HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 07•
May 21, 2012 Item No.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING INDUCTION OF ROBERT "BOB" JENSEN AS A
LAKEVILLE PIONEER TO BE HONORED AT LAKEVILLE PIONEER PLAZA
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to approve resolution
authorizing induction of Robert "Bob" Jensen as a Lakeville Pioneer to be honored at
Lakeville Pioneer Plaza.
Overview
The City of Lakeville established Pioneer Plaza to recognize residents with long -term
commitment and civic participation that have had profound effect on the development,
well -being and quality of life in Lakeville. Mr. Bob Jensen is an outstanding candidate to
be honored by induction as a Lakeville Pioneer at Pioneer Plaza. The attached
resolution addresses some of those qualities and achievements by Mr. Jensen.
Primary Issues to Consider
• Is the nominee qualified
Supporting Information
Resolution authorizing induction of Robert "Bob" Jensen
Supporting information
Pioneer Plaza Induction Policy
I
II � �
Gerald S. Michaud
Parks & Recreation Director
Financial Impact: $0 Budgeted: Y/N N Source: Donations
Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.):
Notes:
CITY OF LAKEVILLE
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING INDUCTION OF ROBERT "BOB" JENSEN AS
A LAKEVILLE PIONEER TO BE HONORED AT LAKEVILLE PIONEER PLAZA
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Lakeville may authorize induction of
worthy candidates as Lakeville Pioneers to be honored at Pioneer Plaza; and
WHEREAS, certain criteria has been established to be eligible for induction as a
Lakeville Pioneer; and
WHEREAS, Bob Jensen, a long -time resident of Lakeville, community leader and
volunteer who dedicated his life to family, church and community, is eligible to be inducted
into Lakeville Pioneer Plaza based on the following:
• Instrumental in guiding the growth of Lakeville, merging the Village of Lakeville with
the Township of Lakeville in 1967, to create the City of Lakeville
• Demonstrated extraordinary history and a lifelong commitment to the well -being and
enhancement of Lakeville
• Long -term commitment and association with several Lakeville civic organizations
including the Farmers Union, Knights of Columbus, Lakeville Chamber of Commerce,
Optimist, Lions and Pan- O -Prog Board
• Lakeville Township Board /Chair, Lakeville Village Council Member and City of
Lakeville Mayor
• Dakota County Board of Commissioners and Dakota County Sherriff's Civil Service
Commission
• State of Minnesota House of Representatives
• Lakeville resident for 64 years
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Lakeville City Council unanimously
approves Robert "Bob" Jensen be inducted as a Lakeville Pioneer to be honored at
Pioneer Plaza in downtown Lakeville effective May 21, 2012.
DATED this 21 st day of May 2012.
CITY OF LAKEVILLE
Mark Bellows, Mayor
ATTEST:
Charlene Friedges, City Clerk
Robert C. "Bob" Jensen Nomination to Pioneer Plaza
April 23, 2012
Please consider this nomination to induct Robert C. "Bob" Jensen to the Pioneer
Plaza in Lakeville to recognize his lifelong civic commitment to Lakeville, Minnesota.
Bob was born October 29, 1928 as reported on the 1930 US census living in
Lakeville Township. In 1948, he was married and started a dairy farm in New
Market with his wife, Bernice. In 1957, he moved back to Lakeville Township and
lived there until 2001. Bob was instrumental in guiding the growth of Lakeville
merging the Village of Lakeville with the Township of Lakeville in 1967, to create
the City of Lakeville. While his postal address was Farmington, his community
remained Lakeville, setting the stage for our Northeastern Lakeville population
growth. During his 64 years as a Lakeville resident, Bob served our community in
many ways.
1960 -1967 Lakeville Township Board /Chair
1965 -1967 Dakota County Sheriffs Civil Service Commission
1967 -1970 Lakeville Village Council Member
1971 -1975 City of Lakeville Mayor
1975 -1978 State of Minnesota House of Representatives
1983 -1984 State of Minnesota House of Representatives
1987 -1988 State of Minnesota House of Representatives
1992 -1994 Dakota County Board of Commissioners
The attached articles recall Bob's civic leadership in greater detail.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, gg
Sarah Matasosky
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Obituary: Robert Jensen
guided Lakeville's
growth
Article by: , Star Tribune
Updated: December 3, 2011 - 9:11 PM
There was no stopping the urban sprawl that
transformed the rural Dakota County
landscape into the bustling suburb of
Lakeville. But people like Robert "Bob" Jensen
made it work.
Jensen, whose career in local government
and at the Legislature helped shape the
modern Minnesota suburb, died Nov. 27 of
colon cancer at a hospice in Burnsville. He
was 83.
A farmer nearly his entire adult life, Jensen
joined local government in Lakeville in 1960,
when the area was still largely rural
separated into a township of just over 2,000
people and a village of less than 1,000. The
suburban population boom was quickly
heading south, and the two entities would
have to merge to keep up with the growth.
