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Issue 30 - Heights Highlights Winter 1994PAGE 1 February, 1994 ISSUE 30 CITY SUPPORTS AIRPORT NOISE LAWSUIT A City supported lawsuit currently making its way through the courts system could bring relief to city residents affected by aircraft noise. The Minneapolis Public Lobby (MPL) and the South Metro Airport Action Council (SMAAC) filed a lawsuit against the Metro- politan Airports Commission (MAC) in May 1992 charging them with violating Minnesota Pollution Control standards regarding noise generation. The MAC has admitted that aircraft operations in and out of the airport do exceed Minnesota Pollution Control standards, but contend that those restrictions do not apply to the airport which is governed by Federal regulations. In October 1993 the Minnesota Court of Appeals found in favor of MPL and SMAAC stating that "Federal law does not preempt application of state noise standards to the Metropolitan Airports Commission and the Minneapolis - St. Paul Airport". As expected, the MAC has appealed this decision to the Minnesota Supreme Court. Should the Supreme Court uphold the Appeals Court decision, the enforcement of state noise standards at the airport could significantly reduce the noise levels experienced in Mendota Heights and other nearby communities. No longer would the MAC have the unlimited power to generate excessive noise whenever and wherever it chose. The decision would be an important benchmark and would form the basis from which all future noise restrictions and measurements would be made. Recognizing the value of this decision to our city, on December 7, 1993 the Mendota Heights City Council authorized the expenditure of $10,000 to assist in defending the lawsuit before the Minnesota Supreme Court. Thus far the SMAAC and MPL have raised about $70,000 in support of the lawsuit. Should you wish to individually contribute to this effort, donations are gladly being accepted by the Minnesota Public Lobby, 2918 West 39th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410. Board of Review Meeting Set The City Council will meet in its capacity as the Board of Review in April. At the meeting, the Dakota County Assessor will present general information on property valuation increases which will affect real estate taxes payable in 1995. Conducted annually, the Board of Review meeting provides an opportunity for resi- dents to learn more about the city's valuation and the methods used to determine property valuations. During the formal part of the meeting, which will take approximately one- half hour, the Assessor will respond to gen- eral questions from residents and the Coun- cil. Representatives from the Assessor's Of- f- will then meet with property owners dually to discuss specific questions re- lating to their properties. The Board of Review will be held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, April 5, at 7:00 p.m. Those wishing to meet with an assessor must sign a roster before the meet- ing starts. If you have questions about your valuation and wish to speak to an assessor, plan to be at City Hall a little before 7:00 p.m. or at least by 7:15. Council Meeting Date Change March 1 is the date of a regular City Council meeting, however, the precinct cau- cuses are also scheduled for that date. State law restricts public bodies from meeting dur- ing the hours of a precinct caucus. The City Council has rescheduled its meet- ing to Thursday, March 3. It will be held in the City Council Chambers at 7:30 p.m. 01 Tired of Air Noise? Given our close proximity to MSP Airport, Mendota Heights will always receive some aircraft noise. However, when air noise be- comes unbearable and disrupts your fam- ily's lifestyle, the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) wants to hear from you. The MAC Air Noise Complaint Line can be reached at 726-9411. If possible, when you call, please be pre- pared to provide information on time, loca- tion, direction and aircraft type. This will help pinpoint the source of your concern. PAGE 2 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES Februarv.1994 INDUSTRIAL BASE GROWING The City's industrial park has been an area of much focus this past year. Three businesses are building new facilities there, and the completion of the road reconstruction and the Mendota Bridge are expected to bring additional interest to the area. The City Council approved building construction for Associated Bureaus, Heritage Inn and Northland Insurance Company. The building for Associated Bureaus, a collection agency, is near completion. The company was previously located in West St. Paul but has outgrown its headquarters and will be moving into a 65,000 square foot facility located at 1500 Commerce Drive. The Tharaldson Development Company has begun construction of a 50,784 square foot, four story Heritage Inn Hotel. This private 121 unit hotel is located at 1330 Northland Drive. It will be used exclusively by Northwest Airlines and will not be open to the general public. Just east of the hotel site, at 1295 Northland Drive, Northland Insurance