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Home My Public Portal AboutAug Sept 2010City Calendar August 4th Wed—City Council 7:00 pm 11th Wed—Planning Commission 7:00 pm 17th Tues—City Council 7:00 pm 18th Wed—Park Commission 7:00 pm 24th Tues—Planning Commission 7:00 pm September 6th Mon—City Offices Closed (Holiday) 7th Tues—Budget Open House 6:00 pm 7th Tues—City Council 7:00 pm 14th Tues—Planning Commission 7:00 pm 15th Wed—Park Commission 7:00 pm 21st Tues—City Council 7:00 pm All meetings at City Hall unless otherwise noted. Meeting agendas on web site when available. Upcoming Public Hearings/Meetings Planning Commission Public Hearings at 7 p.m. at City Hall The following projects are currently under review and are likely to be reviewed by the Planning Commission at an upcoming Public Hearing. Contact the Plan- ning Department at (763) 473-4643 for more information, or if you live near one of the projects, watch your mailbox for a notice of the Public Hearing. The following projects are under review: “The Enclave of Medina” subdivision – 3212 Hunter Drive – Lennar Corporation – proposed residential subdivision to include 134 single family homes and 41 townhomes on an existing 111 acre parcel. The request includes a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Rezoning, and Preliminary Plat. The Planning Commission began a Public Hearing at its July 13 meeting and requested a number of changes to the proposed plan. The Public Hearing will be continued at an upcoming Commis- sion meeting. Rezonings – the City’s updated 2010-2030 Comprehensive Plan made a number of changes to the types of land use which are planned for nu- merous properties throughout the City. The City is now required to update the zoning of properties to be consistent with the updated Plan. “Fortuna Farms” subdivision – 1425 Tamarack Drive – proposed subdi- vision of existing 43 acres parcel into three rural lots. “Hunter Ridge Farm” subdivision – 1382 Hunter Drive – proposed sub- division of existing 13 acre parcel into two lots. Upcoming Planning Commission meetings are scheduled for August 11, Au-gust 24, and September 14. Planning Commission meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. As the Hearings are closer, please inquire with the Planning Department related to when each of the projects described above will be sched- uled. Inside this issue: Night to Unite Celebration.................Pg. 1 2011 Budget Open House..................Pg. 1 Diseased Tree Awareness...................Pg. 2 Report Erosion Problems...................Pg. 2 Choose to Reuse Today Coupons.....Pg. 2 Household Hazardous Waste.............Pg. 2 Medina Youth Recognized.................Pg. 3 County Road 116 Trail........................Pg. 3 Grants Benefiting Community...........Pg. 3 Medina Celebration Day...................Insert Business Opportunities.....................Insert City Council Office Hours City Council Saturday Office Hours will reconvene in September and continue on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at City Hall. The office hours are an informal setting and serve as an opportunity for residents to bring your thoughts to elected officials for a better Medina. DON’T MISS THE MEDINA CELEBRATION DAY FLIER INSIDE THIS ISSUE 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 Carolyn Smith 763-475-1003 Daniel Johnson 763-473-0744 Elizabeth Weir 763-473-3226 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 Aug / Sept 2010 2011 Budget Open House September 7th at 6:00 p.m. The City of Medina will be hosting a budget open house on Tuesday, September 7th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Medina City Hall. A brief presentation on the proposed 2011 budget and tax levy will be provided at 6:00 p.m., followed by a ques- tion and answer session between Medina residents and City officials. Display boards will also be available for resident review and posted in the Council Chambers for pub- lic review following the meeting. The City Council will also be considering a resolution to approve the preliminary tax levy during the regular Council meeting that begins at 7:00 p.m. The City is re- quired to certify the preliminary tax levy to Hennepin County by September 15th. Night to Unite Celebration Tuesday, August 3rd (previously known as National Night Out) Neighborhoods throughout Medina and Loretto are invited to join the Medina Police Department along with thousands of communities nationwide to participate in the Night to Unite celebration on Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010. Medina Police Officers, Firefighters and City Council members will stop by and participate in neighborhood parties throughout the city. Night to Unite is an opportunity to: Heighten awareness of drug and crime prevention efforts Generate support and participation in crime prevention efforts Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community relations Let criminals know that neighborhoods are organized and willing to fight back Your participation in the “Night to Unite” will show neighborhood strength, in- crease the police/resident bond, and make our community an overall safer and more enjoyable place to live. Night to Unite get-togethers can be as extravagant as a cookout or pool party or as simple as an ice cream social. Call the police department with your party plans and times at 763-473-9209 by Wednesday, July 28th. By doing this, we will arrange a visit from the police and fire departments as well as city council members. Also by registering your party ahead of time, you will get party supplies donated by Target. If you have any questions please call Anne Klaers Grothe at the Medina Police Department at 763-473-9209 or email her at anne@ci.medina.mn.us. Page 2 Aug / Sept 2010 Public Works & Environment Diseased Tree Awareness It is the time of year again that diseased trees start show- ing their symptoms. The City will be making an effort to clean up its right-of-way and other properties the City owns. The City is asking landowners in the City to keep an eye out for trees showing disease symptoms, such as Ash Borer and Dutch Elm, and removing and/or treating them. There are guidelines to follow when removing and treating diseased trees. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture website (www.mda.state.mn.us/invasives) has a considerable amount of information on how to identify and handle diseased trees. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call Steve Scherer, Public Works Superintendent, at 763-473-4643. Report Erosion Problems With recent heavy rains, the City is asking residents to be on the lookout for erosion problems that may need attention by the Public Works Department. The City makes every at- tempt to keep an eye out for erosion problems that arise, but also looks to the public to notify the City when erosion con- cerns are spotted. Choose to Reuse Today Coupons Available Hennepin County has partnered with 80 reuse retailers to offer Choose to Reuse Today coupons that can be redeemed for discounts from Oct. 1 - Nov. 30. Pick up a coupon book at participating retail locations, Hennepin County Service Centers, Hennepin County libraries and all Three Rivers Park District locations. Copies can also be downloaded at www.hennepin.us/choosetoreuse. Reuse retailers include businesses and organizations that rent, repair, resell, consign, trade and exchange used goods. Participating retailers include Beeline Consignment Boutique, Clothes Mentor, Creative Sewing Centers, Erik’s Bike Shop, Hope Chest for Breast Cancer, Instant Replay Sports, Just Between Friends, Midwest Mountaineering, Oceantech, Sec- ond Debut, The Prop Shop and more. There has never been a better time to shop ‘reuse’. Reuse is good for the environment, stimulates the local economy and saves money. Reused items typically cost less than buying new, and reuse businesses contribute significantly to the economy. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the reuse industry in the United States employs nearly 170,000 workers and generates revenues of approxi- mately $14.1 billion. Shopping at reuse stores also benefits the local economy because most reuse businesses are owned by community members. For more information, visit www.hennepin.us/choosetoreuse or call 612-348-3777. You can also find Hennepin County’s Choose to Reuse Program on Facebook. Hennepin County Holding Household Hazardous Waste Collection in Shorewood Hennepin County and the City of Shorewood is sponsor- ing a community collection event for county residents to safely and properly dispose of their unwanted garden and household hazardous wastes. The collection events will be held: Thurs. – Sat., Sept. 16 – 18 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Shorewood Public Works Facility 24200 Smithtown Road, Shorewood The county will accept many household hazardous wastes, including: Household, Lawn and Garden Products, Adhesives, Aerosols, Batteries, Cleaners, Drain cleaner, Driveway sealer, Gas cylinders – propane less than 40 lbs.; specialty gases less than 59 lbs. will be evaluated; some may not be accepted due to management restrictions, Paint (limit three 5-gallon pails), Paint thinners, solvents and strippers, PCB ballasts (must be removed from fixtures), Pesticides, insecticides and herbicides, Photographic and hobby chemi- cals, Poisons, Pool chemicals, Rechargeable tools, Stains, Wood preservatives, Mercury-Containing Items, Fluorescent bulbs and HID lamps (limit 25), Thermostats, Thermome- ters, Electronics, Computers, DVD players and VCRS Radios, TVs, etc., Auto and fuel wastes, Diesel fuel, Fuel ad- ditives, Gasoline (containers will not be returned), Kerosene, Starter fluid, Vehicle lead-acid batteries, Waxes, No motor oil. Items are accepted from households only; business waste is not accepted. Collection events provide residents with con- venient community locations to bring their problem wastes. Collection events provide residents with convenient commu- nity locations to bring their problem wastes. As a year-round alternative to these collections, Hennepin County provides residents with permanent drop-off facilities located at 8100 Jefferson Highway, Brooklyn Park. For a complete list of acceptable and non-acceptable items or more information on drop-off facilities, call Hennepin County Environmental Services at 612-348-3777, or visit www.hennepin.us/collectionevents. Page 3 Aug / Sept 2010 County Road 116 Trail Grand Opening September 25th at 3 p.m. The City of Medina is in the process of constructing an off-road trail along the west side of County Road 116 between Trunk Highway 55 and Hackamore Road. The project should be complete within the next few weeks. On Saturday, September 25th at 3 p.m. the City will be conducting a grand opening event to recognize resi- dents and businesses that donated trail easements and all the other contributors for this project. The trail project has been on the City’s Capital Im- provement Plan for several years. The trail was confirmed as a high priority project via a City trail study completed in January 2009. Over the past few years, the City has been working on securing project funding and easements. The primary source of funding for the approximate $530,000 project is City of Medina park dedication funds, which were generated from City development project fees the past several years. The City also received a $150,000 grant from Hennepin County as a cost-share for con- structing a trail of regional significance. No City tax dol- lars were spent on the project. Community City Council Recognizes Medina Youth for Promoting Organics Recycling At the July 20th City Council Meeting, the