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weekly notes May 6th 2022
t. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS—WEEKLY NOTES for: May 6",2022 TO: City Council Members& Staff FROM: Eric Johnson,City Administrator Zoning&Development Items: 1. Popeye's Chicken has submitted a Development Application for the site next to Panera bread—this is expected to be on the June Planning Commission.We have had some phone calls to the City about a possible sale of the former Burger King to CHASE BANK...we will see...? 2. Please see the enclosed letter to a building owner( 14820 57th Street)outlining City needs for permits and process. 3. The City has been approached by the SASCA/MTN Bike Group about the installation of a SKILLS COURSE... please see the enclosed memo from Jenni Pinski.This ultimately would require Council approval and Xcel review. COVID-19 Matters: • This is the Governor's-PORTAL https://mn.gov/covidl9—Many documents/Exec.Orders can be found. Washington County has initiated a County Dashboard containing more localized COVID-19 Impacts and rates LINK->>HERE. Other Items: • Norell Ave Project—Update from STANTEC for 5/6/22 • April 2022 Police Activity Report from Chief Hansen • The City Council commented at the Goal setting meeting about the possibility of a PRESS RELEASE (PR) being issued for the many roadway construction projects going on in our Community.The enclosed PR was issued WEDNESDAY. • For those interested in securing plants from the City's garden area on Peller Ave— Please see the attached PR shared with the neighborhood— mailed this week. • The State of MN, through the City's Lobbyist asked for some additional clarifications related to the City's bonding request. That response was provided on 5/5 and is enclosed—See letter to Ann Lenczewski. Mayor McComber Provided 1. NLC Updates for 5/3 and 5/4 2. MNDOT State Aid Scene 3. LMC Position on various Senate Tax Bills—Including Related to Transition Aid for Elec.Generating Cities—Related to this See the enclosed CUC letter and SENATE TAX Committee—Summary Report. 4. EMWREP update for April 2022 "Weekly Notes"is an internal/inter-departmental memo limited in scope to share brief updates and information among City Departments,City Consultants and Elected Officials regarding various topics. 1 of 52 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS May 2' 2U22 Mr. Brian Michael l2OS3'uSt. 5dUm/ater, MN 55082 Re: 1482O57mSt, N' Oak Park Heights— Unhs83and B4 Dear Mr. Michael, Thank you for your call this past week. I appreciated the opportunity to speak with you. P�ease reach out anytime if you think | may be of assistance. As promised, I did verify the licensing requirement for electrical work performed to rental units and found that a proper|yMmncxotaState licensed contractor must secure any e|ec/rica/ ps/mits for work beingdone innon- owner-occupied resicences. nn'owner'occupiedresioences. This appoesroboth single and mu|\i L,nit rena| properties. |tisillegal for anon- |icensecl owner to �c electrical work cn rr,&rjfact.:red structures or inlon property that is rented, ileased or occupied byothers. F ectrical work performed within the City of Oak Park Heights should have a work permit secured through the MN Depl. of Labor and industry and inspected by their assigned inspector to our region, Sin,' ar reQuac/onsapply to plumbing, wherein a properly Minnesota State licensed contractor must secure any p!umb/ng pc/n-/tsforvvorkbeine, done imnon'ovvnepoccupiedresidences. This app|icstuboth single �ndmulti "nx rental pruperties. /tisi||eQa| for a nor kcensedoxvnertodop|umbinBwork |n/onpropertythwtisrented' |easedo/ occupied byothers. Plumb!rig permits shall be applied for with and inspected by the City of Oak Park Heights. Heating, Ventilation &Air Conditioning work permits shall be secured by an HVAC contractorwho is properly bonded with the State of Minnesota. A local City ofOak Park Heights mechanical contractor license is required, Mechanical/HVAC permits shall be applied for with and inspected bV the City of Oak Park Heights. 5u/'dr rig/Remodel ling work permits for work being done in non'ovvner'occupied residences, both single and mu|d- -ri� ental properties �s we / as to the building structure or common elements shall be secure, A local City ofOak � a,,' I-c:ghts ccmrrerua| genera| contractor license is required. Bui|dinQ/Remnde|ingpennits shall be applied for sr(ji,.spccredhyt�,eCity ofOak Park Heights. ,rC,ty reccrids show no rFccrc of permits requested or issued to units B-3 or B-4 since the construction of the L_ c/rg, .1 a �appy to help yoLi with, your permitque-stions/needs and remindyou that per our conversation, visi�s and/or inspections to your units shall be made with you in attendance. Sincerely, Bui|di�gOMida| c: Eric Johnson, City Administrator 7��� /— tV 0 U .S.A. 4 '' _ �� .~ .^ 2moz City of Oak Park Heights Memo To: City Council—Weekly Notes From: Jennifer Pinski Date: April 6,2022 Re: Mountain Bike Skills Course Proposal - SASCA The City was approached by a group of people - including SASCA, the group responsible for the mountain bike trails at Valley View Park - about putting in a bike skills course at Oak Park Crossing Park(City of Eagan and City of Woodbury each have one). A skills course consists of several natural features that allow bikers to practice techniques such as jumping, cornering, and bike handlin . Here are some exam les left is City of Woodbury, right is City of Eagan): ..tea They attended a staff meeting last week and were told that if they wished to proceed, they should prepare a concept for the Parks and Trails Commission, but that they should know the City will not be maintaining it and they may have pushback from neighbors of the park. City staff visited the sites they proposed as shown in the maps below. Their proposal would be for the area by the playground to be beginner type features. The area down the hill, would be more advanced type features. The group, headed up by SASCA,plans to make a presentation at the May 16, 2022 Parks and Trails Commission meeting. Not much more is known at this time. There will be more information after that meeting. 3 of 52 r Sta ntec s . i • City of Oak Park Heights 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N • Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 • Phone (651) 439-4439 • Fax (651) 439-0574 Norell Avenue North Improvements Weekly Project Update #2 For the Week Ending 5/6/2022 What work was completed on the project this week? • The contractor has finished removing the old pavement and tree clearing. • New storm sewer was installed, and ADA improvements are in progress with paving the trails on the North Side of Highway 36. • The contractor began building the cul-de-sac that will be North of Panera Bread that terminates 60'" St. What work is expected for next week? • ADA improvements and trail paving will continue for next week on the North Side of Highway 36. Work on the signal system is expected to start, but no changes will take effect yet. • On Norell Avenue, full excavation and road building will begin with dump trucks hauling away the existing soils and bringing in sand and gravel as needed. Storm sewer installation will take place as they work. The Contractor will be working on the Southbound lanes from North to South, then switch to the other side when complete. • Private utility companies may be doing work to move existing power, fiberoptic, and cable lines out of the way. Will there be any changes to the traffic detour or access to businesses next week? • No changes are anticipated next week to the traffic detour. The right turn lane for Westbound Highway 36 to Washington Avenue will be reopened when the pavement is reinstalled, likely late next week, weather permitting. Where can I get more project information? Our main form of communication regarding this project will be updates posted to the City of Oak Park Heights Webpage weekly: https://www.cityofockparkheights.com under the `Resources' drop- down tab. Or type https://tinyurl.com/2s3h834y in your browser to be taken to the page directly. For general project inquiries, questions and comments: Project Hotline: 612-895-5029 - Leave a message with your name and phone number Or email to - norellconstructionproject@stantec.com 4 of 52 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N., Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 May 5t1i, 2022 To: Mayor and Council From: Chief of Police, Steve Hansen Subject: Police Activity Report April 2022 This overview report is the activity of the Oak Park Heights Police Department during the month of April 2022. Officers responded to and generated 390 calls for service in the City of Oak Park Heights during this month. Quick Breakdown for some of those calls for service include: 83 medicals, 1 fire related, 9 thefts from businesses, 26 vehicle accidents, 21 alarms, 1 disturbance/disorderly conducts, 79 traffic violations, 15 suspicious persons/vehicles, 2 mental health/suicide threats, 9 welfare checks. This month we have started to see the uptick in traffic complaints consisting of speeding in the neighborhoods and loud exhaust/air braking. Officers have been spending extra patrol and time during their shifts for traffic enforcement in the residential areas along with stop sign controlled intersections. With the start of the Norell Av Construction project, we are monitoring the intersections and traffic flow at this point. Adjustments have been made for detour signage and plans are in place for the Krueger/58t'st area for intersection control if needed. On April 19t' OPHPD hosted data practice training in the council chambers. Several admin support staff attended from various agencies throughout the county. This was coordinated by Sandy Kruze and was also attended by Wash Co Attorneys. Updated body worn camera policy was completed and implemented May 1St. Additional training provided to officers on this policy. The independent audit was finalized and submitted to Council as well. At the council meeting on April 12t'', I presented Life Saving Awards to 6 officers that were involved in the suicidal male on the bridge back in January. 5 of 52 Training: CJ All officers kicked off their first responder/emr training courses this month, consisting of 8 sessions with a total of 40hrs of training at City Hall. Stillwater Fire Department provided the instructors free of charge. Additionally, we have four officers that interested with becoming CPR instructors in the fall. Command staff attended the Internal Affairs and Professional Standards 2-day course in Edina. Sgt. Vierling and Officer Hicks completed the Crime Prevention Specialist training course in Woodbury. Officer Schroeder attended the instructor course for deploying Stop Sticks for tire deflation devices for pursuits. Officers Wynia and Fahrendorff participated in CIRAS training for active shooter at Oak Park Elementary School on April 22nd Calls for Service Highlights: This is a sample of some of the cases we responded to and investigated. 