Cautious Optimism

The packet for this coming Monday's city council meeting is now available on the Maplewood city website.

Three items immediately stand out to me for particular attention:

1. Introduction of Robert Mittet, newly appointed Finance and Administration Manager (Item G2) — Given the recent departure of Ms. Bauman, and the extension of the application period due apparently to a lack of qualified applicants under the original deadline, it's good to see that someone is being hired to oversee city finances.
2. Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Item K1) — As I discussed over at my campaign blog, the city council retreat seemed to result in a compromise for the Gladstone-related comprehensive plan amendment. As a result, the issue is going to be up for consideration again.
3. Request for council approval to hire a consultant for the South Maplewood Moratorium Study (Item L5) — I'm on the record saying this is a good idea, since I joined a group of citizens asking the council to do this. I'm very pleased to see this show up on the agenda, and hope the firm (assuming the council approves its hiring) will be ready to show up and join in the community meeting at Carver School the following night.

We'll have to see how it all plays out, but these all represent steps in the right direction, in my view.

Agree? Disagree? That's why we have comments. :)