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Home My WebLink About3rd Q 10 City of Oak Park Heights Tree City USA Third Quarter 2010 Newsletter Inside this issue: Primary Election August 10, 2010 The Governor signed a bill this year which moved the Min- Prescription 2 nesota Primary Election from the second Tuesday in Sep- Discount Card tember to the second Tuesday in August to comply with the Program new federal law passed making absentee ballots available for 45 days prior to an election. Summer Watering 3 Ban Information The absentee balloting period for the state primary is Jun. 25 - Aug. 9. State law allows eligible Minnesota voters to vote absentee either by mail or in Reserve a City 3 person for one of the following reasons: Park Shelter · Absence from the precinct (away from home) Pet Owner 4 · Illness or disability Reminders · Serving as an election judge in another precinct · Religious discipline Garbage/Recycling 4 Information To vote absentee by mail, visit the secretary of state's Web site to download and print an absentee ballot application, or contact Washington County Elections Division at 651-430-6175 to obtain one. Voters can vote absentee 2009 Water Quality 5 in person during normal business hours at any Washington County Service Report Center. Washington County 8 City Hall facility update Environmental Cntr th On May 17, 2010 the City made the oﬃcial move from the old building to the New ŝƚǇ,ĂůůƵŝůĚŝŶŐ͘'ĞŶĞƌĂůůǇƚŚĞŵŽǀĞǁĞŶƚƐŵŽŽƚŚůǇĂŶĚĂůůŽƉĞƌĂƟŽŶƐƌĞŵĂŝŶĞĚ Arborist 9 News “open-for-ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ͟ĂƚĂůůƟŵĞƐ͘/ŶƚŚĞĚĂǇƐĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐƚŚĞŵŽǀĞƚŚĞŽůĚƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ was abated for asbestos and was demolished. Much of the steel super-structure was salvaged for recycling as were many internal features such as the old Council Summer Park 10 Programming dais, ﬂagpole and some oﬃce furnishings. ƚƚŚŝƐƉŽŝŶƚƚŚĞďƵŝůĚŝŶŐŝƐďĞŝŶŐĐŽŽůĞĚďǇƚŚĞĮŌǇ;ϱϬͿǁĞůůƐŝŶƐƚĂůůĞĚƚŚĂƚŵĂŬĞ Police 11 Files up approximately one-half of the geothermal – system, thereby reducing energy ƵƐĞ͘dŚĞĮŶĂůϱϬƚŽϲϬĂĚĚŝƟŽŶĂůŐĞŽƚŚĞƌŵĂůǁĞůůĮĞůĚƐĂƌĞĐƵƌƌĞŶƚůǇďĞŝŶŐŝŶͲ ƐƚĂůůĞĚǁŚŝĐŚǁŝůůŝŵƉƌŽǀĞŽǀĞƌĂůůŚĞĂƟŶŐĂŶĚĐŽŽůŝŶŐĞĸĐŝĞŶĐŝĞƐ͘ NEW EVENT! 12 Energy Fair August 3, 2010 &ŝŶĂůƉĂƌŬŝŶŐůŽƚƐĂŶĚĚƌŝǀĞǁĂǇƐĂƌĞĂŶƟĐŝƉĂƚĞĚƚŽďĞŝŶƐƚĂůůĞĚŝŶůĂƚĞ:ƵůǇͬĞĂƌůǇ Continued on page 3... Third Quarter 2010 Newsletter Page 2 The City of Oak Park Heights Prescription Discount Card can be picked up at City Hall. Page 3 Tree City USA City Hall facility update ...continued from page 1 ƵŐƵƐƚ͕ǁŝƚŚůĂŶĚƐĐĂƉŝŶŐƚŽĨŽůůŽǁƚŚĞƌĞĂŌĞƌ͘hŶĨŽƌƚƵŶĂƚĞůǇǁŝƚŚƚŚĞƌĞĐĞŶƚǁĞƚǁĞĂƚŚĞƌĐŽŶĚŝƟŽŶƐ͕ these schedules have been delayed. dŚĞWƌŽũĞĐƚŽǀĞƌĂůůƌĞŵĂŝŶƐŽŶďƵĚŐĞƚĂŶĚǁŝƚŚŝŶƌĞĂƐŽŶĂďůĞƟŵĞůŝŶĞƐǁŝƚŚƚŚĞǁĞƚǁĞĂƚŚĞƌĐŽŶĚŝƟŽŶƐ factored-in. The site will however be accessed by temporary roadways through the end of summer. dŚĞŝƚǇŚĂƐƚĞŶƚĂƟǀĞůǇƐĐŚĞĚƵůĞĚĂĨŽƌŵĂůKWE,Kh^ĂŶĚĚĞĚŝĐĂƟŽŶĐĞƌĞŵŽŶǇĨŽƌ^ĂƚƵƌĚĂǇKĐƚŽďĞƌ th 9͕ϮϬϭϬ͘/ŶƚŚĞŝŶƚĞƌŝŵƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚƐĂƌĞĞŶĐŽƵƌĂŐĞĚƚŽƐƚŽƉďǇĂŶĚƐĞĞƚŚĞĨĂĐŝůŝƚǇĂƚĂŶǇƟŵĞ͘WůĞĂƐĞĐŽŶͲ tact Eric Johnson, City Administrator at 651-439-ϰϰϯϵŝĨǇŽƵŚĂǀĞĂŶǇƋƵĞƐƟŽŶƐŽƌǁŽƵůĚůŝŬĞĂƉĞƌƐŽŶĂů tour of the site. Summer watering ban tion systems and practices shall be regulated to al- Summer is here! It is time to remind everyone that low water sprinkling and irrigation systems to oper- Oak Park Heights has an even-odd watering ban ate in the following manner: as to all properties except for the watering of new sod and young trees. which property address ends in an even number, While the City’s water supply is adequate, the regu- those properties will be allowed to sprinkle or irri- lation is intended to conserve water and balance gate on even numbered calendar days. As to all demands on the City’s water system. properties whose property address ends in an odd number, their right to use sprinkling and irrigation To secure the conservation of municipal water as a systems shall be limited to calendar number days resource for the benefit of the people of the City of ending in odd numbers. Oak Park Heights, all water sprinkling and irriga- Reserve a city park shelter Are you thinking about having a get-together or a family reunion? The Brekke, Valley View, and Autumn Hills Park shelter buildings can be reserved free of charge for your event. The Autumn Hills Park Shelter does require a refundable $100 deposit. Brekke Park is located on Omar Avenue south of the former St. Croix Mall. The park has a cov- ered shelter building with restrooms as well as a tot lot, baseball diamonds, playground equip- ment, and barbeque grills. Valley View Park is located on Osgood Avenue at the edge of the city limits. This park has a cov- ered shelter building, picnic areas, play-grounds and a beautiful passive park area with trails, a prairie restora-tion area and wetlands. Autumn Hills Park is located at 5697 Norwich Parkway