Sioux Falls

Munson arrogant? Nah . . . just oblivious

I have a feeling as this recession deepens one positive thing will come from it, people will become less apathetic about our city government, as this letter writer did;

I called the Sioux Falls mayor’s office to voice my displeasure with the salary increases of city employees. In the course of the conversation, I was amazed by the attitude of Mayor Dave Munson.

You mean, how he really doesn’t care what you think? Or how he is ‘always right’. Or how you dare question his authority?

 

I voiced my concern on how many of us in the community have had our wages frozen or even have had them cut by our employers. I feel the responsible thing is for the city to be as reactive as many private industries locally and nationally have been.

Why would he do that? It’s not like you have a say in the matter, you only elected him and pay his wages.

 

Munson arrogantly wanted me to tell him what to cut. He explained in politician speak how the city has done everything it can and is obligated to continue increased expenditures to keep the city growing.

He would never ask me that question, because I would roll out a scroll that would stretch from the Federal courthouse to Falls Park. I would have told him, “Your chief of staff.” Would have loved to hear that reaction.

He and many of those in City Hall have forgotten the bottom line. The citizens of this city have less money, yet our burden continues to grow. Our family budgets get tighter and tighter, yet government continues to grow “for our sake.”

All the while forgetting who is funding the city government.

 

Just for once I’d like to see a politician be reactive and not proactive.

Or at least use there fricking brains.

Live Blog – Mayor Munson Inside Keloland NOW

I’m watching Munson right now discuss the economy in regards to Sioux Falls.

Munson mentions “You don’t want to get into deficit spending.” in regards to the reserves.

Really? So please explain the city debt growing almost $210 million dollars during your two terms. All during decent growth and economic times. Isn’t that ‘Deficit Spending’?

Munson brags about the ‘diverse’ jobs available in Sioux Falls and brings up the hospitals.

In reality there is only 6 major industries in Sioux Falls. Healthcare, credit card industry, meat packing, city government, construction and the restaurant industry. Guess which one pays the best? None of them. Sadly the best wages are in government, why? They are union and have no accountability to the bottom line.

Munson is talking about the stimulus package and how important it is to get the levees done in 2 years instead of 8 years. He also mentions the 1600 properties affected.

Rumor has it that the only reason FEMA came in and claimed we were in a floodplain was because the guy in the city government who staved off FEMA for 15 years retired, so FEMA pounced. In other words, there is no ‘imminent threat’ of flooding. As I mentioned in a post about a week ago, climate studies have shown we are NOT going to flood in Eastern SD anytime soon. Also, during the city council debate, not one single property owner came to the council to beg them to vote for the levees. Why? I think because Munson already promised them he would get it done. Most of the property is retail and apartment buildings, not homeowners. This is more catering to big business. I also think that the property owners agree with me, there is NO threat of flooding anytime soon.

Munson is talking about the RR relocation project.

Something I support totally. I think it is 10 years past due. I disagree with how it is being paid for though. I don’t think taxpayers should foot the entire bill. I think the RR companies could have been forced into paying for it through condemnation while the taxpayers pay for the land given up. But of course government only screws with regular citizines in condemnation, not private industry.

Munson is talking about the Event Center and saying how a new Event Center will help our city and he is lobbying the legislature next year to raise money for it (taxing us more.) Munson lies about how ‘Not much money is being spent’ on exploring the EC. bologna, give us a figure. He talks about ‘Educating the citizens’ on how it is important to have a EC. Jon Wilson brings up  he thinks this is ‘old against young debate’. Munson agrees and says this will only help the young people and doesn’t really help the older generation. Munson skirts the pricetag question and doesn’t answer it. Munson hints at tearing down Howard Wood.

Typical. No dollar amounts are presented on exploring or building the facility. He also doesn’t talk about how the city would like to tax us additionally on retail items (the plan they are proposing), instead of a bed and booze tax which was initially recommended. Also no mention of corporate sponsorship, which I think is the best route.

Munson talks about working with a ‘great council’

I will give Dave credit for one thing, never any sour grapes. And why should there be any, he runs right over the council, time and time again.

Munson talks about the pay raises and blames the 3 Unions and their contracts for the raises. Says we “can afford it” because we are in good financial shape.

Munson fails to mention that the highest pay raises go to NON-Union members.

