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HomeMy Public PortalAboutFall 2004Page 6 c Printed on 50% recycled paper 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 Phil Zietlow...........763-473-5263 City Council Jim Lane................763-473-3302 Carolyn Smith.......612-558-1556 Randy Brinkman...763-478-3242 Bruce Workman ...763-478-8806 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 7:30 p.m. Planning Commission Elizabeth Weir, Chair Marilyn Fortin Ron Johnson Leonard Leuer William Loe Dick Picard Mary A. Verbick Planning Commission Meetings Second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Park Commission Randy Hughes, Chair Galen Bruer Gerald Dykoff Tom Gregor Brad Kvanbek Robin Reid Park Commission Meetings Third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. 2052 County Road 24, Medina MN 55340 2052 County Road 24, Medina MN 55340 www.ci.medina.mn.us Inside this issue: November 2nd General Elections………. Pg. 1 Open Forum for Local Candidates…….... Pg. 1 2005 Preliminary Tax Levy….………….. Pg. 1 Upcoming Events & Activities………….. Pg. 1 Parks & Park Commission News……….. Pg. 2 Planning & Zoning Department Update…. Pg. 2 Hamel Community Building Update...…. Pg. 2 Hamel Water System-Treatment Plant…... Pg. 3 Uptown Hamel Public Improvements…. Pg. 3 Land Donation to Conservation Easement Pg. 3 Fall Compost & Brush Pile Schedule…... Pg. 3 Horse Pasture Management Tips for Rotational Grazing………………………. Pg. 4 2005 Proposed Revenues & Expenditures Pg. 4 Hamel VFD-Hook & Ladder Antique & Boutique Sale…………………………... Pg. 5 City Contact Information……………….. Pg. 6 Page 1 Upcoming Events and Activities Oc t o b e r No v e m b e r ► 5th Tues—City Council Meeting 7:30 pm ► 12th Tues—Planning Commission 7:00 pm ► 11th Monday—Holiday, City Offices Closed ► 14th Thurs—Recycling Day ► 19th Tues—City Council Meeting 7:30 pm ► 20th Wed—Park Commission Meeting 7:00 pm ► 26th Tues—Open Candidates’ Forum, 7:00 pm ► 28th Thurs—Recycling Day ► 2nd Tues—General Election, 7:00 am—8:00 pm ► 3rd Wed—City Council meeting 7:30 pm ► 9th Tues—Planning Commission 7:00 pm ► 11th Thurs—Holiday, City Offices Closed ► 11th Thurs—Recycling Day ► 16th Tues—City Council Meeting 7:30 pm ► 17th Wed—Park Commission Meeting 7:00 pm ► 25th & 26th—Holiday, City Offices Closed ► 26th Fri—Recycling Day (note day change) ► 6th Mon—Truth In Taxation Hearing 6:30 pm ► 7th Tue—City Council Meeting 7:30 pm ► 9th Thurs—Recycling Day ► 14th Tue—Planning Commission 7:00 pm ► 15th Wed—Park Commission Meeting 7:00 pm ► 21st Tue—City Council Meeting 7:30 pm ► 23rd Thurs—Recycling Day ► 24th Fri—Holiday, City Offices Closed De c e m b e r A Quarterly Newsletter of the City of Medina www.ci.medina.mn.us Fall 2004 ► All meetings at City Hall unless otherwise noted. ► Meeting agendas on web site when available. Council Sets 2005 Preliminary Levy At their regular Council meeting on September 7th, the City Council set the preliminary general fund levy at $1,669,760 for the 2005 budget. The 2005 proposed levy is 13.10% higher than the 2004 levy. However, with the increase in market value and tax capacity for 2005 payable, the City’s tax rate would de- crease from 19.53% to 16.32% in 2005. The Council also scheduled the Truth In Taxation public hearing date for Monday, December 6th at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the 2005 budget and preliminary levy. More information is available on page 5 or by con- tacting City Administrator Chad Adams. Local Candidates Open Forum Scheduled for Tuesday, October 26th at 7:00 p.m. A first-time open candidates’ forum will feature Medina’s candidates for mayor and city council, starting at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 26th at Medina City Hall, 2052 County Road 24. Marilyn Corcoran, former Mayor of Dayton, will serve as moderator of the event. The format for the forum is in accordance with League of Minnesota Voters guidelines. The public is invited to at- tend and submit questions to can- didates. Medina has four candi- dates running for two council seats and one candidate running for mayor in the November 2nd elections. Phil Zietlow, current mayor, is not seeking re-election. 2004 General Election Information Here is some information regarding the upcoming general election: ► General Election: Tuesday, November 2, 2004 ► Medina’s Election Precinct is the Medina City Hall, 2052 County Road 24. ► Voting Hours for the General Election are 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Absentee Voting ► November 2nd General Election—starts on Friday, October 1st and closes on Monday, November 1st at 5:00 p.m. City Offices will also be open on Saturday, October 30th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for absentee voting. ► You may apply for an absentee ballot if you will be absent from the precinct, are ill or have a disability, for religious reasons, or if you are serving as an election judge