A Author and baseball buff Stew Thornley to speak Jan. 18 at the Robert Trail Library. See Thisweekend Page 10A
Thisweek Burnsville-Eagan JANUARY 14, 2011
VOLUME 31, NO. 46
www.thisweeklive.com
Opinion/4A
Announcements/5A
Sports/6A
Classifieds/7A
Thisweekend/10A
NEWS OPINION SPORTS
Legal Notices/11A
Eagan wants to be home to major Internet, data hub Colocation facility would be only second of its kind in state by Erin Johnson
also called carrier hotels. The only current example is located in the 511 building in downtown Minneapolis. That building acts as the hub for between 40 and 50 different Internet and data providers, and questions loom about what would happen if that facility went down. “If something happened to that, we really would have a communications problem in the whole region and state of Minnesota,� said City Administrator
THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
The city of Eagan has long understood the importance of broadband infrastructure in maintaining and attracting businesses. Now the city is looking to become the home of a major data center, called a colocation facility, that would be shared by the state’s major providers. City officials believe the region and the state are underserved by such facilities,
Tom Hedges. That scenario could have major consequences for Eagan’s businesses, including Thomson Reuters, a major software provider, and the Delta Airlines data center. “They just couldn’t afford to have down time if something happened to the 511 building in Minneapolis,� he said. A second major colocation facility would provide security and redundancy to the 511 building, adding more path-
ways in and out of the Twin Cities. Members of the city’s technology working group, as well as the Chamber of Commerce, have been vocal supporters of bringing a colocation facility to Eagan. According to a report released by the city’s technology consultant, Design Nine, such a facility would not only provide better and more secure space for servers and data storage, but would also help drive down the cost of Internet access and othSee Hub, 11A
On a mission to end climate change SES students visit U.N. conference in Cancun, Mexico, to learn about effects of climate change by Jessica Harper
196 middle schoolers to see fewer class periods
THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
While most teens travel to Cancun, Mexico, to bask in the sun, one group of local students flew to the popular destination on a mission — to end global climate change. Eight seniors from the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley spent two weeks last month attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference. “Here, we can see it on the news, but when you see it firsthand, I think it’s kind of lifechanging for all of us,� SES senior Austin Lynch said. Although many college students are permitted to attend the conference, SES is the only U.S. high school allowed to send representatives. Prior to joining in on the momentous event, each student was required to take a class on climate change in which they heard both sides of the debate. They were also required to be 18 years old to take the trip. Once in Cancun, the teens, who funded the trip on their own, joined a group led by International School of Cancun, which teaches youth about environmental responsibility. The international school also provided lodging for the Americans. While attending the conference, students listened to speakers and joined in on discussions on topics ranging from alternative energy to migrant rights. Several SES students said they were struck by the personal stories shared by people affected by the rising number of natural disasters believed to be caused by climate change. Carly Lindstrom, an SES senior, said she was amazed to learn that those who contribute the least to pollution and climate change
Rosemount-Apple ValleyEagan School Board unanimously approves schedule change by Jessica Harper THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Photo submitted
Eight seniors from the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference last month in Cancun, Mexico. Pictured from left to right are: SES teachers Patrice Callahan and Craig Johnson, and students Kia Haugen, Carly Lindstrom, Austin Lynch, Nicole Rooney, Anna Cousin, Maddie Moore, Brooke Ludtke and Nikki Mardell. are often most affected. SES senior Nikki Mardell said she was particularly touched by a 20-year-old woman from the Cook Islands off of New Zealand who spoke about native islanders losing not only their land to development, but also their culture. In addition to hearing from citizens affected by climate change, a select few students had the privilege to sit in on the discussions among world leaders. Several of the students had a chance meeting with Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom Caballeros and other world leaders while riding on the only bus between their
hotel and the conference. “Seeing people who you never imagined you would see in real life is amazing,� Lynch said. “They become real people.� Lynch and others who attended the conference said they hope to share their newfound knowledge with their peers. Mardell, for instance, plans to post interviews and pictures on the school district’s website. Others plan to host a summer concert in Apple Valley. E-mail Jessica Harper jessica.harper@ecm-inc.com
