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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2nd Q 10 City of Oak Park Heights Tree City USA Second Quarter 2010 Newsletter Inside this issue: City Hall Facility Update The construction of the New City Hall Compostable Bags 2 is approaching completion; the City Required for Yard hopes to attain occupancy as early as Waste mid-May. Once the shift from the old to the new building is complete, the old Rain Barrels 2 City Hall will be demolished, making Available way for the new parking areas and land- scaping. Planning Commis-3 sion Vacancy While time is of the essence for all aspects of this project, there will be a Primary Election held on August 10, 2010, which will draw increased visitors to the site. It is hoped by such date that all curbing and pavement will be completed so as to not Yellow Ribbon 3 City Committee present barriers to persons who utilize the City Hall as their voting location; there will however likely need to be some temporary accommodations installed to ensure optimum site conditions. City 3 Meetings Throughout the upcoming summer months, public access to the New City Hall will be via temporary surfaces. The City and contractor will endeavor to properly mark Notes from 4 these temporary roadways so that visitors to City Hall know where to go. However, Public Works up-close parking will be very limited on the site throughout the summer. Luckily, this will be a short-tem condition. Arborist 5 News Lastly, the City will be reinstalling the westbound connection from 57 Street to the th City Hall property and to Oakgreen Avenue in late summer. This will include a new traffic pattern compared to the previous layout, but westbound access will be re- Summer Park 6 stored. Activities Once the facility is fully operational and the site itself is well beyond substantial com- Spring 8 pletion, the City does intend to host a formal OPEN HOUSE event. However, Clean-Up should there be persons interested in viewing the site prior to the City’s occupancy please give the City Administrator, Eric Johnson, a call at 651-439-4439. New City Park 8 Survey Coming Street Sweeping Soon The City of Oak Park Heights does one pass street sweepings each year in the spring and in the fall to try to keep sand and leaf debris out of the storm sewers. ^ƉƌŝŶŐƐƚƌĞĞƚƐǁĞĞƉŝŶŐŝƐƐĐŚĞĚƵůĞĚƚŽŽĐĐƵƌŝŶĞĂƌůLJƉƌŝů͕ǁĞĂƚŚĞƌƉĞƌŵŝƫŶŐ͘ Second Quarter 2010 Newsletter Page 2 Compostable bags required for yard waste collection Beginning January 1, 2010, residents of Washington plastic shreds can be screened out, which reduces County who bag their yard waste are required to the value and quality of the finished compost. put their waste out for pick up in compostable bags - either paper bags or compostable plastic bags. Most home improvement, grocery, and hardware This rule will not impact your service if you cur- stores now carry compostable bags. If you don't see rently collect your yard waste or other compostable them at your local store, ask an employee. Many waste in a cart, or you take your yard waste to a col- store owners are just learning of this requirement lection facility and remove the waste from the bags and may appreciate the customer request. Com- yourself. postable bags tend to cost slightly more than the tra- ditional black plastic bags here in Minnesota; howev- Compostable bags include paper Kraft bags (large er, given the new demand, prices may be lowered. brown paper bags) or compostable plastic bags. Compostable plastic bags are usually clear or tinted Benefits of using compost include: a translucent shade of green, white, or pink; howev- • Saving natural resources; er the color is not the sure way of determining the • Reducing soil erosion; compostibility of a plastic bag. Compostable plastic • Preventing polluted stormwater runoff from con- bags should clearly state that taminating our wetlands, lakes, and streams; and they meet ASTM D6400 stand- • Providing a valuable soil amendment product that ards for composting and that can be used to enrich the soils of our community. they are "compostable". Bags marked "biodegradable" or If you do not use a non-compostable bag for yard "degradable" do not meet the waste or