Company (NIC) is starting to construct its second office building of a possible three. This 63,346 square foot building will be linked together with the existing building in an effort to consolidate the NIC employees on a single campus. The Mendota Heights Industrial Park is in a prime location with its close proximity to the airport and both downtowns. Comple- tion of the reconstruction of the Mendota Bridge, the rerouting and reconstruction of Highways 13, 55,110, and Pilot Knob Road, will make the park more accessible and therefore even more attractive and desirable for commercial development. In addition to the new buildings in the Industrial Park, 73 permits were issued for tenant finishes, alterations, and remodeling in the commercial/industrial areas of the city. Building permits were issued for 84 single family homes and 50 condominimums in 1993. Although these quality homes were spread throughout the city, the highest concentrations were in the Kensington, Park Place, and Mendakota Estates subdivisions. There were 302 miscellaneous permits issued for additions, re- modeling, basement finishes, porches, decks, etc. i ms construction work has kept the Code Enforcement Offi, very busy throughout the past year reviewing plans, issuing permits and making inspections. They are however, always ready to answer any questions that you, the residents of Mendota Heights, might have. Feel free to call Dick or Paul with questions regarding building permits, construction requirements, code interpretations, or zoning ordinance requirements. Plan Ahead Before Building Spring and another building and construction season will soon be upon us. Many residents use this time to begin planning for new construction or that key addition to their home or property. So that all new development and land use maintain a high quality, the city enforces planning and land use regulations that ensure the health, welfare and safety of our residents. Ultimate responsibility for land use and development decisions lies with the City Council. To assist them in carrying out this vital task, the Council appoints members to the Planning Commission which serves as an advisory body on planning and land use matters. The city's planning staff and consulting city planner are responsible for carrying out the analytical, research and administrative duties associ- ated with the planning and zoning functions of the city. One of the primary services provided by the planning department is conducting pre -application meetings with residents, developers and businesses. The city planner meets with applicants to determine zoning code requirements and application procedures. This meeting is necessary for anyone desiring to appear before the Planning Commission and City Council with a zoning or land use issue. It is important for anyone planning to do any type of construction to be aware of the land use regulations in Mendota Heights well in advance of preparing construction plans. For instance, a resident desiring to build an addition to a single family home may discover, upon requesting a building permit, that the zoning ordinance requires a building setback variance, or a Wetlands Permit, which requires a planning application and city approval. The homeowner, eager to begin building, may be faced with a significant delay in his or her timetable. Planning applications may take up to six weeks, or longer, if public hearings are required at the Planning Commission. This is due to the notification requirements of the Minnesota State Statutes, the sched- uling of the Commission meetings and City Council meetings and the need for staff and planner's reports. To avoid the potential frustration caused by the approval procedures, anyone with building plans, or development proposals, is encouraged to contact the city well in advance of the proposed project, to see if the codes require a planning application. A pre -application meeting can be arranged by contacting Kim Blaeser at City Hall, 452-1850. The Planning Commission and the City Council, by applying established legal principles and the standards set forth in the land and zoning ordinances, are committed to quality planning for community in order to ensure high quality neighborhoods and a safe and healthy community. PAGE 3 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES February, 1994 Congrats, Mendota Heights! Congratulations to Mendota Heights residents for meeting the city's waste abatement goals for the fifth consecutive year in 1993. You recycled approximately 1,500 tons (not counting yard waste) during the year. This amount of recycling more than doubles our waste abatement goal of 776 tons, or 18% of the city's projected solid waste generation. Curbside recycling materials include magazines, corrugated cardboard, plastic bottles with a neck, newspapers, glass bottles and jars, and metal cans. Community residents are commended for your continuing commitment to the recycling program. Mendota Heights' efforts in 1993 have saved valuable resources and energy including 14,221 trees not needed for paper products, 100,500 gallons of gasoline (manufacturing energy not needed), and 7,341,000 gallons of water not consumed for manufacturing By using every opportunity to recycle and reduce trash through the curbside and multi -family recycling programs, we can continue to meet future goals as they increase. All residents are encouraged to continue to be part of the solution by using every opportunity to recycle. Here are three important things you can do to help meet our increasing goals: N Reduce the amount of waste you produce. Waste reduction should be the first prior- ity among waste management options. Use these helpful hints when you shop: • Buy in bulk to reduce packaging. • Use refillable, returnable and recycla- ble containers. • Buy durable goods, not disposable. N Reuse and Repair • Donate discarded, usable items to needy organizations. • Don't bag your grass, leave it on your lawn or compost. • Use cloth products instead of dis- posable paper. • Take a reusable coffee cup or mug to work. • Ask that your name be removed from • Use the public library. unwanted mailing lists. ag Recycle Better • Studies show that most individuals and/or families only recycle 2 or 3 of the possible 6 items accepted at curbside. • Currently, glass containers, newsprint, aluminum and metal cans, plastic bottles with a neck, magazines and corrugated cardboard are collected in the Mendota Heights recycling program. Make sure you recyle all these items. • Be aware of dropoff programs that take additional items such as Goodwill, Dakota County Compost Facility, the Household Hazardous Waste collection center at Gopher Smelting or other local redemption centers. Volume Based Fees On January 1, Dakota County began requiring all residential waste haulers to base their garbage collection fees on volume. This measure is designed to reduce the amount of solid waste produced in the county and to encourage recycling, reducing and reusing. With volume based fees, residential waste haulers must charge each of their customers according to how much garbage that customer puts out. With garbage rates based on volume levels, (i.e. 30, 60 or 90 gallons) you may only need the least expensive service if you reduce your waste and recycle. The new requirements specify that haulers are required to offer a base unit of 38 gallons or ;ss for the average household. Haulers are then required to offer service levels in increments of not more than 30 gallons, except for bulky items. Haulers are no longer able to offer "unlimited" or "traditional" service not based on volume increments. In addition, haulers are required to charge for yardwaste collection service as a separate line item on a customer's bill. Compostable Bags Dakota County enacted a change in the collection of yard waste on January 1, 1994 that all residents should be aware of as spring time and the yard work season approaches. All yard waste (leaves and grass) that is set out for collection must now be put into either a compostable yard waste bag or in a reusable container that can be emptied out. Plastic bags may no longer be used for yard waste collection, or for drop off. This new rule does not apply to garbage, which may still be put in a plastic bag. Com- postable bags are made of a brown paper similar to a grocery bag, but are bigger and more sturdy. Do not confuse bags that say "biodegradable" with the paper composting bag. Compostable bags are available at many local retail, hardware and discount stores. The purpose of this new requirement is to prevent plastic from contaminating the fm- ished compost product. Residents are en- couraged to leave grass clippings on the lawn, or to compost in their backyard. For residents who have their yard waste collected, or who deliver bagged yard waste to a compost facility, compostable bags or reusable containers will be required. Plastic bags may be used at dropoff compost facili- ties if the yard waste is dumped out and the plastic bag is taken home. The Empire/SMC Compost facility is lo- cated on Yankee Doodle Road at Elrene Road in northern Eagan, one half mile west of Highway 149. Its phone number is 683- 9020. The facility accepts yard waste, whole tree and shrub waste, stumps with a maxi- mum length for trees and stumps being 10 feet. Wood chips, wood mulch and screened compost is available for sale. Why Recycle? Vf Nil 4P 1W 41 � 4 air �� Youwould'`t TThink of ThrO t Arm PAGE 6 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES February,1994 ADULT SOFTBALL LEAGUES Registration information is now available for a variety of Mendota Heights adult slow - pitch softball leagues. The information can be obtained in person at the City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. or by calling 452-1850. Leagues being offered include: Mondays: Men's "C" Tuesdays: Men's "D" 1101 Victoria Curve Women's "D" Wednesdays: Co-Rec "D" Thursdays: Men's Over 30 Games will be played at Mendakota Park Mendota Heights teams may register their teams from February 28 through March 4. Returning non-resident teams may register March 7-11, and all other teams may register March 14-18. All teams must be registered by March 18, 