Minneapolis Riverfront Development Initiative April 28, 2011 Steering Committee Meeting Part 1

MRDI Meeting

A Crown Hydro Surprise - Minneapolis Park Watch

From Minneapolis Park Watch:

At the May 4, 2011 Park Board meeting the commissioners voted 6 to 3 to move agenda item 4.7 on the regular meeting to the May 18 meeting agenda to allow for more thorough review of the terms.  Agenda item 4.7 was consideration of Crown Hydro's Letter of Intent for its controversial hydro electric facility to be constructed on park property that was brought to the commissioners at the last minute at the May 4 meeting.  For this reason, it was voted to be moved to the May 18 meeting.  Following is the resolution under 4.7 that was voted to table by six of  the commissioners at the May 4 meeting:  Brad Bourn, John Erwin, Anita Tabb, Scott Vreeland, Liz Wielinski and Annie Young.  The three commissioners who opposed tabling were the three perennial unwavering supporters of Crown Hydro, Bob Fine, Carol Kummer and Jon Olson.

VI. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMITTEE

4.7 Crown Hydro
Resolution
Resolution Approving the execution of Letter of Intent, attached hereto as Attachment 1, to enter into an Agreement with Crown Hydro, LLC for the use of Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (“MPRB”) land for the construction and operation of a Hydroelectric Facility, Approves holding Public Hearings Regarding the potential Hydroelectric Facility on May 18 and June 1, 2011; and Authorizing and directing Superintendent Miller to negotiate with Crown Hydro, LLC in an effort to bring to the MPRB a proposed draft of a definitive Agreement with Crown Hydro, LLC for Review and Approval.

The preceding resolution is what was expected to be moved to the May 18 agenda, but that is NOT what is on the May 18 agenda. Instead, an entirely new resolution has magically and mysteriously appeared on the agenda. It is an agreement for a joint venture with an unknown third party--not Crown Hydro--to build on MPRB property at Mill Ruins Park a hydroelectric facility that would siphon water from the historic St. Anthony Falls. Here is the new, out-of-the blue resolution: It is 8.1 under Unfinished Business on the regular May 18 meeting agenda:

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
8.1 That the Board adopt resolution 2011-095 captioned as follows:
Resolution 2011-095
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EXECUTION OF LETTER OF INTENT,
ATTACHED HERETO AS ATTACHMENT 1, IN ANTICIPATION OF A JOINT
VENTURE OF MINNEAPOLIS PARK AND RECREATION BOARD (“MPRB”) AND
THE PURCHASER OF CROWN HYDRO, LLC’S INTERESTS FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF A HYDROELECTRIC FACILITY,
APPROVING HOLDING PUBLIC HEARINGS REGARDING THE POTENTIAL
HYDROELECTRIC FACILITY ON JUNE 1 AND JUNE 15, 2011; AND
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING SUPERINTENDENT MILLER TO NEGOTIATE
WITH CROWN HYDRO, LLC IN AN EFFORT TO BRING TO THE MPRB A
PROPOSAL IN THE FORM OF A JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT WITH THE
PURCHASER OF CROWN’S INTERESTS FOR MPRB REVIEW, CONSIDERATION
AND APPROVAL
Related Files: Staff Report

So the Park Board is now scheduled to vote at the May 18 Park Board meeting on an agreement for a joint venture with an unknown third party. How did this occur? Apparently this complex, risky, over-the-top new agreement that would create a joint venture with an unknown third party--not Crown Hydro--is a result of the private discussions that MPRB President John Erwin had with representatives of Crown Hydro after the May 4 Park Board meeting. But now, because the original agreement has been transformed into a new agreement, the new agreement has to go back to the Planning Committee for review and approval BEFORE coming back to the full board for a vote. Therefore, 8.1 can not be voted on at the May 18 Park Board meeting.

Arlene Fried
Co-Founder of Park Watch

More Citizen Support to Stop Crown Hydro

Just received this, we're continuing to pick up momentum -

Update on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 7:39AM by David Tinjum

Please attend the Minneapolis Park Board meeting May 18 at 5:00 PM to show your support for stopping this ill-conceived project.

Contact your elected officials and ask them to drop their support...

Coverage of the Minneapolis Riverfront Development Initiative

From KARE 11:

Crown Hydro Quote of the Day - Rep. Michael Nelson, DFL-Brooklyn Park - NoCrownHydro.org

One of four representatives to take his name off the Crown Hydro bill, Rep. Michael Nelson, DFL-Brooklyn Park, said he supports the Crown Hydro project as a clean source of renewable energy but opposes taking away local control.

“The way that this one was written was basically clubbing the city of Minneapolis over the head,” Nelson said.

