Review Of December 2, 2009 Park Board Meeting
REVIEW OF DECEMBER 2, 2009 MEETING
Park Board observers were dismayed by the numerous procedural irregularities that occurred from the minute the topic of Renewable Energy Options was placed on the Park Board agenda for the December 2, 2009 meeting.
First, the topic should have been postponed because the study report on Renewable Energy Options was not ready in time to be included in the Commissioners' packets, which are sent out prior to the Park Board meetings. Commissioners were not given adequate time to review the report before the December 2 meeting.
Second, the Renewable Energy Options study report was moved prematurely out of committee and to the full Board at Wednesday's meeting. Not all of the Commissioners had sufficient time to read and digest the report.
Third, Commissioner Jon Olson introduced and read a surprise resolution which would have advanced the Park Board's buyout of Crown Hydro. The resolution was assumed to have been written by Nikki Carlson on behalf of Crown Hydro. (Bill Hawks, Crown Hydro's investor, was sitting in the audience with Nikki; and Commissioner Dziedzic indicated during his remarks that she had given the resolution to Commissioner Olson.)
The resolution was composed of 17 "Whereas" clauses and the following two egregiously inappropriate paragraphs:
"Now therefore be it resolved that the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board supports public ownership of a hydro facility in Mill Ruins Park, and encourages the next board to acquire the rights of water use, and authorization and resources needed to complete construction.
"Be it further resolved that this board instructs staff to provide the new board with comprehensive information about this project, with complete development, finance and construction options by end of February 2010."
Commissioner Kummer, an unwavering supporter of Crown Hydro, spoke favorably for the resolution.
Commissioner Scott Vreeland strongly objected to the resolution and said he felt "ambushed," referring to the fact that it came out of the blue. The commissioners had not seen or read the resolution until Jon Olson presented it. Commissioner Vreeland went on to say that this was not the way the Park Board should be doing business.
Commissioner Walt Dziedzic agreed with Commissioner Vreeland and offered a substitute motion which advocated the postponement of the Renewable Energy Option resolution until the new board is seated in January of 2010. It passed 4 to 3.
Those voting in favor of postponement were Commissioners Vreeland, Dziedzic, Mary Merrill Anderson and Tracy Nordstrom. Those against were Commissioners Carol Kummer, Jon Olson and Bob Fine. The resolution will come before the full Board on January 6, 2010.
Arlene Fried Co-founder of Park Watch