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HomeMy Public PortalAboutAugust - Sept 2008 Newsletter 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 Official Newspaper South Crow River News 33 2nd Street NE , Box 280 Osseo, MN 55369 Telephone Number: 763-425-3323 Mayor Tom Crosby 612-766-8605 City Council Carolyn Smith 763-475-1003 Daniel Johnson 763-473-0744 Elizabeth Weir 763-473-3226 Joe Cavanaugh...…763-473- 5123 City Administrator Chad M. Adams….763-473- 4643 e-mail: chad.adams@ci.medina.mn.us City Council Meetings First & third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Planning Commission Jeff Pederson, Chair Charles Nolan Mary Verbick Robin Reid Michele Litts Victoria Reid Jim Simons Planning Commission Meetings Second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Park Commission Ann Thies, Chair Madeleine Linck Brian Kingsley Galen Bruer Ben Benson Beth Nielsen Peter Lecy Park Commission Meetings Third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Newsletter Editor City Administrator Chad M. Adams Other Contributors Jodi Wunsch 2052 County Road 24, Medina MN 55340 2052 County Road 24, Medina MN 55340 www.ci.medina.mn.us Inside this issue: Medina Celebration Day...........................Pg. 1 Business Opportunity at Celebration Day.Pg. 1 Logo Design Contest.................................Pg. 1 New Laws for Teen Drivers......................Pg. 2 National Night Out....................................Pg. 2 Upcoming Street Projects..........................Pg. 2 Medina Fire Advisory Board ....................Pg. 2 2008 Election Information ........................Pg. 3 German Liberal Cemetery.........................Pg. 3 County Road Turn Back............................Pg. 3 Recreation Program Open House..............Pg. 3 New Special Events Ordinance ...................Pg. 4 Budget Open House..................................Pg. 4 Summary Budget Data..............................Pg. 4 2007 Financial Statements ........................Pg. 4 Lake Independence Grant Funds...............Pg. 5 Cool Summer Tips for Saving Energy......Pg. 5 Wind Turbine Proposal .................................Pg. 5 A Bi-Monthly Newsletter of the City of Medina www.ci.medina.mn.us August/September 2008 Medina Sesquicentennial Celebration Day Saturday, September 27th The Volunteer Committee and the City of Medina are once again sponsoring Medina Celebration Day, which will be bigger and better than ever this year, as it is Medina’s Sesquicentennial Celebration (150 years since the Medina area was established). This has been an annual community event to involve residents, businesses and civic groups of Medina and is dedicated to coming together as a community to celebrate Medina’s past, present and future. The event will take place on Saturday, September 27, 2008 from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Hamel Community Building and Hamel Legion Park, located at 3200 Mill Drive. Celebration Day will kick off at 3:30 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Hamel Road Construction Project, followed by a kiddie parade, featuring costumes from years gone by and free rides on the antique fire truck (weather permitting). The rest of the evening holds the following fun filled events: ► Historical Display Contest (call for details) ► Bingo, put on by the Hamel Lions ► Medina Food Vendors ► Medina Business Expo, including a Farmers Market ► Old Fashioned Lawn Games ► Pumpkin Painting, Games & Prizes ► Clown Creating Balloon Art ► Face Painting ► Hair Braiding ► Bonfire and S’mores ► Grand Finale of the evening will be a large fireworks display at 8:00 p.m. or dusk, provided by donations from the Me- dina businesses and residents. If you are interested in volunteering at the event or on the planning commit- tee, donating, or have questions, contact Linda or Jodi at the City of Medina at (763) 473-4643. Logo Design Contest The City of Medina is sponsoring a logo design contest to update the logo of the City of Medina. The logo will be used for park signs, city signs, city letterhead, police department vehicles and identification, public works vehicles, website and more. Logo designs must reflect the community’s character and include the words “City of Medina”. Submittal deadline is Friday, August 29, 2008. Additional contest rules and logo design specifications can be found on the City’s website at www.ci.medina.mn.us or call City Hall for details. 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 27th from 4-7 p.m. Participating Medina businesses will be asked to set up their own booth. Businesses may want to provide promotional products, prize drawings, children’s games, or historical pieces on their business. Businesses that would like to set up a booth, need to preregister by Sep- tember 15th with Linda Lane at 763-473-4643 or email Linda.lane@ci.medina.mn.us. City Calendar Se p t e m b e r ► 1st Mon—City Offices Closed (Holiday) ► 2nd Tues—City Council 7:00 pm ► 9th Tues—Primary Election 7am to 8 pm ► 10th Wed—Planning Commission 7:00 pm ► 16th Tues—City Council 7:00 pm ► 17th Wed—Park Commission 7:00 pm ► 20th Sat—Council Office Hours 9 am to 11 am ► 7th Tues—City Council 7:00 pm ► 13th Mon—City Offices Closed (Holiday) ► 14th Tues—Planning Commission 7:00 pm ► 18th Sat—Council Office Hours 9 am to 11 am ► 21st Tues—City Council 7:00 pm ► 22nd Wed—Park Commission 7:00 pm ► All meetings at City Hall unless otherwise noted. ► Meeting agendas on web site