2nd Interview for City Administrator

Monday August 29th the City Council will be conducting a second interview of Don Lorsung for the City Administrator position. Mr. Lorsung will be meeting all Department heads from 9:45 to 11:00. Mayor Apitz, City Clerk Bauer, City Attorney Joslin and I will be giving him a tour of the city at 11:15 to 12:15. This will be followed by a Public Meeting starting at 12:30 to conduct the second interview.

Planning Commission Reform

I have stated in the past that I will be working to reform Isanti's planning process. These reforms will include, but are not limited to, reviewing ordnances, establishing new criteria for tree preservation and an “Owners List”.

The ordance review will include eliminating bad and conflicting ordnances, proposing new ordnances and rewriting old ordnances to bring these up to date. Examples may include driveway and parking pad issues along with lot size issues. We should also make sure we preserve individual neighborhoods. I do not want each section of Isanti to be the same as every other section of the city. There also needs to be a review of what commercial properties should be located next to a residential neighborhood.

Tree preservation is a key issue. We can all see the effects of clear cutting acres of land then building homes only to replant hundreds of tiny trees. Many of these new trees die and will not provide the shade and landscaping value for decades to come. We need to put in place criteria to direct developers to save as much natural tree growth as possible.

The final item is the “Owners List”. I came up with the idea as I was riding along with a City of Isanti building inspector. This would be a list of items that the new home owner should be made aware of. These may include landscaping and tree requirements, fencing and home modification ordnances. This will be a list I hope to compile in the next 6 months talking with builders and home owners. This list would help better prepare new residents moving into the city of Isanti. I will be happy to hear any suggestions you may have.

Squad Car Update

I have read the police report regarding this accident. I will be asking further questions. This report seems to not be as complete as I would expect.

****update****

The report and my questions have been all answered by the Isanti Police Department. This accident has been handled in a very professional manner. Thankfully no one was hurt.

Bad Star Rising

Once again our friends at the Star have written another work of fiction. The factual issues start with the EDA budget. This is the first we have budgeted anything for the EDA. The story states that the budget was cut by $50,000. The proposed budget was cut by $20,000 leaving $30,000 in the budget. The next issue is the funding for the trail along 23. The $60,000 is sitting in a fund started last year. The $60,000 was not cut from the budget it was transferred from 2005 to 2006. This trail is a high priority for me and will be funded. Public works had no staff cut. They had one of 2 requested fulltime employees reduced to one fulltime and 2 part-time employees. Public works staff will increase by 1 fulltime and 2 part-time. The 7.8% increase was on a split vote. 3-2. Kennedy and myself voted against this.

Isanti Fall Music Festival

The Isanti Fall Music Festival will be September 17th. This is a celebration of the City of Isanti. This is a free event with a car show, kids’ games and street dance with the Lamont Cranston Blues Band. The car show and kids' games start at 2p. The Street Dance starts at 7pm. I have been a supporter of this event since it started 3 years ago. This concert brings attention to out Main St businesses. My dedication to reviving our Main Street is only continues to grow. If you or anyone you know is interested in being a vendor please let me know. I hope to see everyone there

Squad Car

I have received several questions regarding the accident involving a City of Isanti Police Officer. I will be receiving a copy of the accident report soon. The accident occurred near the Elementary School building this past weekend. The Officer hit a partial opened gate. The Officer is fine but significant damage was done to the squad car. I will update after I have read the accident report.

City Administrator Interviews

The City Council met for four hours Wednesday the 17th for the first of two City Administrator interview sessions. These sessions start at 5pm and last until 9pm.We met with three candidates and will meet again Thursday the 18th with three more. We plan to have a second round of interviews with the finalist. The public is welcome to these interviews.

Budget Update

The Isanti City Preliminary Budget was discussed tonight. The initial budget request of 17% has been reduced to a 7.8% increase. This increase is still too high. The preliminary number is the highest property taxes can be raised. This is however not a final number. The Council has to set the preliminary number before the final valuations are received from the County. This makes the process difficult at best.

One cut that would have brought the final preliminary number to a 1% increase is an Administrative Assistant. The position, including pay and benefits, is over $50,000. This position was left in by consensus of Mayor Apitz and Council Members Johnson and Larson. Council Member Kennedy and I voted against this addition. We have added a Financial Director and City Planner to the staff this year. We need to wait and see how these positions evolve before anymore positions are added.

The focus of the increases is the Public Works department. This is caused by the need to replace aging equipment and to bring staffing up to an acceptable level. We have reduced 1 fulltime request and replaced with part-time help during the summer months when mowing is at its height. The Public Works request is a direct result from the rapid residential growth we are experiencing.

