The City Council wants you to understand the connection between the services the city provides, and the property taxes that you pay to help cover the cost. Learn more on the Property Tax Resource site...

Saint Paul, MN (October 13, 2008) – With what is beginning to be a fall trend at Como Zoo, another baby giraffe has been born. The baby girl was born October 3 and is approximately 5-foot-5 inches and 150 pounds. She makes her public debut today, October 13 from 10am-1pm and will be available over the next several weeks, for portions of the day to make her familiar to her new surroundings.

This marks the 12th giraffe birth in the past 15 years. Como's current giraffe population includes mom, Daisy and another adult female Clover, as well as father Jahari who has sired a total of 18 here in Saint Paul and at Busch Gardens. Como's other giraffe off-spring can be seen across the country at other AZA institutions.

The giraffe is the tallest of all land-living animal species. They can be as tall as 18 feet tall and have a prehensile (used for grasping) tongue as long as 18 inches. During the first two years of a giraffe’s life, it doubles it height and can be over 12-feet tall. Giraffe gestation lasts between 14 and 15 months, after which a single calf is born. Like human fingerprints, the markings or spots of a giraffe’s coat are unique to each individual. Reticulated giraffes are native to the dry savannahs and open woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa.

Como Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA is America’s leading accrediting organization for zoos and aquariums, and accredits only those institutions that have achieved rigorous, professional standards for animal welfare and management, vet car, wildlife conservation and research, education, safety, staffing and more. With only 200 accredited members, AZA is building North America’s largest wildlife conservation movement and is your link to helping animals in their native habitats.

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory Background

For over 100 years, Marjorie McNeely Conservatory and Como Zoo in Saint Paul, Minnesota has charmed, educated and entertained millions of children and adults while fostering an appreciation of the natural world, helping to make Saint Paul the Most Livable City in America. Como Park Zoo and Conservatory welcomes 1.9 million visitors from around the world - the second biggest tourist attraction in Minnesota. The Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is open 365 days; 10am-6pm from April-September and 10am-4pm from October -March. Admission to both the Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is always free and a voluntary donation is appreciated.

For more information, visit www.comozooconservatory.org.

Not since 1986 has Saint Paul experienced one fire death, but one is still too many. [Additional info...]

Mayor Chris Coleman released the following statement today on the Governor's announcement that $5.6 million in Local Government Aid will be unallotted for 2008.

"It is clear in today's announcement that the Governor has come to at least a partial realization that the success of cities and our ability to provide basic services is the backbone of our economy and our quality of life in Minnesota. I appreciate that the Governor took the time to meet with us on this issue. These cuts are painful, and force Saint Paul to make more tough choices among the services we provide. We will do what we've always done. We will rise to this challenge and overcome it. We are also eager to return to the table with the Governor and the Legislature to be a part of the solution for the State's budget crisis.

Today's cuts cannot be a sign of what's to come for cities as the budget process moves forward. Saint Paul has absorbed more than $121 million in cuts since 2003, and we've responded by making tough choices, restructuring departments, modernizing service delivery, and changing the way our City does business. We have been able to do all of this while making new investments in critical public safety and foreclosure prevention initiatives. Any further cuts in local aid will erase all of this progress and diminish the quality of services in a time when our residents need them the most."

The City of Saint Paul has taken aggressive action to address continuing revenue cuts. In recent years the Mayor and City Council have worked to reduce costs by merging departments, conducting cost saving efficiency audits, and restructuring services to provide residents better service at a better price.

In response to the State's announcement, the Mayor has asked all departments in the City to begin plans for a 20-percent budget reduction, and has placed new spending in the 2009 budget into contingency until State decisions are made on Local Government Aid.

Call today for FREE counseling to learn about the steps necessary to keep your home. [Additional info...]

Don't lose your home to foreclosure. Get connected to a housing counselor and have your foreclosure documents reviewed by an attorney.

Free Foreclosure Defense Legal Clinics

December 4th, 2008 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Summit-University Planning Council
665 Selby Avenue

December 6th, 2008 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Greater Frogtown Community Dev. Corp.
533 Dale Street

January 29th, 2009 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Greater Frogtown Community Dev. Corp.
533 Dale Street

Please bring all of your mortgage documents that you received when you bought your house and related foreclosure notices.