when available. Oc t o b e r ► 5th Tues—National Night Out ► 6th Wed—City Council 7:00 pm ► 12th Tues—Planning Commission 7:00 pm ► 14th Thu—Budget Open House 7 pm @ HCB ► 19th Tues—City Council 7:00 pm ► 20th Wed—Park Commission 7:00 pm Au g u s t Public Safety & Public Works Page 2 Medina Fire Advisory Board The City of Medina City Council recently appointed a Medina Fire Advisory Board to review options for long-term fire services in the community. A recent Fire Services Report delivered to the City Council by Medina staff in June indicated the need for a fire services plan to address the growth potential in the City’s defined urban service area. Medina’s population is currently 5,000 and is projected to reach about 11,000 by 2030. In addition to the projected growth, the recruitment of future fire fighters has been identified as a challenge. Medina presently contracts with four fire departments, Hamel Volunteer Fire Department (VFD), Loretto Volunteer Fire Department (VFD), Long Lake Fire Department and Maple Plain Fire Department to provide fire services. The Hamel VFD and Loretto VFD provide fire service coverage for nearly 80% of Medina’s land area, which also represents the projected population growth area in the community. The Advisory Board is focusing primarily on the existing Hamel VFD and Loretto VFD services areas for long-term fire service coverage options. The Advisory Board is currently evaluating three options for long-term fire service coverage in the Hamel VFD and Loretto VFD service areas: One, maintain an existing contractual relationship with the Hamel VFD and Loretto VFD to meet Medina’s growth needs; Two, facilitate a merger between the Hamel VFD and Loretto VFD to maximize resources, equipment and services with later considera- tion of the City of Medina assuming a facilitating or ownership role; and, three, construct a central fire facility within Medina’s urban growth area and maintain contractual relationships with fire service providers to operate the facility and provide fire services. Current members of the Medina Fire Advisory Board include City Council Members Dan Johnson and Joe Cavanaugh, Hamel VFD Chief Brandon Guest, Loretto VFD Chief Herb Koch, Medina Police Chief Ed Belland and Medina City Administrator Chad Adams. A report is scheduled to be delivered to the Medina City Council on October 7th. National Night Out Tuesday, August 5, 2008 Neighborhoods throughout Medina are invited to join the Medina Police Department, along with thousands of communi- ties nationwide, on Tuesday, August 5th, 2008 to participate in the 25th Annual National Night Out Celebration. Medina Police Officers, Firefight- ers and City Council members will attend and participate in neighbor- hood parties throughout the city. If you have any questions, please call Tom Gregory or Josh McKinley at the Medina Police Department at 763-473-9209. Upcoming Street Projects: Seal Coating in Foxberry Farms & Hunter Lions Park Seal coating will be performed in Foxberry Farms and Hunter Lions Park during the month of August. The roads will be posted “no parking” the day before, as the streets need to be clear to apply the seal coat. Once the seal coat is applied, parking will be allowed on the street. As part of the seal coating, loose rock will be on the streets for up to 3 weeks before it is swept which ensures a good bond and keeps the oil from being exposed. The Public Works department appreciates your patience during the work. If you have questions, please call Public Works Superintendent Steve Scherer at 763-473-4643. New Laws for Newly Licensed Teen Drivers As of August 1, 2008 critical new laws will help teens hone their driving skills during the first year of licensure by reducing exposure to two high-risk situations: carrying teen passengers and driving at night. Minnesota teen drivers are overrepresented in fatal traffic crashes each year — due to driver inexperience, distractions, night- time driving, speeding and seat belt non-use. A nighttime driving limitation during the first six months of licensure prohibits teens from driving from midnight to 5 a.m. — unless the teen is driving when accompanied by a licensed driver age 25 or older. Other exceptions include driving between home and place of employment; driving to/from home and a school event for which the school has not provided transportation; or driving for em- ployment purposes. The nighttime limitation is lifted after the first six months of licensure. There are also new teen passenger limitations. For the first six months of licensure only one passenger under the age of 20 is permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. During the second six months of licensure, no more than three passengers under the age of 20 are permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Passengers under age 20 who are members of the immedi- ate family are permitted for both periods. Another new law — impacting all drivers — is a ban on texting or accessing the Web on a wireless device while driving. The Medina Police Department encourages parents to supervise their teen drivers. Set a good example with safe driving, using your seatbelts and putting the electronic devices away. Have a safe sum- mer! Page 5 Environment & Planning Wind Turbine Proposal - Planning Commission Public Hearing Hennepin County is seeking approval to install a new wind turbine at their Public Works cam- pus, located at 1600 Prairie Drive. This tower