The Blog from City Hall

I’m back in the office today after taking a week off for my son’s high school graduation; graduation reception; and to complete a load of mandatory miscellaneous home cleaning and improvement projects in advance thereof.

It’s good to be back in the office.

I don’t have much for today. I’ve got to start working my way through my Inbox this morning and get a feel for what I missed out on over the past week. But I did find the following piece at ICMA.org written by Ivan Widom, Retired City Manager, Canon City, Colorado.

Enjoy, and I’ll be fully back in the blog saddle tomorrow.

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The Top 10 Things That Keeps a Local Government Manager Up at Night

1. Why were those two councilmembers talking in hushed tones? They usually never look at each other much less speak!

2. The council holds a closed-door meeting, and the mayor wants to have a meeting with you tomorrow to discuss “personnel matters.”

3. The newspaper has started running a series of articles on city bidding practices that feature how they are not being followed.

4. Several employees have been openly defiant of your authority and have been seen meeting with several elected officials.

5. Your pet project has suddenly run into a lot of resistance by some of the more “friendly” councilmembers.

6. Your wife tells you that she has been hearing rumors about the city considering changes in top management.

7. Your kids ask you what the words tenure and longevity mean. They also want to know if they will have to move to another city-again.

8. You are told that the mayor of your city was seen talking to the manager of a neighboring town in the supermarket. [And yes, the mayor was asking him if he was interested in your job. This one really happened.]

9. You are in bed trying to get some sleep and suddenly realize that you left some extremely important numbers out of the budget.

10. There’s talk about a former manager that you don’t see eye to eye with running for a seat on the council.

Happy Birthday Turner. He’s the big kid sitting on my lap in this family photo from Tulip Time in Pella, Iowa earlier this spring.

He’s 18 today.

Happy birthday big boy.

Today you are a Man.

I’m out of the office all week this week. I’m getting my home ready to receive guests for my son’s High School graduation reception. It’s sort of a “forced march” of miscellaneous minor home improvement projects; deep cleaning; and foo-foo decorating. It’s pretty much an assembly of all the things that I really do not enjoy doing. But, the cause is good, so I’ll be getting back to work now.

Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce President Pat MulQueeny greets Governor Tim Pawlenty prior to his speech at the Chamber’s monthly luncheon at Bearpath Golf & Country Club yesterday.

I attended the Chamber luncheon yesterday too. I usually do. I thought this luncheon would be an especially interesting one with the Governor as our keynote speaker, and I was right. Governor Pawlenty is a fantastic speaker. He is smart, witty, quick, and engaging. He is a good story teller. He had good command of his facts and was moderately respectful of differing points of view.

On of the things I liked best about his style is that he answered questions. Not that he just took questions. He answered them too. I did not expect the Governor to get any tough questions at this venue, and he did not, but it is refreshing to watch a politician of his stature actually respond to citizen questions with answers instead of spin. I thought he did a good job of that.

One of the policy/political areas that the Governor spoke about yesterday was his plan to veto the Transportation Bill. There is a story in the Star Tribune today about the veto. He announced his veto plan at the luncheon to cheers, hoots, and a lot of “You go Guv” exclamations from the audience.

I suppose I should have expected that reaction. Partisan feelings are strong right now for everyone with something at stake in the Legislature. It is the proverbial “crunch time”. I don’t believe this particular veto is anything to cheer about though. All it really means is that we’ll go yet another legislative session without reform in the way that we fund transportation in our state. Regardless of how you might feel about the gas tax issue, another year of legislative stalemate that prevents us from solving our state’s transportation shortcomings is certainly nothing to cheer about.

We videotaped the Governor’s speech. We will replay the speech on the City’s cable access channel, EPTV-16, starting tomorrow. It will be broadcast at 11am, 4pm, and 10pm on the following dates: Saturday, May 21; Sunday, May 22; Monday, May 23; Tuesday, May 24; Wednesday, May 25; Thursday, May 26; and Friday, May 27.

Our Police Department holds a recognition event each year to welcome and swear-in new employees; acknowledge significant career promotions and achievements; and to recognize examples of work that fits into the “above & beyond” category. It is a great event. Not only do we get almost 100% attendance from employees, but we also welcome many of their parents, spouses, kids, siblings, friends, etc. It may sound cliche, but it really is a special event for them.

