Paul Ostrow (1st Ward) questionnaire for:

 

Sierra Club

North Star Chapter

Twin Cities Group

Political Committee

 

City Council Questionnaire

 

1) Urban development is an important issue to our members. What role do you see for yourself as a central city council member to affect our region’s growth patterns?

I will continue to be an advocate of smart growth.  Specifically, I believe we need to increase housing density alon our commercial corridors and near transit centers.  As Vice Chair of the Northstar  Commuter Rail Authoriy,, I have been a strong advocate for a 21st century transit system.

 

 

2) What urban design principles will you support for riverfront development?

            I will fight to ensure that the visual corridor along  the riverfront is preserved and that green space is maximized while finding creative ways to achieve housing density.  Height of buildings should be monitored so as not to  preclude views of the river.  Aevery possible step should be taken to prevent runoff and any disruption of the river’s natural habitat.

 

 

3) What will you do as City Council Member to reduce air toxic concentrations in our city?

            I will advocate for a heavy industrial land policy that discourages heavy industry ehich does not provide necessary materials for construction in the core city.  Specifically, that policy should include references to the cumulative effect of air toxics.  Northeast Minneapolis has a considerable issue with air tozics and working with the community we have achieved an historic air permit from the MPCA which increases oversight o that facility.

 

 

4) What will you do to maintain and improve our parks and boulevards?

            I will fight for a tree ordinance to preserve our trees.  I have worked with our staff to change our sidewalk policies to better preserve our  trees when sidewalk improevements are done.  I am a strong advocate for park improvements , especially along the river such as the Mills Ruin Park.

 

 

5) With the increased commercial development of our downtown what will you do to help solve the growing transportation pressures into our city?

            I serve as the  City Council’s representative on the Downtown Transportation Management Organization.  In that capacity I am a strong supporter of rail transit and the downtown circulator.  As noted above, I am the Vice Chair of the Northstar Commuter Rail Authority and  I will continue to lobby regionally and at the legislature for a 21st Century transportation system for the metropolitan area.

 

6) What will you do to deal with the continued airport expansion and transportation pressures related to increased airport traffic?

            I am an advocate for a high speed rail line to Chicago.  We should also encourage commuter rail and light  rail connections to the airport.

7) Run off from impervious surfaces, roads, sidewalks, roofs and lawn chemicals are impacting our lakes, rivers, and creeks. What will you do to improve water quality in our city’s waterways?

                        I will work hard to improve water quality of our lakes and rivers.

A) Would you support a citywide phosphorous fertilizer ban?

            Yes – I have already supported this ordinance passed by the Council last week.  I also moved the issue to our Intergovernmental  Relations Committee for discussion of a statewide limitation on phosphurus use as a priority item in our legislative package for 2002.

B) Would you support a storm water treatment system?

            Yes.

C) Would you support building additional holding ponds to protect our city lakes?

            Yes,

 

 

8) What would you do to promote bicycle and pedestrian transit?

            I would continue to work with northeast neighborhoods that have been underserved by bikeways and would also look to connect all of our transit stations to bikeways.

 

9) Do you believe central cities should accept a greater or lesser share of the Twin Cities projected population growth?

            I believe central cities should grow at least as fast and preferably faster ( at least in terms of density) than the outlying suburbs.  Minneapolis has the infrastructure to support a much larger  population.  Our growth should in partucular be along our tranit and commercial corridors.

 

 

10) What if anything will you do to promote city level campaign finance reform?

            I support full disclusure of campaign contributions in excess of $50 and further I would require that there be d isclosure of all contributions from principals or employees of a particular business, law  firm or interest group totalling  more than $50.

11) How will you use your position as City Council Member to direct city procurement policies towards green products and buildings, such as super high efficiency vehicles, passive solar construction, chlorine free paper, recycled carpets and clean fuels?

I would make sure we monitor these products and take advantage of them anywhere possible so long as they are competitve from a cost standpoint.

12) What will you do as a City Council Member to help protect Camp Coldwater Springs (Bureau of Mines Land) and the 27 acres of green space that surrounds the area?

 

A)    Would you oppose the Metropolitan Airports Commissions efforts to build on the current land a parking facility or any other type of development that would disturb the current green space?

Yes.  At a minimum I would expect the reduction in  green space to be minimized.

 

 

 

B)    Would you support turning the Bureau of Mines Land over to the either the Department of Natural Resources, State Park System or Minneapolis Park Board to be restored to it original natural state. 

Yes,