1994. Registration must be made in person at City Hall. League availability will be based on demand. Please Help Thanks to the season's heavy snowfall, many fire hdyrants are buried under a white blanket or have restricted access. This makes it very hard for firefighters to see them when they are needed. Will you please help by adopting a hy- drant? Your only responsibility would be to dig them out and keep access clear. The inability of firefighters to find a hydrant could seriously impact their ability to fight a fire in your neighborhood. If you would like to adopt a hydrant, please call Diane Ward at 452-1850. She'll send the adoption papers to you. IN-LINE SKATING LESSONS Get ready to hit the pavement this spring for lots of fun, action and exercise. Feel the sensation of in-line rollerskating. Learn the skills and rules necessary to "skate smart" from John Glynn. Mr. Glynn is a certified instructor through the International In -Line Skating Association. All ages are welcome. Beginners will learn how to stride, turn and stop. Intermediate skaters will learn how to improve their stride, do cross-over turns, backward skate, lunge turn, power slide, lunge stop and control those edges. Skate rental is available through Mendota Cycling and Fitness, 1040 W. Hwy 110, at a special discounted price of $10.00 for four days, including some protective equipment. (Class receipt required). A helmet is required. Knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards are strongly recom- mended. Space is limited, so register early. DATES AND TIMES: Session I: May 9, 10, 11 (Rain makeup May 12) Beginner 4:15-5:00 p.m. Intermediate 5:15-6:00 p.m. Adult Beginner 6:15-7:00 p.m. Session II: May 16,17,18 (Rain makeup May 19) Beginner 4:15-5:00 p.m. Intermediate 5:15-6:00 p.m. Adult Beginner 6:15-7:00 p.m. LOCATION: Lessons will be conducted at the Mendakota Park parking lot at Mendakota Drive and Dodd Road. FEE: $15.00 per person, per session. Register at City Hall or call 452-1850 for more information. The registration deadline is May 5 for Session I and May 12 for Session II. In the event of inclement weather,please call City Hall between 4:00 and 4:30 p.m.on the day of your lesson or call 220-2156 after 4:30. Sewer Rates to Increase The rates charged by the city for sanitary sewer useage will be higher on the sewer bill you receive in April. Revenue generated by this quarterly sewer charge is used in part to offset costs billed to the city by the Metro- politan Waste Control Commission (MWCC) for sewage treatment services. During the past four years, the charge from the MWCC has increased by 45.5%. In 1991, the amount billed by MWCC was $523,800. The estimated net billing for 1994 is $762,400. For 1994 alone, the charge will increase by $147,500, or 24%. Although city sewer rates were increased by 10% in 1992, there had been no increase in the preceding six years. Unfortunately, the MWCC billings can no longer be supported without raising quarterly sewer billings. For this reason, the City Council has authorized an approximate 20% increase in rates. The new base residential sewer rate will increase from $29 to $35 per quarter for useage above 2000 cubic feet. Usage above the base will be billed at $1.45 per hundred cubic feet. Commercial, industrial and insti- tutional rates will also increase by 20%. Sani- tary sewer bills are based on water consump- tion during the period from December to March. This information is provided to the city annually by the St. Paul Water Depart- ment. From: City of Mendota Heights Bulk Rate 1101 Victoria Curve U.S. Postage Mendota Heights, Mn. 55118 PAID Permit No. 6166 St. Paul, Mn. 55118 POSTAL PATRON CARRIER ROUTE PRESORT MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN 55118 PAGE 5 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES February, 1994 CITIES FOCUS ON YOUTH AND FAMILIES On January 13, 1994 Dakota County held its Second Annual Dakota Youth and Families Conference which took place concurrently at nine separate locations throughout the County. Mendota Heights City Hall served as the host site for the Mendota Heights/ West St. Paul area. Using an interactive audio and video format, participants at all nine sites were able to link up to discuss and focus on the conference theme "Building Bridges-- Connecting Youth, Families and Communities." Nationally acclaimed motivational speaker Drew Brown led off the day's events with the powerful message that "Education plus Hard Work minus Drugs equals Success and the American Dream". Later in the day participants at each site engaged in their own dialogue regarding the current health of their communities and collaborative strategies for "Building Bridges" in the future. At the Mendota Heights site, approximately 20 students from ISD #197 attended the Conference, some even serving as moderators for the day's events. The youth who partici- pated exhibited a profound concern for their community and expressed a great interest in helping to address issues such as juvenile crime, substance abuse, etc. Other participants at the Mendota Heights site included representatives