Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAboutFeb March 2011 Inside this issue: Become an Informed Citizen..........................Pg. 1 Seasonal Spring Weight Limits.......................Pg. 2 Snowmobile Regulations.................................Pg. 2 Spring Runoff...................................................Pg. 2 Medina PD Joins National Crime Map.........Pg. 2 Community Forum on Recycling...................Pg. 3 City Business Profile: Medina Entertainment Center.................................................................Pg. 3 Freeze Your Buns Run....................................Pg. 3 Hwy 55/County Road 116 Project................Pg. 3 Uptown Hamel Skating/Sledding Social.......Pg. 3 City Facilities Review.......................................Pg. 3 2011 Budget......................................................Pg. 4 Planning & Zoning Project Update...............Pg. 5 City Calendar February 1st Tues—City Council Work Session 5:00 pm 1st Tues—City Council 7:00 pm 8th Tues—Planning Commission 7:00 pm 15th Tues—City Council Work Session 6:00 pm 15th Tues—City Council 7:00 pm 16th Wed—Park Commission 7:00 pm 19th Sat—City Council Office Hours 9:00 am 21st Mon—City Offices Closed (Holiday) March 1st Tues—City Council 7:00 pm 8th Tues—Planning Commission 7:00 pm 15th Tues—City Council Work Session 6:00 pm 15th Tues—City Council 7:00 pm 16th Wed—Park Commission 7:00 pm 19th Sat—City Council Office Hours 9:00 am All meetings at City Hall unless otherwise noted. Meeting agendas on web site when available. Upcoming Public Hearings/Meetings Planning Commission Public Hearings Upcoming Planning Commission meetings are scheduled for February 8, 2011 and March 8, 2011. Planning Commission meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Board of Appeal and Equalization on April 13, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall—This meeting is held annually for the purpose of reviewing and correcting the 2011 assessed property values or property classifications in the City of Medina. All persons considering themselves aggrieved by said assessment or who wish to complain that the property of an- other is assessed too low, may appear at the meeting and show cause for having such assessment corrected. The burden of proof is on the resident to justify a decrease in property value. The City is requesting that residents complete a City application prior to attending the meeting. The applica- tion will be posted on the City’s website in March. CITY OFFICE INFO 2052 County Road 24 Medina, MN 55340-9790 p: 763-473-4643 f: 763-473-9359 e: city@ci.medina.mn.us PUBLIC SAFETY p: 763-473-9209 f: 763-473-8858 City Hall Office Hours Mon-Fri 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Mayor Tom Crosby 612-332-9111 City Council Elizabeth Weir 763-473-3226 Jeff Pederson 612-916-6448 Melissa Martinson 763-473-8082 Mike Siitari 763-473-2563 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 City Administrator Chad M. Adams Other Contributors Jodi Gallup Feb / Mar 2011 Become an Informed Citizen Regarding Your Local Government To keep residents more informed on City issues, events and meetings, the follow- ing outline includes options to stay informed and receive more public information: 1. Attend a City Meeting—City Council, Planning Commission and Park Commis- sion regular meeting times are posted on the left column. The agendas for these meetings are regularly posted on the City’s website. 2. Sign Up to Receive Council Minutes and Agendas—The City mails or e-mails copies of Council minutes and agendas at no cost to residents. If you would like to be added to the regular mail or email notification minutes/agendas list, contact Jodi Gallup at 763-473-8850 or email at jodi.gallup@ci.medina.mn.us. 3. Attend City Council Saturday Office Hours—City Council Saturday Office Hours are held on the third Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at City Hall. 4. Contact Your Local Elected Official or City Hall—The Mayor and Council members may be reached via phone or e-mail to hear your comments, suggestions or to answer your questions. Staff may be reached at (763) 473-4643. 5. Visit the City’s Website—In addition to posting all Council agendas and minutes, various other information related to City projects, departments, council and staff contact information, events and activities are updated on a regular basis at www.ci.medina.mn.us. 6. Read the South Crow River News—It is the official legal newspaper, meaning public hearing notices and other legally required publications are included in the newspaper. The newspaper also covers Council meeting decisions and other Me- dina community news. Articles related to City issues may also be viewed online at http://www.pressnews.com/medina/. 7. Watch the Televised Council Meetings—Recorded City Council meetings can be viewed on your Local Access Government Channel, if you receive Mediacom cable service, or via the Internet through web-streaming at www.lmcc-tv.org. 8. Review Your City Mail—In addition to this Medina Message newsletter, the City often sends out public hearing notices, open house invitations and other informa- tion to affected parties to notify residents of upcoming discussions or projects. Mayor Tom Crosby Councilor Melissa Martinson Councilor Jeff Pederson Councilor Mike Siitari Councilor Elizabeth Weir Public Works & Public Safety Page 2 Feb / Mar 2011 Seasonal Spring Weight Limits The Medina Police want to remind everyone that spring weight restrictions will go into effect in early March. If you are planning a construction project, please ensure that you have your materials delivered prior to the weight restrictions. There will be no exceptions to the postings other than emergency ser- vices. The reason for