E-mail Down

My e-mail provider had a server problem from Friday to late last night. If you e-mailed me in this time period please send it again. I will also be resending the messages and response to e-mails from Friday Morning.

I apologize for this inconvenience.

Isanti Fall Music Festival

Isanti Fall Music Festival

The IFMF is September 23rd. There will be many street Vendors. Come out and enjoy the free Street Dance.

2-10pm

Isanti Fall Music Fest - Main Street - Kid's Activities, Costume Karoake Contest, Beer Garden, Food Court, Street Dance to the Rockin' Hollywoods

2:30-6pm

Classic Car Show - 50-60's DJ, Dash Plaques and Trophies - Main Street

Tax Capacity Numbers

The final tax capacity numbers came in from the County. The tax capacity is higher meaningthat instead of a .64% increase the tax levy will decrease by 3.75%.

This is good news, however if my plan had been adopted we would have had a 12% tax levy reduction with the final numbers.

Thought you should know.

Interesting Survey

The poll on Kare 11 website found:

34 percent said corruption in government will always be a problem so trying to fix it won't make much difference.

45 percent said money's influence in government is so pervasive it's pointless to try to reduce it.

71 percent believe elected officials won't keep their promises unless the influence of money in politics is limited.

62 percent thought candidates that could represent them don't have enough money to win election.

When asked what they're "extremely concerned" about from a list of issues, 59 percent said gas prices; 38 percent said money in state politics; and 36 percent said state government corruption.

74 percent cited honesty as the most important value they want to see in state government.

For the full story go to:

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=134458

Ordinance Sub-committee Opening

The Isanti City Planning Commission has established a sub-committee to start work on the City's residential parking ordinance. This to this point has centered on the issue of commercial vehicles parking in driveways. Currently the ordinance reads that any commercial vehicle over 4 tons is not allowed to park in an R1 or R2 residential area--driveway or street.

The PC is asking for 4 Citizens to help sort through this issue as we have done with the Sign ordinance and business/industrial ordinances. This is a good process that allows for maximum public input in the crafting of City ordinances.

If you would like to serve please contact Carla Vita at City Hall.... 444-5512

County Primary Results

County primary results.

http://www.isanticountynews.com/2006/September/13electionresults.html

Comp Plan discussion at Tonights PC Meeting

I wanted to put forward my position on the Comprehensive Plan since it will be discussed at toights Planning Commission meeting.

New Comprehensive Plan

Isanti is in the process of creating a new comprehensive plan. I support this effort. The previous plan was outdated the moment it was finished. I do not support having the same company that did the last plan doing the current plan. There were to many flaws with the old plan to reward this company with another chance.

The Comprehensive Plan is the blue print of Isanti's growth for the next decade. We must ensure uniform growth with housing balance. One issue that has arisen is the stated need for more low income housing. Isanti has more than enough of this type of housing already. We need to concentrate on higher end homes to balance out the predominance of low income housing. Isanti can not be the magnet for the regions low income housing needs. A balanced housing approach ensures fair distribution of property taxes.

Isanti also needs to attract more commercial and industrial development. Businesses pay a higher rate of property tax. This helps to lower residential property taxes. Isanti is currently a bedroom community. This leads to higher residential property taxes and fees. We need to attract more businesses so we may lower our residential property taxes and fees.

Isanti needs to preserve conservation corridors to ensure the generations to come will be able to enjoy the natural beauty of our community. The conservation corridors ensure wildlife protection and protects home values. It is not often the option is presented that allows us to be good stewards of the land while making great economic sense.

I encourage everyone to attend the Comprehensive Plan meetings. I have been to each and the predominance of participants are older than 45 and tied to the development and real-estate businesses. Those who show up make the decisions. We need more Citizen participation.

Petition to Change Dangerous Busing Practices

Angel Watters has created this petition to try to change the Cambridge-Isanti School District Bussing Policy. Please read and if you would like to sign the petition or help collect signatures contact Angel at amariewatters@msn.com . Your help in correcting this terrible decision is greatly appreciated.


To: District #911 School Board

Cc: Superintendent; Bruce Novak

The people of Isanti request that the following bus policies be changed as soon as possible.

1) The policy of bussing every child to the new school east of highway 65 must stop.
The current school district bussing policy forces children that live west of highway 65 and go to school west of 65 to transfer buses twice a day at the new school east of 65.

Putting our children in danger 4 times a day crossing a busy and dangerous highway is the definition of negligent. Highway 65 has been referred to as one of the deadliest Highways in the state!

2) High school students and elementary students need to be on separate busses.
It is unsafe to have young children on busses with older children. Physical and sexual assault on busses is rapidly increasing.

There are 85 to 90 students on each bus. How can our bus drivers watch everyone and keep the young kids safe?

Isanti Fall Music Festival

The IFMF is September 23rd. There will be many street Vendors. Come out and enjoy the free Street Dance.

