HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-2002 WinterCity of Cottage Grove
POSTAL PATRON
Carrier Route PreSort
Standard
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 1
COTTAGE GROVE, MN
----------------------------------- --- --,---------------- --- ----
SHARE THE JOYI
Friends in Need food shelf invites you to participate
in its holiday program, "Share the Joy," I
to help local families.
I /We would like to:
O Adopt a family for holiday food and gifts. I prefer a fami-
ly with _ children (suggest $35 /child).
O Adopt a O girl O boy, age about _ for holiday gifts.
(In fairness to all our children, suggest $35 per child)
O Donate a $30 gift certificate for a teen. (Target certifi-
cate preferred.)
® Help defray the costs of food for a holiday dinner for an
area family. (Suggested donation for one family's meal:
$40.) All donations gratefully accepted. ;
NAME PHONE i
AF)F)PFSS
Please return to Bobbie Tufenk, Share the Joy Coordinator, 2045
Christensen Ave. #I34, West St. Paul, MN 55118, 651- 554 -8334.
Have BRUNCH with Santa
at River Oaks Golf Course
Sunday, Dec. 9, 2001, 9 a.m. -2 p.m.
\ Mrs. Claus' Menu: Santa's scrambled eggs, Cupid's
French toast sticks, Dasher's waffle sticks, Comet's
crispy cubes, Prancer's smoked sausage and bacon,
Frosty's pastries, and more!
Ages 3 -Under FREE; 4 -12: $5.95; 13 and Over: $5.95
FREE! HORSEDRAWN SLEIGH RIDES ON THE COURSE!
Give Santa your Christmas List.
The Elves will take your picture with Santa.
Santa has a special gift for the first 250 children.
No reservations required. Please call the Clubhouse
with any questions: 651 -438 -3627.
J�
Mickelson,
Director
John A. Mickelson, Jr., has been selected as the Director of
Public Safety and Chief of Police by the Cottage Grove City Council.
A member of the Department for 22 years, Mickelson has
served as a Police Officer/ Paramedic,
Sergeant, and Captain - Patrol Division.
Chief Mickelson has been very involved in
Community Oriented Policing efforts in Cottage
Grove. He represented the City at a National
League of Cities convention in Minneapolis in
1995, describing Cottage Grove's efforts in the
Community Policing area, and has served as a
trainer in Community Policing through the
Community Policing Institute. He was given the Outstanding
Person Award from the South Washington County Youth and
Family Counseling Service Agency, and in 1993 was nominated for
Officer of the Year through the Minnesota Police Chiefs Association.
In 1996, he published an article in the MN League of Cities
magazine on "Community Oriented Business, Neighborhoods, and
Government in Cottage Grove."
Mickelson was raised on St. Paul's West Side, and served four
years in the Air Force. He has a Master's Degree from Cardinal
Stritch College and has been on the adjunct faculty at Inver Hills
Community College, where he taught Criminal Law, Constitutional
Law, and Criminal Evidence and Procedures.
Congratulations, Chief Mickelson!
Santa Brunch Q
The Mayor, City
Council,
By Ron Hedberg
CG Finance Director
Each year the City Council
carefully considers all the items
required to fund the City's opera-
tions. The 2002 budget was partic-
ularly challenging because changes
at the State level have affected the
property tax system dramatically
this year.
The largest change is the State
taking over an increased portion of
school district funding that was
previously included on the property
tax rolls. This change also includ-
ed the State eliminating 1.4 million
Agricultural aid received by
Cottage Grove. These "lost state
aids" made up over 18% of the
total property tax levy in 2001.
Another significant change at
the state level impacting all prop-
erty taxpayers was the "tax classi-
fication rate compression" starting
in 2002. This rate compression
lowered the class rates for certain
types and values of properties
whereby the tax burden is shifted
to the other property types that
were not reduced as much.
