2004-12-21 Friday News
The Friday News
December 17, 2004
OPUS TO BUY ECOLAB SITE
I found out last week that OPUS was purchasing the Ecolab site. We do not have any information at City
Hall as to what OPUS’ intentions are for use or reuse of the site. The most current information we have is in
the attached Highland Villager Article. I did receive a call from an OPUS representative who said that he
would come in next week to introduce himself and have some initial general conversations about their
intentions. He said that OPUS is just getting started on their planning for the site and is not ready to discuss
any specifics yet.
HEALTH CARE 2005 DISCUSSIONS
The Employee’s Insurance Committee met this week with Gayle McCann our insurance broker to
review the employee’s 2005 health insurance options. Medica, our current carrier recently informed
us that they were increasing our rates for 2005 for the same coverage by 25.6%. Gayle has been
looking into other options for us. The good news is that there are other, less expensive options.
The insurance committee selected two alternates to look at closer and the committee’s department
representatives are reviewing them with their departments to select a finalist. We need to get back
to Gayle with our final choice for 2005 by Tuesday. Medica was unwilling to reduce their offer, but
the two options that we are reviewing both have lower premiums without reducing the coverage.
WEST ST PAUL – UPDATE
Patrick Hollister attended a meeting at the Dakota County CDA building in Eagan this week.
Patrick reports that he was amazed at the update provided by the Community Development Director
of West Saint Paul about all of the redevelopment activity that is currently taking place on Robert
Street and will continue for the next several years. It appears that Robert Street is undergoing
something of a renaissance and has become a “hot location”. Patrick said, however, that he is not
concerned that the increased interest in Robert Street will be detrimental to Mendota Heights’ Town
Center, because most of the retailers mentioned were “big box’ national chains that Town Center is
not designed for anyway. Some of the new businesses mentioned were: Target Greatland, Grand
Sears, Lowes, Walmart, Applebees and Jimmy Johns.
CHRIS ESSER NEWS
You will see in the attached news article about Chris Esser, our former Recreation Programmer that
he got his dream job in South St Paul – congratulations to Chris.
HOLIDAY WEEK
Because Christmas falls on Saturday this year, next week City employees will get Friday off for
their Christmas holiday. A number of our employees will also be taking a day or two off on top of
that, so we are expecting a slow week.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jim Danielson
City Administrator
Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts, City Council Meeting Agenda, Pre-Application Meeting
Synopsis, Villager Article “Opus Corp. Buys Ecolab Site”, Sun Current Article “ South St Paul
Council Picks Esser To Lead Parks”, South-West Review Article “Faulty Wall Could Cost MH
Businesses”, Sun Current Article “ Residents Upset About Tax Increase”, Pioneer Press Article “
Mdewakanton Dakota Enlarge Their Store”, Pioneer Press Article “ Test Drive, But No Test Ticket,
WCCO.com Article “Coyotes Attacking Suburban Pets”.