HomeMy Public PortalAboutFeb-Mar 2009
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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
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 …….. 612-719-2453
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
2052 County Road 24, Medina MN 55340
Website: www.ci.medina.mn.us
Inside this issue:
Transparent Government...........................Pg. 1
Crime Alert Network.................................Pg. 2
Winter Park Regulations............................Pg. 2
Hwy 55/Co Rd 116 Intersection ................Pg. 2
Annual City Clean-Up Day........................Pg. 2
Salt & Sand Ice Control.............................Pg. 2
New TMDL’s for Impaired Waters...........Pg. 2
Field House/Concession Building .............Pg. 3
Workshop for Small Acreage Owners.......Pg. 3
Park Commissioner Seat Open..................Pg. 3
New Transportation Resource ...................Pg. 3
2009 Budget...............................................Pg. 4
The Digital Television Transition..............Pg. 5
Local Board of Appeal & Equalization .....Pg. 5
Comprehensive Plan Submittal..................Pg. 5
South Crow River News Coupon...............Pg. 5
e-mail: city@ci.medina.mn.us
General City Information
Upcoming Public Hearings/Meetings
Special Assessment Policy—Tuesday, February 17,
2009, 7:00 p.m. at City Hall—The purpose of the pro-
posed draft special assessment policy is to define a consistent
method for assessing public infrastructure projects to bene-
fited properties. For example, the policy outlines how differ-
ent classification of roads (i.e. urban vs. rural, local vs. col-
lector) will be assessed.
Residents will have the opportunity to provide comments
during the meeting to the City Council on the proposed pol-
icy, which may be obtained at City Hall or on the City’s
website. Per the City’s Pavement Management Program, the
following roads are planned to receive improvements in 2009
and may be affected by the special assessment policy: Pio-
neer Trail (between Hamel Road and Willow Dr.), Sycamore
Trail, Ridgeview Circle, Elm Creek Drive, and the Cherry
Hill development streets.
If the City moves forward with the 2009 street projects
and assessment policy, separate public hearing notices will
be sent to affected property owners later this spring.
City Calendar
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► 3rd Tues—City Council 7:00 pm
► 10th Tues—Planning Commission 7:00 pm
► 16th Mon—City Offices Closed (Holiday)
► 17th Tues—City Council 7:00 pm
► 18th Wed—Park Commission 7:00 pm
► 21st Sat—Council Office Hours 9 am to 11 am
► 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
► 21st Sat—Council Office Hours 9 am to 11 am
A Bi-Monthly Newsletter of the City of Medina www.ci.medina.mn.us February/March 2009
► All meetings at City Hall unless otherwise noted.
► Meeting agendas on web site when available.
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Transparent Government
To keep residents more informed on City issues, events
and meetings, the following outline includes options to stay
informed and receive more public information:
1. Attend a City Meeting—City Council meetings are held the first and
third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. The Planning
Commission meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at
City Hall. The Park Commission meets the third Wednesday of each
month at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. 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 resi-
dents since the City does not publish the minutes in a legal newspa-
per. If you would like to be added to the regular mail or email notifi-
cation minutes/agendas list, contact Jodi Gallup at 763-473-4643 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. 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. Normally, one or two members of the Council will be present during the
office hours. The office hours will continue on the 3rd Saturday of each month with the exception of June, July and August.
Residents are encouraged to check the City’s website for scheduling confirmation/cancellation.
4. Contact Your Local Elected Official or City Hall—The Mayor and Council members may be reached via phone or e-mail as
referenced below 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 pro-
jects, departments, events and activities are updated on a regular basis at www.ci.medina.mn.us.
6. Read the South Crow River News—The City has selected the South Crow River News as its 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 Medina community news. To subscribe to the newspaper, see the coupon on page five of this news-
letter. Articles related to City issues may also be viewed online at www.pressnews.com/south_crow_river_news/news.
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 information to affected parties to notify residents of upcoming discussions, projects or proposals.
