2010-04-23 Friday News23, 2010
Administrative Professionals Day
On Wednesday city staff celebrated Administrative Professionals
Day like many other organizations in the area. Please let me take
the time to say thank you to all of our administrative professionals in
the city for all of the work that you do each and every day of the year.
Much of the success of our city is based on the work that you do.
You do not get all of the credit that you deserve but please know that
none of our success could be accomplished without you. Thank you
again for your efforts and I hope that you enjoyed our Administrative
Professionals Day celebration.
Moody's Bond Rating
The city received notice this week that Moody's Investment Services has upgraded
the city's bond rating to Aal. This rating level is one step away from the highest
bond rating of Aaa. This is excellent news in a number of different areas for the city.
ROur costs to borrow money in the future will be reduced meaning all of the taxpayers
save. The credit for this improved bond rating goes to current and past city councils
I and city staff members who played a role in developing solid financial plans for the
city. Nice work and thank you to all of those involved. In these tougher economic
times Mendota Heights continues to receive good news.
DTransportation Issues
A City council and staff representatives attended a meeting on Thursday of this week
sponsored by the Met Council on the Metropolitan Highway System Investment Study.
Transportation experts estimate that adding enough capacity to eliminate traffic conges-
ttion in our region would cost more than $40 billion over the next 20 years. This meeting
focused on the potential options that Met Council envisions at this point and provided
an opportunity for local officials to discuss their points of view on transportation issues.
This study is still in progress and will be incorporated into the region's 2030 Transporta-
tion Policy Plan.
N Strong Spring for Par 3
E If you have not noticed, the beautiful spring weather and great course conditions have
been drawing lots of golfers to the Par 3. We are accustomed to having March as our
month to get all the equipment, staffing, systems up to speed, this year we had to do
Wso around customers! The course grossed $3,000 in March, and by the end of last
week had already surpassed April 2009 total income. Call a friend, get out there and
Sswing a club with the rest of the community!
Spring Clean Up Next Week
Next Saturday, May 1st is our annual spring clean up, from 8AM to 2PM. The location
has changed, plan to bring all of your household waste to MENDAKOTA PARK—don't
forget your ID, and a little cash to offset the cost for this great event.
April 23, 2010
Two Grandbabies!!
Congratulations to Sue Donovan (PT PD Secretary) on the birth of two new grandbabies born
within the last month. Sue's daughter Jen and her husband Keith Tober had a boy, Kale Wil -
lams born on March 9th. Kale weighed in at 8 lbs. 2 oz and was 21 inches long. Sue's son
David and his wife Heather had a baby girl, Andrea Gale, born April 15th (which is also Sue's
birthday) weighing 8 lbs. 3 oz and 22 inches long.
A busy and exciting month at the Donovan home. Congrats and enjoy those grandbabies!
Dates To Remember
Planning Commission Meeting
4-27-2010
7:00 p.m.
Mendota Plaza Groundbreaking
4-29-2010
3:00 p.m.
City Council Meeting
5-4-2010
7:00 P.M.
Airport Relations Commission Meeting
5-12-2010
7:00 p.m.
City Council Meeting
5-18-2010
7:00 p.m.
Plaza Progress
As you probably know by now, the Mendota Plaza redevelopment project is well underway.
The existing businesses are open during construction so please make an effort to shop there
even though it may be more difficult to access.
Attachments
Just The Facts, The Pipeline, Planning Commission Meeting Agenda, TwinCities.com Article "Dakota
County dispatch center apologizes for glitch in response to fire", "Lilydale condo owners seek funding
from city" and Friday Fax.
April 23, 2010
J
7`i.e latest r�ervs fiv�rL t6,.e �fen�{'ata-�feiy�its�vlice �eyartt�erit
4/23/2010
The
Hit & Run Accident Wednesday 1807 hours
Mendota
Officer Jen Fordham responded to the parking lot of one of the
Heights
local High Schools. Three teenage girls in a silver sports car
Police
backed into another car in the school parking lot. They knew
they hit the car and caused damage, what they didn't know was
Department
someone watched them do it. The witness provided a license
Support
plate number and a vehicle description of the suspects. A short
Staff
time later Officer Fordham spotted the suspect vehicle now
J-imHenning
occupied by four teenage girls exiting another local H. S. parking
Sandie Ristine
lot. The car was stopped and the driver ID'ed. She had no idea
Susan Donovan
why she was being stopped. After looking at the damage and
Cathy Ransom
being advised of the witness, the driver stopped lying and
Becky Pentel
admitted to knowing what she had done. The driver had her
Police Officers
license since February and was in violation of her conditional
Jerry Murphy
use. She was cited at the scene and released after agreeing to
Scott Patrick
take care of the damage she caused.
John Larrive
Bobby Lambert
Theft & Assault Thursday 0100 hours
Tanner Spicer
Officer Mike Shepard received a radio call to respond to a local
Todd Rosse
bar about a dispute over a cab fare. The cabbie had learned,
Chad Willson
while en route from Mpls to MH, that the fare only had $12 with
Jeff VonFeldt
him. The cabbie stopped near a MSP Trooper on the side of the
Denise Urmann
road and enlisted her help. At that time the drunken passenger
Michael Shepard
had a plan to get his friends to help pay the bill when he arrived.
