Last spring, city golf courses opened March 7. This year we still have a lot of snow on April 20.

Thanks to Blaine and City Manager Clark Arneson for hosting the April Operating Committee.

We welcomed Dayton City Administrator Tina Goodroad to her first meeting. We learned Ramsey Mayor Sarah Strommen is resigning because of relocation to Plymouth.  We also announced Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures (a.k.a. Grand Casino) is joining NMMA as a Community Partner. At a future meeting, we’ll get you introduced to their far-reaching business enterprises, including hotels in the Twin Cities and services.

New Hope City Manager Kirk McDonald distributed dividend checks to cities that purchased Hirshfield’s field marking paint last year through our North American Joint Purchasing Program. New this year is a third choice in paint quality levels. Call me to get connected, and you’ll get a dividend check next year.

Legislative update—Six support letters have been completed as of today, touching fiscal disparities, New Hope’s regional 50-meter pool, the North Metro Law Enforcement Training Facility in Maple Grove, landfill clean up in Andover, and transportation projects including Hwy 169/101^st Ave and completion of 610/94. We initiated new letters of support for Brockton and elections items.

The constitutional amendment for transportation (SF 3837) was discussed. It was decided to move the item through the regular review process for inclusion in the next legislative work plan.

One of our themes this year is reviewing the scope of NMMA work. This week, the group did a pulse check on a list of policies and programs we cover. There was one item all agreed could be pulled off the list—invasive water species. Otherwise, we left with a better understanding of our positions, mostly in agreement and sometimes with variations, on finances, governance, transportation, economic development, environment, regional assets, elections, and programs like Community Partners and NAJPP.

 

Next Meetings May 16

The Operating Committee has an extra meeting this year to work on the budget. It’s Wednesday, May 16, 11:30 a.m. in Ramsey.

The Board also meets Wednesday, May 16, 5:30 p.m., in Maple Grove. Come with your questions about public engagement and technology. We’ll have Nick Mastronaldi, CEO of Polco, a new civic engagement online tool. His background includes being an Air Force officer, Econ professor, presidential policy analyst, and Amazon data scientist. Come hungry. City Administrator Heidi Nelson says we’re having Portillos.

Feedback? Questions? Call me any time. Jill

Commitment. Vision.  Persistence. Collaboration. Innovation. Dedication. Intelligence. Service.

These are the words that come to mind as I review the photos and discussions from this week’s Day at the Capitol. Building relationships with our legislators is key to accomplishing our work plan. On Wednesday, each city brought a passion, not only for the needs within their city limits, but for their neighbors’ concerns, too. That message was demonstrated with visits to every delegation legislator available by groups representing as many as three cities at a time.

I tip my hat to you. With everything on your plate, you keep giving your time and your talents to be a champion of the North Metro.  Thank you, to the mayors, city councilmembers, legislators, and staff.

Let’s think spring. The board passed the Hirshfield’s contract that adds a third level of field marking paint, all made locally. Contact Dave Myers at 612-719-9319 or HPMorders@hirshfields.com. Soccer and baseball are coming up fast!

As always, I’m interested in your feedback. Thanks.

Jill Brown, Executive Director

Cell: 612-889-2611

Email: JillCBrown@msn.com

Have you heard? Coon Rapids Mayor Jerry Koch is putting his mother under a bridge.

That’s the joke circulating around town, now that the Hanson Blvd. overpass is getting underway—thanks to bonding success in the last legislative session. Mayor Koch’s mother lives in the shadow of the new bridge.  Good news, she can provide daily construction updates.

Thanks to Coon Rapids City Manager Matt Stemwedel for hosting the February Operating Committee meeting. Matt provided a quick update on a variety of things happening in Coon Rapids, including three new car dealerships, redevelopment in shopping centers, and expansions at Mercy Hospital and RMS. Bunker Hills, the city owned golf course and event facility, turns 50 this year.

A new North American Joint Purchasing Program contract with Hirshfield’s for field marking paint was reviewed and forwarded to the March 7 Board meeting for action. Prices are going up slightly from the 2011 public bid and a third choice for paint quality is being added.

A review of the Feb.9 Olympic Viewing and Spotlight on Sports in the North Metro showed phenomenal turnout and city participation. A photo of the Olympians in attendance is provided. And, here’s a quick event recap in a news story by CTN. Thank you to everyone who participated. A special shout out to event sponsor Comcast, who also presented checks to two local nonprofits, Loaves and Fishes and Champlin Youth Hockey.

One of our themes this year is reviewing the scope of NMMA work. A SWOT exercise at the meeting showed continued commitment to the association’s efforts. Ongoing conversations will get into the finer details of how we channel our energy into specific policy areas.

