2005-01-14 Friday News
The Friday News
January 14, 2005
ORAL ARGUMENT FOR ALLEN VS. MENDOTA HEIGHTS
City staff had previously informed the owner of the Garron/Acacia site located at the end of the
Mendota Bridge that, based on City Council’s determination of the need for an EIS for the proposed
project, an escrow of the estimated costs of the EIS was required. Instead of submitting the required
escrow to begin the EIS process, the landowner and MinnStar Builders, the Developer filed a
lawsuit against the City asking the court to find that their project was automatically approved 120
days after the initial submission of it’s planning application to the City. The City prevailed in the
suit at the District Court level and the owner appealed the ruling. On Wednesday of this week the
MN Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on that appeal and a determination of its decision on the
matter may take as long as 60 days.
Pat Hollister and I attended that hearing. After listening to both sides and the Judges questions, Pat
and I both felt that Mendota Heights should have an excellent chance of prevailing once again.
ST THOMAS ACADEMY SWIM TEAM
St. Thomas Academy’s boys swimming and diving team has established a Minnesota Record for
consecutive dual meet victories (see attached Pioneer Press Article). STA wanted to honor the
team’s achievement this Thursday evening in conjunction with a home meet. Councilmember
Schneeman agreed to be at their meet to present the team with a proclamation from the City
congratulating them on their achievement. Mary Jeanne reported to me the next day, that it was
quite an event, with lots of dignitaries and press in attendance (I saw the event reported on
WCCO”s 10 o’clock news). Tom Malchow made the news, Mary Jeanne did not. Mary Jeanne told
me that STA was thrilled to receive the City’s Proclamation.
IMPAIRED WATERS MEETING
On Tuesday, Sue McDermott attended the Dakota County Board Physical Development Committee
meeting to hear an informational presentation on the recent Impaired Waters initiative calling for
legislation to establish a new statewide action and remediation of the State’s Impaired Waters. In
our area, Pickerel Lake and the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers have been identified as impaired.
This legislation is being driven by the Federal Clean Water Act and is supported by Governor
Pawlenty. Cities will be required to add a $36/year fee on each residential sewer bill. Businesses
will be charged $120, $300 or $600/year based on water usage. The funds will then be paid to the
Department of Revenue and placed into a Clean Water Account. Up to 5% of the funds could be
retained by the City for administrative costs. The annual revenues that would be collected by
Mendota Heights are estimated at $186,708. The Commissioners directed staff to prepare a letter
stating their opposition to this proposal.
NEW ARRIVAL
Congratulations to Police Officer Eric Peterson and his wife Eryn who had a new addition to their
family at 4:00 P.M. on Thursday of this week. Malory Kay, who weighs in at 7 lbs. 2 oz and is
20-¾ inches long is Eric and Eryns first child.
MONDAY IS A HOLIDAY
This Monday is Martin Luther King Day and is a holiday for City employees. City offices will not
be open.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jim Danielson
City Administrator
Attachments: Just the Facts, Pipeline, City Council Agenda, Pre-Application Meeting Synopsis,
Twincities.com Article “Airport expansion questioned by Rybak, mechanics” and “Cadets’ swim
streak reaches 100”, FD Management & Liability Issues Regional Training Session brochure”, MSP
Runway 17/35 Brochure, 1st Annual Skate with the Mayor flyer, Friday Fax and AMM News