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Tuesday, January 01, 2008

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman highlights the positives as he reviews his record at midterm

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posted by Bob at Tuesday, January 01, 2008

13 Comments:

Blogger Bob said...

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First-term mayor highlights positives amid raft of challenges
BY TIM NELSON
Pioneer Press
Article Last Updated: 12/31/2007 12:38:38 AM CST


St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, with a photo gallery of past mayors, a year ago in City Hall. (BEN GARVIN, Pioneer Press file photo)St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman is halfway through his four-year term and has a mixed record to show for it.

He's getting the city ready to take the world stage as host of the Republican National Convention in September, the Central Corridor light-rail line seems to be on track, and some long-dormant projects, like reuse of downtown's historic Palace Theatre, have new energy.

But he's also levying the biggest tax hike in St. Paul history next year, in the face of a real estate downturn that has nearly 3 percent of the city's homes standing vacant.

The Pioneer Press sat down with him recently for a midterm review to talk about the past two years.

Pioneer Press: What's gone right so far?

Coleman: Well, first of all, I think we have changed the community when it comes to education. I think we have formed new partnerships. We have a great working relationship with the school district. We are reshaping the education agenda in the city of St. Paul, using all of our resources, all of our partnerships to make sure that we close the achievement gap and have every child succeed in the city of St. Paul.

There's the work that we have done on Central Corridor, not only to keep continuing to push to make sure that line gets built, but to make sure that it's a successful stimulant to another billion (dollars) of private investments along (University) Avenue. The great work of the task forces that have planned and thought through and participated in visioning for that corridor have really laid the groundwork for an unbelievable resurgence of that portion of St. Paul.

The (Republican National) Convention is a great opportunity for us to showcase our community. It will bring in people from around the globe to learn the St. Paul story. ...

With the opportunity at the Ford plant, we have been very, very proactive to make sure that it's a long-term development opportunity. We obviously are pleased that that plant will stay open a little longer. (Its closing has been moved back a year, to 2009). If it was up to us, we'd keep that plant open, but we're also preparing for the inevitable day that the facility closes there.

Pioneer Press: There was a lot of criticism of your administration during the debate over the $1 billion Bridges of St. Paul mixed-use development, which the city turned down. There's building at St. Joseph's and Regions hospitals and the new High Bridge power plant, but there aren't any marquee projects like the hockey arena or Housing 5000. Was that criticism legitimate?

Coleman: Well, first of all, the expansion of the hospitals is incredibly important to the economic success of St. Paul. That's a lot of jobs. We are becoming a center of health care in the region. It is and will continue to be an important part. Those are the kinds of things that bring in new businesses, new companies, people that are related to the health care industry. So I feel like that is a very critical thing happening in our community.

Second, we have seen an incredible number of projects that have gone forward. The Farmers Market and the Farmers Market Flats (housing project) - that was a project that has been on the table for a decade. It has been a dream of the growers to have an indoor space. We got that project done.

(There are also) the developments on University Avenue. ... (The Wilder Foundation) facility as well as the housing that's there (is) an incredible project. In addition, you are seeing the redevelopment on the corner of University and Snelling, with that site there. So I think that in spite of a challenging market, there is an incredible amount that is going on in the city. ...

And in the meantime, we have set up the opportunity (on the riverfront) at the West Publishing Building and ... at Cleveland Circle (downtown). All of these things are projects that take a while to break ground on. But they will be the signature projects for the city of St. Paul in the future.

Pioneer Press: What do you wish you could have gotten done?

Coleman: First and foremost, the budget challenges we face continue to be there. We had hoped we were going to get some additional aid from the state this year. That will continue to be a focus.

We have got to get the burden off the property taxes, especially for homeowners and people on fixed incomes. That has been a challenge, and we'll continue to fight that battle. In the meantime, I look at the incredible work that we have done on some really meaningful issues like education, the groundwork we have laid to get some big projects off the ground - I think we are doing exceedingly well moving the ball forward.

Pioneer Press: Your premier initiative, Invest St. Paul, is something of an anti-poverty program. The city just got a big tax hike, you've got a liberal council and the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party is firmly in control of City Hall now. Critics compare this to the administration of homeless advocate Jim Scheibel in the early 1990s. Fair?

Coleman: (It's) patently absurd to say this is about party politics.

This is about building the city of St. Paul. When the floodwall around Holman Field was stalled out for four years, I was able to come in, bring groups together, work with the environmental community, work with the people that cared about the riverfront, and got a $49 million project off the ground. And worked across the aisle to do it.

We have brought the police ranks to the highest level they have ever been. We're well on our way to getting the ranks to 650 (sworn officers) by the end of 2010. That is work that is across the aisle, working with people that weren't on the political bandwagon in 2005, but at the end of the day are necessary to make sure St. Paul is moving forward.

I have a very good working relationship right now with the Chamber of Commerce. The new chair of the board there (Mark Mishek) and I have known each other for years. We are going to have a very good working relationship.

Through the first year of my administration, I had five CEOs working with me to go over the budget ... tapping the power and experience of those folks has been extremely important. ...

(But) to characterize (Invest St. Paul) as an anti-poverty program is simply wrong. It's an investment in neighborhoods that haven't been invested in for decades. It is a restoration of the strong quality of life in all of our neighborhoods that people of St. Paul demand and have a right to expect. To say our commercial strips in those neighborhoods have to be strong, that the housing in those neighborhoods has to be strong, that they have to be safe neighborhoods - that is incredibly important work not just for the neighborhoods we are targeting, but for the entire city of St. Paul.

Pioneer Press: Back in 2004, you were highly critical of the DFL in Minnesota. Now you're being mentioned as a potential gubernatorial candidate and you've been down campaigning in Iowa for Hillary Clinton. Who has changed: you or the party?

Coleman: My critique of politics in general and the party back then was of not being clear on what it was we are trying to accomplish and what our message was.

I've come in and said, "We have got to fight to make sure that our schools are strong, that we close the achievement gaps, that we're strong stewards of our environment, that we are looking for ways that we can create decent, good-paying jobs." Those are just bread-and-butter issues. It's an important part of who the DFL has always been.

So I don't know that I could say that I have changed, that they have changed or anyone else has changed. We just have to be clear about the investments that we have to make to make sure Minnesota is the great state that it has always been.

Pioneer Press: Obviously, you have your plate full in 2008 with the Republican National Convention and big decisions in February on the Central Corridor. What about the rest of your term?

