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Home My Public Portal About2008 Jun-Jul Newsletter c Printed on 20% post-consumer recycled fiber content paper City Hall Office Hours Mon-Fri 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telephone Numbers City Hall ..............763-473-4643 Fax ......................763-473-9359 Police emergency ....................911 non-emergency .... 763-473-9209 Official Newspaper South Crow River News 33 2nd Street NE , Box 280 Osseo, MN 55369 Telephone Number: 763-425-3323 Mayor Tom Crosby..........612-766-8605 City Council Carolyn Smith.......763-475-1003 Daniel Johnson.....763-473-0744 Elizabeth Weir .....763-473-3226 Joe Cavanaugh...…763-473-5123 City Administrator Chad M. Adams….763-473-4643 e-mail: chad.adams@ci.medina.mn.us City Council Meetings First & third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Planning Commission Jeff Pederson, Chair Charles Nolan Mary Verbick Robin Reid Michele Litts Victoria Reid Jim Simons Planning Commission Meetings Second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Park Commission Ann Thies, Chair Ben Benson Madeleine Linck Brian Kingsley Galen Bruer Beth Nielsen Peter Lecy Park Commission Meetings Third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Newsletter Editor City Administrator Chad M. Adams Other Contributors Jodi Wunsch 2052 County Road 24, Medina MN 55340 2052 County Road 24, Medina MN 55340 www.ci.medina.mn.us Inside this issue: Comprehensive Plan Zoning Revisions.....Pg. 1 Storm Water Utility Established................Pg. 1 2009 Budget Planning Open House...........Pg. 1 Medina Celebration Day............................Pg. 1 Holy Name Park Restoration & Closing....Pg. 2 Septic System Inspections .........................Pg. 2 Hamel Legion Park Improvements............Pg. 2 Hamel Road Reconstruction Project..........Pg. 2 2008 Annual Clean Up Day.......................Pg. 2 2008 Elections Update on Website............Pg. 3 National Night Out ....................................Pg. 3 West Hennepin Dial-A-Ride......................Pg. 3 Utility Billing Moves to Monthly Cycle ....Pg. 3 Safe & Sober Grant....................................Pg. 3 Tamarack Drive Vacation Update .............Pg. 3 Summer City Council Office Hours ..........Pg. 3 City Calendar Ju n e Ju l y ► 3rd Tues—City Council 7:00 pm ► 10th Tues—Planning Commission 7:00 pm ► 17th Tues—City Council 7:00 pm ► 18th Wed—Park Commission 7:00 pm ► 1st Tues—City Council 7:00 pm ► 4th Fri—City Offices Closed—Holiday ► 8th Tues—Planning Commission 7:00 pm ► 15th Tues—City Council 7:00 pm ► 16th Wed—Park Commission 7:00 pm ► 5th Tues—National Night Out ► 6th Wed—City Council 7:00 pm ► 12th Tues—Planning Commission 7:00 pm ► 19th Tues—City Council 7:00 pm ► 20th Wed—Park Commission 7:00 pm A Bi-Monthly Newsletter of the City of Medina www.ci.medina.mn.us June/July 2008 ► All meetings at City Hall unless otherwise noted. ► Meeting agendas on web site when available. Au g u s t City of Medina Begins Comprehensive Plan Zoning District Revisions The Medina City Council has approved a DRAFT update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The Plan guides development, growth, and land use within the City for the next 20 years. In order to implement the Comprehensive Plan, the City is conducting a major overhauling of the existing land-use and zoning ordinances. Every property regula- tion will be open for review as well as possible changes. If you wish to remain updated, please visit the City’s website. Agendas for upcoming meetings are posted on the homepage. Also, the City sends out electronic ver- sions of the agenda before each meeting. Contact City Hall (763) 473-4643 or city@ci.medina.mn.us to be added to this list. For additional information on this process contact the Plan- ning Department or visit the Comprehensive Plan page on the City’s website at www.ci.medina.mn.us. Storm Water Utility Established A Storm Water Utility (SWU) was officially established by the City Council on May 20th. The first bill to parcel owners in the City will be distributed in July. For residents who receive a water and sewer utility bill, a new line item for the storm water utility charge will be included on the July bill. The purpose for creating the SWU is to provide an alternative source of funding from general property taxes to support storm wa- ter mandates and needs. Storm water mandates include the improve- ment to local impaired bodies of water (Lake Independence, Lake Sarah, Spurzem Lake, Holy Name Lake, Elm Creek, etc.) as well