Dear SOS Supporters,

Did anyone else see this jumbotron message during the Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars games Tuesday night? The message referenced the callousness with which we cut down trees. Would we -- if they made noise? Albeit, Dallas is making the joke on us...but who took home the win?! It seems that we're all thinking about trees and their value these days- north to south.

And no, this campaign to save the iconic urban tree canopy along Summit Avenue is not over. Our fight for transparency over the planning, design, proof of necessity, and costs of the Summit Avenue Regional Trail (raised, separated bike trail) and subsequent full reconstruction -- is not over. See below on how you can get a refresh on your lawn sign.

Here's your update - please share with your neighbors:

Ongoing process regarding SART

We are having trouble reconciling Mayor Her/Assistant Mayor Stumo-Langer’s description regarding the Mayor’s anticipated next steps for Summit under the Five-Year Construction Plan (which have been very encouraging, committing to a transparent and fact-based approach) versus what Public Works said publicly in the Informational sessions March 25 and April 8 (which seemed unaware of the Mayor’s commitments, essentially assuming that any future ‘process’ is meaningless, and “SART is a done deal”).

• SOS has followed up in writing to request clarification, and confirmation that the process will be transparent, and data driven.
• Another concern is that the City’s upcoming contract with the vendor regarding the next steps for SART may not reflect the Mayor’s commitments.

1. The vendor should not proceed to the design phase until the tree impact analysis and EAW have been completed (which we believe should lead to an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)).
2. Basic principles of environmental review preclude prejudicing the outcome by committing resources to an alternative (i.e. by proceeding with design) that has not been fully reviewed.
3. Given the emphasis on robust public engagement -- which Public Works claims will be the case -- it is illogical to initiate the engagement process until after the required environmental review has produced crucial data on the full impacts to the Summit Avenue tree canopy and the historic streetscape.

• Thus far, the City has not responded to these concerns and there has been no transparency on these critical issues in the ongoing negotiations between Public Works and the vendor.

• SOS may need to mobilize supporters to contact the Mayor’s office and City Council members to ensure a transparent, fact-based process.

Discussions initiated regarding possible settlement of SOS’s DPA case.

SOS has been in discussions with the City regarding possible settlement of SOS’s DPA case.

• Many, but not all, of SOS’s initial objectives have been accomplished.

1. The City’s initial refusal to produce responsive documents has been conclusively established – the City cannot credibly contest that issue.
2. SOS has also conclusively established Public Works’ manipulation of the scoring criteria to justify prioritizing reconstructing Summit so it could build the bike trail. This manipulation also contaminated the entire referendum process on how the 1% sales tax would be used to build SART.

• Rather than fight about the past, SOS has proposed working cooperatively going forward.

1. SOS would agree to waive our legal fees (to which we are entitled under the DPA).
2. SOS would have a ‘seat at the table’ in meetings with the vendor.
3. The City would contribute to the costs of an independent arborist and civil engineer to ensure that the process is transparent and based on objective data.

Thank you all for your continued engagement!

SOS Steering Committee



P.S. Don't forget to order your new lawn sign! Let's make some noise for the trees!