Loading...
2003-04-18 Friday News The Friday News April 18, 2003 Review Board Duties Transfer On April 15, the City Council discussed a request from the Dakota County Assessor and County Commissioner Patrice Bataglia for consideration of transferring the local board duties to the Special County Board of Appeal and Equalization. The cost to the county for its participation in the local review board process is over $1,900 for one evening. In addition to their attendance at the local board, the assessor’s staff conducts open book meetings for eight days in March of each year. The open book meetings are held from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the three county government centers, including the new Northern Service Center. Council expressed their support for the request and directed staff to prepare a formal resolution for adoption at on May 5. Hockey Arena Approved At Tuesday evening’s Council meeting, the City Council considered and approved an application from St. Thomas Academy for preliminary plat, wetlands permit and conditional use permit for a planned unit development on the south side of Mendota Heights Road, across from the Academy campus. Council also approved the issuance of a building permit for a 39,550 square foot ice arena to be built on the site. The arena is to be used by St. Thomas Academy, the University of St. Thomas and local youth hockey associations for practice and game situations. Council also authorized the issuance of a tax exempt recreational facilities note to the St. Thomas Academy Ice Arena Corporation for the financing of the ice arena. Groundbreaking is planned for May, and the contractor expects to complete the project by December. Centre Pointe Final Plat Also on April 15, the City Council considered an application for final platting for Centre Pointe Business Park. Council approved a plat that creates three lots from two existing undeveloped lots in the Center Pointe Business Park. Roseville Properties plans to begin construction of an office building on one of the lots in May. Skate Park Bids Approved On the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Commission, theCity Council awarded the bid for ramps, a quarter pipe and other components for the skateboard park. The tier one skateboard park will be located in the existing tennis court area at the Rogers Lake Park. The components have been ordered, and the facility should be open for the enjoyment of young skateboard enthusiasts in the community by July 1. Family Services Board Appointment Councilmember Mary Jeanne Schneeman was appointed to serve as the city’s representative on the school district’s Family Services Collaborative Board on April 15. Former Police Chief Jeff Piotraschke was the city’s prior representative. The Benefits of Working Together On Sunday at approximately 4:30 pm, the fire department was requested to give mutual aid to Inver Grove Heights. The request was for a tanker to transport water to a fire scene and an engine to stand-by at their station. A large home just being completed and listed in the parade of homes was on fire in an area without fire hydrants. Other responding departments with tankers included Rosemount, Eagan and Farmington. In all there were six tankers involved. Our firefighters provided 6 loads of water (12,000 gallons) and responded to an accident with injuries and 2 small grass fires while providing coverage at their station and a contingent of firefighters was moved to the scene to relieve exhausted IGH firefighters. It is at times like this that the value of mutual aid is shown. The Dakota County Fire Chiefs are very proud of the system and the working relationships that are in place to respond when disaster strikes. Kevin Perron announces Retirement th On Wednesday, April 16, Kevin Perron announced his retirement from the fire department. Kevin joined the department in January of 1987 and has been a contributor for 16+ years. Kevin was involved in the dance committee and was the person responsible for procuring the dance tickets for the annual fundraiser. It is not known what Kevin's future plans are but he will be missed. Prospective Firefighters Interviewed. Last week the executive board of the fire department and Emmy Foster completed interviews of prospective firefighter applicants. The department decided to move forward with developing a list of candidates to draw from to fill expected vacancies. Chief Maczko expects 3-5 openings by the end of the year as firefighters retire. Ten people started in the process and eight completed it. There are some very strong candidates, and four of the top five have at least some daytime availability. Chief Maczko was concerned about the number of firefighters leaving but is feeling very good about the quality of candidates interviewed. Another baby!! Firefighter Jay Taylor and his wife Gisele are the proud parents of their first child. Sylvia Imelda Taylor was born at 1:12 am Friday April 11th. She weighed 8 pounds 7 ounces and was 21" long. Labor lasted a prolonged 35 minutes. Jay is so proud he even has a web site with plenty of pictures!! It is http://www.pyro.com/baby. Congratulations to Jay and Gisele. Final Thought Have a wonderful weekend! Respectfully Submitted, Kathleen Swanson City Clerk Attachments: Pipeline, Pre-Application Meeting Synopsis; Planning Commission Agenda; letter from Dakota County Public Health Dept. and invitation to the Be Active Minnesota Spring Walk; LMC “Friday Fax;” and an invitation to the Northern Dakota County Chambers of Commerce Business Excellence Awards Luncheon.