Loading...
Issue 25 - Heights Highlights Winter 1993PAGE 1 February, 1993 ISSUE 25 Bridge CiL:nstrur�"��on Underway Major reconstruction of the historic Mendota Bridge, along The Mendota Bridge was closed to traffic in November and with construction of new roadways and bridges, southeast and will remain closed for two years. While the arches will be kept, northwest of the Mendota Bridge, began last fall. Work will be the deck will be rebuilt with four 12 -foot lanes, widened shoulders carried out over two construction seasons. and a sidewalk on the north side. When it was closed, the bridge, The construction work scheduled for 1993 includes: built in 1926, carried 25,000 vehicles each day. That number is expected to double by the year 2010. * Building anew roadway connecting Highway 55 (just south of Acacia Boulevard) to the south frontage road alo ng H ighway 110. This photo, taken from the Fort Snelling State Park, shows a portion of the work which has been done on the bridge deck since Novem ber. * Reconstructing Pilot Knob Road (just north of Mendota Heights Road) north to Acacia Boulevard. A bridge will be built to carry Acacia Boulevard traffic over the new alignment of Highway 55 to the Highway 55 Frontage Road (former Highway 55). * Reconstructing bridges on the west side of the Mendota Bridge begins. T' P 1993 highway work will not have a major impact on traffic. c will be maintained with as little disruption as possible during construction on Pilot Knob Road. Access to area busi- nesses and homes will always be maintained. The second part of the project is scheduled to start later in 1993. It includes work on both sides of the Mendota Bridge. Construction Work Scheduled for late 1993 and 1994 includes: * Building a new Highway 13 alignment from Interstate 494 to Highway 55 near Kendon Ave. * Reconstructing Highway 55 from the Mendota Bridge to Mendota Heights Road. Part of the current roadway in this area will become a frontage road and will connect to Lexington Avenue near Highway 110. * Reconstructing Highway 110 from the Mendota Bridge to Lexington Avenue. Part of the current roadway in this area will become a frontage road, and will connect to the City of Mendota byway of present Highway 13. * Lexington Avenue will be widened to add turning lanes at Highway 110. * Building two bridges on Highway 55 over present High- way 13 east of the Mendota Bridge, and one bridge for westbound traffic on Highway 55 to travel over east- bound Highway 110. * Rebuilding four bridges in the Highway 55 and 5 inter- change, northwest of the Mendota Bridge; and * Resurfacing Highway 55 from Highway 62 southeast to the Mendota Bridge. Total cost for all highway and bridge work is estimated at $42 million. While the Mendota Bridge is closed, motorists will be able to use Interstate 494 and Interstate 35E as alternate routes. Local access will always be possible. Watch for construction signs. Information on detours and alternate routes will be announced before any traffic changes. For more information contact Jack Caroon,Mn/DOT Corridor Manager, at 779-1201 or Kent Barnard, Mn/DOT Public Affairs Coordinator, at 779-2468. PAGE 2 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES Februarv. 1993 Storm Water Drainage Utility Initiated In December the City Council adopted a new storm water drainage utility for the purpose of funding storm sewer system improvements and maintenance. The use of a utility program for funding storm costs is preferred over increased taxes or assess- ments because a storm utility insures that those who use the system the most, pay the most. In order to provide you with more information about the storm water utility, the following ques- tions and answers are provided. QUESTION: Why does Mendota Heights need a Storm Water Drainage Utility? Development of the City has created a greater demand on the storm system. Deficiencies in the existing trunk storm system have become apparent and need to be addressed soon. Also new environmental laws passed by the state and federal governments will require significant expenditures and effort by the city to implement. A method of financing the costs of these improve- ments and mandates is necessary. A number of trunk system improvements are already in the works or are being contem- plated. Some possible project areas are Ivy Falls Creek, Valley Creek, Friendly Marsh, Marie Creek, Industrial Park, and May- field Heights/Lexington Avenue. QUESTION: How will the Storm Water Drainage Utility work? The utility will be set up much like a sanitary or water utility. The costs for running the system will be financed by charging all properties in the city a quarterly utility bill. The amount of the bill will be based on the impact the property has on the storm sewer system. Therefore densely developed property and larger properties will pay more than smaller