Coleman: I have always said that the important thing for us for the Republican National Convention coming into town is not having a September 1st through 4th strategy. It's a September 5th through the future strategy. (The question is) how do we leverage those people that are coming to our community to build what we have here already? How do we showcase this as a great place to live? To bring a business? To come for vacations? In 2009, continue to build on the work that we put into making the convention a success.

In the meantime, we are going to continue to see the strengthening and rebuilding of our neighborhoods. We will continue to see St. Paul as a safe city, because of the additional (police) officers and the great work of that department. We will see a new fire station, merged fire stations at 1 and 10, that will deliver better service.

We have also - which has never been done in the history of this city - put together an economic development strategic plan. We will start seeing a real focused effort on how to bring jobs into our community. We will also see the fruits of a green jobs initiative. We are going to be smarter and better than ever about bringing jobs to this community.

6:30 AM  
Blogger Bob said...

Office of The Mayor
Office of Financial Services
Matt Smith, Director
City of Saint Paul 160 City Hall Telephone: (651) 266-8800
Randy C. Kelly, Mayor 15 West Kellogg Boulevard Facsimile: (651) 266-8541
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102-1658
May 4, 2006
Mayor Chris Coleman,
Council President Kathy Lantry and City Councilmembers
3rd Floor City Hall
15 West Kellogg Boulevard
St. Paul, MN 55102
Subject: March 31st, 2006 Quarterly Capital Projects Report
Dear Mayor Coleman, Council President Lantry and City Councilmembers:
I am pleased to submit the quarterly reports required by Administrative Code 57.12 and Council
Resolution 04-529. Pages 1-2 are the “Status Report on Excess Funding for Approved Capital
Projects” required by Administrative Code 57.12. This report includes “any known funding
shortages for approved projects which have gone to bid, and for high priority out-of-budget-cycle
projects which could be considered for immediate funding.”
Pages 3-9 show “the status of all expended and encumbered funds and all unexpended and
available funds on a project by project basis for all Capital Improvement Bond, Community
Development Block Grant, and Neighborhood Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) projects,” as
required by Council Resolution 04-529. I have also included Cultural STAR projects. Only
projects with a balance of more than $1 are shown.
Please contact Dede Demko at 266-8545 if you have questions about these reports or the status
of specific projects.
Cordially,
Matt Smith
Director
Cc: Capital Improvement Budget Committee
Neighborhood STAR Board
Cultural STAR Board
Attachment: March 31st, 2006 Quarterly Capital Projects Report
G:\Shared\Budget\Depts\CIB\Project reports to Council\2006 reports\2006-1Q report cover letter.doc
CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
Quarter Ending March 31, 2006
STATUS REPORT ON EXCESS FUNDING FOR APPROVED CAPITAL PROJECTS
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOND PROJECTS
ACTIVITY PROJECT DESCRIPTION BALANCE NOTES
90105 75150 FIRE STATION NO 8 2 00,000
90100 75140 FIRE STATION #10 REPLACEMENT 5 ,319
90101 75140 FIRE STATION #10 REPLACEMENT 1 24,501
90104 74125 PUBLIC SAFETY EMERGENCY COMMUN 1,345,000
90105 70004 SPECIFIED CONTINGENCY 1 94,687
1,869,506
90104 73354 SANDY LAKE SOCCER FACILITY 3 06,142
Project will not proceed due to insufficient
funding. May be used McMurray soccer fields
(see page 2 on high priority projects).
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROJECTS
ACTIVITY PROJECT DESCRIPTION BALANCE NOTES
98009 00665 MARTIN LUTHER KING RENOVATION 3 41 Available.
MUNICIPAL STATE AID
Public Works did not report any excess funding from MSA projects.
OTHER FUNDING SOURCES
ACTIVITY PROJECT DESCRIPTION BALANCE NOTES
C99-3E015 34192 TROUT BROOK CORRIDOR ACQ. 1 39,993 Tentatively identified for 800 MHz radio
Departments have identified the following projects with excess funding. Only funding sources that could be reallocated to another project
are listed. New balances since the December 31, 2005 report (4th Quarter, 2006) to Council are noted as "newly available."
The City's 2005 CDBG award is $457,000 less than planned. All CDBG contingency amounts will be used to cover the shortfall for
projects committed in the 2005 budget.
All balances have been tentatively identified for
the Fire Admin relocation project.
CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
Quarter Ending March 31, 2006
NEIGHBORHOOD STAR PROJECTS
ACTIVITY PROJECT DESCRIPTION BALANCE NOTES
90308 77715 04 LEAD PIPE REPLACEMENT 1 24 Newly Available
90308 77620 ARTSTART 5 71 Newly Available
90306 77756 BRUSH WITH KINDNESS #4 2 5,000 Newly Available
90306 77149 GATEWAY TO ST. PAUL 2 4,211 Newly Available
90306 77234 WHITE BEAR AVE MINNEHAHA STREET 2 ,200 Available.
90305 77160 YEAR-ROUND PROJECTS ACTIVITY 6 86 Available.
Total 5 2,792
