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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2020 Aug-Sep NewsletterInside this issue. Vote from Home Pg. 1 Night to Unite Pg. 1 Land Use Application Under Review Pg. 2 Building Permits and Planning/Zoning Return to City Hall Pg. 2 Open to Business Program Pg. 2 Planning Commission Vacancy Pg. 2 Use Caution During Extreme Hot Pg. 3 Gift Card Scams Pg. 3 Diamond Lake Regional Trail Pg. 4 Municipal Elections — Filing for Office Pg. 5 COVID-19 City Hall Update Pg. 5 Candidate Forum Pg. 5 Police House Checks Pg. 5 Face Covering State Mandate Pg. 5 City Meeting Calendar Back 2021 Budget Open House Back Celebration Day Cancelled Back City Council Email Notifications Back City Meeting & Event Calendar August 4th Tues—City Council 7 pm llth Tues—Primary Election Day 12th Wed —Planning Commission 7 pm 18th Tues—City Council Work Session 6 pm 18th Tues City Council 7 pm 19th Wed —Park Commission 7 pm September 1st Tues—Budget Open House 6 pm 1st Tues—City Council 7 pm 7th Mon —City Offices Closed (Holiday) 8th Tues—Planning Commission 7 pm 15th Tues—City Council Work Session 6 pm 15th Tues—City Council 7 pm 16th Wed —Park Commission 7 pm Meeting agendas on website when available. G T Y 0 A MEDINA 2052 County Road 24 Medina, MN 55340.9790 2021 Budget Open House —Sept. 1st at 6 p.m. The City of Medina will be hosting a virtual budget open house on Tuesday, September 1st from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A link to the meeting will be available at: https://medinamn.us/council/. A brief presentation on the proposed 2021 budget and tax levy will be provided at 6:00 p.m., followed by a question and answer session between Medina residents and City officials. 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 required to certify the preliminary tax levy to Hennepin County in September. 2020 Medina Celebration Day —Cancelled Due to the uncertainty and unpredictability with COVID-19, this year's Medina Celebration Day event has been cancelled. While we will miss the community celebration, we are looking forward to planning for this event in 2021. City Council Agendas & Minutes Email Notifications Stay informed on what is happening at upcoming City Council meetings. The City emails copies of Council agendas and minutes at no cost to residents. If you would like to be added to the regular email notification list, email jodi.gallupnhmedinamn.gov to sign up. IVIEDINA CITY HALL 2052 County Road 24 Medina, MN 55340 p: 763-473-4643 f: 763-473-9359 e: city@medinamn.gov City Hall Office Hours Mon -Fri 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. PUBLIC SAFETY 600 Clydesdale Trail Medina, MN 55340 p: 763-473-9209 f: 763-473-8858 e: police@medinamn.gov Police Department Office Hours Mon -Fri 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Mayor Kathleen Martin 612-344-1111 City Council Jeff Pederson 612-916-6448 John Anderson 612-618-5702 Dino DesLauriers 612-812-3290 Todd Albers 763-360-5532 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 Jodi Gallup Assistant City Administrator Message A bi-monthly publication from the City of Medina Vote from the Safety of Your Home by Requesting an Absentee Ballot Today Minnesotans can submit a request today for an absentee mail ballot for the upcoming August 11th and November 3rd elections! Residents voting absentee by mail instead of in person on election day will help the City maintain social distancing at the polls. How does it work? Go to mnvotes.org and select "other ways to vote" to request your absentee ballot. Your request will be processed and queued, so Hennepin County will be able to mail you a ballot as soon as the absentee balloting period opens, which is 46 days before the election; allowing you plenty of time to review your ballot, vote, and return before Election Day. Your ballot will come with instructions and a return envelope. Voters can also track the status of their mailed ballot to ensure their vote has been counted at: https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/ AbsenteeBallotStatus.aspx. Lim 11"7"61171OUR Questions? Contact Election Coordinator Jodi Gallup at Jodi.gallup@medinamn.gov or 763-473-8850. irk NIGHT to UNITE! Neighbors Joining Together Neighborhoods throughout Medina are invited again this year to join the Medina Police Department along with thousands of communities nationwide to participate in the "Night to Unite" celebration on Tuesday, October 6, 2020. Medina Police officers, firefighters and City Council members will stop by and participate in neighborhood parties throughout the city! This is an opportunity to get to know your neighbors, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community relations, let criminals know that neighborhoods are organized and willing to assist the police, and generate support and participation in crime prevention efforts. Your participation in the "Night to Unite" will show neighborhood strength, increase resident/police 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 simple like an ice cream social. Please contact CSO Patrick Johnson at the Medina Police