Contact the Housing Preservation Project with questions - 651-642-0102

Sponsored By:
The Housing Preservation Project
The City of Saint Paul
Councilmember Melvin Carter
Greater Frogtown Community Dev. Corp.
Summitt-University Planning Council
Volunteer Lawyer's Network

Hello again friends,

 

On Saturday, the Mayor lit the giant Christmas Tree in Rice Park, Skaters swirled around the ice at Winter Skate, and on Sunday I went to dress rehearsal of White Christmas and it is official:  Christmas is in full swing in Saint Paul, Minnesota.  And literally every theater in town has a show up right now, so get out and see some stuff!

 

On with the week…

 

The New Standards Holiday Show at the Fitzgerald – Saturday

This is one of the annual highlights on my music calendar, and I’m turning into a big date night!  The New Standards is a jazz trio that takes contemporary songs from Bowie, Westerberg, the Clash and even Outkast and presents them as jazz standards – the new standards.  The trio of John Munson (upright bass), Chan Poling (piano), and Steve Roehm (vibes) also happen to be friends with the entire music community and invite half of them to join the stage for this holiday extravaganza.  Joanne and I got a room at the Covington Inn, we’re doing dinner at Meritage, and we’re goin’ to the show!

http://www.thenewstandards.com/

 

Gremlin Theater set to open Fool for Love in brand new space – Friday through 12/21

The Gremlin Theater has opened a brand new theater space at 2400 University Avenue!  Now some will miss the loading dock theater, but it was time to grow and move on up, so they built a new theater.  With the venerable Stacia Rice and Peter Hansen, this Fool for Love production promises to deliver a terrific night of theater.  Plus, another great moment for Saint Paul to open another theater space!

http://www.gremlin-theatre.org/

 

Grand Meander – Saturday

Saturday morning, I’m planning to take the kids down to the Grand Meander to get us all in the holiday spirit.  There are tons of great shops, and sales, and stuff to get – but with two kids in tow,  I’m going strictly for the ambiance… and the reindeer.  There are treats galore, carolers, happy people, beautiful Grand Avenue, and Reindeer.  We’ll pick out a tree at the hardware store, and visit with a Reindeer.  Its gonna be great!

http://www.grandave.com/

 

Vicious Vicious at the Turf – Saturday

This is my favorite local band lately, and I’ve missed their past couple of shows.  They’re playing the Turf on Saturday night, but I think I’m going to miss it again.  But if you don’t have other commitments Saturday night, and you can stay awake until 2:00 am, you get yourself to the Turf Club!  Dark lyrics mix with fantastic hooks and a kind of disco thing that make this a great live show.

http://www.viciousvicious.com/v2/

 

Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol at Park Square Theatre – through 12/21

Frankly, if the title of this show doesn’t draw you in, I don’t know what would.  The flip side of a classic Christmas tale, Jacob Marley's story begins in the afterlife where Scrooge once again determines his future.  A one-man-show, the amazing Jim Lichtscheidl brings to life Jacob Marley - along a supporting cast of 16 other characters - all with wise-cracking humor and heartfelt emotion.

http://www.parksquaretheatre.org/plays/2009_marley.html#

 

Minnesota Orchestra performs Handel’s Messiah at the Cathedral – Thursday

For me, Handel’s Messiah is one of the best things about Christmas.  Whether its a Quincy Jones version, the Gay Men’s Chorus Sing-Along, or group of “serious musicians” performing in the hallowed halls of Saint Paul’s Cathedral, you have to get at least one in each year.

http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/season/event_detail.cfm?id_event=8090009

 

Holiday Bazaar at Landmark Center – through Saturday

Buy local, buy from artists and artisans, and get started this weekend at the Landmark Center.  This event has been pushed as an “old fashioned” craft sale that makes me think of grandmothers selling doilies.  But in reality, the craft mafia  hipsters who make their own yarn, jewelry, glass art, and more are on hand to provide you with an opportunity to buy the coolest gifts on the block.

http://www.landmarkcenter.org/events.html

 

On top of all this stuff, there is:

 

Shop ‘n Stroll on Saturday in downtown

 

The Eddies at the Hat Trick -  http://www.eddiesontheriver.com/

 

White Christmas at the Ordway - http://ordway.org/

 

Chistmas Carol Peters at the McNight http://ordway.org/performances/0809/carolepetersen.asp

 

A Servant’s Christmas at the History Theatre - http://historytheatre.com/

 

Black Nativity at Penumbra - http://www.penumbratheatre.org/

 

Art Sale at the College of Visual Arts - http://cva.edu/gallery/gallery_shows.htm

 

Christmas Carol Feast on Harriet Island - http://www.actorsmn.org/node/15

 

Christmas with Cantus at the Saint Thomas Chapel - http://www.cantusonline.org/

 

Saint Paul City Ballet at O’Shaughnessy - http://oshaughnessy.stkate.edu/allevents.html

 

And much much much much more…

 

Thanks for taking the time to read my message again this week.  Let me know if you have any suggestions.  Of course, I love it when you forward this note far and wide.

