01/21/2003 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 1/21/2003 events: The committee now has a registered voter data base in use which allows for better utilization of volunteers. The volunteers are now being given lists of households in walking order, complete with names and addresses of every household member, exactly as it must be written on the petition. This approach will be more productive and result in fewer bad signatures. Also, two websites will soon be in place for public viewing. As a coordinator, he does not have the authority to give orders to campaign volunteers, but can only attempt to guide them. Some of the people involved in this effort may have let their very understandable emotions and enthusiasm overpower their reason. This may have caused the Mayor's attorney to write a letter to Mr. 5totz. He personally finds that letter somewhat threatening. He encourages all volunteers to focus on what the petition says and leave the rest for the election campaign. Opinions about the Mayor cannot be presented as if they are proven facts. Also, the petition drive only gets the issue on the ballot, which is an important point to make to people who are reluctant to sign. It doesn't mean that the Mayor is to disappear. It only means that citizens want to have the opportunity to think about the issues, hear about them and vote on them in an election. Only the voters can recall the Mayor and only from the voting booth. He wants to emphasize that he personally considers this to be a completely non-partisan campaign. This drive will not succeed without the support of Republicans who feel their party is not being served by the Mayor; second, concerned Democrats wanting a change; third, independents wanting the best government possible. From this time forward, let us all do our best to promote smart politics and good city government. Dan Waken, 24806 Kennedy Ridge Road. ^ He continues to be concerned about the lack of aturn-around for fire trucks and school buses on Kennedy Ridge. His son has to be driven to the corner of the street to catch the bus. Councilman McKay said he did call the Safety Director and asked him to review the issue of atom-around for fire trucks. Also, the Assistant Engineer reviewed the col-de-sac at that location and there is actually not enough room to make a col-de-sac there that would meet the 45 feet that is required for the bus turn- around. Mr. Waken wondered if the buses could use the two driveways on the lots where the homes were removed. Mr. McKay answered that it was private property and the city could not give permission for it to be used. Councilman Gareau said that perhaps the city could look into acquiring some of the property to provide sufficient room for the vehicles to turn around. Councilman Limpert suggested that Mr. Waken might want to contact the owners of the property with the driveways for permission to use the driveways for a bus turn-around. Councilman Miller noted that he lived on a col-de-sac, and the schools were contacted about picking up the children on that street. The schools were quite responsive and did in fact send the hus down the street. Hopefully, the problem on Kennedy Ridge can also be resolved. ^ He does not agree with the proposal to reduce the income tax credit to 70%. It puts the burden on people who work outside of the city rather than spreading it equally among all residents. Councilman Dailey said Mr. Waken's comments were well founded, and he had received many calls in opposition to the reduction. ^ Asked to whom he should speak to get information about Springvale. President O'Grady directed him to speak to Safety Director Jesse. 11