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Home My WebLink About02 February 2077February, 2007 River Oaks Clubhouse..... .... -.438-3627 Mayor.. ..... .:........................Sandy Shiely City Council: Pat Rice ......................Mark Grossklaus Myron Bailey ........................Fred Loden City Adman .... _. ... . -.Ryan Schroeder .... ... 458 -2822 Bldg. Official ..........Bob LaBrosse ...... _ ... 458 -2828 City Clerk .. .......Caron Stransky... -.. ...458 -2814 Community Dev.....Howard Blin - ...... .... 458 -2824 Finance & Administrative Services .....Ron Hedberg .........,..458 -2832 Fire Svcs Chief.. ....Bob Byerly . ....... _458 -2860 Golf Pro /Mgr .....,._Bruce Anderson ........438 -2121 Ice Arena /Rec - . ....Zac Dockter ..............458 -3415 Public Safety.. .......Craig Woolery..,.. ....... 458 -6014 Public Works .......... Los Burshten .: -:... -..458 -2810 Editor ... .... ____ .... .Margo Doten Contains a minimum of 10% postconsumer waste THE COTTAGE GROVE LIONS and other local organizations generous donations to the Friends in Need Food Shelf as pa the Holiday Train festivities. An enthusiastic crowd of 8,000 - 10,000 people met the Canadian I Train when it arrived in Cottage Grove Dec. 12. Sincere thanks to ever attended and contributed to the event. According to Mary Slusser, coordinator of the Holiday Train Coin evening's donations to Friends in Need Food Shelf totaled $28,866 in i 10,000 pounds of food, and 489 toys. The crowd warmed up with 2,000 cookies, 350 cups of coffee, 40 cider, 500 cups of Brownie Bites, 500 cups of Mini Donuts, and 2,000 and lit up the night with 1,000 glowsticks - all thanks to generous don Cub, Caribou, SuperMom's, Hermell Candy, and Spartan Promotional The Holiday Train visits about 40 U.S. cities during each holiday vide a music and light show and generate money for local food shelves fourth consecutive year the train has stopped in Cottage Grove. Thousands of lights decorated the 2006 Holiday Train. POSTAL PATRON Carrier Route Presort Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 1 Cottage Grove, AN INSIDE THIS ISSUE Arbor Day Event 4/28 ..............2 Essay Contest ........................2 Youth Activities Expo ..............2 Business Showcase 3/14........3 Interview with Chief Woolery ..3 Royalty Golf Tourney 4/28 ......4 CGAA Soccer Signups ............ 4 CG Crossword Puzzle ............4 Water Main Flushing ..............5 Household Haz Waste 5/7......5 Public Works Memo Board ....6 Public Wks Project Schedule..6 Spring Clean -Up Day 5/7........7 Grasscycli ng ............................7 Holiday Train Recap. .... __ ... _8 On Jan. 19, 2007, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced that it had detected low levels of the chemical perfluorobu- tanoie acid (PFBA) within municipal wells in Woodbury, South St. Paul, Newport, St. Paul Park, Cottage Grove, and Hastings. The MDH has determined that these levels pose no immediate health risk to residents and that there will be further study to evaluate the necessity to reduce people's exposure to PFBA's for the Long term. PFBA is one of a family of chemicals known as perfluoroehemicals or PFC's. They were made and used by several companies around the world in household and industrial products such as stain repellents, lubri- cants, fire retardants and suppressants, pesticides, surfactants, and emul- sifiers. PFBA was made by the 3M Company at its Cottage Grove facility. The City of Cottage Grove has posted information about PFBA on its website, www.cottage- grove.org The MDH website is a good resource at www.health..state.mn.us, or a MDH resource person can be contacted at 651- 201 -4897. Additionally, the Cottage Grove City Council has scheduled a com- munity meeting at which MDH staff will be available to provide further explanation and respond to questions. This meeting will be held on Monday, Feb. 12, at All Saints Lutheran Church, 8100 Belden Blvd. An Open House will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., with a presentation by the MDH beginning at 7 p.m. All residents are welcome. Construction is expected to begin in late May for the Jamaica Avenue and Highway 61 Roundabout Project, and motorists can expect to use the new interchange by mid - September. According to Cottage Grove City Engineer Jennifer Levitt, bids will be let in April, and the City Council is expected to award the contract in mid -May. The entire project, includ- ing landscaping, should be complete in November, 2007. The three million dollar project will be partially funded by the Minnesota Department of Transportation ( MNDOT). MNDOT and other consultants have been working with the City on the project's planning and design for the past year. A roundabout is a road configura- tion where traffic merges m/out from a variety of streets/ramps to the round- about area, and moves counter- clock- wise around a center island at low speeds (less than 30 miles per hour). Benefits include a decrease in fatalities of up to 90 percent, a 76 per- cent reduction in injuries for motorists, far fewer pedestrian crashes, a signifi- cant decrease in left -turn waiting time, and cost savings on stop lights and stop signs. The roundabout design is expected to be especially helpful to drivers on the southbound exit ramp from high- way 10/61 to Jamaica. Now, during peak travel times, vehicles waiting to make left turns may be backed up near or onto Highway 61. In the new round- Cont. on Page 2 ARTIST'S CONCEPTION of the retaining wall and landscaping for the Jamaica/ Highway 61 Roundabouts. See Page 2 for a diagram of the overall project design. PFBA well contamination Community Meeting for Feb. 12 scheduled INSIDE THIS ISSUE Arbor Day Event 4/28 ..............2 Essay Contest ........................2 Youth Activities Expo ..............2 Business Showcase 3/14........3 Interview with Chief Woolery ..3 Royalty Golf Tourney 4/28 ......4 CGAA Soccer Signups ............ 