2-10pm

Isanti Fall Music Fest - Main Street - Kid's Activities, Costume Karoake Contest, Beer Garden, Food Court, Street Dance to the Rockin' Hollywoods

2:30-6pm

Classic Car Show - 50-60's DJ, Dash Plaques and Trophies - Main Street

Primaries needed.

I hope everyone went out and voted in the primary today. Isanti City races do not have primaries. I will be asking that we make the change to allow primaries for local races. We have 7 Citizens in the Council race for two seats.

If you look at the results when I ran in 2004 with only 4 people running, I received almost 20% more than my closest rival but yet only received 29.96% of the total vote.

-----------------------------------Votes--- Vote %

GEORGE ALLEN WIMMER***** 631----- 29.96%

GUY WILLIAM NEDRY ********442 -----20.99%

RALPH GENE JOHNSON *******527 -----25.02%

DAVID LESTER PETERSON ****482------ 22.89%

WRITE-IN** ******************24 -------1.14%
A candidate could win with only 15% of the vote. I hope everyone will agree that we need to be able to hold a primary for City Elections if needed.

Council Race Poll

I have posted the Council race poll. I am only able to allow one voter or unlimited so I have asked you to pick your top choice. I will be placing the Mayors race for polling next week. This is not a scientific poll.

Traffic Mitigation 2006 Agenda Item

Traffic Mitigation

Isanti's rapid residential growth has caused tremendous traffic pressure. Isanti's transportation infrastructure is being pushed beyond its capacity. I am especial concerned with the increased traffic from the development east of highway 65.

The new school and the hundreds of planned new homes will make the 65 and 5 intersection more congested and dangerous. Isanti needs to ask for a school zone on highway 5 and Fairway Blvd. This intersection will be the main access point for the new Isanti school. The current 55 m/h speed limit will need to be reduced for safety.

The traffic light at 5 and 23 is scheduled to be completed before the 2006/2007 school year begins. This coupled with a school zone should help make this intersection much safer.

I encourage the whole City Council to embrace my Development Impact List, DIL. The DIL will show the true cost of the increased traffic and allow for better preventative City planning.

If the City continues to allow rapid residential growth we will have dramatic traffic problems. We must plan plan plan for the future traffic flows of Isanti.

Watering Ban Ends September 15th

Watering Ban ends September 15th.

September 13th Planning Commission Meeting

There are several important items being discussed at the Wednesday Planning meeting. It is Wednesday because Tuesday is the Primary Election.

We will be getting updates on the following:

• Tattoo Ordinance
• B-2 Ordinance
• Street Naming Project
• Residential Landscaping
• Comprehensive Plan
• Vehicles in Residential Districts
• Request for a CUP for a take-out and delivery Pizza business
• New Coldwell Banker Building one site located west of 65 & north of Palomino
• Revisit of Fairway Greens III addition

The Tattoo and B-2 Ordinances are updates on reforming current ordinances and adding new ones when necessary. Residential landscaping update brings the current procedures being applied to homeowners into ordinance form were everyone may view the requirements.
The comprehensive plan as presented has so many issues I will have to dedicate several pages to its flaws after the meeting. I am also concerned that the zoning map is not part of the packet for review. This map has considerable issues as well. I will be asking for this so the public and commission members are given an ample opportunity to review and comment on it. I urge the public to come and listen and comment on the plan. The push is already on to fast track this before the coming election. We must get it done right not fast.
Vehicles in Residential Districts addresses commercial vehicles parked on pads or driveways. There is also a push to allow parking on grass areas throughout the City. This should not be allowed.
The Pizza and Coldwell Banker business moving to town will provide services and add to the tax base. We will I believe no have four pizza places in town. Seems like a lot but if they can make a go of it more power to them.
Iverson is pushing the tiny lots for 49 single family homes east of highway 65. I have discussed my opposition to this proposal many times......The Planning Commission voted against this twice already. Mr. Iverson still has not fulfilled all the requirements for the proposed action. We are unable to even discuss the merits of this project because of his refusal to follow the rules everyone else must follow.

Example of what Financial Planning can Mean

Another example of how actual planning affects a City. Isanti needs Long Range Financial Planning and a Capital Improvement Plan. I know I must sound like a broken record but I am trying to fix a broken system:

http://www.isanticountynews.com/2006/September/6CityEyes.html

Another Reason to Reform Isanti's EDA

Cambridge's EDA, which happens to be its City's Council as well, has implemented a low cost high return marketing program. Please read the following story for more details:

http://www.isanticountynews.com/2006/September/6industrial.html

We need to generate innovative ideas like this to help our enfeebled attempts to draw good businesses to Isanti.

Council Sept 5th Meeting Update

The Council passed, on a 3-2 vote, the preliminary budget with roughly a 1/2% increase in the levy and a 6% budget increase. Council Member Kennedy and I voted against this levy and budget. I had laid out my plan the last t three City council work sessions and meetings.