the restrictions is to protect our roads and keep the cost of road repair down for all taxpayers. We ask all of our residents and business owners to keep an eye out for large trucks using the roads during the restriction period. If you see them using a restricted road, please call 9-1-1 and report it. Help protect your roads! For questions, you can call the Me- dina Police Department at 763-473-9209. Snowmobile Regulations The City has received an increased number of snow- mobile complaints this year with all the snow we have seen. The City regulates snowmobile op- erations through City Ordinance 350. Snowmobile operations are allowed within the City under certain circum- stances. There are also marked and groomed trails throughout the community. The majority of complaints are from property owners having snowmo- biles operating on their land without permission. The Police Department wants to remind snowmobilers that the City requires that you have permission from pri- vate property owners prior to entering onto someone else’s property. The City’s ordinance follows State law in regulat- ing travel along State highways and County roads. The ordnance strictly prohibits any operation of snowmobiles on sidewalks and trails used for pedestrian traffic. The Police Department asks that snowmobile opera- tors respect other people’s property and stay on the desig- nated trails. If you have further questions, you can see the entire ordinance on the City’s website at www.ci.medina.mn.us. If you have specific questions, please call the Medina Police Department at 763-473-9209. Please operate safely and stay on the marked snowmobile trails. Medina Police Department Joins the National Crime Map Citizens now have free access to official, timely crime data through the CrimeReports website and iPhone app Have you ever seen flashing blue lights in your neighborhood and wanted to know what was going on? Do you want to find out how safe your neighborhood really is? Now you can, through a new partnership between the Medina Police Depart- ment and CrimeReports, creators of the National Crime Map, at www.CrimeReport.com. “Providing reliable, timely information to our citizens is one of our top priorities,” says Chief Ed Belland. “And partnering with CrimeReports gives us the ability to keep the public informed on a regular basis as to what is going on in the community.” He added that the public can access the crime map 24 hours a day through the website or through the CrimeReports iPhone app, available for free download in the Apple iTunes store. The new service even lets local citizens sign up for free customiza- ble email alerts, so they can stay on top of crime in their neighborhoods. “Information is power,” Chief Belland added. “And we hope that giving the community this information will help them prevent crime in their neighborhoods.” “The Medina Police Department is a leader in law enforcement innovation,” says Greg Whisenant, founder and CEO of CrimeReports. “They are demonstrating their commitment to the community, by providing information that allows citizens to be more informed and to take a proactive role in making their community safer.” The Medina Police Department is joining over a thousand other law enforcement agencies of all sizes across North Amer- ica who are sharing their crime information with the public through the map, like Baltimore, Boston, San Jose, San Francisco, Portland, Washington D.C., Los Angeles County, and more. CrimeReports is provided to the Medina Police Department, at no additional cost to the agency, through a partnership be- tween the Law Enforcement Technology Group, a provider of Records Management System, Computer Aided Dispatch and mobile software, and CrimeReports designed to provide more efficient crime data and analytics integration to law enforcement agencies. You can access your local crime map and sign up for daily, weekly, or monthly email crime alerts at www.CrimeReport.com or at the Medina Police Department page on the City website at www.ci.medina.mn.us. Spring Runoff With all the snow this winter, there is sure to be a large amount of runoff as it begins to thaw. Along with the run off, come frozen culverts and catch basins, as well as water backing up as part of this process. Please be aware of street flooding or other drainage issues as a result of spring thaw. If you feel there is a matter that needs the City’s attention, please call the City Public Works Department at 763-473- 4643; and for weekends or after hour emergencies call dis- patch at 763-525-6210. Page 5 Planning Feb / Mar 2011 Planning and Zoning Project Update The following land use and development projects have been submitted in recent months and are being reviewed by the City. The location of the project is identified on the map. For more information on one of the projects, or for an update on the review schedule, please contact the Planning Department at (763) 473-4643. 1. “Enclave of Medina” residential development – 3212 Hunter Drive U.S. Home (Lennar) has requested approval of a subdivision containing 110 single-family homes and 42 townhomes east of Hunter Drive and south of Hamel Road. 2. Holy Name Cemetery – 52 County Road 24 Holy Name Church has requested approval of a site plan to expand the cemetery to include burials and a columbarium on the parcel immediately to the east of the existing cemetery. 3. Three-lot subdivision – 805 Hamel Road JJC LLC has requested approval to subdivide the existing lot into 3 residential single family lots. 4. Mixed Use Stage I and Concept Plan – North of Highway 55 between Arrowhead Drive and County Road 116 Pemtom Land Company has requested review of a Stage I and Concept Plan for a phased development which will include de- tached single family homes, townhomes, and commercial property to the south and southwest of Foxberry Farms. Phase one of the development proposes 74 single family homes and 132 townhomes. 