by Rich Larson
In a near reversal of roles on Monday night, Mayor Pownell and the City Council recommended to Community Development
Director Mitzi Baker that the Community Development Department consider creating two new full-time positions.
During a regular evaluation presentation of the Community Development Department, Director Baker, after showing the various responsibilities of her department, which range from overseeing economic development to city planning to the issuance of building permits, clearly demonstrated that her department is overworked, and proposed the creation of one half-time position to help in city planning. She then addressed the Director of the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation position, which has recently been vacated, and offered another proposal of a full-time position that would include the responsibilities of the NDDC Director and the needed city planning help.
Councilor Jessica Peterson White questioned whether that was a plausible option. Listing the skill sets necessary to fill that role, she went so far as to call the person who could fill such a position a “unicorn.” On top of finding the right person for the job, there was the question of workload as well. For quite some time the NDDC Directorship has been under consideration to be made full time, and Baker made it very clear that a new half-time city planner would have a full schedule on their first day.
Mayor Pownell then offered the suggestion of two full-time positions, saying that in her time on the council and as mayor, the council had considered adding new positions to every other department, and that this sort of consideration for Community Development is well overdue.
“This is an opportunity for us to look at what would be possible, rather than just trying to put something together that would be just kind of a meager [solution]. We could really sail if we put a big enough sail up, versus half of a sail.”
Baker responded that two full time positions would both have plenty to do and could greatly reduce the severe backlog of work her department faces.
The suggestion was supported by all members of the council and will be considered as budget discussions begin at next week’s work session.
Lippert echoes leadership call for Thompson to step down
Last week Representative Todd Lippert said he supports the calls made by Governor Time Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and the House DFL leadership for the resignation of Representative John Thompson.
Representative Thompson, who is currently in his first term representing District 67a in St. Paul, has been in the news this summer for several reasons. During a debate on the House floor during the special session this past June, Thompson referred to another Representative, Eric Lucero, as a racist. In July he accused the St. Paul Police Department of racial profiling after he was stopped for a broken headlight on his car and was then found to have a Wisconsin Driver’s License. Further investigation revealed that Thompson’s driving privileges had been revoked in Minnesota due to a child support payment situation, and that he has faced multiple allegations of domestic abuse.
Lippert, who shares two separate committee assignments with Thompson, said it is never easy to call on a colleague to step down, but the allegations of domestic violence are serious and concerning. Pointing out that the legislature has just passed a major sexual assault bill, Lippert said, as a party, Thompson’s actions and very presence within the DFL could delegitimize the work they are trying to do. He said that his antics with the St. Paul Police Department only deepen the problems
“The same thing is happening with [Representative] Thompson’s actions related to police reform and police accountability. We need to make progress in that area for the safety of all Minnesotans and John Thompson’s actions undermine that work, too.”
Thompson has refused to resign and has received support from the constituents in his district and several African American groups. House Speaker Melissa Horton has indicated that should Thompson continue his defiance, the leadership could investigate having him expelled from the legislature. While some have said the DFL runs the risk of alienating the state’s African American Community, Lippert sees things differently.
“What’s happening with Representative Thompson is beyond race,” he said. “The DFL will always work toward racial equity. We have a responsibility to make sure that lawmakers are held to a higher standard.”
Our full conversation with Representative Todd Lippert can be heard here
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net.