Mayor Tom Crosby
(612) 332-9111
tom.crosby@ci.medina.mn.us
Councilor Carolyn Smith
(612) 558-1556
carolyn.smith@ci.medina.mn.us
Councilor Dan Johnson
(763) 473-0744
dan.johnson@ci.medina.mn..us
Councilor Mike Siitari
(612) 719-2453
mike.siitari@ci.medina.mn.us
Councilor Elizabeth Weir
(763) 473-3226
elizabeth.weir@ci.medina.mn.us
Public Safety & Public Works
Page 2
Reminder: Winter Parking
Regulations are in Effect
There is no parking on the streets of Medina between
1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. The regulations are in effect until
March 31st. The police enforce this ordinance to keep the
streets clear for snowplowing. If you have any questions
in reference to the parking ordinance, please call the po-
lice department at 763-473-9209.
Crime Alert Network
Starting in 2009, the Medina Police Department will
be establishing a crime alert network for the residents and
business owners of Medina. The Department is asking that
you send an email to Medina Police if you are interested in
being on the list for any crime alert information.
In the recent past, Medina had a suspicious male, driv-
ing a van, approach a child and offer him a ride home. In
another area of the city, Medina has been experiencing
automobile break-ins and burglaries. Medina Police de-
sires to instantly notify residents, by email, of particular a
crime or crimes occurring in their neighborhoods. This
information would be put out directly to residents to take
necessary precautions and assist Medina Police in report-
ing any suspicious activity.
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”. Please include your name, ad-
dress and phone number in your email. Your email ad-
dress will be added to the list for the crime alerts. If you
have any questions, please feel free to contact the Medina
Police Department at 763-473-9209.
Annual City Clean-Up Day
Saturday, April 25th
Clean-up Day is fast approaching, so start thinking about spring
cleaning, as well as if you would be interested in volunteering on that
day. Residents that volunteer their time are not charged for items brought
to Clean-up Day, other than appliances, and have the opportunity to pick
through and take any items you may find to be treasures.
Clean-up Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 25th from 8:00 a.m. to
2:00 p.m. The next Medina Message newsletter, which will be sent out
the end of March, will contain all the details related to disposal costs of
each item, as well as other valuable information. The City will once again
be selling several varieties of trees at a reasonable cost, and will also be
providing refreshments to volunteers.
Salt & Sand Ice Control/Storm Water Reporting
Salt and/or sand used on sidewalks at residences or businesses for ice
control ultimately end up in our lakes and rivers. Please use sparingly!
The City of Medina always considers safety first, but is also making
a very conscious effort to use less salt and sand to cut down on the envi-
ronmental impact. Although the City does not have a bare pavement pol-
icy, the City tries to achieve one as best possible on the collector roads.
Salt and sand is used very sparingly on non-collector roads, with higher
application at intersections for safety purposes.
New TMDL’s for Impaired Bodies of Water
The City recently received presentations from Three Rivers Park
District on a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Lake Sarah in De-
cember and Elm Creek in January. Both bodies of water have been des-
ignated as “impaired” on the Federal Clean Water Act’s 303(d) list.
To improve the water quality
of the two water bodies, the City is
working with the Three Rivers
Park District, local Watershed
Management Commissions, and
neighboring communities to create
an implementation plan for making
improvements.
The primary impairment listed
for Lake Sarah is high phospho-
rous loading, while the primary
impairment for Elm Creek is dissolved oxygen. The City is already im-
plementing improvements to Lake Independence as it was previously
listed as an impaired body of water due also to high phosphorous loading.
A variety of improvements are being explored for the water bodies,
and may include rain gardens, buffer strips, manure management, runoff
management and education and outreach.
To fund the improvements, the City has been receiving and applying
for grant funds from the State’s Clean Water Legacy fund, Minnehaha
Creek Watershed District and MN Department of Natural Resources.
The City has been matching grant funds and implementing improvements
from the recently created Storm Water Utility.
Hwy. 55/County Road 116 Intersection
A preliminary concept layout was approved by the
City Council on November 18, 2008 for the reconstruction
of the Highway 55 intersection at CR116/CSAH115. The
City has sent the layout to MnDOT and Hennepin County
for comments and has reserved the right to withdraw the
project if concerns are not sufficiently addressed.
