HomeMy WebLinkAboutweekly notes - july 21st 2017 07.
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�- ~CITY OF OAK P /IHIEIG TS— Y NOTES for: July �21s 2017
TO: City Council Mem ers S
FROM: Eric Johnson,City Adm r
1. No new applications have been re 'ved.
2. The City has issued a citation and is workin Attorney to address the home site at 14836 56th street N.At this point the
City Attorney's office is working on scheduling to a court date. Recall this site has a severely neglected yard, compromised rear
deck and other outdoor storage violations.
3. 1 did receive a call from Washington County—who fielded a call about use of compression/engine braking on the new Bridge asking
if there were any plans for signage. I did send a letter to MnDOT to inquire if signage is or could be installed that would restrict the
use of such systems—except in the case of an emergency.MNDOT did respond stating that they will look into it.See the enclosed
letter to Terry Zoller and Mike Beer.
4. On a similar fashion, I received an email from MNDOT—Todd Clarkowski—that they will need to make adjustments to the timing of
the lighting systems to accommodate traffic along STH 36,95 and other roadways. Of course,they will need some time to find a
balance,but I did offer that they keep in mind about local traffic needs and which should receive similar considerations as the pass-
through traffic.Email to Todd C.is enclosed.
5. MNDOT/Area Bridge Celebrations—FLYER—PICK YOUR PARTY&Bridge Bash in St Joseph's Township.
6. Carolyn Jackson of the Coalition of Utility Cities did provide a short email update regarding submitted data from Xcel Energy and
pending legislation on how certain elements might be valued.
7. BCWD—Meeting Agenda for 7/25/17
8. EMWREP—Educational Programs.
Other items
Mayor McComber provided—METRO CITIES NEWS for 7121117
Please call me at any time if you have questions... 651-253-7837
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City of Oak Park Heights
14168 Oak Park Blvd. N•Box 2007.Oak Park Heights,MN 55082•Phone(651)439-4439•Fax(651)439-0574
July 17tb,2018
TO: Terry Zoller,MNDOT—via email only
Mike Beer,MNDOT—via email only.
FROM: Eric Johnson, City Administrator
RE: Use of Engine Compression Braking
Dear Terry and Mike:
I received a call from Washington County staff who indicated that they have received concerned
calls about the possible use of engine compression braking on the new St. Croix River Crossing.
Considering this comment,we would speculate that the regular use of these type of systems would
cause meaningful noise, and in most cases-unnecessary noise.
To the extent you are able,the City would ask that there be signage installed on the Bridge facility
itself and/or on the Wisconsin side that approaches the Bridge, that would inform truck drivers to
refrain from the use engine compression braking except in an emergency.
Minnesota Statute 169.69 Muffler-reflects that 1 bHNN MTA STATUTES 2016 169.69
every motor vehicle shall have a muffler—and 269.693RTFLM
shall not emit or produce a "sharp popping or E--TW a»atorVehick 9013 at all tintts be acptipped aith a nNIMIT in goodsvorkin$order ubich Wends
crackling sound" — which of the exhaust noise into the overall vehicle na6so and is in Coo=lant l'+¢eratiou tope kw e%msive or musuol
course engine wise.and no perAn shad use a nmlllcr ctnant 4pus,or similar&Mce%M a wmot vehiok on a sheer
compression braking in fact is. orhiglna'en.The eA>sW*)%9entsballuaaWtoipmd+ueashappop&SosemNingsoundEM awor
vehicle shall at all rima be egttipped with such parts and apuptneut so amaW and kept in such state of
repair as to;=t cmtm tnouoxWe gas hmn emering the itnetios orae veWcle.
These rules may be enforced by State, County NopmonsbaNha%+efwsalle•wU*3 offer for sakormeoaat imor„ea,;eleany oWperThat ra sto
comglyµirk the Vecifieatioas as required by the celutnissioncr of public safety:
and Municipal officials, however some signage Ostaty.1,2&:S,�„p4;r464sIW,.1949,r430,v:0;I.Q 3 c 4#651:,.9-,e491S ;
installed might aid reducing this impact for all.