other compostable waste, your hauler will state law. not collect your waste. Compost drop-off sites will also require the material to be removed from non- Once your yard waste or source separated com- compostable bags and you will be required to take postable waste is picked up, it is delivered to a com-the bag with you. post facility. Waste at composting facilities must be debagged, which increases costs and the chance For more information, visit that plastic bags will be blowing around on site www.rethinkrecycling.com, or call the City’s waste causing a safety hazard. Some compost sites shred hauler, Veolia at 651-459-3029. the bag and its contents and attempt to screen the torn pieces of plastics later. Unfortunately not all Rain Barrels offered by the Washington Conservation District This spring, the Washington Conservation District will be offering low-cost rain barrels, along with bun- dles of sapling trees and shrubs, to residents and landowners in Washington County. Rain barrels collect water from your roof, which can later be used to water your lawn or garden during dry weeks. The $60 rain barrels are preassembled and come with instructions for set-up at home. The bare-root saplings in- clude several species of conifers, hardwood trees and shrubs and come in bundles of 25 for $32.50. These trees can be used for urban and rural conservation purposes such as windbreaks, reforestation, erosion control, and wildlife habitat. Pre-order rain barrels and trees and then pick them up at the county fairgrounds in Lake Elmo on Friday, April 30 from 12-7:30pm and Saturday, May 1 from 9am until 12pm. To place an order, contact Wendy Griffin or Rusty Schmidt at 651-275-1136 ext. 24 or ext. 36. Page 3 Tree City USA Planning Commissioner Applications Sought The City of Oak Park Heights has one open-If you are a resident of Oak Park Heights and ing on the Planning Commission and invites are looking for an interesting and rewarding interested Oak Park Heights residents to sub-opportunity to participate in the development mit an application for appointment considera-of Oak Park Heights, please contact Julie tion by the City Council. The Planning Com-Hultman at the City of Oak Park Heights for mission is comprised of five members, who more information and an application. She can are appointed by the City Council to serve on be reached via phone at 651-351-1661 or the Commissions in an advisory capacity. email at jhultman@cityofoakparkheights.com The Planning Commission serves as the City's Applications can also be printed from the planning agency and conducts public hear-City’s web page – ings on matters affecting zoning, subdivision www.cityofoakparkheights.com. City Hall is and building regulations, land use develop-located at 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N., Oak Park ment and comprehensive planning. Other Heights, MN 55082. matters are referred to the Planning Commis- sion by the City Council from time to time. Applications shall be accepted for considera- The Commission typically meets on either the tion until the 4:30 p.m., Monday, May 3rd. ndrd 2 or 3 Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Applicants will be contacted for an interview. and periodically holds workshops or other special meetings. Yellow Ribbon City City Meetings The Minnesota National Guard has pioneered a pro- gram which employers community leaders to synchro- City Council: nize efforts and build an enduring network of support 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:00 for service members and families throughout the de- p.m. ployment cycle. The Yellow Ribbon Community Cam- paign is a reminder that supporting service members Planning Commission: cannot end when they return home from deployment 2nd Thursday at 7:00 p.m. and the yellow ribbons are untied. A Yellow Ribbon City develops an action plan and organizes groups to Parks Commission: support military families. 