The fulltime police officer requested for 2006 was also removed from the budget. This I am sure will become a greater need for the 2007 budget.

I also asked to have some more follow-up in the deficit being run in the Water and Sewer Fund. This was caused by the previous Council’s vote to change the billing formula. This has to be rectified. We can not operate at a net loss of revenues.

I believe there should be no increase in property taxes. We need to keep the budget as tight as possible every step of the way. We need to be careful of the idea that we can always cut the budget later. I think this can be dangerous. We do not need to spend all the money we raise. We should be looking for ways to reduce the property tax burden on our citizens.

I will be writing more about this process in the next few days detailing more specifics.

City Council Aug 16th, 17th and 18th

This week will be busy for the Isanti City Council. We have our regular scheduled Council meeting Tuesday August 16th.

We will be considering bids for Audio/Visual equipment, furniture, phone system and cabling for the New City Hall. These costs are well over $100,000.

The second big issue that will be discussed is the 2006 Street Projects. The west end of Main Street that intersects C.S.A.H. 23, East Main St. from Railroad Avenue to Penny Ln, Richard Ave, Elizabeth St and Broadway are part of the proposed improvements for 2006.

The third big issue will be the Proposed 2006 budget. There are many new expenditure proposals. The overall budget with all requests would increase over 30%. I have made a commitment not to raise taxes this year. We must make the new growth pay for itself. We have roughly $500,000 in new revenues at the current tax rate. This is almost a 19% increase in total revenues. If we do not balance our budget with this principle our Property Taxes will spiral out of control.

I urge people to attend this meeting to help shape the budget process.

Remember that decisions are made by those who show up.

The Council will also be meeting the 17th and 18th to interview City Administrator candidates. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the hiring process of a new City Administrator please call or e-mail.

Rum River Meadows Park Build

I would like to thank the dozens of volunteers who helped with the Rum River Meadows Park build. We each gave up a beautiful Saturday to create a playground for our children. This community build has two great benefits. The first benefit is the thousands of dollars the volunteer workers save the City of Isanti. This does put more pressure on city staff however. The Park and Public Works Departments did an excellent job preparing the site and finalizing the park build. The second benefit is the ownership felt by each volunteer as they constructed the equipment. This is one more example of the community spirit that thrives in Isanti. Again I thank all the volunteers and City Staff for the great work and dedication put into making this park a reality.

Rum River Classic

The Rum River Classic is August 13th. This is a fund raising bike event. The money raised is for the Bike/Walk Trail between Isanti and Cambridge. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer at the Isanti rest stop please call me at 763-444-7158.

Budget Update

The City Council met August 8th in special session to discuss the 2006 Budget. I laid out my stance of no increase in the property tax levy. I also stated my governing philosophy that the city’s growth needs to pay for itself. This ensures that any new growth does not cause current resident’s property taxes to increase. The initial budget, with all department requests, would be a 37.32% increase over 2005. The 2005 budget is $2,677,601 and the initial 2006 is $3,676,956.

The good news is that the Local Government Aid (state aid) has increased by $112,227. The city budget has also increased from the new homes that were purchased last year. This growth has slowed however but will rise once again with the East Highway 65 development.

Each City Department has made their “wish list” request. Public Works has the most requests totaling $280,000. This is due to the need to replace several old pieces of equipment. Public Works is also requesting two fulltime employees. One of these fulltime positions may be offset by part time help during the busy summer months. This has not been done in Isanti before but can allow the fulltime employees to do other work while the mowing of parks, trails and city land is done by part time help at a lower rate, thus saving the city money.

The Police Department has requested one more full time officer and another squad car.

City Administration has asked for an administrative assistant to help several departments with paper work and phone calls.

This is just the beginning of this process. The final numbers will need to be much less. I will be providing more information in the next few days on specific request and the needs of the city.

August 3rd Council Update

The August 3rd City Council meeting had a few heated moments centering on the issue of Brian Iverson’s continued membership on the EDA. Council Member Johnson acknowledges he has a conflict of interest since he is doing work for Mr. Iverson. Council Member Johnson did however continue to speak on Mr. Iverson’s behalf during the discussion. This is a violation of the City of Isanti Conflict of Interest Policy. I question him on this and he continued to speak. I stated the following reasons for my objections to his continued EDA membership:

1. Iverson is developing large tracts of residential and commercial property giving him tremendous financial and political power in Isanti.