1. Officers responded to a home on O'Brien to assist with the removal two snakes in the basement. 2. Officers responded to several NERF War related complaints in the business district and parks 3. Officer responded to assist WCSO and SW with reports of several gun shots heard in the area of hwy 96/manning av n. Approx 50-60 gun shots heard, multiple callers. Officers unable to locate suspects/home 4. Several reports of a motorcycle/dirt bike riding on the walking path near Raymie Johnson townhomes 5. Officer responded to TJMAXX for an animal complaint. Blue jay flying around in the building. 6. Officers responded to the St. Paul Eye Clinic for a patient refusing to wear a mask and was upset with staff. 7. Officer responded to Walmart for a theft report. Suspect stole over$200 dollars' worth of Legos. S. Officers responded to the St. Croix Crossings Bridge for a juvenile male in crisis. Upon arrival, male was on the outside of the railing and quickly came back over and hugged assisting Bayport Officer. Transported by ambulance to the hospital. 6 of 52 1 City of Oak Park Heights 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N•Oak Park Heights,MN 55082•Phone(651)439-4439•Fax(651)439-0574 ***PRESS RELEASE*** May 4th, 2022 FROM: The City of Oak Park Heights Eric Johnson, City Administrator eajohnson@cityofoakparkheights.com RE: 2022 Public Road Projects—Oak Park Heights Community. The City is undertaking several public works projects this summer including the realignment of Norell Ave and South Frontage Road. This will invariably result in some traffic delays, detours, and potential temporary conditions. City Police and Public Works staff are monitoring these situations on a daily basis and will make amendments and implement necessary changes that foster ease of communication, routing and wayfinding, but always leaning on the side of safety. Further, other entities are also undertaking major projects that will impact our community namely; MNDOT will be initiating a"mill and overlay" project on STH 36 and Washington County will be continuing their work at Manning Ave. and performing work at the Osgood Ave. intersection with a frontage road re-routing behind the retail center at the southwest corner STH 36 and Osgood Ave. Our community has been extremely patient in waiting for these needed improvements to occur and—now that they are proceeding,we have to manage the construction process. It is expected that by late summer, much of the work will have been completed and the new routes and roads will be returned to normal traffic. More information about these projects can be found at the following locations below; or you may also reach out to City Hall at 651-439-4439 and we will do our best to answer questions: Oak Park Heights—Norell Ave Project. Norell Avenue Improvement Proiect Updates-City of Oak Park Heights https://www.cityofoakparkheights.com/index.asp?SEC=6ED05C6B-1527-4030-BD75-51 FC3AF9BF30 STH 36 Mill&Overlay Project Hwy 36 Little Canada to Stillwater-MnDOT(state.mn.us) https:llwww.dot.state.mn.us/metro/proiects/hwy361ittlecanada-stillwater/index.html Washington County—Frontage Road Reroute: County Highway 24& TH 36 Intersection Realignment I Washington County, MN-Official Website https://www.co.washington.mn.usICounty24 Washington County—STH 36&Manning Interchange TH 36 and Manning Avenue Interchange I Washington County, MN-Official Website https://www.co.washin.qton.mn.usl26621TH-36-and-Manninq-Avenue-Interchange 7 of 52 i City of Oak Park Heights 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N Is Oak Park Heights,MN 55082 Is Phone(651)439-4439•Fax(651)439-0574 ***PRESS RELEASE*** May 5, 2022 FROM: The City of Oak Park Heights Jenni Pinski, Assistant City Administrator RE: Cover Park Replanting—Plants Available—You Dig The City Council for the City of Oak Park Heights has Y adopted a new low-maintenance, sustainable planting A plan for the gardens at Cover Park, 15366 581" Street North, as the City no longer has a Garden Committee to perform plantings and maintain them. . ° Many of the existing plants in the garden are thus in need of removal and will be replaced with the low- 8 : , maintenance plan. Most are perennials and are available to the public for replanting within your own private yard. If you are interested in having any of the plants, you may remove these. Please plan to remove them from the gardens commencing on Saturday, May 21 through Tuesday, May 24. You will be responsible for digging and transporting in a safe manner. Please bring your own gloves, shovel and containers, and other supplies necessary for transporting the plants. There will not be City staffe b present on those dates. The City then hopes to relocate some of the remaining plants within the City's park(s). r TM If you have any questions, please contact Jenni Pinski .,$ I, , •.� at 651-439-4439 orjpinski@cityofoakparkheights.com. 8 of 52 1 City of Oak Park Heights 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N•Oak Park Heights,MN 55082•Phone(651)439-4439•Fax(651)439-0574 5-5-22 MEMO TO: Ann Lenczewski LOCKRIDGE GRINDAL NAUEN P.L.L.P. Via email only: atlenczewski@locklaw.com RE: Inquiry from State of MN —Some clarifications. Dear Ann: I have listed the three questions noted and have provided a direct response for each one in-line. Certainly let me know if you have any questions or if you need me to update something! Eric Johnson City Administrator 9 of 52 1. What specifically will the$10 million dollars be used for? The 2022 Bonding Bill seeks $5,191,000 for the extension of utility systems to the perimeter of the site and these would serve as the needed trunk extensions for any form of future redevelopment.These services are not available to the property. This is known as PHASE A. The Phase A project is represented on the map shown attached to this memo titled PHASE A Utility Improvements. Phase B at an additional$5,350,000 (2022 dollars)would be undertaken post-2028 once closure occurs and Xcel Energy's remediation is complete. Such funds would include final design and approval of the internal redevelopment plans, the related internal construction of roadways, intersections, trails, signals and internal- site utilities for end users. For both Phase A& B; the costs are estimated at$10,541,000 ( in 2022 dollars) Phase A (Including all Design and Eng.) Water Systems $ 1,227,978.00 Sanitary Systems $ 1,395,430.00 Stormwater Systems $ 2,049,419.00 Right of Way-Easements $ 558,173.00 SUBTOTAL $ 5,191,4DD.00 Phase B Final Design Engineering,Bidding-Const.Management $ 1,100,000.00 Internal Site Utilities $ 1,500,000.00 Road Construction $ 1,500,000.00 Trail Construction $ 600,000.00 Signals and Related Infrastructure with STH 95 $ 650,000.00 SUBTOTAL $ 5,354,404.40 Total Costs(2422) $ 10,541,4DD.00 As a representation of this concept, through a robust, 18-month public process that included participation of Xcel Energy, the City has developed two preliminary concepts—see enclosed. As this is 180 acres +/- it is clear to see that costs will be significant. 2. Can Oak Park Heights phase this request? What would be a smaller amount of money you could ask for and a corresponding list of items it would cover? The City has proposed a Phase A&B implementation. Much of Phase A is critical to be undertaken in whole as all engineering , right-of—way acquisition and construction outside the location of Plant Property is best completed jointly. It is possible that some elements of the storm water systems listed in Phase A could be delayed—perhaps 60 percent of it-until final land-use decisions are made—in essence shifting some of these storm water costs to Phase B. Underlying design concepts and planning will still require upfront financial consideration for such stormwater systems—such as for planning, engineering and possibly easement acquisition in strategic areas that would accommodate a down-slope storm water systems. 3. Provide the latest infographic/document describing the project. Enclosed is the handout from the Senate Bonding Tour—Jan 201h, 2022.There have not been changes since that date. 10 of 52 u z 41 W a u C 8 5 W z I° > LU N o 0LU Q- ED W z z Lf) O W . � } LUaLf) ca pz ¢ ~ tt Lu ¢ cn w Lf) z a a ¢ W a a Zi Q U c¢l) O O O o o Z D Lf) D D Lf) D D ��� 0 Q Z � Z Z LU� � Z � L w W a W W a a W a a o ` LO m� r o r t o O y $ o AAA CO ' A b�(I • I.j. Z O S q J 'l Y ,N •�-e •1'• 10 CO O � � • U d - ui.G Am �� f ••S � f 0 T�� a z i / 00 Lu Irl co L $ O \ 1� C 4 L J L ZD n LJd�I 17/7A Q n II n h M Z 5IDW CLw w � Z � n Q < IL A. IL = n wCIO 0 a I CL ° Q u m 4J c 4J N r o N _ c O O milm 9E rc o2 o Q ys O — C o �m ® z o'E aW Q CL CL O o � a � e � e J a� — Z •`B 4, Z ° ID Q o :� � ' u m 4J c fu 4J N " 0 " r c O 0 _ \ O � JL m O OO O O�d� O o �❑ ❑ EIS z a� Q � a y ��1♦��y �I►+4!M�R+YtPw,� w�' � � d as 'VE H mLCD1 � 4a � ��g •� Q ,,y 11 ��, •®. 40 y z ;/ • .a �/�• • O a C � CL r Q oCD .• �. SENATE BONDING TOUR-PRESENTATION-JAN 20TH, 2022 POST CLOSURE & REDEVELOPMEMT OF THE ALLEN S. KING COAL POWER PLANT CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS -2022 BONDING REQUEST: $5,191,000 TO INSTALL TRUNK WATER, SANITARY &STORM FACILITIES PROJECT SUMMARY: The City of Oak Park Heights is preparing for the closure of Xcel Energy's 500 MW coal-fired Allen S. King Plant in 2028.The King Plant accounts for 34%of Oak Park Heights's tax base and its closure will have a significant negative impact on the City. Oak Park Heights is faced with the challenge of finding ways to offset the financial losses that will come as a result of the closure. The King Plant is located along the St. Croix River and closure does create opportunities to renew the 170-acre landscape, including enabling public access to the St. Croix River and redevelopment opportunities that will restore the local tax base and incite job creation. �'` To maximize and be ready for these redevelopment opportunities the City must provide core public infrastructure to attract new investment as there are not presently public facilities serving this site. These investments in water, sanitary and storm utilities would be essential for almost any form of residential or commercial concepts and/or the creation of significant public spaces where amenities are expected. To install this public infrastructure and to best prepare for a prompt redevelopment following the 2028 closure, the City is requesting $5,191,000 in the 2022 Bonding Bill to design and construct these core utilities to the immediate area of the Plant property. r This would be known as "Phase A".' F2PHASEniprovenn-ents Are: 55.191.000 � • Water Systems S1,227,978 Sanitary Systems S 1, 95,438 Storrn Systems S2,009,419 Right of YVay i Easements S 558,173 THE BONDING REQUEST OF$5,191,000 TARGETS THREE REDEVELOPMENT GOALS 1. Replace the projected tax base loss&create new jobs The 2022 Bond Funds are essential to the site being redeveloped as future uses-especially those that will generate tax revenues or create jobs will require public utilities. 