To offset a portion of the
impact to low and moderate valued
® +
Contains a minimum of 10% postconsumer waste dollars in Homestead and Cont. on Page 2
.Ice Arena ...:::..Zachary Dockter458 -2846
Public Safety .... John Mickelson 458 -6001
Public Works....Les Burshten ....458 -2810
Recreation ......Diane Evans ...... 458 -2834
Editor ..............Margo Doten
U
THE FLAG AND
Snowmobilersa know the laws
THE COTTAGE
2002
GROVE FIRE
JURISDICTION
DEPARTMENT,
by the Cottage Grove Police Department
left, led the way
Total
at the City's
Now that the leaves have fallen and lawnmowers are tucked away
annual
until spring, it's time to think about winter activities. If your winter
Halloween
plans include snowmobiling, be aware that City ordinances designate
Parade Oct. 27.
the conditions under which snowmobiles must operate in the City of
433
Cottage Grove.
Changes to property tax system,,.
Cont. from Page 1
homes the State created a new
Homestead Credit that home-
steaded residential property own-
ers will see directly on their
property tax bills. This credit is
equal to 0.4 percent of the mar-
ket value of the home up to a
maximum value of $76,000 (or
$304). For homes valued in
excess of $76,000, the credit is
gradually reduced by $9 for each
$10,000 of the home's value in
excess of $76,000. Therefore,
the credit is entirely eliminated
for homes valued in excess of
$414,000.
Tax Levy
The preliminary 2002 proper-
ty tax levy of $8,466,000, adopt-
ed in September, shows an
increase of approximately
$865,000. This increase
includes the first year of a levy to
fund improvements and previous
operating deficits incurred at the
Ice Arena over the past few
years; this is approximately
TAXING
2001
% of
2002
% of
JURISDICTION
Amt.
Total
Amt.
Total
City
$493
24.3%
$622
32.3%
County
468
23.1%
433
22.5%
School
901
44.5%
743
38.6%
Other
164
8.1%
127
6.6%
TOTAL
$2,026
100.0%
$1,925
100.0%
$240,000 of the increase. The
required debt service levy has
also increased .$174,000 from
2001. 'the debt service
includes support of the pave-
ment management project as
well as other public projects.
The remainder of the levy
increase, approximately
$450,000, represents roughly a
6.6% increase over the 2001
"general property tax levy."
This 6.6% increase is at a rate
similar to the growth plus
inflation that Cottage Grove
has experienced over the past
year, which is estimated by the
MN Revenue Dept. at 6.9 %.
Budget Highlights
Budget initia-
tives for 2002
include an addi-
tional staff person
and significant
equipment pur-
chases for Park
Maintenance and
Snow Removal
functions as well
as additional
equipment pur-
chases for Public Safety and
Recreation programs. The
budget also includes setting
aside additional funds for
future pavement management
projects and for future
replacement of the aerial fire
truck.
The market value of a typi-
cal home in Cottage Grove is
$150,000. The 2002 property
tax to be paid by a home of
this value that experienced an
8% increase in the taxable
value over the past year is
estimated in the chart above.
Property taxes provide
approximately 68% of the total
2002 revenues for the General
Fund Budget; in 2001 proper-
ty taxes provided 55% of the
revenues needed. This shift
results from the changes made
at the State level discussed
earlier.
Come to the Budget
Adoption meeting at 7:30
p.m. Tuesday, December 5,
at City Ball to discuss any
questions you have about
the 2002 proposed budget
and tax levy.
Operation is allowed only:
On designated trails
On private land with written permission
On a public roadway when -
- taking the most direct
route to a trail
- in single file
- on the extreme right hand
curb
- traveling at 30 mph or less
Operation is prohibited:
On agricultural land
In a careless or reckless manner
Without current registration or Snowmobile Safety Certificate
(if required due to age)
In City parks, except when on a designated trail
In violation of Minnesota Statutes regulating the operation of
snowmobiles
** NOTE: This is a partial list only. A complete list of ordi-
nances is available at the Cottage Grove City Hall or Police
Department.
