HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 2018 City of
Oak
Tree City USA Winter 2018 Newsletter
Inside this issue: City 2019 budget update
Highway 36 The City's Budget is utilized to fund essential services such as 24-hour police
Stoplight Timing protection, fire department, snow plowing, road maintenance, solid waste &
recycling services, parks & trails and a myriad of other services our Citizens
Public Works and 3 expect.
Arborist News On December 11, 2018 the City Council adopted the City's 2019 Budget with
Utility Bill a total expenditure of $5,800,888. This is a slight decrease of $7,550 com-
Information pared to the Adopted 2018 Budget. While the City's expenditures for opera-
tions increased by $117,000, a 2.92% increase compared to 2018 operation
expenditures, there were reductions in the capital improvements and General
Sewer Rates Obligation Bonded Debt Payments totaling $125,000, or a -6.97% reduction
Decrease for 2019 as compared to 2018.
Temporary The 2019 budget has increased costs in insurances and general labor costs
Structures/Tents estimated at $168,000. Other reductions were made throughout the remain-
Holiday Event ing budget to keep the 2019 Budget total similar to the 2018 Budget total.
Announcement These City expenditures are supported by various revenues such as permits,
Garbage and licenses, intergovernmental, charges for services and taxes. Property Taxes
Recycling however support 92% of the budgeted expenditures. The Property Tax Levy
for the 2019 Budget is $5,090,246 and is a reduction of $238,255 from the
Do not flush 2018 Property Tax Levy. The following is a chart comparing the 2018 taxes
"flushable"wipes to the estimated 2019 taxes and showing where your tax dollars are used:
Winter Snow
Reminders Where Do My City Taxes Go?
Business and 1 ■Debt Service/Capital Improvement
Development News
Police/Fire Protection
US Census Bureau
is Hiring n General Administration/Council
i
Public Works/Parks and Recreation
City Parks
IN Other
Enclosure: 2019
Calendar
continued to Pae 2...
Page 2 Winter 2018 Newsletter
Budget...continued from Page I
Two vital facts should be noted:
City residential property values increased on average 7.1% as compared to 2018, however due to
the reductions made by the City in the 2019 expenditures and the related tax levy, property tax-
payers in the City will likely not see an increase to their City property taxes for 2019, and perhaps
a small reduction.
Xcel Energy received a material reduction in their property values from the State of Minnesota. In
short, the State reduced their taxable values which reduces their property taxes. The taxable val-
ue reduction decreased an estimated at $19,653,600. This adjustment equates to $190,000 re-
duction in City Property Tax Collections. This is important to note because much of these costs
then shift to other City taxpayers. The City has expressed concerns about this to the State of Min-
nesota and will continue monitor these reductions.
City surpasses goal for Home Energy Squad visits!
Earlier this year through a partnership with
Xcel Energy, the City of Oak Park Heights
help residents n n µ
set a goa p to esave money ey o
their energy bills by offering discounted `
visits by the Home Energy Squad to the �OMEENEaGYSOUAD 5 NOME ENE
first 20 Oak Park Heights residents who °
signed up. The City surpassed its goal of 20
residential visits and Xcel Energy gave the
City $500 prize towards purchasing trees
for the community. These trees will help °
Oak Park Heights continue its commitment A,
to being a Tree City USA community.
Standard Home Energy Squad visits are still available and now is a great time to
take advantage of this opportunity!
Home Energy Squad offers a customized and convenient way for you to make ener-
gy-related improvements to your home. For the small fee, the Home Energy visit in-
cludes the installation of materials such as LED bulbs, programmable thermostat,
door and attic hatch weather stripping, high-efficiency showerhead, faucet aerators,
and water heater insulation, temperature assessment and adjustment.
Interested Xce/ Energy customers should ca// 866-222-4595 or visit
HomeEnergySquad.net to make an appointment.
Stoplight concerns on Highway 36
Minnesota Department of Transportation Traffic Engineering develops timing and coordination
plans, responds to customer inquires, monitors system performance, detects operational and
maintenance problems, provides quality control and inspection, and coordinates signal turn-
ons. If you have any comments, concerns, or issues with the traffic signals along Highway 36,
please contact the Minnesota Department of Transportation metro signal department at
metrosignaloperationsDOT@state.mn.us. It is extremely helpful to them if you notify them of
the date, time, and location surrounding your comment so they can investigate further.