"You've got 36 square miles," recalled Ed
Mako, who served with Jensen on the
Lakeville City Council. "And you're going to
be having thousands of people, so do your
best to get ready for them."
The transition wasn't simple. The village had
one typewritten page of ordinances, Mako
recalled, and the township's records had
been destroyed in a fire.
Jensen hadn't graduated from high school,
but he became one of Lakeville's first mayors
in 1970 and helped develop long -term plans
for the city's parks and development
projects, which would prove essential as the
city rapidly expanded from 7,500 in 1970 to
nearly 25,000 in 1990. Those parks would
remain Jensen's pride and joy.
"He understood the value of quality of life
and a true community doesn't stop with just
police and fire," said Steve Michaud,
Lakeville's current parks and recreation
director, who was hired by Jensen. "It
includes good public works and good water
systems and good parks systems and good
recreation programs."
Jensen, a DFLer, was later elected to the
Minnesota House, where he served on and
off for eight years in the late 1970s and
1980s. He counted among his proudest
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accomplishments the construction of the
Cedar Avenue bridge in 1980 to sustain the
growing flow of traffic into the southern
suburbs.
But another suburban evolution, the shift to
more conservative politics, would end
Jensen's career at the Legislature in 1988.
Lakeville sent a Republican to the State
Capitol, and Jensen's district would never
again be in DFL hands.
He later served as a Dakota County
commissioner for two years.
Jensen's daughter Sarah Matasosky said his
persistent optimism made him adept at
problem - solving. "He would always look at
something as'How do I fix it ?' not'lt's a
problem, "' she said.
She said Jensen often shook his head at the
lack of civility in modern politics, a sharp
contrast from the bipartisan cocktail hours
of the past. "They were friends; they actually
did things together," his daughter said.
Outside of farming and politics, Jensen spent
hours laboring in his wood shop, making
hockey sticks and other things for his kids
and grandchildren. He also loved to fish.
Besides Matasosky, Jensen is survived by his
wife of 63 years, Bernice; four sons, Ken,
Jerry, Willy and Tom; five other daughters,
Jane Smith, Doris Wilson, Beverly Rydeen,
Mary Morgan and Kate Herness; two
brothers, Jim and Vernon; a sister, Camilla
Lilly, 19 grandchildren and 10 great -
grandchildren. Services will be held at 11 a.
m. Monday at the Church of St. Joseph in
Rosemount.
Eric Roper • 612-673-1732 Twitter:
@StribRoper
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Pioneer Plaza Induction Policy
Purpose:
To recognize long -time Lakeville residents and business owners who contributed to the
overall growth and quality of life in Lakeville
Eligibility:
A 30 -year (minimum) resident or business owner in Lakeville
Selection Criteria:
The following criteria will be considered in determining whether a person is
eligible to be a "Lakeville Pioneer ":
• Showed an exceptional commitment to the community of Lakeville through
volunteerism, expertise and community spirit
• Made a positive and measurable contribution to the community in education, the arts,
sports, business or service to a particular organization
• Demonstrated innovation and creativity in service to the community
• Acted as a positive role model in both professional and personal life
• Exhibited an exceptional or extraordinary history of achievement in community services
• Inspired others to become involved in the Lakeville community through civic activities
• Demonstrated an ongoing commitment to support civic projects or programs which
promote the highest good of the Lakeville community
• Created vision, guidance and commitment to improving the quality of life in Lakeville
• Had a demonstrated impact on the growth and development of Lakeville
• Provided freely of their time, energy and resources for community betterment,
contributing to positive economic growth and stability in the community
• Demonstrated extraordinary history and a lifelong commitment to the well -being and
enhancement of Lakeville
• Exhibited an exceptional or extraordinary history of achievement in community service
Frequency of Award:
A nomination may be submitted at any time
Selection Process:
• Nominations may be submitted by any current or previous Lakeville resident or relative
of the nominee
• Nominations must be submitted in writing and contain sufficient information to
demonstrate how the nominee meets the selection criteria
• Nominations are to be submitted to the Parks and Recreation Director
• Nominations will be reviewed as they are received
• Nomination process may require up to three months for review
• The Lakeville City Council will have sole authority to determine whether a nominee is
determined to be a "Lakeville Pioneer" and be inducted in Pioneer Plaza. The City
Council may form a nomination review committee to make a recommendation.
9/30/2010 Page 1 of 2
Successful Nominee Award Process:
1. Award presentation:
a. Council determination and recognition at a City Council meeting
b. Placement of a plaque in Pioneer Plaza
2. Award procurement:
a. Nominating person, group or family will be required to fund the cost of
plaque, plaque post and installation
3. Award maintenance and long -term care and replacement:
a. Periodic maintenance, repairs or replacement will be the responsibility of
the funding family or other funding sources within the community
9/30/2010 Page 2 of 2