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HomeMy Public PortalAboutDec 2014 Jan 2015 Inside this issue: General Election Results ................................ Pg. 1 2015 Park Commission & Planning Commission Vacancies .......................................................... Pg. 1 Holiday Train—December 13th .................... Pg. 1 Tree Preservation Requirements ................... Pg. 2 Open to Business Program ............................ Pg. 2 Land Use Applications Under Review .......... Pg. 2 City Business Profile: World Wide Gaming . Pg. 3 Property Tax FAQ .......................................... Pg. 3 Snow Plowing in New Developments .......... Pg. 4 Keep Fire Hydrants Clear for Safety ............. Pg. 4 Low-Salt Diet for Lakes & Streams .............. Pg. 4 Master Water Steward Program ..................... Pg. 4 Surviving a Snow or Ice Storm ...................... Pg. 5 Hunting Season is Here .................................. Pg. 5 Crime Alert Network ...................................... Pg. 5 House Checks .................................................. Pg. 5 City Calendar .................................................... Back 2015 Budget Approval .................................... Back Agenda & Minutes Email Notifications ....... Back City Council Saturday Office Hours ............. Back Toys for Tots.................................................... Back City Calendar December 2nd Tues—City Council 7:00 pm 9th Tues—Planning Commission 7:00 pm 16th Tues—City Council Work Session 6:00 pm 16th Tues—City Council 7:00 pm 17th Wed—Park Commission 7:00 pm 20th Sat—Council Office Hours (by appointment) 25th Thurs—City Offices Closed (Holiday) 26th Fri—City Offices Closed January 1st Thurs—City Offices Closed (Holiday) 6th Tues—City Council 7:00 pm 13th Tues—Planning Commission 7:00 pm 17th Sat—Council Office Hours (by appointment) 19th Mon—City Offices Closed (Holiday) 20th Tues—City Council Work Session 6:00 pm 20th Tues—City Council 7:00 pm 21st Wed—Park Commission 7:00 pm All meetings at City Hall unless otherwise noted. Meeting agendas on website when available. City Council Saturday Office Hours City Council Saturday Office Hours are on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at City Hall. Residents desiring to meet with an elected official during these Saturday office hours should make an appointment by calling Jodi Gallup, Assistant to the City Administrator, at City Hall at 763-473-8850 by noon on Friday before the Saturday session. 2015 Budget Approval—The 2015 budget is on the City Council’s regular meeting agenda for approval on December 2, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall. City Council Agendas and Minutes Email Notifications Stay informed on what is happening at upcoming City Council meet- ings. The City emails copies of Council agendas and minutes at no cost to residents. If you would like to be added to the regular email notification list, email jodi.gallup@ci.medina.mn.us to sign up. Toys For Tots The Medina Police Department, along with Medina City Hall, Loretto City Hall and 21st Century Bank of Loretto, will be drop off sites for the KARE 11 2014 Toys for Tots Drive. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to any of the above drop sites by Wednesday, December 17th. Call 763-473-9209 for more information. CITY HALL 2052 County Road 24 Medina, MN 55340 p: 763-473-4643 f: 763-473-9359 e: city@ci.medina.mn.us City Hall Office Hours Mon-Fri 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. PUBLIC SAFETY 600 Clydesdale Trail Medina, MN 55340 p: 763-473-9209 f: 763-473-8858 e: police@ci.medina.mn.us Police Department Office Hours Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mayor Elizabeth Weir 763-473-3226 City Council Jeff Pederson 612-916-6448 Melissa Martinson 763-473-8082 John Anderson 612-618-5702 Kathleen Martin 612-344-1111 City Council Meetings First & third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Planning Commission Meetings Second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Park Commission Meetings Third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Newsletter Editor Jodi Gallup Assistant to City Administrator Dec 2014 / Jan 2015 General Election Results The official results of the 2014 General Election were canvassed by the City of Medina City Council on Monday, November 10th. Bob Mitchell was elected as the Mayor of Medina, serving a two-year term. Kathleen Martin and Lorie Cousineau were elected to serve four-year terms on the Medina City Council. Jeff Pederson was elected to fill a vacancy in a term on the City Council expiring January 2, 2017. Vote totals for all of the Medina candidates and other election results can be viewed at http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/. The special term seat will be sworn in at the December 2, 2014 City Council meet- ing and the remaining newly elected officials will be sworn in at the January 6, 2015 City Council meeting. Holiday Train—December 13th