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2003-01-31 Friday News  The Friday News  January 31, 2003 Police Chief Recruitment Process The City received forty (40) applications for the Chief of Police position. The applications have been scored. The top twelve candidates will now be asked to complete a written exercise for the City Council to review. From these top candidates, the City Council will choose the individuals to interview for the position. The City Council will be discussing this process on Tuesday night. Community Revitalization Resources Recently staff met with representatives from Community Revitalization Resources at the urging of the Dakota County CDA. As you know, Dakota County offers housing fix up programs through the Community Development Block Grant funding. The restrictions and limitations of that program, however, may eliminate some residents interested in fixing up their homes. The CDA suggested that staff meet with Community Revitalization Resources to learn more about their services. Community Revitalization Resources (CRR) is a division of the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE). CEE is an independent nonprofit organization that has provided energy, environmental and housing rehabilitation services to utilities, private corporations and public agencies for over 20 years. CRR works cooperatively with a number of agencies, cities and neighborhoods to produce innovative financing products tailored to a community’s specific needs. CRR offers a variety of financial and rehabilitation services for homeowners: Home Energy Loan Program - The HELP loan offers single family, owner occupied homeowners financing to complete energy related improvements to their home. This loan does not carry any income limitations. Eligible improvements include: insulation, furnace or boiler replacement, replacement AC, doors and windows, weather-stripping and caulking, and water heaters. MHFA Fix Up fund – The Fix up Fund offers loans at below market interest rates to homeowners with gross annual household incomes of $77,000 or less. The fix up fund was established to improve the basic livability and/or energy efficiency of a borrower’s home. Eligible improvements include: room additions or alterations, roofing, siding, electrical, plumbing, painting, garage repair or replacement and all energy related improvements. MHFA Community Fix Up Fund – This fund has essentially the same guidelines and terms as the Fix up fund. The most significant difference is the income limit, which is $88,000. These programs are administered completely through CEE and CRR. Residents contact their organization directly and there is no direct involvement from the City. The program that I believe would be particularly helpful to Mendota Heights is the Community Fix Up Fund. Community Revitalization Resources works with a number of other cities in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metropolitan Area. The residents of Mendota Heights could benefit greatly from the programs offered by Community Revitalization Resources. I requested that they make a presentation at the meeting to inform the Council and the residents about this tremendous resource for the community. New Name for Part of Swan Drive Mr. Jerry Nelson, 894 Wagon Wheel Trail, approached the Council in January about re-naming a portion of Swan Drive. Jerry has had to assist many motorists and emergency vehicles when they become lost or confused after they encounter Cheri Lane when traveling south on Swan Drive from Wagon Wheel Trail. In order to improve the clarity of the street names in the neighborhood, Jerry requested that the name be changed. There are no homes having an address on Swan Drive through this area, so no home addresses would be affected by the change. At the January 7th meeting, the City Council directed Jim Danielson to send a letter to the neighbors informing them of the request and soliciting their input. We have received a number of suggestions for the name change. The City Council will be considering the suggestions and considering a new name at the meeting on Tuesday night. Acting Administrator My husband and I are expecting our first child this spring, with a due date of April 7th. I am anticipating taking a standard maternity leave once the child is born. During this period, I am recommending to the City Council that Public Works Director Jim Danielson serve as Acting Administrator. Jim served as the Acting Administrator for the six-month period after former Administrator Kevin Batchelder left and prior to my hiring. Jim and I work closely together on a day-to-day basis and this appointment would make this transition time very smooth. The City Council will be considering this recommendation on Tuesday night. NPDES Phase II Permit Federal Law requires that all communities in the Twin Cities Metro Area apply for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II storm water permit before March 10, 2003. This storm water permit is an unfunded mandate by the Federal Government. The permit is quite involved and is further complicated by the fact that it was developed over a period of years and was only recently finalized, giving communities very little time to complete it. The EPA and MPCA were given permitting authority under this program. Minnesota cities have known for some time that this requirement was coming and have been working together with the League of Minnesota Cities to prepare a guide plan. Jim Danielson, John Tran and Guy Kullander have been working on this plan. In order to complete the permit application, we need the assistance of an outside consultant. Staff met with Bonestroo and Associates (BRAA) about helping with this process. BRAA is currently working with over 20 cities in the same fashion. Mr. Randy Neprash, Engineer with BRAA will be in attendance at Tuesday night’s Council meeting. Staff is requesting that the Council authorize BRAA to assist in the preparation of this NPDES Phase II permit. Costs for this work were budgeted for in the Storm Water Utility Fund in anticipation of this need. Commission Appointment Interviews There are a number of Commission appointments that expire on January 31, 2003. The City advertised and received six applications from interested individuals. At 6:00 PM on Tuesday night, the City Council will interview the five prospective Commission Candidates (Bob Huberty withdrew his application). Final Thought "What you do when you don't have to, will determine who you are when you can't help it." Thomas Jefferson Respectfully Submitted, Cari Lindberg Administrator Attachments: City Council agenda, Pre-Application Meeting Synopsis, Sun Current articles “Finalists tabbed to fill local seat on Met Council,” and “New Mayors see challenges, opportunity on the horizon,” Southwest Review articles “Skate park proposal approved in MH” and “House fire in Mendota Heights Jan. 20” and Friday Fax.