4 CG Crossword Puzzle ............4 Water Main Flushing ..............5 Household Haz Waste 5/7......5 Public Works Memo Board ....6 Public Wks Project Schedule..6 Spring Clean -Up Day 5/7........7 Grasscycli ng ............................7 Holiday Train Recap. .... __ ... _8 On Jan. 19, 2007, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced that it had detected low levels of the chemical perfluorobu- tanoie acid (PFBA) within municipal wells in Woodbury, South St. Paul, Newport, St. Paul Park, Cottage Grove, and Hastings. The MDH has determined that these levels pose no immediate health risk to residents and that there will be further study to evaluate the necessity to reduce people's exposure to PFBA's for the Long term. PFBA is one of a family of chemicals known as perfluoroehemicals or PFC's. They were made and used by several companies around the world in household and industrial products such as stain repellents, lubri- cants, fire retardants and suppressants, pesticides, surfactants, and emul- sifiers. PFBA was made by the 3M Company at its Cottage Grove facility. The City of Cottage Grove has posted information about PFBA on its website, www.cottage- grove.org The MDH website is a good resource at www.health..state.mn.us, or a MDH resource person can be contacted at 651- 201 -4897. Additionally, the Cottage Grove City Council has scheduled a com- munity meeting at which MDH staff will be available to provide further explanation and respond to questions. This meeting will be held on Monday, Feb. 12, at All Saints Lutheran Church, 8100 Belden Blvd. An Open House will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., with a presentation by the MDH beginning at 7 p.m. All residents are welcome. Construction is expected to begin in late May for the Jamaica Avenue and Highway 61 Roundabout Project, and motorists can expect to use the new interchange by mid - September. According to Cottage Grove City Engineer Jennifer Levitt, bids will be let in April, and the City Council is expected to award the contract in mid -May. The entire project, includ- ing landscaping, should be complete in November, 2007. The three million dollar project will be partially funded by the Minnesota Department of Transportation ( MNDOT). MNDOT and other consultants have been working with the City on the project's planning and design for the past year. A roundabout is a road configura- tion where traffic merges m/out from a variety of streets/ramps to the round- about area, and moves counter- clock- wise around a center island at low speeds (less than 30 miles per hour). Benefits include a decrease in fatalities of up to 90 percent, a 76 per- cent reduction in injuries for motorists, far fewer pedestrian crashes, a signifi- cant decrease in left -turn waiting time, and cost savings on stop lights and stop signs. The roundabout design is expected to be especially helpful to drivers on the southbound exit ramp from high- way 10/61 to Jamaica. Now, during peak travel times, vehicles waiting to make left turns may be backed up near or onto Highway 61. In the new round- Cont. on Page 2 ARTIST'S CONCEPTION of the retaining wall and landscaping for the Jamaica/ Highway 61 Roundabouts. See Page 2 for a diagram of the overall project design. • • • • • • • • Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders are invited to participate in the 2007 Human Rights Essay Contest. The event is sponsored by the Minnesota League of Human Rights Commissions and the City of Cottage Grove Human Services /Human Rights Commission. This year's topic will be: "Do people have a human right to live where they choose on this earth? Why or why not? What recommendations do you have regard- ing the current controversy surrounding immigration in the United States ?" Entries. 3-5 pagers, typed and double - spaced, are due at City Hall by March 7, 2007. The winning essays will be selected at the Human Services /Human Rights Commission's March 14 meeting. Prizes will be awarded locally to the first-, second -, and third -place finishers. The first -place essay will be forwarded to the state contest, where it will be eligible for cash prizes. Instructions and the submission form are available on the City's website, www.cottage- grove.org. For more information, please contact Joe Fischbach at 651- 458 -2883, orjfischbaeh @cottage - grove.org. Roundabout... Cont. from Page t about design, drivers will exit from Highway 61, merge into the South Roundabout, and flow around it with existing traffic until exiting at westbound Jamaica, the West Pt. Douglas service road, or northeast -bound Jamaica. North of Highway 61, the roundabout will serve Jamaica Avenue and Fast