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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 FebruaryMarch is MN FoodShare Month March has been designated "Minnesota FoodShare Month. Please be generous to the local Friends in Need Food Shelf — all donations of food or cash during March will be augmented by incentives from the Minnesota FoodShare Program and the Feinstein Challenge. Sue Kainz, state FoodShare Program director, said that food shelf usage is up to almost record levels this year, but donations have been down. In some locations, she said, the demand is up 50% from last year. "Many people who come for help are white- collar workers who have lost their jobs," she said. "These are our neighbors. Please be generous." Food or cash donations may be made at local church or retail collection facilities, or may be brought to Friends in Need Food Shelf, 255 Third St., St. Paul Park, on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Cash donations may also be made to Friends in Need Food Shelf, P.O. Box 6, Cottage Grove, MN 55016. W3 I" IPTAWT R!k INDEX 'Safe Zones' ........... ... ...2 Photo Contest. .... ..... 2, 5, 6, 7 Up North Plastics Fire ..........3 'Nuisance' Ordinances ......4 New Employee Photos ......5 Police News ........................5 Parking Ban to April 30 ......6 No Shoveling into Streets ..6 Spring Street Sweeping ......6 Parks Commission Plan ....7 'I Love To Read Month' . ...8 MN FoodShare Month........8 Rec Programs /Golf /Ice Arena ......Center Section POSTAL PATRON Carrier Route PreSonf Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO, I COTTAGE GROVE, MN February, 2003 'State of the City': rising market values, economic challenges City Administrator Ryan Schroeder recapped Cottage Grove highlights from 2002 and looked ahead to 2003 as he presented his annual "State of the City" message to the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce. Among the successes cited by Ryan were the City's improvement to an A- 1 bond rating, $26 million in new commercial /indus- trial construction and building permits, an increase of 18% in total market value in the City, and completion of the first phase of the Gateway North Redevelopment project. Schroeder said the City has had a total of about $146 million in commer- cial /industrial building per- mits since 1998, compared to less than $60 million in the previous seven years. New construction included the Country Inn and Suites, Applebee's, Rainbow Fuel, the Gateway Center, Home Depot, TCF, Park Grove Pet. Clinic, the Shoppes at Almar, and expansions at Up North Plastics and Menards. In addition, the City sawjust over $41 million in new home construction, including 121 single - family homes and 175 attached units. "Our total market value in the community in 2004 will be two billion dollars," Schroeder said. "This is more than double the mar- ket value that existed in 1996." He said the total mar- ket value increased by 18% in 2002 alone. Approxi- mately 83% of that increase was due to esca- lating values of existing property, and 17% due to new construction. "Before we began our Gateway North Redevelop- ment project, there was an $8 million taxable value on the east side of the Gateway," Schroeder said. "This will increase to $26 million when existing proj- ects are complete. With additional spinoff projects that will occur in the next Cont. on Page 2 Contains a minimum of 10% postconsumer waste CITY ADMINISTRATOR Ryan Schroeder, right, and Mayor Sandy Shiely chat with State Finance Commissioner Dan McElroy, keynote speaker at the annual Business Recognittion Breakfast at 3M Cottage Grove. l crrra �rl= Enjoy February - I Love To Read Month' Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Auer ®- • ®, Visit your library in February! Library staff are ready to offer readings or help you with research. Cdy,Hatf Storytimes: 7516 '80ifl fE?16f Sputh Tuesday, Friday ..............10:45 a.m. Cottage. Grove; I II W,16 Thursday ........................7 p.m. Storytime at the Library and reading aloud at; will help you introduce your children to sound, jV1011C{3 f y language, words, reading skills, and stories. For more information, call the library at 459 -204 City Hall , ,,,,,, „ , __458-2800 P.S. If you don't have a library card, get one FREE TDD ..... ..._________458-2880 ' a picture ID and proof of Washington County resid4 March is MN FoodShare Month March has been designated "Minnesota FoodShare Month. Please be generous to the local Friends in Need Food Shelf — all