HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 2018 City of
Oak
Tree City USA Spring 2018
Inside this issue: Comprehensive Plan Open House
April 12, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.
Allen S. King Plant 2 City Hall Council Chambers
Future The City of Oak Park Heights has recognized the need to update
the previous 2008 Comprehensive Plan to both satisfy Metropoli-
Spring Clean-up 3 tan Council requirements and provide ongoing direction to the City
Announcment for development and land use, housing, community facilities, utili-
utility Bill 4 ties, and parks and
Information trails. The Comprehensive Planning Process
Notes from the 5 The Comprehensive
City Arborist Plan 2018 process
updates and reinforc- Existing
Notes from the 5 es those goals, poli- Conditions
City Arborist cies and plans from Continuing
the 2008 plan. Addi- Planning Visioning
Arbor Day 6 tionally, it will focus
Fun Puzzle on the new issues
and challenges this Strategies
Prescription Med 7
community will likely & Citizen
Collection Flyer need to address in Actions Goals
the next ten years. Involvement &
Information from 8-9 Objectives
The Building Official A draft of the 2018
Comprehensive Plan Plans&
has been developed
Policies
Water Rate 10 p
Increase by the Citizen Mem- Needs
bers of the Planning Analysis
Spring Landscaping I I Commission and Alternative
Workshops Parks Commission Scenarios
Xcel Energy Home 12 and is ready for pub-
lic review.
Energy Squad
Please join us at an Open House at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April
Notes from 14 121 2018 in the City Hall Council Chambers. Planning Commission
Public Workssmembers and City Staff will be present to answer any of your
Summer Park Is questions regarding this planning effort.
Program Schedule
Parks Commission 16
Vacancy
Page 2 Spring 2018 Newsletter
Will the Allen S. King Plant close?
The Xcel Energy - Allen S. King Plant is a 511 mega-watt coal-
fired base-load electric facility that was constructed in 1968
along the St. Croix River and covers approximately 140 acres.
The Plant underwent a major retrofit in 2004 to reduce emis-
sions. However, like many power plant facilities, over time,
the repair and maintenance of such a facility becomes more
expensive for the utility compared to alternative investment
in new facilities and new technology to generate similar pow-
er sources at a lesser cost.
�A.
This reality is also likely true for the Allen S. King Plant as coal '`
facilities are beginning to fall behind other opportunities forT
generating the same energy capacity — such as wind and so-
lar. Representative of this shift includes: Xcel Energy's installation of over 1,200 Megawatts of
wind facilities in the upper mid-west - three times the capacity of the Allen S. King Plant; and over
3,330 megawatts nationwide; the advancement of solar energy with the rapid deployment of
"solar gardens" around the State; and finally, a conversion of coal facilities to natural gas such as
in Becker, Minnesota. All of which represent significant shifts away from the reliance on coal-
based electricity generation.
Therefore, the City does reasonably expect that the Allen S. King Plant will close as these shifts will
likely continue. When this closure may occur will of course depend on a number of factors, but it
is reasonable to consider that in the next twenty years the Plant will be decommissioned. This
closure would be a complex decision of both Xcel Energy and the Public Utility Commission as
rates and energy demand will be closely monitored to ensure the utility grid remains stable.
Why is this important to the City?
Beyond the environmental discussions or
base-load capacity elements, it is vital to un-
derstand that when this power plant was
originally sited there was the commitment
that the local community would realize a sig-
nificant tax benefit to its residents in ex-
:gas. change for having this facility in the commu-
' nity. This is the historical tax benefit and sit-
'X, ing permissions that the City and Xcel Energy
owl (then NSP) agreed upon. While there have
Rm
jr been fluctuations, this tax benefit remains. At
this time the City does receive 33 percent of
Tree City USA Page 3
OAK PARK HEIGHTS SPRING CLEAN-UP DAY
The City of Oak Park Heights will be hosting a Spring Clean-up on
Saturday, May 5, 2018 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Clean-up will be in the southwest corner of the former St. Croix Mall (Andersen Corporation)
parking lot in Oak Park Heights. Proof of residency such as a utility bill or driver's license will be
required.