This is new Officer Ronnie Henke. He started with us in 2004. He is going to be a good one. That’s his Dad pinning his badge on him after he was officially sworn-in. I spoke to his Dad briefly after the ceremony. He was a career Police Officer in Mound. He was a proud father. He could not be happier that his son is on our Police force.

That’s Sgt. Jim Morrow at the podium. He presented awards to Officer Andy Rohde (on the left) and Sgt. David Becker for their 10+ years of service to our Emergency Response Unit (aka “SWAT”). Sgt. Becker was working and could not attend last night’s event, so his young son stood in for him to accept the award. Sure, he’s a cute kid, but what impressed me was his poise. No giggling or clowning around. This is a respectful event and this little guy acted accordingly. I was impressed with him.

That’s Lt. Jim DeMann having his new badge pinned on him by his Mother. Lt. DeMann was promoted this past year from Sgt. DeMann. Jim has worked for our Police Department since 1983. He’s one of our top performers, and a pretty good guy too. I talked to both of his parents as well. They are very proud of him.

Last, but certainly not least, at last night’s event came the awarding of the Officer of the Year. The Officer of the Year award is given out by the Department’s Labor-Management Team (LMT). The LMT consists of employees from all strata of the Police Department, plus myself and the City’s Human Resources Manager Karen Kurt. We meet each month to talk about personnel, management, and operations issues in the Police Department.

We also pick the Officer of the Year based upon nominations submitted by Police Department employees. This year’s winner is Officer Orrin Alt. Officer Alt is a career officer in our Department. He is a traffic control specialist. He believes strongly in the importance of traffic law enforcement and the effect that has to create a safer community. That’s Officer Alt in the foreground; Sgt. Randy Thompson at the podium; and Chief Dan Carlson on the right.

I’m tempted to say we’re lucky to have the high quality Police Department we have here in Eden Prairie, but “luck” really has nothing to do with it. Maybe “fortunate” is a better word. We take great care in the selection of the men and women who we entrust to provide public safety in Eden Prairie. We want to hire the best because we know that, more often than not, when a young officer starts working here, they’ll stay here for their entire career. I believe that says a lot about our community, and about our Department.

I count myself as fortunate to work with them

Every year the City Council conducts a review of my work performance. The Eden Prairie News reported on my review in their May 12 edition. My performance review process began this year with the Council’s approval of an outside consultant to coordinate the review. The Council likes the use of an outside coordinator because it provides an extra level of insulation in the process of collecting information on my performance from City employees. The Council approved the selection of Mr. Harry Brull of Personnel Decisions International (PDI) to conduct this year’s review. Mr. Brull also coordinated my 2003 and 2004 performance reviews on behalf of the Council.

In the 2004 review, the Council asked for a full ‘360 degree’ review which included the collection of feedback from people both inside and outside of our organization. Because the results of the 2004 review were so positive, Mr. Brull recommended, and the Council approved, a smaller scale review this year.

Accordingly, Mr. Brull developed a questionnaire to solicit feedback from City employees concerning my performance over the past year. I developed a list of employees to participate in the review. The list was selected to create a balance for demographic factors, organizational status, and departmental affiliation. There were 70 employees who had the chance to participate in the review. The identified employees received the review form from my Executive Assistant Ms. Lorene McWaters, but returned it directly to PDI for final processing.

The next step in the review process was for me to prepare a self-assessment of my performance for the past twelve months. I did that. It used the same format that Mr. Brull developed to collect employee feedback. It was also the same format that Councilmembers were asked to use to comment on my performance.

Councilmembers completed their individual reviews of my performance based on the feedback from employees and my self review, and their own impressions and experiences with me in completing the review forms. They completed their electronic forms and forwarded them directly to PDI by April 15. PDI summarized the Council feedback; integrated it with the employee feedback and my self-assessment; and then created a final performance review report to review with the Council in Closed Session on April 26. Mr. Brull attended the Closed Session to present the report and to facilitate the Council’s review of the results.

Here are the major themes of the this year’s review, as reported to the Council by Mr. Brull:

“Overall, respondents were positive and and enthusiastic regarding Mr. Neal’s performance as City Manager. Particularly noted were Mr. Neal’s open communication and positive representation of the City. Acknowledgement was also made regarding his reorganization of City departments.