donations of food or cash during March will be augmented by incentives from the Minnesota FoodShare Program and the Feinstein Challenge. Sue Kainz, state FoodShare Program director, said that food shelf usage is up to almost record levels this year, but donations have been down. In some locations, she said, the demand is up 50% from last year. "Many people who come for help are white- collar workers who have lost their jobs," she said. "These are our neighbors. Please be generous." Food or cash donations may be made at local church or retail collection facilities, or may be brought to Friends in Need Food Shelf, 255 Third St., St. Paul Park, on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Cash donations may also be made to Friends in Need Food Shelf, P.O. Box 6, Cottage Grove, MN 55016. W3 I" IPTAWT R!k INDEX 'Safe Zones' ........... ... ...2 Photo Contest. .... ..... 2, 5, 6, 7 Up North Plastics Fire ..........3 'Nuisance' Ordinances ......4 New Employee Photos ......5 Police News ........................5 Parking Ban to April 30 ......6 No Shoveling into Streets ..6 Spring Street Sweeping ......6 Parks Commission Plan ....7 'I Love To Read Month' . ...8 MN FoodShare Month........8 Rec Programs /Golf /Ice Arena ......Center Section POSTAL PATRON Carrier Route PreSonf Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO, I COTTAGE GROVE, MN February, 2003 'State of the City': rising market values, economic challenges City Administrator Ryan Schroeder recapped Cottage Grove highlights from 2002 and looked ahead to 2003 as he presented his annual "State of the City" message to the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce. Among the successes cited by Ryan were the City's improvement to an A- 1 bond rating, $26 million in new commercial /indus- trial construction and building permits, an increase of 18% in total market value in the City, and completion of the first phase of the Gateway North Redevelopment project. Schroeder said the City has had a total of about $146 million in commer- cial /industrial building per- mits since 1998, compared to less than $60 million in the previous seven years. New construction included the Country Inn and Suites, Applebee's, Rainbow Fuel, the Gateway Center, Home Depot, TCF, Park Grove Pet. Clinic, the Shoppes at Almar, and expansions at Up North Plastics and Menards. In addition, the City sawjust over $41 million in new home construction, including 121 single - family homes and 175 attached units. "Our total market value in the community in 2004 will be two billion dollars," Schroeder said. "This is more than double the mar- ket value that existed in 1996." He said the total mar- ket value increased by 18% in 2002 alone. Approxi- mately 83% of that increase was due to esca- lating values of existing property, and 17% due to new construction. "Before we began our Gateway North Redevelop- ment project, there was an $8 million taxable value on the east side of the Gateway," Schroeder said. "This will increase to $26 million when existing proj- ects are complete. With additional spinoff projects that will occur in the next Cont. on Page 2 Contains a minimum of 10% postconsumer waste CITY ADMINISTRATOR Ryan Schroeder, right, and Mayor Sandy Shiely chat with State Finance Commissioner Dan McElroy, keynote speaker at the annual Business Recognittion Breakfast at 3M Cottage Grove. i Ryan Schroeder on the 'State of the City'_ Cont. from Page One few years, that area will grow to $45 million in taxable market value." Despite the many advances in fiscal performance, Schroeder said, the City has a long way to go: "Our 2002 per capita tax capacity was the third lowest among the 34 com- parable cities in the metro area." He said goals adopted by the City Council for 2002 -2003 relate to fiscal stability, com- mercial and industrial develop- ment, transportation and tran- sit, housing development, pub- lic facilities, and governance. Issues facing the City in 2003, Schroeder said, include: *The State's fiscal crisis and its impact on aid to cities; • Management issues related to metro grown • Planning for the East Ravine area; • Public facility space planning (pool, athletic facilities, community center, parks and open spaces); • Rives access; • Infrastructure manage- ment • Operational management (service delivery while absorbing external costs and static staffing); • Planning, based on citi- zen input. Congratulations, Photo Contest winners Photo by Rebecca Kropelnicki - tat Place `People," CG Photo Contest CONGRATULA- TIONS to all entrants in the 2nd Annual Cottage Grove Photo Contest. The six first and second place win- ners are here and on Pages 6 and 7. Thanks also to the judges: Randy Lynch of Custom Photography; Patricia Nevin from Heritage Photography, and Mayor Sandy Shiely. The contest was sponsored by the Cottage Grove Company Store. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS in Cottage Grove in 2002 included the December opening of Applebee's on E. Pt. Douglas. Shown at the Grand Opening are Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, City officials, and Tim Boston, Applebee's General Manager. 'Safe Zones' set The Cottage Grove Police Department has set "Safe Zones" within 300 feet or one city block (whichever is greater) of schools, parks, and public housing areas. Under Minnesota law, if a person is convicted of the sale or posses- sion of illegal drugs, or the pos- session or use of a gun or other dangerous weapon in a "Safe Zone," the penalties that apply to that particular crime are enhanced. Juveniles who are alleged to have been involved in crimes in a Safe Zone and are at least 14 years old can be tried as an adult and sentenced in an adult court. _7_ Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission to explore parks, trails, boat launch, community center by John Burbank, Associate Planner, Community Development Department At the direction of the City Council, the Cottage Grove Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission has identified a variety of agenda items planned for 2003 that will affect the City's recreational and financial future. INVENTORY OF PARKS AND OPEN SPACES The first major task the Commission is completing is an inventory and master plan of all existing public parks and open space in the City. The main goal for this document is to ensure equitable, standardized, and up -to -date facilities throughout the community. This will allow the City to proactively plan for details and expenditures relating to installation, maintenance, and replacement of the facilities. Maintenance and replacement will occur on an "as- needed" basis, depending on budget restraints. Implementation of park improvements will be an ongoing process, but this plan will assist in prioritizing projects and targeting limit- ed dollars. MASTER TRAILWAY PLAN The second long -range planning document that is being compiled is a master trailway plait for the com- munity. Pedestrian and other non - motorized modes of mobility have become a desired and integral compo- nent to the City's transportation and recreational system. The preliminary goal of the master trailway plan is to establish a network of planned sidewalks and trail - ways that can be installed as development and re- development occur in the City. An additional goal is to identify smaller missing trailway links that can cost - effectively complete larger local or arterial access circulation routes. Several of these missing trail segments have already been identi- fied and are included in the City's capital improvement plan for installation between 2003 and 2007. The City actively pursues matching financial grants from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to help increase the impacts of local expenditures. A large regional trail project is scheduled in 2003 in the Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park. Washington County and 3M Cottage Grove are partnering on the installation of a new 9,000 lineal foot bituminous trail - way running south from the intersection of 85th Street and Keats Avenue to the lake and core development area in the park. BOAT LAUNCH, RIVER ACCESS ON GREY CLOUD At the direction of the City Council, the Commission will also continue previous efforts to re- establish a small public boat launch and river access park on Lower Grey Cloud Island. The previous park location search efforts have been focused on existing public land currently owned by Washington County. The goal of this effort is to utilize existing public expenditures and increase awareness and access to the Mississippi River and backwaters, which is one of the City's most extensive and important natural resources. COTTAGE GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER Meanwhile, the Commission is also focusing on the completion of a seeping process for a potential community center in Cottage Grove. Four informational tracks are being gathered and explored. These tracks include facilities, financing, operations, and site locations. The goal of the research