Things you learn at a North Metro Mayors Board meeting

Secretary of State Steve Simon was our guest speaker at the September board meeting, hosted by Maple Grove. We learned the presidential nominating primary for 2020 is expected to cost $12 million statewide. Cities will “not get left holding the bag,” Simon said. They will get reimbursed expenses.

Absentee voting begins Jan. 17, 2020. The presidential nominating primary is on March 3. Watch for community outreach this fall to inform voters of changes in this election.

For the first time, voters in the presidential primary will need to ask for a Republican or Democrat ballot. This is not the case for any other elections. Your choice will be recorded and shared with the parties. This was mandated by the parties, who threatened to not allow any Minnesota delegates to the national convention if we didn’t comply. At first, the Legislature went one step further and made that information public data. Simon and others lobbied to peel that back. Now, only the parties will get your voting information.

Counties attended a training last week. Stay tuned for details on city training opportunities. Several members expressed concern over the impact on city staff caused by an extra election in the winter. This new one will have the potential challenge of people voting early and changing their minds because their candidate withdraws.

Members shared NMMA’s legislative work plan item on elections. Our goal is to have early voting opportunities that create administrative and financial efficiencies for local governments. Enhancements to voting by mail is one option. Simon was receptive.

A Few City Highlights

Ramsey has final designs done for important sections of Highway 10.

Spring Lake Park this week swore in Robert Nelson as the new mayor and Lisa Dircks as councilwoman. Welcome, Lisa, as the alternate to NMMA. I’m glad you were able to attend the meeting.

Blaine also has a new face. Welcome, Michelle Wolfe, the new city manager.

Andover is seeing progress on the landfill cleanup project.

Mounds View set fire to the old Skyline Motel. On purpose. It’s gone!

Welcome, Fridley, to NMMA! The vote was taken to add the city to the association. Fridley is seeing lots of construction. Note—The amended joint powers agreement, voted on at the meeting, will be sent out with instructions for city council action.

Champlin has 400 years of history at the intersection of the Rum and Mississippi Rivers. A bonding request of $6 million will help recreate the gathering place. We learned Mayor Karasek has a green thumb! See photo.

Coon Rapids is building 130+ single family detached townhomes on the site of an old shopping center that has been empty for many, many years.

Brooklyn Park is making progress on an arts and technology center that is a partnership with schools, cities and the state college system.

New Hope made the move to the new city hall!

Dayton has a public hearing coming up on their first proposed franchise fees.

Thank you, Maple Grove, for hosting the Board. From Mayor Steffenson we learned several things, including the city is experiencing growth in the med-tech industry, on a global scale. Project 100, located next to the hospital, is 100 acres of land set for mixed development, including a hospital expansion. About $40 million is left to raise for the completion of 610. It would be ideal timing if 610 could be done when I-94 is being resurfaced from Maple Grove to Clearwater in 2019-2021. Fernbrook Fields opened in August. Mixed funding helped build the artificial turf complex for youth sports.

Welcome, Thad Ludwiczak, with Do-Good.biz, integrated communication services. We learned his company does mailings for cities. He’s a new resource for getting info on cost effective and timely mailings.

Bob Schlichte, Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, will keep us in the loop on the annual leadership training. Dates to be determined. If you’re interested in servant leadership, you’ll want to consider attending the two-day conference in Hinckley.

Networking

A new item came up in networking. The Builders Association issued a report in August that stipulates cities are overcharging for building permit fees. Matt Stemwedel connected us with Metro Cities, and they provided the attached memo and link for further information. Thanks, Patty Nauman and Metro Cities. https://www.housingaffordabilityinstitute.org/

Next Meetings

Oct. 16, 11:30 a.m., Ramsey, Operating Committee

Nov. 20, 5:30, p.m., New Hope, Board Meeting

As always, feel free to reach out any time with questions or suggestions. Thanks Jill.

Jill Brown, Executive Director

612-889-2611

Thank you to Dean Lotter and the City of New Brighton for hosting the June Operating Committee meeting for the North Metro Mayors Association. The renovated training room in the public safety center is great meeting space. The Police Chiefs Association is located in the building and uses the space to train folks from the region.