The scope of the project includes additional turn lanes
from southbound CR116, as well as access management
along Highway 55, backage road constructions, and a traf-
fic signal at CR116 and Clydesdale Trail. Right-Of-Way
acquisition is scheduled to begin in 2009.
In addition to working with MnDOT and Hennepin
County, the City will continue to evaluate alternatives for
the project with affected business owners. The prelimi-
nary concept layout may be viewed on the City’s website.
Funding for the improvement project will include 80%
federal funding from the Highway 55 Corridor Coalition,
and 20% funding from MnDOT, Hennepin County, and
the City of Medina.
Page 5
General Information
The Digital Television (DTV) Transition: What You Need to Know
On February 17, 2009, all full-power broadcast television stations are required to stop broadcasting in analog and continue broadcast-
ing in digital only. This is known as the digital television (DTV) transition.
If you have a new television with a digital tuner or subscribe to a pay service such as cable or satellite, you can already receive digital
broadcasts. However, if you watch television using "rabbit ears" or a rooftop antenna, you must take one of the following actions to re-
ceive digital broadcasts: Connect your television to a digital-to-analog converter box. Subscribe to a pay television service such as cable or satellite. Buy a digital television (a television with a built-in digital tuner).
If you purchase a new television, be sure to recycle your old one! Most TVs and computers contain a cathode ray tube (CRT),
which contains 2 to 8 pounds of lead. It is illegal to place electronic products containing a CRT in the garbage (Minnesota Statutes
§115A.9565).
Recycling options for televisions and other household electronics available to Twin Cities metro-area residents include:
Government recycling programs: Hennepin County takes electronics free of charge from households at
drop-off facilities in Brooklyn Park and Bloomington. Quantity limits apply.
City Clean-Up Day: The City of Medina accepts electronics for a small fee at our Annual Clean-Up Day.
Take-back programs: Some manufacturers and retailers will take back your old electronics for recycling.
Garbage haulers: Medina’s garbage and recycling hauler, Randy’s Environmental Services, will pick up
electronics for recycling at the curb for a $25 trip charge plus a processing fee. To schedule a pick up or for
price quotes on specific items call Randy’s Environmental Services at 763-972-3335.
For more information on Hennepin County’s drop-off facilities and how to recycle electronics, call 612-348-3777 or visit hennepin.us/
electronics. To find additional electronics recycling options, visit RethinkRecycling.com. For more information on the DTV transition,
visit www.dtv.gov.
Local Board of Appeal & Equalization
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
The Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting is held
for the purpose of reviewing and correcting the 2009 assessed
property values or property classification in the City of Medina.
All persons considering themselves aggrieved by said assessment
or who wish to complain that the property of another is assessed
too low, may appear at the meeting and show cause for having
such assessment corrected. No complaint that another person is
assessed too low will be acted upon until the person so assessed, or
his/her agent, shall have been notified of such complaint.
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 application
will be posted on the City’s website in March.
Comprehensive Plan Submitted to
Metropolitan Council
The City has formally submitted its 2010-2030 Comprehen-
sive Plan to the Metropolitan Council for review. Following sub-
mittal, he City received some comments from the Metropolitan
Council requesting some additional details and information. Upon
providing the additional information, the Met Council has up to
120 days to provide official comments on changes that may be
needed to the plan before final approval is granted. The City has
nine months to update its zoning ordinances upon receiving Met
Council approval and started the process early in summer 2008.
Page 4
2009 Budget
The 2009 budget and tax levy were approved by the Council on December 16, 2008. While the tax levy was not changed from
the proposed $2,724,719, the 2009 Budget was reduced by $65,000 and also included some deferral of projects. Projects deferred in-
cluded street improvements and a ball field fence repair. A new City Hall project was also deferred from 2010 to 2012.
The City will not receive any State Local Government Aid (LGA) in 2009 and will therefore not be impacted by any approved
State LGA cut for 2009. However, the City does depend on building permit revenues and planning development revenue to provide
staffing and operations at City Hall. A shortfall of revenues has been projected for building and planning activity for 2009 which led
to the $65,000 budget reduction. The City Council will be receiving a first-quarter 2009 budget update from staff in April and will
further analyze if additional budget spending modifications or cuts will be needed for 2009 or for 2010.