The majority of complaints received involve snowmobiles driving
in yards, in parks, and on agricul-
turalland. The Cottage Grove Police
Department will continue its no tol-
erance policy, and violators will be
cited. The Cottage Grove Safe -Sane
Snowmobiling Club will again be
assisting Police Officers in
patrolling, and responding to snow-
mobile complaints. Members will
wear reflective vests identifying
them as snowmobile patrol mem-
bers.
Copies of ordinances are avail-
able at the Cottage Grove Police
Department. Questions may be
directed to the Police at 458 -2811.
Star Trail maps should be available
from local supporting businesses.
With a good base of snow and
knowledge of the laws, this could
be a great year for snowmobiling!
Parking ban,
plowing rules
now In effect
The Cottage Grove Police
Department reminds all resi-
dents that the On- Street
Parking Ban will be in effect
until April 30, 2002. Under the
ordinance, no vehicle may be
parked on any residential
street between the hours of 2
and 6 a.m.
Parking is permitted at
other times as long as it does
not interfere with the removal
of snow and ice from City
streets.
Placing snow in the street
or plowing across the street is
against state law and City
code. Snow should be shoveled
or plowed onto your own prop-
erty or boulevard. Snow placed
in the street may cause acci-
dents and will be compacted
into ice when driven over.
It is unlawful to block
sidewalks with vehicles or
other objects.
Please help our Public
Works Dept. in their efforts to
clear snow this winter.
Police can check car seat safety
Are you having trouble getting your child's car seat installed
in your vehicle? Do you have questions regarding car seats, seat
'an belts, or child passenger safety?
You're not alone. According to the Cottage Grove
b Police Dept., more than 80 per cent of all car seats
are installed or used incorrectly, and while many of
�' these mistakes are minor and easily corrected, some
could be responsible for a child's death in a vehicle
accident.
If you would like more information about child passenger
safety, please call the Cottage Grove Police Department at 458-
2811.
Officer Cathy Dahlstrom has been certified by the AAA as a
Child Passenger Safety Technician, and would be happy to
answer your questions. Car seat checks are also available on a
limited basis.
K
Police name new
2001, 2002 see new retail, industry, school, hotel in CG
1 st Place Winners - CG Photo Contest
SQUAD CARS in Cottage
Grove got a new look this
fall with the introduction of
three new squad cars in
traditional black and white.
The 2001 Chevrolet Impalas
are equipped with state of
the art police communica-
tion technology, including
mobile data computers.
Captain, officers
CRAIG WOOLERY, the
Cottage Grove
Police Sergeant
supervising the
Investigative
Division, has
been promoted
to Police
Captain. Capt.
Woolery started
with the Dept. in 1983 as a
Community Service Officer,
and was a favorite of elemen-
tary children whom he taught
in the DARE program in local
schools.
Newly hired
Police Officer
BRYAN NIASS-
RIAN up a '
mile south of
Afton Alps, and
attended high
school in
Hastings, graduated from the
University of Wisconsin, and
received his Law Enforcement
training in Eau Claire, WI. He
has been a Deputy Sheriff in
Burnett County, WI, since
1999.
New Police Officer DANIEL
SCHOEN grew up in Clara
City, MN, and attended St.
John's University, Collegeville.
'Afu. ` < He received his
Law
Enforcement
degree from
Ridgewater
College,
Willmar, MN,
and has been a
paramedic in Willmar since
1996.
by Ryan Schroeder
City Administrator
The community of Cottage
Grove saw a fair amount of
development activity construct-
ed in 2001 with additional
projects approved for 2002.
Included are both commercial
and industrial projects as well
as a number of improvements
to School District 833 build-
ings including a new
Elementary School on 65th
Street just west of Hinton
Avenue. This school is sched-
uled to be available for fall
2002 occupancy.
Industrial Park
Within the Industrial Park,
located just west of Jamaica
Avenue between 95th and
100th Streets, three new proj-
ects are currently under con-
struction. The new 70,000
square foot TradeHome
Distribution /office facility is
located on a 4.13-acre parcel
just west of Jamaica Avenue
on 97th Street. Just west of
their building is the new man-
ufacturing and headquarters
building for the 44,000 square
foot Advance Corporation on a
6.6 acre site.
