2003-04-11 Friday News
The Friday News
April 11, 2003
Congratulations Cari & Brian
City Administrator Cari Lindberg and her husband Brian are the proud parents of a beautiful new baby
girl. Greta Irene was born at 11:49 a.m. on April 4, 2003. She weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz., and is 20 inches
long. Congratulations Cari and Brian, and please keep the pictures coming!
Is There Something in the Water?
The stork arrived again. Fire Department Training Officer Dave Dreelan and his wife Stacy are the proud
parents of a bouncing baby girl. Elizabeth Carolyn Dreelan was born Tuesday morning and weighed in at
7 ½ pounds. Mom, Dad, older sister and baby are all doing well.
Review Board Continuation
TheCity Council conducted the annual Board of Review on April 1. As has been past practice, Council
continued the Review Board to the next Council meeting to allow the county assessor time to report on
valuation reviews that his staff conducted as the result of the Board of Review and open book meetings.
Council will receive Assessor Peterson’s report on April 15 and will also consider a request from the
assessor that Council transfer its local board duties to the Special County Board of Appeal and
Equalization. The cost to the county for its participation in the Review Board is over $1,900, and citizen
attendance at the annual meetings has dropped off significantly over the past few years. Mendota Heights
and South St. Paul are the only large cities in the county that still conduct review board meetings.
St. Thomas Academy Hockey Arena
At the April 15 Council meeting, Council will consider an application from St. Thomas Academy for a
preliminary plat, wetlands permit and conditional use permit for planned unit development for its
proposed hockey arena. Proposed to be located on 20.65 acres of property across Mendota Heights Road
from the school campus, the ice arena is to be used by St. Thomas Academy, the University of St.
Thomas and local youth hockey associations for games and practice. Council will also conduct a public
hearing on a request from St. Thomas for approval of revenue bonds to finance the facility.
Centre Pointe Business Park Final Plat
Also on April 15, the City Council will consider an application for final platting for Centre Pointe
Business Park. On April 2, 2002, Council approved a preliminary plat to create three lots from two
existing lots in the undeveloped portion of the Center Pointe development. The property owner, Roseville
Properties, has secured a high-end tenant for a new building and is now seeking approval of the final plat.
Wentworth Park Warming House
On Tuesday evening, the Parks and Recreation Commission received a report from Parks Leadperson
Terry Blum about the structural integrity of the Wentworth Park warming house. Terry reported that the
floor joists and the timber beams that support the warming house structure are sound and that the building
can continue, as it is, to function as a warming house. As part of the April 15 agenda, Council will
consider a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Commission that the funding authorization for
expansion of the warming house be withdrawn.
Skate Park Bids
At its Tuesday evening meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission also reviewed bids received for
the purchase and installation of components for the skateboard park. The commission’s recommendation
will be considered by Council on April 15.
While Cari’s Away
Cari will be on maternity leave for the next twelve weeks. In her absence, Public Works Director Jim
Danielson is serving as the Acting City Administrator.
Final Thought
“May your day be filled with blessings like the sun that lights the sky, and may you always have the
courage to spread your wings and fly!” — Irish Blessing
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Swanson
City Clerk
Attachments: Just the Facts, Pipeline, City Council Agenda, letter from Dan Tilsen, Environment and
Energy Resource Center press release on Home Fix-Up Fund Program, Villager article “Forest Lake
sergeant named new chief of police in Mendota Heights”, AMM News.