elsewhere. Ballots are now available for absentee voting. If a ballot is mailed it must be returned and received by November 2nd. ► Municipal Elections ► November 2nd General Election—Municipal offices on the ballot are the Mayor (two-year term) and two City Council positions (four-year terms). Candidates are: Mayor – Bruce D. Workman running unopposed. Running for two council seats are: James S. Lane, Joe Cavanaugh, Douglas Meldrum and Elizabeth (Liz) Weir. Please contact Election Coordinator Sandie Larson if you have any questions. Ph: 763- 473-4643 or sandie@ci.medina.mn.us Page 2 Parks & Planning Planning & Zoning Department Update The following is a list of recent planning action items taken by the Planning Commission and City Council: ► Authorized staff to prepare resolution of approval for Keller Estates preliminary plat to allow 21-lot subdivision at 1255 Willow Drive and adjacent property to the west. Staff was also authorized to draft an ordinance to rezone the property from rural residential to suburban residential, which is in accordance with the City’s Comprehensive Plan. ► Authorized staff to prepare a resolution of approval for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and site plan amendment to allow 42,080 sq. ft. building expansion for Walter G. Anderson at 4535 Willow Drive. ► Authorized staff to prepare a resolution of approval for a CUP to allow construction up to a 700 sq. ft. chemical storage building at Baker National Golf Course, 2935 Parkview Road. ► Reviewed a Concept Plan for a 23 Town Home Unit Development at 500 Hamel Road. Current zoning and Comprehensive Plan guide property as Arterial Commercial (AC). ► Granted a CUP to Three Rivers Park for Shower Building Expansion. ► Approved Variances for 4629 Brook Street ► Approved a preliminary plat for subdivision of 200 plus acres into nine lots at 3000 Hamel Road (Planning Commission). The City Council will review the application on November 3rd. Other Updates: ► Bridgewater at Lake Medina—The Metropolitan Council will be considering approval of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment re- quest on October 27th. If conditions are placed on the project by the Metropolitan Council, the Medina City Council will be consid- ering the conditions of approval on November 3rd. ► Upcoming Application review—Staff is currently reviewing formal applications for possible upcoming Planning Commission meet- ings that include: a request from Ryan Companies for a site plan review, rezoning to commercial planned unit development (PUD) and preliminary plat adjacent to TH 55 and west of CSAH 101 with Target Corporation as the main user; a request for a CUP for the Dairy Queen at 752 Highway 55; a request from Darrel Farr Development for a site plan review at 36/42 Hamel road for a 28-unit condominium project that includes 2500 sq. ft. of retail space; a request from Darrel Farr Development for a site plan review at 185 Hamel Road for an 18-unit condominium complex; and, a request for a 23 Town Home Unit at 500 Hamel Road to include rezoning to residential PUD, preliminary plat, site plan review, and comprehensive plan amendment. Please contact City Hall at 763.473.4643, or via e-mail at sandie@ci.medina.mn.us for more information. Lakeshore Park Improvements The City of Medina’s Lakeshore Park, located adjacent to Lake Independence in the Independ- ence Beach area is undergoing some improve- ments this fall. The City Council has approved plans and funding for new playground equip- ment in the park. Access to the playground equipment will be ADA accessible. The project should be completed this fall and was a planned 2004 capital improvement project being funded through Park Dedication Fees. Total cost of the equipment plus site work is about $30,000. An improvement to the boat ramp providing access to Lake Independence from Lakeshore Park is also scheduled for this fall upon receiving Council approval. The project was also planned for 2004 and will cost approximately $18,000. City staff also plans to work with local civic groups to remove buckthorn at Lakeshore Park this fall. Hamel Community Building Progress The Hamel Community Build- ing, located in Hamel Legion Park is scheduled to open to the public in early December. A grand opening ceremony is targeted to coincide with the An- nual Uptown Hamel Skating Party in January 2005. Volunteers are needed to coordinate the event. City Hires Interim Planning Consultants The City is pleased to announce a contract with the Planning Depart- ment of Landform to provide interim planning services until the City ap- points a new full-time City Planner. Sarah Schield, with Landform, will be keeping office hours on Wednesdays at City Hall. Former City Planner Josh Doty resigned from his position in August, and worked through mid-September. Park Commission Membership There will be two three-year terms available for appointment in January 