One of the key issues that I raised and ran on in my 2008 campaign for city council was the need for an independent ethics commission. The pressure that citizens put on for this led to the implementation shortly after my election. I am grateful that we have this organization, and it is filled with people that are NOT appointed by city hall.
Complaint 1 – pertaining to the handling of a conflict of interest – Dismissed 4-1 with Ray Schmitz dissenting based on the timing of some events (I think).
Complaint 2 – pertaining to more serious unethical behavior – Dismissed 5-0, and pretty emphatically at that. Read the rest of this entry »
“I hope that my concerns prove unfounded and [Legends Bar] will be a successful well run business. I want everyone to understand that the city council just approved a liquor license to an individual related to pending felony assault charges and a history of criminal convictions including DWI, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving without insurance. The approval came despite not satisfying police requests for information. The police have raised additional questions about contradictory information submitted by the applicant. I remained concerned by this.”
Last night I joined Mayo personnel in touring the downtown with the company that has been harassing the crows. This was the last night that they will be working for a while in Rochester. Read the rest of this entry »
You can customize how you get alerts and what you get. Now I will know when we have an earthquake in Rochester. (Nah, that’s silly we don’t do fracking yet…)
Here is the press release announcing our 2012 rain garden grants:
Now Accepting Realize Raingardens Rochester Grant Applications
In 2009, the City of Rochester launched Realize Raingardens Rochester - a cost-share grant program promoting the installation of residential raingardens in Rochester. A task force of interested citizens and the City’s Public Works staff developed this program. Selected sites are used to demonstrate how raingardens slow, treat, and infiltrate storm water, while adding beauty to neighborhoods and creating habitat for songbirds and butterflies. Read the rest of this entry »
I figured I would mention this early because this is going to be a really awful year if you are a driver in the SW. I would encourage you to get you walking shoes out or that bike tuned up. Here is a rundown of the road projects scheduled for this summer. Access will be maintained, but expect some busy streets.
2nd Street SW full reconstruction between 6th Ave SW through 11th Ave SW – All Summer
2nd Street NW & 8th Ave NW new sewer line and reconstruction between Civic Center Drive and just past 12th Ave NW – All Summer
1st Street SW (probably from 6th or 7th Avenue to 11th Avenue) – Being studied, but an overlay would be a couple of weeks, reconstruction All Summer
4th Street SW, 1st Ave SW, 6th Street SW major sewer project and full reconstruction (4th and 6th won’t be closed simultaneously). – All Summer+
Yup, its going to be ugly, but these projects are overdue and should serve the area for the next 100 years.
As you may have heard Mayor Brede suggested beginning meetings with a prayer during his recent state of the city speech. The mayor also said many other important things that have been overlooked. There has been a strong reaction to this and I really hate the personal attacks that I have heard. The mayor did not suggest to be divisive, but as an opportunity to see the diverse faith groups in the community. I put out a request for opinions and got some good feedback. I would withhold final judgement but I see a few issues that may prevent this (not the least of which is this idiot, this idiot, and these idiots). (Note my personal attacks…)
Mayor Brede is a man of faith and has been a leader on equality issues. For him to want to share his faith is not something that I see as a shortcoming. I remain behind him 100%. Read the rest of this entry »
Here is what we are currently paying for leased space. The key here is that many of these costs are fixed. Thus if we were not there RCL would make far less profit.
The lease rates are based on market rates agreed on and updated periodically since. (Mike Nigbur assisted in this review.)
The hard costs are as follows;
Lease- Bus storage- (16 buses/ 6 mos.) $32,143
Lease- Shop & Office (includes 9 buses in maintenance bays at night 6 mos.) $38,733 allocated by service hours
Tire storage – $212 per month
Plus property taxes, insurance and utilities – allocated by service hours
Office equipment deprecation- allocated by service hours
Shop equipment deprecation- allocated by mechanics wages
Estimates for 6 months (does not include supplies, communications etc)
Depreciation of shop and office equipment – $14,039
