EDA

The EDA last night took the next step in the process to making Isanti's economic development goals a reality. The EDA appointed Council Member Duff EDA Board Member Miller and myself to a sub-committee along with three members to be named by the Chamber.

This group will be responsible for developing everything from the scope of services for a city Marketing Plan to helping recruit new businesses to our City. I am very excited about this process and look forward to working with the Chamber. Any questions please let me know.

george@georgewimmer.com or 763-444-7158

Repost of Arctic Plunge

My 2006 Plunge

I am again jumping at the Arctic Plunge. March 3rd 2007 at Long Lake. This is a great event and has raised tens of thousands of dollars for communty services.
Events:
9:00 am Helicopter Rides
*
10:00 am Vintage Snowmobile Races
Sponsored by the Long Lake Improvement Association
*
1:00 pm Old Fashioned Ice Cutting
by the Englund Family
*
2:00 pm Arctic Plunge

Two sets of bleachers are provided for plunge spectators. Isanti County Safety and Rescue is this years beneficiary.

For more information go to http://www.arcticplunge.com/index.htm

Federated Co-op Open House

Federated Co-op is holding an Open house February 28th at 3pm to 7pm. The new building on the corner of Highway 5 and Dahlin is an anchor of our Central Business District.

Main Street Closings

Two long term fixtures of Main Street are closing their doors. Mr. Pete's will be closing soon and Isanti Drug announced today that they will be closing their doors March 1st. I am personally sadden by these changes and the loss of services for our residents.

A positive is that a new book store will be opening in place of Mr. Pete's and I wish them well. As we get closer to their grand opening I will update you again.

With these losses and many others along Main Street, we are given even greater urgency to create a Main Street Strategic Plan. We must dedicate ourselves to succeeding in these difficult times.

Preschool Reading

I had the privilege of reading to a couple preschool classes this past week. I choose to read Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss. It is an excellent story and highly suggest everyone read it. One of the great works of political thought in Dr. Seuss style.

Senator Klobuchar Visit

We just had the privilege of hosting Senator Klobuchar at Isanti City Hall this afternoon. She spent time answering citizen questions and explaining what she has been doing the last few months.

I presented her with a City pin and cup and as Park and Recreation Chair I gave her a Frisbee to remember us by and invited her to come back again. I hope that we will be able to host all our elected leaders so they too may interact with our Citizens.

Council Action

I have received numerous questions about tonight's disciplinary action. I thought it best to answer the questions here by simply stating the facts of the meeting. Only a few members of the audience were left but word does seem to spread fast in Isanti.

Tonight’s meeting dealt with one of the toughest issues a Council faces, disciplining one of its own members. I thought it best to relay the events and the process that brought us to tonight’s closed session then open session and the actions that were taken.

As Mayor, one of my duties is to sign off on all checks issued by the city. I take these responsibilities very seriously and have asked to receive more detailed information on each expense request than has historical been done.

On February 1st I was going through this process and came upon a mileage reimbursement request from Council Member Larson. The mileage was for League of Minnesota training at Sugar Lake Lodge just south of Grand Rapids. I knew she did not actually drive and therefore did not incur this mileage cost. I asked staff to pull the written request to verify there was no mistake. The mileage for a round trip to Sugar Lake Lodge and back was indeed requested. Council Member Larson actually only drove to Cambridge and rode with a Cambridge Council Member to Sugar Lake and back again.

I denied the requested reimbursement and contacted the City Attorney and referred the matter to the Personnel Committee. The Personnel Committee recommended that the full City Council take this matter up and by state law this has to start in a closed session. We discussed the matter at length in close session and then opened back up into open session. Council Member Larson requested the full amount as if she drove. There was no cost savings to the city by her sharing a ride. She also asked for the reimbursement to be paid to her...no one else. I stated the finding of fact that an erroneous reimbursement request was requested by Council Member Larson for mileage she did not drive and disciplinary action was needed. This finding of fact was the basis for the next two actions.

Council Member Larson was admonished for this behavior and she was removed from her position on the City’s Finance Committee and she was removed from her position as Mayor Pro-tem. The Mayor Pro-tem fulfills all the duties of the Mayor including signing of documents if for some reason I was not available, this could include signing checks. The belief was to remove Council Member Larson from these direct financial responsibilities. Taking Council assignments away is the most severe action the Council can take. A Council can not remove one of its members except for very specific offenses or felony convictions.

