04/12/1975 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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-4- APRIL 12, 1975 who dobenefit are the Cities that have the money to send lobbists to the MC. Mr. Jaworski said a letter had been received from James Oberstar stating that Federal Legislation is pending in the amount of 5 billion dollars to be used for the installation of sewer and water. But we in the metropolitan aree cannot apply for it, because of the ~MC -controls. Mr. Schneider said the same holds true for young communities so far as getting grants for their school districts they cannot because of the MC influence and the fact that they: do not have the funds available to pursue these grants. Senator Milton said some School Districts have a full time "grant man" who does nothing but apply and procure grants for that school district. In my Judgement the MC is really not doing what they should be doing. 1 feet they should spend mre time with local communities and Local people gathering input from these areas rather than relying strictly on the input from their staff members. Mr. Zetinka said he feets that the MC. must spend more time listening to the local communities and considering their problems and acting on them rather than only the problems of the core cities. Real communication is needed between the MC and the local communities, not just token communi- cation. The area of an elected MC came up for discussion and it was the testing of the Lino Lakes Council and many other officials that were_present from other cities that an elected MC would not solve anything rather it would merely give the MC more p6wer than they already have. At least with an appointed MC you are free to express your Os -satisfaction to your elected representatives and perhaps your feelings wilt be listened to. With an elected MC all you can do is to try and vote for the best candidate. Mrs. Tufts asked what type of background do! these MC people have? How are they appointed, on what basis? Senator Milton said they come from all different backgrounds and Levels of education. There are professors, former legislators, a housewife, :etc. Mr. McLean asked if it were not true that most of the MC members were from the same social backgrounds and therefore -had a similar approach to most problems affecting the metro area - what is good for the core cities is best for all? It seems that they, MC, are attempPIng to manage the ,people by taking away some freedom for making Individual decisions on where to livar, how to Ilve, etc.