Position Open: Marketing Strategist at Olive & Company

Job Description

Olive & Company is looking for a Marketing Strategist to provide ongoing strategic marketing leadership to our clients. You will collaborate closely with clients to develop holistic, innovative marketing plans while coordinating with our internal team to execute individual project components, measure campaign performance, and identify opportunities for growth and optimization. Ideal candidates must have a combination of marketing strategy, brand management, and client service experience, must be passionate about driving brand and business results for clients, and must be completely comfortable with emerging digital marketing trends and tactics.

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with client teams to develop a complete understanding of their business, industry, brand, and goals.
• Develop holistic, goal-oriented marketing plans and strategies for clients based on comprehensive research and analysis.
• Communicate strategic plans and vision to clients, and help client teams build consensus among internal stakeholders and executive leadership.
• Carefully define project scope and deliverables and develop detailed project estimates and proposals.
• Develop detailed creative project briefs for our internal team.
• Coordinate with a project manager to oversee workflow of individual project components while keeping projects tracked to their business objectives, deadlines, and scope.
• Monitor and align all project work with client brand and business objectives.
• Measure campaign KPI and ROI performance and provide reporting insights to client and Olive teams to optimize ongoing work.
• Manage ongoing relationship with the client, and identify opportunities for client engagement growth.

Requirements

• 8+ years agency experience in marketing strategy, brand management, and client service roles
• Exceptional interpersonal, presentation, and written communication skills
• Strong analytical and creative thinking skills
• Proven ability to develop brand and marketing plans and effectively communicate recommendations to executive management
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams in complex, high pressure situations
• Understanding of marketing data and consumer research
• Ability to manage multiple ongoing projects, challenges, and tasks without losing momentum on overall vision
• Experience working with analytics reporting tools and data
• Passion for rapidly building expertise on new businesses and industry verticals
• Demonstrated negotiation and problem resolution skills
• Experience presenting creative work, developing rationale, and selling with confidence
• Experience managing a robust pipeline of creative projects with diverse deliverables (including strategic, digital, print, and multi-channel)
• Up-to-date with latest trends and marketing best practices, with a deep understanding of emerging digital trends and tactics
• Comfortable collaborating and communicating with writers, designers, and developers
• Able to manage, serve, and lead demanding clients with confidence
• B.S./M.S. degree in marketing

To Apply

Please send your resume and a cover letter that details the value that you will provide to Olive & Company and to our clients. Send materials to erik@oliveandcompany.com.

Intern Opportunity at The Loft - Marketing & Communications

Internship Posting—Winter/Spring 2015 Marketing & Communications Internship

Winter/Spring position (January/February – May, 2015)

10-20 hours per week, primarily daytime, Tuesday – Friday

Loft unpaid internships offer a flexible and enjoyable workplace, excellent supervision and mentoring, and the company of dedicated and creative colleagues.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage the Loft’s social media communities; create and curate engaging, clickable content relevant to the mission of the Loft. Monitor engagement and reply to messages sent through social media.
• Assist in developing and coordinating content for the Loft’s blog, Writers’ Block. This includes the writing, editing, and publishing of blog posts.
• Assist with event planning and the execution of select events.
• Assist with the development and publication of marketing materials such as ads, flyers, brochures, and catalogs.
• Research and maintain a functional media list.
• Collect and compile event evaluation data, potentially including event attendance.
• Research vendors and pricing for potential Loft-branded giveaway items.
• Assess external communications patterns with fresh eyes.

Qualifications:                                 

• A demonstrated interest in learning more about arts organizations and nonprofit marketing and communications;
• An educational background in communications, marketing, or outreach;
• Demonstrated writing ability;
• Basic computer skills (MS Office);
• Familiarity with a broad spectrum of social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Google+, and Pinterest.
• Experience in graphic design and familiarity with InDesign and Photoshop is a plus.
• The ideal candidate will be organized, detail oriented, and creative.

To Apply: Visit https://loft.submittable.com/submit/b8cb27b9-1982-4158-a08b-ccf49256a068

Intern Opportunity at The Loft - Development & Administration

Internship Posting—Winter/Spring 2015 Development & Administration Internship

Winter/Spring position (January/February – May, 2015) 10-20 hours per week, primarily daytime, Tuesday – Friday

Loft unpaid internships offer a flexible and enjoyable workplace, excellent supervision and mentoring, and the company of dedicated and creative colleagues.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assist in daily operations for the processing and acknowledgements of charitable gifts to the Loft.
• Assist with event planning and the execution of select events.
• Assist with the tracking and analyzing of donor behavior and effectiveness of fundraising tactics.
• Assist and coordinate outreach efforts for special fundraising campaigns.
• Assess external communications patterns with fresh eyes.