3rd Monday at 6:30 p.m. The City of Oak Park Heights has formed a joint Citi- City meetings are broadcast live zen’s Committee with Bayport, Baytown, and West on cable channel 16. Lakeland Township to start working on an action plan. If you are interested in serving on the Citizen’s Com- Agendas and Minutes are post- mittee, please contact Oak Park Heights Councilmem- ed on the City’s website: ber Mary McComber by e-mail at marymccomb- www.cityofoakpark er@aol.com or by phone at 651-351-7879, or contact heights.com Bayport Councilmember Judy Seeberger at 651-492- 3181. Second Quarter 2010 Newsletter Page 4 Notes from Public Works Potholes An indication that spring has finally arrived in Minne-similar to traditional hot bituminous mix; however sota is the dreadful reality of potholes. Potholes are unlike traditional bituminous mix the patch is applied caused when a breach in the road surface allows wa-“cold” so tar heating equipment is not required. The ter to seep into the gravel base often eroding the base “fines” that make the smooth road surface are re- material where the pothole forms. Freezing and placed with rock very similar to the “chip rock” laid thawing only makes the surface and road base more on city streets after a tar seal coat. This gives the susceptible to damage given water expands as it turns patch volume to fill pot holes even as it is compacted. to ice. Please report severe pot holes to the Oak Park The Oak Park Heights Public Works Department Heights Public Works Department by contacting strives to maintain streets by patching potholes each Andy Kegley, Public Works Director at 439-4439 or year. Public Works crew use a “cold” asphalt mix via e- mail at akegley@cityofoakparkheights.com. Water System SCADA update SCADA is an acronym that stands for Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition. SCADA refers to a system that collects data from various sensors at a factory, plant, or in other remote locations such as well houses, water towers and lift stations, and then sends this data to a central computer which then manages and controls the data. The existing SCADA system that controls the Oak Park Heights water system was installed in 1992 and is outdated and will soon become unserviceable do to manufacturers eliminating replacement parts from production. Oak Park Heights Public Works staff is working with City Engineers and Automatic Systems Co. to install an updated SCADA sys- tem that will provide staff with the data needed for maintaining, managing, and reporting operations of the Oak Park Heights water system well into the future. Antennas for secure radio communication between control panels and a master computer are in- stalled on the City’s Water Tower #1 and Water Tower #2. Automatic Systems Company is onsite installing control panels and the required equipment to obtain data via electrical signal from the wa- ter system. The City plans to change operations from the old system to the new system on April 5. The change over should be seamless and the high quality water service Oak Park Heights strives to provide will not be interrupted. Shrub and bush trimming Summer park hours The park shelters at Autumn Hills Park, Brekke Please be reminded to keep road ways clear of Park, and Valley View Park will be open by May 28, overgrown bushes and shrubs. Branches that ob- 2010. Normal operating hours are 9:00 a.m. to ƐƚƌƵĐƚĐůĞĂƌƐŝŐŚƚ͕ƐƉĞĐŝĮĐĂůůLJĂƚŝŶƚĞƌƐĞĐƟŽŶƐŝŶͲ 9:00 p.m. all week; however shelter hours may be ĐƌĞĂƐĞƚŚĞƌŝƐŬŽĨƉŽƚĞŶƟĂůƚƌĂĸĐĂĐĐŝĚĞŶƚƐ͘tŚĞŶ shortened in early spring until seasonal attendants trimming bushes and shrubs, cut the branches into are on duty. Please visit the City’s website at approximately 3 foot lengths or shorter and bun- www.cityofoakparkheights.com for updates on dle them with twine or rope. On trash day your hours and for information on each park. To re- garbage hauler will pick up the bundle at no addi- serve a shelter please contact City Hall at (651) ƟŽŶĂůĐŽƐƚ͘ 439-4439. Tree City USA Page 5 Emerald Ash Borer Seminar—April 20 at Boutwells Landing Tree Problems? The Arborist for Oak Park Heights, Auditorium A, Boutwell’s Landing. Kathy Widin, will present a free Come and learn more about this If you are an seminar to area residents on insect, how to recognize it and its Oak Park “Emerald Ash Borer – Description, damage and what you can do about Heights Diagnosis and Management” on it. resident, and th Tues. April 20, from 7-8 p.m. in have a problem with a tree or Emerald Ash Borer