 

Have a great week!

 

Joe

 

Mayor Chris Coleman released the following statement today on the Governor's announcement that $5.6 million in Local Government Aid will be unallotted for 2008.

"It is clear in today's announcement that the Governor has come to at least a partial realization that the success of cities and our ability to provide basic services is the backbone of our economy and our quality of life in Minnesota. I appreciate that the Governor took the time to meet with us on this issue. These cuts are painful, and force Saint Paul to make more tough choices among the services we provide. We will do what we've always done. We will rise to this challenge and overcome it. We are also eager to return to the table with the Governor and the Legislature to be a part of the solution for the State's budget crisis.

Today's cuts cannot be a sign of what's to come for cities as the budget process moves forward. Saint Paul has absorbed more than $121 million in cuts since 2003, and we've responded by making tough choices, restructuring departments, modernizing service delivery, and changing the way our City does business. We have been able to do all of this while making new investments in critical public safety and foreclosure prevention initiatives. Any further cuts in local aid will erase all of this progress and diminish the quality of services in a time when our residents need them the most."

The City of Saint Paul has taken aggressive action to address continuing revenue cuts. In recent years the Mayor and City Council have worked to reduce costs by merging departments, conducting cost saving efficiency audits, and restructuring services to provide residents better service at a better price.

In response to the State's announcement, the Mayor has asked all departments in the City to begin plans for a 20-percent budget reduction, and has placed new spending in the 2009 budget into contingency until State decisions are made on Local Government Aid.

After working with the City Council for changes in a city ordinance to allow the operation of 24-hour fitness centers in Saint Paul, Mayor Chris Coleman celebrated the opening of the first Snap Fitness in the city on Thursday with company and other city officials.

Part of a nationwide chain of fitness centers, Saint Paul native Ben Cowan opened the local Snap Fitness on Snelling Avenue in the Mac-Groveland neighborhood. It was his proposal to operate such a fitness center that prompted a look at an old city ordinance prohibiting the 24-hour centers.

Mayor Coleman said that changing the ordinance to accommodate the new business model in the health club industry was a matter of livability and choice for city residents.

“People who work hard and seek healthy activities where they live should not be punished by out-of-date city ordinances,” Mayor Coleman said. “Modifying the ordinance is the city adapting to the times and lifestyles people live today. I hope this project will inspire other entrepreneurs to find their business success in Saint Paul – a great city that is open for business.”

Unlike full-service health clubs, Snap Fitness and other 24-hour fitness centers provide members security card access to their clubs that feature cardio and weight equipment but no classes of other services that traditional clubs offer. The business model is predicated on the ability to offer a workout space without 24-hour staff supervision, which violated an old city ordinance passed to protect neighborhoods from prostitution houses.

Cowan said he was happy with the opportunity to now open his new franchise.

“I appreciate the hard work of the Mayor’s office, City Council, and Bob Kessler with the city to help make changes to an old city ordinance that allowed Snap Fitness to open,” he said. “I am amazed at and thankful for the support I received in helping to make this day happen. For entrepreneurs like me, this type of support is highly valuable to our success.”

Mayor Chris Coleman released the following statement today on the announcement of Minnesota’s projected $4.8 billion deficit:

This is an unprecedented moment for our State. Our reaction to this crisis will determine Minnesota’s path for a generation. We must seize this moment to restructure and rethink how we deliver services. This is our time to lead by investing in the values that have made Minnesota great. We can build ourselves out of this crisis and again make ourselves a model for the nation.

Cities across Minnesota have been making painful budget decisions for many years under circumstances amplified by dwindling revenues and an unforgiving national economic climate.

In Saint Paul we have changed the way the City does business; we have modernized our operations and enhanced service delivery to our residents. It wasn’t an easy road, but we made tough choices to restructure our parks and recreation department, audit our fire and police departments, and consolidate functions into a new department of safety and inspections.

We invested in our police and fire departments, our parks, and our libraries. We had to raise new revenues to do this in the face of more than $100 million in cuts to local government aid. However, we came together to make those decisions because we never lost sight of what makes Saint Paul a great place to live. We invested in our values. These have been difficult and sometimes painful choices, but in the end they have made us a stronger community. Today, Saint Paul’s budget is balanced, but Minnesota cities can ill afford new cuts in revenue.