Next to Advance is the new
81,000 square foot warehous-
ing /office facility for American
AgCo on a 5.9 -acre property. A
165,000 square foot expan-
sion of the Up North Plastics
facility was approved for 2002
construction and additional
construction occurred on the
3M campus again this year.
Also apparent within the
Industrial Park is a significant
grading operation preparing
for future development proj-
ects. To provide for storm
runoff generated from the
Industrial Park the City con-
structed a large pending facili-
ty just south of 97th Street.
As a result, almost 20 acres of
additional property will be
prepared for future develop-
ment activity.
Retail
In the Retail sector a num-
ber of projects that have been
"in the works" for a couple of
years are now preparing to
move forward. Most evident,
perhaps, is that the real estate
transaction between the Rose
of Sharon Church and Scraper
Development has taken place
and demolition of the Church
building itself is underway.
This 5 -acre parcel at the inter-
section of East Point Douglas
and 80th Street will be the
new home of Walgreen's.
Additional land on the parcel
is set aside for expected con-
struction of a restaurant and
possible banking facility.
With initiation of the
Walgreen's project the redevel-
opment of the Grove Plaza
Shopping Center can now take
place. Proposed for 2002 con-
struction will be demolition of
the old Burger King building in
exchange for a fueling station
owned by Rainbow Foods as
well as construction of an
adjacent storm water pond.
For late 2002, it is expected
that a Home Depot store will
be completed on the east end
of the shopping center with the
balance of the Center being
refurbished.
Adjacent to the School
District Program Center on
East Point Douglas at 90th
Street, construction of a 65
room Country Inn and Suites
Hotel should start soon. In
that same area the City has
approved a new BP /Amoco
store for 2002 construction
and recently completed is the
new Office Max on Jamaica
and 90th. Between Target and
Menards on East Point
Douglas two new office /show-
room buildings are now com-
plete with three new tenants
between the two buildings.
About 28,000 square feet of
retail space has been approved
at the corner of 70th and
County Road 19.
61/494
Finally, with the arrival of
2002 will also come the start
of the Highway 61 -494 recon-
struction project to our north
within the City of Newport.
Project planning by our neigh-
boring communities has con-
tinued throughout 2001 to
allow the entire southeast
metro area to benefit from this
important construction project.
The first phases will be bid in
January, with construction
projected to start in the spring
or early summer of 2002.
Category: Cottage Grove Nature
"Dwain's Sunrise" by Barbara T. Parmenter
Category: Cottage Grove Landmarks
Photographer: Cliff Beard
Category: Cottage Grove People
Photographer: Amy Krussow
AMERICAN AGCO Corporation officials and Cottage Grove City Council and staff
members break ground for a new 81,000 square foot facility in the Cottage Grove
Industrial Park. The distribution center will house 6,000 square feet of office
space and 75,000 square feet of warehouse space. American AGCO is a leading
distributor in the pet food products industry.
4
Congratulations to honored employees
Three Special Recognition Awards and 18 awards to Cottage Grove employees with significant years of
service were presented last month at the annual employee recognition meeting.
Special Recognition Awards honored
these employees:
Suzanne Deans, for her extra effort
during a staffing shortage in the
Finance Dept.
Bob La9rosse, who kept the Building
Department going although it was
short - staffed for most of the year.
Michael 2urbey, for serving as Acting
Public Safety Director during the
search for a new director.
Congratulations and thanks to Cottage Grove City employees who reached milestones in 2001 in their
years of service to the City. Honored were:
25 Years David Ackerman, Fire Dept.; Dennis Leonard, Fire Dept.; Leslie Wick, Public Works;
Michael Zurbey, Public Safety
20 Years Randall Gerlach, Fire Dept.; Liatra Oss, Ice Arena; Caron Stransky, City Clerk
15 Years Greg Malcolm; Police Dept., Patricia Storby, Public Works; Brian Wilson, Police Dept.
10 Years Bruce Anderson, Golf Pro /Mgr; Albert Beasely, Fire Dept.; Gregory Brysky, Police
Dept.; Jeffrey Fishbach, Fire Dept., Debra Korus, Police Dept., Martha McBride,
Community Development; Steven McCarthy, Police Dept.; Benjamin Ratzlaff, River
Oaks
The City of Cottage Grove would like to thank these and all of our employees for their years of commit-
ment, time, and energy to make our community a better place to live and work.
