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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 2016 City of Oak Tree City USA Winter 2016 Newsletter Inside this issue: 2017 City budget outlook Winter Ice The City's Preliminary Budget for 2017 is $5,639,646. The Preliminary Rink Information Budget includes all operations and debt services for the next year and is a decrease of $8,914 (.16 percent) from the 2016 budget. Public Works and 3 Arborist News The 2017 budget includes decreases in overall expenditures in each of the City departments except for an increase in amounts allocated for street Utility Bill maintenance which is to be used to fund the City's plan to mill and overlay Information many of the City roadways over the next several years. The decreases in expenditures is due to reductions in labor costs caused by staff retirements Cover Park and replacements at a lower pay rate. Redevelopment The snow plowing budget was decreased to an amount which is an estimat- City Department ed average of the last five years. The council developed a policy which es- Spotlight—Police tablished a reserve with unspent snow plowing budget funds from the prior years to be utilized if the current budget runs out of funds. This policy is for Local Business and Development News the purpose of alleviating large fluctuations from year to year and helps to stabilize the overall budget. Sanitary Sewer Reminders To fund the 2017 Budget, the Preliminary Tax Levy is $5,193,661, an in- crease of $2,068 (.04 percent) over the 2016 tax levy. The remaining bal- Prevent Frozen ance of the budget, $445,985, would be covered by funds derived from oth- Pipes er sources such as fees, permits, earned interest and other revenues. Winter Snow The following is a comparison of the 2017 Preliminary Budget to the 2016 Reminders Adopted Budget: Who's Who in City Government 2016 ADOPTED 2017 PRELIMINARY INCREASE BUDGET BUDGET (DECREASE) GENERAL GOVT $ 1,417,132 $ 1,394,172 $ (22,960) Emergency 12 PUBLIC SAFETY $ 1,752,991 $ 1,737,397 $ (15,594) Preparedness PUBLIC WORKS $ 674,721 $ 631,780 $ (42,941) PARKS AND RECREATION $ 183,241 $ 178,472 $ (4,769) Commission TRANSFERS FOR DEBT PAYMENTS $ 620,000 $ 603,000 $ (17,000) Vacancies TRANSFERS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVMENTS $ 1,000,475 $ 1,094,825 $ 94,350 TOTAL GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURE $ 5,648,560 $ 5,639,646 $ (8,914) Enclosure: 2017 Calendar continued on Page 2... Page 2 Winter 2016 Newsletter 2017 City budget Outlook ...continued from Page 1 Impact on Residential Property City residential property values are increasing on average 2.8 percent as compared to 2016. This increase in values and the Preliminary Tax Levy for 2017 would increase property taxes for a resi- dential property by .8 percent. The following is an example: A home valued at $205,500 in 2016 is valued at $211,000 for 2017 taxes. The 2016 taxes were $1,078.05, while 2017 is estimated to be $1,086.60. An $8.55 increase. TAX LEVY CHANGES-RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAXES ON A INCREASE TAX LEVY MEDIAN HOME OVER 2015 TAX LEVY 2016 2016 OPERATIONS $4,571,593 2016 DEBT $ 620,000 TOTAL 2016 TAXES $ 5,191,593 $ 1,078.05 INCREASE DUE TO VALUE INCREASE $ 8.10 0.75% CHANGES TO LEVY OPERATIONS $ 19,068 $ 12.29 1.14% DEBT $ (17,000) $ (11.84) -1.10% TOTAL 2017 BUDGET INCREASE $ 2,068 $ 0.45 0.04% TOTAL INCREASE $ 8.55 0.79% TOTAL 2017 PRELIMINARY TAX LEVY $ 5,193,661 $ 1,086.60 0.79% Truth in Taxation Hearing – December 13, 2016 The Preliminary Budget and Tax Levy is continuing to be reviewed and adjusted prior to its final adoption in December, however the City cannot increase the tax levy amount. The City's Annual "Truth In Taxation" meeting is scheduled for December 13, 2016, 7:00 pm at City Hall where the City will receive input from taxpayers on the 2017 Budget and Levy prior to any final changes and adoption. ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Winter skating Oak Park Heights maintains three rinks for park patron use. Brekke Park, located on 5500 Omar Avenue N. has a pleasure rink and a boarded hockey rink. Cover Park, located at 15366 58th Street N., which is on the same intersection of Beach Road and Peller Avenue, has a boarded hockey rink. Both parks have warming houses for patron's convenience. Ice is made as soon as weather permits and usually takes up to two weeks to form a solid ice sheet thick enough to skate on. Warming house Hours: Weekdays: 3:30 PM-9:00 PM Weekends: 9:00 AM-9:00 PM Christmas Eve: 9:00 AM-3:00 PM All Other Holidays: 9:00 AM-9:00 PM Tree City USA Page 3 Hydrants Trash receptacles Water main breaks Note the location of the During a snow event Water main breaks usually oc- nearest hydrant to your on a trash pickup day, cur during freezing and thaw- home. It is extremely it is helpful to the ing cycles which causes the helpful and appreciated street plowing crew ground to shift. To report a that residents