HomeMy WebLinkAbout4C Motion to Accept the Resignations of Bill Henry, Roger Williams, and Jim Crassweller from the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committe�
EN HILLS .
Request for CouncYl Acti.on
Prepared By: Michelle �Ison, Parks and Caunci[ Meeting Date: November 10, 2008
Recreation Manager
Motion to Accept the Resignations of Bitl Henry, Roger Williams, and Jim
Crasswel[er from the Parks, Trails, and Recrea�ion Committee
(PTRC).
Budgeted Amount: Actuaf Amount: Funding Source:
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Recommenda#ion:
Motion to Accept the Resignations o� Bil[ Henry, Roger Williams, and Jim Crassweller
from the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee (PTRC).
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Supporting pocuments:
1. Memo dated No�ember 10, 2008 from Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Mar�ager
2. Resignatian Letters from Bill Henry, Roger Williams, and Jim CrassweEler
. �
�:
MEMORANDUM
DATE: November 10, 2008
TO: Ran Moorse, City Administrator
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager'4'w
SUBJECT: Resignation of Bill Henry, Roger Williams, and Jim Crassweller
Bacl�ground
On Sunday, October 26, BiII Henry, Roger Williams, and Jim Crassweller submitted their
resignations from the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Com�nittee (PTRC}. Resignation Ietters are
attached. The PTRC will no� have three new openiza.gs, in addition to the current openin.g left
by Joani Wez-ner's resignation in September. As the committee guideIines siate, these vacant
positions will assume the terms that ihe individuals were serving. Bill Henry and Jim
Crassweller �.ad expiring tern�s in 2008 and Roger Williams term was set to expire in 2009.
Therefore, the City will be seeking applications for two full three year terms and one 1 year ierm.
During the PTRC Comrnittee recruitmenf process in 2007, five inclividuals were interviewed �or
two apenings. After the completion of the process, John Peck and Joani Werner were appainted.
The iwo remaining applica�ts frorr� that process are Charles Kachel and Harold Peterson. After
Joani Werner's resignation, the City informed ihese individuals ihat an opening exisied and
asked thern if they would be anterested in being considered for the opening. Charles Kachel has
at this time, asked to not be consider�d. Harold Peterson has infortned staff that he is still
inierested in serving on the PTRC. Since Mr. Peterson has already gone through the interview
process, staff would like to set up a time to meet with Mr. Peterson to review the responsibilities
of the Committee and to ensure that k�e is committed to this posiiian. After veriiying Mr.
Petersan's commitrnent, siaff will bring forward a recommendation �ar appointment. T�is would
be to fill the vacancy left by Joani Werner, which has two years remaining on the term.
The City has advertised comrziittee openings with an application deadline of November 10��'. As
of today, only one application has be�n received. However, considering the recent resignations
of Bill Henzy, Roger Wi�liams, and Jim Crassweller, staff recammends advertising again. Staff
has received interest from several residents and all have been mailed committee applications.
After the applicarion deac�line, depending on the nurr�ber of applicants, interviews will be set up
with a panel that includes the PTRC Chair (noi yet established}, �taff Liaison, and Council
Liaison.
PTRC Mernber Resignations 2008
Page 2
Staff Recommendations
Motion to accept the resignations of Bill Henry, Rager Williams, and Jim Cz-assweller from the
Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee {PTRC).
Stan -- I joined the PTRC 10 years ago because I�ought it afforded me
the opportunity to work to beneiit my cornmunity in an area that is
very important to me. As I look back on thase �en years, I find very
little to show for the wark of the PTRC; as T look %rward, I see
nothing t1�at suggests t�at situation will change. After a good deal
of deliberation, it is clear to me that the time, thoughY, effort and
soul that I expend on #ne PTRC will be better spent elsewhere. As a
result, I resign from the PTRC effective immediately.
Several factors influence this decision and I suggest they might be of
rmpor� as you recruit others to join the PTRC. The most important of
these is t�ie inability of the City Council to understand its role in
governing the City and the resultant confusion over the role of
cornmittees and commissions. For IQ years I have struggled with the
con#lict between the identified rale of the PTRC and the Council's
dislike For those wha advocate positions it does not wish ta hear.