COMMON ITEMS DISPOSED OF:
• Appliances such as washers, dryers, ovens, and water heaters
• Brush and yard waste (please use compostable bags)
• Construction materials such as doors, windows, and lumber
• Furniture such as sofas, chairs, and tables
• scrap metal
• carpet
• Electronics such as televisions and computers
• Lawnmowers (please drain all gas and oil)
THE FOLLOWING WILL NOT ACCEPTED:
• Mattresses and box springs will not be accepted at this event, but can still be picked up
curbside for no charge—please call City Hall to schedule)
• Hazardous waste (such as paints, stains, oil, gas, pesticides, or other chemicals from your
home)
• Tires, stumps, and firewood
If you have any questions, please call City Hall at 651-439-4439.
King Plant...Continued from Page 2
its annual property tax revenue from the Allen S. King Plant or approximately $ 1.7 million dollars.
If the Plant does close and no longer remains a viable source of tax revenue, the City will have a
significant gap in its ability to fund municipal services. Accordingly, the City, like many other
communities that host power plants (being coal, nuclear or natural gas) must begin to contem-
plate about how it would respond when such closure happens. More specifically: What would
happen to the Allen S. King Plant site? How or could the budget gap be addressed without a pas-
sage of such costs on to others? Will the site be clean?
At this time there are no clear answers to these questions, no plans or reuses contemplated
for the current site along the St. Croix River, and no knowledge on how a closure would
unfold or when. Instead, these are the significant questions that the City and greater com-
munity must begin to consider as such closure will likely have a broad impact in the St.
Croix River valley.
The City plans to engage with Xcel Energy, community members and our governmental
partners to begin to explore these elements so that when such closure approaches there is
a plan in place that all parties can support.
Page 4 Spring 2018 Newsletter
Go GREEN: Pay & View Oak Park Heights Utility Bills Online
Pay ONLINE WHY?
Help save natural
Go to www.CityOfOakParkHeights.com resources by vfeuving
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 schedule a payment
onset up Auto-Pay
1-877-886-7968(have your bill handy to provide your account number) . Keep costs down;
opt out of paper tiffs
View Bills Online • PnOrec0ts,view
_ _ paymenthrstory
Go to www.CityOfOakParkHeights.com and more
1. Click"View Utility Bill"
We 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
eCheck '; ,, `-".. VISA You don't have to pay online to view your bills online. FSH
City Meetings First quarter 2018 utility bills
(subject to change) Utility bills for the first Quarter of 2o18 (January 1 —
March 31) will be mailed to residents in April and are
City Council: due May 9, 2o18 .
2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 6:oo
p.m. Auto pay is available. With
auto pay, there is no need
to waste time writing and
Planning Commission: 0
mailing a check. Paying
2nd Thursday at 6:oo p.m. your utility bill electroni-
.. -•'" tally allows you to save
time and money on stamps
Parks Commission: and late fees. The amount
3rd Monday at 6:oo p.m. you owe on your utility bill
is automatically withdrawn
from the ac-count you des-
Agendas and Minutes are post- ignate on the billing due date each month. You will con-
ed on the City's website: tinue to receive your bill so that you know the date and
www.cityofoakparkheights.com amount to be withheld from your account.
If you are interested in participating, please call or stop
by City Hall to obtain an enrollment form. The form is
Please remember to pull your garbage also available on the City's website, under City Infor-
and recycling bins away from the curb as mation, Forms & Handouts. Call Jennifer Pinski at City
soon as reasonably possible after pickup Hall, 651-439-4439, if you have questions.
day and store them out of view, such as
in a garage, screened in area, or shed.