The Canadian Pacific Railroad will once again be bringing their Holiday Train to the City of Loretto. The train is scheduled to arrive in Loretto on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 4:15 p.m. This marks the 16th anniversary of the Holiday Train stopping in Loretto as it makes its way across Canada and the US, raising donations for food shelves. In 2013, the Loretto Holiday Train event raised over $25,000 and 1,800 lbs. of food for our local food shelves in Hanover, Rockford, Delano and Maple Plain. This year they will have Reindeer Sleigh Rides from 3:30-5:30pm – with real live reindeer! There will also be kiddie train rides, hot chocolate & cookies, visits with Santa, bon fires – not to mention the great musical show put on by CP Rail on the train. This event is free to the public, but we ask for folks to bring donations for the local food shelves. 100% of the donations go directly to the food shelves. 2015 Park & Planning Commission Vacancies The City is seeking residents to serve on the Medina Park Commission and Plan- ning Commission. The Park Commission currently has three appointments available, expiring De- cember 31, 2017. The seven-member Park Commission serves as a volunteer recom- mending body to the City Council and meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in Medina City Hall. The Planning Commission currently has four appointments available; one for a one-year term and three for three-year terms. The seven-member Planning Commis- sion serves as a volunteer recommending body to the City Council and meets the sec- ond Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in Medina City Hall. Interested applicants may pick up an application at City Hall or via the City’s web- site at www.medinamn.us. Deadline for applications is Friday, December 19th. Planning & Business Page 2 Dec 2014 / Jan 2015 Land Use Applications Under Review The following land use and development projects are currently under review by the City. For more information on one of the projects, or for an update on the review schedule, please visit http://medinamn.us/citygov/departments/planning-zoning/ or contact the Planning Department at (763) 473-4643, ext. 1. Villas at Medina Country Club – PUD General Plan and Preliminary Plat – E of CR116, S of Shawnee Woods Road Rachel Contracting has requested approval for the development of 43 homes along the western and northern perimeter of the Medina Golf and Country Club. The Planning Commission held a Public Hearing at their November 12 meeting and recom- mended denial of the request. The City Council is tentatively scheduled to review at the December 2 meeting. Dominium – Stage II Plan – 510 Clydesdale Trail The applicant has requested Stage II Plan approval for the construction of 26 affordable rental townhomes on approximately 3.85 acres. The townhomes would include rent and income limitations because the developer has received pledges for funding through Minnesota Housing. The Planning Commission held a Public Hearing at their November 12 meeting and unanimously recommended approval of the request. The City Council is tentatively scheduled to review at the December 2 meeting. Wealshire, LLC – Comprehensive Plan Amendment – NW corner of Mohawk and Chippewa The applicant has requested that the City amend the planned future land use of approximately 22 acres at the northwest corner of Mohawk Drive and Chippewa Road from Low Density Residential to General Business. The applicant desires to construct a memory care facility on the northern half of the property, and this land use would allow for such a use. The Planning Com- mission held a Public Hearing at their November 12 meeting and unanimously recommended approval of the request, but sug- gested that alternative land uses be discussed which may allow a memory care but be more restrictive for other uses. The City Council is tentatively scheduled to review at the December 2 meeting. Andrew Soiney – Right-of-way Vacation – Adjacent to 2942 Ardmore Ave. The applicant has requested that the City vacate a portion of the Palm Street right-of-way adjacent to their property. No pub- lic improvements now exist within the right-of-way, which was platted in the 1920’s. The City Council is tentatively scheduled to hold a public hearing at the December 16 meeting. Staging and Growth Plan Amendment The City continues to review a potential amendment to the Staging and Growth Plan. This Plan regulates when property may be developed with municipal sewer and water services. The Planning Commission will discuss an amendment at their Decem- ber 9 meeting which could delay property planned for residential or mixed use development by 5 years. Tree Preservation Requirements In 2007, the City adopted Tree Preservation regu- lations in order to protect existing trees within the community. The regulations require replacement of trees if more than an allowed percent- age of significant trees are removed from a property. Removal of two trees or less is exempt from