City Council recognized Megan Bailey, Mikayla Krentz and Nicole Krentz for taking an initiative to improve the voluntary organics recycling program in Medina. The middle school girls shared their experiences with the council. Megan Bailey explained that she prepared a public service announce- ment for her class about the importance of organic recycling and the lack of participation in the organics recycling program in the City. Mikayla Krentz stated that they also organized an Earth Day celebration that included games for the kids intended to bring awareness to the kids and their families; one of the games included having the kids walk around the neighborhood trails to collect trash and the kids who collected the most trash received a prize. Nicole Krentz stated that she organized a game where six containers were placed next to a garbage can filled with trash that people would nor- mally put in their garbage. She indicated that the kids went through a line and put the object from the garbage can into its cor- rect container, such as recyclable organics, grocery bags, trash, re-useables and recycling and bottle caps. Nicole plans to set the game up at Medina Celebration Day on Saturday, September 25th to promote the organics program to the community. Council member Smith noted that in 2008, 28.69 tons of organics were collected in the City and that number increased to 32.53 tons in 2009, thanks in part to Megan Bailey, Mikayla Krentz and Nicole Krentz. The City began offering organics collection in January 2008 through Randy’s Environmental Services. Organics recycling allows you to recycle your food scraps and food-soiled paper into compost. Organics makes up approximately 25% of what we throw away. Organics collection is picked up every Wednesday along with your garbage service. The addition of organics is only $4 a month, and it reduces your recycle bill from $2.20 to $1.70 per month. By participating in this program, you can also reduce your monthly trash service by obtaining a smaller container or even every other week collection. Contact Randy’s Environmental Services at 763-972-3335 to sign up for organics collection, change your level of garbage service, or if you have any questions. Recent Grants Benefiting Community A number of current City grant awards and programs are benefiting the community in a variety of capacities: ► Hennepin Youth Sports Program—The $100,000 grant is being used to complete the Hamel Field House. ► Hennepin County Trail Grant—The $150,000 grant award was allocated to the 116 trail project (see right). ► Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, Cynthia Krieg Stew- ardship Fund—The City is using the $7,000 grant to provide workshops, a survey, and newsletter articles on manure and horse best management practices. ► MN Department of Natural Resources—The City used the $7,000 grant to complete the recently adopted Conservation Design Ordinance. ► Clean Water Legacy—The City established a Lake Independ- ence shoreline restoration and buffering program to reduce the levels of phosphorous in the lake with the $35,000 re- ceived from the State. ► Minnesota City Management Association—The $5,000 grant was awarded to hire a City Management Intern to assist with various City project work and research. Schedule of Events: 4:00 - 7:30 p.m. - business expo, farmers market, food vendors, bingo 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. – family fun activities may include face painting, hair braiding, rides on the antique fire truck, “Smokey” the bear, K-9 demonstration, “McGruff” the crime dog, inflatable bounce toy, petting zoo, pumpkin painting, games, bonfire and s’mores, etc. 7:30 p.m. - prize drawings and short recognition ceremony. 8:00 p.m. (or at dusk) - The GRAND FINALE of the evening will be a large FIREWORKS display, provided by donations from Medina businesses and residents. Saturday, September 25, 2010 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. FAMILY FUN MMEEDDIINNAA CCEELLEEBBRRAATTIIOONN DDAAYY Hamel Legion Park, 3200 Mill Drive (Behind the Hamel Post Office) If you are interested in volunteering at the event or on the planning committee, donating, or have questions, contact Linda or Jodi at the City of Medina at (763) 473-4643. Business Opportunities at Medina Celebration Day Medina businesses and local farmers are encouraged to participate in the Business Expo at this year’s Medina Celebration Day on Saturday, September 25th from 4-7:30 p.m. Businesses may want to highlight their business and what it offers to the community; as well as offer games for the kids, coupons, drawings, or other give-a-ways. Participating Medina businesses will be asked to set up their own booth. Businesses that would like to set up a booth, need to preregister by September 13th. A registration form can be found on the City of Medina’s website at www.ci.medina.mn.us or contact Linda Lane at 763-473-4643 or email Linda.lane@ci.medina.mn.us. A Message from the Celebration Day Committee Fundraising Representatives: The committee is once again looking to businesses, as well as residents, for donations towards the celebration in order to make it a memorable event for all. Your potential tax deductible donation can be directed towards the fireworks display, a specific event, or prizes for games and/or drawings. Each donating business will be recognized at the event, as well as after the event. Donations can be made out to City of Medina and mailed to 2052 County Road 24, Medina, MN 55340; or if you prefer, one of the fundraising committee members listed below can stop by to pick up your donation; call Sharrie Flaig at 763-473-4764 to schedule a donation to be picked up. Thank you in advance for any help you can give. Sincerely, Sharrie Flaig and Marge Miller Fund Raising Representatives Medina Celebration Day Committee