Peyton Fleming
The cabbie continued on his way. When he attempted to get
Jenny Fordham
paid he was only successful in getting an elbow in the face. The
School Resource -
drunk then provided a digital camera as collateral. After some
Officer
time the cabbie called for help. The drunk then began spinning
Steven Meyer
yarns, okay belligerently yelling and screaming profanities, until
Investigations
the Officer determined it was best to have a judge sort it out
Mario Reyes
when the suspect was sober. The drunken passenger was
Tanner Spicer
arrested for theft and assault. He was transported to Detox; the
Sergeants
cabbie was provided the information necessary to follow up.
Neil Garlock
Skateboard Accident Thursday 1349 hours
Brian Convery
Officer Bobbie Lambert responded to the report of a 27 YOA
Eric Petersen
male who crashed on his skateboard. The young man walked
Chief
into the Center for Diagnostic Imaging bleeding from the head.
Mime
The ambulance checked him out and transported him to Regions.
Aschenbrener
4/23/2010
His grandmother was notified that he was going to the hospital.
Light Harassment Thursday 2057 hours
Officer Jennifer Fordham responded to a complaint about a neighbor being harassed
with bright lights. When the call taker at the Communications Center attempted to
get the proper information about the problem, the caller became agitated and yelled
at the 911 operator to forget it and just have someone drive by. When she drove by
Officer Fordham noted that the lights were on above the garage door and above the
door to the house. It was also noted that the complainer's house lights were brighter
than any other in the neighborhood. Complaint was unfounded.
Dog Training Friday 1211 hours
Neighbor called to report that his neighbor had too many dogs at their home. When
Officer Lambert arrived he found the homeowner and two customers in the back yard
with their dogs. The homeowner advised that she was/is a dog trainer and the dogs
would be in the fenced -in back yard for 45 minutes. Officer Lambert advised the
property owner that this was a zoning code issue and it would be referred to the code
enforcement officer. The complainant was advised of the process.
Theft Saturday 1128 hours
The clerk from a local optical shop called to report that a W/F 30 YOA dishwater
blonde 135-145 lbs had stolen a pair of frames. The victim reported to Officer Scott
Patrick that the suspect had entered the store, looked at several different designer
frames, distracted her and the left abruptly. The clerk obtained a vehicle description
and license number. Case assigned to investigations for follow up.
Theft / Warrants / DAR Saturday 1347 hours
Sergeant Neil Garlock responded to a local gas station about the theft of $36.35
worth of gas. The clerk spotted a passenger, B/F wearing a flowered shirt, intently
watching her and took note. There were four occupants, one got out, came in the
store and bought a pack of mints, while the driver, a B/F with a pony tail wearing a t -
shirt, pumped the gas. The thieves were in a red Monte Carlo MN #515 BYN which
fled S/B on 135 E right into the path of MSP Trooper Ron Degler. Trooper Degler
stopped the car in Eagan. Sgt Garlock arrived and spoke with the driver who told
him a nice story about a misunderstanding and that the man who bought the mints
was supposed to have paid for the fuel. As the story goes, Officer Bobby Lambert
was also on duty and recognized the vehicle description as the same car that had
stolen gas a week ago. Unfortunately the driver's license was revoked. The
passenger who had been keeping look out was pregnant and the crew was en route
to the hospital. The front seat passenger had an active felony warrant and was
arrested. Officer Lambert looked up the case and determined the thief from the
earlier drive off was not in the vehicle. The driver advised she had purchased the car
from her and provided confirmation that she was still at the address Officer Lambert
had attempted to contact her at. A citation was mailed to that address since she had
avoided returning his calls or responding to the mail. While all this was being sorted
out, a friend with a valid driver's license arrived to take the crew to the hospital.
Minor Consumption Saturday 2218 hours
Officers Fleming, VonFeldt, Shepard, Fordham and Sgt Petersen received a call of
100 to125 kids out of control in the street. Upon arrival they found a large juvenile
party in the process of breaking up. Typically, as they approached, a couple of kids
-2-
4/23/2010
took off on foot. Another car load was attempting to get away. All were stopped and
the situation was sifted through. The adults at the home where the party had been
were contacted and advised the officers that it was a surprise party for their daughter
that gotten out of hand and everyone was sent packing. The daughter and friends
were sober. Unfortunately three others outside were not, they were cited and
released to a parent.
Curfew Saturday 2317 hours
Officer Todd Rosse spotted a young man riding his bike well after curfew. He was
brought home where mom advised that she had asked her son to ride home as she
had been drinking. Son warned for curfew, mom thanked for using good judgment.
CSC? Monday 1551 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert received a second hand call of a rape and robbery. The party
is well known to Officers and refused to cooperate when contacted about the crime.
Tuesday at 1347 hours the victim called back looking for some guidance on how to
handle the sexual assault from Sunday. Officer John Larrive spoke with the party
who has been in need of some type of counseling services for quite some time. He
was able to get her to agree to work with victim services. Nothing she reported made
any sense whatsoever.