2. As an EDA member Iverson can steer the city into buying parcels of land.

3. He is unable to clearly understand what a conflict of interest is. The point was made in the joint session meeting of July 19th that he would know when a conflict arises. Two examples from a recent EDA meeting: According to the EDA minutes of June 28th he was intent on acting as an agent for the city in land negotiation. According to the EDA minutes of June 28th he wanted the city to buy the golf course so it is not developed. Iverson owns considerable land abutting the golf course. Leaving the golf course as is would reduce competition for his residential development. Residential property abutting a golf course general has an increased value.

4. As an EDA member Iverson has unequaled access to council members and city staff.

5. As a member of an appointed body Iverson has been given the cities stamp of approval.

6. This position puts all others who are in competition with Iverson at a dramatic disadvantage.

7. The City of Isanti should show no favoritism to any developer who currently has projects before the city.

8. Finally the idea that the largest developer in Isanti is also contracting with a City Council Member is in itself a troubling issue.

Mayor Apitz and Council Member Sue Larson also defended Mr. Iverson’s continued EDA Membership. After the debate I motioned to remove Mr. Iverson from the EDA. Council Member Kennedy seconded the motion. The Mayor and Council Member Larson voted against with Johnson abstaining. The vote of 2-2 means the motion fails. Mr. Iverson will continue on the EDA

Park Build

We will be doing the Rum River Meadows Park build August 6th. The letters went out and the papers have published information. We have a good start of volunteers but could always use more. Here is what we need from the letter that went out to local residents.

City of Isanti Citizen-

The City of Isanti Park & Recreation Department is requesting your help! We are constructing a new park in the southwest corner of our City in between South Passage and Rum River Drive SW called “Rum River Meadows Park”. This park will have a 2 to 5 year old play equipment, 5 to 12 year old play equipment, picnic tables, swings, swinging bench, and lots of fun. The Community Build for Riverside Park is August 6, 2005 starting at 7am, hopefully ending at 3pm (ish). We are building rain or shine!

The following are ways that you can help:
- We need at least 20 volunteers.
Volunteer shifts:
-7am to 11am
-11am to 3pm
Types of volunteers:
-Building the structure.
-1st Aid, refreshment, sign in and information area
-The day before (08.06.05) we need help unloading the truck and inventorying the equipment; and digging holes.
-Equipment (please mark your name on your tools!!):
-wheelbarrow. -3/8 inch drive sockets & wrenches (also 9/16 & 1/4inch)
-shovels -tape measures
-hand levels -step ladders
-vise grips -utility knives
-cordless power drill -pitchforks
-generator -power saw
-skid loader with an auger bit
If you can let me know what you plan to bring, it will help in planning.

Refreshments, Snacks and Lunch will be provided for the volunteers as a way to thank you.

Please let me know if you are able to help, loan equipment, etcetera to help this day become spectacular. To call: 444.7158 or e-mail: Council Member George Wimmer george.wimmer@genesiswireless.us, or Myself at 444.5512 cvita@ci.isanti.mn.us.

Council Meeting August 3rd

The August 3rd council Meeting has two topics that seem to be drawing a lot of attention. First is the approval of the Millwork for the New City Hall. Council Member Johnson has submitted a quote. His quote is the lower of the two that were received. I however have been given no information of what will be built. I have also received dozens of calls and comments regarding this process. All have questioned how it is fair for a Council Member to bid on a city job. I also have great apprehension on this process. I have been told some did not bother to quote feeling the “fix” was in for Council Member Johnson. I will be unable to vote either way until more information is produced on what will actually be built for each quote.

The other item I have received calls and comments on is the discussion of Brian Iverson continuing to serve the City on the EDA. He has great economic power already from being the Isanti’s biggest developer. He is also developing a large tract of commercial property. These two points alone cause a per se conflict. Many individuals and companies that have worked with and in competition with Mr. Iverson have complained about his representing the City on such an important and powerful appointed body. Citizens of Isanti also question how this can be a fair and transparent process. How can anyone compete with Mr. Iverson when they come in front of the City Council? With his membership on the EDA Mr. Iverson also has tremendous access to other Council Members that no other developer has. I hope to have an honest and open discussion of his continued service on the EDA.

Both of these issues go to the core of what is perceived as the “Old Boy Network”. We must strive for fairness and transparency in all that we do in the name of the City of Isanti.

