Minneapolis Ward 1 City Council candidate responses

Minneapolis Ward 1 City Council Candidate Responses

Kevin Reich

Email: kevin@reich4ward1.com

Website: www.KevinReich.com

Endorsements: DFL Party, Sierra Club, AFL-CIO, AFSCME, Mpls. Building & Construction Trades Council, SEIU, Teamsters DRIVE, Unite Here Local 17, DFL African American Caucus, DFL Feminist Caucus, DFL Latino Caucus

Larry Ranallo

(Did not respond to questionnaire)

Susan Howitz Hanna

Email: susanforcitycouncil@q.com or call 612-789-7668

Website: None.

Endorsements: None.

Mark Fox

E-mail: mark@electmarkfox.us or 612-789-8218

Website: electmarkfox.us

Endorsements: None sought, none accepted.

Thomas Alessi

Email: t.alessi.65@gmail.com or call 612-216-1913

Website: Tomalessi4ward1.com

Endorsements: None.

What's one burning issue that's prompted you to run for this position

Reich: I contend the inherent duties of the public sector are interrelated. Single issues must correlate to a commitment to core services and better coordinated improvements.

Howitz Hanna: I have two. 1) Property taxes are out of control. 2) My concern for everyone in the Ward to be represented. Not just the very vocal people or those connected to the Internet, but the grandmothers who have raised their families and stayed and the people that never go to neighborhood meetings. They deserve to be heard.

Fox: Northeasters are being taxed out of our homes because the Council can't stop spending. We need a fierce advocate for fair and responsible government.

Alessi: I don't feel that the elected officials have the best interest of the citizen any longer. I hope to be there voice.

Since 2003, the city has increased the amount of taxes it levies on property by 8 percent annually. Do you favor continuing this policy, or do you favor a lower or higher property tax increase? What specific increase would you support, and what budget adjustments would you make in light of your choice?

Reich: The 8% cap should be reduced and a plan put in place to pace the reductions so to meet core services. Given that the City has kept spending growth down to around 1% compared to the State's 12%, there is recognition that the City has been trying to get by with less but, big picture, a better approach to the State's contribution to local core services that will lesson property tax payer burden is needed.

Howitz Hanna: Tax increases are far out pacing people's income increases. Tax increases should never be more than 4%. A few ways money can be saved:

*Deleting the Health Department, this is duplicated by Hennepin county services.

*Civil Rights Complaints investigations to handled be the state. I served on the Civil Rights Commission and feel the State could do just as well.

*Mandatory furloughs across the board including the Mayor & City Council members. Having once been unemployed due to budget cuts I know a few non-paid days is better than no pay at all.

* City Pension plans should be merged with the state pension program

Fox: Property taxes on homeowners must not rise. We are on an unsustainable fiscal path. Let's reduce City Hall's financial footprint on the people. I see budgeting upside-down from the usual perspective of building a wish list and trying to figure out how to finance everything. The City should fully fund Core Services first, and when the money runs out, stop spending. Keep the first responders and cut the bureaucrats. City Hall squeezes us for over $1.4 billion. For what? Property development is not a Core Service. Unwind CPED. Stadiums are not a Core Service. Sell Target Center.

Alessi: I do not favor any increase in property tax. I am in favor of reducing the size of the city government. The city has already asked for too much from the property owners and we need to start analyzing the budget and finding programs to cut and or eliminate. Essential services (Fire Department, Police Department, and Highway Department) will be fully funded. I know of no person that is spending more this year over last except for the government.

With state aid declining and property taxes rising, should the city diversify the taxes and fees through which it derives income? If so how?

Reich: If LGA amounts don't accommodate the core City service provision needed for a strong City (and thereby an economically viable State) and lighten the load of the property tax payer as intended, then the City may have to look inwards for alternatives to meet basic needs. A limited sales tax would be one approach. However, this is cautioned by the notion that gains could be diminished by additional LGA cuts. LGA cuts have direct impact on public safety and infrastructure services and can't be easily offset by reductions in areas that have funds restricted to specific uses from other sources.

Howitz Hanna: One way to counterbalance declining state aid is to keep more of the sales taxes collected in the city with the city and not send it to the state. There are many amenities in the City that are paid for by property taxes and are being used and also enjoyed by people that don't pay taxes that support these services. We must devise a way for people that do not live in the city to somehow contribute to the services they use.

