Take the East Harriet Neighborhood Priorities Survey!
We are asking East Harriet residents to respond to this survey by September 2, 2013. Survey results will be available in early October.
Click on East Harriet Neighborhood Survey to begin!
Email info@eastharriet.org or call 612.824.9350 to request a paper copy of the survey to be mailed to you or stop by the Lyndale Farmstead Park to pick up a copy of the survey.
Utilities Municipalization Public Hearing August 1
Recently, Minneapolis residents received a letter from Xcel Energy regarding whether the City should "municipalize" the two major utilities. Municipalization means the City would purchase and run the utility in the future.
The city’s twenty year franchise agreements with Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy are coming to an end in December 2014. The City is looking at what the best options are to meet the City’s energy and climate goals and what works best for residents and the city as a whole. A franchise agreement has specific limitations put in place by state law. In Minnesota, those provisions include paying the utilities not only for the purchase of the equipment and property but also for 10 years of future lost profits To remove this provision, changes need to be made to state law.
Minnesota state law requires that the following question be put on the ballot and get approved by the majority of voters:
“Shall the City of Minneapolis be authorized to establish a municipal electric utility and to own, operate, construct, and extend electric and similar facilities and to purchase and acquire the property of any existing electrical public utility operating within the City of Minneapolis for the purpose of providing electrical and similar services?”
On August 16th, the Council will be voting on whether or not to add this question to the November ballot. If the Council votes to add these questions to the ballot, and a majority of voters say “yes” in this fall's election, then the city would have authority to pursue acquiring or creating a utility. It does not mean that the city would automatically create the utility, or must create a utility.
If you are unable attend the public hearing, send your comments to CM Tuthill meg.tuthill@minneapolismn.gov before the public hearing lease copy the City Clerk at cityclerk@minneapolismn.gov so your comments can be included in the public record.
For more information visit the City’s website on the Energy Utility Franchise Agreements.
PES Committee Gearing up for a Busy Year
The Parks, Environment and Schools (PES) committee is gearing up for another busy year. The first event was the Earth Day Clean-up at Lake Harriet on Sat., April 18 from 9:30-noon. A slide show of photos from that event is on this page.
The Barton Environment Awareness Team (Bryant/BEAT) at Barton School is a 7th and 8th grade environmental science class in its fifth year. This spring the kids are tackling an energy conservation curriculum and helping the school expand its recycling program. A community fair revolving around the students' projects on the topic will occur at Barton School on the morning of Sat., May 16. Stay tuned for more details.
Once again, EHFNA is offering rebates to East Harriet residents who immunize their elm trees against Dutch Elm Disease. This still-spreading disease kills dozens of trees in our neighborhood every year. An injectable treatment is available that will protect these attractive trees for three years. To help offset the cost, we offer a $200 rebate to property owners who want to keep elm trees in their yards and on their boulevards. Please contact our office at 612-824-9350 for more information on this program.
The PES committee meets on the 4th Monday of every month to discuss all things "green" in the East Harriet neighborhood. We also focus on school-related issues important to our residents. Join us at Java Jacks for one of our monthly meetings - grab a cup of coffee, share your ideas and hear what we're up to. Emails are always welcome to the PES chair, Patty Selly: patty@domware.com
Lake Harriet Citizens Advisory Council
CAC members agreed that it would recommend expanding food options at the Lake Harriet Pavilion without the addition of another building. Instead, they will be presenting a proposal to reconfigure the interior of the existing concession building so that both current concessions and additional food options can be located in the same place.
CAC members expect to present their final report to the members of the MPRB Planning Committee in late fall. The date of the last meeting of the CAC before the report is presented has not yet been scheduled.
The CAC, made up of local residents, appointed by MPRB Commissioners, Council Member Betsy Hodges, Mayor R.T. Rybak and the Metropolitan Council, has the charge to "review and discuss the scope of concession opportunities; the general atmosphere of the band shell; to review a schematic design and site for a potential auxiliary concession or other structure; and present a report with recommendations to the Board."
If you would like to keep up to date with the CAC's activities and discussions, please visit their site: www.lakeharrietcac.ning.com
East Harriet Resident to Serve on Lake Harriet Concessions CAC
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) has approved establishing a Citizen's Advisory Commission (CAC) for the Lake Harriet Concession Project. East Harriet resident Donovan Hart applied for and was chosen to represent our neighborhood on this Commission. The charge for the committee is "to review and discuss the scope of concession opportunities; the general atmosphere of the band shell; to review a schematic design and site for a potential auxiliary concession or other structure; and present a report with recommendations to the Board."
The CAC will be meeting 3-4 times over the next three months to meet its charge.
Lake Harriet Citizens Advisory Council
The Lake Harriet Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC) is a resident-based body created by the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB) Commissioners at their April 4, 2009 board meeting. The charge of the Lake Harriet CAC is "to review and discuss the scope of concession opportunities; the general atmosphere of the band shell; to review a schematic design and site for a potential auxiliary concession or other structure; and present a report with recommendations to the Board."
The Lake Harriet CAC is made up of 11 residents who will conduct their work over six meetings from May to October. Their recommendations are expected to be presented in the fall of 2009. Visit the Lake Harriet CAC website to follow their work and get up to date information.
Visit the Lake Harriet CAC website:
www.lakeharrietcac.ning.com
or
the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board website for the Lake Harriet CAC site:
www.minneapolisparks.org
Parking Restrictions Lifted!
Earlier, on March 5, the Winter Parking Restrictions on the non Snow Emergency Routes were lifted.
Due to the warm weather Minneapolis has experienced over the last two week, the conditions have improved enough to allow emergency vehicles and transit to navigate the majority of our streets.
Home Preservation Workshop
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Wachovia Mortgage, Wells Fargo Financial or home equity loan customers who are experiencing mortgage payment challenges are encouraged to contact Wells Fargo to learn about options that may help overcome payment challenges.
What to expect:
- Home owners will meet individually with Wells Fargo reps to discuss their financial concerns & options.
- Get answers to questions on how you may be able to keep your home & avoid foreclosure.
- Connect with helpful resources such as housing counselors & learn about online tool.