Tree City USA Page 5
Notes from the City Arborist
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Oak Wilt
Emerald ash borer (EAB) was identified in Wash- DO NOT prune oak trees from April I't - July
ington County during the Fall of 2015. Check I't (high risk period). There is also a slight risk of
trunks and branches for "D-shaped" adult exit oak wilt being spread via insects to fresh wounds
holes and "S-shaped" larval galleries. These galler- from July is' to September 15th. If oaks are pruned
ies are under the bark and the bark maybe or wounded April Is' through September 30th
cracked open over the gallery and wound tissue. wounds should be painted immediately with latex
There may be a lot of woodpecker activity, particu- house paint. It is best to prune oaks between Octo-
larly in the top half of the tree, seen most easily in ber 15th and March 15th
the winter. If you see signs of EAB activity, please
contact the OPH City Arborist. Do not move ash Hiring a Tree Service or Landscape
wood with intact bark from one area to another, to
avoid spreading EAB to new areas. If you would Company
like information regarding insecticide injection to
protect ash trees in your yard, contact the City Ar- When hiring a tree service and Or land-
borist. There are EAB handouts with images on land-
scape company for tree pruning, Chemical
treatment or tree removals contractors
the Arborist's page of the City's website and cop-
ies are also available at City Hall. are required to have a current Tree Work-
er's License with the City of Oak Park
Heights as required by City Ordinance
Prairie Restoration Area Maintenance 1307. A current list of licensed tree work-
ers can be obtained from City Hall.
The two (2) prairie restoration areas within the Cite
(located to the north behind Cite Hall Building which Spring landscaping checklist
runs east to Oldfield Ave N and the Vallee View Park 0 Fertilize your lawn and apply crabgrass pre-
prairie restoration area located on the east side of Val-
ley View Park on the west side of the wetland) will emergent
both be mowed this spring and have four (4) timed Complete any pruning before new growth
weed control visits during the growing season. This starts
work is similar to work in past years with the substitu- 0 Cut back ornamental grasses to new shoots
tion of the spring mow instead of a burn which took 0 Spread a two inch layer of mulch in planting
place last spring. It is important that all of these prairie beds to preserve moisture and maintain an
management tasks are done on a cycle to maintain attractive appearance
quality vegetation. The City has contracted this year ❑ Have hazardous or dead trees removed by a
with _Minnesota Native Landscapes, Inc. for the 2018 licensed tree worker (Call City Hall for a list)
vegetation maintenance.
Tree problems? x
rt v
a;";"'kir __... ��� .�Wc`i �'44•...
If you have a problem with a tree or shrub, such as insects
diseases, site factors, or just want to have a plant identified,
call Lisa Danielson, the City Arborist at 651-439-4439 or via
e-mail at Idanielson@cityofoakparkheights.com. She can
either answer your question over the phone or make an ap-
pointment for a site visit. This service is free for residents of "
Oak Park Heights. " "
Page 6 Spring 2018 Newsletter
Arbor Day Fun!
Arbor Day is recognized in all 50 states as well as in many other countries. Many communities
have special Arbor Day events and activities such as tree plantings. During Arbor Month the ben-
efits of tree care and the importance of tree plantings are expressed. Arbor Day and Arbor Month
are a great way to get the community active outdoors and make a difference in the appearance
of their property and city parks. The City of Oak Park Heights has been named a Tree City USA
for 35 years strong and the award is valued greatly by the community. This year Arbor Day is Fri-
day April 27th and the month of May is Arbor Month in the City of Oak Park Heights.
City of Oak Park Heights
EIEBRATI +�
ARBOR 3
P K H C N A R B T V H T S R N
N U F F A E L M A R T E P U A
N A U M A P L E T O N C R X N
G E G W A T E R I O O U I H E
N E E I I L K N B T M R N C D
I S N D N E I Z A S R P G R A
L S E V L K V O H N O S J I H
D K G E I E G E S V B O R B S
E R I N R R S O R T R U N K R
E A W I F T O W M G A E P A H
S P T P B C O N S E R V E O C
S T S E R O F B M K Y E Z H L
T P L A N T K X M E R T E W U
V A R B O R D A Y I N A I N M
S U O U D I C E D R L T B C X
ARBOR DAY FUN ROOTS
ARBOR MONTH GINKGO SEEDLING
BARK HABITAT SHADE
BIRCH LEAF SOIL
BRANCH LIMB SPRING
CITY MAPLE SPRUCE
CONSERVE MULCH SUN
DECIDUOUS NEEDLES TREES
ELM OAK TRUNK
ENVIRONMENT PARKS TWIG
EVERGREEN PINE WATER
FORESTS PLANT
Tree City USA Page 7
it
WashingtonCounty
Household PrescriptionR
Drug
"Take Back" Event
�� 2g • � I .