the ordinance, as is the removal of dead trees. Removal of more than two significant trees (greater than 8 inches in diameter at chest-height) requires a permit from the City. If you intend to remove more than two live signif- icant trees, please contact the Planning Department to obtain a permit at 763-473-4643, ext. 1. Open to Business Program Are you thinking about starting your own business or are you currently operating a small business and interested in FREE technical assistance? Medina has partnered with the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) to offer the “Open to Business” program. This program provides FREE one-on-one assistance from MCCD’s expert staff, customized to meet the specific needs of each entrepreneur. This can include creating a business plan, suggestions on financial management and bookkeeping practices, assisting with marketing, and referrals for financing. MCCD also administers a small business loan fund which provides capital to expand local busi- nesses. For more information or to schedule a session, please contact Rob Smolund from MCCD at rsmolund@mccdmn.org or (612) 789- 7337 ext. 260. More information is available on the City’s website: http://medinamn.us/opentobusiness. Dec 2014 / Jan 2015 Page 5 Public Safety Surviving a Snow or Ice Storm Winter weather brings tough driving conditions. If you’re driving in snow or ice, especially during a storm, there’s always a chance you’ll get stuck or stranded on the road. It can even happen in the middle of your commute. How can you stay alive and safe if you end up stuck in your car during winter weather storms? Avoid driving in dangerous winter conditions: It may be easier said than done, but if you know driving conditions will be challenging, simply stay where you are. It’s safest to avoid roads completely if your area is facing a storm. Prepare with supplies: If you know you’ll be driving through a wintery area — storm or not — stock your vehicle with essential survival supplies. Wool blankets, hand warmers, nonperishable food, and water are a good place to start. Escape if you can, and ask for help: If you’re in the middle of a storm, the situation is only likely to get worse. Before you settle in, do your very best to make it out first. Flag down other drivers to ask for help, and call for help from authorities if your cell phone is working. Let others know where you are and that you are in danger. Do not start a fire: Your car is an enclosed space, and in any enclosed space, a fire, even a small candle, can generate poisonous carbon monoxide. It’s best not to start a fire inside your car, but if you do, make sure that you crack a window to ventilate the carbon monoxide. Watch for tailpipe snow: Running your car heater to stay warm is a good idea, but be careful. If your exhaust is backed up with snow, carbon mon- oxide has nowhere to go, and can poison passengers inside. Consider turning your car off and on for brief periods to warm up, check the tail- pipe, and turn it off to save fuel and stay safe. Do not leave your car: Unless you have shelter available nearby, your car is the safest place to be. It’s dangerous to walk outside in extremely cold weather, and if you’re in a storm, it’s easy to get disoriented and lost. It’s best to simply wait out the storm in your car and get out when it clears. Crime Alert Network In 2009, the Medina Police Department established a crime alert network for the residents and business owners of Medina. If we receive information regarding suspicious ac- tivity or crimes being committed in certain areas within the City, we instantly notify the network subscribers via email of the occurrence and location. We send this information out directly to you so you can take precautions and assist us in reporting any suspicious activity you may witness. If you are interested in this program, please send an email to anne@ci.medina.mn.us. In the subject line put “Crime Alert Network”. Your email address will be added to the list for the crime alerts. If you have been a part of the network and your email has changed please notify us with your new email. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Medina Police Department at 763-473-9209. House Checks The holiday season is just around the corner. If you are planning an extended vacation or just a short trip for the week- end, notify the Medina Police Department. The department runs a program called “House Checks”. This is where homeowners call our department and let us know that you will be out of town. We take down all the pertinent information. We do drive by with visual inspections and when time permits, pull doors to make sure your homes are secure. If a problem is found, we’ll have the information to con- tact you or a key holder. Give us a call at 763-473-9209 and get your house on the list. Have a great holiday season! Hunting Season Is Here The City of Medina allows hunting on a limited basis. A hunting permit is re- quired for anyone who is hunting in Medi- na, with the