L—
Tree City USA Page 3
Hydrants Trash receptacles Winter parking reminder
Note the location of the During a snow event No parking is allowed on City
nearest hydrant to your on a trash pickup day, streets during the hours of
home. It is extremely it is helpful to the 1:00am and 6:00am Novem-
helpful and appreciated street plowing crew ber 1 through March 31.
that residents help city when residents keep Please be aware that these
staff and the fire depart- trash receptacles from parking restrictions are in
ment in maintaining hy- creeping too far into place and enforced regardless
drants clear of snow. the street. Please be of whether or not there has
Keeping a hydrant clear aware on trash day if been recent snowfall. Vehi-
and easily accessible could a snow event is oc- cles left parking on the streets
save precious time in the curring. The plows may be removed without no-
case of an emergency. will likely be out. tice by the Oak Park Heights
Police Department.
Risk trees
Winter is a good time to look for structural If a large tree has died back from the top or
problems in trees in your yard and near your has had signs of decline (small leaves, early
home. When leaves are gone, it is a lot easier fall coloration, thin leaf canopy) in the past few
to see risk issues such as broken, hanging years, it should be examined for decay and
limbs, cracks in large branches and main trunk other risk factors. Being proactive about tree
unions, and decay issues such as cavities risk situations can prevent serious damage and
(wildlife holes, openings in the trunk), or conks injury.
(shelf fungi) on the main trunk, on large
branches, or at the base of the tree.
Hiring a tree service/landscape company Winter landscaping checklist
When hiring a tree Service and or land- ❑ Prune dead, diseased or unsafe branches
scape company for tree pruning, chemi- ❑ Prune elm and oak trees
cal treatment or tree removals contrac- ❑ Inspect your trees and shrubs for ice and
tors are required to have a current Tree
Worker's License with the City of Oak snow damage
Park Heights as required by City Ordi- ❑ Have hazardous or dead trees removed by a
nance 1307. A list of licensed tree work- licensed tree worker (Call City Hall for a list)
ers can be obtained from City Hall.
Tree problems? r
If you have a problem with a tree or shrub, such as insects, diseases, e -
site factors, or just want to have a plant identified, call Lisa Dan-
ielson, the City Arborist at 651-439-4439 or via e-mail at
ldanielson@cityofoakparkheights.com. She can either answer your
question over the phone or make an appointment for a site visit.
This service is free for residents of Oak Park Heights. `
Page 4 Winter 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 viewvng
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 Auto-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
—_— —_ — t payment history
Go to www.City0F0akParkHeights.com 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
eCheck , a`'11H 3.
You don't have to pay onlne to view your bills onlie.
FSH
Fourth quarter 2018 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:oo 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 2o18 (October 1 —
December 31) will be mailed to residents in January and
will be due February 9, 2019.
Planning Commission:
2nd Thursday at 6:oo p.m. Auto pay is available. With auto pay, there is no need to
waste time writing and mailing a check. Paying your
utility bill electronically allows you to save time and
Parks Commission: money on stamps and late fees. The amount you owe on
3rd Monday at 6:oo p.m. your utility bill is automatically withdrawn from the ac-
count you designate on the billing due date each month.
You will continue to receive your bill so that you know
Agendas and Minutes are posted the date and amount to be withheld from your account.
on the City's website:
www.cityofoakparkheights.com If you are interested in participating, please call or stop
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 Page 5
Notice of Sewer Rate DECREASE
The City of Oak Park Heights annually reviews the water and sewer rates to assure adequate funding for
the operation of the utility systems. Based on the review, a rate increase for the Water Utility is NOT
required. The water rates were raised in 2018 and projected billings for 2019 are anticipated to be suffi-
cient to fund the 2019 Water Budget.
Sanitary Sewer projected revenues when combined with a reduction in Metropolitan Council Environ-
mental Service (MCES) fees indicates that no rate increase will be necessary for 2019. The MCES made a
significant correction to the City's flow data which caused the city's share of the MCES charges to de-
crease by 15% or $79,000. Therefore the 2019 the sewer rate will be decreased to the 2017 minimum
fee of$78.50 instead of the present $81.00.
The following are the sewer rates effective January 1, 2019
1. A quarterly minimum charge of$78.50 for the first 15,000 gallons of water
used per quarter
2. A rate of $5.70 per 1,000 gallons for water used above 15,000 gallons up to
50,000 gallons.
3. A rate of$5.95 per 1,000 gallons for water used above 50,000 gallons.
Residential sewer rates are determined by the amount of water used in the first quarter of each year.
Commercial, industrial, institutional and high density residential sewer rates are based on actual usage.
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
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 pleasure
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.
Ice rinks are open weatherpermilting.
Warming house Hours:
Warming houses will be open and staffed
Weekdays: 3:30 PM-9:00 PM
when the rinks are open.
Weekends: 9:00 AM-9:00 PMCheck the City's websitefor rink status.