There was very little discussion at tonight’s meeting since the budget and levy were laid out at the last work session. Please read: http://georgewimmer.blogspot.com/2006/09/september-5th-council-meeting.html to learn more about my 8% tax reduction.

We had a surprise visit from the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund. They asked the Council to reaffirm the commitment to the group's goals including an affordable housing project. I held a lengthy back and forth on the need for a housing study to determine the need of more "affordable" housing. Isanti has a vast quantity of housing options under $150,000 in the community. I am loath to use taxpayer’s money to subsidize more housing until the need can be proven. Many housing unit lay empty including new 2 bedroom condo units under $120,000.

I raised the point of the date certain GMHF had asked to have the Comp plan approve. They requested the second Council meeting in October. This is to soon considering the slow progress and mistake ridden comprehensive plan updates. The City Planning Commission has yet to even see the proposed plan.

The Street Improvement project for 2007 was discussed. I stated I did not believe a sidewalk was needed along Elizabeth. The damage to trees and the construction of sidewalk along a very low volume traffic road is not the best use of tax payer money. Council Member Johnson said he would never vote against a sidewalk.

Kennedy pointed out that Johnson made the motion to take the sidewalk out of the Richard, Shawn and Candy project. He said it was a mistake and would always vote to have sidewalk. I think this is a mistake to not consider if sidewalk is needed everywhere.

Sidewalk that destroys existing mature trees in a low traffic area is not needed. There is not the safety issue we face along major traffic corridors. We need to use the money on sidewalks in low traffic areas on sidewalks in high traffic areas. An example of this is continuing the work started this year on highway 23. We need to complete the trail and sidewalk connections along this whole route.

This makes the salient point in all our discussions. Planning Planning Planning..... We need to have long range planning so we can see how the $2,000,000 plus on next years street improvement projects will effect the possible expansion of the industrial park or the fixing of Credit Union drive or the future need for public works or the need to foster greater economic expansion or if we wait a year or two how much more will it cost or or or the many other possible City Projects.

We need to make planning priority number one. I asked in January at the Council Goal setting session to make financial planning a top priority. It was pushed down the list. If elected Mayor I will call for a Finance committee whose main goal will be to establish long term budgets and capital improvement plans from all City departments. This information will be readily available on the City website, for Citizens and Taxpayers to view and comment on.

Council Race Update

Sean Stevens has his signs out today. To learn more about Sean's race for reforming Isanti go to:

http://www.stevens4isanti.com

September 5th Council Meeting

There are two items I wish to discuss on the September 5th agenda. The first item is the feasibility report for the 2007 street improvement project and the second item in the proposed levy.

The street improvement project effects segments of

• 4th Ave S
• 2nd Ave S
• 1st Ave S
• Broadway Street
• 3rd Ave South
• Elizabeth Street
• North Brookview Lane
• Pinto Lane
• Palomino Rd
• Appaloosa Lane
• Buckskin Blvd

The improvements range from replacing clay pipes to curb and gutter and finally sidewalks. I believe each area should be looked at individually and its needs assessed. An example is the proposed sidewalk on Elizabeth. My wife and I bike with our kids along the street often. There is very little traffic. This is a beautifully tree lined street. Placing a sidewalk on the north side would do more damage than good.
Sidewalks belong on busy streets were traffic causes safety issues. Elizabeth is a tranquil residential street with mature trees.....lets leave it that way.
The other main issue is the proposed 2007 levy and proposed Budget. I stated my position numerous times. The new budget increases spending by nearly 6%. This is on top of over 30% of new spending last year.
The levy is proposed to increase by about 1/2%. I know this does not seem like much but we can lower taxes by 8% by simply giving back the excess amount of collected taxes from last year. If we do not give theis money back to the tax payers, City Hall will spend the money.
City debt is also a grave concern. City debt per person has increased by over 500% as City population has increased 100%. This is not sustainable. Please read http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=11605485&postID=115639936066225884 for more details.
I have just received the new revised proposed budget. I am asking that a total of $150,000 from the Liquor Store Fund which has a cash balance of $820,000 and $175,000 from the $350,000 of excess taxes collect in 2005. This money should be given back to the Citizens of Isanti, not spent on unbudget items.
The housing slow down will have it greatest effect on our city budget in 2007 and 2008. If we do not get taxes low and government efficient today the repercussions will be severe in the years to come.
We must do long term budgeting and capital improvement plans. Isanti has no plan past this budget. Driving in the dark and spending and taxing with no financial planning is the same thing, eventually you will crash.
Any questions or comments please let me know.

Housing Boom Ends

Five year housing boom ends. The AP link has more disturbing housing needs

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CONSTRUCTION_SPENDING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2006-09-01-10-30-43