Page 3
Administration & Parks
Field House Project Underway
The official planning process for a new field house project is underway at
Hamel Legion Park. The Field House will consist of a concession area, storage,
and bathrooms. On January 20th, the Hamel Athletic Association presented the
City Council with a check in the amount of $98,458.88 to be allocated to the pro-
ject. The remaining funds for the project will come from park dedication money.
A task force has also been appointed by the City Council to lead the process.
New
Transportation
Resource
for Residents
Medina residents now have a new way to travel to
shopping, medical appointments and more.
CT RideNet, a nonprofit, recently signed a contract
with Hennepin County to provide transportation service to
17 Hennepin County cities, including Medina.
To use CT RideNet, residents can simply call 1-800-
450-6100 or visit the organization’s website,
www.CTRideNet.com, at least 24 hours before you need
a ride. Live operators help callers find transportation op-
tions in their community. If no other transportation op-
tions exist, CT RideNet provides a ride in a car, van or
handicapped-accessible vehicle. All of CT RideNet’s driv-
ers must pass background checks and physical examina-
tions.
It costs $2.50 for a one-way ride within the 17-city
service area. If residents need a ride to a location outside
the service area, CT RideNet will charge an additional
rate. The service area includes the cities of Independence,
Maple Plain, Loretto, Medina, Minnetrista, St. Bonifacius,
Mound, Spring Park, Orono, Long Lake, Minnetonka
Beach, Wayzata, Deephaven, Tonka Bay, Greenwood,
Shorewood, and Excelsior.
Pictured on Left: Hamel Athletic Association coach Dave Nelson, Mayor Tom
Crosby, Jr., Medina Resident and Fundraiser Gerry Dykhoff, and Hamel Athletic
Association President John Kastner.
Workshop for Small Acreage Owners
Do you have the dream of owning acreage in the country? Do
you have an existing acreage that is in need of a plan and strategies
for the best possible results? The Living on the Land Workshop Se-
ries, offered this spring by University of Minnesota Extension, can
help you and your family.
The eight-week course is designed to arm
landowners with agricultural information to
enable them to be good stewards of their 40-
acre (or less) tract. The course will begin with
goal setting and individual property inventory,
then address soil, plant and water basics.
The Living on the Land curriculum ad-
dresses a growing need for information regarding small acreages.
The class series incorporates knowledge and experience from a team
of instructors to address topics including: what do you have and what
do you want, what you can do with your land, water quality, protect-
ing household drinking water, how plants grow, what to do about
weeds, lawn and pasture maintenance, getting down and dirty with
soils, and a farm tour.
The series will be taught at two locations. Register for only one
location. Wednesday evenings will be held at the Rogers Community
Room from Mar. 4 – Apr. 29 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday eve-
nings will be held at the University of Minnesota Extension office in
Scott County near Jordan from Mar. 5 – Apr. 30 from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Early registration is $150 until Feb. 24 and all registrations re-
ceived after will be $175. The registration fee includes participation
of two people, for example a husband and wife team or two siblings,
who may attend together and share materials. Benefits include nu-
merous educational publications, an educational farm tour and din-
ner, a site visit consultation from a University of Minnesota Exten-
sion educator in your area, as well as the tools to help you succeed
with your goals and dreams on your country acreage.
Register now because space is limited at each location. For more
information or to register, check out the Extension online registration
website at http://umnext.cmiregistration.com/ProgramHome.aspx
under Living on the Land, or contact Betsy Gilkerson Wieland, Hen-
nepin County Extension Educator at 612-596-1175 or by email at
eliza003@umn.edu.
Park Commissioner Seat Open
The Medina Park Commission has one seat open for
appointment. The seat will be filling two years of an exist-
ing term through January 1, 2011. Application Materials
can be found on the City’s website or picked up at City
Hall.
Application deadline is Friday, February 13th or until
filled. If you have questions about the position, contact
Jodi Gallup at 763-473-4643.