help city when residents keep potential main-break, please staff and the fire depart- trash receptacles from call City Hall at 651-439-4439 ment in maintaining hy- creeping too far into during business hours and the drants clear of snow. the street. Please be Oak Park Heights Public Keeping a hydrant clear aware on trash day if Works Department emergency and easily accessible could a snow event is oc- duty number at (651) 485- save precious time in the curring. The plows 2304 after 4:30 PM or on case of an emergency. will likely be out. weekends and holidays. Risk trees Winter is a good time to look for structural branches, or at the base of the tree. If a large problems in trees in your yard and near your tree has died back from the top or has had home. When leaves are gone, it is a lot easier signs of decline (small leaves, early fall colora- to see risk issues such as broken, hanging tion, thin leaf canopy) in the past few years, it limbs, cracks in large branches and main trunk should be examined for decay and other risk unions, and decay issues such as cavities factors. Being proactive about tree risk situa- (wildlife holes, openings in the trunk), or conks tions can prevent serious damage and injury. (shelf fungi) on the main trunk, on large Hiring a tree service/landscape company When hiring a tree service and or landscape company for tree pruning, chemical treatment or tree removals contractors are required to have a current Tree Worker's License with the City of Oak Park Heights as required by City Ordinance 1307. A cur- rent list of licensed tree workers can be obtained from City Hall. Tree problems? If you have a problem with a tree or shrub, such as in- sects, diseases, site factors, or just want to have a plant identified, call Lisa Danielson, the City Arborist at 651-439- n 4439 or via e-mail at IdanieIson@cityofoakparkheights.com. She can either answer your question over the phone or "r make an appointment for a site visit. This service is free for residents of Oak Park Heights. Page 4 Winter 2016 Newsletter Go GREEN: Pay & View Oak Park Heights Utility Bills Online f Pay ONLINE WHY? Help save natural Go to www.City0f0akParkHeights.com resources by viewvng t 1. Click"Pay Utility Bill" and paying online 2. You will go to our payment processor's website where you should register and make your payment • Easy,fast and secure • Pay immedfatefy, Or CALL schedufe a payment or set up A uto-Pay 1-877-886-7968(have your bill handy to provide your account number) . Keep costs down; opt out of paper bills A View Bills Online • PnOrece)pts,view payment h1story Go to www.City0fOak Park Heights.corn and more 1. Click"View Utility Bill" Vire accept... 2. You will go to our payment processor's website to register 3. You will get an email each time your bill is ready .check a. VISA You don't have to pay onlne to view our bills onlie. FSH Fourth quarter 2016 utility bills City Meetings There is an outdoor utility payment drop box (subject to change) located in the landscaped circle directly out- side the City Hall entrance. This will allow City Council: for you to drive up to the box to drop off 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 6:0o your payment rather than having to get out p.m. (during summer months, of your vehicle. the Council may only meet once per month) Utility bills for the fourth Quarter of 2016 (October 1 — December 31) will be mailed to residents in January and will be due February 9, 2017. Planning Commission: Typically the 2nd Thursday at Auto pay is available. With auto pay, there is no need to 7:00 P.M. waste time writing and mailing a check. Paying your utility bill electronically allows you to save time and money on stamps and late fees. The amount you owe on Parks Commission: your utility bill is automatically withdrawn from the ac- 3rd Monday at 7:00 p.m. count you designate on the billing due date each month. You will continue to receive your bill so that you know the date and amount to be withheld from your account. Agendas and Minutes are posted on the City's website: If you are interested in participating, please call or stop www.cityofoakparkheights.com by City Hall to obtain an enrollment form. The form is also available on the City's website, under City Infor- mation, Forms & Handouts. Call Jennifer Pinski at City Hall, 651-439-4439, if you have questions. Tree City USA ._ . _ Cover Park—major improvements anticipated in 2017 Following up from the Park Development Concept Plan completed in 2015,the City will be undertaking improvements to Cover Park in 2017 and will likely include the demolition and removal of the current park shelter and the removal of the current hockey boards as well as con- x struction of a new park shelter and expansion of parking areas - both anticipated to be at the north-end of the ice rink. New connecting trails _ to Oak Park Crossing Park and the St. Croix River Loop Trail will be completed. Conceptually, the new park shelter is a small