 

Speaking of the region, kudos to Northeast Bank, one of our esteemed Community Partners, for earning a Top Workplace award from the Star Tribune. I looked at a map of winner locations and was thrilled to see so many of our member cities are hosts to these rock stars.    https://topworkplaces.com/publication/startribune/

 

The meeting agenda included reviewing the amended joint powers agreement and bylaws. Those will come forward in the September board packet. All edits are housekeeping items. Preliminary dues and a 2020 budget were discussed. We’re holding the line on dues again for next year.

 

We heard from an Innovative Office Solutions’ representative, Scott Ravenscroft. If you aren’t using our North American Joint Purchasing Program to buy items for your office, facilities maintenance, breakroom, or marketing efforts, we should talk. Scott reports we’re on our way to growing the program 8-10% this year. We have the buying power of a company spending more than $1.5 million every year.

 

I like the IOS mission–response, relief, reduction.

 

Troy and Allie are getting started on the 2020 legislative work plan. The session begins Feb. 11. Troy and I would like to meet with each city this summer. We’ll reach out to set up something, or feel free to give me a call.

 

As usual, our city updates sparked discussions on emerging topics. Water and labor relations were two highlights of the conversations. More to come, I’m sure.

 

Enjoy our beautiful Minnesota summer. Meetings resume September 18 with the board in New Hope at their brand new city hall (move in is next week!).

 

As always, reach out any time with ideas. Thanks. Jill

 

Jill Brown, Executive Director

612-889-2611

Thank you, Coon Rapids Mayor Jerry Koch and City Manager Matt Stemwedel, for hosting the May North Metro Mayors Association Board meeting. Here are a few quick highlights:

Welcome Fridley! Mayor Scott Lund says his city is experiencing a growth spurt. The city hall campus (a $51 million endeavor) has housing on its perimeter that is selling like hotcakes.

The old BAE site on East River Road south of 694 is now called Northern Stacks. The old buildings had as many square feet as the IDS tower. The 4,000 employees who worked there at one point rode bicycles down the halls to get from end to the other. The new spaces are a mix of uses, including a brewery that’s in the works. Here’s something for you history buffs: Two smoke stacks still stand from World War II days and one has special stars on it only seen on battleships. The Navy gave the site the recognition for building battleship cannons for the war effort. Mayor Lund says that site is the only dry land honoree. The Navy is paying to manage contaminated soils. Mayor Lund says the current practice is to contain in place, not remove it. Paved parking lots make great caps.

We’re very pleased and honored to have Fridley at the table with us. A formal vote to add them will occur at the next board meeting. Also at that meeting, we’ll consider two updated organizational documents–bylaws and a joint powers agreement. Community Partner Tiffany Schmidt, of Abrams and Schmidt Attorneys at Law, did a fabulous job reviewing the documents for us. Thank you, Tiffany!

We heard a legislative update from Troy Olsen. There are no financial targets, yet. Leadership is in discussion. Troy is anticipated a short special session.

Jay Stroebel, city manager, Brooklyn Park, reported on the changes at Edinburgh Tiffany concurs the new caterer, D’Amico, is excellent. This month the city decided to move forward with city hall renovations.

Community Partner Mike Kaeding, Norhart, shared the Pioneer Press interviewed him for having one of the most technically advanced apartment buildings in the state Oh, what smart phones can do.

Start shopping for housewarming gifts. New Hope will move into their new city hall in a matter of weeks.

Community Partner John Connelly, Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce, shared materials on MnPass construction happening now on 35W. Thanks, John, for working with area businesses to help them navigate the project.

Mounds View City Administrator Nyle Zikmund says city hall is trying something new for the summer. Staff are able to work four 10-hour days and take Friday off. City hall will be closed to the public Fridays. A new employee retention benefit? Nyle hopes so.

It was a pleasure to have City Councilman Ryan Sabas represent Champlin. Lots of housing options coming online.

Coon Rapids City Manager Matt Stemwedel updated us on the city’s plans to turn East River Road into a full interchange on Hwy 610. Timing is good to tag onto the county’s work on Foley Blvd.

Thank you! Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.

Any thoughts or questions, call me any time.

Jill Brown, Executive Director
612-889-2611

Thank you to Brooklyn Park for hosting the November board meeting.