Cat Call Monday 2145 hours
Officer Peyton Fleming received a call of a cat in distress. The caller thought the cat
belonged to the neighbor but couldn't see it in the bushes could only hear the "cat
fight." Caller said they were concerned because they were close to the house.
Spring is in the air. O
Crash Tuesdav 0931 hours
Officer John Larrive responded to a call of
a drunk driver who drove into a hole at a
construction site. Upon arrival he found
s
the man sober and un -injured. The driver
ffl claimed he swerved to avoid another car in
the lot and crashed. No one stuck
around to verify the story. Southeast
Towing was called to remove the truck
- from the five foot deep hole. State
Accident report completed.
Suspicious Vehicle Wednesday 0059 hours
Officer Todd Rosse made contact with an occupied vehicle near Town Center. The
occupant was a writer doing research on being homeless and living in a car.
Checked and allowed to move along.
AOA Wednesday 0118 hours
Officer Todd Rosse assisted the WSPPD with a shots fired call near Annapolis and
Smith with the suspects fleeing S/B on Smith. After a short time the suspect was
arrested and the gun was located by back tracking his route. Officers cleared after
the suspect was in custody.
i�aac a mreot mee.%.vd/ �.%
- 3 -
It's Not Rude, It's Shrewd
We've all seen the news stories, we've heard stories from parents of friends, or maybe it has
been you ... someone was victimized by a scam. Scams now arrive by mail, on our door step,
in our email ... it seems non-stop these days. What's even more surprising is how easy YOU
can become a target for these scams ...if you're not vigilant and cautious!
On the next page you'll find a list of scams, highlighting the diversity and intellect used in
their creation and their execution. These crooks amazingly cheat our family and friends out
of millions of dollars annually by tempting people with fast cash schemes, fraudulent
products, offers of love or marriage... it's a long, sad list.
The National Crime Prevention Council has issued some information to help you protect
yourself — we've condensed them into some basic constructive tips.
❖ Is "Minnesota Nice" making it difficult for you "Just Say No" or to simply hang up on
unwanted/unsolicited calls? This is your new mantra: "It's not Rude, it's Shrewd!"
Get on the "good list" — the National Do Not Call Registry: 888.3 82.1222 or
www.donotcall.gov to limit calls from telemarketers
❖ Keep your identification to yourself. No matter what the concern provided is, do not
give your full name, driver's license or social security number (any digits), or credit
card information over the phone to unsolicited callers. Simply thank them for the call
and tell them you'll look into the matter further. Then, call the company directly to
source out any issues. (Remember, you're not rude, you're shrewd.)
•S Do not pay any monies for something that's supposed to be free.
Remember your rights — don't let anyone bully you into making a decision. Have
them mail it to you before you decide. If they threaten you or tell you not to discuss
this with anyone else, hang up and discontinue the calls. You're not Rude, You're
Shrewd!
If you feel you've been a victim or you have been threatened/made to feel afraid, call
your police department for assistance. They are there to help you and can help give
you resources as necessary.
❖ Do not take calls that come in before 8 am or after 9 pm — they are violating
Telemarketing Sales Rules.
Never wire anyone you don't lalow and trust any money!
Tell them to take your off their call list
Read on for more helpful information. Stay safe and protect yourself and your family.
Scams and schemes are
a criminal's "bread and
butter. " If you have a
computer, a telephone,
or a mailbox, you could
become a victim.
Scams and schemes are a criminal's "bread and butter." If you have a computer, a telephone, or a
mailbox, you could become a victim. Your best defense Is to know a scam when you see (or hear)
one. Following are a few common scants that criminals pitch to innocent people every day:
r Credit -related Schemes: You are promised a credit card regardless of your credit history, for an
advance fee. Or you are promised credit card protection or credit repair services, also for a fee.
You pay, but the card or service is never delivered.
■ Magazine Sales Scams: You are offered a magazine subscription at a very low price by someone
who claims to work for the magazine company. The price is misrepresented and is actually much
higher, or the magazine is never delivered.
® Investment Fraud: You are invited to participate in an investment opportunity and promised
spectacular profits with no risk. Instead of making money, you lose it.
IN Overpayment Scams: You advertise something you want to sell, and a potential buyer offers to
purchase it. The buyer sends a check for more than the asking price and asks you to wire back
the difference. You do, but later the buyer's check bounces.
■ Work -at-home Scams: Advertisements promise big earnings for people who want to work at
home. You send a check for training or materials and receive a kit with cheap craft materials and
discover there are no clients to pay for your work.
■ Vacation/Travel Fraud: You accept an offer for a free or very cheap travel package but end up paying
hidden costs, such as reservation fees or taxes, or listening to a high-pressure sales pitch for a
timeshare or club membership.
• Phishing: You get an email or pop-up message that says your account must be updated immediately
or it will be closed. You click on a link to a website that looks like it belongs to your bank or other
institution and "update" your account by entering personal identifying information. Soon you discover
you are a victim or identity theft,
s Pharming: Also called domain spoofing, this technique is used by criminals to redirect Web traffic
from a legitimate server to their own server, where they can steal any personal information that
the user types in. Pharmers "poison" the Domain Name Service in order to "fool" a user's browser
into linking to a bogus website.