less developed parcels. An industrial property will pay much more than an equivalent resi- dential property because it impacts the city storm system much more. QUESTION: When will the program start and how much will it cost? The program is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 1993. This will mean the first bills will become due October 1st. Normally the storm sewer utility charge will show up as an additional line item on the sanitary sewer bill. Properties that currently do not receive a sewer bill, will be getting a bill just for the storm sewer charges. The rate schedule is designed to make sure the heaviest users of the system pay the most. Single family homes do not have a great impact on the system, so the charge to each will only amount to $3.50 per quarter. The rate schedule is shown below: QUESTION: Are there any exclusions from the program? This program is intended to be city-wide with all properties participating. There are certain properties that might be ex- empted or given credit for special circumstances. The only prop- erties that are completely exempted from the program are state highway right of way, city property, and any completely undevel- oped land that has ground cover. Raw land is not charged because it doesn't impact the city storm system. There are also three types of credits available for properties that significantly reduce their impact on the system. Land use intensity credits are available for properties with very low development density. Rate of discharge credits are available for properties with holding ponds. And water quality credits are available for properties with treat- ment ponds. These credits are predominantly for the large industrial, com- mercial, institutional and multi -family properties in the city. The final details of the program are being worked out right now by city staff. If you have questions or comments about the proposed Storm Water Drainage Utility program please call Klayton Eck - les at 452-1850. RATE STRUCTURE Category Rate Unimproved land (with ground cover) $ 0.00 Single Family $ 3.50 per home Medium Density Residential $ 3.50 per unit High Density Residential $ 3.50 per unit Cemetery/Golf Course $ 3.50 per acre Institutional $14.00 per acre Multi -Family (R-3) $28.00 per acre Business/Industrial $42.00 per acre All rates are quarterly New Water Quality Mandates Affect Mendota Heights As part of a complex effort to revive the Lower Minnesota River, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) andthe Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (PCA) have adopted a goal of reducing pollution from runoff to the river by 40% by 1996. In the Metro area alone, almost 50 local governments, includ- ing Mendota Heights, will need to take specific actions to meet this goal. First, local governments must adopt standards for new storm water ponds that treat runoff from developed areas. Sec- ond, each community must adopt a broader set of management practices designed to reduce pollutant loads from new and re- developed land. Both of these actions were required to be taken by September 30, 1992. Finally, shoreland use regulations must be revised to complywith more strict standards announcedbythe Department of Natural Resources. The largest area in Mendota Heights that drains into the Min- nesota River is the industrial park. Because Mendota Height, already actively pursuing storm water improvements to the il. dustrial park, we should have little trouble complying with these new mandates. PAGE 3 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES February, 1993 AL 0 10 NrGIRLATS V01'• �ti�te of Minnesota t CTeT Mendota Heights voters deserve a pat on the back! The election SECRETARY C turn -out in the city is always high in comparison to ;the state-wide E7 average. In fact, the proportion of those voting on election day to the CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT number of people registered to vote is normally in excess of 70%. You have not, in the past, received the praise you deserve, but the civic responsibility you exhibited last year has received special recognition. You were recently awarded a Certificate of Achievement by the Secre » 1, Joan Anderson Growe, secretary of state or Minnesota, tary of State for exceeding a 70% turnout at last year's general election. do hereby certify and officially recognize that the In fact, officially, 82.4% of all registered voters in the city exercised their '► right to vote on November 3rd. This voting statistic is even more impres- sive because it includes 846 individuals who registered on election day. '► � had a voter turnout which exceeded 7096 at the state It does not reflect an adjustment for those who were registered here in general election hew on November 3, IM. past years and moved out of the city but had not registered in their new community before