5. Conservation Design Subdivision – 2700 and 2900 Parkview Drive Wally Marx has requested a PUD Concept Plan Review for a Conservation Design subdivision proposing 8 lots on 110-acres. The proposal includes permanent conservation easements over a portion of the property and is requesting a density bonus to allow for additional lots. Page 4 Feb / Mar 2011 2011 Budget City of Medina Summary Budget Data The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of 2011 budget information for the City of Medina citizens. The com- plete budget may be examined at Medina City Hall, 2052 County Road 24 or on the City's website at www.ci.medina.mn.us. The City Council approved this budget on December 7, 2010. The City’s 2011 final tax levy (see Property Taxes below) was approved at $2,792,641, which represents a 1.32% (or $36,483) increase from 2010. For 2011, over 57% of residential single-family lots in the City will realize a decrease in their tax payments, and over 88% of Medina businesses will realize tax decreases. The primary increase in the total tax levy included an additional $40,777 in debt service payment for recent road improve- ments completed in 2010. The operating levy was reduced by $5,646 to meet a no average City tax increase goal for residents. Feb / Mar 2011 Page 3 Community & Environment City Business Profile: Medina Entertainment Center By: Alice Sizer Medina Entertainment Center opened their doors on Sep- tember 6, 1956. It was an exciting beginning to what continues to be the point of destination for thousands of guests yearly from Minnesota and surrounding states. Concerts, Dancing, Cosmic Bowling, Game Room, Banquets, Outside Catering, and great food at Robert’s Restaurant and Bar add to the Me- dina experience. The Medina Inn, right next door, welcomes our guests to “come for the fun”, then stay at the Inn. Call 763-478-6661 for more information, or visit the website www.medinaentertainment.com. The Medina Entertainment Center is located at 500 Highway 55. Highway 55/County Road 116 Project A design consultant was recently selected by Hennepin County and the City of Medina to complete the project design for the TH55/CR116 intersection project. A conceptual lay- out of the intersection project was previously prepared by the City in November 2008. In the next few months, the design consultant will work with the City, Hennepin County and the Minnesota Depart- ment of Transportation to schedule open houses and on-site meetings with businesses to discuss design elements and im- pacts of the project. A project newsletter will also be distrib- uted to provide more regular updates of the project work. This final design phase of the project is expected to be completed in late 2011. Construction of the intersection pro- ject will not occur until additional federal funding is made available to the project. Uptown Hamel Skating/Sledding Social Saturday, February 12th, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Community members are invited to attend the Uptown Hamel Skating/Sledding Social on Saturday, February 12th from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Hamel Legion Park. The festivities will be centralized around the Hamel Commu- nity Building, ice skating rink, sledding hill, and fire pit. The Uptown Hamel Business Group is sponsor- ing the event and will be serving hot apple cider and making s’mores. For more information visit the Uptown Hamel Business Group website at https://uptownhamel.com or call Fortin Health and Wellness Clinic at 763-478-3978. 8th Annual Freeze Your Buns Run 5k Run & Walk Sunday, February 6th, 9:45 a.m. The Hamel Lions will be hosting the 8th annual Freeze your Buns Runs/5k Run & Walk on Sunday, February 6th at 9:45 a.m. beginning at the Hamel Community Building, 3200 Mill Drive. This event is open to the community. A registration form can be found on the Hamel Lion’s website at www.hamellions.org. Community Forum on Recycling February 22nd from 6-8 p.m. What's up with recycling? Hennepin County wants to know how to get your friends and neighbors to recycle and compost more. Join us for a lively discussion on how we can move towards a goal zero waste to landfills on Tuesday, February 22 from 6-8 p.m. at the Hamel Community Build- ing, 3200 Mill Drive, Medina, MN 55340. Residents will receive a free reusable tote bag for attend- ing the event. The County has been discussing ways to improve recy- cling by increasing participation and recycling more. The County will briefly provide some background and present policy options. The rest of the time will be dedicated to an exchange of ideas. Everyone is welcome to attend. The County wants your feedback and input to find out what is effective and feasible. Please R.S.V.P by February 17th to Jodi Gallup at 763- 473-8850 or email jodi.gallup@ci.medina.mn.us. City Facilities Review The City continues to review and refine options for a new public works facility that would be relocated to a new site in Medina. In addition to reviewing the options for the public works facility, the City is also reconsidering short and long- term options for the Medina police and City Hall facilities. In detail, the City Council will be evaluating over the next few months the site and facility options, project cost esti- mates, impact to taxpayers and utility users, project timelines, financing alternatives, and public information and education on the projects. More information on the facility projects will be available in coming months via the City’s website, Medina Message news- letter, discussion at City Council meetings, and more special project newsletters.