The following article by Steve Brandt was published in the April 6, 2016 online edition of the Star Tribune.

Mpls. Park Board Again Overrides Mayor Betsy Hodges’ Veto of Neighborhood Park Bailout Plan

For the second time in nine weeks, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board overrode a veto by Mayor Betsy Hodges of a neighborhood park bailout proposal Wednesday evening.

The board acted as negotiations continue at City Hall to see if a compromise proposal that sends extra funding to both parks and street repaving can be found before the Park Board takes added steps to try to put before voters next fall a $300 million charter amendment financing neighborhood parks.

Preparations to to send the matter to voters are accelerating. A fundraiser is scheduled next Wednesday at the home of Mark Andrew to raise money for a charter vote campaign if negotiations don’t result in a park financing proposal that commissioners can accept.

Meanwhile, the city Charter Commission is taking steps to schedule several public hearings in May on a possible charter amendment. That amendment can be put before voters by a City Council vote, which hasn’t happened. Or that can be done by the Charter Commission action, for which hearings are required. Or voters may petition for a vote.

To continue reading, click on the link to the Star Tribune  Vote. Veto. Override. Repeat.