News from Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak

April 8, 2004

IN THIS UPDATE:
1. TRANSIT STRIKE
2. HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
3. ART & CULTURE COMMUNITY MEETINGS

1. Transit Strike

The Metro Transit bus strike continues to be the number one issue in the City of Minneapolis due to the huge impact it has had on thousands and thousands of people who rely on transit by need or by choice.  I am disappointed that the transit union's step forward to get back to the negotiating table was not met by a similar action by the Metropolitan Council leadership but I am happy that Governor Pawlenty is finally agreeing to meet with the union. I have reiterated my offer to help pull together a mediation team of business and labor leaders to jumpstart the negotiations to all the parties. There is precedent for the City of Minneapolis demonstrating exactly how tough health care negotiations can be handled effectively. Here is a link to a Star Tribune editorial encouraging the bus strike negotiators to take note of the City's example:

http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/4687724.html

2. Housing Development

Housing is a top priority for me and the City of Minneapolis. Over the past two years, we have started more new housing than any time in the past decade with over 3,000 new units being built. We are also committed to the creation and preservation of affordable housing so all families can live in the City. Since 2001, we have increased the amount allocated to affordable housing from $8.2M to over $12.6M, more than a 50% increase. This funding has helped construct or preserve more than 1,800 affordable units in the City and more than 500 shelter beds. Of the units completed in 2003, 55% were affordable to families at or below 30% of the Metropolitan Median Income, and of the new affordable units completed in 2003, 61% were in non-impacted census tracts, meaning they were sited in locations identified as not being overly concentrated with affordable housing in the on-going effort to develop an affordable housing mix in every part of the City.

3. Art & Culture Community Meetings

Many municipalities in the U.S. play a central role in the development of local cultural resources. This has not been the case here in Minneapolis. The City of Minneapolis feels it's time to better define how the City can contribute to its cultural development. To accomplish this, the Minneapolis Arts Commission has begun work on a strategic plan to guide the City's efforts in support of local arts and culture over the next ten years. These four community meetings are an important part of this ten month planning process. Our discussions will be framed by the following question:

How can Minneapolis best support the development of its cultural resources?

The City of Minneapolis invites you to participate in a community conversation about the future of the arts in our city. Please join your fellow residents at one or more of the following community meetings to discuss issues and ideas you feel are critical to the city's cultural development.

Monday, April 12

6:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.

Seward Montessori School

2309 28th Ave. S. Minneapolis

(enter on west side of building)

Tuesday, April 13

6:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.

Plymouth Christian Youth Center

2021 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis

Saturday, April 17

1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Northeast Middle School

2955 NE Hayes St., Minneapolis

(enter on south side of building)

Sunday, April 18

1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Minneapolis College of Art and Design

2501 Stevens Ave S., Minneapolis

(enter under skyway

Published Apr. 8, 2004