Overall, responses from all three groups [general City employees; City Department Directors, and City Councilmembers] indicate that Mr. Neal is doing an exemplary job as Eden Prairie’s City Manager and that his leadership is a great asset to the City.”

I enjoy my job here in Eden Prairie. I enjoy working with the Council and my co-workers. I feel that I have made a positive contribution to the City of Eden Prairie. I believe that I have contributed to city government’s more positive relationship with citizens; the School District; the Chamber of Commerce; and other organizations within and outside the community. I believe that employees are better connected now to the organization than they were prior to my arrival. I am pleased with what I’ve accomplished here, but there’s much more to do. I appreciate very much the relationship that I have with the City Council and with my co-workers. Our mutual trust and support is the foundation that has made all of my accomplishments possible.

I’ll take one more year, please.

Eden Prairie, Edina, and Bloomington share a common border point. That point is just east of Winter Park on Washington Avenue; just north of the People Soft building; in the center of Washington Avenue. In the photo below, the common point is in the center of the photo between the two yellow lines.

City officials from Eden Prairie, Edina, and Bloomington are engaged in what we hope are the final advocacy stages to secure federal and state transportation funding for the improvement of the 169/494 intersection. The design for the project is essentially complete. If (and when) it’s constructed, it would look like this:

In this look at the plan, North is at the top of the picture. Winter Park is the large greenish rectangular building you see in the top left corner, in the future intersection’s northwest quadrant.

There are three things I’ll direct your attention to in this plan. First, there is a bridge for Washington Avenue to cross 494. Washington Avenue connects W. 78th Street and Viking Drive. It would provide us with another point of entry and exit for the Golden Triangle Industrial Park. That’s good.

I would also point to the extensions of Viking Drive under 494 on the north side of the freeway to connect Eden Prairie to Edina and W. 78th Street under 494 on the south side of the freeway to connect us with Bloomington. Those connections are shown as light blue in color on this plan.

This is a complicated, and expensive project. Deliberations over transportation spending and taxation in St. Paul and Washington DC may impact this project. The state and the federal governments have both appropriated money for this project, but MnDOT believes it is still a little short of what it needs to ultimately proceed with putting the project out for bidding.

Pay attention to the current debate over gas taxes in St. Paul and the reauthorization of the transportation bill in DC. We have a project at stake.

I always get lots of favorable comments when I post examples of the feedback, questions, and comments I receive about my blog. I try to put a few of my favorites together a couple of times each year. Here’s what I’ve got for today:

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Dear Scott: Any chance of getting that RV dump going. Every year I see more and more RV’s in EP and of course the few hundred who visit Walmart. The closest dump to us is Shakopee. I have a feeling that a lot of sewage is going to the wrong place. Can you help us get this in EP.

Scott said: I told this reader that we could ask the Met Council about this idea, but that the prospect of success was not good.

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Dear Scott: I would like to apoligize for my anonymous email I sent earlier this year, on the subject of the developement of the Mississippi River valley bluffs. I suppose I am just angered and saddend by this beautiful, historical land area becoming more and more privatized by single family housing. I grew up in the southwest metro area, and on numerous occasions explored the bluff area in the summer months. This area should be protected and preserved.

Scott said: I thanked her for her apology and told her how rare it is for those of us in public service to receive apologies for this sort of thing. I told her about the Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area and encouraged her to come out and see it. It is the City’s newest effort to preserve exactly the kind of land she is conerned about.

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Dear Scott: I am a faculty member at the Truman School of Public Affairs (University of Missouri). I have published several recent papers on the potential effects of municipal government web pages on citizen involvement.

I am now interested in studying the use of blogs, wikis, etc. I’m impressed with your blog. I was wondering if you know of other colleagues using blogs to inform residents. Also — when your time allows, I’d really like to get your thoughts on blogging opportunities and challenges for city officials, public response, and any other reactions.

Thanks in advance for your consideration. Of course, I’d be happy to share copies of my papers if you’re interested.

Best regards

Scott said: Sure. I participated. I haven’t seen the final product yet.

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Dear Scott: Stupid question Scott, I am interested in what software you are using for you blogs? Thanks again!