the election. Likely, the actual percentage was close to 85%. The state-wide average voter turn -out in November was 71.9%. +b Witness m9 hand and the Great Special appreciation is extended to all of the individuals who served seat or the State or Minnesota at as election judges and precinct chairpersons. Prior to the election, all of au, capitol in saint Paul this first the judges spent many hours studying election regulations and attending day of December' iia training sessions. Those who worked in the polling places on November 3rd began their duties at 6:00 a.m. and did not leave until after 10:00 p.m. �'�/ They seldom receive the recognition they deserve for doing a very Seploary etState difficult job very well. Thank -you judges! Congratulations voters and judges on your impressive achievement! + !. Introductions are ells In November, two new members were elected to the Mendota Heights City Council, and the Mayor was returned to office.Voters selected John Huber and Sandra Krebsbach, from a field of five candidates, to serve four-year terms on the City Council. Charles Mertensotto was re-elected to his fourth term as Mayor. The Oath of Office was administered to the three officials at the City Council organizational meeting on January 5th. Councilmembers Krebsbach and Huber are not new to city government. Krebsbach served as an appointed Planning Commission member for the seven years prior to her election to Council. She has also served on the Mendota Heights Citizens' Park Review Committee and on the Board of Family Service of Greater St. Paul. Krebsbach is employed bythe Minnesota State University System. She and her husband Norbert have two daughters, Mary and Katie. Until his election to the Council, Huber was the chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Commission. He served on the commission for five years. Huber was a member of the 1989 Citizens' Park Review Committee and chaired the group's trails subcommittee. His civic involvement includes being a Big Brother for the Big BrothersA3ig Sisters of Greater St. Paul. Huber was born and raised in Mendota Heights. He is employed as manager of corporate accounting for the Soo Line Corporation. Huber and his wife Jean have three daughters, Rebecca, Molly and Allison. Charles Mertensotto is beginning his seventh year as Mayor. He served as a City ,.. Councilmember from 1963 to 1969, when he left the Council to accept an appoint- ment to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners. He returned to the Council from 1976 through 1984, and was elected Mayor in 1986. Mertensotto is a civil trial lawyer with the firm of Rowland and Mertensotto. He and his wife Arlean have three children and have lived in the Rogers Lake area since 1959. Former Councilmembers Blesener and Cummins pictured at a recent reception given in their honor. Jann Blesener was appointed to the Council in April, 1984 and was elected to two subsequent four-year terms. Buzz Cummins was elected to his first Council term in November, 1984 was re-elected in 1988. 'Both spent countless hours on the city's behalf. They were faced with many difficult decisions over their years in office and gained the respect of their peers and the city's staff. After eight years on the Council, neither sought re-election last November. It has been a pleasure knowing and working with them, and we wish Jann and Buzz and their families well in their future endeavors. PAGE 6 HEIGHTS HIGBUTES February,1993 Smart Shopping For the past four years, the residents of Mendota Heights have proven themselves to be excellent recyclers through the curbside, multi -family and dropoffrecycling programs. In recent years, Mendota Heights residents have recycled approximately 30% of the projected residential waste stream. However, there is another alternative to landfill abatement that is just as easy as recycling - SMART Shopping. SMART Shopping stands for Saving Money And Reducing Trash. Reducing trash is one of the first priorities among waste management options, because it has virtually no impact on the environment, conserves resources, does not require facilities to handle our waste and can provide cost savings. Each person in Minnesota generates about 4 pounds of garbage a day. About one-half of our household waste comes from the packaging of products we buy. While sometimes necessary for health and shelf -life reasons, packaging can be excessive. By taking a few seconds to consider the alternatives before you buy, you can save moneyand reduce trash with SMART Shopping. Saving Money and Reducing Trash SMART Shopping can save you money. Buying products with the least wastemeans you are getting more product and less packaging for your money. SMART Shopping is also a form of source reduction, the most effective way to reduce the amount of trash entering our waste stream. Source reduction prevents