Mahtomedi Forest Ave
Mahtomedi
iviaillufiieui 9cfluui UiSUI(A01)2 Public Schools
Education Center 1909G
1520 Mahtomedi Avenue o Maple St
Mahtomedi, MN 55115
No Medications from Businesses Accepted
Accepted at Drop Box NOT accepted at Drop Box Preparing for drop-off
Prescription,over-the-counter, • No needles,used Epipens, • No need to cross off your name-
and pet medication from syringes,lancets or drop-off is anonymous(no ID
households. thermometers required)
• Pills&capsules • No liquid chemotherapy drugs • Keep medications in
• Blister packsoriginal container
hems above accepted at the • If you don't have the original
• Creams&gels Environmental Center container,place in small bag
• Unused Epipens 4039 Cottage Grove Drive
• Inhalers&patches Woodbury,MN,55129
• IV bags&vials
• Liquids/powders&sprays
Rrs Service Centerfl,, ashington County Law Enforcement Center Woodbury Service Center
19955 Forest Rd N ervice Center 15015621d St N 2150 Radio Drive
13000 Ravine Pkwy S
Sponsored bythe Washington County Sheriff's Office and the WaSgt011
Washington County Department of Public Health and Environment. County
For more information go to:www.co.washington.mn.us/meds
Page 8 Spring 2018 Newsletter
House numbers required by Ordinance
House numbers are required by the City's Zoning Ordinance, and are essential for people to find
you and can be critical for emergency response groups, such as the police department, fire de-
partment and emergency medical responders to assist you as quickly as possible.
To make it easy to locate your home, your house numbers should be:
o A minimum of 3 inches in height
o Made of a durable, weather resistant material such as metal, glass, plastic, etc.
o A color that stands out with the house or background upon which they are placed such as
dark numbers against a light background
o Easily and clearly seen from the street when approached from any direction. You may want
to consider having the numbers coated with a reflective material for better visibility at dark or lo-
cating them beneath a light source
Attached to your home or a sign post that faces the street
If your home does not have your house number on it, make it a priority to put them on to-
day.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking pads
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. Parking on grass is prohibited.
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.
• No firewood.
Tree City USA Page 9
Planning a yard sale?
_I<w_. - , Consider your signage — Oak Park Heights City Ordinance 401.15.G. sets forth regula-
Y� '* '� tions for signage within the City. The purpose of the ordinance is to provide regulation of
sign aspects in order to promote public health, safety and welfare, while striving to main-
tain, enhance and improve the visual appearance of the City.
A temporary sign permit is not required for placing your yard sale sign, though the fol-
lowing rules are to be followed:
1. Signs are to be freestanding. Please do not attach them to trees, fences, utility poles or other perma-
nent post structures.
2. Signs are not allowed within a public right-of-way or any other location that creates a visual ob-
struction.
3. Signs are to be no larger than 12 square feet in size and shall not contain or imitate a traffic sign or
signal.
4. Signs are to be removed at the end of the sale.
When is a work permit required?
Decks, porches, gazebos, fences, sheds, re-roofing, re-siding, new plumbing or heating — including water
heater replacement- or alterations (ie: furnace and/or AC replacement) to your existing services, window
replacement, driveway replacement and parking pads typically require a permit to ensure compliance to
adopted construction and local ordinance codes. Many projects will require property line verification.
Hiring A Contractor? Verify that they are properly licensed for the work you have hired them to do, that
they have obtained a work permit, and that the inspections appropriate to your project are being scheduled
while they are working. A quick call to the City Building Department is all it takes to check.
Work permit applications and information on a variety of projects are available at City Hall and can also be
found on the City webpage at www.cityofoakparkheights.com. Contact Building Official Julie Hultman at
City Hall by email at jhultman@cityofoakparkheights.com or via phone 651-439-4439. We are happy to
hear from you!
Temporary structures/storage tents
�f
City Ordinance does not generally permit the place-
ment of temporary tent storage structures in the
City. In many cases, these become weather-worn
and detract from general neighborhood appear-
ance. The City would ask that you please remove '
these from your property over the coming months if
you do have one.