Department either by phone (763)-473-9209 or email patrick.johnson@medinamn.gov to arrange your party! www.medinamn.us Aug / Sep 2020 Planning Administration & Elections Land Use Applications Under Review The following land projects are currently under review by the City. For more information on one of the projects, or for an update on the review schedule, please visit https://medinamn.us/citygov/ departments/planning-zoning/ or contact the Planning Department at (763) 473-4643, ext. 1. Meadow View Townhomes — north of Highway 55, west of CR116 Lennar has applied for Preliminary Plat approval for development of 125 townhomes south of the Fields of Medina neighborhood. The applicant had previously requested review of a Concept Plan with 138 townhomes and has adjusted the plan following comments. The City Council is tentatively scheduled to review at the August 4 or August 18 meeting. Ditter Subdivision — 2032-2052 Holy Name Drive Tom and Jim Ditter have requested various applications to subdivide four existing lots into five. A public hearing is tentatively scheduled for the August 12 Planning Commission meeting. Brugger In -home Fitness Instruction CUP —1345 Elsinore Circle Kayla Brugger has requested a Conditional Use Permit to provide occasional fitness instruction out of her home. The applicant estimates no more than three clients in the home per day and 6-10 per week. A public hearing is tentatively scheduled for the August 12 Planning Commission meeting. Bartzen Septic System Wetland Setback Variance — 1075 Oak Circle John and Penny Bartzen have requested a variance from the 75 foot setback requirement for a septic system treatment area from a wetland. The applicant has indicated that the proposed location is the only option for a septic mound on the subject property. The City Council is tentatively scheduled to review at the August 18 meeting. Planning Commission Vacancy Applications Due: August 14 The City is seeking applications from residents to fill a vacant seat on the Medina Planning Commission. The open/vacant seat has a term expiring on December 31, 2020 with the option to renew your seat at the end of 2020 for a new three-year term. The Planning Commission is a volunteer recommending body to the City Council and meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. To learn more or download an application go to: https://medinamn.us/commission-vacancies/. Building Permits and Planning/ Zoning Return to City Hall The Building Permits/Planning/Zoning department has been staffed daily since mid June after working virtually during the "Stay -at -Home" order. Staff is limited in the office to support social distancing, so please note the following: • The office will be closed between 12:30-1:30 each day. • Most business can be conducted through a transaction window in the lobby. • There will be limited staff in the office, often only one staff member. There may be a delay if this person is on the phone, in a meeting, or helping someone else. We appreciate your patience as we work to limit exposure amongst staff and the public. Most permits can also be processed electronically. For more information, visit https://medinamn.us/ citygov/departments/building-department/ or contact Deb Dion at permits@medinamn.gov or 763-473-8847. Free One -on -One Technical Assistance for Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs Are you thinking about starting your own business or are you currently operating a small business and interested in FREE technical assistance? Medina has partnered with Hennepin County and the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) to offer the "Open to Business" program. This program provides FREE one-on-one assistance from MCCD's expert staff, customized to meet the specific needs of each entrepreneur. This can include creating a business plan, suggestions on financial management and bookkeeping practices, assisting with marketing, and referrals for financing. MCCD also administers a small business loan fund which provides capital to expand local businesses. For more information or to schedule a session, please contact Rob Smolund from MCCD at rsmolund@mccdmn.org or (612) 843-3260. More information is available on the City's website: https://medinamn.us/opentobusiness/. Municipal Elections —Filing for Local Office The City of Medina's next municipal election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. 