 

Next Meeting March 7

The next meeting is our Day at the Capitol, March 7. Following meetings with legislators, we’ll hold a Board meeting at the League of Minnesota Cities from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Note the date and time change! Owen is contacting members to set up appointments with legislators.

Feedback? Questions? Call me any time. Jill

Jill Brown, Executive Director

JillCBrown@msn.com

Cell: 612-889-2611

Champlin, our wonderful host for the first North Metro Mayors Association Board meeting of 2018, is a hidden gem. According to Mayor Ryan Karasek, they’re polishing the gem to make it shine.

A new PSA that promotes Champlin pride is running on 14 movie screens before every movie at the Mann Theater in town. There is a lot to be proud of, with $129 million in investments currently happening in housing, transportation, recreation, and more.

Speaking of recreation

See the attached invite to a special event, Feb. 9, 6 to 8:30 p.m. (or so), Sticks and Stones Restaurant, inside Fogerty Arena, Blaine. We’re working with Comcast to offer a Winter Olympics opening ceremony viewing event and spotlight on sports in the north metro.  Please share the invite with your colleagues. The event is free! Keynote is Jordan Leopold, former MN Wild hockey player and U.S. Olympian. Southern BBQ is on the menu. Info on cool recreational facilities in the north metro will be shared (and bragged about).

A few highlights from member cities shared at the meeting

Ramsey is working with University of MN students on community building. Open house poster session Tuesday at city hall. Ride the Northstar train from Ramsey to Super Bowl events.

Maple Grove is hosting Wonders of Winter around the big game. State Fair style bussing to downtown Minneapolis available for $2.50.

Mounds View has a new city administrator, Nyle Zikmund. Welcome! Their public works building is done.

Coon Rapids has bids coming in next week for the Hanson bridge project. It’s the 50^th anniversary of Bunker Hills Golf Course.

Blaine had 15,000 building permits related to storm damage. Eight building inspectors are hustling.

Brooklyn Park received more funds for their highway 169 project; about $13-14 million to go.

Brooklyn Center is gearing up to interview developers for the large piece of land off of John Martin Dr. and Bass Lake Road.

New Hope broke ground Jan. 5 on their new police station and city hall.

Something new came up that is of interest to probably all members. Brooklyn Center is partnering with CEAP and Luther Auto to bring a program idea from Albuquerque, New Mexico to address the needs of people on street corners asking for money. Safety, work for the day and more are taken into account. The program rolls out in the spring.

See you Feb. 9 at the Olympic Training Site for Curling—Fogerty Arena.

As always, your thoughts are welcome. Call me any time, 612-889-2611. Thanks.

Jill Brown, Executive Director

“Serving today, shaping tomorrow” isn’t just a slogan at Maple Grove. At the Operating Committee meeting this week, held in Maple Grove, City Administrator Heidi Nelson shared a few ways the council is delivering on that idea. In 2017, the city added 606 units of housing (249 building permits). Several industrial/office/retail projects are in the works. The recently passed 2018 city budget includes more resources for police investigations and parks and rec.

A good dialogue was had between Heidi and her counterparts in the North Metro. One topic was Highway 610, both the need to finish the road connections and the potential for development in the different quadrants of 610 and 94. Since 610 connected to Highway 94 this year, congestion on both has gotten worse. “Hot mess express” is the new catch phrase. It’s no wonder transportation continues to be an NMMA top regional issue at the Capitol.

The meeting schedule for 2018 is below. Thanks to the hosts! And, thanks to Maple Grove for hosting the final Operating Committee meeting of 2017.

Happy holidays to our cities, legislative delegation, Community Partners, and friends. Special thanks to Pearl sponsors, Comcast and Financial One, for making our 30^th anniversary special. The celebration continues in 2018!

Jill Brown, Executive Director

Cell: 612-889-2611

Email: JillCBrown@msn.com

 

Board of Directors 2018 Meeting Schedule

Wednesday, Jan. 17, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Champlin Ice Forum

Wednesday, March 7, time TBD, Day at the Capitol (March 21 removed from calendar)

Wednesday, May 16, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Maple Grove

Wednesday, Sept. 19, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Coon Rapids

Wednesday, Nov. 14 (moved up one week due to Thanksgiving), 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Brooklyn Park

 

Operating Committee 2018 Meeting Schedule

Wednesday, Feb. 21, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Coon Rapids

Wednesday, April 18, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Blaine

Wednesday, May 16, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ramsey

Wednesday, June 20, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Andover

Wednesday, Oct. 17, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., New Hope

Wednesday, Dec. 19, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Circle Pines