2005. The Park Commis- sion meets monthly on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall. Those interested in serving on the Park Commission should contact Sandie Larson or Chad Adams at City Hall, 473-4643. Page 5 General Information Hamel Volunteer Fire Department Hook and Ladder Antique and Boutique Sale Sunday, November 14, 2004—10 am—2:30 pm Medina Ballroom Funds raised from the event are used to purchase firefighting and lifesaving equipment to benefit the community. Additional information regarding Hamel VFD events can by viewed at www.hamelfire.org. E-mail address is info@hamelfire.org 2005 Proposed Revenues Property Taxes, $1,654,260 , 61% City Licenses & Permits, $259,750 , 9% State & County Aid, $95,900 , 3% Zoning/Building Plan Fees, $288,550 , 10% Public Safety Charges, $48,000 , 2% Special Assessments, $75,050 , 3% Fines, $100,500 , 4% Other Regional Charges, $116,000 , 4% Other Miscellaneous, $123,100 , 4% 2005 Proposed Expenditures General Government, $389,205 , 14% Planning/Zoning, $411,431 , 15% Parks Recreation, $95,679 , 3% Police, $899,390 , 33% Fire/Civil Defense, $257,305 , 9% Building Inspection, $159,500 , 6% Public Works, $479,100 , 17% Other, $69,500 , 3% Total Revenues = $2,761,110 Total Expenditures = $2,761,110 Page 4 General Information Horse Pasture Management Tips—Rotational Grazing The following article was provided courtesy of Betsy Gilkerson, city consultant on Horse Management Practices. Gilkerson’s services are co-funded by the City of Medina and through a Minnehaha Creek Watershed District’s Cynthia Krieg Memorial Fund grant. Wondering how to buy less hay? Wondering why your pasture looks like a putting green? Have you heard the phrase “rotational grazing” and wondered what it meant? Wonder no more. The following article is an overview of what rotational grazing is and how you can get started doing it. Rotational grazing is a pasture management practice that helps you utilize your pasture more efficiently. At the same time, you also reduce weeds and compacted soil, increase desir- able types of forage and protect our water resources. Rotational grazing is when you divide a pasture or paddock into multiple smaller pad- docks and rotate livestock between the paddocks. It doesn’t matter if you are grazing horses, cattle, chickens or emus. The idea is the same. Why does rotational grazing work, you ask? It works because it allows the forage in each smaller paddock to rest. The grasses used for grazing need roughly 4 weeks of rest after being grazed for maximum regrowth. In other words, if you want the grass to grow as much as it can, it needs rest. When you don’t overgraze your pastures, they can actually produce MORE FORAGE than when they are over grazed. Fertilizer helps too, but that is another article. Think how grasses were historically grazed; large herds of livestock (buffalo, elk, etc) would move through an area, eat the grass down, defecate and move on. The vegetation rested and another herd moved through a few weeks later. So having the same animals in the same few acres continuously is hard on the grass. When overgrazed, the roots in grass diminish and become too weak to compete with weeds. Ok, so how do I rotate my pastures? 1. Start by drawing a picture of your property. Include the existing fence, buildings, water sources and gates. 2. Now find a logical place to split your current pasture/paddock. The smaller the paddocks, the more evenly the livestock will graze. Decide on a schedule for rotating so each area gets rested 3-4 weeks. 3. Install the fence. You can use any type of fencing you want to divide the pasture. Make it permanent if you want. The other op- tion is temporary fencing like portable corrals, Electo-braid fencing, other white tape fences, green metal t-posts, etc. Temporary fencing is nice because you can move it if you don’t like it or want to adjust it. Tips for Rotational Grazing: ► Include a “sacrifice area” or dry lot where you will sacrifice the vegetation for the rest of the pasture. Put the horses in the sacrifice area when it is frosty, really muddy, spring thaw, drought and when the paddocks are too short to graze. ► Make an alley from the paddocks to the barn for shade and wa- ter. Make it the same width as the gates, it makes locking them in or out easier. ► Let horses graze an area when grass is around 10 inches. Don’t graze paddock grass below 4 inches. Move horses to new pad- dock or sacrifice area when grass is grazed to 4 inches tall. ► After moving horses to new paddock or sacrifice area, mow down weeds. Also, break up manure piles with arena drag or harrow. This will reduce weeds, even out uneaten grass, reduce fly hatching areas and to break down manure faster. ► Give one paddock a chance to rest for 3-4 weeks in the early fall so plants can store energy for spring. For more information contact Betsy Gilkerson at 612-596-1175 or Betsy.Gilkerson@co.hennepin.mn.us. Page 