Pt. Douglas Road. sam7+e THIS OVERVIEW of the Highway 61 /Jamaica Roundabout shows Highway 10/61, on the diagonal from the upper left toward the lower right. The two Roundabouts are on Jamaica Avenue; the lower one would serve the traffic that is southbound on Highway 61. ME! 11 KTZM r- T-TA Free, three -foot Red Maple trees will be given to the first 100 participants at Cottage Grove's 2007 Arbor Day Event, to be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 28, at Highlands Park near 70th Street &. Idsen. The "rain or shine" event is designed to focus on the environ- ment by sparking inter- est in local parks, encouraging tree plant- ing and care, and pro- moting environmental awareness. Nurseries and landscaping compa- nies will be on hand to sell trees and answer questions related to lawn care, gardening, and tree maintenance. The City will staff booths with information on buckthorn removal and to promote upcoming park improvements. Everyone attending will have a chance to explore Highlands Park - including the new peninsula area - and to participate in educational programs for children and for adults. 'lice nurseries, landscaping com- panies, and environmental organiza- tions that would like to set up a booth at this event to sell your product or promote your organization should con- tact Brian Voelker at 651 -458 -2808. For more information, contact Public Works at 651- 458 -2808. See the Parks insert in this issue for information on the Youth Activities Expo, to be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, at the River Oaks Clubhouse. -7- Household Goods by Item: Hot Water Heater ........... .........................$10.00 Water Softener ............... .........................$10.00 ... ...... .......... $5.00 Washer or Dryer (each) . .........................$10.00 Stove ............................. .........................$10.00 Charge Refrigerator (No gas ammonia ) ..............$10.00 Freezer ........................... .........................$10.00 Dishwasher ....._ ........... ............_............$10.00 Microwave ..................... .........................$10.00 Air Conditioner ............. .........................$20.00 Sofa ........._ .................... .........................$10.00 Chair ............................ ..........................$5.00 Box Spring or Mattress (all sizes) .......... $10.00 Tires and Batteries: Car Tire ........................ ..........................$3.00 Truck Tire ............. - ............ ... ...... .......... $5.00 Tractor Tire ................... .........................$15.00 Car Battery ................. .............................No Charge Electronic Equipment: Television or Stereo...... Computer ...................... Printer or Fax Machine Console Stereo or TV - Stereo, VCR, etc........... Small Misc. Electronics (Radio, Boombox) ., VCR ............................. Material By Load: $15.00- $45.00 $20.00 $15.00 $30.00- $60.00 $15.00- $30.00 $5.00- $20.00 $10.00 Car Trunk ........................ ........................$15.00 Station Wagon /SUV ....... .........................$20.00 Pickup Truck (level load) ......................$40.00 (Proportional rates may be applied to partial loads & over- loaded trucks.) Too often, yard and grass clip- pings - complete with fertilizers and other chemicals - reach our local waterways by washing into storm drains. You can keep green waste out of storm drains by grasscycling, com- posting in your own yard, or partici- pating in your local green waste recy- cling program. Grasscycling is the practice of leaving clippings on the lawn when .mowing. The clippings quickly decompose, returning nutrients to the soil. Grasscycling makes caring for your lawn easier, and will not cause thatch. You can reduce mowing time by as much as fifty per cent because you don't have to bag or dispose of clippings. Leaving clippings on the lawn also reduces the lawn's water loss and its need for fertilizer. To grsseycle, it is best to cut grass when the surface is dry (no drops of moisture on the grass), and to keep the mower blades sharp. Follow the "1/3 Rule ": Mow the lawn often enough so that no more than one -third of the length of the grass blade is removed in any one mowing. Proper mowing will produce short clippings that will not cover up the grass surface. You may have to cut the lawn more frequently, or double -cut, when the grass is growing quickly. Backyard composting is the process of allowing nature to break down your green waste. When you mix your grass clippings, weeds, trimmings, and water in a bin, beneficial insects and micro - organisms decompose the mixture into finished compost. You can help speed the process by keeping the pile moist, not soaked, and periodically mix it to add air to the pile. Finished compost may be ready in as little as six weeks, and may be placed over the soil as mulch or mixed into the soil as a valuable soil amendment. Your trash hauler may also pick up green waste, using biodegradable bags. This pickup must be arranged in advance; call your hauler for informa- tion. For more information, please see the "Info A to Z" listing on the City's website, www.cottage- grove.org under "Composting." Solution:'Cottage Grove Then & Now' See puzzle on Page 4 WE m3_ Parking Ban until April 30 Cottage