Munson talks about how he is retiring from politics after he is done being mayor, but never really gives a straight answer.

Gawd, we can only hope.

Drug Dogs @ local music club?

UPDATE: Last night I was at Nutty’s North and asked about the drug dogs, rumor has it (yup more rumors – sorry) that the SFPD retrieved a phone from a hippie kid who died and found all kinds of messages and texts about drug trafficking at hippie concerts, so the cops have been sitting out on the sidewalk by the club during those kind of shows busting people. Mind you, they have legal authority to do that, because it is public property, but I would think they would have better things to do then bust young people for a couple of joints. The prudent, and intelligent thing to do is to investigate who is the ‘Kingpin’ in the operation instead swatting the flys. But hey, I’m no detective, so what do I know.

I heard a rumor yesterday that police brought drug dogs in Nutty’s North during a concert. Not sure if it is true, just wondering if anyone out their can verify?

This is disenhearting for several reasons. First off it is a clear violation of 4th Amendment rights, which of course is unconstitutional. The police either need a warrant or the establishment owner calling 911 and telling them they suspect drugs on the premise and want an investigation. Drug dogs can only legally search public property otherwise. I heard the search was random.

It is also disappointing beacuse all we ever hear about 24/7 from our city leaders is how we need a fricking Event Center to bring in top entertainment. Well guess what, Nutty’s brings in TOP ENTERTAINMENT, and then you turn drug dogs loose on them?

Until Sioux Falls pulls the conservative corncob out of our asses we will NEVER compete in entertainment with anyone in the region.

Sioux Falls Stimulus Package Wish List

Below are the “shovel-ready” projects Sioux Falls submitted in the 2008 U.S. Conference of Mayors report.

South Dakota Highway 100: Construction of a new four-lane divided highway to alleviate congestion on existing state highways and local roads. Approximately one mile of the entire 18 miles has been completed. 2000 Jobs – $100,000,000 – Streets/Roads

Sioux Falls Flood Control Project: This project includes raising the current levees, reconstruction of the 41st Street bridge over the Big Sioux River, and construction of a dam to protect property totaling $750 million in value from flooding. 700 Jobs – $35,000,000 – Streets/Roads

69th Street Extension/Interstate 29/Interstate 229 Reconstruction: The project will provide a critical east-west link for the region’s transportation system and will alleviate traffic congestion on local roads and the interstate highway system. 500 Jobs – $25,000,000 – Streets/Roads

85th Street and Interstate 29 Interchange: The project will provide access to over 200 acres of land planned for a new medical/office/retail center that will include the creation of over 8,000 new jobs for the region. 400 Jobs – $20,000,000 – Streets/Roads

Rail Relocation Project: The project includes construction of a new rail yard, trestle, and accompanying connections in Sioux Falls. The existing tracks would be removed to allow for redevelopment of land in downtown Sioux Falls. 160 Jobs – $8,000,000 – Streets/Roads

69th Street Railroad Overpass: The project will improve safety for a nearby residential area that includes a K-12 educational campus and a college athletic complex. 150 Jobs – $7,500,000 – Streets/Roads

Maple Street Expansion East: This project will expand the City’s transportation system and connect two heavily used regional recreation facilities. 140 Jobs – $7,000,000 – Streets/Roads

Southeastern Avenue Extension: The project will improve access to a residential growth area in southern Sioux Falls. 70 jobs – $3,500,000 – Streets/Roads

Maple Street Expansion West: The project will improve safety and access to a major university campus and residential neighborhood in northwest Sioux Falls. 68 Jobs – $3,400,000 – Streets/Roads
Benson Road Expansion: The project will improve access to a growing retail and office development in western Sioux Falls. 56 Jobs – $2,800,000 – Streets/Roads

Central Main Sanitary Sewer: This project includes the reconstruction and expansion of a critical segment of the sanitary sewer system located along the Big Sioux River. 620 Jobs – $31,000,000 – Water

Water Supply, Storage, and Distribution Enhancements: The project will include expansion of the City’s above and below ground storage capabilities, new well construction, and replacement of aging distribution lines. 560 Jobs – $28,000,000 – Water

Covell Lake Bank Stabilization: This project will stabilize the banks of Covell Lake to prevent erosion of the shoreline and improve the water quality. 20 Jobs – $1,000,000 – Water