exception that no permit shall be required for the owner of the property, the owner's imme- diate family, or guests on the own- er's land when ac- companied by the owner. To receive a permit, you must have written per- mission from a property owner. Our hunting ordi- nance is very comprehensive and can be viewed at the police department or on the City website at http://medinamn.us/ regulations-fees/licenses-permits/hunting- permits/. Please take the time to review it so you know the restrictions Medina has in place. In 2011, the ordinance was updat- ed and a sensitive hunting zone was add- ed, please review the changes. If you have any questions, call us at 763-473-9209. Good luck hunting, but please be careful out there and respect the rules. Public Works & Environment Page 4 Dec 2014 / Jan 2015 Last Year of Free Training to become a Master Water Steward Want to protect clean water in a lake or stream you care about? The Master Water Stewards program can give you the knowledge, skills, and network to make it happen! 2015 is the last year training will be offered at no cost to the participant. Appli- cations are due by Dec. 20th. The program offers extensive training from top industry professionals -- engineers, educators, planners and more. Participants will also build a network with like-minded peers, with an emphasis on creativity and collaboration. Armed with that knowledge, Stewards build projects in their communities that protect water quality and work to edu- cate their neighbors on clean water issues. Past certified Stewards have installed raingardens, rain barrels, cisterns, and water- permeable walkways that catch polluted rainwater before it makes it to a nearby lake or stream. The program is a partnership between the Freshwater Society and Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD), made possible by a grant from the state Clean Wa- ter Fund. Participants must live in a city that is within the MCWD. Learn more at www.masterwaterstewards.org. A Low-Salt Diet for our Lakes and Streams A little salt goes a long way for managing snow and ice. But too much salt – which may be less than you think – can cause irreversible damage to nearby lakes and streams. The danger of ice and snow on roads and sidewalks is a fact of life in Minnesota, and salt and sand can help reduce ice and add traction. When that snow inevitably melts, however, most of that salt and sand wash directly into nearby waters. Currently, salt use is not regulated, but it poses a real threat to clean wa- ter. The chloride contained in one teaspoon of road salt can permanently pollute five gallons of water. Chloride upsets aquatic environments and can kill birds and some plants. Many people use more salt than they need. But using more salt does not melt more ice, or melt it faster. In reality, salt only works when there is enough snow or ice for it to react with and excess crystals will eventually become a pollutant. It’s best to use less than four pounds of salt per 1,000 square feet. One pound of salt fills up a 12-ounce coffee mug. Want to protect your local lake or stream from chloride pollution? Here are some easy ways you can help: ► Apply salt or other de-icers before snow storms, so you will need less later. ► Shovel regularly (a great form of winter exercise) to minimize ice buildup. ► Break up ice with an ice scraper before deciding if sand or a de-icer is necessary for traction – you may find that it’s not. ► Use sand instead of salt in below 15 degree temperatures ► Sweep up any salt that’s visible on dry pavement and use it elsewhere or throw it away. By using salt wisely, you can save money, time and the environment without sacrificing safety. Learn more at www.minnehahacreek.org/salt. Snow Plowing in New Developments Who is Responsible? The removal of snow and ice from the streets within new subdivisions is the responsibility of the developer until the City accepts the streets for maintenance. The City does not take control of the streets for maintenance until the developer lays the final wear course of bituminous after 80 percent of the homes in the subdi- vision have been completed. The City has only taken over a portion of the Enclave/Lennar Development. Check the website for a color-coded map showing which streets are plowed by the developer , which streets are the City’s responsibility and which streets are the re- sponsibility of the Homeowners Association. The Fields of Medina/Mattamy De- velopment and Meander will be the responsibility of the City, but Fields of Medina West will be the developer’s responsibility. To view the entire snow plowing/ice control policy and to view the color- coded map for the Enclave/Lennar Development, visit the City of Medina’s web- site at http://medinamn.us/city-snow-plow-policy/. As a reminder, the City’s policy states that trails are secondary to streets and will be cleared as staff time allows. Keep Fire Hydrants Clear for Safety Residents are encouraged to clear a 3-5’ diameter around any hydrant located on