Qualifications:                                 

• A demonstrated interest in learning more about arts organizations and nonprofit development and management;
• Experience in data entry, customer service, and fundraising;
• Basic computer skills (MS Office and Excel);
• Not required, but desired experience with Salesforce or CRM software.

The ideal candidate will be organized, detail oriented, and creative.

To Apply: Visit https://loft.submittable.com/submit/8fc44700-7120-41b6-b6c0-f5d765b0d611

Artist Spotlight / Terra Rathai - Avant Garden Photography

Minneapolis-based photographer specializing in food, garden, lifestyle, editorial, and place photography as well as fine art subjects.

Terra Rathai is an artist living in Minneapolis, MN.  Her work is a meditation on the extraordinary beauty and interest of the everyday. 

http://www.terrarathai.com/exhibitions-index/

Sorella Wine & Spirits 7th Anniversary

Sorella is celebrating their 7th Anniversary, and holding their annual Fall Wine Sale simultaneously!  Details Below:

Huge Savings in Every Department
November 6th-22nd
15%-40% All Wines

Kick-Off Tasting - Wine, Beer & Spirits
Friday, Nov. 7th, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

2 More Huge Wine Tastings
(Fridays) Nov. 14th & 21st, 5:30-7:30

All the details will be in next week's newsletter!

In The News on the Central Riverfront

News from the Central Riverfront Neighborhoods

CENTRAL RIVERFRONT / CORPS URGED TO LOCK OUT CARP AT LOCAL DAMS

http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/280269772.html

NORTHEAST / NORTHEAST MINNEAPOLITANS OPPOSE RIVERSIDE MAINTENANCE OPS BUILDING

http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/280423012.html

NORTHEAST / BETTY DANGER’S OFFERS MINNEAPOLIS ‘TREE-TOP’ DINING

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2014/10/28/betty-dangers-offers-minneapolis-tree-top-dining/

NORTH LOOP / FIRST LOOK: VELO APARTMENTS IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/280315052.html

MILL DISTRICT / MPLS. PARKS FOUNDATION PLANS TO RENOVATE MILL RUINS PARK

http://kstp.com/article/stories/s3598314.shtml

MILL DISTRICT-NORTH LOPP-DINKYTOWN / LOVE THY NEIGHBORHOOD: YOUR GUIDE TO FALL BREAK IN THE TWIN CITIES

http://themacweekly.com/2014/10/love-thy-neighborhood-your-guide-to-fall-break-in-the-twin-cities/

2014-2015 Snow Emergency Brochure Available Online

If you didn't receive one in the mail, you can view the 2014-2015 Minneapolis Snow Emergency Brochure online.

In additional to other important information, the brochure outlines ways to find out if a Snow Emergency has been declared, including: call 348-SNOW (7669), sign up for a text message, check online, or download the Snow Emergency app for iPhones and Android devices.

Are you a Foodie? You Won't Want to Miss the Oct 30 Talk of the Stacks at Central Library!

Talk of the Stacks with Dana Cowin
in conversation with Andrew Zimmern

Dana Cowin has been covering the world of food, wine and style for over 30 years. Food & Wine’s Editor-in-Chief since 1995 and a guest judge on Top Chef, she was inducted into the James Beard Foundation Who’s Who in Food & Beverage in America in 2012.

Ms. Cowin will be joined by friend and fellow foodie Andrew Zimmern to discuss her newly released cook book, Mastering My Mistakes in the Kitchen− a collection of recipes, stories of her own culinary ineptitude and invaluable lessons she has learned from some of the today’s greatest chefs.

The Encore 935 2nd St - CPED Staff Report

(From Planning Commission Agenda 10-27-2014)

The Encore (BZZ-6843, Ward: 3), 935 2^nd St S (Hilary Dvorak).

Download the Staff report

A. Conditional Use Permit: Application by Tony Kuechle with Sherman Associates for a conditional use permit to amend an existing Planned Unit Development to construct a new 12-story, approximately 176 657 square foot, 122-unit residential building located at 935 2^nd St S. The property is zoned C3A Community Activity Center District and is located in the DP Downtown Parking Overlay District and the DH Downtown Height Overlay District.