However, if your site does need some temporary .....=,.ry
storage — such as for a remodeling, garage sale,
etc., the City did recently amend its ordinances to
allow these types of structures on a temporary basis
if a permit is secured. With an approved permit,
which has NO COST, a temporary structure can be placed on you site for up to fifty days. Please
call or stop by City Hall if you are thinking about a utilizing a temporary structure.
Page 10 Spring 2018
Why did my water rates go up?
When you see your March 31, 2018 water bill you may ask, "why has my bill increased when my
usage has not?" The general answer is that the City has overall cost increases that are spread
across all users of water regardless of how much water is used. This is necessary because there is
a minimum cost to deliver water to a property.
The minimum rate charged helps to fund about 25% of the cost of providing clean water to all
customers. The cost for providing water includes the cost of the distribution system, (wells, tow-
ers, pipes) and the operation of daily needs and seasonal demands. These costs are incurred
whether 1,000 gallons of water are used or 100,000 gallons of water are used. And, the expenses
for providing water have increased yearly by an average of five percent since 2015.
The 1 st quarter 2018 minimum water bill will be $40.00 as compared to 2017 1 st quarter minimum
bill of $36.60. These minimum rates are based on a usage of 15,000 gallons per quarter and is a
volume of water that an average household consumes. Customers that use more than the
15,000 gallon minimum will pay a higher per gallon rate that increases with the usage. For exam-
ple, a customer that uses 50,000 gallons will pay $157.25, or $3.145/1000 gallons as compared to
a minimum bill of $40.00 or $2.66/1000 gallons.
The tiered increases in the water rates is to promote conservation of water, and to potentially de-
lay the need for system expansion that would require a significant capital investment which is also
funded by water rates.
Some simple ways to save costs: By practicing simple conservation methods of watering yards
and flowers after the sun sets or limiting the areas watered that your sprinkler may be watering -
avoiding driveways and street; or just better understating your everyday consumption should
help you to conserve water and reduce your quarterly costs.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
There are a couple of great w is spring through the East Metro Water Re-
source Education Program. ndars! All presentati held at FamilyMeans
in Stillwater, 1875 North
Rare Plants
- - - - - _ _ Tuesday, April 17, 7 - 8:45 pm
ason Husveth, principal ecologist at Critical Connections Ecological
rare plants in northern Washington County and the St. Croix ValleyP
Landscaping with Native Plants
Tuesday, May 15, 7 - 8:45 pm
thy Widin, former municipal forester and expert plant pathologist, will offer advice for Ian
-scaping with native plants in a home and garden setting.
Tree City USA Page I I
Prairie Restoration at City Hall
With direct aid and oversight from Xcel Energy, the
City is worl<ing to improve the lands located north of
City Hall and under the Xcel Energy Transmission
lines. We hope to establish an expanded and improved
prairie habitat that complements the adjacent prairie
and to reduce other transmission line impacts.
This two-plus acre site is becoming overgrown with ,
bucl<thorn and other woody invasives. Xcel Energyow
� y' ;y '""''
staff and the City hope to remove these invasives,
plant native prairie species and enhance the area for
pollinators — which will also enhance the trail wall<ing
experience.
There is an abundance of raspberry bushes in this area as well as a vernal wetland — both of which are
not expected to be significantly impacted by this project. A final plan and timeline is being developed for
possible implementation this spring — please contact Eric Johnson at the City Hall 651-439-4439 - if you
have any questions.
..............................................................................................................................................................................
Who's Who in City Government—Candidate Info
The local government in the City of Oak Park ed on local Cable Access Channel 16 and are post-
Heights is a Statutory City of the 4th class as de- ed to the City's website.
fined in MN Statute 410.01 and is made up of a
City Council and a Mayor. The Mayor and four The Mayor and Councilmembers work to ensure
Councilmembers are elected at-large to the Coun- that the best interests of the citizens of Oak Park
cil by the residents of the City of Oak Park Heights always comes first. They strive to pro-
Heights. The Mayor and Councilmembers are vide and promote a living environment with
elected at the general election held in November quality public services and facilities while gro-
in even-numbered years. All officials are elected tecting and preserving the City's cultural, histori-
for a four-year term but may be re-elected for cal, and natural resources. The City Hall houses
any number of additional terms. five departments: City Administration, Finance,
Building Inspection, Public Works, and Police.