Crest View Senior Communities CEO Shirley Barnes (standing in the attached photo) provided insights on trends. For the second time in her career, she’s seeing a saturation of the market for senior housing and a workforce shortage on the horizon. Providers like Crest View are responding, partly by partnering with others in the community.

Rep. Erin Koegel reported on a Highway 47 safety audit released this week. She’s interested in more stakeholders coming to the table in a program called Toward Zero Deaths.

Troy Olsen reported we have seven changes in our legislative delegation for 2019. All will be invited to the January Board meeting.

Brooklyn Park City Councilwoman Lisa Jacobson provided an overview of what’s happening in town. It’s impressive. Jobs are growing faster than the state average. There’s interest in building a performing arts center at North Hennepin (on the proposed Blue Line). Maybe a bonding request in the future? D’Amico is taking over food service at the Edinburgh Golf Course Clubhouse in January.

New things I learned from city updates:

• Expect a four-hour wait at Top Golf in Brooklyn Center during peak periods.
• #NoStove or #NoOven is trending in Maple Grove because there are plenty of restaurant choices for those who don’t want to cook.
• Mounds View is working on a memorial park idea that would include recognition of two residents who died in the 35W bridge collapse.
• Ramsey celebrated the largest solar garden of its kind at a grand opening with Connexus.
• Dayton is hosting an open house for the Dayton Parkway Interchange (formerly Brockton Interchange) at Faithbrook Church, 14100 Elm Creek Road, Dayton, on Nov. 26, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

I hope you have the January Board meeting on your calendar. We’ll elect two new leaders (Mayor Jerry Koch and Mayor Ryan Karasek are headed for the ballot). We’ll thank outgoing leaders Mayor Kathi Hemken and Mayor Dave Bartholomay. We’ll hear from a panel of Community Partners. And, we’ll share our legislative work plan with legislators who can make it.

We start (and finish) an hour earlier, 4:30 p.m., on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, at the Ewald conference center, 1000 Westgate Dr., St. Paul.

Next month, the Operating Committee will meet Wednesday, Dec. 19, 11:30 a.m., in Circle Pines.

Happy Thanksgiving!

North Metro Mayors Minute for the October 2018 Operating Committee Meeting

Mayor Kathi Hemken will tell you the hardest part of operating construction equipment is getting in the cab while wearing shoes with heals. Knocking down a building to make room for a new city hall and police department in New Hope is a breeze.

Thank you, Mayor Hemken and City Manager Kirk McDonald, for hosting the Operating Committee last week. I enjoyed seeing the progress on your new campus, set to open in July.

Here are a few meeting agenda items you’ll hear about at the next North Metro Mayors Board of Directors meeting Nov. 14, 5:30 p.m., Brooklyn Park City Hall:

• Eight candidate forums are done. Questions from the audience were varied. Healthcare got the most questions.
• Troy Olsen will discuss the latest proposed 2019 legislative work plan. A few items were added since the last Board meeting.
• We’ll have new NMMA leadership in 2019. Mayor Hemken and Mayor Bartholomay have completed their two consecutive two-year terms allowed in the by-laws. We owe them a tremendous amount of thanks! I expect a vote at the January meeting, but names of volunteers will be presented Nov. 14.
• Meeting locations for 2019 were determined. Start times were adjusted on a couple to accommodate legislators’ schedules. Details are at the end of this update.

At our September board meeting, a few questions were raised, and observations were shared on the topic of senior housing. At the Nov.14 meeting, Crest View Senior Communities CEO Shirley Barnes will be on the top of the agenda to answers questions from you and offer her insights on what’s happening with senior housing in the north metro. Crest View has been a valued Community Partner for many years. I’m pleased to offer this connection to further the conversation.

See you at the polls Nov. 6 and in Brooklyn Park Nov. 14. As always, feel free to call or email with questions and suggestions. Thanks. J

Jill Brown, Executive Director

Cell: 612-889-2611

Email: JillCBrown@msn.com

2019 schedule:

Board:

Jan. 16, St. Paul (Ewald/capitol?), 4:30 – 6:30

March 20, Day at the Capitol, Board 3-5 p.m.

May 15, Coon Rapids, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Sept. 18, New Hope, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Nov. 20, Maple Grove, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Operating Committee, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Feb. 20, Blaine

April 17, Andover

June 19, New Brighton

Oct. 16, Ramsey

Dec. 18, Mounds View