of Independent School District #197 and the Police Departments of Mendota Heights and West St. Paul, along with a number of concerned parents and residents. It was the consensus of those present at the Conference that a greater emphasis needs to be placed on developing and maintaining mutual respect amongst all age groups. Youth need to better accept and appreciate the wealth of experience and knowledge possessed by most adults, and adults need to recognize and appreciate the maturity, abilities and enthusiasm exhibited by most of today's youth. Efforts are now underway to more actively involve our vnuth in the discussion of current community issues. Council Meetings Are For Everyone The City Council meets regularly at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of every month in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Residents are welcomed and encouraged to attend the meetings to keep informed on city issues. If you have a matter which you would like the Council to consider, you have two options available. You can formally place an item on a meeting agenda by contacting City Adminis- trator Tom Lawell or City Clerk Kathy Swanson as much in advance of a meeting as possible. Your other opportunity is to be present during It 11 Staff Members: Tom Lawell, Administrator 452-1850 Kathleen Swanson, City Clerk 452-1850 James Danielson, 452-1850 ",iblic Works Director nnis Delmont, Police Chief 452-1366 John Maczko, Fire Chief 454-3266 Code Enforcement Officers: Paul Berg & Dick Gill 452-1850 the Public Comments portion of a meeting. This part of the meeting, early in every agenda, is set aside for citizens to speak to any item that is not on the agenda. It is Council policy, however, that an issue raised under "Public Comments" will not usually be an- swered that evening. Rather, the matter will be referred to city staff for preparation of a background report. Council action is gener- ally taken at the next regular meeting. If you are not able to attend Council meet- ings but would like to keep informed on what's happening in the community, the meetings are aired live on cable television channel 18. They are re -broadcast at 1:00 and 8:00 p.m. on the Friday following the meet- ing. To keep informed on planning issues, watch Planning Commission meetings broad- cast live at 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month and re -broadcast the following Thursday at 1:00 and 8:00 p.m. COMMUNITY PULSE PROJECT UPDATE The Northern Dakota County Community Pulse Project recently completed a Commu- nity Needs Assessment Survey within the boundaries of School District #197. Data from the survey is currently being tabulated and the survey results will be publicized and presented to various interested community groups in March and April. The Survey has as its goal to assess citizen awareness of currently offered community services and to determine resident demand for, and satisfac- tion with, the services provided. In addition, the Survey hopes to help identify any com- munity needs which are not presently being adequately addressed. The Northern Dakota County Community Pulse Project is a collaborative undertaking of various business, education, government and service organizations looking to im- prove the provision of community services to those who live within the boundaries of ISD #197. If you would like to learn more about these on-going efforts, please call City Hall at 452-1850. Heights Highlites is a government news- letter distributed to residents to inform them on events and activities that affect Mendota Heights. All articles, layout and production are done by city staff members. If you know any residents who are not receiving the Heights Highlites, please in- vite them to contact City Hall, 452-1850, to be placed on the newsletter mailing list. PAGE 4 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES Fireplace Safety With the recent cold snap, city residents have been staying inside their homes more often, and using their fireplaces for warmth and enjoyment more than ever before. However, without proper installation, care and use of a fireplace may prove to be anything but enjoyable for you and your family. The following tips are intended to help you kindle and maintain a warm relationship with your fireplace. Many fireplaces are manufactured in factories and installed into the wood framing of the fireplace chase. Each manufacturer of tested and U.L. listed fireplace units have specific guidelines for installation, operation and maintenance of their units. Some of the units originally designed for wood burning have had gas logs and log lighters installed in them for aesthetics and ease of operation. Glass doors are also popular as an attractive safety feature. Each of the above listed fireplace components have their own instructions which must be strictly adhered to for proper operation and safety of these units. Some of the common requirements are: open the damper fully, inspect for and clean out creosote buildup in chimney flue, check flue pipe joints for mechanical tightness, keep combustible room furnishings four feet away from fireplace opening, open combustion air inlet, use firescreen to protect from sparks, open glass doors during operation, do not overfire. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's specific recommendations. Periodically the City becomes aware of instances where fireplace installation instructions have not been strictly followed. One problem which is becoming increasingly more common is the improper installation of glass doors. Some have been installed on the outside face of the finish materials such as sheetrock, marble and wood surrounds. This creates a problem in that the heat from the fire, either wood or natural gas, can get between the layers of finish materials and dry the wood frame construction of the chase above the fireplace. Over time, the wood can dry to a point where it will spontaneously combust at temperature about 160 degrees F. There was one fire reported in Mendota Heights because of this improper installation of glass doors, and another is known to have occurred in the City of Burnsville. If your fireplace has glass doors, we recommend that you inspect the installation to see if there are areas where heat can get between joints and above or to the sides of the firebox. If you see a problem, contact a licensed fireplace installer for an acceptable repair. In addition to the manufacturer's recommendations, there are publications available at no charge that give guidelines for proper operation of fireplaces. You can request this information by calling the Minnesota Department of Public Service, at 296-5175. 1994 CITY BUDGET ADOPTED The 1994 city budget and associated tax levy were adopted by the City Council in late December.The general fund budget, which finances the general operations of the city, provides for expenditures of $2,269,820. This represents a 3.2% growth over the 1993 funding level, or an increase of $92,160. A tax levy of $2,265.150, which is 5.6% greater than 1993, was adopted to finance the general fund budget. Other budget funds for the year required a levy of $529,300, which represents a 1.9% increase over 1993 fund- ing. The adopted 1994 budget is basically a maintenance level budget, which still incor- porates a high level of resident service and such popular programs as street sweeping and boulevard tree planting. The overall in- crease in tax levy for 1994 is 4.9%. New construction in 1993 will reduce the affect of the levy increase on individual homeowners. In fact, most homeowners will see little change in their 1994 city tax. It appears that more pressure will again be put against general fund revenues in the fu- ture. The city's financial condition is de- pendent on the provision of certain state -pro- vided funds which have been drastically re- duced in recent years and could soon be eliminated altogether. Even though revenue from the state is dwindling, the city contin- ues to consume the second smallest slice of of your real estate tax dollar. 1994 Did You Check? On October 30, 1993 the International Fire Chiefs Association, Energizer Batteries and fire departments all over the nation spon- sored a "Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery" program. At 6:00 p.m., Mendota Heights firefighters positioned their trucks throughout the city and scounded their sirens to signal the end to smoke detector neglect. The Bridgeview Shores neighborhood also took advantage of the opportunity to practice "EDITH" exit drills in their homes. Volun- teer firefighters were on hand to answer questions and time families' escapes from their homes. Media coverage was given to the event by several local television stations. Most homes in Mendota Heights have smoke detectors, but they are only as good as the batteries that are in them. The goal of the "Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery" program if for homeowners to get into the habit of changing smoke detector batteries at the same time as they change their clocks to and from daylight savings time. VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT Volunteer Firefighter Bill Chisler retired from the Fire Department on December 31, after 24 years of service to the community. Bill was appointed as a volunteer firefighter in January, 1970. During his 24 years with the department, he served in many capaci- ties. In addition to fighting fires, Bill was the department's secretary for 15 years. He also served as the quartermaster for 15 years, issuing all equipment. He was a member of the fire prevention committee, the annual dance committee, and the truck committee. A man of many talents, Bill was the chef for most of the department's social activities and retirement dinners. He also built cabinets and display cases for the fire station. Even though he is retired, Bill would like to keep involved with the department. He would like to continue cooking for Fire Relief Associa- tion functions and plans to help build addi- tional cabinets for the fire station. The Fire Relief Association will honor I for his service and contributions at its annual Association awards banquet to be held at the end of the month.