth Wielinski]

My limited understanding of the agenda process is that the President of 
the MPRB as well as the Superintendent ( with help of staff ) set the 
agenda for the regular meeting.  The chair of each committee ( 
Planning, Admin and Finance, Operations and Environment, Recreation, 
Legislative and Standards and Conduct) sets the committee agenda with 
staff.  If you are not a chair you can ask to have something brought 
before a committee but that is at the discretion of the chair.   The 
present chair of the Planning Committee is Commissioner Fine.  ( the 
website could certainly be more specific about this whole agenda 
procedure)

Most (but not all i.e. DeLaSalle)  projects follow a planning format   
http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=35   There is a 
chart you can click to see.  Many involve community meetings ( if your 
address is within 3 blocks of the project you should get mailed 
notification as well as your neighborhood association receiving 
something) and then a presentation before the planning committee with a 
chance for community input.  The date of the meeting is sent to those 
in the radius as well as anyone who attends one of the earlier 
meetings.    This was the process used for the St. Anthony Parkway Plan 
on tomorrow's agenda.  So watch your mail for those little colored 
postcards and if you are concerned about other projects around town try 
http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=33  This is the list 
of current projects and the contact person is listed.

Though there is a list of current projects, it would be nice to have a 
link to see what is coming down the pipeline so there are fewer of the 
"surprises" that create such havoc.  I know there is a list of sorts as 
Director Reitkirk  of the Planning Department was kind enough to let me 
know that the building in my park would not have any renovations until 
2007 at the earliest ( and I asked about that last year) and with 
funding being an issue that date was tentative at best.  What I found 
curious was how Solomon Park jumped into the list so quickly ahead of 
how many parks?  I know that some projects have to be coordinated with 
federal $$ ( like the Grand Rounds) but just because the MPRB traded 
some land and ended up with Solomon Park doesn't mean it should jump 
ahead of Jordan Park , whose delays Commissioner Olson mentions 
frequently.

The MPRB is not known for its transparency in operations, especially 
where budgeting and planning are concerned.   I am hoping that the 
folks running as reform candidates will do something about this after 
they are elected in November.  The MPRB gets a huge chunk of my 
property tax dollars and I would like more detailed information about 
how it is spent

Liz Wielinski
Columbia Park
( who got 2 postcards for the St. Anthony Parkway Plan at the MPRB 
tomorrow, one for resident and one to Liz who attended 2 of the 3 
meetings)


http://www.parkboardreform.org
http://www.mplsparkwatch.org