Please let me know if you have any questions and we thank you in advance for your proactive
attention to this possible issue.
Kind regards.
40
Eric
Cc: Wayne Sandberg, Washington County
2 of 22
Eric Johnson
From: Eric Johnson
Sent: Thursday,July 2Q 2017 9:31 AM
To: 'Clarkowski,Todd (DOT)'
Cc: Beer, Michael (DOT);Schwartz, Kevin (DOT);Wayne Sandberg;Cory Slagle
(Cory.Slagle@co.washington.mn.us);Andrew Kegley, 'Mann, Lee';Tom McCarty
Subject: RE:Traffic signal timing adjustments on TH95 and Chestnut Street,TH36 als0r the
traffic switch near August 2nd (,
W
Todd,
Thank you for the heads-up.We suspect it will be a work in progress,however...we would ask that State remember that
these roads serve local trip generation and it is NOT a through way, nor interstate—nor solely and east west corridor.
If there is a priority applied to this east-west method,we would like to be told about it upfront and the rationale for it of
course....
Otherwise the ability for people to move NORTH AND SOUTH through our"Community"must have at least equal value
in any such timing.
But... Let us all give it some time to see how it goes to find some balance.
Good luck
Eric
From:Clarkowski,Todd (DOT) [mailto:todd.clarkowski@state.mn.us]
Sent:Thursday,July 20,2017 9:10 AM
To: Eric Johnson<eajohnson@cityofoakparkheights.com>;Andrew Kegley<akegley@cityofoakparkheights.com>;Cory
Slagle (Cory.Slagle@co.washington.mn.us)<Cory.Slagle@co.washington.mn.us>;Wayne Sandberg
<Wayne.Sandberg@co.washington.mn.us>
Cc: Beer, Michael(DOT)<michael.beer@state.mn.us>;Schwartz, Kevin (DOT)<kevin.schwartz@state.mn.us>
Subject: FW:Traffic signal timing adjustments on TH95 and Chestnut Street,TH36 also,after the traffic switch near
August 2nd
fyi
From: Clarkowski,Todd (DOT)
Sent:Thursday,July 20,2017 8:49 AM
To:Shawn Sanders(ssanders@ci.stillwater.mn.us)<ssanders@ci.stillwater.mn.us>; Bill Turnblad
(bturnblad(&ci.stillwater.mn.us)<bturnblad@ci.stillwater.mn.us>;Abbi Wittman(awittman@ci.stillwater.mn.us)
<awittman@ci.stillwater.mn.us>
Cc:Schwartz, Kevin(DOT)<kevin.schwartz@state.mn.us>; Beer, Michael (DOT)<michael.beer@state.mn.us>; Embacher,
Eric(DOT)<eric.embacher@state.mn.us>; Rustad, Eric(DOT)<eric.rustad@state.mn.us>; Festvog, Kaare(DOT)
<kaa re.festvoe@ state.m n.us>
1
3 of 22
Subject: FW:Traffic signal timing adjustments on TH95 and Chestnut Street,TH36 also,after the traffic switch near
August 2nd
Hi,
As requested, here's the latest information for the adjustment of the signals affected by the traffic switch from the Lift
Bridge to the new bridge.
Kevin Schwartz can be contacted with any signal timing related questions.
Todd
From:Schwartz, Kevin(DOT)
Sent:Wednesday,July 19,2017 6:39 PM
To:Clarkowski,Todd (DOT)<todd.clarkowski@state.mn.us>
Cc:Gerbensky, Michael(DOT)<michael.serbenskv@state.mn.us>; Fairbanks, Michael (DOT)
<mike.fairbanks@state.mn.us>; Festvog, Kaare (DOT)<kaare.festvos state.mn.us>;Stromgren, Nicole(DOT)
<nicole.stromerenCQ@state.mn.us>; Lehrke, Derek(DOT)<derek.lehrke@state.mn.us>
Subject: RE:Traffic signal timing adjustments on TH95 and Chestnut Street,after the traffic switch
Todd,
We will be lowering the cycle lengths in downtown Stillwater around Aug. 2 once the new bridge opens and we will
make adjustments as needed to accommodate the traffic pattern changes. We also will be monitoring and adjusting the
timing at the Hwy 36 signals in Oak Park Heights and the two signals at the Hwy 36/96 interchange.