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Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan middle school students can expect to see fewer class periods as they register for fall classes this month. On Jan. 10, the School Board unanimously approved shortening its middle school schedule to six periods to boost student achievement, particularly in math, and save money. Eliminating two class periods is expected to save an estimated $1.76 million a year. With fewer periods, students will spend 30 percent more time on core studies such as English, math and social studies, said Steve Troen, director of teaching and learning for District 196. “I think this is a very positive change,� Board Member Rob Duchscher said. Although officials hope this will improve student achievement, district students already superseded the state average in a standardized science test this year. Middle schoolers scored near the state average. While students will have more time in core studies, they will spend less time in elective classes, Troen said. See Schedule, 12A
City wants action on tax credit Subscription series is goal for Unreimbursed expense is perennial complaint of Burnsville, other suburbs by John Gessner THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
The answer state Sen. Chris Gerlach gave wasn’t the one Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz wanted to hear. The topic was the state’s Market Value Homestead Credit, a property tax-relief measure. Officials from Burnsville and other suburbs say it’s a shell game requiring many cities to pay their residents for a state tax break the state won’t fully fund. Burnsville City Council members gave their annual harangue about MVHC on Jan. 11 at their annual work session with area legislators — including Gerlach, an Apple Valley Republican. “I hear this from Burnsville,� said Gerlach, who represents District 37, “but there’s not a lot of discussion at the state Capitol about the Market Value General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000
Homestead Credit.� Her voice rising, Kautz shot back that the Municipal Legislative Commission, a 16-suburb lobbying group that includes Burnsville, has sought reform of the credit for years. “Do you have the courage� to write legislation fixing the law? Kautz challenged Gerlach. “Please — I’m just imploring you,� she told the legislators, most of them newly elected Republicans. “Do something.� The MVHC issue is making its perennial appearance on Burnsville’s annual agenda for action at the Legislature. The city’s request: Fully fund the credit and pay property owners directly, or kill the program. The decade-old credit, which the Legislature intended to buffer qualifying homeowners from steep property tax increases, is re-
imbursed to cities instead of paid to property owners. But only twice in the last decade have the Municipal Legislative Commission’s member cities received the full reimbursement due them, the MLC says. In late 2008, the state canceled the second of two annual reimbursements to cities getting MVHC. Burnsville abruptly lost $500,000, and considers its annual reimbursement of around $1 million to be gone forever. Yet the credit persists — with the perverse effect, officials say, of forcing cities to tax property owners to pay them their credit. The loss of $1 million in MVHC reimbursement contributed to the deficit that prompted Burnsville to cut $3.5 million from its budget in 2009 and 2010. Neighboring Eagan has See MVHC, 12A
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Burnsville Performing Arts Center by John Gessner THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Launching a subscription series of performances without risking city funds is a top priority for the executive director of the Burnsville Performing Arts Center. Such a series, which may take a couple of years to develop, has the “greatest potential� to cut the center’s operating deficit, Jon Elbaum told the City Council at a Jan. 11 work session. Such a series might include a mix of entertainment, such as musical theater and children’s shows, Elbaum said in an interview. Attracting donations for an “angel fund� to pay for such a series is part of the 2011 work plan of the center’s advisory commission. A series might cut the deficit by $100,000 — or, it could be a money-loser, Elbaum speculated. “There is some risk there,� he told the council. “That’s why we need the angel fund.� The center’s inability to risk taxpayer
funds on developing and booking its own shows at the facility, which performers rent, has been cited as putting a damper on business. Opened in January 2009, the center had a tough first year, requiring a city operating subsidy of $553,920, compared with a city budget estimate of only $265,475. Management company VenuWorks — Elbaum’s employer — had predicted a $346,200 subsidy. The picture brightened some in 2010. From January through November, Elbaum has said, revenue totaled $610,650, compared with $506,290 for all of 2009. The council-approved operating budget for the year was $616,610, Elbaum said. The city budgeted for a 2010 operating loss of $451,870, he said. The actual operating loss through November was $339,585, he said. The center derived 25 percent of revenue last year from commercial theater See PAC, 2A
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