IN Nigerian Money Scam: You are contacted by someone from Nigeria and offered millions of dollars
if you will transfer money from a foreign bank to your bank account for safekeeping. When you
agree, you are asked to pay huge transfer fees or legal expenses but receive no money.
■ Prize and Sweepstakes Scam: You are told that you have won a fabulous prize but must buy
something or pay taxes up front in order to claim it. The prize is a cheap trinket, worth far less
than the money you paid to claim it.
® Foreign Lotteries Scam: You are offered tickets to enter a foreign lottery and send money, but
either the lottery doesn't exist or the tickets never arrive. It is illegal to promote a foreign lottery
by telephone or mail in the United States.
• Pyramids and Multilevel Marketing: For a fee, you are promised big profits in exchange for
recruiting new members. Plans that promise profits for recruitment of members rather than for
selling goods and services are illegal and usually collapse.
® Scholarship Scams: A company guarantees scholarship money for an upfront fee, but it only
helps locate scholarships rather than awarding them.
■ Charity Scams: A natural disaster is dominating the news and you get a letter/email/phone call
asking you to donate funds to help its victims. You send money, but the victims never receive your
donation or receive only a tiny portion—the rest goes to cover administrative costs like salaries.
® Bogus Merchandise Sales: You purchase something advertised for sale on the Internet or through
a telemarketing call. You pay for the merchandise but never receive it or receive an inferior or
counterfeit product in its place.
• Telephone Cramming: Unauthorized charges for goods or services appear on your phone bill, but
you miss seeing them because your phone bill is complicated with authorized charges such as
voice mail and Internet service.
■ Telephone Slamming: Your telephone service is switched from your current company to another
one without your knowledge or permission, resulting in higher charges for long distance and other
services.
National Crime Prevention Council
1000 Connecticut Avenue, NW • 13th Floor • Washington, DC 20036 - v vncpc.org
AARP
202-434-2277 or 888-687-2277
www.aarp.org/bulletin/consumer
American Institute of Philanthropy
773-529-2300
www.charitywatch.org
Better Business Bureau Wise
Giving Alliance
703-276-0100
www give.org
Council of Better Business Bureaus
703-276-0100
www.bbb.org (includes online directory of the
country's 150 Better Business Bureaus and
branches and Their phone numbers and
addresses)
Federal Trade Commission
202-326-2222
www ftc.gov, go to "For Consumers,"
then "Telemarketing"
National Association of Attorneys General
202-326-6000
www.naag.org
National Association of Triads, Inc.
(affiliated with National Sheriffs' Association)
703-836-7827
www.nationaltriad.org
National Consumers League
202-835-3323
www.nclnet.org
National Fraud Information Center
Internet Fraud Watch
800-876-7060
www.fraud.org
National Institute of Justice
202-307-2942
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
202-281-2600 or 888-877-7644
www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/seniorwk.htm
13
N E W S The Polpeline
LETT__
Public Works
Engineering r
Code Enforcement�,.
April 23, 2010
�r
Public Works
The Parks Crew striped the soccer, softball and lacrosse fields. They cleaned out
the water tower for the painters. Crab grass preventative was put down as
needed. The mulching kit was taken off the Xmark for the summer.
Rich mowed the grass at the Veronica lift station. He did his annual inspection of
Lilydale's storm sewer into the Mississippi and there were no illicit discharges. He
inspected Mendota Plaza's sanitary sewer pipe, Veit Companies did the work. He
helped clean out the water tower.
The Streets Crew picked up car parts and trash that was dumped on Valencour
Court. The street sweepings were hauled to Dakota County. Tom Olund and the
Street Crew attended the spring equipment expo in St. Cloud.
Engineering
Intern - Engineering received approval to hire an Engineering Intern for the
summer.
Data Collector - City Council approved the purchase of a data collector to
upgrade its current equipment used for surveying.
2010 Street Project- GMH Asphalt was awarded the bid for the 2010 Street
Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Project with their bid of $1,021,688.11. There
were 11 bidders on this project. The engineer's estimate for the project was
$1,263,716.30. A preconstruction meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, April
27th
Bobby snapped this picture of a
truck at the Mendota Plaza earlier
this week.
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PLANNING COMMISSION
AGENDA
April 27, 2010 - 7:00 P.M.
1) Call to Order
2) Roll Call
3) Approval of the Agenda
4) Approval of the March 23, 2010 Planning Commission Minutes
5) Review Planning Commission Rules of Order
6) Hearings
a) Case No. 10-07: Aaron and Sarah Macke, 744 Woodridge Drive — Critical Area Permit
to build a single family home. Public Hearing 7:00 P.M.
b) Case No. 10-08: Hayley Heidelberg and Roy Bester — 752 Mohican Lane — Conditional
Use Permit for a fence. Public Hearing 7:00 P.M.
c) Case No. 10-09: Karen Pimentel, 687 2°d Avenue — Conditional Use Permit for a fence.
Public Hearing 7:00 P.M.
d) Case No. 10-10: Maureen Haggerty, 790 Ridge Place — Wetlands Permit for an Invisible
Fence. Public Hearing 7:00 P.M.
e) Case No. 10-11: Julie Rosga, 1745 Lansford Lane — Conditional Use Permit for
a fence. Public Hearing 7:00 P.M.
f) Case No. 10-12: Jake Sedlacek for City of Mendota Heights for a Zoning
Ordinance Amendment to Update Title 12 of the City Zoning Code, 12-5
Floodplain Management. Public Hearing 7:00 P.M.