Recommended Motion: The Department of Community Planning and Economic Development recommends that the City Planning Commission adopt the findings and approve the application for a conditional use permit to amend an existing Planned Unit Development to construct a new 12-story, approximately 176,657 square foot, 124-unit residential building at the property located at 935 2^nd St S, subject to the following conditions:

1. The conditional use permit shall be recorded with Hennepin County as required by Minn. Stat. 462.3595, subd. 4 before building permits may be issued or before the use or activity requiring a conditional use permit may commence. Unless extended by the zoning administrator, the conditional use permit shall expire if it is not recorded within two years of approval.
2. As required by section 527.120 of the zoning code, the development shall comply with the standards for some combination of the following amenities from Table 527-1, Amenities and those proposed by the applicant totaling a minimum of 15 points: underground parking, outdoor open space, decorative fencing, enhanced exterior lighting, pet exercise area and recycling storage area.
3. There shall be a minimum of two visitor parking spaces designated on site.
4. There shall be a minimum of one bicycle parking space per dwelling unit provided within the building.

B. Variance: Application by Tony Kuechle with Sherman Associates for a variance to increase the floor area ratio (FAR) of the building located at 935 2^nd St S from the permitted 4.8 to 5.62.

Recommended Motion: The Department of Community Planning and Economic Development recommends that the City Planning Commission adopt the findings and approve the application for a variance to increase the floor area ratio (FAR) of the building from 4.8 to 5.62 located at 935 2^nd St S.

C. Site Plan Review: Application by Tony Kuechle with Sherman Associates for a site plan review for the property located at 935 2^nd St S.

Recommended Motion: The Department of Community Planning and Economic Development recommends that the City Planning Commission adopt the findings and approve the site plan review application to allow a new 12-story, approximately 176,657 square foot, 124-unit residential building at the property located at 935 2^nd St S, subject to the following conditions:

1. Approval of the final site plan, elevations, floor plan, landscaping plan and lighting plan by the Department of Community Planning and Economic Development.
2. All site improvements shall be completed by October 27, 2016, unless extended by the Zoning Administrator, or the permit may be revoked for non-compliance.
3. The applicant shall work with the utility company to try and locate the transformer along 10^th Ave S to the south side of the building and then screen it with landscaping.
4. The applicant shall design the east side of the twelfth floor and the south side of the first floor so as to not have any expanse of wall that is over 25 feet in length and blank.
5. No less than six canopy trees or 12 ornamental trees shall be provided on the site.

Wednesday Night - The Superior Plating Task Group Meeting

The Superior Plating Task Group (SPTG5) will be held Wednesday:

            5:00pm to 6:30pm    

            October 29, 2014

            Ginger Hop (corner of 2^nd St NE and East Hennepin)

Project & Meeting Materials

View aerial photos of the site:

https://lennar.app.box.com/s/js9tbl2gp2lcombrdxyc

Download the developer presentation:

https://app.box.com/shared/static/kolewngyjmbc83w29sbn.pdf

Download the meeting agenda:

https://app.box.com/shared/static/78tdpqqazzzmo4wevs1k.pdf

Water Works Design Unveiled

For 12,000 years, the Mississippi River has powered through Minnesota, where it’s scrawled a deep gorge like a signature through limestone and prairie. The source of this massive geological imprint was the River’s only true waterfall, now known as St. Anthony Falls, which receded over millennia and now graces the heart of Minneapolis. It is this unique geography, geology and history that inspired a schematic vision for a new destination park on the West Bank of St. Anthony Falls, developed by the Minneapolis Parks Foundation in partnership with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, and presented to the public at the Mill City Museum on Thursday, October 23, in the form of a design presentation and 3D flythrough animation.

Called Water Works because the city’s original water supply and fire-fighting pumping stations were located on the site in the 19th century, the four-acre strategic urban location encompasses Minneapolis Park Board-owned land between Portland Avenue South and the Third Avenue Bridge, and between First Street and the Mississippi River. The Water Works site is an important convergence of multiple riverfront destinations and physical features in addition to St. Anthony Falls, including the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, the Stone Arch Bridge, lock and dam, listed and eligible industrial ruins, the Mill City Museum and Guthrie Theater, as well as parkway, trails, and Mill Ruins and Gold Medal parks. Like the city itself, this site has grown to meet the changing needs of the people living in it from navigation, to industrial, to recreational and residential.

Water Works is also a RiverFirst signature project. RiverFirst is a 20-year vision for transforming 5.5 miles of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. In realizing this great vision — beginning with multiple priority projects in the next five years — the “City of Lakes” will restore its identity as a city of the mighty Mississippi and leverage one of the three great rivers of the world as a source for economic development and community and cultural vitality.

“This site is where Minneapolis became the city it is today and has long been a point of convergence: between water and land, industry and recreation and between people from across the world. These falls have attracted and captivated people – first Native Americans, and later, European settlers, who harnessed the power of the falls through a massive intake canal unheard-of in size, and turned Minneapolis into the world’s milling capital,” says Tom Evers, Executive Director of the Parks Foundation. “With many hours of collaborative input from community leaders and engaged citizens, and in partnership with staff and citizen advisors appointed by the Minneapolis Park Board, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation has presented a schematic vision for a four-season park on St. Anthony Falls that meets the needs of 21st century residents and visitors, while celebrating and reactivating the most compelling features of the site, including the historic intake canal.”

