Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board District 6 Candidate Responses

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board District 6 Candidate Responses

Steve Jecha

Email: steve@jecha.com

Website: www.ibelieveinminneapolis.com

Endorsements: Independent, not seeking endorsements

Geneva Jocelyn Hanvik

Email: hanv0005@umn.edu or call 612-827-3164

Website: None.

Endorsements: None, but not really condemned by anyone either.

Meg Forney

Email: megf@visi.com or call 612-926-7707

Website: www.megforney.org

Endorsements: Minneapolis Professional Employee Association, Minneapolis Fire Fighters Association Local 82, Minneapolis Police Officers Federation, womenwinning, NOW, Women's Campaign Fund.

Brad Bourn

Email: brad@bradbournforparks.org

Website: bradbournforparks.org

Endorsements: DFL, The Sierra Club, Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFCSME, IUOE #49, IATSE #9, Stonewall DFL, DFL Latino Caucus, Progressive Majority Minnesota Farm Team Candidate. Mayor Rybak, Ted Wirth, Lisa McDonald, Minneapolis City Council Members Glidden, Hodges, Benson, and Goodman, Vice President Walter Mondale.

What's one burning issue that's prompted you to run for this position (25 words):

Jecha: The independence of the Park System. I also believe it is important for candidates to have a solid balance between supporting recreational opportunities as well as our parks system.

Hanvik: I have concerns about the deterioration of our parks system, which is largely a result of defunding.

Forney: Our independent Park Board will be in serious jeopardy if the Charter Referendum alters the Board of Estimate and Taxation. VOTING NO protects our Parks.

Bourn: I am committed to making the MPRB the unquestioned leader in providing our youth with structured out of school time activities and opportunities for success.

Should the contract of current park superintendent Jon Gurban be renewed or should the Park Board begin a search for a new superintendent? Explain your reasoning. (100 words)

Jecha: I have not been on the Board and have not been privy to Superintendent Gurban's history. As a Commissioner, I would review the results and record of Superintendent Gurban and if 1) they are positive, and 2) he wants to renew the contract; I would renew the contract. I can say that research that has been conducted over the last few years shows Minneapolis residents are very happy with the 'product' we have in our Parks and Recreation. This has taken place under Superintendent Gurban's watch and it is very positive.

Hanvik: Until I get the opportunity to meet with Superintendent Gurban to determine his long- and short-range plans, I am taking no position on whether his contract should be renewed. (I take media accounts of these types of issues with a large grain of salt.)

Forney: The Board of Commissioners needs to be fully behind its Superintendent. If it isn't, it needs to start a search. I have worked with three different Superintendents, each with their own style and watched how they have addressed the issues and opportunities before them. My working experience will be invaluable if the newly elected Board decides to select a new Superintendent.

Bourn: I recognize the great work of all of our park staff including the work and leadership of the Superintendent. I also recognize the criticisms in areas of performance and circumstances around his initial appointment. I have a Master's degree in Public Administration and ten years of experience managing staff, I know we cannot make these kinds of decisions personal. We need to move forward and not dwell on old divisions. I have spoken with the Superintendent and value his service. I will support an open search Jon Gurban will be given consideration as a candidate based on his merits.

The Park Board has been attempting to work with City Hall for several years to legislate a park dedication fee, which many suburbs require. Do you favor or oppose such a fee that would require a developer to provide money or land for park purposes when a development happens? Why? (100 words)

Jecha: I support. Why? This is very common in real estate development throughout the state of Minnesota. We should also be doing this. It will improve our system for current and future users

Hanvik: I support the imposition of a fee, but the precise amount should be determined according to appropriate standards (e.g., nature and extent of the development). The purpose should not be to discourage development, but rather to encourage it in a responsible manner.

Forney: The Parks are a major economic engine for our City and a dedication fee to re-invest in our parks is paramount. Nothing enhances the livability of our City more than the parks. So to either set aside lands or fund the very asset that fuels development in our City is prudent and sound policy. Our founding fathers had the foresight to invest in setting aside our City's natural resources for everyone. This stewardship should be continued with wise tax policies such as a park dedication fee.

Bourn: I believe parks are for everyone. That is why I support a park dedication fee. Our park system is part of what makes our city an attractive location for developers and draws people to our city to live, visit, work, and play. Our parks and people should benefit from this. As our city grows and prospers, our Parks need to grow to meet new demands. In difficult economic times, we need to work to alleviate the property tax burden on homeowners. A park dedication fee on new developments can help achieve this.