Update shrub, such as an insect or a ––Š‡–‹‡‘ˆ–Š‹•™”‹–‹‰ǡ‡‡”ƒŽ†ƒ•Š„‘”‡”ȋȌŠƒ•‘–›‡–„‡‡ˆ‘—†‹ ƒ•Š‹‰–‘‘—–›ǤŠ‹••’”‹‰ǡ‹ˆ›‘—•‡‡ƒŽ‘–‘ˆ™‘‘†’‡…‡”ƒ…–‹˜‹–›ǡ„ƒ” disease, have Ž‘••ǡ‘”–‘’†‹‡„ƒ…‘ƒƒ•Š–”‡‡‘›‘—”’”‘’‡”–›ǡƒŽ‘‰–Š‡„‘—Ž‡˜ƒ”†ǡ‘”‹ planting ƒ’ƒ”ǡ’Ž‡ƒ•‡…‘–ƒ…––Š‡…‹–›ƒ”„‘”‹•––‘…‘‡‘—–ƒ†–ƒ‡ƒŽ‘‘Ǥ‘‘– questions, or ‘˜‡ƒ•Š™‘‘†ˆ”‘‘‡ƒ”‡ƒ–‘ƒ‘–Š‡”ǡƒ•–Š‹•‹•‘‡™ƒ›–Šƒ–‡‡”ƒŽ†ƒ•Š just want to „‘”‡”‹•‡ƒ•‹Ž›•’”‡ƒ†Ǥ have a plant identified, call Oak Wilt Dr. Kathy Widin, the OPH Oaks are highly susceptible to insect transmission of the oak wilt fun- Arborist, at 439- gus in the spring, in part due to their large spring wood vessels at 4439 Ext. 252. this time of year. Oaks should not be wounded or pruned from April She can either 1 to July 1. Wounds made on oaks during that time, and probably stst up until Sept. 15, should be painted with latex paint or shellac to th answer your make the wounds less attractive to insects. question over the phone or Oak Park Heights will remove diseased red and pin oaks on both pub- make an lic and private property. Please contact the arborist if you have any appointment for questions regarding oak wilt. a site visit. This service is paid Boulevard Trees for by the City of Each year, the City of Oak Park Heights away from mailboxes, driveways and Oak Park plants trees on the boulevards, either to utility boxes, and twenty feet away from Heights. fill in a spot where a tree has died or other trees. The city plants boulevard been removed, or to plant in a location trees at the end of August, and there is which has not yet had a boulevard tree. no charge to residents for this service. Boulevard trees currently being planted on boulevards are the following species: If you have a space on the road front- American linden (basswood), bicolor age of your property, and are interested oak, red maple, thornless honeylocust, in having a boulevard tree planted, hackberry, and, in more restricted loca- please contact the Oak Park Heights tions, flowering crabapple or Japanese Arborist at 651-439-4439, Extension tree lilac. There must be room on the 252, prior to June 15th. boulevard to keep trees at least ten feet Page 6 Second Quarter 2010 Newsletter CLIP AND SAVE! CLIP AND SAVE 2010 Summer Park Activities Schedule All events are free! Look over the following schedule, and mark the dates on your calendar. Please check the City’s website for further updates on summer programming in the parks. June 12 Family Bingo in the Park - all ages: join us at Autumn Hills Park from 10 am to noon. Bingo for candy and prizes. No pre-registration is required. June 17 Stillwater Area High School Jazz Band Outdoor Concert - Autumn Hills Park 7:30 pm. All ages welcome to this opportunity to hear the Jazz Band in the park! June 22 Crafts in the Park - all ages, children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult: Sand Art at Brekke Park from 10 am to 12 pm. Pre-registration is appreciated. Email gzeuli@q.com with the number and ages of children attending. June 24 Family Movie in the Park: come to Autumn Hills Park for an outdoor movie! Free face painting begins at 7:30 pm, movie starts at dark, and popcorn/beverages available for purchase. Movie to be announced. June 29 Crafts in the Park - all ages, children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult: Wood Painting at Brekke Park from 10 am to 12 pm. Pre-registration is appreciated. Email gzeuli@q.com with the number and ages of children attending. July 6 Crafts in the Park - all ages, children under 6 must be accompanied by and adult: Flower Pot Decorating at Autumn Hills Park from 10 am to 12 pm. Pre-registration is appreciated. Email gzeuli@q.com with the number and ages of children attending. July 13 Crafts in the Park - all ages, children 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult: T-Shirt Art at Autumn Hills Park from 10 am to 12 pm. Pre-registration is appreciated. Email gzeuli@q.com with the number and ages of children attending. July 20 Explore the Park: Monarch Butterflies - all ages, children 6 and under must be accompanies by an adult: Learn about Monarchs, how to raise one from a caterpillar to butterfly. Autumn Hills Park from 10 am to 12 pm. Pre-registration is appreciated. Email gzeuli@q.com