Please let us know if you hear of any signal timing concerns once the new bridge opens.
Thanks,
Kevin
Kevin Schwartz, P.E., PTOE
Signal Optimization Engineer
MnDOT Metro Traffic Engineering
1500 W.County Rd. B-2
Roseville, MN 55113
Phone: 651-234-7840
kevin.schwartz@state.mn.us
From:Gerbensky, Michael(DOT)
Sent:Wednesday,July 19,201711:02 AM
To: Fairbanks, Michael(DOT)<mike.fairbanks0state.mn.us>;Schwartz, Kevin(DOT)<kevin.schwartz state.mn.us>
Subject: FW:Traffic signal timing adjustments on TH95 and Chestnut Street,after the traffic switch
FYI
From:Clarkowski,Todd(DOT)
Sent:Wednesday,July 19,2017 10:10 AM
To:Festvog, Kaare(DOT)<kaare.festvoe@state.mn.us>
Cc:Gerbensky, Michael(DOT)<michael.eerbenskv@state.mn.us>
Subject:Traffic signal timing adjustments on TH95 and Chestnut Street, after the traffic switch
2
4 of 22
CELEBRATE THE OPENING OF THE ST CROIX CROSSING BRIDGE
S1:.Croix
PICK
CROSSING St.Croi$
CROSSING
AUGUST 2, 2017
11:00 a.m.
11:30 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. Lowell Park I Stillwater,MN a a
Gibby's Lanes
12 p.m. —Close 546 W.North Shore Dr. Immediately following the ribbon-cutting
New Richmond,WI 54017 ceremony Stillwater city leaders will host 1 1:00 a.m.
Somerset,WI a short public ceremony in Lowell Park
&St.Joseph,WI to commemorate the lift bridge's 86 Board the Ice Cream bus
Join as as we celebrate the years of service to the city and the re- directly after the ribbon
Grab your friends&family and ribbon cutting of the St. gion.Federal,state and local officials are cutting ceremony and make
head to your local favorite to Croix River Crossing and invited to attend.
celebrate!Ask for the your way to Oak Park Heights'
honor ICE CREAM SOCIAL!
"St.Croix Special" 6'00 p.m. **QuanHhiesare limited/Firstcome-
at any of these participating John "Cruisitf to Closure" F;rstserved.**
locations and enjoy discounts& Soderberg S.Lowell Park I Stillwater MN
special on the local cuisine& CONTACTINFo:
beverages! for his tireless Cruisin'on the Croix classic car show 651.439.4439
American Legion Willow River efforts In and a public festival will combine to
Bass Lake Cheese Saloon making this St accommodate the large crowds
expected to gather down- GrtEaeR stuwv¢a
Factory Big Guys BBQ Croix Palley
Hank's Bar&Grill nK Next Sto town for the final clo- WArcihi THE GREATER CNAMBEIL
p dream a sure of the bridge tom
Liquor Depot / au STiLLWATER CHAMBER'S bWCB3
realityautomobile traffic.
Oliphant Brewing SITE FOR INFORMATION ON pyaunescawnmumq°i
Rendezvous THEIR CELEBRATION EVENTIMI
Sportsman's Bar& SOMERSET:
Grill 715.410.6476 CONTACT INFO: �,+,«,..4 10
Subway0 �
715.549.6235 ..,... CONT -
NR Chamber ACT INFO
5T.JOSEPH
NEW RICHMOND 715.246.2900 651.430.8800
5 of 22
Bring in a picture of the new bridge and
E receive a complementary sample of the ever
New Carus
to 2:30"M PIMP
6 of 22
Eric Johnson
From: Carolyn C Jackson <CCJackson@flaherty-hood.com>
Sent: Tuesday,July 18, 2017 10:47 AM
To: Greg Pruszinske;Jeff O'Neill; Mary McComber(marymccomber@aol.com); Eric Johnson;
Hallock, Marshall; Kay Kuhlmann (kay.ku h I man n @ci.red-wing.mn.us); Rick Hendrickson
(rhendrickson@ci.becker.mn.us); Max Peters; Mark Skelton; Becky Burich
(rbu rich@ hoytlakes.com);Greg Hagy(grhagy@gmail.com); David;Crystal Johnson
(crystal Johnson@granitefalls.com)
Cc: Bradley M Peterson;Shane A.Zahrt,Chris J Henjum
Subject: Another brief CUC update
Hi Coalition of Utility Cities members,
Chris Henjum got a more detailed picture of the data analysis on current electric generation tax revenues.