A related factar is the Council's lack of vision and the difficulties
that poses for a corn�nittee that tries to pian in meaningful ways for
the development of resources into the future. The plans and visions
we have advanced, sometimes in collaboration with the Council, have
resulted in no new Ciiy investments in partcs and trails, save for the
building at Perry Park. The Council is content to wait for others ta
fund resources the City needs and should develop. Maybe Bethel, ar
the County, or the State, or some developer will add a bit of irail
here and there, but tl�at is a far cry from the integrated irail and
park system the citizens of the community deserve and t�ie PTRC has
advocated for.
The Cauncil does not lead. Ins#ead it engages in dynamic foIlowing
based largely on its reading of a grandly imper#'ect sannpling of public
opinion. The result is that rirne after time a small group af people
concerned with Nat In My Backyard issues stifles the developmient of
zesources that would beneiit the cornrnon good. Lacicing both courage
and �ision, the Council is unable to stand up to these groups, and
proposals offered by the PTRC and other committees die on the vine.
When we reviewed the 1998 Comprehensive Plan, we found the same issues
and deficiencies with which fihe 1'TRC is dealing in 2408. We have
prapased solutions from a pedestrian underpass in the reconsiruction
oi Hwy. 96 to the bridge over Hwy 51 to an arterial irail system to
quarterly community-building events. Nathing happens, time passes,
and I wonder why the PTRC e�cists.
I have enjoyed watching Michelle Olson bIossam in her new role, and T
am grateful for the work she de�otes to the PTRC. However, her work
alone is not enough to sustain the FTRC or advance the causes it
espouses.
This election nolds great promise for change in the United States and
in Minnesota, but there is no prospect of change in Arden Hills. The
status quo is insu�icient, the Council is intolerant oi advocacy,
there is no leadership and the econorruc environtnent is threatening. I
can no Ionger justify my involvement.
Bill Henry
Mr. Mayor:
This past Friday, f informed Chair Henry that I planned to resign my position on
the PTRC. Therefore, �lease consider this rtofice of as being effective
immediately.
Fran[cly, I'm tired of wasting my time, trying to make Arden Hills a better p�ace to
live and wark. I've served on the PTRC for eight or so years and ha�e seen
precious liitl� progress in advancing our system of parks and �rails. I've beer�
particularly interes#ed in a modern and expanded traii system that will serve both
recreational and transportation needs. At a time when the economy is ir� a tank
and gas prices are h�gh, a safe traifs system is partic�larly relevant. Several
years ago, I led a task force that prepared a core network ofi fraiis to meet #he
needs of residents and a strortg link between exist�ng Arden Hills and TACCP.
Not onfy does the city co�ncil seem disinterested in pursuing such a system, it is
only when grants or some oth�r source of funds becomes a�ailable that ar�ything
meaningful happens.
The PTRC's refationship w�th �he city council is unproducfii�e and filled with
acrimony. Council members seem una�fe to treai the PTRC (a city
appointed entity), or its individual members as a serious means ofi garnering
intelligent, wefl thought out solutions to issues. It is us�aally after the council, its
staff or consu[tants, ha�e narrowed the choices and framed their opinion that the
PTRC is called on to react. This re[ationship has been particulariy disappointing
for me because of my pre�ious experience as a member of a ci#y councif that
fully utilized tF�e talents of the �olunteer members of its councils and
commissions.
Due to the iack of challengers to incumbent council members, I see no char�ge
on the horizon that makes me think I can make a meanin�ful contribufior� during
the next two years. In addit�on, the progress on TCAAP is moving af a snails
pace and I expect fittle or no opportunity for mean�ngful input an Arden Hills mosi
exciting oppo�tunity.
1'�e enjoyed working with Michelle Olson o�er the years. Michelfe has a difficult
position in that she has limited authority and reso�rces fo make things ha�per�.
My resignatiort should in no way be interpreted as dissatisfaction wit� her
per�ormance.
The City of Arden Hills has been fort�nate, in my opinion, fo have had a group of
people who �ad passion for parEcs, trails ar�d recreation. The co�ncil has
squande�ed the opportunity for meaning�Ful inpufi and many members are tired of
wasting their time. 1 suggest tha# in making future appaintments to the PTRC, the
city council appoint people ha�ing Iow expectations so they won't be
disappointed with the total lack of progress.