four-season building that would offer year-round bathrooms and also act as warm- ing house for the ice rink. Much of the funding for the total project is anticipated to be derived from Xcel Energy contributions as well as Park Dedication fees paid to the City from development projects.At this time the site plans and building elevations are being developed for bidding in Spring 2017 and construction in summer 2017. Parking pads and firewood storage City Ordinance state that cars, trucks, trailers, boats, snowmobiles, water-skis, four-wheelers, mo- tor homes and other similar items shall be parked in your garage or other accessory building, up- on your driveway or an approved parking pad. What is an approved Parking Pad? An approved Parking Pad is a parking pad that is hard surfaced constructed of asphalt, concrete, cobblestone, paving block or crushed rock that meets minimum Class 5 material specifications and has at least a 4 inch deep base. Designated parking pads shall extend directly from the driveway, away from the house and may be located within the front, side or rear yard setback. Parking pads must be set back at least 5 feet from rear yard property lines. There are Limitations to What You Can Place on a Parking Pad Your parking pad may be used for the placement of: • No more than a total of two (2) recreational vehicles (boats, snowmobiles, etc.) or pieces of equipment (trailers, etc.), not including racing cars. • Registered and operable passenger vehicles. • No more than one (1) truck and/or trailer not to exceed a gross vehicle weight of 12,000 pounds, except when loading, unloading or rendering a service. • Construction and landscaping materials currently being used on the premises. Firewood Storage shall not be on a parking pad. Firewood shall be neatly stacked and stored in the side yard or rear yard or residential premises. Page 6 Winter 2016 Newsletter City department spotlight—Police Department The Police Department provides overall public safety response in the city. The police department is the first response to all public safety incidents within the city to include; medicals, fire, criminal complaints, citizen assists, traffic accidents, ordinance violations, and emergency manage- ment. The department conducts many other preventative details and provides assistance to citi- zens in the community including: crime prevention, citizen education & community outreach, traf- fic enforcement & deterrence, animal control, and civil assists. The department has a staff of 11 persons consisting of 10 sworn licensed officers and 1 clerical non-sworn position. We provide 24hour protection with patrol and investigation for all criminal activity within the city. We have a Chief of Police, Sergeant Investigator, Investigator School Re- source Officer, 7 Patrol Officers, and records receptionist. MEW—_ �. a t r i Back Row: Police Chief De Rosier; Officers Schroeder, Wynia, Tennessen, Givand, and Zwach Front Row: Records Receptionist Kruse; Officers Vierling, Croft, Hicks, and Paradise Tree City USA ._ . _ Oak Park Heights local business & development news You may have noticed the construction in place around town. It's been an exciting time for the City with several new commercial construction projects in process. New Businesses: Freddi Fitness Studio (Small Group &Personal Training) — 13481 both St. N. Meals From The Heart — 5600 Memorial Ave. N. Coming Soon (Under Construction): Fiesta Cancun Mexican Grill & Bar — 5817 Neal Ave. N. (Dec. 2o16/Jan. 2017 Opening Anticipated) Holiday Station Convenience Store & Car Wash -5997 Osgood Ave. N. (Dec. 2o16/Jan. 2017 Opening Anticipated) Oak Park Heights Retail Development This is a mixed retail development located at 6oth St. N. & Krueger Ln. N. that is com- prised of three stand-alone structures. Two will be multi-tenant space structures and one will be a single occupant tenant structure. The shell for one of the multi-tenant structures is under construction. No work on tenants as of yet. The single occupant tenant structure is also under construction and will be home to Goodwill — 598o Krueger Ln. N. A March 2017 opening ins anticipated for Goodwill. Pizza Ranch — 5785 Minnesota Ave. N. (Opening Mid-Late December, 2o16) Simonet's Furniture — 5745 Memorial Ave. N. (March 2017 Opening Anticipated) If you are interested in learning more about the progress of development projects or are interest- ed in proposed development, please contact the City at 651.439.4439• Garbage and recycling Garbage pickup in Oak Park Heights is every Thursday (on the weeks containing New Years Day, Memo- rial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, pickup will be on Friday). Please have your trash container curbside by 7:00 a.m. on pickup day. To facilitate better snow removal and mail delivery, bring containers from the street as quickly as possible after disposal. Recycling pickup is every-other-Thursday (except those weeks with holidays noted above). The recycling calendar