Xcel resubmitted its data,and they have set up a team with the Department of Revenue to go through the data in detail
to reconcile some differences in interpretation.This will take a while to accomplish,anywhere from a few weeks to two
months.
However, once the data is all reconciled, it will enable all the stakeholders to work with the numbers to reach a rate of
valuation that we can debate over.
As a reminder,the new bill keeps the personal property tax on electric generation equipment, but re-defines that
equipment to include the buildings that house the equipment. Land and other buildings are taxed as real property as
they always have been.The new valuation is a factor times the name place capacity plus a factor times average annual
production plus a factor times spent nuclear fuel storage. Our goal is to ake that equation equal current"market"
valuation for the equipment and buildings.Adding the buildings has bee the difficult part of understanding this
calculation.
-PO VNw)
The new bill also adds transmission and distribution formulas to replace the market valuation for those things.To date,
the Coalition of Utility Cities has treated this change as negligible, but,given the new data that is being assembled,we
will be able to analyze the impact of that change as well.
This is difficult to imagine in the abstract.Once we get some data,we will analyze the impact of the proposed legislation,
and give you some concrete numbers to consider.
Thanks,and please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions about this.
Carolyn Jackson
Senior Lobbyist
Flaherty and Hood
cciackson@flahertv-hood.com
Office (651)259-1928
Cell(612)735-2627
1
7 of 22
BROWN " S 4S; IIA'�'WAI4.0 AVI N
✓JJ OAKE7VALE. MN
Lim
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Y Y A T E RS ]1i E c,5 t.:t.r .t;::tta x2ra i 1•t tc int I i
4.51 .330. 7747 1 FAX I
DISTRIC- T , WWW.RCWD.C)R0
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
Tuesday,July 25th,2017 at 5:30 PM
1. Call Special Meeting to order MEETING LOCATION
Special Board Meeting will be heldat ,
Washington Conservation District `
2. Approve Special Meeting Agenda 455 Hayward Ave N,Oakdale,MN 55128
3. Rule Revisions Discussion
4. 2018 Draft Budget Discussion
5. Adjournment
Managers:
Craig Leiser,President • Sharon Schwarze,Vice-President • Gerald Johnson,Secretary
• Connie Taillon,Treasurer • Anne Maule Miller,Vice-President
8 of 22
FEaWaterEducationU datesstwmetro
source Education Program Summer 2017
Now recruiting Master Water Stewards for 2017-18: Help us spread the word!
This October we will begin training our first cohort CLASS SCHEDULE:
of 10 citizen stewards to work with local watershed
organizations. Info sessions
Aug. 8, 5:30-6:30pm - Woodbury City Hall
Master Water Stewards receive 50 hours of training, Sept. 12, 5:30-6:30pm - Stillwater Library
through a combination of on-line instruction, in-person
small-group meetings,and hands-on,outdoor activities. Classes
Topics include basic hydrology and stormwater Oct. 10 Introduction
management, water policy, strategies for engaging Capstone primer- Online
friends and neighbors, and landscaping practices Oct. 14 Watershed Tour
to reduce runoff pollution. Stewards also complete Oct. 24 Basic Hydrology
capstone projects in their communities — raingardens, Nov. 14 Stormwater Basics
shoreline plantings, and rural lands projects. Nov. 28 Water Policy
Jan. 9 Environmental Decision Making
After becoming certified, Master Water Stewards Jan. 23 Community Engagement
provide 25 hours per year of volunteer support to their Feb. 10 Rainscaping
watershed organizations. Feb. 20 Residential Stormwater Planning
Mar. 6 BMP Eval. and Maintenance
Interested volunteers can apply on-line at: Mar. 20 Capstone Charrette
i�ttps:ifrrasterwaierstewares.orc, ta Apr. 17 Next Steps
N
Join us at Washington County Fair! = . a
4
.w�fy.W
Help us staff the WCD /Watershed booth at this
year's county fair-Wed.,Aug. 2 - Sun.,Aug. 6.