Grove's on -street parking ordinance continues through April 30, 2007. Under the ordinance, no vehicle may be parked on any resi- dential sheet between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Vehicles may be parked on the street at other times as long as they do not get in the way of City plows. Owners must remove their vehicles from the street within 15 minutes of a request from a City employee. Boulevard Repairs Public Works crews will repair any boulevards showing damage from City snowplows. If you believe your boulevard has sustained plow damage, please contact the Public Works Department, 651- 458 -2808, to be placed on the schedule. Repairs are tentatively scheduled for the third week of May. Weed Ordinance Reminder ' The City would like to remind res- idents of Title 4, Chapter 3, Section I of the City Code, which states: "It shall be unlawful to allow or permit the growth of weeds, grass, brush, or other rank vegetation to a height greater than eight inches (8 "), or any accumulation of dead weeds, grass, or brush on such land ." u If a resident is fond in violation of this ordinance, a notice may be served requiring the violation to be abated within ten days. Residents may also face fines and interest charges if the violation is not abated in a timely manner, so please keep your vegetation clipped to less than eight inches! If you have any questions or con- cerns about weed ordinance enforce- ment, please contact the Public Works Department at 651 - 458 -2808. Pothole Alert! To report a pothole, go to the City's website at www.cotiage- grove.org/public holebtui, or call 458 -2808. Crews will fill all potholes as quickly as possible. • _ • • - 90 6 0 Tree Trimming: early February Att • - invited to March 14 Business Showcasl featuring tocat The trimming of City trees along City streets will begin in early February. If you are in the affected area and have not taken down your holiday decorations, please do so now. Workers do not have time to remove holiday decorations, and strings of lights, etc., will be damaged or destroyed by the tree- trimming process. The area to be trimmed is west of Pine Tree Valley Park, north of 80th Street, east of Hinton Avenue, and south of 76th Street and Indian Boulevard. Streets include Homestead Avenue immediately north of 76th Street, and all of Hidden Valley. If you have a tree growing in the right -of -way or that overhangs the street or the walkway along your property, it will be pruned. Any dead or infected wood will be removed, along with branches that are rubbing other branches. Of course, low- hanging branches that interfere with vehicles or pedestrians will also be removed. City crews will begin sweeping salt and sand from the streets about April 9, when temperatures are above freezing. Sweeping will begin with major streets, including 80th, ,Jamaica, Hinton, Hadley, Bast and West Point Douglas, and Grange. Residents should sweep sand from their boulevards onto the streets before the crew cleans the street. During sweeping, please park your car in the driveway so the sweeping can be completed curb to curb without missing any areas. Street Striping The Public Works Department will be striping streets throughout the City this summer. Center lines and fog lines will be completed by June 15 (Aug. 9 for areas to be sealcoated). Crosswalks, arrows, school zone pavement markings and other sniping will be repainted to improve visibility before school starts in the fall. Residents are asked to avoid driving over the fresh paint. Crosswalks will be coned off, indicating that they have been painted recently. In other cases, look for a slow- moving vehicle with flashing lights and a "Wet Paint" sign on the back to indicate that fresh paint is on the roadway. Cottage Grove is very concerned about the safety of the public while Public Works employees are working. Remember these safe driving tips: • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you. • Anticipate lane shifts; follow directions, but don't change Lanes unnecessarily. • Avoid using mobile phones while driving in work zones. • Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones. • Stay alert; expect the unexpected, and be patient! The 2007 street sealcoating project will begin around June 18, and work is expected to be finished by June 29. Sealcoating will take place in the following triangle area: south of 80th St., north of Highway 61, and west of Jamaica. Sealcoating is maintenance that is performed approximately every seven years to extend the life of our City streets. The process involves cleaning the streets, putting down a layer of oil followed by a layer of rock, rolling over the rock to adhere it to the oil, and sweeping up any excess rock that does not stick to the oil. Cars should not be parked on streets that are being scalcoated. "No Parking" signs will be posted 24 hours in advance of sealcoating. For more information, please see www. cottage - grove.org /proj streets.litm, or call Public Works at 651- 458 -2808. Want to know where to find a business, service, or organization in Cottage Grove, St. Paul Park, Newport, and other local commu- nities? Come to the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce 4th Annual Business Showcase on Wednesday, March 14th, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Cottage