Water Works Design: Zones, Experiences and Key Features

The design was created by the interdisciplinary design team of New York-basedSCAPE/Landscape Architecture and Rogers Partners, with James Lima Planning + Development and SRF Consulting (Minneapolis), through a 13-month process begun in 2013. The team was selected by a five-member multidisciplinary Designer Selection Committee that included representatives from the Minneapolis Park Board, St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board, City of Minneapolis, University of Minnesota and MPF.

Working closely with the Parks Foundation, the Minneapolis Park Board and in response to the advisory committees and community input, the Design Team identified three zones – Mezzanine & Outdoor Rooms, River’s Edge, and Canal & Gatehouse – and shaped each zone based on its key features and potential use, then reconnected the zones to each other and the river via intricate realignment of paths, trails and roads. Within and across these zones, the team overlaid four year-round experiences:

• People. A key feature of Water Works will be a park pavilion, sited between First Street and West River Road. The pavilion, which will be a four-season gathering and eating space, will elegantly traverse two levels, overlook the river at the top of St. Anthony Falls, and connect seamlessly with an amphitheater and outdoor rooms on the Mezzanine level. This building will become a signature entry point to the Falls for people travelling from Downtown and provide an entryway into the river for paddlers.

• History. The dominant historic feature of Water Works is the reimagined intake canal and gatehouse, a beautiful four-season water and ice experience that focuses on the site’s incredible historic value, while providing visitors with visual interest and a place to stay and play. Elsewhere in the Water Works site, industrial ruins will be exposed and stabilized to shape paths and form play and gathering spaces.

• Water. The water story is integral to the future park experience, beginning with the reimagined mill canal and continuing with a beautifully explored urban watershed – storm water will be directed through an intricate network of above- and below-ground cisterns and runnels, eventually emanating from a seep wall at the base of the Mezzanine level that in winter will freeze in interesting architectural forms. Finally, park visitors will be able to connect directly with the Mississippi via a new kayak/canoe launch.

• Habitat. Four areas for habitat restoration have been identified: pollinator-friendly prairie near the park pavilion on the Mezzanine level, as well as native plantings around the Canal & Gatehouse, and riparian habitat at the river’s edge. Riparian canopy will also be restored on the Mezzanine level.

“This is one of many transformative RiverFirst projects proposed for the upper riverfront that will provide greater access to the most significant river in the nation,” said Liz Wielinski, Board President of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. “It is made possible due to the wonderful public-private collaboration between the Park Board and the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, which is committed to private fundraising to improve the riverfront and the city.”

Cost, Phasing and Future Considerations

Water Works schematic design ran concurrently with the Minneapolis Park Board’s Central Riverfront Regional Park Master Plan revision, and will be included as an addendum to the updated Master Plan. The Minneapolis Park Board will adopt the revised Master Plan in January 2015, following a 45-day comment period beginning mid-November of this year. In May 2015, the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission will vote to adopt the Master Plan, making the park eligible for regional park funding.

The Minneapolis Parks Foundation estimates Water Works site development to cost $19-$23 million, with development occurring in two phases, beginning with the Pavilion and Mezzanine level as early as 2016, followed by the Canal & Gatehouse. The design team identified a number of contingencies vis-a-vis now-buried ruins that will require further exploration. The Parks Foundation is committed to providing private-sector support for Water Works and other parks projects, through philanthropic investment in parks development and stewardship.

Another consideration is the future of the Minneapolis Lock and Dam, immediately adjacent to the site. Slated for closure at the end of 2014, the Lock’s public space will be explored as a future Federally managed visitor center.

# # #

Mississippi Minute Film Festival Winners Announced

Winners of the Mississippi Minute Film Festival were announced Monday evening, October 20^th, at the Riverfront Summit, held at the Mill City Museum by the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership, www.minneapolisriverfrontpartnership.org.

Winners were juried by Brenda Langton, Spoonriver Restaurant; Ben Heywood, The Soap Factory; architect Tom Meyer of MS&R; Sarah McKenzie, editor of the Downtown Journal, and Jesse Bishop, Minneapolis St. Paul Film Society.

