Difference between revisions of "SOC 2008"

Revision as of 14:29, 28 March 2008

OFF-LEASH DOG PARKS

There is just one off-leash dog park in the city - Arlington/Arkwright - and folks would like to see another. Perhaps a fee collected from dog owners could help defray some of the costs.

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/4gudlyRj3PW7pRruDe00sM

BUYING LOCAL (BEER, ETC)

Can't we do something to get local venues including the X to offer up local brews?

"Can we raise the tax on Anheuser-Busch and Miller products and make Summit, Finnegan's, Flat Earth, and Great Waters beer tax-free? What about other incentives to reduce 'redundant imports'? What about hiring people to 'dismantle' old homes (to reuse the studs) instead of knocking them to smithereens?"

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/2DEqcul7TQvb1xHJPcGNn2

Education - Young Learn From Old and Vice Versa

Find more opportunities for inter-generational learning

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/2DEqcul7TQvb1xHJPcGNn2

On-Street Metered Scooter/Motorcycle Parking

You can get a bunch more bikes in one space than cars. Convert (or add) metered motorcycle parking downtown where space allows.

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/6Q2EvWlDuLYTmMXPnaQ3cc

EXPAND METERED PARKING

Perhaps to Grand Avenue, and elsewhere

Why are there no parking meters on Grand Avenue?

Metered parking would generate revenue, even the playing field between downtown and Grand Avenue and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And it could be done without expensive parking meters for every parking spot by using the one per block ticket machine system used in Manhattan and most European cities.

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/23i72XsT7aEEM7MKb15tQS

CONNECTIONS FROM NORTH SUBURBS

With congestion increasing each year on Snelling Avenue, is there discussions about how best to relieve/accomodate that? Are there discussions about park and rides or other improvements to connections with Central Corridor?

What's the City's plan for its network of arterial streets and how is this coordinated with the County and State? How might this network look different after the next ten years?

Even more specifically:

Does the city have any plans to work with the County and/or State and provide alternative(s) to Snelling Avenue? While the problem is exacerbated by shifting traffic due to the closure of the 35-W bridge, it seems like the traffic volume on Snelling increases each year. But the existing alternatives (Lexington, Fairview, Cleveland, etc) are pretty limited if you're driving to or from Rosedale, the State Fairgrounds, Highland Park, Grand Avenue, etc. and need/want to go north or south.

Once the Central Corridor is in place, will there be park 'n ride locations for both commuters and non-commuters to use if they want/ need to drive to one of the University Avenue stops and ride into either of the downtowns or the University?

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/6yQfmdg9zvWkZUCBJDfYwL

REDUCING THE TRASH AROUND THE CITY

is it possible to use educational campaigns/outreach to clean up the litter throughout our city, to make it more livable?

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/69XwUfTVmyxQBvWGfKeo9G

RETAIL ATTRACTION TO THE URBAN CORE

It takes hard work to make progress in places like Frogtown, but keeping the eye on the long - term, we are making progress

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/4eotorFSB20p1GvPaImhJz

HOUSING FOR CONVENTION-GOERS

Is there a way to take foreclosed upon properties and make use of them during the RNC?

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/6OWhsIn31e2zdUWhZa4GSa

SMITH AVENUE SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT

In addition to the attention focused on Stryker on the West Side

"With regard to Invest Saint Paul, I have heard that Stryker is one area of interest. But it seems that Smith is in even greater need of an economic boost. On a recent tour up Smith Avenue given by a Stryker Av business owner, I was shocked to hear about the demise of so many small businesses, and to see all the vacancies."

Please consider Smith instead of, or as well as, Stryker.

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/2kr9FghrysJcprUw8CQ11p

RESPONSIBLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

we should be careful not to dig ourselves a hole by oversubsidizing developments

We need honest discussion about how to attract private investment through sensible public investment. The idea behind any investment is to create a greater return over the long term.

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/7MqlF1VP03Q1uW8V59Kcb7

SMALL BUSINESS INSURANCE SUPPORT

insurance costs challenge small businesses, but perhaps the city could help some get off the ground by encouraging a pooling of costs

Healthcare insurance represents an area of great difficulty for establishing and running a viable small business. One possible cause of business failure (and with bankrupcy for many people) is the cost of uninsured (or insured but denied coverage of) healthcare expenses. The City of St. Paul could become more of a small business incubator if it helped small businesses face these issues. I am not talking about subsidizing healthcare insurance costs. Perhaps the city could work to form an insurance pool of eligible businesses. There would be strenght (and lower cost) in greater numbers.

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/HtVOXHGvqq7XppY9hPJz2

INVESTING IN QUALITY MATH & SCIENCE EDUCATION IN ST. PAUL

To remain competitive as part of global economy

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/HtVOXHGvqq7XppY9hPJz2

PUBLIC OWNERSHIP OF THE FORD PLANT

to save the jobs at the plant, and help stabilize our part of the auto industry

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/2e2CnVn1o8mtFcsLm221j5

MULTIPLE KINDS OF NEIGHBORHOODS

how can we create parts of the city that are more pedestrian and transit focused, while retaining the strong character of existing neighborhoods that has made St. Paul great?

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/79BqzZF6roeoTVk4rhJEcw

NARROW THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP

what's being done, and what can be done to ensure we give all children a solid foundation to grow from?

I hope Mayor Coleman can address ways city government can help narrow the educational achievement gap in the St. Paul schools. What efforts have been successful? What are some of the mayor obstacles? What is the city of St. Paul planing on doing during the coming year?

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/5Ro59ztow2EDvpowX71IcQ

Urban vs. Natural

Ad why aren't these terms - "more urban and more natural" contradictory? Mustn't we choose? Or is some crank trying to get me to balance competing values with one another? Why can't this be a zero-sum game?

How are folks applying this to all the stuff happening along the river? The West Publishing redevelopment? The Ford plant? The Xcel Plant conversion and redevelopment? This Great River Park thing? And how's that going, by the way?

And as we redevelop elsewhere, should we hope the rest of the City becomes more urban and more natural too?

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/2ubWca0jxS00XPtJ1o3dR3

Flags in Every Classroom - Mandatory Pledge

I would like you to mandate that in every classroom within the City, public or private, an American flag of at least 3x5 size be prominently displayed. And further mandate that every morning lead by their teacher, every American student stand and pledge their allegiance to the United Sates of America. This is so inexpensive, simple, and basic to the preservation our American way of life that no further comment is needed.

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/2GnNa4kIunROLj0K9m1oNG

Unfunded Mandates

I would like you to take the radical (but necessary and reasonable) stand to NOT implement within the City ANY Federal, State, or County 'mandate' until it is fully funded by that Federal, State or County. Period.

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/2GnNa4kIunROLj0K9m1oNG

Surveillance Cameras

Finally, I am concerned with cameras watching every move we make. I would like you to make the following regulations covering EVERY public or private surveillance type camera within the city.

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/2GnNa4kIunROLj0K9m1oNG

Broadband

However, one of the few things that could lure me away from the city is access to fast, cheap broadband networks. St. Paul suffers from a duopoly and shows no promise for faster networks from the private sector. Both AT&T and Verizon are making the investments our incumbents aren't.

For a variety of reasons, I think St. Paul needs to make some smart investments in this area. I think the first step should be for the city to invest in a fiber network that will meet the needs (dare I say as well, the desires) of the City, the Public Schools, the County (within St. Paul) and the State (within St. Paul).

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/4cgZg4QGK80rrajGmgQQeF