2. Restore significant acres of the Wild and Scenic St. Croix River front and create new public access and recreational opportunities for the Twin Cities region to the St. Croix River At 170+total acres,the City would expect meaningful portions of this property to be restored to a natural condition and create public spaces the St. Croix River in close proximity for the greater Twin Cities area. 3. Repurpose the property and prevent an idle/vacant coal plant facility The City does believe that the State has a significant responsibility to fund this Project due to the fact that the State permitted Xcel's use of the Site as a benefit to the region — supplying essential power. And now that closure is planned, the State has an equal responsibility to the local community to restore and repurpose the property, preventing a permanent tax base loss and help avert vacant/idle coal plant facilities. TIMELINE IF FUNDED IN 2022: The installation of trunk utilities and related off-site improvements should be completed prior to Plant closure.This includes water and sewer mains to the perimeter of the site as well as storm water facilities.The following is the expected timeline: 2021-2022 Finalize Feasibility Reports and Public Engagement; SECURE BOND FUNDS for PHASE A-$5.191 million. 2022-2023 Complete Predesign/Final Design Engineering, Secure Final Easements, Final City Environmental Review 2023-2024 Bidding and Construction of the Phase A Elements. 1) Phase B would be undertaken post-2028 once closure occurs,remediation is complete and would include final design and approval of the internal redevelopment plans and the related internal construction of roadways,trails and internal-site utilities once end-users are better refined.Phase B is estimated at an additional$5.35 Million(2021 values)bringing the total costs to$10,541,000. See Other Side for Site Map 14 of 52 r.' u w 7 IF m w r .' r yr x# 'Wall *47 s . '" '" rte, • 00 {s • Gd f r w Y 4 r �y �' � � ��:� .�`� -., •'� iii � ll''��lY���r�ly�� �� VlU rig • til ' 4-9 A low dp � W A4w Eric Johnson From: Mary Mccomber <marymccomber@aol.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 1:43 PM To: Eric Johnson Subject: Fwd: Get Ready to Apply for Road Safety Grants For weekly notes -----Original Message----- From: National League Of Cities (NLC) <advocacy@nlc.org> To: marymccomber@aol.com Sent: Tue, May 3, 2022 1:05 pm Subject: Get Ready to Apply for Road Safety Grants Federal Advocacy Newsletter-Tuesday,May 3 NLCNATIONAL LEAGUE OF Federal • • Get Ready to Apply for Road Safety Grants Municipal leaders in America's cities, towns and villages are eagerly anticipating the new Safe Street and Roads for All (SS4A) program this May. Why?All the money in the program is going directly to local and tribal governments, and the SS4A grants will be used for a great cause —safer streets in every neighborhood. Over the next five years, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will provide at least$5 billion in discretionary grants to local governments to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our nation's roadways. Learn more about how to apply for this program. APr i 16 of 52 Now Accepting Webinar: Connecting Older Learning from Regional Submissions for the 2023 Americans to Broadband Climate Action in Kansas National Municipal Policy �I��IIUIIUIIUIIIUIIpIIV�IUIIUIUIq,fl�lp�lp�lp��p���, City �IIIIIVI Response and Recovery Requirement and Incentive Programs to Increase COVID-19 Vaccination As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its third year, the emergence of highly transmissible variants and the increase in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths among the unvaccinated reinforce the urgency to expand vaccination efforts. Learn More > An Equitable Recovery Starts with Early Childhood: Cities Leveraging ARPA Funding to Support Young Children Learn how city leaders are prioritizing early childhood within their recovery plans by leveraging ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery funding to support young children and families. Learn More > Capstone Challenge Series The NLC Capstone Challenge Series is an opportunity to connect partners with local leaders to create innovative solutions for member needs. Learn how you can apply for this year's cohort and solve an issue in your community at no cost to your municipality. Applications close on May 6. Learn More > Rebuild OMB Guidance on Buy American Provisions for Infrastructure Projects The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee released and will mark up its bipartisan Water Resources Development Act to authorize projects under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, navigation and ecosystem restoration, which NLC supports. The House is on track to release its bill later this month, with a goal of conferencing the bills before the Summer Congressional recess. 2 17 of 52 Learn More > NTIA Broadband Technical Assistance Webinar The National Telecommunications and Information Administration will host a pre- Notice of Funding Opportunity technical assistance webinar series in connection with the five new broadband grant programs authorized and funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The next webinar, Managing Costs & Supply Chains, will take place on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, from 2:30-4:00 p.m. ET. Register Here > Technical Assistance and Funding Opportunities Department of Justice - Second Chance Act Youth Reentry Program. Closing Date: 5/17/2022 Apply Here > Department of Justice - Enhancing Juvenile Indigent Defense. Closing Date: 5/17/2022 Apply Here > Department of Justice - Second Chance Act Addressing the Needs of Incarcerated Parents and Their Minor Children. Closing Date: 5/17/2022 Apply Here > Department of Transportation - Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grants. Closing Date: 5/23/2022 Apply Here > Department of Justice - Body-worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program. Closing Date: 5/25/2022 Apply Here > Department of Justice - Preventing Violence Against Law Enforcement Officers and Ensuring Officer Resilience and Survivability (VALOR) Initiative. Closing Date: 5/25/2022 Apply Here > 3 18 of 52 Department of Justice - Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations and Prosecution Program. Closing Date: 5/25/2022 Apply Here > Federal Transit Administration - Modernize bus fleets and facilities. Closing Date: 5/31/2022 Apply Here > Department of Justice - Improving Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Outcomes for Adults in Reentry. Closing Date: 6/1/2022 Apply Here > Department of Justice - Strategies To Support Children Exposed to Violence. 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Closing Date: 6/28/2022 Apply Here > Department of Energy- Renewables Advancing Community Energy Resilience (RACER). Closing Date: 7/25/2022 Apply Here > Environmental Protection Agency- Cybersecurity Assessment and Technical Assistance for Water and Wastewater Utilities. No closing date. Apply Here > Helpful NLC Links: Articles Upcoming Events Resources & Training Advocacy If this message is not displaying properly, please view the online version. NLCNATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES CITIES STRONG TOGETHER You may opt out of email communications from NLC at any time. Update your communication preferences. This message was intended for: marymccomber@aol.com 5 20 of 52 660 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20001 Privacy Policy I ©2021 NLC,All Rights Reserved Powered by Higher Logic 6 21 of 52 Eric Johnson From: Mary Mccomber <marymccomber@aol.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 4, 2022 8:43 AM To: Eric Johnson Subject: Fwd: New Events with NLC - Including HELO Leadership Retreat and more! For weekly notes -----Original Message----- From: National League of Cities (NLC) <membership@nlc.org> To: marymccomber@aol.com Sent: Wed, May 4, 2022 8:06 am Subject: New Events with NLC- Including HELO Leadership Retreat and more! Access your weekly NLC member roundup! LEAGUENATINAL • RoundupNLCOF CITIES Member May 4, 2022 Midwest -• • Registration Open for HELO Leadership Retreat Join your Latino and elected peers and municipal staff at the Hispanic Elected Local Officials (HELO) Leadership Retreat in San Juan, Puerto Rico, June 5-8, 2022. During the retreat, attendees will learn about broadband connectivity, telehealth access, leadership, and advocacy; participate in mobile tours of municipalities on the island; and attend engaging sessions and connect with municipal leaders from Puerto Rico and across the U.S. i 22 of 52 Upcoming Common Ground & Creative Space for Civil Dialogue r- AnWednesday, May 4th -2:OOpm ET Join the Local Democracy Initiative to discuss carving out space for productive dialogue in politically charged spaces. REGISTER HERE > Equitable Recovery Starts with Early Childhood: Cities Leveraging ARPA Funding to Support Young Children T7 --, Wednesday, May 4th -3:OOpm ET 9 Learn how cities are leveraging ARPA state and local fiscal recovery funding to support young children and families. REGISTER HERE > Closing the Waste Loop Monday, May 16 -10:30am ET wm Examine a new partnership between the City of Grand Rapids and DTE Energy, to turn locally generated waste into energy. REGISTER HERE > CIE Speaker Series: Inclusion for Growth - Cities and Supplier Diversity Wednesday, May 18 -3:OOpm ET Join us to discuss what policymakers can do to ensure procurement processes are accessible and fair. REGISTER HERE > Connecting Older Adults & All Ages to Broadband Wednesday, May 24 -2:OOpm ET Join NLC, AARP and the FCC for a discussion on barriers to broadband access and adoption for older Americans. 2 23 of 52 REGISTER HERE > View All Events �tl Capstone Challenge Series Bringing Members and Partners Together Create innovative and impactfulsolutions for • municipality. Opportunity Available to all NLC Members Apply by May 6 . a 40 ,.. Supporting Local Officials on Infrastructure Opportunities the Frontlines of Today's for Small Communities C ities The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will 81% of local elected officials say they invest billions of dollars in rural have experienced threats, harassment communities across the country. Learn and violence during their time in office— how to make the most of these but only 40% indicate their local 3 24 of 52 government has a strategy to respond to opportunities to meet the needs of your these incidences. Tell NLC how we can community. support you and your city in addressing this challenge. • n Learning from Regional Climate Action in Kansas City In April, local governance, regional partnerships, and global cooperation converged at the second Kansas City Regional Climate Action Summit in Overland Park, Kansas. NLC and One Nation One Now Accepting Submissions Project Collaborate on for the 2023 National National Arts and Wellness Municipal Policy Initiative NLC has competitively selected nine Have a policy idea for NLC's National sites to participate in a pilot peer learning Municipal Policy? The Amendment and Resolution Submission process for 2023 cohort for its newly-launched initiative, is now open. NLC members may submit Improving Community Health and Resilience through the Arts. The initiative 4 25 of 52 will be carried out in partnership with proposed changes through the One Nation /One Project (ONOP), a submission form up until May 20, 2022. national arts and wellness project with the goal to amplify the proven benefits • that arts engagement has in fostering holistic recovery, well-being and social cohesion in communities. Thanks for reading the latest articles and events from the NLC, where local leaders and their staff go to learn and grow. 