Public Parking ramp: This project includes the construction of a new public parking ramp providing approximately 1,000 parking stalls in the downtown area. 360 Jobs – $18,000,000 – CDBG

City Hall HVAC System: This project will replace the obsolete HVAC system at City Hall, which includes replacing the original boilers, installing digital controls, and associated equipment that will bring the air quality in the building up to current ASHR standards. 10 Jobs – $900,000 – CDBG

City Hall Elevator: The project will replace the present antiquated elevator in City Hall. 6 Jobs – $600,000 – CDBG

City Hall Annex HVAC controls: This project updates the HVAC controls in the Annex. 6 Jobs – $200,000 – CDBG

Caille Branch Library and Ronning Branch Library Improvements including a new roof, ice and water shields, security systems and carpet. 30 Jobs – $200,000 – CDBG

Energy Efficient Traffic and Street Lighting Systems: These projects will replace older, inefficient incandescent traffic signals and streetlights with high-efficiency LED lamps. 40 Jobs – $2,000,000 – Energy

Construction of an instititutional fiber network. 144 Jobs – $3,000,000 – Public Safety

Fire Rescue Training Center Tower:This project will replace the 30-year-old training fire building that is utilized by fire departments and law enforcement agencies across the region. 50 Jobs – $2,750,000 – Public Safety

Fire Rescue Training Center Academic Building: This project will provide for an addition and major renovations to the current 30-year-old training center academic building. 30 Jobs – $1,250,000 – Public Safety

Almost $295 million in projects – Good Luck with that! South Dakota cities submitted a total of $472 million in projects. That’s right, Sioux Falls is asking for over 60% of that cut. Is it selfish – not really, because this is only a ‘Wish List’ I suspect Sioux Falls won’t even get half that amount, but I guess we will see.

SOURCE: http://www.stimuluswatch.org/project/by_state

SF City Council informational meeting tidbits

If only Sioux Falls were on the Highway to Hell - we would stop leaking money

This week, once again, Quen Be De Knudson could not resist getting another plug in for a new Event Center (so she won’t have to fill her car with gas, in Sioux Falls, and drive to Sioux City to see Neil Diamond and buy Cokes at the Tyson Center). Only De would be so shameless to encourage a retail tax increase to build something we don’t need during a recession. Her argument this time? The Arena is ‘dilapidated’. It all started by her giving kudos to the Sioux Falls Sports Authority for getting the Summit League tournament in March to be held in Sioux Falls at the Arena. What started as praise quickly turned into a rant about how surprised she was they were able to convince the league to have the tourney here because the Arena is so ‘dilapidated’. I think if she wants to see dilapidation, she ought a go out with the code enforcement officers sometime.

Sure, the Arena is a little old and worn, but there is nothing wrong with it, considering it has only sold out about 3 events in the past 40 years (and seven Garth Brooks concerts). Did Knudson ever think maybe they chose Sioux Falls because it is a nice city to visit? Or that the Arena may be the perfect size for the tournament? Stop worrying about what the f’ing Jones’ have and get down to real business for once.

GRANICUS – SMANICUS!

Not sure if you ever watch the informational meetings online but they use a software called Granicus. For the longest time I noticed that they turn the microphones on and start recording about 10 minutes before the informational meetings actually start. I started to notice that most of the councilors showing up to the meetings were not aware of it, and I would turn up the volume full blast and listen to the chatter. Most of the time I wouldn’t hear much, but a few weeks back one of the councilors made the comment about Jamison walking in and tearing up his AC/DC ticket. It made me chuckle, because a week earlier was Jamison’s Oscar winning performance where he talked about Sioux Falls leaking money because we don’t have an Event Center while tearing up fake checks from AC/DC and The Eagles.

After that, I decided in all fairness, I would email the city clerk and tell her about it, kind of a fair warning that anybody listening can hear the chatter. It has only gotten better as a result. This past week the assistant city clerk made a point to inform everyone their microphones were on, and joked that people can tell what they are thinking to, and councilor Litz replies, “If they knew what I was thinking, I would be in jail.” I’m with you on that Bob! So keep up the comedy show. I think the 10 minutes prior to the meetings is more exciting than the open discussion during the meeting, except when Shakespeare Jamison and Quen Be De put on there best rendition of Arthur Miller’s greatest unknown work, “Death of an Event Center.”