Now is not the time for rhetoric or infighting. We are all going to have to make tough choices in the months ahead. Following the lead of Minnesota’s cities, it is now the State’s turn to rethink service delivery – and I urge all parties to treat this not as an opportunity to diminish what we do but enhance what makes Minnesota a great place to live. Passing the buck won’t work, and we can’t afford to turn our backs on any federal stimulus that will put Minnesota families back to work.

Over the last eight years we’ve been sold a bill of goods. Politicians and pundits have worked tirelessly to convince us that disinvestment would somehow lead to prosperity. It hasn’t. The rhetoric that government is somehow an obstacle to stimulating the economy or helping families prosper is simply false. The policies that were borne out of these falsehoods have left our local government ill-equipped to respond to a struggling economy. Now is our time to reverse this course.

There are no easy ways to solve this problem – but there are wrong ways. The Governor and the Legislature must understand that we cannot solve this problem by further reducing aid to local governments. Families across Minnesota are struggling, and they need to know that their leaders have the courage to navigate this crisis. We must seize this moment as an opportunity to make new investments in Minnesota’s future and build ourselves back to greatness.

Thursday, December 11, 2008 - The City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County and the Saint Paul Public Schools, District 625 hold the annual Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing. Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing
Thursday, December 11, 2008 - The City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County and the Saint Paul Public Schools, District 625 hold the annual Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing. [Watch the Video...]

The Parks Permit Office held the annual permit lottery on Jan. 2, and now all permit applications (subject to availability) will be issued first come, first served.

Verification of a Saint Paul address will be required to obtain to make a reservation. Customers applying for a private event will be required to show a valid driver's license for proof of Saint Paul residency. For reservations being made for a business, documentation such as letterhead, stationery or business card must be provided prior to the reservation being made.

Beginning Jan. 5, permit applications will be accepted from residents and businesses of Saint Paul over the telephone, 651-632-5111 (TTY: 651-266-6378) with credit card payment only (American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa). Park Permit Office hours are 7 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Non-residents may apply for permits beginning Feb. 2, 2009.
[Additional info...]

Hahm, who will be replacing the retiring Bob Bierscheid, will assume the duties after serving as director and campus manager of Saint Paul’s Como Park Zoo and Conservatory for the past two years. He brings nearly 23 years of experience working in Saint Paul’s Parks and Recreation Department.

“We found the reputation of our department attracted interest from around the country, but the most qualified and talented person for the job was already working in the department,” Mayor Coleman said. “We are fortunate to have high-caliber leaders in our departments. Mike is a professional who has helped build the department in his various roles and proven himself while leading Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. I look forward to working with Mike to continue carrying on the high standards established under Bob Bierscheid’s leadership and building a parks and recreation program that serves Saint Paul’s children, families, and neighborhoods.”

Hahm began his career in the Parks and Recreation Department after earning his degree in business administration at the University of St. Thomas. During his career, he has worked as a recreation center director, special services manager, special projects coordinator, and recreation services manager. Among his accomplishments are the renovation of the Highland Golf Course, developing a management and operations plan for Harriet Island Regional Park, supporting Mayor Coleman’s Second Shift Initiative through various efforts, and overseeing the development and construction projects at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, including the Tropical Encounters exhibit and the Polar Bear Odyssey. During his tenure at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, he also has strengthened the partnership with the non-profit Como Friends.

“I am excited to begin this new stage of my career,” Hahm said. “Mayor Coleman and Bob Bierscheid have demonstrated how parks and recreation can play an integral role in the education, public safety, and neighborhood development. I look forward to continuing the excellence established in the department, working with my colleagues I have grown with, and showing residents and visitors why Saint Paul is the Most Livable City in America.”

Hahm, a resident in Saint Paul’s Como neighborhood, will formally take over the duties of director December 11.

Call today for FREE counseling to learn about the steps necessary to keep your home. [Additional info...]

The City of Saint Paul Department of Planning and Economic Development recently released the preliminary findings of a Fiscal Impact Model conducted to analyze the “net fiscal effects” that the five redevelopment scenarios for the 135-acre Ford site would have on the City government’s finances. Analyzing the effects of new development on the city’s “bottom line” is only one way the City is assessing whether a land use scenario might be successful.

The Fiscal Impact Model was developed locally in partnership with Hennepin County Community Works and estimates the City’s revenues and expenditures related to the demand for services by a projected number of residents and workers in each scenario. The model does not look at the multiple effects created by new development through the regional economy such as labor, wages, or the ripple effects created by sales taxes.