'Til next time! Sincerely, Alejandra Piers-Torres Midwest Member Engagement Manager, NLC piers-torres@nlc.org Helpful NLC Links: Articles Upcoming Events Resources & Training 11 L2 III in Advocacy COVID-19 Relief Resources Member Solution Partners If this message is not displaying properly, please view in browser. 5 26 of 52 NLCNATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES C171ES STRONG TOGETHER You may opt out of email communications from NLC at any time. Update your communication preferences or unsubscribe. This message was intended for: marymccomber@aol.com. Manage preferences here. 660 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20001 Privacy Policy I @ 2021 NLC,All Rights Reserved Powered by Higher Logic 6 27 of 52 Eric Johnson From: Mary Mccomber <marymccomber@aol.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 10:04 AM To: Eric Johnson Subject: Fwd: MnDOT State Aid E-Scene, May 2022 Eric, See article on Electric Vehicle Charging -timely per our discussion this morning. And about Ted Shoenecker. Mary -----Original Message----- From: MnDOT <mndot@public.govdelivery.com> To: marymccomber@aol.com Sent: Tue, May 3, 2022 10:01 am Subject: MnDOT State Aid E-Scene, May 2022 Having trouble viewing this email?View it as a Web page. [DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION STATE AICA FOR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION State Aid E-Scene May 2022 State Aid Emergency Relief refresher f Disaster season is officially upon us and the State Aid's Emergency Relief Program is here to help.This article will serve as a quick overview on available reimbursement types and the resources available. Read more on ER updates. 1 28 of 52 EM Minnesota Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan virtual workshop A virtual workshop on Thursday, May 26th from 1 pm-2:30 pm is being held to learn more WA about the Minnesota Electric Vehicle(EV) Infrastructure Plan. Learn where we'll invest federal formula funds and tell us about opportunities and/or challenges you see when it comes to federally-funded EV fast charger corridors and locations. Read more on the Minnesota EV Infrastructure Plan workshop. PathWeb update A Via Data processing for the 2021 driving season has been completed and sent out.The remaining videologs for the last seven counties are on their way to being uploaded into PathWeb. Read more PathWeb update. Employee news State Aid is happy to welcome back Ted Schoenecker.Ted starts back May 9th and will be serving as the new Division Director for State Aid and Statewide Radio Communications. Read more employee news. If you need an ASL, a foreign language interpreter,or other reasonable accommodation, or need documents in an alternative format(such as braille or large print), please email your request to Janet Miller at ADAreguest.dot(cDstate.mn.us or call 651-366-4720. Stay Connected with Minnesota Department of Transportation: © 1 dry. MnDOT's Social Media Hub>> SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Subscriptions I Unsubscribe All I Help This email was sent to marymccomber@aol.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Minnesota Department of Transportation -395 John Ireland Blvd -Saint Paul,MN 55155 gOVDELFVERY 2 29 of 52 Becker+ Cohasset + Granite Falls + Hoyt Lakes + Monticello + Oak Park Heights + Red Wing Senator Bill Weber Chair, Subcommittee on Property Taxes 95 University Avenue W. Minnesota Senate Bldg., Room 2109 St. Paul, MN 55155 Re: Support for the inclusion of SF 3641 in the Property Tax Division Report Chair Weber and members: I write to thank you for the inclusion of Senator Housley's Senate File 3641 in the Senate's property tax division report. I serve as Director of City Operations for the City of Cohasset and as President of the Coalition of Utility Cities—a group of seven cities that host some of the state's largest remaining investor-owned power plants. Each of our communities will see massive impacts in the relatively near future as these plants are retired to make way for new energy sources to come online. By creating a transition aid program that supports communities that see major tax base disruption resulting from the retirement of a power plant,this bill is a massive step forward in the state's commitment to protecting communities and local property taxpayers who will be directly impacted by power plant retirements, and it comes with urgency. Our colleagues in Becker will see the first of three units at Xcel's Sherco Plant retire next year,followed in 2026 by another Sherco retirement, and in 2028 by the retirement of the King Plant in Oak Park Heights. Here in Cohasset, Minnesota Power is currently proposing to the PUC the early retirement of the two remaining coal-fired units at the Boswell Plant in our city by 2030 and 2035. This will be essential in supporting our community and local property taxpayers who will be directly impacted by these retirements. In closing, thank you again for the inclusion of this bill. We hope that this program can be created this year. If you have any questions as session proceeds, please contact the Coalition's government relations representative Shane Zahrt at (651) 295-1123 or SAZahrt@flaherty-hood.com. Sincerely, 61 Max Peters Director of City Operations, City of Cohasset President, Coalition of Utility Cities 30 of 52 LMCLEAGUE MINNESOTA CITIES May 3, 2022 Chair Weber and members of the Senate Property Tax Committee, On behalf of the 837 members of the League of Minnesota Cities, we appreciate the opportunity to share written testimony regarding the League's positions on provisions contained in SF 3706 as amended by the A-1 delete-all amendment, the 2022 Senate Property Tax Division Report. Affordable housing market value exclusion: Article 1, Sections 4 and 8 establishes a new affordable housing program that would provide a 50 percent market value exclusion on the entirety of a multifamily property if 20 percent of new units are made available to households at 60 percent of the greater of state or area median income. While we appreciate the bill's attempt to create a new local housing tool for city consideration that cities could opt-into, we remain concerned with the expansion of property value exclusions and class-rate reductions that erode local property tax bases. We are also concerned at the lack of scalability of this tool and its inability to be tailored to the needs of a specific project. Lastly, the language in the current draft does not reflect clarifying amendments added to the original bill in the house that addressed technical questions raised by cities. 4d Low-Income Rental Classification expansion: Article 1, Sections 6, 7 and 10 include modifications to the 4d Low-Income Rental Classification less than a year after modifications were made to the program that froze the first-tier valuation threshold indexed to 4a market-rate units to $100,000 for two assessment years. Our primary concern is Article 1, Section 10, which eliminates the first-tier class rate of qualifying 4d units from 0.75 to 0.25 that will result in a property tax shift onto all existing property taxpayers without any guaranty that the additional tax break would result in additional benefit to 4d renters. While we appreciate the local approval provision in Article 1, Section 6, this provision appears to not apply to existing property owners that may only have a portion of their units designated as 4d units in their building that may want to transition more of their existing non-4d units to 4d units given the more favorable property tax break with the class- rate change. We also appreciate the transition aid in Article 2, Section 7. However, it is important to note that the aid provided is only for two-years and is static without regard to any new 4d-units in existing or new buildings that come online. Targeting property tax refund: We support the changes in Article 1, Section 19 that would increase the state-paid property tax targeting program beginning in 2023 by reducing the qualifying increase threshold from 12 percent to 10 percent and increasing the refund maximum from $1,000 to $2,000. Electric generation facility decommissioning transition aid: We support the inclusion of language in Article 2, Section 5 that would establish a transition aid program for cities that experience the decommissioning of an electric generating power plant. The aid would offset tax 145 UniversitM AShue West PH: (651) 281-1200 FX: (651) 281-1299 St. Paul, Minnesota 55103 T F: (800)925-1122 www.Imc.org Page 2 increases to other properties and would gradually phase-out. This provision is critical to a handful of our member cities that are experiencing the decommissioning of an electric generating power plant that without this aid, would be facing substantial impacts to their property tax bases. Local Government Aid Penalty Forgiveness: We appreciate the provisions in Article 2, Sections 8 — 12 that will allow the cities of Roosevelt, Bena, Boy River, Echo, and Morton to receive the balance of their 2021 LGA and Small Cities Assistance Aid. The League works closely with the Office of the State Auditor each fall to identify and work with cities that have not complied with the financial reporting requirement. Tax Increment Financing clarifications: We support the policy and technical tax increment financing provisions included in Article 3 of the bill. We want to thank the Office of the State Auditor for facilitating discussions with cities, counties, school districts and TIF experts earlier this year to address some technical but important ambiguities in state statute. Local Government Aid update: We are disappointed the bill does not include any update to the city LGA formula. The current formula is based on data that is now nearly ten years old and the analysis of the current system conducted with the assistance non-partisan legislative staff strongly suggests that the formula factors should be updated to reflect new fiscal and demographic information available from the US Decennial Census and the American Community Survey. Thank you, 5 � I�A As6 Gary Carlson Daniel Lightfoot Intergovernmental Relations Director Intergovernmental Relations Representative