Scott said: Actually not a stupid question at all. The blog is hosted at Blogger.com. I use their standard template and whatever software is included in it. It seems to work well for me.

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Dear Scott: Wth due respect and honour, may i seize these opportunity to discuss my desire feelings with you .I am Festus Offordum the son of mr and mrs offordum Ngozi from the easthern part of Nigeria in Imo state.

I,m a footballer with a tender age seeking for a football club in any part of Europe, i,m 16years of age ,I,ve being playing football for over years with several academic club here in africa but still finding no changes, I,ve played in Nigeria,Togo,Burkina faso and presently in Ivory coast still struggling.Sir, please i don,t have any body sponsoring me in present.And if God say,s you,ll be my manager and all and all,It really does,nt matter, but what i really need is an invitation letter for a club any where in europe screening trial.

My Height is 1.67while the weight 62kg,and an attacking midfielder.

Sir, i await your reply for further discussion.

Scott said: As some of you might know, I am a big fan of the beautiful game, but I could not help Mr. Offordom. Although I’ll have to admit, I did not try that hard……

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Dear Scott: I’m so glad that your son is now as HEALTHY as he is HANDSOME! Congratulations!

Scott said: What can a Father say to a comment like that but “thanks”. He gets his good looks from his Mother.

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Thanks for all the feedback, questions, and comments. The blog wouldn’t be worth doing with your interest.

We’ve started a new practice here at the City of Eden Prairie when we select new employees. We call it “Peer Interviews”.

Peer Interviewing represents another way the City is incorporating the Performance Partnership into our daily operations. The goal is to educate candidates during the selection process about the shared expectations for staff and to ensure that the candidates have qualities necessary to fit into our organizational culture.

Here is an actual Peer Interview team. L-R: Kathy Hoogenakker (Finance), Mary Krause (Engineering), and Brenda Uting (Parks & Recreation). They are preparing to Peer Interview the finalist candidates for a vacant Communications Associate position.

We have stocked our Peer Interview teams with employees who understand and exemplify the values of our Performance Partnership. We had a number of employees who volunteered to be a part of the Peer Interview teams because they wanted to help bring talented people into our organization. They understand that more talented people in our organization means that our organization will be better. That’s in everyone’s interest.
After completing their interview training in March, Peer Interviewers have assisted with the selection processes for Assistant Liquor Store Manager, Telecommunicator (public safety dispatcher), Communications Associate, and Facilities Engineer. The Peer Interview Teams question finalists about their previous experience relative to each of the City�s shared expectations: customer focus, flexibility, initiative, public stewardship, results orientation, and teamwork.

Overall, Peer Interviewers and managers report being pleased with the new process. Our Facilities Manager, Paul Sticha, said, �It was great to have another group looking at the candidates from another perspective. I was very impressed with the caliber of the feedback I received from the peer group. After the entire process, I felt confident that I had the right information to make a good hiring decision.�

Peer Interviewing is one more way we are trying to provide excellent customer focus and customer service to our citizens and customers by paying close attention to the front end of our employee selection process. We believe that getting the right people into the right places will help us reach that goal.

It’s also the smart thing to do.

That’s Jody Carlson in the blue shirt in the photo below. Jody works for the City as an Assessor.

She is charged with placing a fair value on taxable property for the purpose of taxing it by the various governments that collect property taxes.

Being an Assessor is not an easy job, for obvious reasons.

I got a letter a couple of weeks ago from Eden Prairie property owner; taxpayer; and citizen Ms. Diana DiCesare about her recent experiences working with Jody on a property appraisal issue. I asked Ms. DiCesare if I could share her letter publicly, and she said OK. Here’s what she had to say about Jody Carlson’s customer service and customer focus:

“When I received the original statement of the estimated value of my home I though for sure I would win my appeal. I spent hours searching the MLS for Eden Prairie homes similar in size and age to my home. Everything I found was significantly less expensive than Ms. Carlson’s’ appraisal. So, despite the fact that I travel extensively for my work and have a child under two-years old, I decided that I could indeed take the time to fight city hall.”

“From my first phone call through to my last phone call, Ms. Carlson was consistently polite, professional, and quite friendly. Ms. Carlson treated me with respect and took the time to hear my side of the the story and thoroughly explained the procedure to me. She never got defensive and she took a methodical approach to my request and re-reviewing her first assessment.”

