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Recent Appointments

Three appointments made to government redesign councils

The 2010 Legislature passed three specific redesign government task forces commissions with the focus on local and state government service delivery. The League was asked to appoint city officials to serve on these three councils.

The League Board of Directors in late June made the following appointments:

  • Mary Hamann-Roland, Apple Valley mayor, was appointed to the Collaboration Governance Council. The purpose of this committee is to develop recommendations to increase collaboration in government. The nine-member group, chaired by the state auditor, plans to meet quarterly, likely in St. Paul, and expires on June 15, 2015.
  • David Bentrud, Waite Park police chief, was appointed to the Commission on Service Innovation. The purpose of this commission is to establish a strategic plan to reengineer the delivery of state and local government services, including the realignment of service delivery by region and proximity, the use of new technologies, shared facilities, and centralized information technologies. The 19-member group, first convened by the state’s chief information officer, will raise private money. It expires on June 30, 2012.
  • Matt Stemwedel, Assistant to the City Administrator of Woodbury, was appointed to the Council on Local Results and Innovation. The purpose of this 11-member council is to develop standard performance measures for cities and counties aimed at measuring efficiency and effectiveness in providing services. Members will serve staggered four-year terms, with the state auditor convening the first meeting. It expires on Jan. 1, 2020.

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Four appointments made to statewide Complete Streets Advisory Group

Bloomington City Councilmember Steve Elkins and Pipestone Assistant to the City Administrator Deb Nelson were appointed to serve as the League of Minnesota Cities’ appointees to the statewide Complete Streets Advisory Group. Savage Public Works Director and City Engineer John Powell and Northfield Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals Chair Tracy Davis were appointed as alternates to this advisory group.

Legislation passed in 2008 required the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to conduct a study on implementing “Complete Streets” in Minnesota. A report on complete streets was presented to the Legislature in December 2009. The report included input from city officials and called for the creation of this advisory group.

Complete Streets, according to MnDOT, are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and bus riders of all ages and abilities are able to safely move along and across a complete street. The goal of a Complete Streets Policy is to develop a balanced system that integrates all modes and users through planning.

The appointment of Elkins, Nelson, Powell, and David was made and approved by the League of Minnesota Cities Board of Directors during its April 15 meeting. _____________________________________________________________________________

Three appointments made to statewide CriMNet Task Force

St. Charles mayor William Spitzer, Minneapolis city councilmember Gary Schiff, and attorney Amy Schmidt were appointed to serve as the League’s appointees to the statewide CriMNet Task Force.

The task force monitors, reviews and reports on CriMNet-related projects, in addition to providing oversight of ongoing operations as directed. The task force is charged with assisting in writing an annual report to the governor, Supreme Court, and Legislature by Jan. 15 each year. State statute requires the League, along with other organizations, to make appointments to the task force. This task force is authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section 299C.65 and consists of 35 members.

The appointment of Spitzer, Schiff, and Schmidt was made and approved by the League Board of Directors on Feb. 18. _____________________________________________________________________________

Appointments for statewide Fire and Rescue Shared Services Task Force

Cloquet City Manager Brian Fritsinger was appointed to serve as the League’s appointee, and Brooklyn Park City Manager Jamie Verbrugge as alternate appointee, to the Governor’s Fire and Rescue Shared Services Task Force.

In December, Gov. Pawlenty signed Emergency Executive Order 09-13, providing the creation of the Governor’s Task Force on a Shared Services Approach to Fire and Rescue Services. This task force will examine issues and benefits associated with different models for shared fire and rescue service delivery. The executive order requires the League, along with other organizations, to make an appointment to the task force.

Read about appointment opportunities

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