League of Minnesota Cities League of Minnesota Cities 32 of 52 Senate Counsel,Research,and Fiscal Analysis Tom Bottem,Director Senate Minnesota Senate Building State of Minnesota 95 University Ave.W.Suite 3300 ST.PAUL,MN 55155-1800 (651)296-4791 www.senate.mn/scifa S.F. No. 3706 — 2022 Property Tax Subcommittee Report (SCS3706A- 1 Delete-Everything Amendment) Author: Senator Bill Weber Prepared by: Eric Silvia, Senate Counsel (651/296-1771) Bjorn Arneson, Legislative Analyst(651/296-3812) Date: May 1, 2022 Article 1: Property Taxes Section 1. Exempt property used by a private entity for profit. Provides a 50 percent net tax capacity reduction for certain airport property owned or operated by a city with a population over 50,000 but less than 150,000. This reduction does not apply to property owned or operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission. Effective beginning with taxes payable in 2023 through taxes payable in 2034. Section 2. Certain property owned by an Indian tribe. Extends, by ten years, a property tax exemption for property located in Minneapolis and owned by an Indian Tribe. Without an extension, the exemption expires with property taxes payable in 2024. This section also exempts the property from the requirement that the property reapply for the exemption every three years. Effective with taxes payable in 2022. Section 3.Energy storage systems.Establishes a ten-year property tax exemption for energy storage systems. The land on which the property is located remains taxable and must be classified as commercial-industrial. Effective beginning with assessment year 2024. Section 4.Market value definitions.Adds the affordable housing market value exclusion established in Section 8 to the statutory list of market value exclusions. Effective beginning with assessment year 2023. Section 5. First tier valuation limit agricultural homestead property. Sets the first-tier valuation limit for agricultural homestead property at $2,500,000 for assessment year 2023. Beginning with assessment year 2024, the limit will be annually adjusted by the department of revenue pursuant to current law. Effective beginning with assessment year 2023. 33 of 52 Section 6. Class 4d; approval. Requires a property owner to receive approval by the governing body of the city or town where the property is located before applying to the Housing Finance Agency for initial class 4d designation, for property that was not, in whole or in part, classified as class 4d prior to assessment year 2023. A property owner that received the approval under this section, and the required certification from the Housing Finance Agency, is not required to seek approval prior to applying in each subsequent year. Effective beginning with assessment year 2023. Section 7. Class 4d; application. Adds the additional approval requirement from Section 6 to the application submitted to the Housing Finance Agency for class 4d designation. Effective beginning with assessment year 2023. Section 8. Affordable housing market value exclusion program; establishment. Establishes an affordable housing market value exclusion to promote the development of rental properties. Eligible properties receive a 50% market value exclusion. An eligible property is a property that is: (1) classified as class 4a(4+ apartment); (2) the property is not classified in whole or in part as class 4d; (3) construction of the property began on or after January 1, 2022; and (4) at least 20% of the units are available for residents whose household income at time of initial occupancy does not exceed 60% of the greater of area or state median income, and at least 80% of the available units are occupied by residents meeting the income requirement. A city council, town board, or county board acting on behalf of an unorganized territory, must adopt a resolution to participate in the exclusion program, and must further adopt a separate resolution for each property approved to receive the exclusion. The property specific resolution must be approved by the county board for the exclusion to take effect. The governing body determines the duration of the exclusion for each property provided the exclusion shall apply for at least ten but not more than twenty assessment years. The exclusion program expires on December 31, 2030, and any property not approved by that date will not receive the exclusion. Effective beginning with assessment year 2023. Section 9. Class lc. Modifies the classification tier rates for class lc homestead resort property by providing that the first $850,000 of market value is Tier 1, the market value from $850,001 to $3,100,000 is Tier II, and any value over $3,100,000 is Tier III, and remains subject to the state general levy. Effective for taxes payable in 2023 and thereafter. Section 10. Class 4d; class rate. Sets the class rate for class 4d low-income rental properties at 0.25%. Under current law, class 4d properties are subject to two valuation tiers per rental unit: a class rate of 0.75% on the first-tier amount and a class rate of 0.25% on the value exceeding the first-tier amount. Effective beginning with assessment year 2023. Section 11.Homestead of veteran with a disability or family caregiver.Allows a surviving spouse of a member of the United States armed forces who dies during active service to submit a first-time application: (1) within two years of the service member's death; (2) within two years of the United States Department of Veteran Affairs Dependency and Indemnity Compensation determination; or (3)by December 31, 2023, whichever is later. This section also allows a surviving spouse to reapply for the exclusion if the exclusion expired prior to assessment year 2019 when the eligibility time period for surviving spouses was changed to a potential lifetime benefit. Effective for assessment year 2022 and thereafter. Section 12. Homestead market value exclusion. Increases, by approximately twenty five percent, the minimum and maximum market value thresholds for the homestead market value exclusion. Under the proposal, the exclusion equals 40% of the first $95,000 of market value. For homesteads valued between $95,000 and $517,200, the exclusion equals $38,000 minus 9% of the value over 2 34 of 52 $95,000. Homesteads valued at $517,200 or more would not receive the exclusion. Effective for assessment year 2023 and thereafter. Section 13. Affordable housing market value exclusion. Authorizes eligible properties to receive the affordable housing market value exclusion established in Section 8. The exclusion shall be calculated after all other exclusions or adjustments for which the property may otherwise qualify. Effective beginning with assessment year 2023. Section 14. Amount of tax; distribution. Modifies the definition of "attachments and appurtenances" of cooperative utility distribution lines. Under current law, distribution lines, including attachments and appurtenances, located in a rural area, and owned by a cooperative association, are exempt from taxation and instead the cooperative pays a tax of$10 per 100 members. This section specifies that "attachments and appurtenances" includes all cooperative association- owned metering and streetlighting equipment that is physically or electrically connected to the cooperative association's distribution system. Effective beginning with assessment year 2023. Section 15. State general levy; levy amount. Reduces the state general levy for both commercial- industrial property and seasonal recreational property by a combined$23 million for taxes payable in 2023 through 2025. Beginning with taxes payable in 2026, both levies are reduced by ten percent each year until the levy for both commercial-industrial and seasonal recreational property is zero for taxes payable in 2035. Effective for taxes payable in 2023 and thereafter. Section 16.Contents of tax statements.Adds the affordable housing market value exclusion and the agricultural riparian buffer credit to the property tax statement. Effecting beginning with assessment year 2023. Sections 17 and 18. Delinquent property taxes, penalties, and costs; interest rate. Eliminates the ten percent minimum on interest rates charged on delinquent property taxes, penalties and costs, and confessions of judgment, and authorizes county boards to establish, by resolution, a lower interest rate than the prime rate charged by banks. Effective for property taxes,penalties,and costs determined to be delinquent on or after January 1, 2023. Section 19. Additional refund. Reduces, from 12% to 10% percent, the threshold to qualify for the additional or targeting property tax refund,and increases,from$1,000 to$2,000,the maximum refund allowed. Effective for refund claims based on taxes payable in 2023 and thereafter. Sections 20 through 23. Senior citizens' property tax deferral program. Modifies two qualifications for the senior citizens' property tax deferral program by: (1) increasing, from $60,000 to $75,000, the maximum household income allowed; and(2) reducing, from 15 years to 5 years, the homestead ownership and occupancy requirement. Effective for applications received for deferral of taxes payable in 2023 and thereafter. Section 24. City of Virginia; Net Debt Limit Exemption. Authorizes the city of Virginia to finance the construction of a public safety building by obtaining a loan from the United States Department of Agriculture secured by its general obligation pledge. Any bonds issued relating to the project or repayment of the loan must not be included in the computation of the city's limit on net debt. Under current law, a city, other than a city of the first class, may not incur debt in excess of three percent of the estimated market value of all taxable property in the city. Effective the day following final enactment. 