The WCD is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this N
year and will have historical photos and materials on
display, as well as the always-popular"stormwater -
model" (created in the 1970s). We'll also have
watershed and project information in our booth and a
site visit sign-up.
� u
Sign-up on-line at:
Above: Master Water Stewards support water
projects in their communities.
9 of 22 1
Upcoming Education Events
a
Brown's Creek Open Yards Series
Free, informal, fun learning events hosted by members of the
Browns Creek Watershed District CAC. y
August 16 6:30-8p.m. (12999 KellerAve. N, May Twp.) Prairie
plant identification - you won't want to miss this!
September 20 6:00-7:30* (2854 Nightingale Ct., Stillwater)
Urban/Suburban lots: raingardens, butterfly gardens, native plant Attendees at the May Open
and weed identification. "`earlier due to daylight Yards event.
Summer Family Pond Dipping
These events have been so fun! Pond Dipping, or -�-- - j
macroi nvertab rate sampling, is a great way to get
families and kids involved in learning about water
quality.
June 20-Forest Lake Arts in the Park
June 27- Colby Lake in Woodbury
July 6-Autumn Hills pond Oak Park Heights
July 12- Tanners Lake in Oakdale
July 16- Silver Lake in North St. Paul
July 18-Lions Park on the Mississippi, St. Paul Park
July 24- Long Lake in Stillwater
r'i aS ti
July 26 - Pinetree Pond in Cottage Grove
Raingarden Maintenance Workshops: July 20 and Aug. 23
We'll walk people through the basics of raingarden maintenance, including how to identify natives '
j and weeds, and provide a maintenance checklist to bring home. Both workshops will be held
outdoors.
July 20 6-7:30p.m. -Washington Square Park, Stillwater
August 23 6-8p.m. - CLFLWD Office (44 Lake Street South, Forest Lake)
_ G
Minnesota State Fair: Aug. 24 - Sept. 4
This year's "Great Minnesota Get-Together" runs Aug. 24 - Sept. 4. EMWREP will be helping to staff
exhibit space at the Eco Experience Building on behalf of Watershed Partners (Storm Drain Goalie)
and Blue Thumb - Planting for Clean Water. It is always a great way to meet the public and talk to
folks about keeping water clean.
10 of 22 2
Professional Training Opportunities
8th Annual St. Croix River Workshop on the Water: Sept. 14, 4-8pm, Stillwater
dl Registration info coming soon.
Smart salting Level 1 Training (parking lots and sidewalks)
1 - Nov. 2, 8am-1:30pm, Oakdale. To register, email Jenn Radtke at
Nov. 21, 8am-1 pm, RWMWD. To register, email Sage Passi at
r
Realtor Shoreline Workshop: Nov. 16, 8am-noon, Stillwater. Registration info TBA.
+kM' Other turf and salt trainings here.
Other Erosion and Stormwater Management Certification classes here.
Yard Signs for Sale!
We recently collaborated with local artist Vera Wang to create yard signs for the public to display.
The signs come in four different colors/designs and are selling for$3 a piece or 2 for $5.
71,
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** Celebrating Anniversaries
Join us in celebrating two big anniversaries this year.
Brown's Creek Watershed District Washington Conservation District Ild
20th Anniversary 75th Anniversary
Saturday, Sept. 16, 10am-1 pm Sunday, Sept. 17, noon -2pm
Brown's Creek Park in Stillwater Lake Elmo Park Reserve
Join BCWD for a fun, family-friendly event Help WCD celebrate 75 years of conservation in
that will include nature activities and guided Washington County at an appreciation picnic for
hikes along the trail and in the park. friends and conservation cooperators.
11 of 22 3
Recent Education Events
Storm anes (for contractors):
ri 5 municipal staff , ...