These projects' contracts have expired:
90308 77379 HIGHLAND DEV PROJ VI 2 0,000 Contract expired Dec 2003
90308 77462 HIGHLAND DEVELOPMENT PROJ VII 1 0,200 Contract expired May 2003
90306 77196 SUBURBAN/I94 COMMERCIAL AREA 6 5,000 Contract expired Dec 2003
7 5,200
CULTURAL STAR PROJECTS
ACTIVITY PROJECT DESCRIPTION BALANCE NOTES
90310 71586 IFP CAPITAL CAMPAIGN 2 ,500 Available
90310 77631 RONDO DAYS 9 ,000 Newly Available
90310 71626 SMM PARKING LOT 9 0,000 Newly Available
Total 101,500
KNOWN FUNDING SHORTAGES FOR APPROVED PROJECTS
Departments have identified the following approved projects with funding shortages.
DEPT. SHORTAGE NOTES
Public Wks Contract has been awarded but project is short of
funding
Public Wks Propose to transfer MSA funds.
HIGH PRIORITY OUT-OF-BUDGET-CYCLE PROJECTS
Departments have identified the following high-priority projects they would like funded.
DEPT. COST
Fire Fire Administration Headquarters Depends on site and configuration.
Parks Closing of Wabasha Mines Estimated $500,000 to $1 million.
Parks $693,858 Remaining need if Sandy Lake balance is
transferred to McMurray soccer field project.
Public Wks Burlington Road and Totem Road Reconstruction $1,581,000
Public Wks Pierce Butler Route Improvements-planning $500,000 to $1 million
Public Wks Fillmore Street RR Crossing - West Side Flats $677,000
McMurray soccer field project
(to replace Sandy Lake project and preserve $1 million of
Ramsey County matching soccer grants).
*2004 actual revenues exceeded budgeted revenues (and spending), primarily due to receiving an unbudgeted 2004 Lawson Retail loan
repayment.
PROJECT
PROJECT
Suburban Avenue Lighting & Streetscape
Dale Street Redesign
CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
Quarter ending March 31, 2006
ACTIVITY PRJ. CODE DESCRIPTION BUDGET ENCMBRD. BALANCE NOTES
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOND PROJECTS
(Note: the last two digits of the CIB Activity number represent the project year.)
ACTIVITY PRJ. CODE DESCRIPTION BUDGET ENC/EXP. BALANCE NOTES
90104 73351 ALDINE PARK UPDATE 175,000 - 26,745
90100 73308 BATTLE CREEK REC CENTER 1,190,000 - 3,462 Contractor issues resolved - finishing
outstanding items.
90104 70003 BOND SALE & RETAINER EXP 200,000 - 31,260 For bond issue costs.
90103 70003 BOND SALE & RETAINER EXP 200,000 - 59,745 For bond issue costs.
90106 70003 BOND SALE & RETAINER EXP 130,000 - 130,000 For bond issue costs.
90105 70003 BOND SALE & RETAINER EXP 200,000 - 155,831 For bond issue costs.
90106 73346 BRUCE VENTO NATURE SANCTUARY-PH 112,000 - 112,000
90104 73346 BRUCE VENTO NATURE SANCTUARY-PH 542,000 - 343,995
90104 72325 BURY OVERHEAD LINES:WHITE BR AV 600,000 - 327,243 Going south to Ivy in 2006.
90104 70109 CAPITAL MAINTENACE-LIEP 7,850 - 269
90105 70109 CAPITAL MAINTENACE-LIEP 19,300 - 2,485
90105 70100 CAPITAL MTCE - CONTINGENCY 32,444 - 32,444
90106 70100 CAPITAL MTCE - CONTINGENCY 83,508 - 83,508
90099 70105 CAPITAL MTCE - FIRE 92,625 - 479
90102 70105 CAPITAL MTCE - FIRE 143,395 - 6,112
90101 70105 CAPITAL MTCE - FIRE 170,040 - 20,703
90104 70105 CAPITAL MTCE - FIRE 127,570 - 26,758
90100 70105 CAPITAL MTCE - FIRE 226,385 - 32,918
90105 70105 CAPITAL MTCE - FIRE 62,925 - 62,925
90106 70105 CAPITAL MTCE - FIRE 310,392 - 310,392
90104 70108 CAPITAL MTCE - LIBRARIES 163,000 - 65,950
90105 70108 CAPITAL MTCE - LIBRARIES 226,000 - 133,596
90106 70108 CAPITAL MTCE - LIBRARIES 322,600 - 322,600
90101 70103 CAPITAL MTCE - PARKS 513,443 - 2,172 Re-allocated on CF-05-157.
90103 70103 CAPITAL MTCE - PARKS 620,409 - 2,539
90104 70103 CAPITAL MTCE - PARKS 581,780 - 143,917
90105 70103 CAPITAL MTCE - PARKS 678,933 - 355,310
90106 70103 CAPITAL MTCE - PARKS 567,500 - 567,500
90104 70104 CAPITAL MTCE - POLICE 19,800 - 690
90102 70104 CAPITAL MTCE - POLICE 24,200 - 7,348
90105 70104 CAPITAL MTCE - POLICE 24,398 - 21,720 Working with contractor fo fund at
budgeted level.
90103 70104 CAPITAL MTCE - POLICE 40,000 - 22,297
90106 70104 CAPITAL MTCE - POLICE 186,000 - 186,000
90106 70102 CAPITAL MTCE - PUBLIC WORKS 30,000 - 30,000
90098 72330 CASTILLO PARK LAND EXCHANGE 69,044 - 6,353
90106 72309 CENSUS TRACT 9 & 10 LTY REPLACE 100,000 - 100,000
90102 72122 CITYWIDE LIGHTING IMP 30,000 - 1,159
90103 72122 CITYWIDE LIGHTING IMP 27,000 - 17,106 Various lighting projects have been
90104 72122 CITYWIDE LIGHTING IMP 30,000 - 20,958 identified for spending these Annual
90105 72122 CITYWIDE LIGHTING IMP 30,000 - 30,000 Program $s in 2006.
90097 72122 CITYWIDE LIGHTING IMP 106,954 - 43,681
90105 73301 CITYWIDE PATH/TRAIL RENOVATION 66,000 - 21,627
90106 73301 CITYWIDE PATH/TRAIL RENOVATION 38,000 - 38,000
90106 73302 CITYWIDE PLAYGROUND EQUIP 250,000 - 250,000
90105 73302 CITYWIDE PLAYGROUND EQUIP 500,000 - 454,504
90104 73195 CITYWIDE TENNIS CT. RENOVATION 110,000 - 4,278 Committed
90103 73195 CITYWIDE TENNIS CT. RENOVATION 110,000 - 4,746 Committed
90105 73195 CITYWIDE TENNIS CT. RENOVATION 110,000 - 36,574
90106 73195 CITYWIDE TENNIS CT. RENOVATION 60,000 - 60,000
90104 73130 CITYWIDE TREE PLANTING 300,000 - 901 Committed
90105 73130 CITYWIDE TREE PLANTING 550,000 - 147,213 Committed
CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
Quarter ending March 31, 2006
ACTIVITY PRJ. CODE DESCRIPTION BUDGET ENCMBRD. BALANCE NOTES
90106 73130 CITYWIDE TREE PLANTING 350,000 - 350,000
90104 72295 COMO AVE BIKE LANES 56,000 - 53,424 Construction in 2006.
90105 72295 COMO AVE BIKE LANES 357,000 - 207,611 Construction in 2006.
90106 73362 COMO PARK TRAIL SYSTEM 58,000 - 58,000
90102 73334 COMO POOL REPLACEMENT 55,000 - 2,418 Pool study in progress.
90104 72328 DALE STREET REDESIGN 50,000 - 50,000 Construction in 2006.
90105 72328 DALE STREET REDESIGN 791,000 - 790,500 Construction in 2006.
90100 73327 DESNOYER PARK PLAY AREA 266,000 - 13,412 Resolving contractor issues.
90106 73360 DULUTH/CASE PLAYGROUND 50,000 - 50,000
90104 72326 FILLMORE ST RR XING-W.SIDE FLAT 160,000 - 102,908 Funds needed pending future dev efforts.
90100 75140 FIRE STATION #10 REPLACEMENT 46,000 - 5,319 Balance needed for Fire Admin
90101 75140 FIRE STATION #10 REPLACEMENT 127,000 - 124,501 relocation.
90105 75145 FIRE STATION #22 ADDITION 30,000 - 30,000
90106 75145 FIRE STATION #22 ADDITION 350,000 - 350,000
90103 75150 FIRE STATION NO 8 796,910 - 90,889 Balance needed for Fire Admin relocation.
90105 75150 FIRE STATION NO 8 3,643,000 - 2,618,339 Bids are $200,000 under budget.
90106 73359 FURNESS LINEAR PARK 56,000 - 56,000
90104 73349 HAMM'S FALLS RECONSTRUCTION 281,000 - 38,221
90105 73349 HAMM'S FALLS RECONSTRUCTION 330,000 - 194,605
90103 73339 HIGHLAND PICNIC AREA RENOVATION 840,000 - 20,871 In process.
90104 73339 HIGHLAND PICNIC AREA RENOVATION 1,574,000 - 1,212,257
90105 73356 HIGHLAND POOL/BATH HSE RENOVATI 164,000 - 157,558
90106 73356 HIGHLAND POOL/BATH HSE RENOVATI 1,142,000 - 1,142,000
90105 76131 INDOOR FARMER'S MARKET 200,000 - 200,000
90104 76131 INDOOR FARMER'S MARKET 300,000 - 219,000
90104 73320 JIMMY LEE REC CENTER 580,000 - 122,547
90105 73320 JIMMY LEE REC CENTER 1,000,000 - 496,739
90106 73320 JIMMY LEE REC CENTER 4,175,000 - 4,175,000
90104 73350 LANGFORD PARK PLAY AREA SITEWOR 347,000 - 81,904
90105 73357 LILYDALE PARK TRAIL CONNECTION 183,000 - 164,397
90105 74124 MERITEX LOT/CARLO BLDG 599,435 - 599,435
90093 76104 NBRHD PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM 103,011 - 5,052 For 2005 Debt Service.
96084 76104 NBRHD PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM 174,327 - 70,185
90106 74126 NEW WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE 1,775,000 - 1,775,000
90102 73315 NORTH DALE REC CENTER 1,661,000 - 18,668 For building work.
90103 73315 NORTH DALE REC CENTER 788,400 - 65,279 For site work.
90102 73335 OLD WAGON ROAD PED/BIKE PATH 30,000 - 12,451 In Design Development Phase.
90105 72271 PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC SAFETY PROG 50,000 - 40,503
90106 72271 PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC SAFETY PROG 50,000 - 50,000
90104 73353 PHALEN CORR MID SEC PARK DESIGN 90,000 - 37,031
90105 73353 PHALEN CORR MID SEC PARK DESIGN 100,000 - 100,000
90104 73347 PHALEN PARK PLAY AREA 69,300 - 599
90106 73361 PHALEN PARK STONE ARCH BRIDGE 30,000 - 30,000
90101 72269 PHALEN WETLAND RESTORATION 50,000 - 48,840 On hold until tennis courts moved.
90104 73104 PROSPERITY HTS REC CNTR 303,000 - 80,267
90104 74125 PUBLIC SAFETY EMERGENCY COMMUNI 1,345,000 - 1,345,000 Balance needed for Fire Admin relocation.
90106 72332 RAILROAD XING SAFETY IMPR. 10,000 - 10,000 Annual Program - funds will be spent as
projects and initiatives are developed
90106 73363 REG. PARKS & TRAILS MASTER PLAN 60,000 - 60,000
90104 72120 RESIDENTIAL ST.PAVING 7,272,000 - 228,061 Funds are part of Citywide Program and
90105 72120 RESIDENTIAL ST.PAVING 7,525,000 - 1,939,984 will be used on RSVP Projects.
90104 73354 SANDY LAKE SOCCER FACILITY 500,000 - 306,142 Balance needed for McMurray soccer field
90104 72283 SIGNAL ENHANCE/TRAFFIC CHANNEL 100,000 - 47,393
90106 72283 SIGNAL ENHANCE/TRAFFIC CHANNEL 50,000 - 50,000
90105 72283 SIGNAL ENHANCE/TRAFFIC CHANNEL 100,000 - 100,000
90102 72282 SIGNAL INSTALLATIONS 45,000 - 1,363 Annual Program - funds will be spent as
projects and initiatives are developed
90104 72282 SIGNAL INSTALLATIONS 45,000 - 2,353
90105 72282 SIGNAL INSTALLATIONS 45,000 - 45,000
Annual Program - funds will be spent as
projects and initiatives are developed
Annual Program - funds will be spent as
projects and initiatives are developed
CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
Quarter ending March 31, 2006
ACTIVITY PRJ. CODE DESCRIPTION BUDGET ENCMBRD. BALANCE NOTES
90106 72282 SIGNAL INSTALLATIONS 45,000 - 45,000
90104 73337 SOUTHWEST AREA MNTCE FACILTY 93,000 - 1,911
90102 70004 SPECIFIED CONTINGENCY 48 - 48 For 2005 Debt Service.
90105 70004 SPECIFIED CONTINGENCY 194,687 - 194,687 Use for Fire Admin relocation
90106 70004 SPECIFIED CONTINGENCY 204,000 - 204,000
90103 72240 ST CLAIR/CLIFF RECON 130,000 - 8,832 Balance transferred to CIB Contingency.
90101 72298 ST PAUL GATEWAY 40,000 - 23,334
90104 72316 TRAFFIC CALMING 50,000 - 12,903 Annual Program.
90103 72316 TRAFFIC CALMING 40,000 - 14,269 Funds will be spend as
90106 72316 TRAFFIC CALMING 25,000 - 25,000 projects and initiatives