3 35 of 52 Article 2: Property Tax Aids & Credits Section 1. Agricultural Riparian Buffer Credit. Subdivision 1. Eligibility. Provides that agricultural and rural vacant land that is required to be maintained as a riparian protection buffer is eligible for a property tax credit,provided that the landowner complies with the requirements of the riparian buffer law. Land enrolled in and generating payments under a state or federal conservation reserve or easement program is not eligible for the credit. Eligible land must be certified by the local soil and water conservation district. Requires local soil and water conservation districts to annually notify the county of any land that no longer meets the eligibility criteria. Subdivision 2. Credit amount. Sets the amount of the property tax credit equal to 50 percent of the amount of net tax capacity-based property taxes attributable to the portion of the property subject to the buffer requirement. Subdivision 3. Credit reimbursement. Requires the county auditor to determine the tax reductions allowed under this section and to certify the amounts to the commissioner of revenue. Subdivision 4. Payment. Requires the commissioners of education and revenue to reimburse school districts and other local taxing jurisdictions for the tax reductions resulting from the credit. Subdivision 5. Appropriation. Annually appropriates money from the general fund to the commissioners of education and revenue to make the payments to local taxing jurisdictions. Effective beginning with taxes payable in 2024. Section 2. Payment; school districts. Adds the agricultural riparian buffer property tax credit to the list of school district reimbursable credits. Effective July 1, 2024. Section 3. Computation of net property taxes. Adds the agricultural riparian buffer property tax credit to the list of credits used in calculating net property taxes. Effective beginning with taxes payable in 2024. Section 4. Notice of proposed property taxes. Adds the agricultural riparian buffer property tax credit to the proposed property tax statement. Effective beginning with taxes payable in 2024. Section 5. Electric generation transition aid. Subdivision 1. Definitions. Provides definitions relevant to the aid program, including "electric generation property," "electric generating unit," "eligible taxing jurisdiction," "unit base year," and"unit differential." Subdivision 2. Required notification. Requires a public utility to give notice to the commissioner of revenue when the utility expects to retire an electric generating unit and remove that unit from the property tax base. The notice must be filed together with the reports required under current law that the commissioner uses to establish valuations for utility property. 4 36 of 52 Subdivision 3. Unit transition amount. Provides a formula to calculate the aid attributable the retirement of a single electric generating unit. The initial transition amount is a function of the local jurisdiction's tax rate and the reduction in the electric generation property tax base in the first year that the unit is no longer included in the tax base. Provides that the aid attributable to a unit phases out over a period of 20 years. Subdivision 4. Electric generation transition aid. Provides that the transition aid for an eligible taxing jurisdiction equals the sum of the unit transition amounts calculated for the jurisdiction for that year. Subdivision 5. Aid elimination. Requires that transition aid be eliminated for a taxing jurisdiction for which the taxable value is at least 90 percent of the taxable value in the year before the jurisdiction first qualified for transition aid, as adjusted for inflation. Exempts the retroactively eligible units under subdivision 7 from the aid elimination criteria. Subdivision 6. Commissioner's duties; payment schedule. Requires the commissioner to compute the aid amounts and certify the amounts to each jurisdiction by August 1 in the year preceding the aid payable year. Requires that the aid be paid on the same schedule as local government aid(two installments in July and December). Subdivision 7. Aid for prior unit retirements. Makes certain previous electric generating unit retirements eligible to generate transition aid. Aid is calculated for prior unit retirements first impacting assessed values in assessment years 2017 through 2022. Subdivision 8. Appropriation. Establishes an open statutory general fund appropriation to pay the transition aid. Effective for aids payable in 2024 and later. Section 6.Mille Lacs County; county,city,township, school district reimbursement.Reimburses taxing jurisdictions in Mille Lacs County for lost property tax revenue due to placement of property into trust by the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs. Requires the county to certify by July 1, 2022, to the commissioner of revenue the amount of tax revenue lost for property placed into trust between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2020. By July 1 each year thereafter, requires the county to certify the amount of tax revenue lost due to property being placed into trust during the preceding calendar year for properties that were the subject of an application for placement into trust between January 1, 2009 and June 30, 2021. For the first five years following certification, reimburses taxing jurisdictions the total amount certified. Beginning in the sixth year, reimburses taxing jurisdictions an amount equal to the previous year's amount less 20 percent of the amount distributed in the first year. Appropriates money from the general fund to pay the reimbursements. Effective the day following final enactment. Section 7. Class 4d low-income rental property 2024 and 2025 transition aid; appropriation. Provides transition aid in 2024 and 2025 only for cities in which the net tax capacity of 4d property exceeds two percent of the total net tax capacity in assessment year 2022. Provides that the transition aid is calculated as a function of the city's pay 2023 tax rate and an approximation of the reduction in 4d net tax capacity attributable to the classification rate and first tier limit changes effective beginning in assessment year 2023. Directs the commissioner to pay transition aid concurrent with local government aid payments in 2024 and 2025. Appropriates money to pay the transition aid. Effective for aids payable in 2024 and 2025 only. 5 37 of 52 Section 8. 2019 aid penalty forgiveness; City of Roosevelt. The City of Roosevelt did not timely complete the required Office of the State Auditor annual financial reporting form for 2018 and the city's 2019 local government aid payments were withheld. This section proposes to pay the City of Morton its withheld aid amount, totaling $25,410, provided that the state auditor certifies to the commissioner of revenue that it received the annual financial reporting forms for 2018 and 2019 from the city no later than June 1, 2022. (The Office of the State Auditor reported in July 2020 that the city had submitted its required 2018 and 2019 forms.) Effective the day following final enactment. Section 9. 2021 aid penalty forgiveness; City of Bena. The City of Bena did not timely complete the required Office of the State Auditor annual financial reporting form for 2020 and the city's 2021 local government aid and small cities assistance aid payments were withheld. This section proposes to pay the city its withheld aid amounts, totaling $43,774, provided that the state auditor certifies to the commissioner of revenue that it received the annual financial reporting form for 2020 from the city no later than June 1, 2022. Effective the day following final enactment. Section 10. 2021 aid penalty forgiveness; City of Boy River. The City of Boy River did not timely complete the required Office of the State Auditor annual financial reporting form for 2020 and the city's 2021 local government aid and small cities assistance aid payments were withheld. This section proposes to pay the city its withheld aid amounts, totaling $19,578, provided that the state auditor certifies to the commissioner of revenue that it received the annual financial reporting form for 2020 from the city no later than June 1, 2022. Effective the day following final enactment. Section 11. 2021 aid penalty forgiveness; City of Echo. The City of Echo did not timely complete the required Office of the State Auditor annual financial reporting form for 2020 and the city's December 2021 local government aid and small cities assistance aid payments were withheld. This section proposes to pay the city its withheld aid amounts, totaling $46,060, provided that the state auditor certifies to the commissioner of revenue that it received the annual financial reporting form for 2020 from the city no later than June 1,2022. (The Office of the State Auditor reports that the city submitted its required 2020 forms on December 14, 2021.) Effective the day following final enactment. Section 12. 2021 aid penalty forgiveness; City of Morton. The City of Morton did not timely complete the required Office of the State Auditor annual financial reporting form for 2020 and the city's December 2021 local government aid and small cities assistance aid payments were withheld. This section proposes to pay the city its withheld aid amounts, totaling $79,476, provided that the state auditor certifies to the commissioner of revenue that it received the annual financial reporting form for 2020 from the city no later than June 1, 2022. (The Office of the State Auditor reports that the city submitted its required 2020 forms on February 9, 2022.) Effective the day following final enactment. Article 3: Tax Increment Financing Section 1. Administrative expenses. Expands the definition of administrative expenses to identify a non-exhaustive list of items that are included as administrative expenses,while continuing to identify items that are not administrative expenses. Effective the day following final enactment and applies to all districts, regardless of when the request for certification was made. Section 2.Pay-as-you-go contract and note.Defines"pay-as-you-go contract and note"as a written note or contractual obligation under with the following apply: (1)the note or obligation evidences an authority's commitment to reimburse a developer, property owner, or note holder for the payment of 6 38 of 52 costs of activities, including any interest on unreimbursed costs; (2)the reimbursement is made from tax increment revenues identified in the note or contractual obligation; and(3) the risk that available tax increments may be insufficient to fully reimburse the costs is borne by the developer, property owner, or note holder. Effective the day following final enactment. Section 3.Limitation on administrative expenses.Adds clarifying language that addresses how the administrative expense limit should be calculated when some of the total increment received subsequently has been returned to the county. This section also provides a partial exemption from the administrative expense limit when lease proceeds are used for the customary maintenance and operation of properties purchased with TIF. Effective the day following final enactment and applies to all districts, regardless of when the request for certification was made. Section 4. Limitation on use of tax increment; general rule. Clarifies that expenditures for administrative expenses are authorized uses of tax increment under the general rule concerning the use of tax increment. Effective the day following final enactment and applies to all districts,regardless of when the request for certification was made. Section 5. Economic development districts. Allows increment generated from an economic development district to be spent on a multilevel commercial facility in a small city provided that the square feet of the first floor of the facility does not exceed 15,000 square feet. "First floor"is defined as the floor at street level. A"small city" is defined as any city with a population of 5,000 or less and located ten miles or more from a Minnesota city with a population of at least 10,000. Effective for districts for which the request