Grove National Guard Armory. The event is free and open to the public. There will be food, prizes, and giveaways. The Showcase will feature products and services of local businesses and organizations in a variety of fields including home improvement, real estate, finance and banking, health and wellness, home and office products, cuisine, graphic design, professional services, and much more. Please come and learn about what our local businesses have to offer and why it pays to "shop locally." BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS -do you need a venue to promote your business and want an opportunity to meet people in the community? Reserve a booth at the Business Showcase. Booths are $70 to Chamber members and $85 for non - members. For more infor- mation, please contact Colleen at the Chamber office, 651- 458 -8334, or email office @cottagegrovechambei or visit the Chamber's website at www.cottagegrovechamber.org. LOCAL GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sue Manning, left, welcomed Julie Berg at last year's Business Showcase. 1 TM V M = - M = •• A 9 W IM •• Seven months into his new job as Cottage Grove's Public Safety Director, Chief Craig Woolery says the biggest surprise has been the unexpect- ed demands on his time. As head of the City's Police Department, Fire Department, and Emergency Medical Services, Woolery is in constant touch with Cottage Grove residents, the City Council, and departmental personnel - 114 full -time and part -time police offi- cers, firefighters, and civilian staff. Woolery says the Department is `'moving into the 21st century" with the ongoing consolidation of the Communications Center. "It's difficult, but it's the right thing to do," he said. "Now we have new technologies and the ability to share databases. Sharing costs with other cities can improve our records capabilities and communica- tions to officers in a manner we could never do alone." He said Cottage Grove is still in the midst of the transi- tion to the new system, especially in the records area, which should be fully upgraded during 2007. The consolidation will be enhanced in 2008, when the City will implement an 800- megahertz radio system to provide more efficient com- munication among responders. "Overall, Cottage Grove is a very good city," Woolery said when asked about challenges facing the Public Safety Department. "We are focusing our attention on livability concerns, juvenile crime, and traffic enforcement and safety." How can the residents help? "People should feel free to con- tact our departments any time with their concerns," Woolery said. He also encouraged citizens to get involved with Neighborhood Watch, McGruff House, and other community safety programs. "Our big push is to be as account- able and effective as we can," Woolery said about the Public Safety Department. "We understand that it takes an officer or firefighter to respond to needs, but we are trying to be as effi- cient as possible." There is a strong *: demand for service: last year, the Chief Craig Wootery Department logged 15,296 Initial Complaint Reports - either a request for help from a citizen, or an officer- initiated contact. Woolery has had a 24 -year career with the Cottage Grove police, starting as a Community Service Officer/ Paramedic in 1983, and advancing to Police Officer /Paramedic, Patrol Sergeant, and Investigative Sergeant. He was named Captain and Deputy Director, responsible for Emergency Medical Services, Investigations, and Special Response Teams, in 2001. The City Council appointed him Public Safety Director in July, 2006. -4- tion form, please email committee @cgroyalty.com. 501 3 5TURM The Cottage Grove Royalty Scholarship Program will benefit from the First Annual Royal Golf Tournament, set for Saturday after- noon, April 28, at River Oaks Golf Course, 11099 S. Highway 61. The event will include 18 holes of golf, dinner, an award ceremony, a silent auction, and door prizes. Participants must register in four - person teams. The $80 per person fee will cover green fees, golf cart, and dinner. - With questions, or for a registra- • i e A -5- To protect the City's water supply, all Cottage Grove water mains will be flushed this spring, beginning the week of April 9 in Zone 1, continuing with Zones 2 and 3, and finishing in Zone 4 on the west side of Highway 10/61. Public Works Department employees flush the water mains twice a year by opening each of the 1,000 -plus fire hydrants in Cottage Grove. The sudden rush of water loosens and removes accumulated mineral deposits from the lines. This process may cause discoloration of the water in your home. The water is safe to drink, but it may stain fabrics if you are washing clothes at the time your water main is being flushed. Check for signs of discoloration before using the water to wash clothes. The Public Works Department also suggests that you flush out the taps in your home, since iron deposits tend to build up in residential lines. When weather permits and all the hydrants have been flushed in your neighborhood, open the outside faucets and run all the cold water taps in your home at full force. The water will start out clear and then become discolored. Leave the taps open until the water becomes clear again, usually in 10 to 30 minutes. If you have