is available on the City's website, along with information on what can be recycled and where to bring hazardous waste and electronics for disposal. Page 8 Winter 2016 Newsletter Sanitary sewer use The City's Public Works Department provides for the collection, operation and maintenance of a wastewater system that ultimately leads to treatment and the return of water back to the ecological system at an environmentally safe level. Oak Park Heights has approximately 28 miles of sanitary sewer mains, roughly 750 sanitary sewer manholes and four lift stations. Each year about 30,000 linear feet or roughly six miles of the City's sanitary sewer mains are cleaned and inspected. Mains that require a higher level of mainte- nance are cleaned more frequently. This routine maintenance helps to prevent blockages and sew- er backups; however when unauthorized items are flushed into the sanitary sewer, the City's ability to prevent backups is no longer controllable. As a resident, you play a key role in preventing sanitary sewer backups. To help prevent backups, please dispose of the following items properly by NOT dumping in a drain or flushing down the toilet: Diapers "Flushable"wipes (These do not dissolve, therefore they clog sanitary sewer lines and pumps) Cooking grease and oil Sanitary napkins Rags or shop towels Garage waste products such as oil, grease, gasoline, antifreeze Household waste such as ashes, corrosives, glass, metals, paint, poisons, or solvents Yard waste such as sand, soil, or mud. Sanitary sewer problems should be reported to the City of Oak Park Heights Public Works Depart- ment during business hours by calling City Hall (651) 439-4439• The public works department al- so has a 24 hour emergency only hotline (651) 485-2304. OPH, as in many other Cities across Minnesota, the sewer main is owned by the City of OPH. City staff are responsible to maintain the City main lines. The sewer service or lateral from your home, business or other property to the City sewer main is the property owner's responsibility. That means the property owner is responsible for clearing any blockages in the service lateral between the home and the main. WINTER PARKING REMINDER Parking regulations are in effect November 1St through March 31St. No parking is allowed on City streets during the hours of 1:00am and 6:00am. Winter parking restrictions are put in place in an effort to enable snow removal equipment the opportunity to do a top quality and efficient job in removing snow from city streets. Please be aware that these parking restrictions are in place AND ENFORCED regardless of whether or not there has been recent snowfall. Vehicles left parking on the streets may be removed without notice by the Oak Park Heights Police Department. Move off the streets for overnight parking for the winter to avoid citations and towing. Please help us by obeying the winter parking restrictions. Tree City USA Page 9 Attention Pet Owners Leash law reminder The City of Oak Park Heights City Council updated its Leash Law Ordinance effective March 1, 2015. All dogs and cats . 0*1 that are off the premises of the owner must be on a leash at i n, all times and under control of the owner or another designat- ed person. If you do not have your dog or cat on a leash, you will be in violation of the new Ordinance. ` Clean up after your pet Also, when you are out walking your pet, please remember to bring a plastic bag. Pet owners are required by City Ordinance to clean up pet waste on public and private property. Removal and proper disposal of pet waste helps keep our City clean and healthy. Pet licenses All dogs and cats in the City for more than 30 days are required to have a City Pet License. There is no charge for this service and it could save your pet from a trip to the animal shelter. Bring proof of your pet's rabies vaccination to City Hall to receive a pet license and tag. For more infor- mation, please call City Hall at 651-439-4439. City Ordinances can be viewed on the City's web- site: www.cityofoakparkheights.com. Frozen pipes in the winter months Your water lines may be at risk of freezing during prolonged periods of bitter cold. Water service lines that run from the main line to the home are private property as are the water shut-off boxes. The City does not have the capacity to thaw frozen private water lines. Here's what you can do to prepare.