for certification was made after December 31, 2021. Section 6. Expenditures outside district. Clarifies how the tax increment financing pooling limit should be calculated when tax increments have been returned to the county. Effective for districts decertifying after December 31, 2022. Section 7, Five-year rule. Deletes obsolete language and a reference to permitted pooling under the "2(d)" affordable housing authorization which is further addressed in Section 8. Effective the day following final enactment and applies to all districts with a request for certification date after April 30, 1990. Section 8. Use of revenues for decertification. Makes a number of changes to the six-year rule by removing the annual pooling restriction, clarifying at which point a district must be decertified when sufficient increment is collected, allows districts to defer decertification when pay-as-you-go contracts and notes are involved, prevents changes from impeding an authority's ability to use extra "2(d)" pooling for affordable housing, and allows districts to remove parcels when increment is not pledged for outstanding obligations. Effective the fay following final enactment and applies to all district with a request for certification after April 30, 1990. Section 9. Pooling permitted for deficits. Makes a technical correction to a provision that allows pooling to address deficits caused by previously enacted tax reforms. Effective the day following final enactment and applies to districts for which the request for certification was made before August 1, 2001, and without regard to whether the request for certification was made prior to August 1, 1979. Section 10.Collection of increment. Removes obsolete language that addresses the improper receipt of increment relating to tax increment financing duration limits. Effective the day following final enactment. 7 39 of 52 Section 11. Suspension of distribution of tax increment. Removes obsolete language concerning the county auditor's authority to without distribution of tax increment. Effective the day following final enactment. Section 12. Expenditure of increment. Amends statute addressing expenditures in violation of tax increment financing law to properly cover all potential violations. Effective the day following final enactment. Section 13. City of Savage. Authorizes the city of Savage to extend, by three additional years, both the five-year rule, and the five-year period relating to the enlargement area of a district, for districts created pursuant to special legislation enacted in 2014. Under current law, the geographic area of a TIF district can be reduced,but not enlarged, after five years following the date of certification of the district. Effective upon city approval and filing requirements. Section 14. City of Shakopee. Authorizes the city of Shakopee to create tax increment financing districts (until December 31, 2026) under special rules in a defined area of the city. Before establishing districts, the city must find that 70 percent of the defined area has peat or other geotechnical difficulties, landfills, dumps, quarries, gravel pits, floodway, or substantial fill is required for commercial development. The authority can create any TIF district in the defined area, other than an economic development or housing district, and if established, the five-year rule is extended to eight years, and the permitted polling percentage is increased from 20 to 80 percent. In addition, a new "soils deficiency district" can be established if 70 percent of the area has unusual terrain or soil deficiencies that require substantial filling and the estimated correction costs exceed the fair market value of the property, excluding costs of roads and other public improvements for which landowners would be assessed. Effective upon city approval and filing requirements. Section 15. City of Woodbury. Authorizes the city of Woodbury to extend, by five years, the duration of TIF District No. 13, and allows increment generated from the district to be spent on the maintenance and facility and infrastructure upgrades to Central Park, and all such expenditures are deemed expended on activities within the district. Effective upon city approval, except that the duration extension is effective upon approval by the city, county, and school district. 8 40 of 52 Eric Johnson From: Mary Mccomber <marymccomber@aol.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 4, 2022 11:07 AM To: Eric Johnson Subject: Fwd: May 2022: EMWREP & Lower St. Croix Education Updates Attachments: image004.png; image001.jpg; image013.jpg; image023jpg For weekly notes -----Original Message----- From: Angie Hong <AHong@mnwcd.org> To: Angie Hong <AHong@mnwcd.org>; algoodri@hotmail.com <algoodri@hotmail.com> Sent: Wed, May 4, 2022 10:37 am Subject: May 2022: EMWREP & Lower St. Croix Education Updates Hello East Metro & Lower St. Croix Water Education partners — Spring, spring, spring! It's finally here and we've got lots of program updates to share. Call or email if you have any questions! Angie Hong & Barbara Heitkamp Program Updates: 1. Workshops and events — May, June, July and Aug. 2. Adopt a Drain 3. Lower St. Croix Watershed Education — Outreach to farmers, lakeshore residents, and local officials 4. Climate Impact Corps — Community Forestry Program 5. NACD Grant with Big River Farms 6. MS4 Education — 5 Easy ways to protect water in less than 1-hour 7. East Metro Water blog 8. TikTok — Monarchs, Joe-Pye, Lily Lake delisting Workshops and Events Upcoming • MAY 2022 o Turf Talks (Thu., May 5, 5:30-6:30pm) - at Hardwood Creek Library in Forest Lake. Local turf grass expert and Minnesota Water Steward Jack MacKenzie, will walk attendees through the top 10 most asked questions related to residential lawn management. RSVP is encouraged: https://tinvurl.com/TurfTalk2022 o Twins Game — Adopt a Drain meet-up (Sun, May 15, 1 pm) — In celebration of recruiting *almost* 10,000 storm drain adopters in Minnesota, the Watershed Partners will be hosting a meet-up event at the May 15 Twins Game. Volunteers can purchase discounted tickets and we will also get to do a mid-game parade on the field. Angie Hong will be there with intern Elizabeth Trevathan. o Lake Friendly Landscapes (Mon., May 16, 5:30-6:30pm) - Local experts from Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District will share tips and tricks for incorporating i 41 of 52 native plants, dealing with invasives (like buckthorn), and what additional resources may be available to you such as grants, landscape planning assistance, and equipment rentals. RSVP is encouraged: https://tinvurl.com/LakeLandscapes2022 o Wildflower Walk on Brown's Creek Trail (Wed., May 18, 6-8pm) - Led by Brown's Creek Watershed District citizen advisory committee. Park and enter the trail at Alder street, just north of the bridge over 95. o Glacial Valley Park walking tour— (Tue., May 24, 6-8pm). Learn about this 250 acre protected open space on the border of Woodbury and Cottage Grove and how volunteers can help to restore habitat and develop future programming in this new community park space. RSVP at tinvurl.com/glacialvalleypark. Angie Hong will be co- leading with Tony Randazzo (South Washington Watershed) o Volunteer planting events (Sat., May 21) - in Marine on St. Croix (9-11 am) and Lake Elmo Park Reserve (10am-2pm, lunch included) Brett Stolpsted and Cameron Blake (WCD) will be leadinge o Belwin Bison Release in Afton (Sat., May 21, 10am-2pm) — Experience a spring day on the prairie, filled with fun activities for all ages including the release of the 2022 Bison Herd from NorthStar Bison. Enjoy live music, interactive eco-arts, prairie activities, native plant sales at the event tent, and food trucks. Amanda Herbrand (WCD) will be attending. More info here. o Washington County Master Gardener Plant Sale (Sunday, May 22, 11 am-3pm) at the Washington County Fairground in Building B. Shop for a wide array of annuals and perennials, native and prairie plants, monarch and pollinator plants, grasses, shade plants, heirloom tomatoes, herbs and vegetables. • JUNE 2022 o Landscape Revival (Saturday, June 4, 9 am-1 pm) at Oakdale Fire Station #1, 5000 Hadley Ave N, Oakdale and Saturday, June 11, 9 am-1 pm at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, North Parking Lot, 3920 Victoria St N, Shoreview. Shop from local native plant growers and find advice on sustainable landscaping for wildlife, pollinators, habitat restoration, and clean water. o RWMWD WaterFest in St. Paul (Sat., June 4, 11 am-4pm) — Enjoy this free, family- friendly event at Lake Phalen. Activities include Voyageur canoe and sailboat rides; paddleboats, canoes, and kayaks for checkout; fishing lessons and a fishing contest with prizes; water games, climbing walls, a jump castle, arts and crafts, face painting and lawn games; a Water Bar featuring water flights from our communities; the Passport Odyssey; performers; and food trucks. More info here. Mitch Moris will be attending. o Lake Critters (Tue., June 7, 9:30am-noon) at Big Marine Park Reserve. Barbara Heitkamp will lead a hands-on learning event, including macroinvertebrate identification, in partnership with Hardwood Creek Library. o Habitat Restoration Tour in Stillwater (Wed., June 15, 6-8pm) at Brown's Creek Park in Stillwater. Led by Brown's Creek Watershed District. o Turf Talks (Sat., June 18, 10-11 am) at Hardwood Creek Library in Forest Lake. Local turf grass expert and Minnesota Water Steward Jack MacKenzie, will walk attendees through the top 10 most asked questions related to residential lawn management. RSVP is encouraged: https://tinvurl.com/TurfTalk2022 • J U LY 2022 o Chisago Lakes Appreciation Night (Wed., July 6t") at Lion's Park in Lindstrom. Barbara Heitkamp will be attending. o Washington County Master Gardener "Learn and Grow Garden Tour" (July 16) - This self-guided tour features seven gardens designed, created, and maintained by Master Gardener volunteers. Learn about topics including, watering wisely; landscape 2 42 of 52 design; composting; vegetable growing; crop rotation and companion planting; pollinator-friendly and native plants; tree and shrub pruning; prairie plants, and much more. Purchase tickets here. Angie Hong will be attending. o Sally Manzara Nature Center: Water Play Summer Day Camp — (Wed., July 20, 9am-3pm ) Angie Hong will be leading programming for kids. o After buckthorn —what next? (Wed., July 20, 6-8pm) Join Brown's Creek Watershed District volunteers to learn next steps and get your hands dirty as we complete ongoing restoration in a previously infested buckthorn area. We will identify herbaceous weeds and plant native species. Info here. o Water Explorations at Ojibway Park, Woodbury (Monday, July 25, 10-11 am) Amanda Herbrand will be leading programming for kids • AUGUST 2022 o Forest Lake Arts in the Park - (Tue, Aug. 2, 5-8pm) Barbara Heitkamp will be attending o Washington County Fair (Aug. 3-7) — EVERYONE who is anyone will be there O o Stormwater