December 20th Council Update

The City Council tonight discussed a number of different issues. I will comment on the Central Business District (CBD), school speed zones and the final city budget.

The final Public Hearing was held tonight regarding the CBD Revitalization. The City Council voted unanimously to create the Tax Increment Financing District No. 9. This financial tool will help bring a rebirth of our Main Street businesses. It is important to not forget about Main Street as we develop east of 65.

The Council voted to pass three separate school speed zones. These zones will go into effect when all levels of government give their approval. The zones include the Middle School, Elementary School and the new Intermediate School. The speeds will be reduced to 20 m/h during specified times Monday through Friday. I hope these zones will reduce accidents and give drivers further warnings that they are driving in the presence of children.

The 2006 City Budget was passed tonight on a 3-2 vote. I voted against this budget. We have a budget that includes over 30% of new spending. This includes the infamous $54,000 Administrative Assistant.

I once again argued for an addition of a Police Officer starting in July of 2006. This officer would start just as the new school east of 65 would start operations. This would also coincide with the residential and commercial development. Isanti has added only 2 new police positions in over a decade. This decade has seen an explosion of residential growth in the city. I shared the following statistics from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension with the Council comparing 2004 to 2003. Isanti County Population increased by 7%, Serious crime had a 22% increase. Vehicle theft was up 56%, Burglary increased 66% and Narcotics by 24%.

This is just a one year change. When the 2005 numbers are in I will share those with you. Isanti is expecting significant commercial growth in 2006. This adds a new dimension to policing. Our Police Department needs more help. We can not continue to expect top level protection when the Council decides an Administrative Assistant is more important than a safe city. Serious crime is on the rise. The decision not to include a new officer in this budget means 2007 is the earliest we can address this error of judgement. I asked Mayor Apitz, Council Members Johnson and Larson to consider these statistics before they approved the final budget. These three however preferred an administrative assistant to the needed police officer.