as the City’s Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP). Other needs include annual maintenance to City storm water ponds, culverts, erosion control and general enforcement. The SWU will more equitably distribute charges for storm wa- ter improvements to property owners compared to general property taxes because the focus of a SWU is to better charge those who are contributing to storm water problems, rather than through property taxes which is based on your market value. Non-tax paying entities such as governments, churches, etc. will receive a SWU charge and bill. Some exemptions for parks, etc. and credits for wetland areas, as well as suitable conservation and buffer easements will apply. Details of the SWU were included in a brochure mailed to all parcel owners in April. The City also conducted an Open House on May 1. The City’s website also has a link to specific details about the SWU ordinance, fee schedule and budget. Medina Celebration Day Saturday, September 27, 2008 The City is seeking residents or local business repre- sentatives to serve on a committee to organize and pro- mote this year’s Medina Celebration Day. The event will again be held at the Community Building site in Hamel Legion Park. City staff will be available to provide support to the committee as needed. If you are available and interested, please contact Linda Lane at City Hall by phone or e-mail at Linda.lane@ci.medina.mn.us. 2009 Budget Planning Open House An open house is being planned for August to provide an overview and solicit public input on the 2009 budget planning process. The exact date and time will be sched- uled in coming weeks and will be printed in the summer newsletter, prior to the open house being held. The City must approve and certify a preliminary tax levy to Henne- pin County by September 15th. Hamel Road Reconstruction Project Road work has already begin for the Uptown Hamel road reconstruction project. The project will consist of a total reconstruction of Hamel Road from Hunter Drive to Brockton Lane. Work will be phased throughout the sum- mer beginning west of Sioux Drive to Hunter Drive. The project will also include sidewalks on both sides of the road, decorative street lights, and burial of all utility lines. The substantial work on the project is expected to be com- pleted by the end of September 2008. Call our information hot line at 651-967-4508 to re- ceive daily updates, including location and type of work scheduled, road closures and potential utility interruptions. You can also check the city’s website at www.ci.medina.mn.us for project updates such as road clo- sures and detour maps. Parks & Public Works Page 2 2008 Annual Clean Up Day Thank you to all the dedicated Medina Clean Up Day volunteers. This event could not of happened without you! Volunteers unload trailer after trailer of garbage. Associate Planner Dusty Finke working the electronic recyclables. Council Member Liz Weir, Planning Commissioners Michele Litts, Jeff Pederson, & Robin Reid, along with Building Official Loren Kohnen, and Medina Resident Chloe Litts plant trees donated from Highway 55 Rental and Metro West Inspection Services at Hamel Legion Park. Hamel Legion Park Improvements A large new playground structure was constructed last fall at Hamel Legion Park. This $150,000 project was made possible because of a dona- tion made by the Hamel Lions in the amount of $37,500. The remaining funds for the project came from park dedication money. A basketball court was also completed this spring at Hamel Legion Park from park dedication funds. ATTN: Residents with individual septic systems!!! Last fall, you received notice that you had a year to have your septic system pumped and inspected. If you have not done so already, please remember that the deadline to submit your inspection record to City Hall is August 1, 2008! Questions? Contact Dusty Finke at City Hall: (763) 473-4643 or dusty.finke@ci.medina.mn.us Holy Name Park Restoration & Temporary Closing Holy Name Park will be closed as soon as June 1st for a restoration project, funded in part by a grant from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and City park dedication funds. The park will be closed indefi- nitely until it is completed. The project will consist of the following: • Eliminate gravel access down to the lake • New parking lot and trail, with a portion of each permeable • Mobile infiltration swale • Rain garden with native plants • Erosion control measures along shoreline • Picnic area and signage • Grand Opening celebration • Possible