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.