7) Verbal Review
8) Adjourn
Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities are available upon request at least 120 hours in
advance. If a notice of less than 120 hours is received, the City of Mendota Heights will make
every attempt to provide the aids, however, this may not be possible on short notice. Please
contact City Administration at 651-452-1850 with requests.
Dakota County dispatch center apologizes for glitch in response to fire - TwinCities.com
Dakota County dispatcl
center apologizes i
glitch in responseto
Closer department sent to home later
By Frederick Melo
finelo@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 04/16/2010 11:12:14 PM CDT
The director of the Dakota Communications Center,
which handles emergency dispatching for the
county, has apologized for a mix-up that delayed
mutual aid, or back-up response, to a house fire in
neighboring Scott County.
Authorities said the delay — which prevented the
Lakeville Fire Department from arriving on the scene
until 30 minutes after the initial 911 call — did not
affect the outcome of the blaze. The fire drew
engines from five fire departments but still gutted
the single-family home. No one was hurt.
The fire in rural Credit River Township occurred
March 26, destroying a two-story residence on Lynn
Drive. When a DCC dispatcher fielded a call from
Scott County for help, she told the caller she was
new and unfamiliar with how to patch the Lakeville
Fire Department into Scott County's radio system.
It was later revealed the dispatcher had yet to be
trained in radio communications.
"Eventually, this call was transferred to the fire
dispatcher, and that's where the error took place,"
said Prior Lake Fire Chief Doug Hartman.
Advertisement
Page 1 of 2
The fire dispatcher paged the Burnsville Fire
Department, which was 11 miles from the scene,
instead of the Lakeville Fire Department, which was
four miles closer.
The confusion was cleared up in a follow-up call.
The fire ultimately drew engines and tankers from
Lakeville, Burnsville, Prior Lake, Elko -New Market
and Savage.
The first Prior Lake engine arrived at 3:47 p.m.,
within 14 minutes of the initial 911 call, with Elko -
New Market seconds behind. Burnsville's first
engine arrived 25 minutes after the call, and
Lakeville's first engine arrived 30 minutes after the
call.
"I'm still going to say that did not impact the results
of that fire," Hartman said. "Resources, including
water and manpower, were not an issue. The fire
was well -advanced."
He said the response times were adequate, overall,
given that the fire was nearly seven miles from the
Prior Lake and Lakeville stations.
Credit River Township residents attended a
township board meeting April 5, where Hartman
presented a timeline of the response and played
selections from the 911 phone and radio
transmissions.
Heidi Burns, whose home neighbors the Lynn Drive
residence, said she left the meeting satisfied with
the firefighters' response but dissatisfied with the
DCC dispatching. "Hearing that someone was in
training, and they were already on the job, that was
really concerning," she said. "It's not like they were
in training as a Target cashier.
t1 i i • . -
gli+,,
Print Powered By Cayrt t e�i�,ti.
http://www.twincities.conddakota/ci 14902314?nclick check=l 4/20/2010
Dakota County dispatch center apologizes for glitch in response to fire - TwinCities.com Page 2 of 2
alr
"What if that fire was even bigger?" Burns said. "Had
that been our dry season, it would have gone up
like a Christmas tree. That house butts up to a very
wooded lot, and my house butts up to those woods.
There's several more homes that butt up to those
woods."
In a letter running this week in the Prior Lake
American, DCC executive director Kent Therkelsen
apologized for the mix-up. He wrote: "While the fire
call on March 26 did not go well, we will use the
experience to learn and prepare for future
incidents."
A working phone number for the Wepler family,
who owned the house, could not be located Friday.
"When the bells went off, we responded," said
Lakeville Fire Chief Scott Nelson. "What happened
before that, we weren't involved in." He said it's
unusual for the wrong department to be paged.
Frederick Melo can be reached at 651-228-2172.
Advertisement
Get The Best Deal in TV Entertainment
Print Powered By Dir rt i
http://www.twincities.com/dakota/ci_14902314?nclick_check=l 4/20/2010
Lilydale condo owners seek funding from city - TwinCities.com
They say complex needs $2.5M in work
By Nick Ferraro
nferraro@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 04/22/2010 11:30:17 PM CDT
Residents of a Lilydale condominium complex are
requesting that the city help them make $2.5 million
in repairs and upgrades.
The Lexington -Riverside Condominium Association
last month asked the city to designate the complex a
Housing Improvement Area and sell revenue bonds
for a loan.
The unit owners then would repay the loan through
annual property tax assessments.
Public hearings will be held next month.
The concept is new to Lilydale, a suburb of about
800 residents and 550 condo and town home units,
but has been used in Roseville, Little Canada and St.
Louis Park.
A state statute enacted in 1996 gives cities the
authority to help condo or town home associations
make improvements to "common elements" such as
roofing, siding, landscaping, roadways and
walkways.
A Housing Improvement Area can only be
established if at least 25 percent of the owners of
the housing units in the proposed area sign a
petition.