Do you support or oppose the proposed city charter amendment that would grant greater independence to the Park Board? Why? (50 words)

Jecha: I support....It was frankly a brilliant move by the parks founders to create the Minneapolis Park system independent from the City...What could go wrong if the City Council obtains this control? I just think the City Council should focus on all matters related to their positions, and let the Park Board make decisions about the Parks.

Hanvik: Because of the special interests which appear to have ready access to City politics, I am in favor of increased independence of the Park Board.

Forney: I walked petitions to help obtain over 17,700 signatures for the initiative's placement on the ballot this fall. I will advocate that the Legislature establish a fully independent Park Board such as Hennepin County's Three Rivers District. Complete autonomy is essential to maintain fiscal viability and accountability.

Bourn: I support an independent Park Board! I have always opposed the proposed charter amendment because it was unconstitutional, not well thought through, encouraged further division where we need to foster cooperation, and would have been impossible to provide our current level of service without a substantial property tax increase.

Do you support or oppose the proposed charter amendment that would remove the Park Board representative from the city's Board of Estimate and Taxation, and have the board's powers assumed by the City Council? Why? (100 words)

Jecha: I do not support. Why? As stated above, where the financial control goes.....the ability to control the Park Board goes. Our city has not proven to me that they have been responsible enough with management of their business - as evidenced by an almost 12% annual increase in property taxes over the last five years. Removing the Park Board from the Board of Estimate and Taxation weakens the independence of our Park Board.

Hanvik: For the same reasons set forth in the preceding answer, I oppose having the Park Board's powers assumed by the City Council.

Forney: OPPOSE! The Park Board needs to be at the table to have a voice in its revenue stream and the Board of Estimate and Taxation is the faucet. With the transfer of all tax levy decision-making power to the City Council, the Park Board will have no control over their maximum tax levy rate, thereby eliminating any autonomy that our City founders advocated for and received from the State Legislature more than 125 years ago. The separation of the Park Board and the City was intentional and has assured our Parks' assets are secure.

Bourn: I oppose the elimination of the Board of Estimate and Taxation. We live in one of the best cities in the country and have the best park system in the nation because of our governing structure, not in spite of it. An independent BET provides balance and ensures that we can provide the highest level of service while minimizing our tax burden. When the Minneapolis Libraries merged with the County, an important seventh seat on the BET was lost. I support restoring that seat with a member elected from the populace or a member of the Park Board.

How would you work with the city and other parties to move forward the parks component of the 10-year-old Above The Falls plan for development of the city's upper riverfront, and what park improvements there would be your priorities (100 words)

Jecha: I would facilitate in any way possible while also being aware of the many financial limitations the Park Board currently has.

Hanvik: Because this project is really outside of the duties of a District 6 representative, I have not made a thorough study of the issues; however, I am in favor of cooperation among all parties who have any say in the administration of the Minneapolis parks system.

Forney: I will use the Park Board seat on the private, multi-jurisdictional Minneapolis Riverfront Corporation, to seek funds for acquiring lands along the upper Mississippi corridor, which will revitalize adjacent communities. When I chaired the Above the Falls Citizen Advisory Committee, the implementation fell short due to lack of funding. Since the Legislature's adoption of the Master Plan and the ability to raise private funding through the corporation, the Plan will become reality over several decades as linkage of lands become available for trail connection, as occurred along the Central Riverfront.

Bourn: My views on development helped earn the support of groups varying from the Operating Engineers (the builders) to the Sierra Club (the protectors of the environment). We need a world class regional park above the falls comparable to the regional parks we enjoy in South and Southwest. I will help dedicate resources to establishing trails, improving water quality, preserving wildlife habitat, and encourage de-industrialization of the area. I would prefer to see Minneapolis invest in existing neighborhoods in North and Northeast instead of creating new housing developments immediately next to most concentrated area of vacant and foreclosed homes in Minneapolis.

What's one specific city-wide accomplishment you'd like to make happen by the end of your term? (25 words)

Jecha: Park Board Independence from the City.

Hanvik: I would like to see all parks, from the smallest neighborhood park to our larger and best-known ones, become relevant to all City residents through programs, services and facilities.

Forney: Realization of a fully independent Minneapolis Park System.

Bourn: All of our neighborhood parks will have adequate staffing, strong partnerships and resources to provide enrichment and recreation activities reflecting the needs of each neighborhood.