is to provide a sound final document that identifies all pros and cons involved with a new community center that would meet the current and future needs and desires of the local citizenry. The background information and resulting recommendations will allow the City Council to make an informed decision about proceeding with or delaying the establishment of a community center. Contest All of these items will be presented to the City Council for review and action as they are finalized. During this process, public participation is encouraged and welcomed. The Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resource Commission meetings are at City Hall on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Photo by Amy Krussow - lst Place "Landmarks" category, CG Photo Contest Photo by Annette Bastolich - 2nd place, "Nature," CG Photo OEM • •'• 0 The Cottage Grove Police Department reminds citizens that the On- Street Parking Ordinance is now in effect and continues until April 30. Under the ordinance, no vehicle may be parked on any residential street between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Parking is permitted at all other times as long as the vehicle is not impeding the removal of snow and ice by City plows. Vehicle owners must remove their vehicles within 15 minutes of being requested to do so by a City employee. Please help our Public Works Department in their efforts to clear snow this winter, and park your vehicle in your garage or driveway. O ►�♦ Snow in Street Placing snow in the street or plowing across the street is against state law and the City code. Snow should be shoveled or plowed onto your own property or boulevard. Snow placed in the street may cause accidents and may be compacted into ice by traffic. Street Sweeping Street sweeping to clean up salt and sand that were spread during the winter generally requires above - freezing temper- atures, which we typically see about April 1. This year a sweeping contractor will work with City crews to complete this major spring project. Sweeping will begin with major streets such as 80th, Jamaica, Hinton, Hadley, East and West Point Douglas, and Grange. Residents are encour- aged to sweep sand off their boulevards onto the street before crews pass through their neighborhood. For more information, please contact the Public Works Department at 458 -2808. Photo by Amy Krussow - "United Church of Christ " - 2nd Place "Landmarks," CG Photo Contest C�ID'�7 COTTAGE GROVE COUNCIL, COMMISSION MEETINGS (All residents are welcome at Council & Commission meetings) Council Chambers or Administrative Conference Room, City Hall City Council ...................... ............................1st & 3rd Wed., 7:15 p.m. Economic Development Authority ............ 2nd Tues., 7:30 -9 a.m. Great Grove Get Together ........................3rd Mon., 6:30 -8:30 p.m. Human Services /Human Rights ..................2nd Wed., Noon -1:30 p.m. Parks, Recreation & Natural Resource ......2nd Mon., 7 -9 p.m. Planning Commission ...... ............................4th Mon., 7 -9 p.m. Public Safety, Health & Welfare ..................2nd Tues., 7 -9 p.m. Red Rock Corridor ........... ...........................Last Thurs- 3:30 -5:30 p.m. Public Works Facility Public Works Commission ..........................2nd Mon- 7 -9 p.m. CITY - SPONSORED CABLE TV PROGRAMS Govt Access Cable Channel 16 (Programming may change without notice; special pro- grams may be offered. Check cable TV schedule.) SUN: Rec Connection 6:30 am & 7 pm; Economic Development 7 am, noon, 6 pm & 9 pm.; Your Public Safety, 8:30 am, 2 pm & 7 pm; Council Update 9 a.m.; Inside Your City 9:30 am & 10 pm; MON: Council Replay 8 am; Economic Development noon; Inside Your City 12:30 pm; Parks LIVE (2nd Mon) 7 pm; Council Update 10 pm TUES: Rec Connection 7 am; Council Update 6 pm; Safety LIVE (2nd Tues) 7 Pro WED: Rec Connection 7 am; Safety Replay 8 am; Econ Dev noon & 6 pm; Inside Your City 12:30 & 6:30 pm; Heritage - Farming in CG 3 pm; Your Public Safety 5:30 pm; Council LIVE (1 st & 3rd Weds) 7 pm; Council Update 10 pm THURS: Rec Connection 7 am; Parks Replay 8 am; Council Update, noon & 6 pm; Heritage - Farming in CG 3 pre; Council Replay 7 pm; Economic Development 10 pm FRI: Rec Connection 7 am; Council Replay 8 am & 7 pm; Economic Devel noon & 6 pm; Your Public Safety 5:30 pm; Council Update 10 pm SAT: Inside Your City 2:30 & 6:30 pre; Council Update 6 pm; Council Replay 7 pm; Rec Connection 10 pm; Inside Your City 10:30 pm; Your Public Safety 11 pm BEE The Story Behind the Fire: Up North Plastics, Dec. 14, 2002 by Bob Byerly, Cottage Grove Fire Chief On Saturday, Dec. 14, at 11:54 p.m., the Cottage Grove Fire Department was called to a fire at Up North Plastics compa- ny, 9480 Jamaica Ave. Up North Plastics manufactures products using low - density polyethylene, which is used in products such as vapor barri- ers, drop cloths, and agricultur- al sheeting, according to Ken Hull, Plant Manager for Up North Plastics. 