90105 72316 TRAFFIC CALMING 50,000 - 50,000 are developed.
90104 73348 TRILLIUM SITE DEVELOPMENT 150,000 - 61,846
90106 72185 WABASHA BRIDGE REPLACEMENT 380,000 - 380,000
90105 73358 WABASHA MINES CLOSING 102,000 - 50,236
90105 72331 WB @ MNHAHA,MARYLAND,E7TH,OLD H 126,000 - 126,000 WBA @ Minnehaha - Construct in 2006.
90105 73345 WELLSTONE CNTR FOR COMM BLDG 29,878 - 29,878
90104 73345 WELLSTONE CNTR FOR COMM BLDG 821,700 - 154,099
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROJECTS
ACTIVITY PRJ. CODE DESCRIPTION BUDGET ENCMBRD. BALANCE NOTES
96004 01004 1161 CLARENCE 80,000 - 4,401
91021 01296 1464 SHERBURNE AVE 30,000 - 15,000
91021 01226 232 COTTAGE 36,500 - 142
96004 01158 520 PAYNE 260,000 - 15,068
96007 01159 565 PAYNE AVE 130,000 - 130,000
91021 01138 915 SHERBURNE AVE 7,500 - 7,500
94002 00382 ACQUISITION CONTINGENCY 126,598 - 126,598 Needed for 2005 award shortfall.
94002 00407 CDBG AUDIT EXPENSE 125,000 - 23,091
91003 00904 CENTRAL VILLAGE PLAY AREA 273,900 - 1,508 Resolving contractor issues.
94002 00384 CITIZEN PARTICIPATION 1,258,019 84,118 55,656
94002 00492 COMM HAZARDOUS BLDG DEMO 384,091 - 182,902
91021 01019 COMP HOMEOWNER OPP FUND 1,645,092 - 1,645,092
94002 00418 COMPREHENSIVE HOME PURCHASE & R 9,459,063 - 1,632,970
96004 00518 COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING REAL ESTA 15 - 15
94002 00432 CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM 2,592,034 139,769 180,692
96004 00997 EAST MINNEHAHA 380,000 - 13,473
96004 01002 ECHO HOUSING 180,000 - 5,405
94002 00387 FINANCE DEPARTMENT 146,650 - 28,006
94002 00409 GENERAL ADMINISTRATION 9,918,915 - 7,341
91011 00971 GRIGGS RECREATION CENTER 767,194 - 43,461 Nearing Completion.
91021 01216 HERBERT HOUSING SITE 120,000 - 16,596
94002 00462 HOMELESS FACILITIES IMP 304,810 - 254,810
96027 00507 HOMEOWNER REHAB MATCHING GRT 1,388,146 145,735 150,000
94002 00482 HOUSEHOLD HAZARD WAST REMOVAL 2,037,529 - 2,250
94002 00405 HOUSING INFORMATION OFFICE 1,943,400 15,000 435,520
94002 00500 HUD TRAINING 33,605 - 16,968
96007 01309 MARGAUX RESTAURANT 95,000 - 9,500
91023 01021 MARTIN LUTHER KING 460,000 - 9,903 In progress.
98009 00665 MARTIN LUTHER KING RENOVATION 200,000 - 341 Available
96004 01306 MODEL CITIES 42,000 - 42,000
91024 01022 NBRHD REVITALIZATION ACQ FUND 4,850,000 9,430 444,426
91042 01303 NEDA/CNHS 261,500 - 261,500
94002 00433 NEIGHBORHOOD NON-PROFITS 2,715,767 - 213,460
CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
Quarter ending March 31, 2006
ACTIVITY PRJ. CODE DESCRIPTION BUDGET ENCMBRD. BALANCE NOTES
96007 00519 NHBD COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LOA 454,000 - 454,000
96007 01336 PHOENIX MARKET 25,000 - 5,844
94002 00410 PLANNING ADMINISTRATION 3,000,000 - 271,257
94002 00383 PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 3,067,598 - 399,152
94002 00504 PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CONTINGENCY 693 - 693
91021 01116 RAILROAD ISLAND HOUSING 380,040 - 144,554
94002 00502 REHABILITATION CONTINGENCY 165,988 - 165,988 Needed for 2005 award shortfall.
94002 00501 REHABILITATION SALARIES 4,329,049 - 732,892
91026 01024 RICE PLAY AREA 274,000 - 642
91042 01302 SACDC/ASANDC 172,500 - 120,489
98008 00664 SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM 243,453 - 243,453
91042 01301 SPARC 276,000 - 276,000
96007 01161 SWEDISH BANK BUILDING 230,000 - 230,000
94002 00413 TAXI REFUELING STATION 87,986 - 1,893
94002 00503 UNSPECIFIED CONTINGENCY 70,705 - 70,705 Needed for 2005 award shortfall.
94002 00461 VACANT & HAZARDOUS BLDG DEMO 2,510,000 - 115,741
96011 00506 WEST SIDE NHS RLF 1,790,037 31,249 350,000
NEIGHBORHOOD STAR PROJECTS
(Key to the last two digits of the STAR Activity number: 03 is Debt Service Transfer, Loans are 05, Large Grants are 06, Small Grants are 08, and Undesignated is 98.)
"NIIP" indicates the project was funded by the Neighborhood Investment Iniative Program.
ACTIVITY PRJ. CODE DESCRIPTION BUDGET ENCMBRD. BALANCE NOTES
90308 77715 04 LEAD PIPE REPLACEMENT 20,000 - 124 Available
90306 77558 815 THIRD ST - USHNA 29,000 - 7,381
90306 78608 ACE AUTO 30,000 - 30,000
90306 77773 AMES PLAYGROUND 36,740 - 36,740
90306 77737 ARCADE/ROSE CORRIDOR 135,000 - 6,091
90308 77620 ARTSTART 6,903 - 571 Available
90306 77725 BLOOMING SUBURBAN AVE 135,950 - 135,950 Project Construction in 2006.
90306 77765 BRUCE VENTO PLAYGROUND 10,000 - 10,000
90308 77694 BRUSH WITH KINDNESS #3 20,000 - 5,627
90306 77756 BRUSH WITH KINDNESS #4 25,000 - 25,000 Available
90306 77742 BUS CENTER RONDO LIB 75,000 - 75,000 Progress will begin in 2006.
90308 77689 CASA DE ESPERANZA 14,800 - 1,001
90306 78611 CHELSEA HTS SIGN 2,000 - 2,000
90306 77559 CIRCUS OF THE STAR 30,000 - 30,000
90306 77691 COMMERCIAL RESTORE SP 45,000 - 45,000
90305 77657 COMO-FRONT-DALE IMPROVEMENT 100,000 - 21,209 Project Construction in 2006.
90306 77657 COMO-FRONT-DALE IMPROVEMENT 150,000 - 20,904 Project Construction in 2006.
90306 77748 CROSSROADS EC PLAYGROUND 5,000 - 5,000
90306 77708 DALE STREET SHOPS 112,000 - 112,000
90306 77733 DALE-MINNEHAHA IMPROV 75,000 - 75,000
90306 77750 DAYTON'S BLUFF GREENING 8,000 - 8,000
