Lino Lakes Ledger
Open Mike—Open Discussion
Lino Lakes resident Ivy Cavegn made use of the open mike opportunity aff orded area citizens at the June 28 Lino Lakes City Council meeting to address a recent proposal made by City Council member Dave Roeser.
Roeser’s suggestion at the council’s June 7 workshop that the city adopt English as its offi cial language to save money has already received plenty of media attention. Under Roeser’s proposal, the city would no longer be required to translate documents or provide bilingual phone systems and signage.
For her part, Cavegn reminded council members that the U.S. “has no official national language,” and that many Americans regard linguistic diversity as “a key aspect of our heritage.”
“Naturalization does not require English literacy,” she said.
Opining that some Americans support English-only proposals because they are “motivated by fear and false stereotypes,” Cavegn nonetheless acknowledged Roeser’s stated goal of cutting costs and said flatly that she believes the city’s legal costs could potentially negate any budget savings, and that there was little basis to presume otherwise.
“If Lino Lakes enacts such a law,” she said, “the legal costs could be astronomical.”
Twenty three states have enacted such legislation, and four are currently involved in litigation over the English-only policy, a recent article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune stated.
In a memorandum to council members, Acting City Administrator Dan Tesch said that the move “may be perceived as non-welcoming and unfriendly.”
There is little or no legal precedent in Minnesota to guide the council’s decision. The issue was slated for discussion at the council’s July 6 workshop.
Open mike has been televised since Mayor Jeff Reinert took office. Lino Lakes citizens are welcome to speak for up to four minutes on a topic of their choice.
In other action, the council:
• Presented Lino Lakes resident Nicole Wennen with a Certificate of Recognition for her receipt of the Girl Scout Gold Award. As part of her Women Advocacies project, Wennen provided sustainable volunteer and donations services to a local women and children’s shelter.
• Elected not to waive monetary limits on tort liability per Minn. Statute 466.04. The discretionary decision must be made annually.
• Approved election judges for 2010.
• Approved a temporary on-sale liquor, cabaret and exempt gambling license for St. Joseph’s Church Fall Festival.
• Approved the renewal of the city’s tobacco licenses.
• Accepted the 2009 annual audit, presented by LarsonAllen, LLP.
• Approved the renewal of an on-sale liquor license for Red Oak Steaks.
• Appointed Neil Evenson to the Planning & Zoning Board.
• Appointed Theresa Klaman to the Environmental Board.
• Held a public hearing on the Pine Street Improvement Project and subsequently adopted the proposed assessment roll.
• Accepted a $2,000 donation from Minnesota Metro North Tourism to promote Blue Heron Days.
• Held the second reading on an amendment to the city’s Zoning Ordinance related to accessory structures and buildings. Ordinance No. 08-10 was adopted 5-0.
• Authorized preparation of plans for the 2010 Surface Water Management Project.