Overall the initial findings suggested that while the impact of any of the five scenarios on the City’s bottom line would be minimal, each scenario would have a higher market value than the existing site, and provide a potential doubling or tripling of property tax revenue compared to that provided by the existing site.

Although the findings were favorable using current conditions, this is considered to be an early analysis, and the City expects to run the model again in coming years as market conditions fluctuate.
[Additional info...]

American Planning Association Designates Saint Paul’s
Summit Avenue A Top 10 Great Street For 2008
Represents Nation’s Most Intact Victorian-Era Boulevard
Saint Paul, MN – The American Planning Association (APA) announced today that Summit Avenue has been designated one of 10 Great Streets for 2008 through APA’s Great Places in America program. APA Great Places exemplify exceptional character and highlight the role planners and planning play in creating communities of lasting value.
APA has singled out Summit Avenue because of its breathtaking vistas, park-like qualities, and decades-long history of planning measures, civic participation, and private stewardship that have kept Summit’s unique character intact.
“We take great pride in our historic neighborhoods, and Summit Avenue epitomizes that pride. It is a beautiful city boulevard that everyone loves; its designation by the APA is an affirmation of my claim that Saint Paul is the Most Livable City in America,” said Mayor Christopher B. Coleman
APA Great Places offer better choices for where and how people work and live. They are enjoyable, safe, and desirable. They are places where people want to be — not only to visit, but to live and work every day. America’s truly great streets are defined by many unique criteria, including architectural features, accessibility, functionality, and community involvement. Through Great Places in America, APA recognizes unique and authentic characteristics found in three essential components of all communities — streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces.
“We're excited to select Summit Avenue as one of this year’s Great Streets,” said APA Executive Director Paul Farmer, FAICP. “Saint Paul is to be commended for preserving the history and character of this grand Victorian avenue and the 370-plus mansions and other noteworthy buildings along this boulevard.”

“Summit Avenue reminds Saint Paul residents and visitors alike about our City’s fascinating history. It also serves as a kind of linear park for the western half of Saint Paul, full of cyclists, walkers, joggers, and rollerbladers,” said Councilmember Russ Stark.
The first house was built on the 4.5-mile-long Summit Avenue in 1855 and followed by a surge of house building in the 1880s and the formation of the Summit Avenue Improvement Association. The Association encouraged property owners to donate land to widen the street and planted trees along a median that remain today.

Summit Avenue was not only the address for many of the residences of Saint Paul’s leading citizens and leaders, including Canadian-American railroad magnate James E. Hill, but also for universities and churches.

Construction of a limited number of apartments during the early 1900s prompted residents to petition the city to create a single- and double-family residential zoning district along Summit Avenue in 1916. While exclusionary in terms of the type of housing that would be allowed along the street, the special zoning later ensured that residences on the avenue would not be converted to commercial or other non-compatible uses.

While construction continued along Summit Avenue during the early 20th century, the Great Depression brought building to a halt and many owners had to give up their homes. The Catholic Church was bequeathed a number of estates, which the church rented out and maintained until the 1970s when a back-to-the-city movement began to attract a new group of owners.

By the 1980s, Summit Avenue faced other issues: college expansion plans; deferred maintenance of mansions; proposals to convert mansions into bed and breakfast hotels, restaurants, and law offices; and preservation of carriage houses. The Saint Paul Planning Commission formed a task force to address these concerns, resulting in a plan and implementation measures that are successfully keeping the Victorian-era residential nature of Summit Avenue intact.

The nine other APA 2008 Great Streets are: Mill Avenue, Tempe, AZ; Seventh Avenue, Tampa, FL; West Main Street, Louisville, KY; Commercial Street, Portland, ME; Washington Street, Boston, MA; Main Street, Annapolis, MD; South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA; South El Paso Street, El Paso, TX; and Clarendon & Wilson Boulevards, Arlington, VA.
For more information about these streets, as well as the lists of the 2008 APA Great Neighborhoods and Great Public Spaces, visit www.planning.org/greatplaces.
This year’s Great Places in America will be celebrated as part of APA’s National Community Planning Month in October 2008, designed to recognize and celebrate the many residents, leaders, officials, and professionals who contribute to making great communities. For more about National Community Planning Month, visit www.planning.org/ncpm.

The American Planning Association and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, are dedicated to advancing the art, science and profession of good planning – physical, economic and social – so as to create communities that offer better choices for where and how people work and live. Members of APA help create communities of lasting value and encourage civic leaders, business interests and citizens to play a meaningful role in creating communities that enrich people's lives. APA has offices in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Ill., and Shanghai, China. For more information, visit its website at www.planning.org.

[Additional info...]