Turf Mitenanc
- Bioretention Design -April 25
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) - May 11
Spring Landscaping Workshops (for the public): April 6, 11, 18, 27 and May 2
BCWD 110th St. Public Meeting: April 18
AUL ,
Community Events:
- Grant Community Clean-up: April 22 ° ,d ..
- Mahtomedi Rite of Spring: April 29
- Belwin Bison Release (Afton): May 20
- Mill Stream Day (Marine on St. Croix): May 21 '"
- RWMWD Waterfest at Lake Phalen: June 3wM. -
-Oakdale Summerfest Parade: June 22
- Silver Lake Splash (North St. Paul): July 16 a
Hay Lake neighborhood meeting: April 27 �
Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Distribution: April 28 Above: Storm drain stenciling with 5thgraders at Natural Science Academy in
Youth education events: St. Paul Park.
-Woodbury Elementary Field Day: May 4
- Maplewood Middle School Field Day: May 26
-Storm Drain Stenciling with Natural Sciences Academy in St. Paul Park: May 31
- Cottage Grove Safety Camp: June 21
-Woodbury Safety Camp: July 19
Lakeridge of Woodbury Townhomes Rain Garden Celebration: May 31
Clean the Croix (Stillwater and Stillwater Twp): July 8
Lily Lake Open House (Stillwater): July 11
Campfire Programs
Lake Elmo Park Reserve - June 24
I After a story about Pond Life,Angie and Jenn led ' `
groups to a nearby pond to dip nets. We found water
boatmen, tadpoles, dragonfly nymphs, and more!
St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park-July 15
After a story called "Plant a Pocket of Prairie," a few
selected prairie plants were passed around. Then ` "=
families participated in a scavenger hunt followed by i
community and s'mores.
i°
v -
Above:Kids explore a wetland at Lake Elmo Park
jn Reserve during a campfire program.
Left: Plant a Pocket of Prairie at 5t.Croix Bluffs.
12 of 22 4
Engaging citizen volunteers to "Clean the Croix"
On Saturday, July 8, EMWREP joined forces with St. Croix River Association and Conservation
Corps of Minnesota & Iowa to organize a St. Croix River clean-up event. Volunteers split into three
teams to pick up litter from the Boom Site Wayside, collect garbage from islands between the Boom '
Site and the High Bridge, and remove invasive buckthorn from the Aiple property in Stillwater (a
future city park).
We had 60 volunteers, collected two pick-up truck loads of garbage, and pulled TONS of buckthorn!
71
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� Reaching out to local businesses �,
l_
On May 23, the Washington Conservation District
invited local businesses in Oakdale to visit the
Conservation Center and learn more about its
demonstration landscaping.
Three years ago, WCD received grant funding from the gg
Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District to install Fy q"
a raingarden, grassy pave and pervious paver parking ME
area, native
plant gardens,
and a small
prairie.
, e During the BBQ, we shared information about cost-
share grant programs and enjoyed getting to know our
neighbors. Approximately 100 people attended!
13 of 22 5
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Clockwise from top: 1).Angie,Jenn and Linnea Radtke flutter their wings before the Oakdale Summerfest
Parade. 2) Kids at Woodbury Safety Camp solve the riddle to save Carver Lake. 3) Tara Kline,WCD landscape
designer, talks to board members at Lakeridge'Townhomes about raingarden maintenance. 4).Angie Hong
scoops ice cream with CMSCWD Board Member Joel Stedman at Mill Stream Day in Marine on St. Croix.
5)Jenn loads up a rain barrel for a resident at the spring sale in Hugo.
Questions?