With the tagline “One River, One Minute, Your Vision”, the Mississippi Minute Film Festival asked for one-minute video essays that would amuse, inform and inspire viewers about the city’s great river. Winners are:

Best of Show Award:

Mississippi Night by Jack McTigue

People's Choice Award:

Mississippi and Friends by Dave Woradech, Cabin in the Woods

Category Winners:

Central Riverfront Entries

First Place: Why Yes by Artis Curiskis and Sara Rothholz Weiner

Runner-up: Origins by James Tucker and Ryan Siemers

Lower Gorge Entries

First Place: An Evening on the River with Minneapolis Rowing Club, by Lisa Ohnstad

Runner-up: Mississippi Tribute, videography & editing by Mark Ryan

Upper River Entries

First Place: It's the Mighty Mississippi, cartoon by John Akre

Runner-up: Labor Day by Isabelle Harder and The Starfolk

Upper Harbor Terminal Entries

First Place: Summer of 1975, directed by David Tinjum, videography, Josh Zenner, A Mill City Times Production

Runner-up: River, Wind, Canoe by John Gigrich and Sam Spencer

Honorable Mention

Intro to Belle: The Stone Arch Deer by Darrell Ayers

Spirits of the Winter River by Roy Sorenson

Greg Goes Through the Lock by Paul Helgesen, Greg Bohrer, Phil Harder, Patrick Pierson, and Glen Helgeson

Winners and all submitted films can be seen at www.mississippiminute.org.

DMNA Election & Annual Meeting Follow-Up

Good Afternoon DMNA Supporters:

On behalf of the DMNA Board of Directors, thank you to everyone who came
out to the Annual Meeting on Tuesday night at the Depot.  We had great
turnout for the event, with over 160 people in attendance.

Thank you to our guest speakers, including Third Ward Council Member Jacob
Frey; Joseph Desenclos from St. Stephen's; First Precinct Inspector
Medaria Arradondo; Ginger Kranz, the new principal of Webster School;
RiverWest resident Eric Laska; Steve Cramer, President and CEO of the
Minneapolis Downtown Council; and Dan Collison, Executive Director of the
East Downtown Council. We greatly appreciate that they took the time to
participate in the DMNA Annual Meeting this year.

A big thank you also goes out to the volunteers who assisted with the
sign-in and election processes: Chad Brown, Lauren Brown, Jay and Leo
Dworsky, Kim Eslinger, and Rick Kittock. We greatly appreciate your help!

Finally, thank you to the DMNA Board for helping plan and organize this
year's Annual Meeting. Special recognition goes out to board member Laurie
Jones for her outstanding outreach and engagement efforts and to board
member Peter Zenner for securing the location at the Depot and for
creating the wonderful video that was shown at the event.

Congratulations to the newly elected DMNA board members: Nick Cichowicz,
Ken Searl, Carletta Sweet and Dave Tinjum. They join existing board
members Chad DiDonato, Laurie Jones, Claudia Kittick and Peter Zenner.

The next DMNA Board meeting is coming up on Thursday, November 6, at 6
p.m., at Open Book.  The meeting is open to the public.  Anyone is welcome
to attend.  An agenda will be posted on the DMNA Web site next week:
www.thedmna.org.

Have a great weekend everyone! It looks to be beautiful again.

Kind regards,

Christie Rock Hantge
DMNA Coordinator

Week 25 at the Mill City Farmers Market

The final outdoor Market of the 2014 Season did not disappoint.  Thank you to Market Sponsor Cynthia Froid Group for the free pumpkins!

At the OHK Grange booth, kids got to paint a gourd to take home.

In keeping with tradition, Chef Heather Hartman was joined by her daughter Josephine for the final Mill City Cooks Demo of the season.

The goat!

Public Comment Opportunities on Proposed 2015 MPRB Budget Scheduled for Nov. 5 and 19, Dec. 10

Via an October 23 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:

PROPOSED 2015 MINNEAPOLIS PARK BOARD BUDGET CONTINUES FOCUS ON FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, SERVICE DELIVERY AND MAINTAINING PARK SYSTEM
 
The Superintendent’s Recommended 2015 Budget for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) focuses on maintaining park services and facilities, strategically addressing financial and operational challenges, improving organizational efficiency and service delivery, and addressing Emerald Ash Borer and other threats to the urban tree canopy.
 
“The proposed budget includes the General Fund operating budget that reflects a 4 percent property tax increase and focuses on establishing a financially sustainable funding model, supporting ongoing operations, addressing threats to the urban tree canopy, continuing our work on equity across the park system, including racial equity, and implementing organizational changes that will improve efficiency and enhance service delivery. It reflects the MPRB’s commitment to sound financial management and strategic long-term planning,” explained Superintendent Jayne Miller. “It also includes the second year of a special levy dedicated to the removal and replacement of infested and distressed ash trees and replanting of trees lost during storms. The combined levies reflect a 4.9 percent property tax increase over 2014.”
 