“Her first staff report was well researched and quite thorough. I was impressed, even though her initial assessed value remain unchanged. You should know she is doing an accurate job and she is great handling people who are calling to ‘pick a fight’ with her, so to speak. Every time I enjoy an Eden Prairie city park, I guess I can thank Jody and that taxes I pay on my home here.”

Sincerely,

Diana DiCesare

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No, thank you Ms. DiCesare for taking the time to tell me about Jody’s work with you. She knows not only what she’s doing, but how to do it the right way. Jody is a good example of what we mean when we say “good customer focus is important to us”.

Thanks Jody.

Sgt. Gerald Vick was laid to rest today. I’m watching the funeral procession and activities live on television right now as I write this. We sent a dozen or so officers from our Police Department to the funeral today to pay our community’s respects to the St. Paul Police Department and to Sgt. Vick’s family.

Public safety is a very precious commodity in this world. People yearn as much for peace and public safety in this world as they yearn for personal freedom. We take our public safety for granted in America, until an officer like Sgt. Vick is killed in a short spasm of senseless violence. He will be missed by his family; by his coworkers in the St. Paul Police Department; and by the citizens of St. Paul.

We have an exceptional group of men and women in our Police Department who are charged with creating and sustaining public safety in our community. This is a very important function of local government. Perhaps the most important thing that we do.

Creating and sustaining public safety is, by its very nature, a dangerous profession. Everytime a Police Officer approaches a car at a traffic stop or enters an apartment to address a domestic situation, there is the opportunity for that officer to experience violence, and maybe even fatal violence. Our Police Officers put themselves in this position willingly to create and sustain our public safety. It’s really quite a sacrifice, when you think about it.

May 15, 2005 is National Peace Officers Memorial Day. On that day, pause for a moment to think about how fortunate we are to have the privilege of living in a community where public safety is the expectation - not the exception. But more importantly, think about the men and women who provide that public safety for us. And remember to say ‘thank you’ to them for their efforts and for their sacrafices.

I know these folks. They’ll appreciate it.

The City operates a Senior Center that we hope will serve as a hub of activity for residents 55 years or older. The Center�s staff works with seniors to organize many activities including woodworking, card games, trips, tours, health and wellness classes and computer classes. Our Parks & Recreation Department manages the Senior Center and is responsible for senior programming and activities.

The Senior Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. It is located at Eden Prairie Senior Center 8950 Eden Prairie Road. Its telephone number is 952-949-8475.

I am meeting tomorrow morning with the Senior Advisory Council. The City takes advice and counsel from the Advisory Council on the operations of the Center. I am going to talk with them tomorrow about what the City is doing for its senior citizen population. They are interested in the proposed parks and recreation improvements referendum; community growth; transportation; and all the other issues that citizens are interested in.

It’s been about a year since I last sat down with the seniors to talk about Eden Prairie. I am glad to have the chance to do it again tomorrow.

I depend every day on the work of Ms. Nilani Jayatilaka. Nilani works at the Messerli & Kremer Law Firm. The City employs Messerli & Kremer, through its membership in the Municipal Legislative Commission, to keep up on all things legislative while the State Legislature is in session each year. She tracks legislation; reports on individual bills; combs newspapers from around the state to keep up on the pulse of legislative issues around the state; and answers questions from people like me.

The following report is an example of the kind of reporting that Nilani provides to me throughout the session. This report is about the creation of new legislation to replace the 2003 Personal Protection Act, which was recently ruled unconstitutional by the Minnesota Courts. This is Nilani’s summary of the current status of the bill in the Minnesota Senate. Nilani does great work and I appreciate her efforts very much.
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Guns Are Back At The Legislature

A bill reinstating the conceal carry law provided the focal point of discussion for the Mon., May 2, meeting of the Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee. The panel, chaired by Sen. Leo Foley (DFL-Coon Rapids), sent the bill to the Rules and Administration Committee without recommendation.