would play an integral part in Hennepin County’s con- tinuing efforts in providing sustainable and “greener” energy systems and to help supplement or re- duce the County’s overall energy needs for their own properties. The wind turbine will be of the same design and style as shown in the photo to the right, which are two 1.65 MW turbines built by Carlton College and St. Olaf College of Northfield, Minnesota, in 2004. Hennepin County is requesting to build a single wind turbine on the west edge of their public works facility site within two years of city approvals. The turbine would stand 262 feet from the ground to the upper hub or generator and up to 370 feet in total height to the upper-most tip of the blades. For reference, the existing radio tower located on the north edge of the same site is approxi- mately 420 feet in overall height. The turbine will be equipped with an electrical generator capable of producing up to a range of 1,500 to 2,100 kilo-Watt (also referred to 1.5 -2.1 mega-Watt) of power. The energy produced from this turbine would generate electricity equivalent to power the annual needs of approximately 450 single-family homes. A public hearing will be held on this request before the Medina Planning Commis- sion on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 7:00 PM, City Council Chambers, City Hall, 2052 County Road 24, Medina, Minnesota. Those interested are welcome to attend and participate in the hearing process, and voice your support or concerns related to this proposal. Residents and property owners located within one-mile of the Hennepin County facility will receive an official notice letter from the City as well. If you have questions or concerns prior to this public hearing, please call the city’s Planning Department at (763) 473-4643 or Hennepin County representative Mr. Tony Hainault at (612) 348-3059. Photo: 1.65 MW Wind Turbine Carlton College, Northfield, MN Cool Summer Tips for Saving Energy 1. If you are using air-conditioning, set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The less the difference is between the indoor and outdoor tem- peratures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. 2. Run your dishwasher, washing machine and dryer early or late at night when it’s cooler to avoid adding un- wanted heat into the home. 3. Shade your home. With awnings, window shades or blinds and large shade trees, your home will be cooler. 4. Check to make sure the seals on your windows are tight and the ducts are sealed properly. 5. Remember that proper levels of insulation are impor- tant for maintaining consistent temperatures in both summer and winter. 6. Use interior fans to spread the air more evenly in the home. 7. Switch to compact fluorescent lights. They use up to 75 percent less energy than standard lights and give off less heat; saving you money. 8. Don’t place lamps or TVs near the thermostat. The thermostat senses heat and could cause your air condi- tioner to run longer than necessary. Source: Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association Lake Independence Watershed Grant Funds Available Early in 2007 the State of Minnesota, granted $410,000 to the Pioneer-Sarah Creek Watershed Management Commission (PSCWMC) to fund water quality control work in the Lake Independ- ence watershed. This spring the Commission expanded the program to offer op- portunities for funding a broader range of land uses and property own- ers. The revised program now includes money available to landown- ers for cropland, urban land and residential land water quality prac- tices. The program is designed to help landowners with cost-sharing assistance to install water quality practices on their property that will reduce nutrients flowing into Lake Independence. The nutrient reduc- tion will in turn help the lakes water quality by decreasing algal blooms which will significantly increase the clarity of the lake over time. The types of practices that can be funded include: rain gardens, consultation service for nutrient management on cropland, buffers for wetlands streams and lakes, wetland restoration, shoreline restoration and stabilization and other infiltration/filtration types of practices. Also included in the expanded docket are animal manure stockpile removal, manure hauling services, manure storage facilities, exclusion fencing and runoff management. Rates for cost sharing are 75% fund- ing from the grant money and 25% funding by the landowner. More information is available by contacting the Commission’s Technical Advisor, James Kujawa, Hennepin County Environmental services, 612.348.7338, or James.Kujawa@co.hennepin.mn.us. Page 4 Administration & Finance 2007 Financial Statements The City’s 2007 Audited Financial Statements can be found on the City’s website at www.ci.medina.mn.us. Budget Open House August 14, 2008 The City Council will be hosting a budget open house at the Hamel Community Building, 3200 Mill Drive, at 7pm to pro- vide an overview and solicit pub- lic input on the 2009 budget planning process. The City must approve and certify a prelimi- nary tax levy to Hennepin County by September 15th. For the 2009—2011 budg- ets, the City is subject to tax levy caps that were signed into law from the 2009 State Legislative Session. An overview of the levy caps will be provided at the Open House. The City will also update the public on key budget issues discussed during the December 2008 budget hearings. These issues included road