Advertisement
Page 1 of 2
At Lexington -Riverside, residents of 61 percent of
the 130 units signed a petition, said William
Ferguson, president of the condo association's
board of directors.
Improvements to the complex's two six -story
buildings would include new roofs, elevators and
heating and cooling systems in all the units,
Ferguson said. The buildings were constructed in
the early 1970s.
"We've had (meetings) and went through the
process, and people want this," he said.
David Drown, Lilydale's finance consultant, said
associations can have a hard time borrowing
money because they have no collateral as the units
are individually owned.
"Even in a booming economy, most lenders would
be very hesitant," he said.
Before petitioning the city, the law states, the
association has to show it was denied a line of
credit.
The amount assessed to the residents would fall in
the $15,000 to $20,000 range, depending on the
size of the units, and would be spread out over 15
years, Ferguson said.
Before the May 24 public hearings, a resident can
argue to the city in writing why his or her unit
should not be included in the Housing Improvement
Area, Ferguson said.
If the city disagrees, the resident can appeal the
decision in district court.
Print Powered By :< Dynat`nic. s"
http://www.twincities.com/dakota/ei_14940966 4/23/2010
Lilydale condo owners seek funding from city - TwinCities.com Page 2 of 2
The designation and fee resolution would not take
effect if 35 percent of the properties file an
objection after the two are adopted.
Mayor Tom Swain said he would be in favor of the
improvement project if revenue bonds were used, as
is currently proposed.
"The city would be involved without being at risk,"
he said.
The condo improvements, meanwhile, will help
keep the city's property values high, he said.
Nick Ferraro can be reached at 651-228-2173.
Advertisement
Print Powered By s ,. 3. -yt� �rnics
http://www.twincities.com/dakota/ei_14940966 4/23/2010
Apr 16 2010 15:54:02 Via Fax -> 6514520940 Administrator Page 001 Of 004
00
LEAGUE or,
MINNESOTA
CITIES
-Frid.aY F ax-
ri ,eelc/y legi..Wative apdafe fi'otn the League of !1M[nnc9e ola
Still no phase -two budget
Despite rushing to complete work on Phase-orte
of the supplemental budget before their spring
recess, the House: and Senate have yet to unveil
their second phase proposed solutions to they
projected $994 million deficit faced by the state
for the balance of the current 2010-2011
biermiuni, which ends on June 30, 2011..
According to legislators, they are still
reviewing the impacts of'the complex federal
health care reform on Minnesota's general fund
budget. As of today, we believe that the phase -
two bills, which will predominantly focus on
cuts to health care and human services
programs, will likely be unveiled sometime
next week, Based on I -louse budget targets, the
gill will include approximately $155 million in
health care and human service spetuding
reductions. The Senate has not officially
announced its target for the bill or if it will
include. cuts to K-12 education,
The first phase of the supplemental budget was
signed by the governor on April 1 and it
addressee) ,$312 million of the $994 million
deficit, The new law, Chapter 21.5, includes an
additional `552.5 millim in cuts to cities in the
distributions of market value homestead credit.
(MVI,1C) and local government aid (LGA) for
2010. The League has hosted a spreadsheet that
compiles the city cats into one document. That
spreadsheet can be found at,
ht:tp-//www.lmc.ori,/meed i Al.geuil ent/Heil c,its
The $994 million deficit was also reduced
through, the passage ofthe Chgpter 200, the
General Assistzurce Medical Care, bill. "That new
April 16, 2010
page 1
law provides the state. with approximately $147
million in favorable general fund adjustments.
With the passage of those two bilis, the state
has addressed $459 million ofthe irrit-nediate
deficit, leaving they Legislature with .roughly
$535 million in additional needed general fund
adjustments. In addition to the phase -two health
cure Lund human services budget, the
Legislature is counting on Congressional action
on at). extension of.in.creased federal funding for
Medicare. The current estimtute of the favorable
impact of this change is $408 million for the
balance of the current bieuanium,
If the combined impact of the phase two
supplemental budget bilis and the
Congressional extension of'Medicaid funding
clods not at least cover the remaining deficit, the
Legislature will have to return. to the drawitig
board to identify additional state general fund
adjustments, We will be watching closely.
Cltt�uons? Contact Clary C of-lson al 651-281-
Update:
51-281-
Update: lee arena air quality mandate
amended, laid over
A bill that, as introduced, would mandate
install.atioiz of an electronic air monitoring
device iti every indoor icer arena has been.
amended in response to concerns raised by
cities, school districts and the; Amateur Sports
C:omnrisyion. The bill is aimed tut reducing the
risk of carbon monoxide poisoning that
proponents of the: bill say may be: caused by
exposure to fumes generated by non -electric ice
resurfa.cers and edgers.