There will be an election for the City Council for The City contracts with other firms to provide
the 2019-2022 term on the November election bal- legal services, planning services, engineering ser-
lot. Candidate filing is July 31 through August vices, and sanitation services. The City also con-
14. Filing forms ware typically available in late tracts with Bayport Fire to provide fire services.
June.
The City has developed the following core values:
The public is welcome and invited to attend the excellent and quality in the delivery of services;
City Council meetings. The City Council meets fiscal responsibility; ethics and integrity; treating
the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. citizens with respect as our customers; positive
The Council agenda is posted at City Hall and on relations with the community; responsiveness;
the City's website. Meetings are also broadcast- visionary leadership and planning.
Page 12 Spring 2018 Newslefter
Discounted Home Energy Squad visits available in Oak Park Heights
When was the last time you thought
about your energy bill? Yesterday? Nev-
er?
Whether you think about it a lot ora f<w
little, you could probably be saving mon-
ey by making your home more energy 4 f r
efficient. This spring the City of Oak O -
Park Heights is offering a discount for HOMEENERGY
SQUAD NOME ENE
5
the first 20 sign-ups to receive a Home ,
Energy Squad visit. The Home Energy
Squad is a low-cost option for homeown- nomeee��
ers to save money on their energy bill. - Sg�ad�eti
To schedule a visit, go to: Home Energy '
Sguad.net or call 866-222-4595. The
cost for the first 20 sign-ups are dis-
counted 50 percent from the $100 ser-
vices that include:
• Two energy specialists that will install energy-saving materials as needed:
- High efficiency light bulbs (LEDs)
- Programmable thermostat installation and programming
- Door weather stripping
- High-efficiency showerhead and faucet aerators
• Diagnostic tests
- Water heater insulation, temperature assessment and adjustment
- Attic and wall insulation inspection
- Blower door test
- Thermal image testing
- Combustion safety test
- Carbon monoxide check
• A summary report that explains the findings and connects you with your personal energy advi-
sor.
The $50 copay covers all the energy-
saving materials installed during the visit,
labor, diagnostic tests, and follow-up as-
` „ sistance.
- *Participants must be residents of Oak
Park Heights and live in a single-family
house or 2-4 unit building.
i
r
Tree City USA Page 13
SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY • HOME BY SCHEDULING
A HOME ENERGY SQUAD""VISIT TODAY!
TEXT OAKT0 36937 TO LEARN MORE
AND SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT.
INSTALLATION OF MATERIALS
- LED bulbs, programmable thermostat, door and
attic hatch weather stripping, high-efficiency
showerhead and faucet aerators, and more!
DIAGNOSTIC TESTING "
Attic and wall insulation inspection, blower
door and thermal image testing, combustion
safety test and carbon monoxide check `
HELP WITH NEXT STEPS
Customized report with additional
'k, I
recommendations
A11►i�i�: ._
City of
Xce/Energy-
Oak Park Heights PARTNERS IN ENERGY
An Xcel Energy Community Collaboration
Page 14 Spring 2018 Newsletter
2018 Mill and Overlay
The City will contract with Valley Paving to complete a mill and overlay project in or around June
of 2o18. Milling and overlaying streets is standard preventative maintenance to ensure the full life
of an asphalt road. A mill and overlay project typically consists of milling the top two (2) inches of
asphalt, sealing cracks in the base course of asphalt, repairing or replacing failed storm structures
and finally a new wear course of asphalt is applied. Mill and overlay projects in Oak Park Heights
are not assessed to adjacent property owners, the project will be funded using tax dollars.
�J T PROJECT LOCATION , The image with the highlighted
streets shows the areas that will
' - be included in the 2o18 mill and
overlay project.
'ST kr _ If you have any questions on the
I�
.___ mill and overlay project, please
—I contact the Public Works Depart-
ST
ment at Cit i
\ l �` � ;�a� Y Hall, 6 5 -439-4439•
Pkwy
Do not flush diapers and rags Public Works staff will do a system
Adult diapers and cloth wipes continue to be found in sanitaryspring.
sewer lift station valves and pump impellers on an almost Several other strategic
weekly basis. Flushing adult diapers, rags and wipes increases
occur throughout the spring,
the risk of causing sanitary sewer blockages, sewage pumping
station failure and sewer backups for everyone connected to summer, andfiill seasons to
the sanitary sewer system. Please DO NOT flush diapers or remove sedimentfrom the pipes.
rags of any kind into the sanitary sewer system.