In 2015, of every dollar Minneapolis residents pay for property taxes, eight cents will go to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
 
The Superintendent’s Recommended 2015 Budget totals $68,241,007 for the general operating fund, $1,445,500 for the special revenue fund dedicated to trees, $7,858,849 for the enterprise operating fund and $11,462,000 for capital project funding.
 
“In June, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board was named the number one park system in the nation for the second year in a row and earned the another “five park bench” rating on The Trust for Public Land’s ParkScore® index,” said Miller. “It is because of the vision and commitment of those who have been here before us, and everyone who is committed to the Minneapolis park system today, that we received this prestigious honor from The Trust for Public Land. It’s a wonderful tribute to all the dedication and hard work over our 131 year history and a great responsibility to continue that work moving forward.”
 
The proposed budget and related documents are available for viewing at www.minneapolisparks.org/budget or by calling 612-230-6400.

The public may comment on the proposed budget during the following times:
 •Nov. 5, Public Comment Session – Administration and Finance Committee meeting, MPRB Headquarters, 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis. The Committee meeting will follow the Board’s regular meeting at 5 pm.
 •Nov. 19, Public Comment Session – Regular Board meeting, MPRB Headquarters, 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis, at 5 pm.
 •Dec. 10, Public Hearing and Board Approval of 2015 Budget – City of Minneapolis public hearing on 2015 tax levy and 2015 Budget, City Hall, Council Chambers Room 317, 350 South 5th Street, Minneapolis, at 6:05 pm.
 
According to Miller, organizational performance initiatives implemented in 2012-2014, including equipment optimization and improved labor distribution in forestry and maintenance, have resulted in $2.3 million in annual savings. She cautions however, that even with these operational savings and the 4.9 percent levy increase, there are significant financial and service challenges facing the MPRB.
 
“The Park Board is committed to establishing long-term financial sustainability in operations and capital infrastructure. Despite significant budget reductions, efficiency improvements, and expansion of creative revenue generating opportunities, rising costs and increased usage continue to strain our ability to meet all of the demands placed on the park system,” Miller explained. “Couple the operational pressures with the continued under-funding of park capital infrastructure; the MPRB has reached a critical juncture requiring significant attention to address the gap between available resources and the demand on and needs of the park system.”
 
Key financial challenges include inadequate funding for general park maintenance and for delivery of quality recreation services, particularly youth services. The proposed 2015 budget includes initiatives to identify standard service levels for park maintenance and an assessment of community needs at recreation centers.
 
Other key financial challenges include minimum wage increases, Affordable Care Act impacts, rising health care costs, and inflationary increases, especially in construction costs.
 
The proposed budget also begins to address staff capacity issues and past operating budget reductions that negatively impact service delivery. The MPRB currently has 19% fewer employees, or the equivalent of 115 full-time employees, than it did in 2003. The 2015 proposed budget includes staff increases to begin to meet basic organizational needs.
 
Initiatives and changes for 2015 include:
 •Asset Management – establish trades apprentice program, add operations and maintenance for Webber Natural Filtration Pool and Ice Rink
 •Communications and Marketing – continue enhancements of new MPRB website, add writer
 •Community Outreach – expand racial equity work
 •Customer Service – add customer service representative to enhance call response times, eliminate summer seasonal staffing and operations of the Longfellow House Visitor’s Center
 •Environmental Management – enhance regional service area maintenance funding, add Webber pool water quality monitoring, add part-time staffing for Lyndale Park gardens, expand environmental education staff
 •Forestry – purchase expanded variety of trees, collaborate with City of Minneapolis to develop Tree Preservation position
 •Human Resources – add three positions to meet needs of organization
 •Park Police – add two police officers, expand patrol hours
 •Recreation –  ◦Athletic Programs & Aquatics – add funding for recreational operations at Webber Natural Filtration Pool and Ice Rink, expand Lake Nokomis open swim program with additional day
 ◦Golf – pursue FEMA and other recovery funding for rain and storm damage to Hiawatha and Meadowbrook courses, with likely continued closure of both courses through 2015
 ◦Recreation Centers & Programs – launch MPRB scholarship program and, based on data reflecting low visitation time periods, adjust all recreation building hours as follows:

 ■ During May and late August, adjust recreation center opening time to 3 pm versus noon to coincide with Minneapolis Public School schedule
 ■ On Saturdays, adjust hours at 17 recreation centers to close at 4 pm versus 6 pm; Nite Owlz evening program for teens will continue as in 2014 at same sites with same hours
 ■ On Fridays, close recreation centers at 6 pm versus 9 pm; Nite Owlz evening program for teens will continue as in 2014 at same sites with same hours
 
◦Youth Development – expand Pop Up Parks program, expand full-day summer camps and Freedom School, expand Recreation Plus program, add Therapeutic Recreation position

In 2015, there are no fee increases for the vast majority of activities, permits and programs. There are market-rate increases for select activities and services.
 