your property, as well as a pathway to the hydrant. Clearing of hydrants provides a fast and effective response time for the fire department in case of an emergency. Dec 2014 / Jan 2015 Page 3 Administration City Business Profile: World Wide Gaming World Wide Gaming is pleased to announce they are celebrating a nine year anniversary since they moved from their outgrown warehouse in Plymouth off of 494 to their 20,000 square foot facility at 640 Hamel Road in 2005. Worldwide Gaming has been incorporated since March 2000 and currently has 10 employees, but em- ploys up to 14 people during their busy season. Worldwide Gaming is a licensed distributor of both new and used gaming equip- ment including: Slot Ma- chines, Video Slots, Video Poker, Gaming Tables (Texas Hold’em, Blackjack, Poker, Craps, & Roulette), Gaming Stools, Slot bases, Huge Slot Parts inventory, and accessories. They are also a full service slot machine repair center. They keep hundreds of slot machines in stock from a wide variety of manufacturers – ready for delivery. Their product line has expanded to include gaming accessories, a large parts department, bigger selection of slot machines & chairs; plus an improved service de- partment. If they don't have an item in stock they can get it for you! Casino operators and owners fly in from Casinos all over the world to do business with World- wide Gaming right here in Hamel/Medina, Minnesota. They claim they are “One of a Few” in this unique business selling games all over the world. Now that is a one of a kind business! Stop by, take a tour and see how fun this place is to work and shop. Their company philosophy is to provide excellent quality slot machines and gaming related equipment at fair market value, to continually offer quality gaming equipment below competition cost, and to deliver their product in a timely fashion. They serve both wholesale distributors and retail customers, so stop by and check out their new show- room and take a tour through the warehouse. They are open Monday-Friday from 9:00AM-6:00PM. Weekend appointments are also available. Please feel free to call them at 763-253-0234 with any questions, and don’t forget to visit their website at: http://www.worldwide- gaming.com/. Property Taxes FAQ Minnesota has a complicated property tax system. The follow- ing answers to frequently asked questions are designed to help you better understand the Minnesota property tax system. The entire FAQ is four pages long and can be viewed at: http:// medinamn.us/regulations-fees/budget-fees/ under the Property Tax Section. What governments collect property taxes? Your property tax bill is a total of taxes owed to several local gov- ernments and, for some types of property, to the state. Cities, counties, school districts, and townships are separate governments. They all collect money through the property tax in order to provide services. Special districts, like watershed districts, also collect prop- erty taxes, but those taxes are usually a very small part of the total bill. What do I get for my property taxes? Local governments get the money they use to deliver services from a few different sources: property taxes, fees, revenue sharing with the state, and grants. Property tax dollars pay for the services that everyone in the community—as well as visitors, commuters, and tourists—can access. This includes things like streets, police and fire services, parks, and libraries. Other services—like economic development programs to help businesses grow and develop, snowplowing, garbage removal, and recycling are also typically paid for with property tax dollars. How does the city—or any local government—decide what services to provide? City councils review the services they currently provide and think about what local preferences are and what population trends sug- gest about the kinds of services people will need. For example, one community might favor running its own pool while another does not see the need. Communities with lots of young families need to offer different kinds of services than communities seeing big in- creases in the number of senior residents. Sometimes cities have to provide certain services in order to comply with state or federal laws. Some common examples are requirements for testing drink- ing water and making public buildings accessible to people with disabilities. How does the city decide how much to collect in property taxes? Cities look at their costs—like gasoline, road salt, salaries, and building repairs. They also determine the amount of money the city needs to provide the services residents expect and depend on. Councils then examine the dollars coming into the city from other sources—like fees people pay, grants from state and federal gov- ernments, and state revenue sharing. Property taxes make up the gap between money coming in from non-tax sources and the mon- ey needed to run the city. Other local governments (e.g., counties, schools) go through a similar process to set their property tax amounts.