Eminent Domain and Voting

In the recent Supreme Court ruling KELO ET AL. v. CITY OF NEW LONDON ET AL, individual property rights have been severely curtailed.
Justice O'Conner Writes:

"Under the banner of economic development, all private property is now vulnerable to being taken and transferred to another private owner, so long as it might be upgraded i.e., given to an owner who will use it in a way that the legislature deems more beneficial to the public"

The idea that local government is allowed to take the private property of person A and give it to person B or developer/corporation B is contrary to our very liberty. When we buy our home we believe we have certain inalienable rights. One of these rights surely must be the decision to keep it or sell it as the owner wishes. Alexander Hamilton said that “security of property is one of the great objects of government”. This has been dealt a death blow in the name of “Progress”. Justice O’Conner also states there are two conditions on the exercise of eminent domain. These are “the taking must be for public use” and “just compensation”. She further adds:

“Together they ensure stable property ownership by providing safeguards against excessive, unpredictable, or unfair use of the government’s eminent domain power particularly against those owners who, for whatever reasons, maybe unable to protect themselves in the political process against the majority’s will.”
I do not deny the fact that in certain extreme situations the government may need to take property. This bar however is to be set extremely high. The bar should not be the simple act of enriching one person, developer, or corporation.

Justice O’Conner also makes the follow important point:

"Any property may now be taken for the benefit of another private party, but the fallout from this decision will not be random. The beneficiaries are likely to be those citizens with disproportionate influence and power in the political process, including large corporations and development firms. As for the victims, the government now has license to transfer property from those with fewer resources to those with more. The Founders cannot have intended this perverse result."

This “perverse result” is the enemy of the democratic process. The rich and powerful should not have more power in the political arena. Each citizen has one vote and should have equal influence. The large corporation or developer never has their property taken from them and given to the small homesteader. There is no equality or justice in this process.

The only benefit I see coming from this tragic decision is that perhaps more citizens will vote. The vote is important because local governments must still make the final decision to “take” property from A to give to B. Ask those who run for local office what they would do. It is in the city councils, county boards and school boards that the decisions that most affect our lives are made. Yet these offices are the most neglected in our electoral process. Many go unopposed and unchallenged. It is detrimental to our democratic process to have elected officials who are never challenged or have to answer the hard questions.

Citizens need to go to their city council, county board and school board meetings. You need to be aware of the decisions that are being made in your name. Make your voices heard and participate in the democratic process we have as our birth right. We are truly blessed to live in this country but we also have a great responsibility to ensure that we preserve these liberties to the generations yet to come.

Joint Meeting Update

The joint meeting accomplished a few items. Training was stressed for every appointed position. The Mayor had stated he had heard "rumors" of folding the EDA into the City Council. I have sent this as one of my suggestions to the EDA for consideration. The Mayor stated his opposition to this idea. Other EDA members commented that this would add more hours of work to City Council Members. Work is what we signed up for when we ran for office. I look forward to the EDA's statements on this question. The Mayor came to the defense of Brian Iverson's membership on the EDA. The Mayor once again stated he had heard rumors that people were questioned if Mr. Iverson's membership was a conflict. Again this is one of the questions I have asked the EDA to address. This is an issue that needs to be resolved.

I was happy to hear that the Planning Commission Chair was very happy with 7 members on the Planning Commission. He felt this worked very well and added greatly to the process.

Parks & Recreation was brought up next. I stated that although I have great love for parks and am happy with the continued growth in our park and trail system. The maintenance cost is also increasing. The new parks are paid for with development money. This cost the citizens of Isanti nothing. The mowing and maintenance comes out of the City Budget. This will in time account for a full time employee to simply mow and maintain the parks. There will also be replacement cost to consider as our parks age. I asked that we all think of these cost as we continue our budgeting process.

This meeting, although short, was beneficial and I hope we will continue to work directly with these appointed bodies.

Police Commission

Council Member Kennedy and I will be meeting with Police Chief Sager. We make up the Police Commission. This meeting will revolve around policing policy and budget request. This meeting will be set in the next few days. I will be happy to hear any comments or suggestions to better our police presence in Isanti.

Joint Meeting

On July 19th at 5:00 pm at the Creamery Crossing the Isanti City Council will be meeting with the members of Isanti’s appointed Boards and Commission. This includes the EDA, Planning Commission and Park & Recreation Board. The goal is to discuss Council objectives with the appointed bodies. The public is welcomed as this is an open meeting. I will be stressing training for all members. This is needed as many of the task in front of these appointed bodies are quite complex. The meeting will also although who serve on this board to ask questions of the Council. I hope to see the public at this meeting to observe this process.

Hotel Isanti

At the July 12th Planning Commission meeting a hotel sketch plan was proposed for the old burger top location. There are many details to yet be worked out. I am however excited by the prospect of a business that will help drive traffic to our Main St business district. Isanti is in need of a hotel. When we have events like last weeks Rodeo and Jubilee Days, it is important to have a place for guess to stay. As more details become available I will share them with you.