Sen. Pat Pariseau (R-Farmington) carried S.F. 2259, which reenacts the law with a few changes. Among the changes, said Pariseau, is a provision striking the requirement that private establishments both post a sign prohibiting firearms and personally inform individuals of the posted request. Pariseau said it is necessary to reinstate conceal carry because the law was struck down by an appellate court. The court struck down the previous law because of the single subject provision in the state constitution.

Gene German, American Association of Certified Firearms Instructors (AACFI), said people who carry firearms are trained, responsible, trustworthy and law abiding citizens. He said being able to carry a gun allows individuals to have a tool to use as a last resort to protect one’s self against threat. “I have a right to be my own first responder and so do you,” said German. Joseph Olson, president, Conceal Carry Reform Now (CCRN), said the number of permits revoked under the law is .064 percent. “Permit holders are the kind of folks who stop at a stoplight at 4a.m. and wait because it’s red. They don’t get in trouble,” said Olson. He said several states have implemented the law successfully. “These laws works,” Olson said. John Caile, also of CCRN, said the issue is not about whether or not citizens are allowed to carry firearms. “This is about fair, unbiased issuance of carry permits,” said Caile.

Former Governor Arne Carlson spoke in opposition to the bill. The measure, he said, takes power away from local governments and consolidates authority in the state. As a result, said Carlson, the law shows a distrust of local government and a lack of recognition of the differences amongst various local communities. Carlson said that state institutions, such as jails, courts, police departments and government centers, ban firearms on their premises. “We’re passing policies that we ourselves are not willing to live by,” he said. Rev. Richard E. Pates, Minnesota Catholic Conference, also spoke in opposition to the measure. He said an individual who desires to carry a weapon in public should have a specific job or public safety related reason to do so. Pastor Pam Fickensher said allowing firearms on church property is contrary to the principles of several faiths. She said the bill infringes on religious freedom by allowing guns in areas near religious facilities, such as church parking lots. “Respect our right to control our religious properties,” said Fickensher. “Doors are a place to post religious messages, not state-sanctioned language,” she said.

Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley) offered an amendment to delete provisions specifying that an address is not required to obtain a permit. Senators also incorporated language allowing applicants to specify townships as part of the address. The amendment was adopted. Members also adopted an amendment, offered by Betzold, to conform Minnesota law to federal law with regard to individuals who are prohibited from possessing a hand-gun. Betzold said federal law prohibits individuals convicted of certain crimes from possessing a weapon.

Sen. Thomas Neuville (R-Northfield) pointed out that it would not make sense to issue someone a hand gun permit if the person cannot possess a gun under federal law anyway. Betzold offered another amendment specifying which organizations may provide training for permit applicants. The amendment was adopted. The committee also adopted an amendment, offered by Betzold, specifying that if a permit becomes void, officials do not need to go through an official revocation process to nullify it.

Senators also adopted an amendment, offered by Sen. Wesley Skoglund (DFL-Mpls.), to prohibit guns on school and youth organization properties. The committee incorporated language specifying that the amendment applies to properties of youth organizations being used to provide services to minors. Skoglund offered another amendment making the permits invalid for individuals while they are consuming alcohol or drugs. The amendment was adopted. Skoglund offered a third amendment to allow government units, as well as private property owners, to prohibit firearms on their property, and to allow them to post a “guns welcome” sign. “Under the amendment, the presumption is that, unless a ‘guns welcome’ sign is posted, there will be no guns,” said Skoglund. Neuville said the adoption of the amendment guts the bill. “You won’t know which locations permit the weapons and which don’t. It renders the law meaningless,” he said.

Sen. Dave Kleis (R-St. Cloud) said the amendment not only significantly changes the bill, but also makes the bill more strict than it was before the first conceal carry bill was passed. Skoglund withdrew the amendment and offered another one, which he said is similar, that takes out the state government, leaving only private property owners and local units of government. “The amendment still switches the presumption,” said Skoglund. “It means you don’t bring your gun to the store unless the sign says your gun is welcome,” he said. The amendment did not prevail, 1-7. The committee adopted an amendment, offered by Skoglund, allowing religious establishments to ban guns unless the establishments post “guns welcome” signs.

Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.) offered an amendment allowing local units of government to decide whether or not permit holders may bring guns onto local government property, including parks. She said the amendment will treat local units of government like other entities are treated in law. The amendment was adopted.

Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-Mpls.) offered an amendment to require fingerprinting of the permit applicants. Sen. Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point) said requiring the finger prints treats permit applicants like they are criminals. Ranum said finger prints are required for several activities, such as job background checks. The amendment was adopted.

We started our biennial City budget process this week with the City Council with a focus on budget and financial philosophy. At our Council Workshop this week City Finance Manager Sue Kotchevar facilitated a presentation for the Council concerning the City’s current budget and finance philosophy.

We started our 2006-2007 City budget preparation process with a discussion about philosophy because, at least in my personal experience, if we can reach consensus on the Council on the broad philosophical issues that run through the budget, the many decisions and compromises on operational issues (i.e. How many Park Maintenance Workers do we need? Should we start a new rental housing inspection program? How many miles of street shall we replace this year?) we need to make in order to finalize the budget are much easier to resolve.

So what is our budget and finance philosophy at the City of Eden Prairie? Here are some examples:

1. The City will use one-time revenues to cover one-time expenses. The City experiences one-time revenue gains from time to time. We might sell a piece of City-owned property or get an unexpected tax settlement or something like that. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen. This principle says that we will not use the proceeds from such a one-time revenue to start a new City program with on-going operational costs or that we will not use the proceeds to give everyone a temporary tax break. We do not want to build expectations for new City services based on an unsustainable revenue source for the future. We also don’t want to jerk our taxpayers around each year by dropping their taxes one year only to increase them sharply in the next.

2. The City will maintain its Aaa bond rating. The City received the Aaa bond rating from Moody’s Investor Services in 2003. The Aaa bond rating is the highest bond rating offered by Moody’s. It is an external stamp of approval for the City. It means that City government is well managed; that City finances are strong; and that the City’s private sector business economy is healthy and vibrant. We want to do what it takes to keep this bond rating. We want to avoid actions that would cause Moody’s to reevaluate us.

3. The City’s operational revenues will meet or exceed its operational expenses. I know that sounds common-sense and ordinary, but it can be a rather powerful principle when it gets down to crunch time. This principle means that we will not subsidize our general operations. This means that our general operations will be financed without smoke & mirrors; without paying for this year’s expenses in next year’s budgets; and without unsustainable short-term borrowing to avoid paying for today’s expenses with today’s dollars. At crunch-time, it means that we will not spend what we cannot justify asking taxpayers to pay for. If we can’t justify the amount of taxes we need to fund general City operations, then we will decrease the size of gerneal City operations. There’s no gain without pain. We can’t provide more without asking for more from our taxpayers. There’s also no loss without pain. We can’t decrease our tax asking without causing some sort of pain for somebody. It might not be you, but it might be your neighbor. In other words, not funny business with our tax levy.

This is just a piece of the City’s overall budget and finance philosophy. I’ll share more elements of our philosophy as we continue on with our budget preparation activities.

This is a diagram of the human large intestine. Note the lowly appendix.

Here’s a few words on the lowly appendix care of encyclopedia

The appendix is a small, worm-shaped blind tube, about 3 in. (7.6 cm) long and 1/4 in. to 1 in. (.64-2.54 cm) thick, projecting from the cecum (part of the large intestine) on the right side of the lower abdominal cavity. The structure, also called the vermiform appendix, has no function in people and is considered a vestigial remnant of some previous organ or structure, having a digestive function, that became unnecessary to people in their evolutionary progress (see digestive system ). Infection of accumulated and hardened waste matter in the appendix may give rise to appendicitis, the symptoms of which are severe pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal tenderness, and muscle spasm. A blood count usually shows a rise in the number of white corpuscles. Appendicitis may occur at any age, although it is more prevalent in persons under 40 years of age. The danger in appendicitis is that the appendix can rupture, either spontaneously or because the patient has injudiciously been given laxatives or an enema, and that the infection can spread to the peritoneum (see peritonitis ). Surgery is indicated in appendicitis, preceded and followed by antibiotic therapy.

Up until about 7:00 a.m. this morning, I had an appendix. But now it’s gone. It started to go bad on me at work yesterday. And as I write this at about 8:00 p.m. tonight, I feel much much better than I felt at around 8:00 p.m. last night.

So good-bye little appendix. It was nice to have you for 41 years, but boy am I ever glad that you’re gone.