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Rybak names Smith Parker attorney to City Planning
published 07.12.03
online at http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3984985.html
Two development officials named in Minneapolis
by Steve Brandt
Star Tribune
The new Minneapolis planning and development chief has reached
outside City Hall and into his own past for his first two top appointments.
Lee Sheehy has named Lee Pao Xiong of St. Paul as housing director
for Minneapolis' pending Department of Community Planning and Economic
Development. Xiong is president of the Urban Coalition, a Twin Cities-based
nonprofit organization that deals with issues of concern to low-income
people, minorities and immigrants. He represented part of St. Paul
and two suburbs on the Metropolitan Council from 1999 to 2003, overlapping
with Sheehy, who was the agency's regional administrator.
Sheehy also has named Mike Christenson, 44, of Falcon Heights director
of planning and strategic partnerships. Christenson, a lawyer at
the Smith Parker firm, formerly headed the Allina Health System
Foundation until Attorney General Mike Hatch released an investigative
report on Allina activities in 2001 and was chief administrator
of the Metropolitan Transit Commission from 1990 to 1993.
Christenson and Sheehy, onetime tennis partners, once worked at
the Popham Haik law firm.
Sheehy said his choices emphasize the agency's need to develop
partnerships outside government. He cited Christenson's work in the Phillips
neighborhood on crime and health training. However, the Smith Parker firm has
been criticized by some in that part of the city for its role in efforts
to add freeway ramps at Lake Street.
The Christenson appointment had been rumored and leaves in doubt
the future
of Planning Director Chuck Ballentine, whose term expires at the
end of the year and who applied for Christenson's job. Sheehy said
that Ballentine's retention into next year will be Christenson's
call.
Each will be paid about $100,500 annually.
Sheehy also plans to appoint an economic development director.
Barb Allivato, union president for development employees, said
they question Friday's hirings when their workforce has been cut
almost in half and the agency earlier laid off three top officials
to save money.
Steve Brandt is at 612-673-4438 or sbrandt@startribune.com.
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