'rbe Cottage Grove Fire Department responded with one ladder truck, four engines, three tankers, and 46 firefighters. The fire was extremely large, and there were concerns that the plant, garage, and office areas would become involved. Burning piles of stored plastic and approximate- ly 20 storage trailers were involved in the fire. No oil or gasoline was involved. Due to the large area involved, the need for water to be brought to the rear areas of the yard, and the intense heat of the fire, mutual aid fire com- panies from surrounding cities were called. Also responding were repre- sentatives of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and a Chemical Assessment team from the St. Paul Fire Dept., who determined along with Cottage Grove command staff that there were no toxic gases or fumes being released. To extinguish the fire, a total of one million gallons of water was used, and approxi- mately 3,400 gallons of foam. The fire was extinguished in five hours, and mop -up opera- tions took another eight hours. In all, approximately 223 firefighters, 19 engines, 10 aeri- al ladder trucks, five tankers, 22 utility trucks, five ambu- lances, one bulldozer, and a Woodbury command vehicle were involved, plus one crash /foam fire truck from Minneapolis /St. Paul Airport which can pump approximately 3,000 gallons of foam and water per minute per minute and can move up to the fire while pump- ing water. Extra foam was brought by various fire depart- ments or supplied by 3M, Flint /Koch Refinery, and Marathon /Ashland Refinery. Each Cottage Grove fire truck carries 10 -15 gallons of concentrated foam AFFF for use on hydrocarbon fires. When mixed with water, this creates approximately 1,000 to 2,000 gallons of firefighting foam, depending on mixture. Each Cottage Grove station has an extra 40 gallons of foam per station. The benefits of using firefighting foam are that it sep- arates the fuel from oxygen by smothering the fuel, absorbs heat better than water, raises the moisture content of the water, and doesn't evaporate like water does. The Cottage Grove Fire Department continuously trains for Class A and B fires and works closely with Marathon/ Ashland Refinery and the fire- fighting squad from 3M Cottage Grove. A city fire department the size of Cottage Grove has a lim- ited amount of resources, and that is the reason for calling firefighters and trucks from other cities for mutual aid. The Cottage Grove Fire Department routinely responds to other cities when they ask for assis- tance. Public Safety Director John Mickelson and members of the Police Department were on hand to help set up a Command Center and handle any possible firefighter injuries. Dispatchers were on the job throughout the crisis. The Public Works Department pro- vided sand, salt, and other assistance. This fire was a team effort by many fire departments and firefighters. All buildings on the plant property were saved and the plant resumed production the next day. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Fire Investigators from the State of Minnesota and the City of Cottage Grove. Scene from Up North Plastics fire Up North Plastics on Dec. 15 mm Check 'Nuisance ordinances' on vehicles, yard storage by Kim Lindquist, Community Development Director In March, 2002, the Cottage Grove City Council passed several ordinances that affect your property and your neighborhood. These ordinances relate to "nuisance issues" within the community. At that time, the Council indicated that the City would be taking a more pro- active approach to enforce- ment of these requirements. This new approach would help maintain the high quality of neighborhoods within the community. Over the last year, several ordinance requirements, particularly relating to vehicle parking and exterior storage, have been the primary cause of enforcement. action. Often residents are not aware of these regulations, but once they are contacted they bring the property into compliance. The following information is provided so you can review your property to ensure compliance with City regulations: Any vehicle stored outside must be licensed and operable. Even if there are fewer than four vehicles at a residence, if any are inoperable or unli- censed, that is a violation of the City Code. All vehicles stored outside must be parked on an improved surface, that is, concrete or asphalt in front of the house; and concrete, asphalt, class 5 gravel, landscape rock, landscape pavers, or brick behind the front plane of the home. All single - family residential properties in the urbanized area must have a paved driveway. 