waste before it is created. By reducing the amount of waste we generate, we can all help reduce the impact we have on the environment. Here are some examples of SMART Shopping: * Look for least waste packaging. * Buy in bulk, when practical.. * Avoid disposable, single use items. * Buy concentrates. * Buy long lasting products that can be repaired. * At checkouts, don't take a bag if you can do without. CITY DIRECTORY Council Members: Charles Mertensotto, Mayor 454-3394 John Huber 450-0729 Christine Koch 451-9508 Sandra Krebsbach 454-5696 Jill Smith 688-7444 Staff Members: Tom Lawell, Administrator 452-1850 Kathleen Swanson, City Clerk 452-1850 James Danielson, 452-1086 Public Works Director Dennis Delmont, Police Chief 452-1366 John Maczko, Fire Chief 452-1850 Code Enforcement Officers: Paul Berg & Dick Gill 452-1850 * Buy only what you need. * Buy returnables and refillables. * Avoid aerosol cans. * Bring your own shopping bag * Buy products packaged in recycla- ble materials. * Use refillable or reusable contain- ers for packing lunches. Printed on Recycled Paper No, NO! No Snowmobiling! If you own a snowmobile, as a general rule you must trailer it elsewhere in order to enjoy its use. City regulations only al- low snowmobiles to be operated on pri- vate property with the consent of the property's owners. The vehicles may not be operated on any public property or public rights-of-way in the city. Numerous complaints have recently been received about snowmobiles being operated on Rogers Lake. This activity is prohibited by city ordinance. This article is included in the newsletter to inform snowmobile owners on the city's restric- tions. A citation for violating the ore nance could result in significant fines both the owner and the operator of the vehicle. The Heights Highlites is a government newsletter distributed to residents to in- form them on events and activities that affect Mendota Heights. All articles, as well as layout and production are done by City staff members. If you know any residents who are not receiving the Heights Highlites but would like to, please invite them to con- tact City Hall, 452-1850 during office hours so that they can be placed on the newsletter mailing list. From: City Of Mendota Heights 1101 Victoria Curve Bulk Rate Mendota Heights, Mn. 55118 U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 6166 St. Paul, Mn. 55118 CARRIER ROUT— PRESORT POSTAL PATRON MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN 55118 PAGE 5 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES February, 1"3 SUMMER RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES Park Facility Rental Several park facilities are available to rent for group picnics or summer parties. Reservations are required for group picnics. For information on rental procedures and fee schedules, please contact City Hall at 452-1850. Facilities available include: FRIENDLY HILLS PARK * tennis courts * playground equipment * softball field * picnic area IVY HILLS PARK * tennis courts * playground equipment * softball field * soccer field * picnic area MENDAKOTA PARK * playground equipment * softball fields * soccer field * picnic area with shelter MARIE PARK * tennis courts * playground equipment * softball field ROGERS LAKE PARK * tennis courts * playground equipment * picnic area with shelter * sand volleyball WENTWORTH PARK * tennis courts * playground equipment * softball field * soccer field * picnic area VALLEY PARK * tennis courts * playground equipment * softball field * picnic area with shelter HAGSTROM-KING PARK * playground equipment * picnic area Adult Co-Rec Sand Volleyball Three adult Co-Rec sand volleyball leagues will be offered this summer. These recreational leagues will be played in the evenings at Rogers Lake Park. Games will not be officiated. Leagues be- ing offered include: * Beginners: Mondays * Intermediates: Wednesdays * Advanced: Tuesdays Games will start the week of June 7 and will continue through mid-August. The maximum number of teams is 6 teams per league. Priority registration for Mendota Heights residents will be April 26 -May7 on a first come, first served basis. All other teams may register between May 10-14. The registration deadline for all teams is May 14. You may register in person atCityHall, MondaythroughFri- day, 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. or you may call 452-1850 for more information. Adult Slowpitch Softball Leagues Registration information is available at City Hall for a variety of adult slowpitch softball leagues. Games will be played at Mendakota Park. Leagues being offered include: * Mondays: Men's "C" * Wednesdays: Men's "C" Industrial * Tuesdays: Men's III) " * Thursdays: Recreational Men's Women's "C" Over 30 * Sundays: Recreational Kittenball Priority registration for Mendota Heights residents will be March 1-12 on a first