Temporary structures/storage tents
City Ordinance does not generally permit the placement of temporary tent storage
structures in the City. In many cases, these become weather-worn and detract from ,
general neighborhood appearance. 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 needs some temporary storage, such as for a remodeling, garage sale, etc., the City
amended 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 your site for up to fifty days.
Please call or stop by City Hall if you are thinking about a utilizing a temporary structure.
FRIDAY • DECEMBER 28 • lOAM TO 2PM
I
COVER PARK SHELTER/WARMING HOUSE
15366 58TH STREET NORTH
OAK PARK HEIGHTS
♦ 1,
mw
ALL AGES ARE WELCOME. CHILDREN TEN AND UNDER MUST BE
WITH AN ADULT. EMAIL GZEULI@Q.COM WITH QUESTIONS.
Tree City USA ._ . _
Garbage and Recycling
P '
In addition to the typical garbage and recycling picku , ,
the City also covers the disposal of yard waste, large '
household items, and `white-goods' such as refrigera-
tors, couches, chairs, desks, water-heaters, stoves, dish- '
washers, dryers, etc. for single family residences and '.
complexes with four units or less in Oak Park Heights. f
In order to have these items picked up in a timely fash-
ion, please contact City Hall at least three days prior to
collection day so that the special truck may be dis-
patched to your home.
Some items not included in your monthly fee are extra bags of garbage not placed in your contain-
er. The City's waste hauler, Tennis Sanitation, will bill you $1.50 per bag. Some other items that
are picked up for a fee are sinks, toilets and construction debris. You will be billed by Tennis San-
itation at a regulated rate as monitored by the City. Electronic and hazardous waste cannot be
picked up, but can brought to the Washington County Environmental Center, 4039 Cottage Grove
Drive in Woodbury. Call 651-43o-6655 for directions and hours.
The City's general fund covers the cost of garbage and recycling services for single family resi-
dences and multiplexes with four or less units. In order to keep costs down for the City, please
use the container size that fits your needs. If you currently have a large container that you are not
filling each week, please call City Hall to have your container size reduced to a small or medium
size.
Please be sure to place your waste &recycling carts away from any obstructions or property.
For example: buildings, vehicles, mail boxes
etc. They also need to be reachable by the
/E mechanical arms on the trucks.
Tennis Sanitation wants to minimize the po-
tential for damage to any property and
Caft would appreciate your cooperation.
3 Feet 3 Feet
1 If the carts are placed next to obstructions
4=* they will not be serviced.
I
Do you have questions on where to dispose of certain items that cannot be thrown in your trash
can, such as tires, batteries, televisions, and paint? Check out the Washington County Dispos-
al Directory at https-//recyclesearch.com/profile/wcdd. The website is very user-friendly. Simply
type in the search bar the material you would like to dispose of and you will receive a listing and
map of various drop-off sites. The Washington County Disposal Directory is provided by the
Washington County Department of Public Health and Environment as a public service. The
website also provides links to help you learn about recycling and waste reduction. Remember,
recycling reduces the amount of materials going into the waste stream and saves money.
Page 8 Winter 2018 Newsletter
Please do not flush diapers, rags or "flushable" wipes
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.
The Public Works crew has recently been removing diapers and rags from multiple sewer lift sta-
tions on a weekly basis. City Staff cannot control residents from flushing prohibited items such as
diapers, rags (sometimes referred to as "flushable" wipes) and grease down the sewer. It is up to
individuals to not do so. Flushing these items creates a high risk of the sewer backing up into
homes, for not only the violator but also for the neighbors as well.
The City asks that you be please be mindful of what you flush down your toilet as some items are
not meant to be flushed and WILL clog-up downstream. If this occurs, it can cause a sewerage
backup creating significant property damage to either your, or your neighbor's home. Further,
these damage repair costs are typically attributable to the private property owner.
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.
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 agen-
cies that affects our residents.
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 that are off the premises of the owner must be on a leash at all times and
under control of the owner or another designated 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.
Water line freeze ups
Water lines in Minnesota are typically buried between six (6) feet deep and eight (8) feet deep and only
freeze during extreme low temperature conditions. When extremely low temperatures persist for long
periods of time, consider the following to prevent frozen water and sewer service lines:
* The most likely spot for water lines to freeze is where it enters the house/building where there is little
or no insulation.
* Make sure to clear the area of storage items so warmer room air can reach the pipes. This may mean
removing items from a vanity cabinet or in a utility room.
* Use heat tape on water lines attached to outdoor walls with poor insulation.
* Use a warm hair dryer, but do not leave unattended. Heating copper pipe too much can break the sol-
dered joints.
* Make sure the roof vent is not covered with snow or is otherwise blocked. Snow build up over the
vent will cause the sewer drain to slow down. This prevents the warmer air in the sewer system from
venting up the house line and keeping the line above freezing.