Following her recommended budget presentation to the Board, Miller stressed the need to address the growing funding shortfall for neighborhood park capital.
 
“The parks are the gems of the city but capital investments for maintaining the parks, particularly the neighborhood parks, have not kept pace with the growing use of, and demands on, the park system,” Miller said. “Since becoming Superintendent four years ago, there have been tremendous efforts by the Board and the staff to address this issue, but we are facing a stark reality; unless we deal with the growing capital shortfall, the parks will continue to deteriorate.”

Tonight: Water Works Public Open House at Mill City Museum

Water Works Park Vision Presentation and Public Open House

October 23,  6:00pm-7:30pm, at the Mill City Museum, 704 2nd Street South

It’s been more than 50 years since the Mississippi River thundered through the 34-ft deep and 50-ft wide “great canal,” a feat of engineering that made Minneapolis the world’s milling powerhouse over 100 years ago. Now in the 21st century, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation (MPF) has underwritten the creation of a new vision for excavating and experiencing the historic canal, the prominent feature in an experiential future Water Works park.

MPF and the Park Board invite the public to see the Water Works design and meet the designers on Thursday, October 23, when MPF also will officially debut a 3D flythrough animation of the future park. Water Works is a Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board-owned site located on the Mississippi River adjacent to its only true waterfall – St. Anthony Falls. It is also on the edge of downtown Minneapolis within both a growing mixed-use neighborhood and the St. Anthony Falls Heritage District. The area has long been significant to First Nations, and, because of its milling past, has several important historic features.

For more information on these presentations: http://mplsparksfoundation.org/2014/10/14/mpf-to-present-vision-for-water-works-park-to-minneapolis-park-recreation-board-october-22/.

For more on the Water Works park process and to subscribe to news about the project, please visit http://mplsparksfoundation.org/category/projects/water-works.

Major funding for the Water Works design project is provided by Pentair Foundation, St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board and General Mills Foundation. Additional support is provided by The Jay & Rose Phillips Family Foundation and many generous individuals.

Extended Absentee Voting Hours for November 4 Election

Via an October 22 Hennepin County News Release:

Hennepin County will offer extended hours for absentee voting in the upcoming general election. Any eligible voter may submit an absentee ballot for any reason, and absentee ballots can be submitted by mail, in person, or by having someone you know pick up and deliver the ballot.

This year Minnesotans will elect a U.S. senator, U.S. representatives, the governor and a wide variety of state, county, city and school district offices. In Hennepin County, residents will elect three commissioners, the sheriff and the county attorney.

Where to absentee vote

Hennepin County Government Center
300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis (map)
Skyway level

In addition, some cities may offer extended hours for absentee voting. Check with your city for more information.

Extended absentee voting hours

• Saturday, October 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Monday – Friday, October 27 - October 31 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday, November 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Monday, November 3 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you aren’t able to submit an absentee ballot, be sure to vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To find your polling location, use the Minnesota Secretary of State polling place finder available at http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/.

For more voting information, go to www.hennepin.us/elections or call the Hennepin County Elections Division at 612-348-5151.

Tonight / Mill City Times Endorses 4 Candidates for the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Election on October 21

What: Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA) Election & Annual Meeting

Where: The Depot, 225 3^rd Ave S

When: Tuesday, October 21, 6:30PM

Early Bird Voting: 6:00PM-7:00PM

From redevelopment of the area surrounding the new Vikings Stadium, to the creation of a new Central Riverfront Master Plan, the complete makeover of Nicollet Mall, and the threat of hydropower drying up St. Anthony Falls, the next few years will reshape Downtown Minneapolis for decades to come.

Last year saw 4 new members join the DMNA Board, and they’ve made great strides revitalizing the organization.  Our endorsed candidates - 2 who would be new & 2 existing members - will complete the transformation and build on the momentum gained over the past 12 months. 

A seat on the DMNA Board should not be viewed as a career enhancing networking tool or a resume builder.  It is an opportunity to roll up your sleeves and serve the community. These four Downtown residents & business owners, all extraordinarily engaged at the neighborhood level, will serve the Downtown neighborhoods well:

- Nick Cichowicz is the current Board Chair on the DMNA and has served on the board for two years. His professional background includes experience in both the corporate and nonprofit spheres.  He is currently the Executive Director of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and previously worked at Target and at the Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin in community outreach roles. In his most recent professional positions he has prepared grant proposals and funding requests while also implementing community outreach strategic plans targeting public, private and nonprofit organizations.