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 begins on Tuesday, July 28th and closes at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2020. The filing fee is $15. More information can be found on the City's website at https:// medinamn.us /citygov/elections/. Questions can be directed to Election Coordinator Jodi Gallup at 763-473-8850 or email jodi.gallup@medinamn.gov. COVID-19 City Hall Update City Hall has been open since June for in -person service at the service window in the lower level planning entrance. To minimize the amount of people in the office at any given time, employees have continued to work a combination of hours from home and in the office. If you plan to make a trip to City Hall, please schedule an appointment with the appropriate employee/department to ensure you can receive proper service while visiting City Hall. Employee contact information can be found at: https:// medinamn.us/contact-us/staff-directory/ or call City Hall at 763-473-4643. * * * * * Candidate FORUM September 17th - To Be Held Virtually The League of Women Voters Wayzata/Plymouth Area holds a Local Medina Candidate Forum prior to each municipal election. All are welcome to attend the candidate forum, which will be held virtually on Thursday, September 17th from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Visit the City of Medina's Election website for a link to the virtual forum in September at https:// medinamn.us/citygov/elections/. Police House Checks If you are planning on being on a trip or being out of town please call the police department and put your house on the house check list. We will check your house while you are out of town and if there are any problems, we will contact you. To sign up for a house check just call the Medina Police Department at 763-473-9209. Face Covering State Mandate As of July 25, 2020, per the Governor's Executive Order 20-81, people in Minnesota are required to wear a face covering in all public indoor spaces and businesses, unless alone. Additionally, workers are required to wear a face covering when working outdoors in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained. Research has shown that use of face coverings can greatly reduce the risk of infection when combined with other prevention efforts such as social distancing and hand hygiene. For more information, see Executive Order 20-81 available at https://mn.gov/governor/news/executiveorders.jsp and the Frequently Asked Questions About the Requirement to Wear Face Coverings at https://www.health.state.mn.us/ diseases /coronavirus / facecoverfaq.html. flail -4 Masks Face d anand Coverings Page 2 Aug / Sep 2020 Page 5 Aug / Sep 2020 Public Works & Parks Page 4 Aug / Sep 2020 Diamond Lake Regional Trail Help plan the next regional trail! Three Rivers Park District is beginning the master planning process for future development of a new north-south regional trail through the western portion of Hennepin County. Identified as the Diamond Lake Regional Trail, it will travel 20 miles through Dayton, Rogers, Corcoran, Medina, Long Lake, Orono and Wayzata. The vision for the trail is a 10-foot-wide paved, multi-use trail that will connect natural areas, other regional trails in the Three Rivers system, and local parks and trails. Trail uses include biking, hiking, dog walking, running, and in-line skating. Your opinion is important to us. Visit Three Rivers Park District website to learn more about the trail and provide your input on the trail alignment at: https://www.letstalkthreerivers.org/diamond-lake-regional-trail-master-plan. The map shows multiple potential trail route options for the Diamond Lake Regional Trail. Each segment may have its unique pros and cons. Ultimately, one preferred route will be determined from this collection of trail segments in the map, based on public and stakeholder input. Your comments on these segments will help guide our decision on the final preferred route recommendation. This master plan project will result in a preferred alignment for the future regional trail. Once approved by the Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners and the Metropolitan Council, this master plan will guide the future development of the trail as funding, right-of-way acquisition and local development allows. Trail construction is typically done in multiple phases as funding and development opportunities arise. Final completion may take many years or even decades. Aug / Sep 2020 Page 3 Public Safety Use Caution During Extremely Hot Weather With the recent extremely hot weather we want to remind everyone of some tips to stay cool during these periods of unbearable heat. Slow down, avoid strenuous activity. Do not try to do too much on a hot day. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect heat and sunlight and help maintain normal body temperature. Protect your face with a wide-brimmed hat. Drink plenty of water regularly and often, even if you do not feel thirsty. Attempt to stay hydrated. Limit intake of alcoholic beverages. They can actually dehydrate your body. Eat well-balanced, light, regular meals. Avoid high protein foods that increase metabolic heat. Stay indoors as much as possible. If you do not have air conditioning, stay on your lowest floor, out of the sun. Electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help evaporate perspiration, which cools your body. Go to a place where you can get relief from the heat, such as air conditioned schools, libraries, theaters and other community facilities that may offer refuge during the warmest times of the day. Check with your community for information about possible local ‘cooling centers’. Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings or louvers. Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80%. Avoid too much sunshine. Sunburn slows the skin’s ability to cool itself. If you are outside, use sunscreen lotion with a high SPF rating. Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle. Do not leave pets outside for extended periods. Give them plenty of drinking water. Check on family, friends and neighbors. In normal weather, the body’s internal thermostat produces perspiration that evaporates and cools the body. However, in extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain normal temperature, which may lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If you believe you, or anyone you are with, is experiencing a heat-related medical emergency, promptly call 911, and if possible, move to a cooler place. Gift Card Scams The Medina Police Department has recently taken more fraud/theft reports involving the victims losing thousands of dollars by purchasing gift cards and then providing the gift card numbers and PIN numbers to someone on the phone. The Medina Police would like to remind you that no government agency will place a phone call in an attempt to collect any debt and no debt from any government agency will be collected through you providing them gift cards. Our most recent victim received a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. Other types of scams who may demand payment by gift card include: Callers pretending to be from a utility company, telling you to pay your bill by gift card or they’ll turn off your power or water. Sellers on online auction sites who ask for gift cards to “buy” big items like cars, motorcycles, boats, RVs, tractors, and electronics. Someone posing as a service member to get your sympathy, saying he has to sell something quickly before deployment and needs you to pay by gift cards. Callers who say you have won a so-called prize, for a sweepstakes you probably never entered – but first, you have to use a gift card to pay fees or other charges. Someone buying something from you, probably online, who sends a check for more than the purchase price, and asks you to give them the difference on a gift card (that check will turn out to be fake). Someone calling to tell you a relative had been arrested in another state or country and needs bail money. Remember, these criminals are good at what they do and can be very convincing while speaking with them over the phone. They can even solicit personal information from you without you even knowing you provided it to them and then use that information to convince you that they are legitimate. If you or someone you know ends up falling for one of these scams and paid someone with gift cards, call the company that issued the card right away and let them know the gift card was used in a scam. Have the company check as soon as possible if any money is left on any of the cards. If you act quickly enough, the company may be able to get all or some of your money back. The quicker you are to contact the gift card companies and have the funds frozen the better your chance at getting some of your money back. As soon as the criminals are provided the gift cards and PIN numbers for those gift cards, chances are someone involved with that criminal is using that gift card and PIN number to transfer those funds to another gift card. Report the scam to your local law enforcement. You can also report to the Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov/complaint, or call toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP), report to your local Attorney General’s Office, report any internet crimes through the Internet Crime Com- plaint Center (IC3) at https://www.ic3.gov. Public Works & Parks Page 4 Aug / Sep 2020 Diamond Lake Regional Trail Help plan the next regional trail! Three Rivers Park District is beginning the master planning process for future development of a new north-south regional trail through the western portion of Hennepin County. Identified as the Diamond Lake Regional Trail, it will travel 20 miles through Dayton, Rogers, Corcoran, Medina, Long Lake, Orono and Wayzata. The vision for the trail is a 10-foot-wide paved, multi-use trail that will connect natural areas, other regional trails in the Three Rivers system, and local parks and trails. Trail uses include biking, hiking, dog walking, running, and in-line skating. Your opinion is important to us. Visit Three Rivers Park District website to learn more about the trail and provide your input on the trail alignment at: https://www.letstalkthreerivers.org/diamond-lake-regional-trail-master-plan. The map shows multiple potential trail route options for the Diamond Lake Regional Trail. Each segment may have its unique pros and cons. Ultimately, one preferred route will be determined from this collection of trail segments in the map, based on public and stakeholder input. Your comments on these segments will help guide our decision on the final preferred route recommendation. This master plan project will result in a preferred alignment for the future regional trail. Once approved by the Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners and the Metropolitan Council, this master plan will guide the future development of the trail as funding, right-of-way acquisition and local development allows. Trail construction is typically done in multiple phases as funding and development opportunities arise. Final completion may take many years or even decades. Aug / Sep 2020 Page 3 Public Safety Use Caution During Extremely Hot Weather With the recent extremely hot weather we want to remind everyone of some tips to stay cool during these periods of unbearable heat. Slow down, avoid strenuous activity. Do not try to do too much on a hot day. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect heat and sunlight and help maintain normal body temperature. Protect your face with a wide-brimmed hat. Drink plenty of water regularly and often, even if you do not feel thirsty. Attempt to stay hydrated. Limit intake of alcoholic beverages. They can actually dehydrate your body. Eat well-balanced, light, regular meals. Avoid high protein foods that increase metabolic heat. Stay indoors as much as possible. If you do not have air conditioning, stay on your lowest floor, out of the sun. Electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help evaporate perspiration, which cools your body. Go to a place where you can get relief from the heat, such as air conditioned schools, libraries, theaters and other community facilities that may offer refuge during the warmest times of the day. Check with your community for information about possible local ‘cooling centers’. Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings or louvers. Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80%. Avoid too much sunshine. Sunburn slows the skin’s ability to cool itself. If you are outside, use sunscreen lotion with a high SPF rating. Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle. Do not leave pets outside for extended periods. Give them plenty of drinking water. Check on family, friends and neighbors. In normal weather, the body’s internal thermostat produces perspiration that evaporates and cools the body. However, in extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain normal temperature, which may lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If you believe you, or anyone you are with, is experiencing a heat-related medical emergency, promptly call 911, and if possible, move to a cooler place. Gift Card Scams The Medina Police Department has recently taken more fraud/theft reports involving the victims losing thousands of dollars by purchasing gift cards and then providing the gift card numbers and PIN numbers to someone on the phone. The Medina Police would like to remind you that no government agency will place a phone call in an attempt to collect any debt and no debt from any government agency will be collected through you providing them gift cards. Our most recent victim received a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. Other types of scams who may demand payment by gift card include: Callers pretending to be from a utility company, telling you to pay your bill by gift card or they’ll turn off your power or water. Sellers on online auction sites who ask for gift cards to “buy” big items like cars, motorcycles, boats, RVs, tractors, and electronics. Someone posing as a service member to get your sympathy, saying he has to sell something quickly before deployment and needs you to pay by gift cards. Callers who say you have won a so-called prize, for a sweepstakes you probably never entered – but first, you have to use a gift card to pay fees or other charges. Someone buying something from you, probably online, who sends a check for more than the purchase price, and asks you to give them the difference on a gift card (that check will turn out to be fake). Someone calling to tell you a relative had been arrested in another state or country and needs bail money. Remember, these criminals are good at what they do and can be very convincing while speaking with them over the phone. They can even solicit personal information from you without you even knowing you provided it to them and then use that information to convince you that they are legitimate. If you or someone you know ends up falling for one of these scams and paid someone with gift cards, call the company that issued the card right away and let them know the gift card was used in a scam. Have the company check as soon as possible if any money is left on any of the cards. If you act quickly enough, the company may be able to get all or some of your money back. The quicker you are to contact the gift card companies and have the funds frozen the better your chance at getting some of your money back. As soon as the criminals are provided the gift cards and PIN numbers for those gift cards, chances are someone involved with that criminal is using that gift card and PIN number to transfer those funds to another gift card. Report the scam to your local law enforcement. You can also report to the Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov/complaint, or call toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP), report to your local Attorney General’s Office, report any internet crimes through the Internet Crime Com- plaint Center (IC3) at https://www.ic3.gov.