Fox: Core Services for residents cannot depend on funding outside City control. Costs should be paid by those who benefit. By definition, any excess burdens our city faces as a regional center are due to visitors, not residents. Entertainment taxes and user fees more accurately distribute these regional costs than property taxes. Let's make it easier to live in the city and let our guests carry their own weight. This again shows the importance of spending restraint. Just as we are taxing residents out of Minneapolis, we risk driving visitors away. Let's make Minneapolis more welcoming without government involvement.

Alessi: The city needs to reevaluate its priorities and consider policy that would increase the amount of commerce therefore increasing sales and payroll tax revenue. Every business that I know is changing the way they do business to survive. Yet the government decides that doing business as usual is appropriate. This is un-acceptable.

The council is considering how to use the property taxes from its older development districts. This tax increment by law may only be used to pay for Target Center debt and for neighbor revitalization, or alternately, the tax base in these districts can be returned to the general tax base. What percentage would you allocate to each of these three purposes?

Reich: The legislature allowed the use of these funds understanding that doing so to the extent allowed would meet the needs of both the maintenance obligations of the basketball arena (an arrangement that I find very disagreeable) and continue the community based initiatives that stabilize the tax-base of the inner-city. I believe roughly half should go to neighborhood revitalization thereby lessening tax burden over time because community disinvestment creates problems that are more expensive and shrinks the tax base. A frugal approach to stadium repairs may require less from the taxing districts.

Howitz Hanna: I think it would be bad public policy to recertify the TIF Districts. This money should go back to the general tax base. This would allow all programs to take advantage of revenue increases and also share the pain if revenues decline.

Fox: Dedicated revenue, like these districts, allows government to shirk its responsibility. TIF districts were conceived with a limited duration. When time's up, they should expire, and the revenue should help fund Core Services. The Council must be disciplined, and not rely on the State Legislature to cover for their inability to keep priorities in order.

The best way to strengthen neighborhoods is to let the people keep more of their own money. Neighborhood non-profits can spur revitalization without draining resources from Core Services. Community groups can assume most CPED functions. Let's restore power to the people, not their proxies.

Alessi: I believe the Target Center Debt and Neighborhood revitalization is very important to fund. I would dedicate as much too both issues as possible. Our bond rating in the city would suffer if we didn't take care of obligations. Both issues should be audited regularly to make certain funds are being applied efficiently and effectively.

Council members may collect up to $400 monthly as a car allowance. Would you do so or collect a lesser monthly allowance (how much?) or collect only per-mile payments for actual miles driven? Explain your choice.

Reich: I would forgo the allowance or donate it to small businesses that would like to put up bike racks. I make a lot of meetings presently without a car allowance.

Howitz Hanna: I would opt for per-mile payments; you would have to do drive more than 684 miles in one month to reach $400 using the standard business rate of 58.5 cents per mile. Mileage is the more cost conscience way to go.

Fox: The car allowance is just part of a Council member's compensation. They're overpaid.

Alessi: I would take no car allowance. If I was traveling out of district on a distant trip for City business, I would take only a per mile payment for actual miles drive.

What are 3 specific things that you'd like to accomplish in your ward by the end of your four-year term?

Reich: Improve the overall transportation infrastructure in the area that include better street conditions, safety features and development of better mass and bicycle transit. Coordinate the limited resources so to continue community's ability to stabilize housing conditions and attract the businesses that drive our local economy. Better partnerships with the other jurisdictions.

Howitz Hanna: The 3 things I would like to accomplish in my 4 years as Council Member are: 1.Get new businesses on Central Ave to fill in where they are currently missing. 2. Get the Shorham Yard project started. 3. Find a business venture for the Hollywood Theater and get it re-opened!

Fox: Our greatest asset is our people. I want 5,000 more Northeasters. And I want our residents engaged. Let's devolve City power so neighborhood elections are hotly contested and volunteer groups are fully-manned.

Third, let's attract $25M of private investment along Central Avenue, filling vacant storefronts and energizing our community.

Alessi: Lower Property Taxes, reduced commercial/residential vacancy rate, reduced un-employment rate

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

Reich: Establish or better follow recognized staffing standards for public safety providers in every district and enhance the CCP/SAFE capacity to work with communities.

Howitz Hanna: One specific city-wide accomplishment would be to merge the Park police force with the main police department. It increases efficiency and is very cost effective and would allow for more feet on the street instead of behind a desk.

Fox: City Hall spends no more in 2013 than it did in 2009.

Alessi: End governmental corruption in the city