- Monitor repare.Monitor the weather reports for extended periods of severe cold; then take action. • Allow warm air to circulate in the area where the water comes in to the house. • Leave utility room doors open and clear space around the waterline. • Remove contents of vanity cupboards and leave the doors open. • If possible/practical leave snow cover over the area where your lateral water line runs from the curb stop to the house. • Run your cold water closest to the water line entry point for a couple minutes and then take the temperature of the water. Please first notify the City if you must leave your water running. • If water from the tap is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit it is recommended that you let your cold water run from this faucet at a pencil thickness until a few days after frigid temperatures sub- side. • You may want to run your faucet non-stop overnight when temperatures typically dip lower or no water is being used for a period of time. Monitor such flows and keep track of water use and proactively inform the City that you are running water to preclude a frozen water line. The City will make appropriate adjustments to water and sewer billings for homes that do run water to prevent freeze-up. Page i Winter 2016 Newsletter Snow plowing The City has contracted with Raleigh Trucking for plowing services during the 2016-2017 winter season. Raleigh Trucking has pro- F vided plowing services to the City of Oak Park Heights for approxi- mately 37 years, and many of the company's employees have sev- eral years to decades of experience plowing the same City routes. When it snows, please remember the following: City collector streets and arterial streets are plowed first. Resi- dential streets and cul-de-sacs plowing occurs after collector and arterial streets are cleared. City staff is responsible for plowing trails. Trail plowing begins as soon as vital infrastructure proper- ty is cleared of snow. To minimize property damage, snow is piled within cul-de-sacs. Snow removal occurs when lack of storage space necessitates it be done. Not only can blowing and or throwing snow from private property onto the public street cause haz- ardous road conditions; it also violates MN Statute 169.42. Please do not throw snow from your driveway on to the City street. During snow events keep trash bins back from the street so plows may pass without damaging your trash bin. Snowplows inadvertently obstruct mailboxes with high snow accumulation. Residents are responsi- ble for keeping their own mailbox clear of snow. The City will repair or replace properly installed mailboxes that are physically struck by a snowplow. A temporary mailbox will be provided until a permanent post can be installed in spring. The City repairs major lawn damage from to snowplow blades. Major lawn damage will be repaired with black dirt and seed in the spring (Typically in May). Minor scratch and divot repair is the proper- ty owner's responsibility. To advise the City about a slick intersection or to report property damage caused by a snowplow, please call City Hall at (651) 439-4439. Winter driving tips from the Police Department Make sure you give your vehicle time to warm up and make sure the windows are clear of snow and ice, and well defrosted. Slow down and leave extra space between yourself and other vehicles. Keep a winter survival kit in your vehicle, the kit should include: • Candles and lighter or matches that can be used to melt snow for drinking water • A metal cup • A basic first aid kit • A flashlight with spare batteries • Snack foods for energy, such as candy bars • Cell Phone: an old cell phone with power cord even if it no long er has a service plan is still allowed to call 911. So throw that old cell phone & power cord in your glove box. Other items that should be included are mittens, extra hat, boots, a blanket, jumper cables and shovel. Remember, if you become stranded, never leave your vehicle and consider carrying a cell phone that can be used for emergency calls. Tree City USA Page 11 Street light out in your neighborhood? Contact City Hall Your help in identifying street lights that are not working is very important, as we rely solely on your notification assistance. Once City staff is aware of a light out, we contact Xcel Energy im- mediately to help make sure the light is repaired in a reasonable amount of time. Xcel Energy Streetlighting Department strives to repair outages within two business days of notification that the light is out or not working properly. To report a City street light out, please contact City Hall at 439-4439. If possible, have the following information available: • Property address and/or nearest cross street to where the light pole is located. • Whether the light is located on a corner, midblock, or in a cul-de-sac. • The nature of the problem (i.e. light is out, light is blinking, light is broken). City of Oak Park Heights receives prestigious City of Excellence Award Each year, the League of Minnesota Cities recognizes cities who do outstanding work that promotes qual- ity of life in Minnesota cities. This year, the City of Oak Park Heights received the award for the work it did to turn the former fly ash site by Club Tara into the beautiful Oak Park Crossing Park. The City worked with volunteers, local businesses, and residents to turn the vacant land into a useful space with trails, park pavilions, benches, a playground, and a new parking lot. The City received the award because of the community engagement method used to enhance the quality of life for its citizens. ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Who's Who in City Government The local government in the City of Oak Park quality public services and facilities while pro- Heights is made up of a City Council and a tecting and preserving the City's cultural, histori- Mayor. The Mayor and four Councilmembers are cal, and natural resources. The City Hall houses elected to the Council by the residents of the City five departments: City Administration, Finance, of Oak Park Heights. The Mayor and Coun- Building, Public Works, and Police. The City cilmembers are elected at the general election contracts with other firms to provide legal ser- held in November in even-numbered years. Offi- vices, planning services, engineering services, and cials are elected for a four-year term, but may be forestry services. The City also contracts with re-elected for any number of additional terms. Bayport Fire to provide fire services. The City Council meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. The Council agenda is The City has developed the following core values: posted at City Hall and on the City's website. excellent and quality in the delivery of services; The public is welcome and invited to attend the fiscal responsibility; ethics and integrity; treating meetings. Meetings are also broadcasted on local citizens with respect as our customers; positive channel 16 and are posted to the City's website. relations with the community; responsiveness; visionary leadership and planning. The Mayor and Councilmembers work closely with City staff and the City Administrator to en- Contact information for City Hall and the Mayor sure that the best interest of the citizens of Oak and Councilmembers can be found on the back of Park Heights always comes first. They strive to this newsletter. provide and promote a living environment with Page 12 Winter 2016 Newsletter Prepare for emergencies—building a basic home preparedness kit The City has received some phone calls about what responses and resources might be available to residents in the event of a large-scale public emergency. There are numerous situations that could arise including responding to and managing for conditions as a result of severe weather. In these events, the City's primary goals are ensuring immediate public safety, protection from fires and restoring water and sewer services as quickly as possible. Residents should be advised that the City of Oak Park Heights maintains an Emergency Prepar- edness Plan that will be implemented in the event the City experiences a storm. The City's Police and Public Works Departments, along with the Bayport Fire Department would immediately imple- ment the strategies in the plan. Downed power lines can be the most dangerous aspect of storm clean-up, and residents are re- quested to not make attempts to clear tress, limbs and braches that may be entangled in power lines. Generally, the electricity distributions system in the City as operated by Xcel Energy lie un- derground in most areas, however extreme caution should be taken until trees and limbs are first verified as safe for removal. We have all been made aware of concerns about cyber-attacks on the "power grid", pandemic sit- uations or other terrorist events, etc. These are situations where responses will be largely coordi- nated through County, State or Federal officials and would be plainly beyond the scope of the City to manage or address directly. Despite this, what the City can offer at this time is that HOME PREPAREDNESS is always wise and would be beneficial in ANY of these circumstances large or small. Enclosed in this newsletter is some general information from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) about prepar- ing for these events. Taking a few simple steps now can make responding to and managing for emergencies easier for you and your family. The City does have further information as well as County, State and Federal contact information should you have other questions. Please call 651-439-4439 and ask for Eric Johnson, City Admin- istrator. Two related website links can be found below that provide more information: httips://www.ready.gov/ipublications https://www.co.washington.mn.us/1104/Planning-and-Preparedness The City of Oak Park Heights is on Facebook! Find and "Like" the City of Oak Park Heights on Facebook to receive up-to-date in- formation on events, meetings, programs, and city news, including information on emergencies, utilities, road construction, and links to information from other agencies that affects our residents. nw � o Cc' = —q - 10 EL p [t pl C, c [� a a c (y _ SL E4 I • i` n1 C lT lU C6. ji k �D a�• .� {I O4 fa w{ �y y pE-Et Z7 p Oc @ SD OAF ® D 3 n �. tL N 0 a ty O c n .cxCL 19 CA X v � a� � � H �' y 0Y�.K .c. a v n o r!r �i *' Fd ❑ ., a - w Sp "� � � n "P c � . � tv oma H S � m6 �-Cm y T75 8 'E7 D CD 17 1 3 a n SG C7 @ [� o an m.er• vm Cv� R3L 4 13A. 04 8 3 a Er Kwo � N& f� ?r Mie co 43 3- LM g DIP a w'eD — C4 ti . .. 