Contact Angie Hong, EMWREP coordinator, 651-330-8220 x.35 or angie.hong@mnwcd.org
;Brown's Creek Watershed • Carnelian Marline - St. Croix Watershed
Comfort Lake - Forest Lake Watershed • Cottage Grove • Dellwood /''��
Forest Lake • Grant • Hugo • Lake Elmo • Middle St. Croix Watershed (c
Newport • Oakdale • Oak Park Heights • Ramsey - Washington Metro ,'%'�"`"'�r�r/
l Watershed • Rice Creek Watershed • Stillwater • St. Paul Park • �/ Eiit- ftro
South Washington Watershed • Valley Branch Watershed • Willernie Water Resource Education Program
West Lakeland•Woodbury•Washington Conservation District•Washington County
VF
14 of 22 6
W. ASHINGTON.
You are inuitrd
ONSERVATION
E RVATIQN`
.. T I (m1wrators
Fricn& F[ Conservation
RpprEciation Picnic
Sunday, SeptEmbEr 17
noon2:oop.m.
takE Elmo Park REsErw
South Pauilion-i%ifEats Rue R, Laks Elmo
Help us celebrate 75 years of conservation and natural resource
- protection in Washington County!We'll provide the grilling
food;bring your family and a dish to share.
Lawn Saws • Playground•Hiking trails•food k fun
.5 X�,a `'+ Edwb�'B7r'+'Clss,'CVr±�*v�lri.'il irr.l;
_ RSVP:angie.hong@mnwcd.org or 651-330-8220 x.35
15 of 22
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A S H I N G T 0 N
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1 u, R T ki W Nah w c c) t a
1,
»Celebrating 75 Years of Conservation»
Thank you for helping to protect land and water resources
in Washington County!
The Washington Conservation District(formerly
Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District)
was established in 1942 in the wake of the Dust Bowl.Over
the past 75 years,we've worked with local communities,
volunteers,and landowners across the county to plant
trees;control erosion;protect lakes,rivers,and streams;and
create habitat.We couldn't do it without you!
Join us for a reunion and appreciation picnic-
Sunday,Sept.=7,12-2pm at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
We're looking forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
Washington Conservation District
Staff and Board of Supervisors
16 of 22
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Metropolitan Council Committee
Approves MCES Rates and Charges
The Metropolitan Council Environment
Committee approved the Council's
Environment Services (MCES) budget and
2018 Wastewater(MWC) rates at their
meeting this week.
The MCES budget will be$280.9 million for
2018. Revenue sources for the budget
come from Municipal Wastewater Charges,
the Sewer Availability Charge (SAC), and
Industrial Waste Charges. Overall, the
MCES wastewater charge is set to increase
by 3.7%. Individual cities' rates will vary
depending on their share of the region's
wastewater flow.
SAC fees will be held flat, as they have
been for the last several years. The
Industrial Strength Charge will be increased
by 6.8% and the industrial permit fee will
increase to 3.7%. Overall costs for MCES
have increased 3.1%. MCES staff stated
they have a goal of keeping rate increases
under 4% annually. These rates are the
same as the preliminary rates released in
May.
The Met Council is scheduled to adopt the
rate and budget at its July 26th meeting.
Click here to view the power point used in
the MCES presentation to the Environment
Committee.
Metropolitan Council Committee
Reviews Trends in Comp Plan
Amendments
Metropolitan Council planning staff
reviewed processes for comprehensive
plan amendments with the Community
Development committee this week. The
review was spurred by interest from Met
Councilmembers on the re-guiding of land
by cities through comp plan amendments.
The review covered a range of data from
comp plan amendments(CPAs) submitted
from 2010-2016. Comp plan amendments
are submitted by cities when they propose
changes to land use designated in their
comprehensive plans. Changes can include
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conformance with system statements,
changes in use, down guiding and up
guiding of land (related to density),
infrastructure (such as changes to the
regional sewer system), small area
changes and administrative changes.
473 CPAs were submitted during this six-
year period, by 104 communities. The most
common amendments are changes in land
use. Communities designated suburban
and emerging suburban edge submitted the
most CPAs(57%). These cities tend to
have more transitions, with sewered and
un-sewered land.
Responding to interest by members in
affordable housing production, staff
analyzed total housing unit construction
supported by CPAs. A total of 15,868 new
housing units were supported, representing
22% of the region's total housing
construction from 2010-2016. 1,744 units
were affordable, 2,930 new senior units
were supported by CPAs, 1,273 of them
affordable units. Staff explained that CPAs
did not lead to the loss of existing
affordable units but rather re-guided land
with no existing housing or re-guided an
underutilized parcel of land.
