Council moves forward with financing for new Safety Center
Council voted to continue to move forward with the new Public Safety Center. During last night’s City council meeting City Administrator Tim Madigan explained that there is another finance mechanism similiar to the HRA lease revenue bonds. It’s a different format but essentially the same thing. They’re called Certificates of Participation. The bonds are issued by other financial institutes. Finance Director Kathleen McBride explains that the council will not need a redevelopment plan and they don’t have to have it reviewed by the Planning Commission. The interest rate would be the same regardless of who issues the bonds. In a 6 to 1 vote, council approved the use of Lease Revenue bonds in the form of Certificates of Participation not to exceed $6.28 million and will call for RFP’s. Councilor Pownell voted against the action. Madigan will continue to pursue money from St. Olaf and Carleton colleges to help fund the project. The entire council meeting is online at kymnradio.net.
Charter Commission has 4 new members
The Charter Commission is finally seven members strong. On July 2nd, the Third Judicial District’s chief judge, Robert R. Benson, appointed Greg Colby, Steven Kallasted, David Ludescher and Jim Pokorney to the Commission. City Clerk Deb Little said each of the four have accepted the appointments which is required by State law. Last month the council forwarded 6 names to Judge Benson in alphabetical order. The other 2 names vying for the 4 positions were Nadya Kovach and Victor Summa.
Court upholds conviction of Melchert-Dinkel
Yesterday the Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld the conviction of the former Faribault nurse who used the Internet to encourage two people to commit suicide. 49 year old William Melchert-Dinkel was found guilty in March 2011 in Rice County District Court of aiding the suicides of a 32-year-old man from England and an 18-year-old woman from Ontario. Melchert-Dinkel admitted his actions were morally wrong, but argues he did nothing illegal. The case went before the state Court of Appeals on April 18. In the opinion, Judge Kevin Ross said the law Melchert-Dinkel was charged under — aiding suicide, which criminalizes advising, encouraging or assisting another to commit suicide — is not overbroad nor protected under the First Amendment. In exchanges between the victims and Melchert-Dinkel he explained in explicit detail how to commit suicide. He posed as a woman who made a pact with them to kill herself at the same time or right after. Rice County Attorney Paul Beaumaster said Melchert-Dinkel could appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court. When asked if he thought Melchert-Dinkel would appeal he said he heard Melchert-Dinkel say that he would argue it all the way to the US Supreme Court. Beaumaster said it would just be speculation on his part to suggest that there would be another appeal. This topic was covered on last night’s Law Review with David Hvistendahl which is available online at kymnradio.net
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