fishing dock in 2009 (with grant money from the DNR) Page 3 General Information Summer City Council Saturday Office Hours Suspended City Council Saturday Office Hours will experience a sum- mer break during the months of June, July, and August. They will reconvene in September through the end of the year on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at City Hall. Residents are encouraged to check the City’s website for sched- uling confirmation/cancellation. Thanks to all citizens for stopping by this spring to visit! National Night Out Tuesday, August 5th Neighborhoods throughout Medina are invited to join the Medina Police Department, along with thousands of communi- ties nationwide, on Tuesday, August 5th, 2008, to participate in the 25th Annual National Night Out celebration. Medina Police Officers, Firefighters and City Council members will attend and participate in neighborhood parties throughout the city. To officially participate in National Night Out events, contact your neighbors and plan a neighborhood get- together. It can be something as extravagant as a cookout or as simple as an ice cream social. Remember to register your neighborhood party with the Medina Police Department at 763-473-9209 along with the times. By doing this, we will ar- range a visit from the police and fire departments. If you have any questions, please call Tom Gregory or Josh McKinley at the Medina Police Department at 763-473-9209. West Hennepin Dial-A-Ride Transit Service The Dial-A-Ride program is an advance reservation, share-ride, curb-to-curb transit service that now services the City of Medina. Anyone can use it and it is only $2 cash per person per one way ride, but appointments need to be made one day in advance. Service hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is no service on Saturdays, Sun- days, or major holidays. For additional information or to schedule a ride, contact West Hennepin Dial-A-Ride at 763-235-2200. Medina Police Participates in Safe and Sober Grant The Medina Police Department, along with the police departments of Orono, Rogers, Corcoran, Wayzata, Mound, Minnetrista, and West Hennepin Public Safety, has been par- ticipating in the Safe and Sober Grant for 2007-2008. This grant funds extra patrols aimed at keeping our streets and highways safe. Officers concentrate traffic enforcement in areas where accidents occur and where complaints are re- ceived from citizens. Efforts are aimed at speeding, seatbelt enforcement, and drinking and driving. If you have any traffic concerns, or any questions in re- gard to this Safe and Sober Grant, please feel free to contact the Medina Police Department at 763-473-9209. Remember - DRIVE SAFE, and always BUCKLE UP! 2008 Election Updates on Website The latest information on Medina’s 2008 elections can now be found on the city’s website at www.ci.medina.mn.us. You will be able to find detailed information on important election dates, Medina’s election precinct division, voting locations, absentee voting, serving as an election judge, and filing for municipal of- fice. All election questions can be directed to Election Coordinator Jodi Wunsch at 763-473-4643 or jodi.wunsch@ci.medina.mn.us Utility Billing Moves to a Monthly Cycle Currently, utility bills are sent on a quarterly basis. July 1, 2008 will be the last billing cycle containing multiple months of charges. The July 1 reading will be for usage between the dates of April 15 – July 1. The City will then read meters and provide billing on a monthly basis. This will allow utility customers to control their water usage more efficiently, promote water conser- vation, and allow for more effective financial management. Also, monitoring usage on a monthly basis will quickly alert users to problems by looking for irregular water fluctuations that could indicate a problem. Any questions regarding utility billing may be directed to Teri Portinen at 763-473-8849. Tamarack Drive Vacation Update At the May 20th City Council meeting, the Council took official action to vacate a portion of the Tamarack Right-Of-Way and easements between Hamel Road extending south to the Blackfoot Trail/Tamarack intersection. The areas being vacated will prohibit future through road traffic or trail use between Hamel Road and the Blackfoot Trail/Tamarack intersection. Drainage and utility easements are being secured in the areas of Tamarack being vacated. A copy of the resolution and exhibits are included on the City’s website. Please contact City Adminis- trator Chad Adams at City Hall if you have questions.