with the num- ber and ages of children attending. Tree City USA Page 7 CLIP AND SAVE! CLIP AND SAVE 2010 Summer Park Activities Schedule Continued July 27 Crafts in the Park - all ages, children 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult: Stepping Stones at Autumn Hills Park from 10 am to 12 pm. Pre-registration is appreciated. Email gzeuli@q.com with the number and ages of children attending. July 29 Family Movie in the Park: come to Autumn Hills Park for an outdoor movie! Free face painting begins at 7:30 pm, movie begins at dark, and popcorn/beverages available for purchase. August 3 Crafts in the Park - all ages, children 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult: Beading at Brekke Park from 10 am to 12 pm. Pre-registration is appreciated. Email gzeuli@q.com with the number and ages of children attending. August 3 Party in the Park - all ages. Join us from 5 to 7 pm for free food, fun and prizes. There will be free face painting, balloon animals, and live music. August 10 Nature in the Park - all ages, children 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult: Come to Brekke Park from 10 am to 12 pm for a live animal presentation. August 17 Crafts in the Park - all ages, children 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult: Pottery and Ceramic Art at Brekke Park from 10 am to 12 pm. Pre-registration is appreciated. Email gzeuli@q.com with the number and ages of children attending. August 21 Science in the Park - all ages, children 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Come to Autumn Hills Park from 10 am to 12 pm to learn about science and conduct some experi- ments! August 24 Nature Walk and Art Hike - all ages, children 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Valley View Park 10 am to 12 pm. Pre-registration is appreciated. Email gzeuli@q.com with the number and ages of children attending. August 26 Family Movie in the Park: come to Autumn Hills Park for an outdoor Movie! Free face painting begins at 7:30 pm, movie begins at dark, and popcorn/beverages available for purchase. City of Oak Park Heights Second Quarter 2010 Newsletter City of Oak Park Heights 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N. OAK PARK HEIGHTS SPRING CLEAN-UP DAY PO Box 2007 Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Saturday, April 24, 2010, 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Phone: 651-439-4439 Fax: 651-439-0574 The City of Oak Park Heights will be hosting a Police non-emergency: 651-439-4723 Police Emergency: 911 Spring Clean-up on Saturday, April 24, 2010 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Clean-up will be in the southwest corner of the former St. Croix Mall excluding legal holidays (Andersen Corporation) parking lot, 14167 59Street North in th Oak Park Heights. MAYOR David Beaudet: 439-2582 Proof of residency such as a utility bill or driver’s license will be required. Common items disposed of include appliances, brush, construction COUNCILMEMBERS Les Abrahamson: 351-0807 materials, furniture, cardboard, scrap metal, carpet, TVs, and computers. Mary McComber: 351-7879 Mike Runk: 439-5458 Hazardous waste (such as paints, stains, oil, gas, pesticides, or other Mark Swenson: 439-1479 chemicals from your home), tires, stumps, and firewood will not be CITY ADMINISTRATOR accepted. If you have any questions please call City Hall at 651-439-4439 Eric Johnson or Veolia Environmental Services at 651-459-3029. CITY SEEKING INPUT FROM RESIDENTS ON CITY Visit our Website! www.cityofoakparkheights.com PARKS AND TRAILS ISSUES Visit the City’s website, www.cityofoakparkheights.com, in April to partici- The Oak Park Heights pate in a resident survey on various issues relating to the City parks and newsletter trail system. The City needs your input to help to ensure that its parks and is published by the City trails are meeting your needs. Your response to the survey questions of Oak Park Heights. would be greatly appreciated and very valuable. Comments are welcome. 651-439-4439 Permit No. 558 Stillwater, MN PAID 2007-Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 U.S. Postage 14168 Oak Park Blvd N, Box 2007 Standard Presorted City of Oak Park Heights