3 Page 3 Public Works & General Info. Compost and Brush Pile Open through Fall Compost Pile: consists of leaves and grass trimmings. Q Hours: Open daily through the fall Brush Pile: consists of tree waste and garden material. Q Hours: Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Open All Year * Any tree logs that can be used for fire wood should be separated. (Wood is available to be picked up by the public). * Materials Not Accepted: Hay, tree stumps, painted or treated lumber. Land Donated to Conservation Easement Medina residents Charles and Judith Crosby have recently donated thirty-four acres of land to a conservation easement., which will preserve the property for open space. The thirty-four acre site provides habitat for wildlife and outstanding sce- nic views for the public from Hunter Drive con- sisting of wetlands, rolling fields and woods. The property’s twelve wooded acres consist mostly of maples and other hardwoods. The prop- erty also contains approximately 500 feet of unde- veloped shoreline along Mooney Lake, which is classified as a recreational development lake by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The City applauds the Crosby’s for this most generous gesture. The City Council awarded the Crosby’s with an appreciation plaque in May. The City of Medina promotes this type of conservation. If you are interested or would like more information please contact Jim Dillman, Public Works Director at 763-473-4643, or e-mail at JDillman@ci.medina.mn.us. Hamel Water System—Treatment Plant On Tuesday, October 5th the City Council authorized the preparation of plans and specifications for a steel gravity filtration water treatment plant for the Hamel Water System. The estimated cost of the project is $4,455,000 which includes the plant, contingencies as well as engineering and administra- tion, but does not include cost to obtain the land for the facility. In related action, the Council authorized the use of eminent domain to obtain a parcel at 780 Tower Drive for location of the water treatment plant facility. The parcel is desirable due to its proximity to the existing water tower, well and supply lines. By conducting various public meetings and holding discussions at City Council meetings over the past several months, the decision was made that a water treatment plant was the most feasible option to reduce levels of radium and gross alpha by December 2006 as required by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and Minnesota Depart- ment of Health. The treatment plant will also reduce levels of iron and manganese for aesthetic purposes even though they are not required to be reduced. Financing for the treatment plant and other future water infrastructure (i.e. expansions of the plant, additional water tower, supply lines, wells) will include increases in both trunk water connection fees and water user rates. The Council has already acted on the increase for connection fees, which will affect new hook-ups/ users to the system. The fee increase per unit doubled from $1790 to $3580. Water users of the Hamel Water System will likely see increases, begin- ning in 2005. Although the Council has not acted on the increases, the City’s water rate study calls for a 19% increase in 2005, 13% increase in 2006, 11% increase in 2007, 8% increase in 2008, and 5% thereafter. Future growth sce- nario’s have been evaluated to determine affects on user rate increases. The Council will continue to discuss these rates in the next few months. To learn more about the water treatment plant project and water rate study, please contact City Administrator Chad Adams or Public Works Direc- tor Jim Dillman at City Hall. Updates will also be made available on the City’s website. Construction of the water treatment plant is scheduled to begin this spring 2005, with a comple- tion date of late summer 2006. Uptown Hamel Public Improvements The City Council has scheduled public hear- ings for November 16th at City Hall to discuss public improvements for Uptown Hamel. Offi- cially mailed notices will be sent to benefited properties prior to the public hearing dates. The public improvements to be considered on November 16th include road and sidewalk im- provements to Sioux Drive (from the railroad to Hamel Road); road and sidewalk improvements to Mill Drive (from Hamel Road to Hamel Legion Park); and, storm water and drainage system im- provements for most of the Uptown Hamel Zoning District. Upon hearing public comments on November 16th, the Council will consider authorization of plans and specifications for the improvements. The total cost of the improvements noted above are approximately $878,000. Preferred option for storm water design, dis- cussion of special assessments and/or Tax Incre- ment Financing will also be discussed by the City Council in coming weeks and months. City Administrator Chad Adams may be con- tacted with any questions.