Streetlight out in your neighborhood?
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).
Tree City USA Page 15
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CLIP AND SAVE!
2018 Summer Park Activities Schedule
All events are free! Look over the following schedule, and mark;
- � the dates on your calendar. Please check the City's website for;
? +► ,k ;�`p" .xay� ; further updates on summer programming in the parks.
All ages are welcome to attend the activities. ;
Children under six must be accompanied by an adult.
Pre-registration is appreciated for the craft activities.
E-mail Gina at gzeuli@q.com with number of children attending
u and their ages. ;
June 5 - Craft in the Park - Sand Art: Oak Park Crossing Park from 10 am to noon.
June 7 - Party in the Park - Brekke Park from 4:30 - 6:30 pm.
June 12 - Craft in the Park - Flower Pots: Valley View Park from 10 am to noon.
June 14 - Kid's Bingo: Autumn Hills Park from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.
June 19 - Craft in the Park - Wooden "HOME" Sign: Brekke Park from 10 am to noon.
June 26 - Snake Presentation: Autumn Hills Park at 10:30 am.
June 28 - Craft in the Park - Stepping Stones: Autumn Hills Park from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. ;
July 10 - Craft in the Park - Glitter Globes: Brekke Park from 10 am to noon.
July 12 - Craft in the Park - Wooden Keepsake Box: Brekke Park from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.
July 17 - Craft in the Park - Canvas Painting: Brekke Park from 10 am to noon.
July 24 - Craft in the Park - Crayon Art: Brekke Park from 10 am to noon.
July 26 - Craft in the Park: Autumn Hills Park from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. ;
July 31 - Turtle Presentation - Autumn Hills Park at 10:30 am.
August 7 - Magic Show with Brian Richards - Autumn Hills Park at 10:30 am.
August 14 - Craft in the Park—Winter in the Summer: Autumn Hills Park from 10 am to noon. ;
;August 16 - Candy Bingo: Autumn Hills Park from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.
August 21 - Craft in the Park - Pillowcase Decorating: Autumn Hills Park from 10 am to noon.
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City of Oak Park Heights Presorted
Standard
14168 Oak Park Blvd N, Box 2007 U.S.Postage
Oak Park Heights, MN 55082-2007 PAID
Twin Cities,MN
Permit No. 90100
City of Oak Park Heights
14168 Oak Park Blvd. N.
PO Box 2007 Parks Commission Vacancy
Oak Park Heights, MN 55082
Phone: 5
Fax: 5 I-439-0574 of Oak Park Heights is seeking Oak Park Heights residents
who are looking for an interesting and rewarding opportunity to par-
Police non-emergency:651-439-4723 ticipate in the development and governance of Oak Park Heights.
Police Emergency:911
Office Hours: Applications are now being accepted to
Monday through Friday fill vacancies on the Parks Commission.
8:00 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. Commission terms are three years, run-
excluding legal holidays ning from January to December. The oc r
Commission typically meets at 6:00
MAYOR m. the third Monday of each month,
Mary McComber:351-7879 p' y
and periodically holds workshops or
COUNCILMEMBERS other special meetings.
Chuck Dougherty:491-0419
Mike Liljegren:351-2742
Mike Runk:439-5458 The Parks Commission is comprised of five members, who are ap-
Mark Swenson:270-5385 pointed by the City Council to serve on the Commissions in an adviso-
CITY ADMINISTRATOR ry capacity. The objectives of the Parks Commission are to make rec-
Eric Johnson ommendations to the City Council, which will guide the development
of City parks, trails and related services and facilities.
For consideration, interested citizens may pick up an application
packet at Oak Park Heights City Hall, 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N. or may
download the application from the City's web-
site: www.cityofoakparkheights.com.
The Oak Park Heights For additional information contact City Administrator, Eric Johnson
newsletter at via email at eajohnsonpeity o�parkheights.com or by phone at
is published by the City
of Oak Park Heights. (651) 439-4439.
Comments are welcome.
651-439-4439