Nick has lived in Minneapolis since 2008 and has a passion for the city.  His focus on the DMNA Board has been on making Downtown MPLS vibrant, safe and livable. In the next two years Nick’s goal is for the DMNA to become, “with the help and input of residents, businesses and visitors alike” a key contributor to the strengthening of both Downtown East and Downtown West.

- Ken Searl is a businessman, entrepreneur and community leader.  He grew his first company from one office and $500,000 in sales to a 20-office, $35 million business, and most recently founded a start-up software company that attracted strong interest and support from venture capitalists. He has a long history of serving on both industry and nonprofit boards of directors.

Ken lives in Minneapolis and organized the Safety and Prevention Group of 15 condominiums in the riverfront as part of the Mill District Neighborhood Association. He devotes considerable time to volunteer work in the city, including working with grade school children at Ascension school and serving on the board of Mill City Commons.

- Carletta Sweet is a homeowner at RiverWest Condominiums in the Downtown West neighborhood of Minneapolis and an editor for a small business consultancy also located in the Downtown West neighborhood.

Carletta promotes public and private sector collaborative relationships that foster affordable housing, business development, and cultural as well as educational opportunities for the residents, businesses, employees and visitors to downtown Minneapolis.  To accomplish these goals she has been instrumental in forging relationships between DMNA and:  Aeon on whose board she served as chair; the East Downtown Council on whose board she currently serves as vice president; 2020 Partners as the DMNA representative; the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership on whose board she currently serves as secretary/treasurer; and the Above the Falls Citizen Advisory Committee on whose board she currently serves as the downtown neighborhood representative.

Carletta joined the DMNA to assist in making the downtown neighborhood attractive, safe, economically viable, and a great place to live, work, play and visit, similar to what she experienced during the renaissance in the late 1980s and early 1990s in the South Loop (Burnham Park Neighborhood) downtown community of Chicago, Illinois. Carletta has been a DMNA board member since 1998 and brings a rich historical perspective of the issues that impact the community.

- David Tinjum grew up in North Minneapolis and now lives in the Mill District.  Seeing a need for better communication and community action among Mill District residents, he founded and publishes the Mill City Times website and weekly newsletter, which has mobilized the Mill District residents on important civic issues, such as the proposed Crown Hydro project.  He is Chair of the Mill District Neighborhood Association, he is a member of the Central Riverfront Regional Park Master Planning Citizens Advisory Committee, and he served as Campaign Chair for Jacob Frey’s successful run for the Minneapolis City Council.

David is also a businessman and community activist who would bring enormous energy and passion to the DMNA board. He is a self-made CEO, who started a software company at his kitchen table and grew it into a company with annual revenue of $9 million, employing 75 software engineers.

David will use his experience with Mill City Times and the Mill District Neighborhood Association to build real community engagement Downtown, so that everyone who lives or works Downtown has a seat at the table on the issues and projects that will shape our neighborhood for decades to come.

Call to action - we need your votes. There are four seats up for election to the DMNA Board of Directors. This means if you live or work in the Downtown East/Mill District or Downtown West neighborhoods you have 4 votes, one for each seat.

Make Sure We Have a Seat at the Table.  From redevelopment of the area surrounding the new Vikings Stadium, to the creation of a new Central Riverfront Master Plan, and the infill development already planned, you can ensure our neighborhoods have a seat at the table.  Make note of their names – Nick, Ken, Carletta & David – and use all four votes!

Week 24 at the Mill City Farmers Market

October 18 at the  Mill City Farmers Market.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreaction Board provided shoppers with the opportunity to learn about how signage is being standardized for trails and crossings.  Learn more.

Boot cuffs from The Abbey add color and help keep you warm.  :)

Beautiful!

New item from Barkley's Bistro - Cranberry Wild Rice Treats.

Picked up another new ornament for our Christmas tree - this time from Fringe and Fettle Ceramics.

The goat!

Vote For Your Favorite Neighborhood Restaurant - 2014 Charlie Awards

The Charlie Awards is a Twin Cities event that recognizes the exceptional contributions that our metro area restaurant, food and drink industry make to ensure a diverse, vibrant and creative Twin Cities lifestyle and economy.

Here's how it works:

Find your favorite restaurants and food trucks online, try the food item they've chosen, then vote for which item(s) you believe should receive the 2013 Charlie Award for “Outstanding Food Item.”
 
To cast your vote, simply click on the restaurant and/or food truck, which are organized by neighborhood.   Restaurants participating in and around our neighborhood are listed in the Downtown Minneapolissection, including Sea Change, Spoonriver, The Bachelor Farmer, Zen Box, Sawatdee, Red Stag and Gorkha Palace.

The 4rd Annual Charlie Awards will be held on Sunday, November 16, at the Pantages Theatre.