90306 77744 DENTAL EXPANSION 70,000 - 40,295
90306 77763 DICKERMAN PARK 30,000 - 30,000
90305 77000 DIRECT PROJECT COSTS 1,258,785 - 141,053 For program costs.
90306 77000 DIRECT PROJECT COSTS 1,005,960 - 43,112 For program costs.
90306 78614 DIST 6 CPTED 30,000 - 30,000
90306 77720 DIST 6 FACADE PROG 30,000 - 4,262
90305 77700 DIST DEL SOL BLD INCENTIVE 35,000 - 18,000
90306 77700 DIST DEL SOL BLD INCENTIVE 70,000 - 22,800
90306 77768 EAGLES NEST #3 32,500 - 32,500
90306 77754 EAGLE'S NEST WINDOWS #2 25,000 - 25,000
90305 77769 ESNDC TARGET BUSINESS FUND 100,000 - 100,000
90306 77769 ESNDC TARGET BUSINESS FUND 100,000 - 100,000
90306 78607 FORECAST ON UNIVERSITY 8,000 - 8,000
90306 77650 FOURTH ST TRAIL LINK 209,000 - 46,239
90308 77692 FRENCH SCHOOL PLAYGROUND 25,000 - 25,000
CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
Quarter ending March 31, 2006
ACTIVITY PRJ. CODE DESCRIPTION BUDGET ENCMBRD. BALANCE NOTES
90306 77149 GATEWAY TO ST. PAUL 200,000 - 24,211 Available
90306 77770 GLOBE BLDG 163,260 - 163,260
90306 77755 GN BUSINESS ENHANCEMENTS 25,000 - 25,000
90305 77731 GRAIN ELEVATOR 100,000 - 100,000
90306 77731 GRAIN ELEVATOR 100,000 - 100,000
90308 77622 HAMLINE BRIDGE 10,000 - 8,542
90308 77379 HIGHLAND DEV PROJ VI 20,000 - 20,000 Contract expired.
90308 77462 HIGHLAND DEVELOPMENT PROJ VII 20,000 - 10,200 Contract expired.
90305 77531 HISTORIC BREWERY RENOVATION 20,000 - 20,000
90306 77531 HISTORIC BREWERY RENOVATION 30,000 - 30,000
90305 77532 HOA BIEN RESTAURANT 150,000 - 150,000
90306 77532 HOA BIEN RESTAURANT 50,000 - 50,000
90306 77640 HORSE STABLE 50,000 - 50,000 This is in Council Contingency.
90306 77654 HOUSING 5000 20,000,000 - 1,000,000
90306 77533 INDOOR FARMERS MARKET 100,000 - 100,000
90305 77679 INDOOR MARKET 600,000 - 590,981
90306 77736 IZZY'S ICE CREAM 5,000 - 54
90306 77729 JOHN JOHNSON PG 52,500 - 52,500
90306 77757 LEAD WINDOW REPLACEMENT 14,250 - 14,250
90306 77758 LINCOLN TH WALL 25,000 - 25,000
90305 77447 LIVABLE NEIGHBORHOODS 160,000 - 70,000
90306 77775 LONGFELLOW PLAYGROUND 17,000 - 17,000
90306 77644 LOU'S MARKET 100,000 - 88,576
90306 78602 MAC-GROVELAND HOME IMPR. 20,000 - 20,000
90305 77701 MANN THEATERS 213,270 - 5,786
90306 78610 MEMORIAL BENCH 2,368 - 2,368
90306 77683 MERRIAM SKATE PARK 100,000 - 95 Available
90306 77724 MISS MARKET LOT 50,000 - 50,000
90306 77761 MS PLAYGROUND 18,046 - 18,046
90305 77727 N LENDING PARTNERSHIP 3 200,000 - 200,000
90306 78600 NATIVE AMERICAN PANEL 3,800 - 3,800
90305 77529 NEAR BUSINESS LOANS 150,000 - 108,501
90306 77722 NEDA DRAINAGE & WATER MGMNT 5,000 - 2,845
90306 77678 NEDA DUPLEX 15,000 - 15,000
90305 77771 NENDC DIST 4 FACADE 75,000 - 75,000
90306 77771 NENDC DIST 4 FACADE 75,000 - 75,000
90306 78612 NEW AMERICAN HEALTH CENTER 9,123 - 9,123
90306 77703 NEW YORK EAGLE 20,000 - 20,000
90308 77714 OFFICE ADDITION & REHAB 25,000 - 25,000
90305 77437 OLD SWEDISH BANK RENNOVATION 30,000 - 30,000
90306 77437 OLD SWEDISH BANK RENNOVATION 132,278 - 132,278
90305 77530 PAN ASIAN URBAN VILLAGE 750,000 - 750,000 Awarded late 2001, but no contract.
90306 77530 PAN ASIAN URBAN VILLAGE 200,000 - 200,000 Awarded late 2001, but no contract.
90308 77573 PARKWAY PAY AREA 20,000 - 20,000
90305 77024 PAYNE AVE COMMERCIAL GATEWAY 80,000 - 29,170 Disbursed April 06
90305 77155 PED PROG FOR NEIGHBORHOOD PROJS 28,000 - 28,000
90308 77621 PHALEN BERM 5,000 - 5,000 Awarded in 2002, but no contract.
90308 77574 PHALEN ENTRANCES II 20,000 - 16,559
90306 77738 PHALEN ICE ARENA 120,000 - 120,000 Disbursed April 06
90306 77741 PRIDE IN HOUSING 2005 100,000 - 86,700
90306 77705 PUBLIC ART PROGRAM 160,000 - 160,000
90306 77728 RANDOLPH HEIGHTS PG 38,500 - 38,500
90305 77762 REDA DIST DEL SOL PROG #2 50,000 - 50,000
90306 77762 REDA DIST DEL SOL PROG #2 50,000 - 50,000
90305 77766 RESTORE ST PAUL EXPANSION 125,000 - 125,000
90306 77766 RESTORE ST PAUL EXPANSION 75,000 - 75,000
90306 77730 RICE ST IMPROV PROG 100,000 - 100,000 Sycamore to Front Construct in 2006.
90306 77774 RICE ST LANDSCAPE 200,000 - 200,000
90306 78606 ROASTING STONES 6,000 - 6,000
90308 77695 SAP COMMERCIAL #3 20,000 - 2,414
90306 77735 SCHROEDER'S 30,000 - 8,167
90306 77699 SELBY MAIN ST INITIATIVE 25,000 - 2,135
90306 77747 SELBY MILTON EXTERIOR 3,000 - 3,000
90306 77709 SHERIDAN PLAYGROUND 10,000 - 10,000
CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
Quarter ending March 31, 2006
ACTIVITY PRJ. CODE DESCRIPTION BUDGET ENCMBRD. BALANCE NOTES
90306 77764 SHOLOM HOME E. 16,000 - 16,000
90308 77688 SHOWER FACILITY 25,000 - 25,000 Zero Balance
90305 77655 SMALL BUSINESS EXPANSION PROG 500,000 - 500,000 Awarded July 02, but no contract.
90305 77759 SPARC LEAD ABATEMENT 100,000 - 100,000
90306 78613 SPARC N-END IMPR. PROG. 70,000 - 70,000
90305 77760 SPARC RICE ST PROG #2 75,000 - 75,000
90306 77760 SPARC RICE ST PROG #2 75,000 - 75,000
90306 77772 STEPPING STONE ON VICTORIA 125,000 - 125,000
90308 77719 STOREFRONT INCENTIVE PROG 22,000 - 2,550
90305 77732 STRYKER AVE REHAB 32,920 - 28,358
90306 77732 STRYKER AVE REHAB 32,920 - 28,358
90306 77196 SUBURBAN/I94 COMMERCIAL AREA 100,000 - 65,000 Awarded in 1998. Last extension expired
