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HomeMy Public PortalAboutFeb-Mar 2009 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 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 Fe b r u a r y ► 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. Ma r c h 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.