* Monitor water flow in the nearest (to the outside) fixture closely. Run your cold water for a couple
minutes and then take the temperature of the water. If it is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit as a last resort,
you can let your cold water run from this faucet at a pencil thickness. You must first call the City of OPH
to notify before any water and sewer usage billing credits will approved.
* During extreme low temperatures for long periods of time, and if your water service is prone
to freezing, you should consider running water non-stop when there is no one home or no wa-
ter is being used for a period of time. Ensure that there are no sewer blockages.
* Be mindful and cognizant of unintended consequences of sewer or septic backups if running
water continuously.
* If a home's thermostat isn't hardwired and relies on a battery, property owners should make
sure that battery is fresh.
Page 10 Winter 2018 Newsletter
Okl
Snow plowing 14 ,
The City has contracted with Raleigh Trucking for plowing services dur-
ing the 2017-2018 winter season. Raleigh Trucking has provided 61,q
plowing services to the City of Oak Park Heights for approximately 38
years, and many of the company's employees have several 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. Residential streets and cul-de-sacs plow-
ing 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.
Oak Park Heights local business & development news
You may have noticed the construction happening around town. It's been an exciting time for
the City with a number of new commercial and residential projects.
Welcome New Businesses:
Muddy Cow— 5991 Norwich Avenue North
Coming Soon:
Oak Park Senior Living Addition-72 Unit Senior Apartment Complex —13912 Lower 59th St. N.
Panera Bread-13535 6oth St. N. (at the corner of Norell Ave. N. and both St. N.)
Palmer Station-13 single family houses—Oak Cove N. (off of Oak Park Blvd. N.)
Public Storage Expansion-5710 Memorial Ave. N.
If you are interested in learning about what is coming or happening, please contact the City at
651.439.4439•
1 1 • •
Recruiting Assistant
Positions
Excellent Pay
Flexible Hours „
( Paid Training
{ Temporary Positions
Recruiting Assistants i
Be A Part of History!
Help us get the word out about 2020 Census jobs. Call on local
organizations to request assistance in providing information about jobs to
the people they serve. Answer questions from the public about jobs,
qualifications, and how to apply. Conduct formal and informal
presentations about 2020 Census jobs.
For more information visit:
2020census . gov/jobs
1-855-JOB-2020
(1-855-562-2020)
Federal Relay Service: (800) 877-8339 TTY/ASCII
www.gsa.gov/fedrelay
The Federal Relay Service provides telecommunications services to allow
individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing,and/or have speech disabilities to
conduct official business with and within the federal government.
The U.S.Census Bureau is an Equal Opportunity Employer
United States- (�Uniteds�tes'.
Census Form D-443 Census
�eareau September 2018 2020
City of Oak Park Heights Presorted
14168 Oak Park Blvd N Standard
U.S.Postage
Oak Park Heights, MN 55082-2007 PAID
Twin Cities,MN
Permit No. 90100
City of Oak Park Heights City of Oak Park _
14168 Oak Park Blvd. N.
Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 CITY PARKS
Phone:651-439-4439
Fax:651-439-0574
Police non-emergency:651-439-4723 Oak Park Heights has six beautiful parks with many amenities. Take
Police Emergency:911 the time to familiarize yourself with the park and trails.
Office Hours:
Monday through Friday Some features include a rentable park shelter with a kitchen at Au-
8:00 a.m. e 4:30 holidays
tumn Hills Park, baseball and soccer fields at Brekke Park, a pleasure
excluding legal holidays
skating rink at Cover Park, multiple picnic pavilions at Oak Park
MAYOR Crossing Park, a pickle ball court at Swager Park, and extensive wood-
Mary McComber:351-7879 lands and prairies at Valley View Park. Also, be sure to check out the
COUNCILMEMBERS disc golf course at Brekke Park and the new mountain biking trail at
Chuck Dougherty:491-0419
Mike Liljegren:351-2742 Valley View Park.
Mike Runk:439-5458
Mark Swenson:270-5385
COUNCILMEMBER ELECT Visit the City's website or stop by City Hall for a Park and Trail Guide.
Carly Johnson:651-261-5801
CITY ADMINISTRATOR CITY HALL MAILING ADDRESS CHANGE
Eric Johnson
City Hall has transitioned from using a Post Office box to hav-
Visit our Website! ing our mail delivered to our offices. For future correspond-
ence, please send mail to 14168 Oak Park Boulevard North.
We no longer receive mail addressed to the Post Office box.
The Oak Park Heights
newsletter
is published by the City
of Oak Park Heights.
Comments are welcome.
651-439-4439