any questions about the flushing process, please call Public Works at 651- 458 -2808. To check the flushing schedule for your neighborhood, please access hitp: / /www.cottage- grove .org /publis— works — environment —i lushing,htm. CLUES One form of water Across (abbr.) land 5: island inhabited 27 as early as 10,000 55 B.C. 10 Much land in Cottage 29 Grove 14 Tops 15 River sight 16 Scarlet letter 17 Pet ID 18 Best of the Pests 20 CG org. concerned 39 with business growth 22 Correct as is 23 Joker 24 The VFW has a Red 42 one 26 Early industrial site on 1 & 5 Across 30 City Council meeting plan 31 Director of Public 47 Safety, Chief 34 One way to vote 36 "To protect and 53 serve," e.g. 37 Sights in the 56 Atkinson's and 57 Swedish Cemeteries 40 Church /Lodge since 59 1868 43 Electronics co. 46 Township now within 61 Cottage Grove 47 Hazen P. area settler in 1838; also cows 49 Love in Latin 50 Youth sports' organiz- ers 51 One form of water (abbr.) 52 Address locating a file 27 site labor.) 55 Gasoline additive labor.) 56 River Oaks or 29 Mississippi Dunes 62 Am. teachers' org. 63 Pack at Park 64 Ice venue 65 Knitting stitch 66 Fire Chief Byerly and 38 Building Official 39 LaBrosse 67 Title for Sandy Sanely 68 Draw in Cottage Grove Down 1 9 10 11 12 13 ir, Retail entry to Cottage Grove Public Works concern f2 words) Brings into operation Archaic "you" TV Network CG's is 44.8 Home builder Thompson Bulldogs' school in the South Morning mists Recreation /Recycling Frog ingus Lib. patron City Spring Clean -Up month Regular City Council meetings are held - weekly 21 Uncertain at this time (door.) 25 12 -step group 27 Suffix with 'hum - -" 28 Kingston, compared to other City parks 29 TV's "Bill , the Science Guy" 32 Opiv of shut 33 First half of a jr. high 35 Police responder 37 Police dog and truck 38 Suffix with aster - 39 Actress_ -mi Watts 40 Chicken __ king 41 Rend. for CG Photo Contest 42 It starts in Enero 43 Finance Department's concern 44 Large holes in the ground 45 Driveway layer 47 Pa's buddy 48 Tree type 50 Manor, for one 53 Kind of cola 54 Soil type 56 Current Pres. 57 Tic too toe winner 58 Big outdoor gear inits. 59 Former governor's name suffix 60 - Cone 61 Unit of corn 65 Dept. for parks, streets, sewers, water, etc. Solution on Page 7. Cottage Grove Soccer will have sign -ups for the 2007 soccer season on the following dates: Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. — 2 p.r% at the CGAA Bingo Hall Wednesday, April 18, 6 — 8 p.m. at the Cottage Grove Armory Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. at the CGAA Bingo Hall Children eligible to play soccer will be four years old by Sept. 1, 2007, or in Kindergarten through 8th grade during the 2006 -07 school year. Fees are $40 for preschool children, and $55 for K -8 students. To verify the age of each child, parents must bring a copy of the birth certificate for pre- school children, and a copy of the child's report card for school -age children. The Soccer Assn. database is now being updated. All soccer games will be played within the City of Cottage Grove. Please check the website, www.CGAA.org, for more information and updates, or call 651- 458 -0119 if you have questions. ;Household Cleanup i Hazardous waste Collection Day 1 ; 0 N E DAY 0" Pmslff J t o , Saturday, May 1, 2004 a.m t® Cottage Grove Public Works Garage, 8635 W. Pt. Douglas Rd. *° ; (Just south of Jamaica along the service road west of Hwy 61) ITEMS ACCEPTED FOR SPRING CLEANUP AND FEES PER ITEM OR LOAD: BT ITEM: , Hot Water Heater $10 ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT ; Water Softener $20 Television $15 -30 I Washer or Dryer (each) $10 Computer $20 Stove $10 Printer or Fax Machine $15 Refrigerator $10 Stereo, VCR, etc. $15 -30 (No gas ammonia refrigerators accepted) Small Misc. Electronic Equipment: $5 -20 i Freezer $10 (Radio, Boombox, etc.) ; Dishwasher $10 Microwave $10 TIRES AND BATTERIES Air Conditioner $20 Car Tire $2 ; Sofa $10 Truck Tire $5 Chair $5 Tractor Tire $15 Box Spring or Mattress (All sizes) $10 Car Battery No Charge ; ADDITIONAL MATERIAL BY LOAD: ; Cal Trunk: $15 Station Wagon /SUV: $20 Pick Up Truck (level load): $40 ; ' Proportional Rates may be applied to partial loads and overloaded trucks. , IS THERE HAZARDOUS WASTE IN YOUR HOME'' Bring it to the Washington County Household Hazardous Waste Collection. Saturday, May 1, 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Public Works Garage, 5635 W. Pt. Douglas Rd. No Charge for Residents. Proof of county residency required. ITEMS ACCEPTED: Aerosol cans (if empty, put out in the trash); automotive products, includ- ing brake fluid, power steering fluid; batteries, including car batteries; fluorescent bulbs; gasoline (keep separate from used oil); herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, poisons; high intensity discharge bulbs (mercury vapor); latex paint (if empty and dry, put in the trash); lighter fluid; mercury waste (thermostats, thermometers, switches); oil paint, paint thinner and other solvents; oven and drain cleaners; pool chemicals; propane and other compressed gas cylinders; rechargeable batteries; roof- ing tar; used motor oil and oil filters; wood preservatives and stains ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED: Appliances; asbestos; business waste; compost; computers /tvs /other electronics; construction and remodeling debris; explosives; landscaping debris; tires; cooking oil YEAR ROUND HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION FACILITY and Re -Use Room: 1900 Hadley Ave. N., Oakdale. Open Year- Round: Tuesdays Noon to 7 p.m.; Thursdays 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Closed on major holidays. For more information: Call WASHINGTON COUNTY, 651- 430 -6655; Household Hazardous Waste 24 -Hour Infeline: 651- 430 -6770; www.co.washington.mn.us WE Families, busi- ,. nesses, organiza- ' tions, and individuals are welcome to help organize the Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest, scheduled for the second weekend in June. Plan the fun - work a booth - serve up new ideas for the City's biggest com- munity event. Call Caron Stransky, 458 -2814, for more informa- tion or to see how you can help. , , ,'. The City of Cottage Grove is partnering with the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), a local non -profit organization, to offer new, lower interest rates for home improvements. Homeowners may borrow up to $25,000 at 5.25 percent interest for home improvement projects. This low interest rate is available immediately, with no application deadlines. Qualifying households will have incomes of less than $75,000 per year. CEE will tailor a payment that is affordable for the homeowner's budget, with repayment terms of up to 20 years. Most home improvement projects are eligible for financing. Low - interest Home Energy Loans are also available through the CEE. This program has no income limits and a maximum loan amount of $10,000 at 5.25 percent interest. It is available for energy - related improvements, including furnaces, air condi- tioning, insulation, windows, doors, and water heaters. For more information or to request an application, contact Lisa at CEE at 651- 731 -2626, or visit www.mneee.org. r Property owners and contractors planning construction or remodeling projects must obtain a proper Building Permit prior to the start of the project. Some of the more common projects include: • Decks, porches, gazebos ` • Additions " • Lower level finishes and basernent j remodeling • Garages, accessory structures • Driveways, parking pads • Swimming pools, spas • Lawn irrigation systems • Fireplaces • Siding, roofing, window installations • Furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters Some permits may be issued while you wait, while others require a plan review by the City's Building and /or Planning Department staff. Plan reviews usually take about five days to complete, but during busy times of the year they may take up to three weeks. If your project requires a plan review, please submit the nec- essary documentation and construction plans to the Building Division in a timely fashion before starting on the project. Staff members will review your project to verify construction details and property line setbacks to assure compliance. Permit applications may be obtained in person, by mail, by fax at 651- 458 -2882, or at the City's website, www.cottage- grove.org For more information, please contact the Building Division at 458 -2877 or the Planning Division at 458 -2827, or simply stop in. The Building and Planning offices are located in the Community Development Department at City Hall, 7516 80'Lh St. S. Funds ready for lower - income homeowners Funds are available immediately through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) to help lower - income Washington County homeowners make repairs and improvements to their homes. Eligibility requirements include: • household income under $18,000 /year; • no more than $25,000 in assets, excluding the home and one vehicle; • up -to -date mortgage and property taxes. Eligible homeowners may receive up to $1.5,000 for home improvement projects. No monthly payments are required; the money is repaid at no interest at the time the home is sold. Homeowners who may be eligible for this program are encouraged to call Lisa at the Center for Energy and Environment, 651- 731 -2626. NEM I list M170 Cottage Grove residents can buy backyard composting bins at a reduced price, thanks to a joint program from the City of Cottage Grove and Washington County. The bins offer residents a way to manage kitchen and yard waste, while creating organic- rich finished compost for use in gardens and flower beds. The compost bins, called "The Garden Gourmet," are approxi- mately 23 by 23 by 48 inches tall, and are constructed of black recycled plastic. Each bin comes with a kitchen food waste bucket and com- posting "How To" book. The Master Gardeners offer; composting class Master Gardeners will teach all interested residents a class on the basics of backyard composting and how to use fire "Garden Gourmet" composter. The class is scheduled for 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, at the Cottage Grove Public Works Garage, 8635 W. Pt. Douglas Rd. For questions and registra- tion, call Washington County Department of Public Health and Environment, 651- 430 - I' 6655. bin, bucket, and book have a value of $80, but are offered through this program for $30. Residents must reserve their composting bin package by visiting the Green Guardian website, www.greenguardian. com, and selecting the bin