'There are setback requirements for installation or replacement of driveways or additional parking pads, and a building permit is needed. Please check with the Community Development Department (458 -2827) for regulations specific to your property before doing any work. The new ordinance also limits the amount and type of personal property that can be stored outside. The following are the only items permitted for outside storage: o Clothesline poles and wires; o Swings, slides, and other non - motorized recreational equipment; Outdoor furniture, lawn and garden decorations and equipment, outdoor cooking equipment; Construction and landscaping equipment that are used or intended for use on the premises within a 12 -month period; Firewood stacked in compliance with City requirements; Vehicles parked in compliance with City requirements. Residents have access to the City Code, which details all City ordinances, through the City's website at www.cottage- grove.org. If you have any questions about the ordinance requirements or would like to register a complaint about a property in the City, please call the Complaint Hotline at 651- 458 -2827. sm Welcome, new employees! A WARM WELCOME to these new City employ- ees. AT LEFT, left to right, are Mike Steeber, Public Works; Police Officer Terry Raymond; Community Service Officer/ Paramedic Matt Pearson; Dispatcher Jenny Giese]; and Ryan Janssen, Programming Assistant - Parks. ABOVE are new City Engineer Nancy Hanzlik and Fleet Maintenance Mechanic Brad Riggins. Police seek Reservists, Block Captains, McGruff Houses POLICE RESERVE: Applicants are needed for the Cottage Grove Police Reserve. Reserve Officers assist the Police Department in a variety of activities, including Summer Safety Camp, National Night Out, the Great Grove Get - Together, Neighborhood Watch, parades, crime scene security, surveillance details, calls for service, and ride- alongs, and participate in a comprehensive Police Reserve Academy. If you or someone you know might be interested in joining the Police Reserve, please contact Officer Randy McAlister at 458 -6000 (ext. 1031). Applications are available at City Hall or the Police Department. Applicants must be U.S. citizens at least 18 years of age, must possess a valid driver's license, high - school diploma or equivalent, and exhibit high standards and strong moral character. NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH BLOCK CAPTAINS: The Cottage Grove Police Department is looking for citi- zen volunteers who wish to participate in the Neighborhood Watch program as Block Captains. Block Captains are the communications link between the 10 -18 homes in their designated Watch Block and the Police Department. The Neighborhood Watch program is designed to heighten awareness among Watch Block members in an effort to reduce crime. Watch Block members are trained by the Police Department on how to better rec- ognize suspicious activity and report it to the Police. If you are interested in being a Block Captain or joining Neighborhood Watch, please contact Community Affairs Officer Greg Reibel at 458 -6025. CGRUFF HOUSES: Homeowner volunteers are need- ed to participate in the McGruff House program, the only safe haven program for children recognized by state McGruff House homeowners agree to provide their home as a temporary safe haven for children who find themselves in emergency or otherwise frightening situa- tions which require immediate help. Homeowners contact the police if their home is used as a McGruff House by a child. Children are taught about the McGruff House pro- gram in elementary school by their D.A.R.E. Officers. If you are interested in becoming a McGruff House partici- pant, please contact Community Affairs Officer Greg Reibel at 458 -6025. WEBSITE: Find out more about the Police Department through the City's website: www.cottage- grove.org Photo by Lori Olsen - "Cottage Grove Royalty" - 2nd Place, "People," CG Photo Contest