CG 'company store'
offers holiday gift ideas
Don't forget the Cottage Grove Company
Store for your holiday shopping!
New "beanie bag moose" have joined the
sweatshirts, hats, mugs, and other items for
sale.
The City's merchandise went international
last month, when the Cottage Grove Primary
School in Hampshire,
England made a pur-
chase to display in a new
school addition.
Check out the City's
website, www.cottage-
grove.or to see types and
sizes of merchandise, or
stop in to City Hall between 8 and 4:30
Monday - Friday to make your selection.
A ten -point plan for preventing the unnecessary
destruction of historic buildings and archaeological sites
by natural and man -made disasters has been prepared
by the Cottage Grove Historic Preservation Division
(HPD).
The plan is meant to provide City
officials and property owners with G
information and technical assistance ��
on disaster preparedness and response Gio 1
measures.
It includes detailed information on
l r
the location, condition, and preserva-
tion value of historically significant
buildings or sites and authorizes HPD participation in
emergency services planning. Other provisions cover the
City's response after a disaster damages historic proper-
ties or archaeological sites.
0
Police distribute
Vikings cards
Randy Moss, Daunte
Culpepper, Matt Birk, Michael
Bennett, and Jake Reed will be
seen on the streets of Cottage
Grove during December, as
local police officers hand out
Vikings football cards.
The program is sponsored
by the MN Bureau of Criminal
Apprehension, MN Watch Your
Car Program, and Cost
Cutters, in cooperation with
the MN Crime Prevention
Association.
The program is designed to
develop positive relationships
between young people and law
enforcement officers across the
State of Minnesota.
For news about many
Police Department programs,
check out the website: www-
cottage- grove.org
It's time to renew that animal license for your dog or cat. All dogs
and cats over the age of three months must be vaccinated against
rabies, and must receive an annual license.
Cats used in conjunction with the operation of a farm, on proper-
ties in excess of 10 acres in certain zoning districts are exempt from
the licensing requirement.
Dog and cat licenses may be purchased for $15 per year for a
spayed or neutered dog or cat, or $20 per year if the dog or cat is
non - spayed or non - neutered. A late fee of $2 per month will be
assessed beginning Jan. 1, 2002, for dog or cat licenses that have not.
been renewed.
Licenses and renewals for the 2002 calendar year (January
through December) may be purchased now at Cottage Grove City Hall
during regular office hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For your conven-
ience, City Hall will be open during extended office hours in
December:
Tuesday, Dec. 18 ........4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 20 ......4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 29 ........ 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
You may use the form below to obtain a new license, or you may
use the renewal application form mailed to you. 'Send it along with
the license fee, payable to the City of Cottage Grove, and an up -to-
date rabies certificate, to Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80th St. S.,
Cottage Grove, MN 55016. Or, you may place your application in the
utility bill drop in front of City Hall or at Cub Foods.
;-- ------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -- --- - -- --
1
2002 Pet License: City of Cottage Grove
Date I Renewal O New Please: one form per pet.
Owner's Name
Address
Owns a 1 Male
Dog named
Cat named
O Female
O Neutered /Spayed
Color
Color
If renewing, 2001 license tag number (NOT rabies tag number)
Fee ($20 non - neutered /non- spayed; $15 neutered /spayed)
A late fee of $2 per month will be assessed beginning Jan. 1. 2002.
® Check # Ll Cash O Mail ® In Person
(Make check payable to "City of Cottage Grove ")
Owner's Signature Phone
. e —a —se v e a
O Non - Neutered /Spayed
Breed
Breed