0 . � 0 \ c Z o 0 CL E ` :\ E0 \ c \ \ \ pq \ e § & CL ■ 1 © ^ \ � \+ \ m \ D « 7 % � \ ■ d E \ CL - 55 / ^ 2 5 m x 0 M 3 \ \ \ \ 2 � w z 2 s \ 'or _ \ \ } 2 \ 2 \ 2 o CL § @ / \ 2 2 E \ � \ \ a o = \ ■ ± a \ 2 c@ t E 2 2 E \ ± / 3 L 2 2 « 2 \ $ o v \ g \ 2 \ 2 § § ° \ » \ ' a 7 S 2 � E ) § = / 0 \ - k k \ / . § . . k k \ 2 \ : S \ \ / L / m § LL U. 2 « : . 2 E « 0 / D \ \ . ~�© ° ■ ■° � ■ Tree City USA Page 15 GET INVOLVED IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT TWO EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES Cable Commission Citizen Rep Vacancy The Central St. Croix Valley Joint Cable Communications Commission is a joint powers entity rep- resenting the cities of Oak Park Heights, Bayport, and Stillwater, and the townships of Baytown and Stillwater. The cities each have one elected and one citizen representative that attend regu- lar meetings. The commission meets every other month on the third Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. The commission is the franchising authority for cable television in our area. They are in charge of making sure that the franchise with the cable company is being followed and negotiating a new franchise, when appropriate. At meetings, the commission takes action on several issues such as approving budget expenditures, joining telecommunications organizations, keeping in- formed on legislative cable franchise issues, and handling complaints regarding cable services. There is an opening for a citizen representative from the City of Oak Park Heights. If you are in- terested in this exciting opportunity, please contact City Hall at 651-439-4439. Planning Commission Vacancy The City of Oak Park Heights is seeking Oak Park Heights residents who are looking for an AV interesting and rewarding opportunity to par- ticipate in the development and governance of Oak Park Heights. Applications are now being accepted to fill a vacancy (or vacancies) on the Planning Com- mission. Commission terms are three years, running from June to May. The Commission typically meets at 7:00 p.m., the 2nd or 3rd Thursday of each month, and periodically holds workshops or other special meetings. The Planning Commission is comprised of five members, who are appointed by the City Council to serve on the Commissions in an advisory capacity. The Planning Commission serves as the City's planning agency and conducts public hearings on matters affecting zoning, subdivision and building regulations, land use development and comprehensive planning. Other matters are re- ferred to the Planning Commission by the City Council from time to time. For consideration, pick up an application packet at Oak Park Heights City Hall, 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N. or print one from the City's website: www.cityofoakparkheights.com. Completed applications shall be accepted for consideration until 4:30 p.m., Friday, January 6, 20117. For additional information contact City Administrator, Eric Johnson at (651) 439-4439 or via Email at eajohnsonPcit, o�parkheights.com. City of Oak Park Heights Presorted 14168 Oak Park Blvd N, Box 2007 Standard Oak Park Heights, MN 55082-2007 u.s.Postage PAID Stillwater,MN Permit No.558 City of Oak Park Heights Cityof - hts Winter 2016 Newsletter 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N. PO Box 2007 Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Phone:651-439-4439 LOOKING FOR YOUR STORIES AND MEMORIES Fax:65 1-439-0574 FOR 2017 PARTY IN THE PARK Police non-emergency:651-439-4723 Police Emergency:91 I The year 2017 marks the 160th anniversary of the platting of Office Hours: Oak Park. The City of Oak Park heights is combining an anni- Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.to 4:30 P.M. versary celebration with its annual Party in the Park. Party in excluding legal holidays the Park is usually held on National Night Out, but in 2017, the City will be having this event on June 8 and will be encour- MAYOR aging neighborhoods to organize their own National Night Out Mary McComber:351-7879 9 9 9 9 9 events on August 1st in order to get to know their neighbors CMEMBERS ChuckkDougherty:491-0419 p p y. and promote public safety. If you would like an Oak Park gh Mike Liljegren:351-2742 Heights Police Officer to stop by your neighborhood event, Mike Runk:439-5458 Mark Swenson:270-5385 please contact the Police Department at 651-439-4723 to re- CITY ADMINISTRATOR quest that. Eric Johnson For the Party in the Park/160th Anniversary Celebration, we are requesting residents to gather pictures, memories, and stories which depict the history of the City. We hope to dis- . .. .. play those at the event for others to see. If you have any me- mentos or memories to share, please contact City Clerk Jen- nifer Pinski by phone at 651-439-4439 or by e-mail at jpin- The Oak Park Heights ski@cityofoakparkheights.com. newsletter is published by the City of Oak Park Heights. Comments are welcome. 651-439-4439