Dec 03. Contract expired.
90306 77751 TALMUD TORAH FIELD 20,000 - 20,000
90303 77706 TRANSFER TO DEBT SERVICE 11,083,724 - 3,500,000
90308 77690 TREASURE ISLAND 25,000 - 25,000
90306 77192 UAW-FORD-MNSCU BEAUTIFICATION P 198,500 - 178,500
90398 77999 UNDESIGNATED ADOPTED BUDGET 3,375,659 - 3,375,659 Includes $566,385 contingency
90306 77684 UNIFORMS UNLIMITED 9,000 - 1,570
90305 77767 UNIV/SNELLING FACADE PROG 75,000 - 75,000
90306 77767 UNIV/SNELLING FACADE PROG 75,000 - 75,000
90306 78609 W7 COMMUNITY CENTER 20,000 - 12,665
90306 77991 WARD 1 335,677 - 335,677
90306 77992 WARD 2 427,346 - 427,346
90306 77993 WARD 3 277,401 - 277,401
90306 77994 WARD 4 345,012 - 345,012
90306 77995 WARD 5 242,384 - 242,384
90306 77996 WARD 6 410,429 - 410,429
90306 77997 WARD 7 306,429 - 306,429
90305 77734 WBA BUSINESS FACADE 100,000 - 100,000
90306 77734 WBA BUSINESS FACADE 100,000 - 100,000
90305 77351 WEST SIDE MAIN STREET 32,000 - 32,000
90306 77351 WEST SIDE MAIN STREET 68,000 - 68,000
90306 77234 WHITE BEAR AVE MINNEHAHA STREET 20,000 - 2,200 Available
90305 77160 YEAR-ROUND PROJECTS 686 - 686 Available
CULTURAL STAR PROJECTS
(Key to the last two digits of the STAR Activity number: Loans are 09, Grants are 10, and Undesignated is 99.)
ACTIVITY PRJ. CODE DESCRIPTION BUDGET ENCMBRD. BALANCE NOTES
90310 71565 2004 DRAGON FESTIVAL 10,000 0 10,000
90310 71588 4TH ST THEATER UPGRADE 30,000 0 30,000
90310 71556 ARTS & CULTURAL PARTNERSHIP,MKT 50,000 0 21,857
90310 71601 AUDIENCE DEV.& MARKETING 25,000 0 3,569
90310 71578 BLACK DOG ARTS 13,000 0 13,000
90310 71606 BLOOMING SP #3 50,000 0 5,375
90310 71614 BOOSE PHOTO EXHIBIT 5,000 0 5,000
90310 71555 CAAM DANCE THEATRE,NEW DANCE SP 25,000 0 25,000
90310 71621 CAAM STRATEGIC PLANNING 25,000 0 25,000
90310 71512 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN 10,000 0 4,000
90310 71580 CENTRAL LIB PROG 27,700 0 11,086
90310 71523 CENTRAL LIBRARY PROGRAMMING 25,000 0 36
90310 71581 CHILDREN'S MUSIC CATALOG 10,000 0 3,424
90310 71608 CIRCUS JUVENTAS:MARKETING 15,000 0 15,000
90310 71517 DIGITAL SOUND 30,000 0 30,000
90309 77000 DIRECT PROJECT COSTS 73,087 0 23,958 For program costs.
90310 71613 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40,000 0 29,425
90310 71622 EXTERIOR SIGNAGE 50,000 0 50,000
90310 71610 FITGERALD 19,000 0 19,000
CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
Quarter ending March 31, 2006
ACTIVITY PRJ. CODE DESCRIPTION BUDGET ENCMBRD. BALANCE NOTES
90310 71630 GREMLIN 05-06 SEASON 10,000 0 10,000
90310 71577 HERITAGE TOURISM 12,500 0 4,435
90309 71525 HIGHLAND THEATER PRESERVATION 75,000 0 75,000
90310 71574 HMONG ARTS & TALENT,CIA'S SECRE 20,000 0 15,688
90310 71586 IFP CAPITAL CAMPAIGN 50,000 0 2,500 Available
90310 71624 JAZZ FESTIVAL 20,000 0 20,000
90310 71636 KLUB HAUS/CULT INCUBATOR 12,500 0 12,500
90310 71640 LABOR LEGACY MURAL 10,000 0 10,000
90310 71632 LANDMARK INFO/COMMONS 75,000 0 75,000
90310 71618 LIGHTING,SOUND & STAGE EQUIP 10,000 0 10,000
90310 71524 LOADING DOCK 9,000 0 3,831
90310 71603 MARKETING MAKEOVER 10,000 0 1,757
90310 71596 MARKETING:MOUNDS THEATRE 10,000 0 4,476
90310 71628 MEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE MURAL 20,000 0 20,000
90310 71575 MN BALLET 30,000 0 924
90310 71553 MN BOYCHOIR, ORG DEVELOPMENT 20,000 0 7,750
90310 71560 MN HISTORICAL SOC.JAMES J.HILL 25,000 0 25,000
90310 71568 MN JEWISH THEATRE,MARKETING 30,000 0 1,956
90310 71602 MN OPERA SUBSCRIPTION INITIATIV 30,000 0 30,000
90310 71571 MN PUBIC RADIO,FITZGERALD THEAT 30,000 0 30,000
90310 71594 MN SHOWBOAT PUPPETRY 18,500 0 18,500
90310 71620 MN SUR SEINE #2 15,000 0 15,000
90310 71511 MOUNDS STAGE UPGRADE 18,000 0 406
90310 71554 MOUNDS THEATRE,DRESSING ROOMS 15,000 0 15,000
90310 71576 MUSIC IN MOTION 20,000 0 20,000
90310 71637 N STAR OPERA EXEC DIR 25,000 0 25,000
90310 71633 NEW SEASON AT MOUND 5,000 0 5,000
90310 71638 ONE VOICE CAPACITY BLDG 17,200 0 17,200
90310 71627 PAJ NTAUB VOICE 5,000 0 5,000
90310 71635 PALACE THEATER PLANNING 30,000 0 30,000
90310 71623 PENUMBRA RENOVATIONS 50,000 0 22,659
90310 71607 PROJECT SUCCESS 30,000 0 16,685
90310 77410 REVOLVING GRANT PROGRAM 1,500 0 1,500 PED ongoing program.
90310 77631 RONDO DAYS 12,500 0 9,000 Available
90310 71584 RONDO LIBRARY ARTS 25,000 0 25,000 In progress.
90310 71595 SAIGON TO MN 20,000 0 11,715
90310 77104 SCIENCE MUSEUM PROJECT II 2,197,531 0 286,746
90310 71572 SCIENCE MUSEUM,SCIENCE FUSION 50,000 0 50,000
90310 71626 SMM PARKING LOT 90,000 0 90,000 Available
90310 71605 SOUND OF HOPE 7,000 0 7,000
90310 71582 SP CONSERV OF MUSIC 22,500 0 18,080
90309 77418 ST. PAUL RIVERCENTRE AUTH 300,000 0 300,000 Advance to RiverCentre.
90310 71600 SUMMER ART PLAY 20,000 0 20,000
90310 71634 TC WOMEN'S CHOIR 5,000 0 674
90310 71593 TCPT DIGITAL EQUIP 30,000 0 30,000
90304 77707 TRANSFER TO GENERAL FUND 354,164 0 204,733
90310 71597 TUITION REIMBURSEMENT 55,000 0 55,000
90399 77999 UNDESIGNATED ADOPTED BUDGET 2,383,500 0 2,383,500
90310 71590 WATER MUSIC PROJECT 20,000 0 20,000
90310 71592 WITNESS 20,000 0 20,000
90310 71639 WOODTURNERS EXHIBITION 16,000 0 16,000
90310 71625 ZEITGEIST PRE-CAMPAIGN 10,000 0 10,000

6:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Three percent of the city's homes standing vacant.

St. Paul is on the road to becoming the next Detroit.

7:09 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Raise property Taxes, is that to help pay for the Republican Convention?
Maybe The NEXT St.Paul Mayor to turn Republican will be "Chris Coleman".
Democratic has shown St.Paul over the years who Rules the City Government, how about that Ramsey County that's another Democrats' Rule.

8:03 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

St.Paul needs more money, so our property taxes are going to go up again!

8:31 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Republican, Democrat... Their all the same.

8:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Are you starting to get the gist of what a leftist-socialist government really looks like yet?

Where were you during the last city council elections?

How do you like the largest tax increase in St. Paul’s history?

Kathy Lantry, Lee Helgen and Dave Thune got re-elected? Why? No one get involved to stop them.

These council members promised to raise property taxes and they are simply following through with their promises.

If you want to do something about it, then show up at the next city council meeting wearing some orange. Why orange, well orange is a protest color. Ever heard of the “Orange Revolution?” What do you think if every Wednesday, the council chambers were filled with people wearing orange? The council would get the message that it is not business as usual, that they can’t pull the wool over your eyes anymore.

The choice is clear, get involved or pay up.

10:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Right wing local government has been a failure which is why its not practiced at the local level. Even Rudy Guiliani governed to the left while mayor. Bloomberg ran as a Republican and became an independent and governs from the left.

City government has direct impact on people's lives and have to take that into every consideration. Its also the office that is closest to the people. Right wing philosophy doesn't work so well on that level. Even after Norm switched parties he still funded some very important programs that now as Senator he's not in favor of.

Republicans do best at the state level. Democrats at the local and a good mix at the national level (both tend to get corrupted at that level).

"You know who"

11:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, 40 people showing up wearing orange is not going to do anything. They'll just say that each one of them got 100 times that to vote for them.

Ramsey County is a mix of Dems and Repugs. Tony Bennett is the chair of the board for the county and he is a dyed in the wool Republican. Fletcher is also a conservative.

Wrong again.

11:27 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Mayor and the rest of that good for nothing City Council ought to be down at Police headquarters posing for photos with a collage of ganster photos in back of them. I think they would feel more comfortable in that enviorment because they wouldn't have to pretend and put on this phoney front that they are something decent and respectable.

12:33 PM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

5:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nancy,

FYI - Orange was the rallying color of the 2004 – 2005 Orange Revolution in Ukraine and has thus become the international color symbolizing opposition to tyranny around the world.

I think our city council fits the category of “Tyranny in Action.” A revolution is needed down at city hall, call it the Orange Revolution in St. Paul.

BTW, Bob, Nancy L., Nancy O., Eric, George, Sharon, Billy D., Chuck (Sr. & Jr), Dave T, Lee H, Kathy L and least we not forget Jay B:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

6:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Orange is the national color of the Netherlands and is seen on its original flag and coat of arms.

6:37 PM  

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