come, first served basis except for the Recreational n's Over 30 and the Kittenball leagues where returning teams will have first priority. All other teams may register between March -)-19. The registration deadline for all teams is March 19. Registrations made in person will have priority over mail registrations. There will be no registrations taken over the phone. League availability will be based on demand. PAGE 4 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES Februarv.1993 Public Works Garage To Be Expanded The City Council has directed city staff to proceed with the preparation of plans and specifications for an expansion of the public works maintenance facility located at 2431 Lexington Avenue South. Construction will begin this summer on the 5,700 square foot addition which will provide covered sand and salt storage areas and enlarge existingvehicle storage space by 25%. Thel5,000 square foot maintenance facility was originally constructed in 1979 at a cost of $492,000. It can no longer accommodate all of the city's maintenance vehicles and equipment. Presently, several vehicles and some seasonal equipment are kept in a remote storage area under the city water tower. The water tower area must be vacated so that the Police Department can use the area for storage. Construction costs for the proposed expansion have been estimated at $485,000. Building expansion items account for approximately $290,000 of this amount. The remaining $195,000 must be expended to meet current code or regulatory requirements. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency requires the replacement of existing underground fuel storage tanks. More efficient lighting and equipment will be installed, and current fire safety codes require installation of a fire sprinkler system in the entire facility. Federal Americans with Disabilities Act requirements mandate modifications to the building to accommodate persons with disabilities. Currently nine employees and the Public Works Superintendent work at this facility, an increase of only two employees since the original facility was constructed in 1979. Three or four seasonal workers are traditionally added each summer to assist the full time staff. The population of the city has grown from 7,300 in 1980 to an estimated 10,000 today. With this growth came four additional parks and sixteen miles of streets, sanitary sewers and watermains that must be maintained. Prudent additions of specialized vehicles and equipment over the years have enabled city maintenance personnel to perform a variety of duties faster and more proficiently, eliminating the need for a larger maintenance staff. Give Them a Hand Too often, those who volunteer their services to the city receive little public acknowledgment for their efforts. We would like to recognize and extend appre- ciation to thirteen Mendota Heights resi- dents who dedicate considerable time throughout the year in a volunteer capac- ity. They are: Planning Commissioners Carolyn Dreelan, Mike Dwyer, Ultan Duggan, Bernard Friel, Sharon Koll and Dan Tilsen, Parks and Recreation Com- missioners Carol Damberg, Vicki Katz, Stephen Hunter, Steven Kleinglass, Ann Norton and Richard Spicer, and Northern Dakota County Cable Commission repre- sentative Ron Rogosheske. Hot Programs Melt Television Set! WHAT'S HOT? Viewing your city council in action LIVE on the first and third Tuesday of each month on Government/Public Af- fairs Access Channel 18. WHAT'S NOT? Being uninformed about important issues facing the City of Mendota Heights. WHAT'S HOT? Watching replays of city council meet- ings along with other locally produced programs on recycling, fire safety, candi- date forums, tax information, domestic abuse, education, legislative updates, and much more! WHAT'S NOV Not knowing that Government/Public Affairs Access Channel 18 is programmed and operated by the Northern Dakota County Cable Communications Commis- sion (NDC4). Its name may be long, but its program list is longer! WHAT'S HOT? The hottest channel in town -- Govern- ment/Public Affairs Access Channel 18! Need more information? Call Judy Skeie-Voss at 450-9891. 1993 Tree Planting Program The boulevard tree planting program has been continued for 1993. The program provides trees to residents interested in dressing up their boulevards. For a pre- payment of $50 per tree, homeowners may select from three varieties of trees avail- able, Norway Maple, American Linden, and Summit Ash. All of the trees will be approximately 2 1/2 inches in diameter and ten to twelve feet tall. They will be planted and staked in the fall by a land- scape contractor hired by the city. Each tree will be guaranteed for one year. If you are interested in participating, contact Diane at City Hall, 452-1850, V place your name on a priority list. Tre, are made available on a first come, first served basis.