of their choice. Those without internet access can call 651- 293 -3933. Payment will be due when the bins are picked up. Cottage Grove's bin distri- bution is scheduled for Saturday, May 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Public Works Building, 8635 W. Pt. Douglas Rd. S. Water Main Flushing Sched Spring, 2004 P O T" , , EMO To protect the City's water supply, all City water mains will be flushed this spring, beginning the week of April 12 and continuing through the week of May 3. Please check the map below to see when flushing is scheduled for your neighbor- hood. Public Works Department employees flush the water mains twice a year by open- ing each of the 1000 -plus fire hydrants in Cottage Grove. The sudden rush of water loosens and removes mineral deposits that tend to accu- mulate in the lines. This process may cause discoloration of water in the home. The water is still safe to drink, but could stain fabrics if clothes are being washed at the time of the water main flushing. After all neighborhood hydrants have been flushed, residents should flush out the taps in their homes, as iron deposits may build up in residential lines. When weather permits, open the outside faucets and all cold water taps in the home, run- ning them at full force. The water will start out clear, then become discolored. The taps should be Left open until the water runs clear again, usually in 10 to 30 minutes. Anyone with questions about water main flushing is welcome to call Public Works at 458 -2808. IF YOU DRIVE WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IN YOUR CAR, you should know ... Auto accidents are a more frequent cause of death in children under 11 than all diseases combined. An average of 110 children a year are killed or severely injured in Minnesota car accidents. An estimated 70 percent of child fatalities could be prevented with proper use of child restraints. Using booster seats for children aged 4 through 7 reduces the risk of injury by 59 percent compared to the use of adult seat belts alone. Because of the overwhelming evidence that child safety restraints work in preventing serious injury or death to children who are in auto accidents, Cottage Grove Police Officers and other Minnesota law enforcement personnel are ticketing motorists who do not have their young passen- gers in properly installed safety seats. Local parents are welcome to call Officer Cathy Dahlstrom, 458 -2811, for an appointment to make sure the safety seats are correctly installed in their cars. There is no charge for this service. "Parents who ignore the safety of their children will be ticketed," said Sgt. Steven McCarthy. "We need to have the safety of those in the back seat at the front of our minds." He says that because families typically spend many hours a week driving to school and activities, the children's safety when they are in a vehicle must be of special concern. The Police Department organized a weekend enforcement effort in mid - February to monitor cars with child passengers and ticket those drivers who had children in improperly installed safety seats. More information about child passenger safety is available at www.buckleupkids.state.mn.us SAFE ZONES A Safe Zone is an area within 300 feet or one city block (whichever is greater) of a school, park, or public housing area. Under Minnesota law, if a person is convicted of the sale or possession 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 those particular crimes are enhanced. Juveniles (at least 14 years old) who are alleged to have been involved in these crimes may be tried as an adult and sentenced in an adult court. , Join the Police Reserve and assist the Cottage Grove Police Department with com- munity events, crime scene security, surveil- lance details, and other Police responsibilities. An applicant must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, a high school graduate or equivalent with a valid driver's license, and a person of high standards and strong moral character. Call Officer Randy McAlister at 458 -6000 text. 1031) or Officer Dan Schoen at 458 -6000 text. 1058). Applications are available at City Hall or the Police Department. Mc GRUFF HOUSE "MeGruff Houses" are temporary safe havens for children who find themselves in emergency or other frightening situations which require immediate help. The homeowner dis- plays a "MeGruff House" plaque on a front win- dow, and contacts the Police if a child ever uses the home as a McGruff House. Call Community Affairs Officer Greg Reibel at 458 -6025 for details. Local citizens concerned with the reduction of crime and the promotion of crime prevention in Cottage Grove are urged to join the Crime Prevention Advisory Board. Board meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Fire Station #2. For more information, contact Community Affairs Officer Greg Reibel at 458 -6025. NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH Volunteers are needed for Neighborhood Watch, which aims to heighten residents' awareness of suspicious activity in an effort to prevent crime. Watch Blocks have 10 -18 homes. Contact Community Watch Coordinators Barb Stoffel or Diane McCabe at 458 -6000 (6053) for more information. Zone 1 - Week of April 12 Zone 3 - Week of April 26 Zone 2 - Week of April 19 Zone 4 - Week of May 3