Tour in Stillwater (Sat., Aug. 13, 10am-noon) Join Brown's Creek Watershed District for a walking tour of new developments in Stillwater, with a focus on stormwater management. Info here. o Newport Pioneer Day (Aug. 14, 4-5pm) — Mitch Moris will be leading a hands-on presentation called "Love that dirty water: Protecting the Mississippi River." Recent events A Aril 5 —Angie Hong taught groundwater lessons to kids at River s *'" °r Grove Elementary (May ; . it_ Twp.) u 5x April 20 — Mitch Moris 7 y � and Amanda Herbrand attended the Forest Lake - Lake Association Meeting and shared info about AIS and native shoreline plantings April 22 and 29 —Angie Hong led water education programming for students at Nuevas Fronteras (St. Paul Park) and Grey Cloud Elementary (Cottage Grove) during a field trip to Carpenter Nature Center • April 23 — Barbara Heitkamp attended the Earth Day event at Sally Manzara Nature Center in Lake Elmo • April 23-24 — EMWREP supplied info and displays about raingardens, native plants, and groundwater for the St. Andrew Lutheran "Caring for Creation" event in Mahtomedi • April 26 - 35 people attended a webinar to learn about Glacial Valley Park in South Washington Watershed • April 30 — Mitch Morris attended the City of Grant community clean-up event • May 1 — Barbara Heitkamp attended the Green Lake Association meeting in Chisago City • May 2 —Angie Hong conducted a special workshop on groundwater for Afton planning commission • May 3 - 70 people attended the Buckthorn and Goats workshop at Big Marine Park Reserve 3 43 of 52 Adopt a Drain Updates g. To date, nearly 10,000 Minnesotans have v 0 7r adopted 17,762 storm drains, and those ���'� volunteers have reported collecting 474,096 • � • * -: pounds of debris that would have otherwise ended up in our water. ASTORM DPAIN ( When checking on the latest statistics, I was 4 .. chagrined to discover that Anoka County residents have adopted 1039 storm drains, compared with only 821 in Washington County. It isn't necessarily a competition, but I do want to win. Now, this month, Chisago County is joining the Adopt a Drain program, which means that the unofficial competition is officially on. Between now and May 15, Watershed Partners and Hamline University are offering an additional incentive to recruit more storm drain volunteers. All storm drain adopters, new and old, are invited to purchase Twins tickets at a discounted price of $15 for a special May 15 Adopt a Drain meet-up event. In addition, new adopters will also receive a canvas tote bag. Contact Angie Hong angie.hong(a�mnwcd.org or Barbara Heitkamp bheitkamp(a�mnwcd.org for resources to help promote Adopt a Drain in your community. 00o, Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership, Education (LOWER 5T. CROIX WATERSHFta Programming — Project lead: Barbara Heitkmap, PARTNERSHIP bheitkamp(a)mnwcd.org Farmer Outreach: Jennifer Hahn is planning three field days and a small acreage workshop this summer. She and Barbara are also working with local partners to develop short videos highlighting conservation practices. In addition, we are developing a contact database, using information from the 2019 Farmer Survey and will be working with local partners to send targeted mailings for workshops and programs. Jennifer Hahn can be reached at ihahn umn.edu or 651-485-7848. Workshops for Local Decision Makers- Mike Isensee (Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District), Jay Riggs (Washington Conservation District), and Jay Michels (EOR) led an informal workshop for local partners to learn about Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS) on April 21 st Barbara and Angie are planning two St. Croix River Workshops on the Water this summer— one out of Taylors Falls and one out of Hudson. Dates TBD. Lakes Outreach- Barbara has been attending lake association meetings throughout the watershed and is working with Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates to create a Shoreline Landowners Guidebook, adapted from Itasca County, and promote the Lake Stewards Program. We are also helping Blue Thumb to create a statewide shoreline workshop. In addition, we are planning a workshop for realtors selling shoreline property, targeting communities in the northern half of the watershed. Contact Barbara if you would like a copy of the new "Living on a Small Lake" brochure for distribution to shoreline landowners. Knickpoints: Read the latest articles published in the blog - www.knickpoints.blog • Confessions of timid gardener, part 2: what does `soil health' mean anyway? April 5th, 2022 "I'm excited to plan the garden and look forward to getting new plants, but it seems prudent to spend 4 44 of 52 a little bit of time assessing and improving the condition of the environment that hopefully will sustain those new plants." • Burn, baby, burn: the use of fire in land management and restoration April 12th, 2022 "Prescribed fires have grown in use as researchers and practitioners have recognized that these managed, controlled fires can not only help reduce the risk of larger wildfires, but can be used to maintain and restore native grasslands and forests.." • Is it a wetland? That is the question April 19th 2022 "Wetlands are ecological powerhouses of the landscape, but they can be tricky to identify and are much more pervasive than you might think.." Climate Impact Corps — Community Forestry Program i � Beginning this August, EMWREP /Washington Conservation District will y host an 11-month long Community Forestry position through a new AmeriCorps program focused on preparing communities for climate change: www.am pact.us/com m unity-forestry. This position will help to conduct tree inventories; develop emerald ash borer (EAB) management plans; design, construct and manage nursery gravel beds; work with volunteer groups, including Master Gardeners and Minnesota Water Stewards, on tree planting, habitat restoration, and climate projects; develop education materials for forest landowners; and conduct .' . educational programming at community events. If you would also like to host a Community Forestry member at your organization, you can learn more by talking to Dylan Kelly dylan.kelly(d_)ampact.us or apply to be a host here. The program offers members a stipend of$1,100 paid every 2 weeks + Individual health insurance + Child care assistance + Federal student loan forbearance and interest repayment+ Up to $6,495 for tuition or student loans. There is no cost to host a Climate Impact Corps member, but host organizations do need to provide professional support and project management. NACD Grant with Big River Farms Good news! We have received a $10,000 Planning Grant from NACD (National Association of Conservation Districts) to establish new relationships with Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) led farming groups. With this funds, EMWREP staff will be working with Big River Farms in May Twp. to conduct listening sessions, provide training, and identify opportunities for future collaboration. Big River Farms is a nonprofit organization that offers land access and education in organic agriculture for immigrants, refugees, people of color, and others who have historically faced discrimination in accessing farmland, markets, education and other farming support. The farm has been in operation since 2005 and provides beginning farmers with mentorship and guidance in managing their own 1/8 to 6-acre plots of certified organic land. Located within the Wilder Forest in May Township, Big River Farms, the surrounding forest, and adjacent land owned by Manitou Foundation are part of the largest tract of undeveloped land in Washington County and have been identified by Washington County and the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District as a high priority for habitat and water quality protection. MS4 Education: 5 Easy ways to protect water in less than 1-hour 5 45 of 52 Rake and sweep - -__ -liltLeaves,grass moft �m TM ,. .� '. - Easy ways to protect water in less than t hour r �z rN, F ,4 Easy ways to protect water in less than 1 hour I at an approved « 4, Easy ways to protect water in less than 1 hour Oft 6 46 of 52 Easy ways to protect water in less than 1 hour ; Weed a local raingarden Raingarders runoff and Protect lakes and Pick 1 litter Help prevent litter from blowing or washing into our 4' lakes and rivers Easy ways to protect mater in less than Y hour Nml tti:tt+aprotect our NvaterinI-h,rorIt," 44 ka ke and sweep the leaves,grass,dirt and LRCan,drain dntl litter out of the Inspect your boat street irk front of your and trailer after house getting out of the water NA weeds from a Sox up old rneditine Plck up litter along ralrwarden In your and deriver It to an a street u tra ld neighborhood approved drop site near your home East Metro Water: Read the latest articles published in the blog and local newspapers www.eastmetrowater.org 10,000 Storm Drain Adopters in the Land of 10,000 Lakes - May 3, 2022 7 47 of 52 "To date, nearly 10,000 Minnesotans have adopted 17,762 storm drains, and those volunteers have reported collecting 474,096 pounds of debris that would have otherwise ended up in our water." Using goats to control buckthorn and other invasive species —April 21, 2022 "To learn more about managing invasive species with goats, join the East Metro Water Resource Education Program, Washington County Parks, and The Munch Bunch for an outdoor workshop on Tuesday, May 3, 6-7pm at Big Marine Park Reserve." Help save monarch butterflies —April 14, 2022 "USFWS estimates that there is a 96-100% probability that western monarch populations will collapse within 50 years and an 80% probability that eastern monarchs will as well. But, people can prevent that from happening by planting more milkweed." Help create the new Glacial Valley Park in Woodbury-Cottage Grove —April 8, 2022 "South Washington Watershed District's conservation corridor is the result of two decades of work to create habitat connections and protect land-locked portions of Woodbury and Cottage Grove from flooding." 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Angie Hong Water Education Senior Specialist East Metro Water Resource Education Program Representing Brown's Creek, Carnelian Marine -St. Croix, Comfort Lake - Forest Lake, Middle St. Croix, Ramsey- Washington Metro, Rice Creek, South Washington and Valley Branch Watersheds; Chisago Lakes Improvement District; Bayport, Cottage Grove, Dellwood, Forest Lake, Grant, Lake Elmo, Hugo, Newport, Oak Park Heights, Oakdale, Stillwater, St. Paul Park, Willernie, West Lakeland, and Woodbury; Chisago, Isanti and Washington Counties; and the Chisago, Isanti and Washington Conservation Districts C/O:Washington Conservation District 455 Hayward Ave. Oakdale, MN 55128 angie.honga-mnwcd.org Phone: (952) 261-9599 cell www.mnwcd.org/emwreip STAY IN TOUCH: Blog: www.eastmetrowater.org Facebook: amnwcd TikTok: amnnature awesomeness Instagram: @wcd mn or aangiehongwater 11 51 of 52 12 52 of 52