The breakdown of CPA-supported new
housing units by community designation
showed suburban and suburban edge
communities building the most with 5,396
and 4,914 new units respectively from
2010-2015.
7,210 housing units across a range of
housing types and affordability levels were
supported by CPAs. 1251 units were
affordable (at up to 80 percent AMI), 5,959
units were market rate and 2,031 were
senior units.
More CPAs were submitted to support the
up guiding of land than down guiding.
Additionally, up guiding CPAs affected 40%
more acreage than down guiding. 56 CPAs
were for up guiding, meaning land guided
for residential was re-guided from lower
density to medium or high density. 54 CPAs
supported re-guiding residential land from
higher density to lower allowed density.
Staff explained these down guiding CPAs
were in response to the market in emerging
suburban edge communities from 2011-
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2013.
Staff noted comprehensive plans can set
the stage for affordable housing but
production of affordable units requires
resources. Based on Councilmember
interest in the analysis, staff offered to
provide annual updates on these trends in
future years.
Contact Charlie Vander Aarde at 651-215-
4001 or charlieCaD-metrocitiesmn.org with
any questions.
Transit Fare Increase Discussed
The Metropolitan Council has held two
recent meetings to discuss possible fare
increases, where Council staff presented a
transportation financial update and fare
increase scenarios.
A staff presentation noted that while the
2017 Legislature provided $70 million to
address the Metro Transit funding deficit for
2018/19, a $110 million deficit is projected
in the 2020/21 budget. Staff stated that a
25-cent fare increase and service reduction
would reduce the deficit to$62.9 million.
These forecasts assume that Motor Vehicle
Sales Tax(MVST) revenues will meet
projections and that there are no changes
to future state general fund appropriations
by the Legislature.
Council staff also presented data on the
fiscal impacts of 25-cent, 50-cent and
varying combinations of base and peak
level fare increases. Changes to Metro
Mobility, including a 50-cent increase to
base fares, were also presented.
Metro Transit has not increased fares since
2008. The current farebox recovery ratio is
24%. A 25-cent increase would increase
the that ratio to 27%. Metro Transit has
used a 30%fare box recovery ratio as its
goal. Members debated whether this should
continue to be the recovery goal.
The Met Council Transportation Committee
will consider whether to increase fares at its
Monday, July 24th meeting. The full Council
is scheduled to consider a fare increase on
Wednesday, July 26th. Any Council
approved change to transit fares would go
into effect October 1, 2017.
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To view the presentations presented to the
Met Council, click and
DEED Broadband Grants Due
September I I
Cities planning to apply for funds from the
state's broadband development grant
program must do so by September 11,
2017. Cities must contact broadband
providers in the proposed project area by
July 31 to comply with the pre-application
portion of the process(or at least six weeks
before the application is filed, if you file
before September 11).
The Border-to-Border Broadband
Development Grant Program funds the
expansion of broadband service to areas of
Minnesota that are unserved or
underserved. An unserved area is an area
of Minnesota in which households or
businesses lack access to wire-line
broadband service at speeds that meet the
FCC threshold of 25 megabits per second
download and 3 megabits per second
upload. An underserved area is an area of
Minnesota in which households or
businesses do receive service above the
FCC threshold but lack access to wire-line
broadband service at speeds 100 megabits
per second download and 20 megabits per
second upload.
The program was funded with $20 million
during the 2017 legislative session. The
grants can provide up to 50 percent of
project development costs, and the
maximum grant amount is$5 million. Metro
Cities advocates for continued metro
eligibility for the funds. Grant information
and the application can be found on
the Office of Broadband Development
website.
Metro Cities News is emailed periodically
to all Metro Cities member mayors,
councilmembers, city managers and
administrators to keep officials abreast of
important metro city issues. This
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Current/Archived Newsletters-Metro Cities Page 6 of 6
information is also intended to be shared
with city staff.
If you'd like to sign up to receive Metro
Cities News, please
email r ?i ,� tMtc and
provide the following: Name, Title, mx
Employer and Email address. Thank you.
Metro Cities 145 University Ave W., St.
Paul, MN 55103-2044 Phone 651-215-
4000 Fax 651-281-1299 p
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