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2002-11-11 Friday News The Friday News November 11, 2002 2002 Election The results of the November 5, 2002 City Election are attached. Voter turnout was outstanding, resulting in hour-long waits for voters at several of the polling places much of the day. Mendota Heights voters, as usual, gave a strong showing compared to the state-wide average of 57%. Even after factoring in election day registrations, our overall average voter turn out was 86.4%. Using the number of voters who were pre-registered at 7:00 am on election day, our 94.31% turn out is phenomenal. City Clerk Kathy Swanson thinks that 94.31% is much closer to the actual percentage. A large majority of the people who registered to vote on Tuesday are actually replacing people who have moved out of their residences during the past two years. Please see the attached Pioneer Press article “Dakota County: Gaylord beats Maher; land referendum ok’d.” Special thanks to everyone that helped on election day—the election judges and City Staff. These people worked tirelessly from 5 am to 3 am—and some crazy individuals worked into the next day without sleeping. It was a tremendous effort and shows the dedication and professionalism of the staff. Thank you to all of you. District 197 Levy Voters overwhelmingly approved the West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School District’s excess levy th request on November 5. The levy was approved by a margin of 10,222 votes to 7,716. The levy will bring an additional $1.5 million to the district starting in 2004. St. Thomas Academy Ice Arena Mr. Charles Freiberg of RSP Architects, on behalf of St. Thomas Academy appeared before the Planning Commission in October and before the City Council on Tuesday night. They were seeking approval for their Preliminary Plat, Wetlands Permit and Preliminary Development Plan for a Planned Unit Development for a Hockey Arena. The arena would occupy the eastern half of the STA’s property south of Mendota Heights Road. The arena would also be operated in part by the University of St. Thomas. The Council spent most of the discussion focused on parking issues. Ultimately, they voted to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendations with the exception that the ice arena would be required to build 281 stalls instead of 333. The Council approved the preliminary plat, wetlands permit and preliminary development plan for the arena. Please see the attached Sun Current article “Council approves STA hockey arena preliminary plat.” Garron/Acacia Site Concept Plan Ron Clark and John Uban appeared before the Planning Commission at their regular meeting on October 22, and before the City Council on Tuesday night to discuss their concept plan for owner occupied multi family housing on the Garron and Acacia sites on the north end of Pilot Knob Road. Their original proposal was to construct a 165-unit town home development with 39 classic style town homes and 126 veranda style town homes. After hearing comments from the Planning Commission at their meeting, the developers came up with a new plan that revised the layout of the area. The new plan reduces the number of classic town homes and increases the number of veranda style in a more fluid layout. Instead of a grid pattern, the town home buildings are spread across the eastern portion of the property in different size groupings. The Council gave a mixed review of the project. Mr. Clark and Uban will be making formal application for the project and will be at the Planning Commission at the th November 26 meeting. Please see the attached Sun Current article “New plan in the making for Garron/Acacia sites.” Heaver Garage Variance Mr. Keith Heaver, on behalf of Sherwin and Diana Sieden, future residents of 1423 Knollwood Land appeared before the Planning Commission and the City Council to request a variance to allow two garages for a single family home. The home would have a garage on the main level facing Knollwood Lane, as well as a garage on the lower level facing Ivy Lane. The design is to accommodate the parents of the Siedens that would occupy the lower level and give them direct access to the garage. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the variance on a 4-0 vote. On Tuesday night, the City Council approved the variance, but added a restriction in the resolution that the home could never be remodeled so as to have two separate living quarters. Budget Workshop th Just a reminder that the budget workshop for the City Council is Tuesday, November 12 at 7:00 PM. In early September, the City Council adopted the Preliminary Levy for 2003. The City now must adopt the final levy and budget by December 28, 2002. The budget discussions have taken on a new twist. At the end of October, we received a letter from the League of Minnesota Cities indicating that December aid cuts are becoming more likely. The State deficit may reach $2.7 billion, which may lead to immediate remedial action. This could include reductions or delays of December aid payments. The League is recommending that Cities make preliminary preparations in their budgets for the possibility of unallotment. The Governor has the power to “un- allot” or reduce state expenditures to balance the state’s budget and December state aid payments could be affected. Through unallotment, the Governor has the power to reduce legislative appropriations to address a state deficit that exceeds its reserves. The December 2002 Local Government Aid and the market value homestead credit (MVHC) payments would be the last distributions to cities this biennium. In addition to the un- allotment power, state law allows to governor to defer (or withhold) distributions of appropriated money. By delaying aid payments the Governor would have more time to make decisions on whether and how to cut aid payments. Legislative action to address the long-term shortfall could affect City aid distributions beginning in 2003. However, action on this long-term deficit will not likely occur until late in the 2003 legislative session (May/June 2003). Through un-allotment, the City could lose up to $90,000. Unfortunately, we won’t know whether or not the funding has been lost until late Spring. The Council will be considering this new information as we put together the budget for 2003. New Fire Captain to Take Office December 1 Keith Stein was elected by the firefighters to serve as Captain effective December 1, to fill the position left vacant by Tom Weinzettel. Keith has previously been a Captain and is currently responsible for the Department pager and radio equipment. Tom decided not to seek another 2 year term as he is considering his retirement options (in March Tom will have 32 years with the Department) Tom was Captain of Squad Three and did a great job for the past 3 years. Congratulations to Keith and thanks to Tom! Engagements and Babies at the FD Some announcements were made public at the Firefighters dance. 2001 Firefighter of the year Tom Shields and Sarah Johnson announced their engagement. We aren’t sure exactly who proposed to whom but we do know they are both very happy. A date has not yet been set for the final "I do”s. Firefighter Jay Taylor and his wife Gisele announced they are expecting parents. The new little firefighter - in - training is due to arrive in late March. Congratulations to Tom, Sarah, Jay and Gisele!!!! Final Thought As long as we’re talking about babies—I wanted to let you all know that my husband Brian and I are expecting our first child at the end of March. Have a nice weekend! Remember City Hall is closed Monday for Veteran’s Day! Respectfully Submitted, Cari Lindberg Administrator Attachments: Just the Facts, Planning Synopsis, Parks Commission agenda, Airport Relations Commission agenda, Budget Workshop agenda, 2002 Election results, Sun Current articles “Council approves STA hockey arena preliminary plat” and “New plan in the making for Garron/Acacia sites,” Pioneer Press article “Dakota County: Gaylord beats Maher; land referendum ok’d,” and AMM News.