The disciplinary actions taken tonight were unanimous. Public trust is paramount at any level of government. We must guarantee this never happens again and that the public trust is vigorously protected. I hope that the actions taken tonight will ensure the highest standard of conduct.

Any questions please let me know..... george@georgewimmer.com or 444-7158

Working Together

I have been working on ways to improve the communication lines between Isanti County, surrounding townships and our City. As a first step in this process I sent a letter inviting each County Commissioner, County Planning Commission Chair and the Townships of Isanti and Athens to participate in the City of Isanti's Comprehensive Plan process. I have met with a few of the County Commisioners and hope to meet with all five. I am also looking forward to meeting with township leaders as we map out our future.

We are all part of the same community. As the municipalities grow and put pressure on the individual townships we need to have a plan that allows for proper growth but also protects the interest of our neighbors. The only way to succeed is through intergovernmental cooperation.

The issues of the past must be left in the past. I pledge to always be open to the comments and concerns of my friends and neighbors no matter what side of the City line they live on. We are on the verge of an exciting new era. The decisions we make today will last for generations to come. Lets us work together to create an Isanti County that has Cities and Townships that work together and live in harmony.

Arctic Plunge

My 2006 Plunge

I am again jumping at the Arctic Plunge. March 3rd 2007 at Long Lake. This is a great event and has raised tens of thousands of dollars for communty services.

Events:

9:00 am Helicopter Rides

*

*

10:00 am Vintage Snowmobile Races

Sponsored by the Long Lake Improvement Association

*

*

1:00 pm Old Fashioned Ice Cutting

by the Englund Family

*

*

2:00 pm Arctic Plunge

Two sets of bleachers are provided for plunge spectators. Isanti County Safety and Rescue is this years beneficiary.

For more information go to http://www.arcticplunge.com/index.htm

Thank you

I want to thank everyone for the cards and e-mails for my b-day today

Council February 6th Update

A few actions of note by the City Council at the February 6th meeting were: agreed to close a portion of Main Street for Jubilee Days, awarded RFP for Liquor Store improvement, established sidewalk cleaning process, toughened nuisance abatement process, declared a vacancy on the planning commission and started the water treatment plant process.

The Isanti Area Chamber of Commerce which sponsors Jubilee Days has asked that the City close Main Street from 2nd to just short of the rail road tracks. This will allow a fair to set-up in this area. I think this is a great idea. It will bring attention to Main Street. We added the stipulations that public works signs off on the rides not damaging the street and proof of insurance.

The municipal liquor store project will begin its design phase. The intent is to expand the current facility. A note to those not aware what a municipal liquor store is, it is operated by the city. The benefit to the City is that the store profits help offset cost to the taxpayer.

The Council agreed to step up enforcement of current City ordinance pertaining to cleaning sidewalks within 48 hours. This has been given a time delay to allow for publication in the City newsletter, the Isantian, of a City sidewalk map showing what the city clears.

The proposed resolution to toughen the current standard for enforcing nuisance passed as well. This process lays out a 14 day period to clean up a verified nuisance then the police are brought into the process if a ticket is needed to be written. This gives City staff clear direction to enforce current City ordinances and adds teeth to the process if a property owner chooses to violate city ordinances.

The council declared a vacancy on the Planning Commission. This happen since Jeff Kolb and Planning Commission member was appointed to the City Council. If you have an interest in serving, contact City Hall for an application.

We directed the Public Works Committee to work with the City Engineer to start the 4 year water treatment plant process. We will be verifying the type of plant…will likely be a green sand filtration facility, and starting the low interest loan and grant applications process. It is a long process from start to treated water but we need to begin now so we can fulfill this need. The plant will treat for radium, iron and manganese. I will keep you update at each step of the process.

All of these passed with a 5-0 vote.

Abatement Issue

The proposed tougher nuisance abatement will be discussed at tonight's Council meeting. 7pm Isanti City Hall. Please attend if you want your voice heard.

Pedestrian Bridge Project

I will not have office hours on Monday February 5th. I will be representing the City of Isanti at the ECRDC TAC Board (East Central Regional Development Commission Transportation Advisory Committee). I will be presenting the Pedestrian Bridge project along with the City Engineer.