mainte- nance needs, environmental mandates as well as City equip- ment and facility needs. The required formal truth- in-taxation hearings on the 2009 budget will be scheduled in De- cember 2009. Council Adopts New Special Events Ordinance The Medina City Council recently adopted a new ordinance regulating special events. The ordinance establishes a process to review applications for special events held within the City limits. A permit is needed for special events that are held on public property or for events held on private property that require the use of City Special Services (i.e. street closures, traffic rerouting, police protection, signage, street cleaning, garbage removal, etc.). The ordinance provides exemptions from permits for certain activities, defines special events needing a permit, and outlines requirements to be met for special events approved by the City. An updated Special Event Permit application can be picked up at City Hall or found on the City’s website at www.ci.medina.mn.us. Contact Jodi Wunsch with any questions at 763-473-4643. Page 3 General Information 2008 Primary and General Election Information Election season is fast approaching! Please use the following information for your reference: ► Primary Election: Tuesday, September 9, 2008. Polls open 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ► General Election: Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Polls open 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ► Polling place for Precinct 1A: Medina City Hall, 2052 County Road 24, Medina, MN 55340 ► Polling place for Precinct 1B: Hamel Community Building, 3200 Mill Drive, Medina, MN 55340 Municipal Elections The City of Medina will have three positions on the ballot during the November General Election. The Mayor (2 year term) and two City Council (4 year terms) positions are at-large positions, representing all Medina residents. Persons interested in running for these offices may file at City Hall. The filing period opens at 8:00 a.m. on August 26, 2008 and closes at 5:00 p.m. on September 9, 2008. Absentee Voting Minnesota law allows for a person to apply to vote by absentee ballot if they are unable to vote in person on election day because they are: 1) absent from home precinct; 2) ill or disabled; 3) an election judge serving in a precinct other than their own; or 4) unable to go to polling place due to a religious observance or belief. Residents may contact City Hall to obtain an absentee application, and also may stop by City Hall during regular business hours to fill out absentee materials. Additionally, City Hall will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 6th and Saturday November 1st for absentee voting. Please contact Election Coordinator Jodi Wunsch at (763) 473-4643 or jodi.wunsch@ci.medina.mn.us for further information. County Road Turn Back Sept. 16th Council Meeting In October 2007 City Council re- quested Hennepin County to review the turn back of County State Aid Highway 115 (Hamel Road) and County Road 201 (Homestead Trail and Parkview Drive) to the City of Medina. The Council will be discussing the turn back request again on September 16th. Hennepin County has indicated to the City that they were not interested in turning back CSAH 115 to the City. However, Hennepin County is amenable to the turn back of CR 201 and is pre- pared to begin formal discussions. The City will send residents along Homestead Tr. and Parkview Dr. a letter in early September notifying them of the meeting as well as possible future costs of road maintenance if the City assumes ownership. Public input will be welcomed at the September 16th Council meeting. Recreation Program Open House August 20th - 6 p.m. The City is in the process of evaluating its Hamel Legion Park recreational facili- ties, particularly the ball fields, for the pur- pose of future management, programming, and capital improvements. On August 20 at 6:00 p.m., the Parks Commission is hosting an Open House at City Hall concerning this evaluation and future planning. Community participation is highly en- couraged as the Parks Commission investi- gates the scope of management, operations and improvements to the ball field facilities. During the Open House, possible future improvements to the fields including a con- cessions building, installation of game lights and improvements to the current condition of the fields will be discussed. For questions concerning this Open House please call Administration Intern Kim Ann at (763) 473-4643. German Liberal Cemetery August 19th Council Meeting The German Liberal Cemetery Association (GLCA), a 501 (c)13 organization that cur- rently maintains the German Liberal Cemetery located at 2695 Hamel Road, has requested the City of Medina to consider assuming ownership and maintenance control of the cemetery. The GLCA was incorporated in 1892 and has acknowledged experiencing difficulties with membership and their ability to maintain the cemetery and record keeping. At the August 19th City Council meeting, the City will consider the request and solicit public comment from neighboring properties and the general public. Options may include ownership with limited burials or a sunset pro- vision, closing the cemetery under City owner- ship, assisting the GLCA with maintenance, or assuming no involvement with the cemetery. Policy issues such as City budget impact and public health and safety will also be dis- cussed at the August 19th meeting.