In the Serrate, $1.7 3175. C$en. 11I1er7 Anderson,
DFL -St. haul) was amended in the Senate
For 111ore illrojillatiolY Co city )0gisfativC issue*, contact silly mellibc)' of 11)v i.rape of' Minnesota Cities RQlatiolls tfn m,
651.281,1200 or 800,925.1177 and www,iiiic.org
Apr 16 2010 15;54:54 Via Fax -> 6514528940 Administrator Page 802 Of 004
(00
j_,EAGUG or
MINNESOTA
CITIES
-Freda F ax-
A weekcy legislatlt+c; updrve from the League of',Minnesola Citie,e
finance Committee to exempt facilities that
have electric ice resurfacers and edgers and to
req{tire facilities that have non -electric
equiptnent to have the machines retrofitted with
catalytic converters. As the bill stands
currently, facilities would have more tone to
comply than was provided in the original trill;
and, the continuous carr duality monitors would
be required only if other requirernents are not
niet. The bill was laid over because the Finance
Conimitt.ee did not have an updated fiscal note.
In the Mouse, a new version of HF 3512 (Rep.
Rick J.-lanson, .DFL -South St. Paul) is expected
early next week in advance of a hearing in [lie
House Outdoor heritage Finance C~onatnittee
scheduled For Wednesday, April 21 at 8:30 a•m.
The bill's author, Rep. Rick Hansen, convened
a meeting of stakeholders earlier this week and
the group expects that the next version of'the
Dill will be significantly different than earlier
versions. It will likely contain language that
requires certification for rink operators and a
directive to the Department ofFlealth that the
agency develop more stringent rules pertaining
to indoor ice arena air duality nlaarlagenletat.
The rulemaking process is presently underway.
Questions? ? ('0111crct Anne fa -hin at 651-281-
1263 or q&
jmi.�c, qtZ,
Ignition interlock device legislation
awaiting floor debates
Bills that would require individuals convicted
of driving while unpaired (DWI) to install an
ignition interlock device oil every vehicle they
drive have moved through the committee
process in both the House and Senate and are
awaiting floor action. The measure, l.lF 31.06
(Rete, Karla Bighar7a, DFL -Cottage (irove)/SF
274.1 (Sen, Steve MTtr3 L , DFL -Red Wing) is a
April 16, 2010
Page 2
priority for the Minnesota Departtrietit cL
i' xlilicafeiy (DPS) and Gov. Tine Pawlenty
(R), Ari ignition interlock device prevents a
vehicle froth starting until a sober driver
breathes into an attached breathalyzer. 'if the
br4aathaly7er registers <a blood alcohol conterit
(BACK) above 0.02 percent, the vehicle will. not
turn on and the failure is reported. The device
also requires random breath samples afler the
equipped vehicle begins moving.
As introduced, the bill would impose the
interlock device requirernent on first-time DWI
offf2nders and ori every vehicle the offender
datives_ However, as the hill has moved through
committees it has been modified significantly.
The House and Serrate versioii are now vastly
di5erent. In the House version, for instance,
the legislation would apply to reheat offenders.
The Senate version contains a provision
requested by the League that would allow an
individual subject to the interlock device
requirement to drive are employer -owned
vehicle while f, �erfortning.job ditties. The
exceptioia would be subject to ata agreement
between the employer and the. IFPS and would
exclude conainercial vehicle drivers.
(hrestions•? (,onlact linne Fine at 651.281.1263
«r �(rrrra(a)! rtc,c;t.;�,
,�_..m -.
Senate omnibus tax bill to carne out
soon
I'l,e Senate lax Coinmitt:ee diet April 15 taking
tip several individual bills. The eoininittee also
announced a schedule to present and process an
ornnibuy bill next week. SF 3327 (Sen. Tom.
BaU,, DFL -Cook) will be presented in
conuaaittee on "Tuesday, April 20, at 9 a.ni, in
Room 15 of the Capitol and tbeii aniende'd aiid
passed out: of committee the next morning,
FO) ntcrre inronnalion on city legi,istiive isstws. comact any utembot or lite 1.xagtse of Minnv%Wa Cities intetgownumntiti itclutiots taint.
651.281,1200 or 800,925.1122 acid www,Etnc.org
Apr 16 2010 15:55:40 Via Fax -> 6514520940 Administrator Page 003 Of 004
00
LEAGUE ae
MINNESOTA
CITIES
-FridaY F ax-
ri xeelc/7' legislative trprlrrle fr'vtn the Lt•ctgmc r,�f'.Mir ne:!,v iia Citia
April 21, at 9 a.m. The bill is likely to contain
at least sorne of the city -specific local options
sales tax legislation or tax --Increment changes
brought forward this session.
The House seems to be moving at a slower
pace with hearings scheduled through the end
of April. (Link to the Houae Tax Committee
page.
http://www.house,leg,state,tnitt- us/conln-t/comtIIi
ttee.�asn?ce�rnrn—�GI03 ).
Many have speculated since* the start of session
on whether there would be another tax bill atter
the first round of local government aid/market
value hotnestead credit budget cuts in the
budget -balancing bill of %lF.._167 1.
Questions? Contact O'Rourke at 651-
281-1261 cat°. 'c?rourkca?lrrrc.oy .
Uorve rixor sNfns L.1VlC"'s securities
safekeeping bili
']"his week Gov, Pa.wlenty signedinto law
Ch. )ty.r 234,
The bill. idea came out of the huproving.Fiscal
Futu s Policy Committee and accomplished
two goals, First, the new law expands those
banks which may do securities lending for -
municipalities. The law had been limited to
just US Bank. Second, the new law adds to the
sa-rekeeping portion of they statutes, The bill
originated as HE 3065 (L eta. Steve Sitraon,
DFL- St, :Louis Park) and Sl~ 2590 (Seer. Linda
Scheid, .DF.L Brooklyn Park).