Roger Williams
Dear Mayor Marpstead,
This e-mail is to ad�ise you that I ha�e decided #o resign from the P7RC, effecfive immediatefy. I informed
Chairman HEnry of th9s decision an Saturday while we were both participating in the Buckthorn remo�al day
fes#i�ities. Although I am sure fhai some members pf the Cpuncil will breathe a sigE� of relief and say "at
last," ! have always felt that you have appreciated the work of the commitfee and recagnized that the PTRC
has sincereiy attempted to ad�ocate strongly for the deveEopment of an park and frai[ 5ystem tha# would
enhance fhe well being of the citizens and ultirnatefy alEow citizens to use the trails to "get somewhere" in a
safe and effecti�e manner.
There are se�eral reasons that I ha�e decidec! #o resign now. Since I ha�e been a member of the committee
langer than any other current member other than Rich Strauman, I feel ohligated to explain to you some of
these reasoRs. Ho�efully, they will help you to recruit others who will be more successful than I have been
as a member of the committee.
First, since becoming a member of the committee, if has attempted to ad�ocaie a iong-term vision for the
de�elopment of an effective trail and park system. f was an the committee when it was told tp work wi#h a
consultanf to put together in one document a long term plan in ane comprehensive document. We did so.
We recognized at the fime that the plan would fake at least twenty years to implement, that it would require
changes, and thaf it was a work in progress. 7he Council adopted the pfan. In order to demonstrate the
committee's commitment to the plan, the committee deci[Eed to immediate3y recommend ta the Council that
it authorize spending approximately $35,000 of PTRC funds for Park signs. When we presented our idea to
ti�e Council, E hqnes#ly expected that it would easily pass. E was mi5taken. Rather, tE�e Council members
asked questions like: 1. "What are the sign5 going to be made of?" and 2. "Where are you going to put the
sign in Perry Park?° It became ob�ious that ihe Council felt that it had to micro-manage even to the extent
of use of a retatively small amount of una[located park reserve funcEs. From my �iew, while members of the
Council ha�e changed, it still lacks a Eong term �ision in how it operates.
Second, the Council has de�eloped an adversarial attitude toward the PTRC. Perhaps the comrnittee is
part9ally to blame for the le�el to which it has developed. But, from my view, the principal cause is that the
Council will not lead and is highiy offended by the concept of the PTRCs attempts to push the Council to
act. Unfortunately, I have heard way to ofEen words to ihe effecf: "Until I know what the public �s fhinking, I
am not going to take a position." Most often, that means that there is a reluctance tp do anything, or ta
spend any money, for fear that i# might mean that one might not get reelected. I can give an example.
When Hwy 96 was being redone, the PTRC recognized that it would provide an oppartunity to put an
underpass under the highway io connect the developed part of Arden Hills with the City Hall and witf� the
new development which is being planned at TCAAP. The committee learned ihat no such underpass had
been planned. It immediately recommended that such a development be undertaken. The Council rejected
that recommendation. Most important to the process, howe�er, was the fact that then Council liaison ta the
commitiee did not discfose at the commiitee meeting any disagreement but at the Council meeting spoke
agains# the recommendation. Such conduci has caused both Council and commiitee to question the others
motives.
Third, f believe that many of the long term plans are already in place. In fact, the committee has had them in
pface for some time. From my viewpoint, however, �ir#ually nothing significant has been accomplished.
lJntil the Council makes a true commitment to implement those pEans, nothing is going to happen. I tEo not
believe that I ha�e any#hing else to offer. Af#er the last meeting of the corr�mi#iee, the Council liaison said
something like: "I gi�e up, ypu guys will never be safisfied." i believe, as I think everyone else on t�e
commiftee bel�e�es, that the committes should not be satisfied unti] the Long Term PTRG Pian the Council
adopted is actually implemented. Unfortunately, I have reached the conclusion that if passionate ad�ocacy is
viewed as an impediment to its implementation, then it is time for rne to resign.
Finally, I hope that it goes without saying, fhat it has been my pleasure to work with staff, most recently
Michelle Olson. Her position is truly a diificult one. In fact, she is a decficafed and loyal empfayee who tries
�ery hard ta meet the needs of the citizens af Arden Nills.
8incerely,
Jim Crassweller