Letter from Susan Zdon on the Crown Hydro Project - NoCrownHydro.org

A open letter to our elected officials at the Park Board regarding the Crown Hydro project from a resident of Minneapolis suburb St. Anthony Park received today, May 12, 2011.  Susan was en route to vacation and asked me to post this:

Dear Commissioners,

Very recently my lovely business CorAzoN closed in "The Mill District"  It just did not have enough traffic and I could not wait any longer.

The  Mill District is a gem waiting to happen.  Like so many things in Minneapolis the city is moving on with things too quickly and not allowing this community blossom.  At some point energy needs to be driven by controlling consumption not by producing more energy.  I could not wait, you can.  Do the right thing this time and leave the river front untouched.  Keep it special and unique.  You will attract business and residents that will make Minneapolis' downtown a thriving place, not just for sporting events.

The city has an opportunity to carve out something that would be unique to Minneapolis and the USA.  Minneapolis was already awarded the most bike friendly city in the nation.  Part of this is because the trails offer quiet and pristine beauty.  You are attracting people to the downtown.  People like Ex-Vice President Mondale and his wife Joan.  I walk their dog every morning at 6:00 am.  I would encourage each and everyone of you to take this walk.  First you will notice you are not alone.  Many  people (not just who live in the downtown) are out walking and enjoying the views and quiet of the morning.

The beauty of this place is unmatched, different than the Lakes.  Would you build a Power Plant by Lake Calhoun or Lake of the Isles?  Do not let this happen.  Don't create more just because you can, save this place and let it develop into its' full potential. 

 

I expect to hear back from you ( I pay you with my taxes) that you took the time to make this early morning adventure.  I could not wait.  This city can not afford to lose this.

 

Susan Zdon/CEO

CorAzoN

Crown Hydro Quote from Park Board Commissioner Liz Wielinski

From an email I just received:

I would like to thank you for contacting me regarding the Crown Hydro proposal on the Central Riverfront.   The benefits of the limited power production would not outweigh the aesthetic value of the falls as an historic site and park amenity.  I have not seen any new documentation from the Crown Hydro lobbyists, cadre of attorneys or engineers that has provided information to the contrary.

Update on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 7:41AM by David Tinjum

Please attend the Minneapolis Park Board meeting May 18 at 5:00 PM to show your support for stopping this ill-conceived project.

Contact your elected officials and ask them to drop their support...

Help Stop Crown Hydro

Hello Friends, Neighbors, and Concerned Citizens:

With your help, we had 30-40 supporters at the May 4 Park Board meeting, resulting in the issue being tabled until the next meeting on May 18. Thank you!  But...

As you read this, the Minneapolis Park Board, under the duress of threatened State Legislation, is negotiating an agreement with Crown Hydro, LLC to build an ill-conceived power generation facility in Mill Ruins Park.  See the attached flyer for how to contact your elected officials and more information on Crown Hydro.

If successful, Crown Hydro will risk:

- Damaging the historical birthplace of Minneapolis

- Ruining decades of hard work and millions of dollars taxpayers have invested in revitalizing the Downtown Riverfront

- Drying up St. Anthony Falls!

Why would the Park Board virtually give away National Historic Parkland to a private developer?  How much more corporate welfare can we afford?

We’re in the 11^th hour, but it’s not too late to stop this.  Please:

1.  Contact Board President John Erwin and ask him to stop the negotiating process and vote no to Crown Hydro.

2.  Contact each Park Board Commissioner and ask them to Vote No on Crown Hydro at the May 18 Board meeting at Park Board headquarters.

3.  Contact the DFL State Legislators sponsoring the bill to force the Park Board to give away our National Historic Parkland to Crown Hydro and ask them to drop their support.

4.  Attend the Minneapolis Park Board meeting on May 18 at 5:00 PM to let the Commissioners know we're paying attention.  When the next election rolls around we won't forget their vote on this issue.

See the attached flyer for how to contact your elected officials and more information on Crown Hydro.

Thanks so much for your help. We can still stop this, and you can make a difference!

If you have any questions, please contact me:

David Tinjum

612-321-8020

dave@millcitymedia.org

http://MillCityTimes.com

PS. If you have friends or colleagues interested in protecting the riverfront, will you please forward this email to them? The more folks we get to write, call or attend meetings the better our chances for stopping this ill-conceived project!

PS. Visit our Facebook page at http://facebook.com/NoCrownHydro and share your opinion.  Hit the like button while you're there to show that there are many more against this project than for it.

*See the attached flyer for how to contact your elected officials and more information on Crown Hydro.

Download the flyer...

Crown Hydro Quote of the Day - Lisa Goodman - NoCrownHydro.org

From Minneapolis City Council Member Lisa Goodman -

What’s next, the Legislature passing a bill ordering the city to sell the Minneapolis Farmers Market land for a Vikings Stadium or sell Gold Medal Park for a new high-rise?”