Questions? Conlacl ,1'c:x nqr r O'Rourke at 651-
281-1261 or for ourke(c�>lm , c)r cT.
April 16, 2010
Page 3
Interest bate bill signed into law
on 'Thursday, April 15, Gov, Pawlenty signed
into law a bill undoing a 2009 change in state
law that increased the required interest rata for
awards and judgments over $50,000 to 10
percent. The new lava is 'ha ter 249, and under
this new legislation. the maximur.ra interest rate
that would be applied to any award or judgim.nt
involving the state or a local unit of
government would be the greater of 4 percent
or the return to the rate lased on the secondary
market yield of one-year Ubited States
Treasury bills determined last :December. "i"hc:
December treasury bill rater was, below the 4
percent minimum and therefore the statutory
interest rate is currently set at 4 percent.
The League of Minnesota. Cities worked with
the .M.ir'.nesota Inter -County Association, mid the
Ls Oci,ation, of Mint esotn 'ounties on the
legislation. The bills, SF 2722 and RF 3085,
were authored by Sen. Rod Shoe (DFL_
Clearbrook) and Rem Paul Mar tlart (DFL-
Dilworth) -
The 2009 law change that increased the interest
rate to 10 percent was tucked into the omnibus
public: safety bill and was intended to hicem
insurance companies to distribute awards and
judgments on a timely basis- Advocates for the
amendment claimed that nisurance companies
were delaying payments because the statutory
interest rate has beet) low.
Unfortunately, the law change created
problems for cities, counties aril every the state.
The most obvious problem was financial. With
all levels of'government generally facing
intense budget: pressure due to the stagnant
economy and reduced tax kind ether revenues,
higher interest costs for awards andjudgments
For more ill formation o» eity logisiative isues. collum any member of ilia: Lc:aguu ed'7vfimtesom Cities lutesgovertuueotai Relations itmm,
051.281,1200 of, 800,925.1122 and www,tnnc.org
Apr 16 2010 15:56:39 Via Fax
C�100
j_,LAGUE o�
MINNESOTA
CITIES
-> 6514520940 Administrator Page 004 Of 004
-FridayFax-
,4 weekv legivlaave upclatefr'otn the Lecrgue of'.11'inneswa (itia
only conhpounds the financial pressures.
However, perhaps a snore insidious problem
was that the substantial 2009 increase. in the
interest rate on judgments and awards was so
far .il) excess of market rates, it resulted iii a
disincentive for a property ow?hex to :C1ltttize
property tax appeals or condemnation
proceedings dace to the fact, that delays by the
property owner will ,yield an automatic
10 percent return.
Chapter 249 is effective. the day following final
enactment and applies to judgments and awards
fiihally entered on or after that date. The mill
was signed on April 15, which snakes it
effective today, April l6.
(Questions? Contact Gal -y (arl.,son at 651-281-
1255 ore arts{rr�,ltxr.sv.trr.
;louse and Senate convention plan
The House. and Senate have cleared the
legislative schedules for the next two
Thursdays and Fridays to accoininodate the two
state party conventions. They DR. state
convention will be held trot) Friday, April 23
to Sunday, April 25 while the 12epubtican state
colhvention will be held Thursday, .April 29 to
Saturday, May I . The Independence Party state
convention will be field on Saturday, May 8,
On Monday, April 19, the Legislature will have
four weeks to complete their worts for the 2410
legislative session,
Quaylions? C."owact Gay Carhvon at 651-2,91-
1255
5.1-,91w1255 or scar Isi»r. 1z b�rt'.ryt'.
April 16, 2010
Page 4
Last call for Women in City
Government Leadership Award
nominations
The April 23 deadline is fast approaching for
nolniiiations for the 2010 Minnesota. W013jen ili
C:-, tv C.srrveK1-i _lent (MWC CY) annual Leadership
Awards. MWC:G will recognize two
outstanding women in .Minnesota city
government, one erected woinan and one
appointed wotuan.
Past winners of this award include Pat
Coupanger, councilmernber for Elnhore and
Laurie Ahrens, city nlaaager for Plyinoutlh in
2009; Elizabeth Kuoppala, councilmember for
Eveleth, and Theresa Coble, finance director
for Brainerd in 2008; and Brenda Johnson,
Fortner councilmember and vice mayor for
Chatfietd and Desyt Peterson, city attorney for
MWnetonka in 2007,
Nohninatiotn are due on or before April 23,
2010_ Nomination inforrnation is available
online at or by contacting
MW'('C Prosident Mary McComber at
t21hLr@, ol.cn> ni or Brian Strub,
LMC, at. 651-281-1256, 800-925-1122, or
bst.rub�;lnic.org.
For more intlmrratiou on city lvgi"Iative i, ttva, cofrt<ut airy zrrerrri yr of tiro Lcaple Or NUJI110vt'<t C'ititas iutcrgvvc rsunentai Relations tv 1111.
651.281.1200 or 800,025.1122 and www,llnc.org