off of 58th Street adjacent to the Boutwells Landing campus. The park contains meandering trails, trail access parking, and playground equipment. It has a 2,000+ square foot shelter, which includes a covered gathering area with a small kitchen/serving area, men's and women's restrooms, and a water fountain. You may use the City’s online reservation form to reserve either the Brekke Park or Valley View Park shelters. You may obtain the Autumn Hills Park Shelter reservation documents and infor- mation online as well. Or, you may call or visit City Hall anytime to reserve any of the shelters for your next event! Page 4 Third Quarter 2010 Newsletter Attention Pet Owners Leash Law Reminder The City of Oak Park Heights has a leash law in effect that prohibits pets from running at large. Any dog or cat that is off the premises of the owner and not under the physical control (by leash or by voice) of the owner or another designated person is in violation of this Ordinance. When you are out walking your pet, please remember to bring a plastic bag. Pet owners are re- quired by City Ordinance to clean up pet waste on public and private property. Removal and proper disposal of pet waste helps keep our City clean and healthy. Pet Licenses All dogs and cats in the City for more than 30 days are required to have a City Pet License. There is no charge for this service and it could save your pet from a trip to the animal shelter. Bring proof of your pet’s rabies vaccination to City Hall to receive a pet license and tag. For more infor- mation, please call City Hall at 651-439-4439. City Ordinances can be viewed on the City’s web- site: www.cityofoakparkheights.com. What’s included in trash pickup? In addition to the typical garbage and recycling pickup, the City also covers the disposal of yard waste, five foot rolls of used carpeting, large household items, and ‘white-goods’ such as televisions, refrigera- tors, couches, chairs, desks, water-heaters, stoves, dishwashers, dry- ers, etc. for single family residences and complexes with four units or less in Oak Park Heights. In order to have these items picked up in a timely fashion, please contact Judy Tetzlaff at City Hall, 651-439-4439, at least two days prior to collection day so that the special truck may be dis- patched to your home. If you receive a bill from Veolia for these additional services, please call the City Administrator at 651-439-4439 as most, if not all, of these items are covered under the City’s contract, and you should not be billed. Some items are not included in your monthly fee are extra bags of garbage not placed in your container. The City’s waste hauler, Veolia, will bill you $1.50 per bag. Some other items that are picked up for a fee are sinks, toilets and construction debris. You will be billed by Veolia at a regulated rate as monitored by the City. REMINDER!! Waste and Recyclable pick-up is every THURSDAY, unless the week contains one of the six holi- days – New Years Day, Memorial Day, 4 of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Dur- th ing those weeks, collection will fall on FRIDAY. 2009 Water Quality Report—Page 1 of 3 2009 CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 14168 Oak Park Blvd N.· Box 2007 · Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 · (651) 439-4439 · Fax 439-0574 PWSID: 1820020 2009 Drinking Water Report The City of Oak Park Heights is issuing the results of monitoring done on its drinking water for the period from January 1 to De- cember 31, 2009. The purpose of this report is to advance consumers’ understanding of drinking water and heighten awareness of the need to protect precious water resources. Source of Water The City of Oak Park Heights provides drinking water to its residents from a groundwater source: two wells ranging from 290 to 310 feet deep that draw water from the Jordan aquifer. The water provided to customers may meet drinking water standards, but the Minnesota Department of Health has also made a determination as to how vulnerable the source of water may be to future contamination incidents. If you wish to obtain the entire source water assessment regarding your drinking water, please call 651-201-4700 or 1-800-818-9318 (and press 5) during normal business hours. Also, you can view it on line at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/swp/swa. Call Andrew Kegley, Public Works Director at 651.439.4439 if you have questions about the City of Oak Park Heights drinking water or would like information about opportunities for public participation in decisions that may affect the quality of the water. Results of Monitoring No contaminants were detected at levels that violated federal drinking water standards. However, some contaminants were detect- ed in trace amounts that were below legal limits. The table that follows shows the contaminants that were detected in trace DPRXQWVODVW\HDU6RPHFRQWDPLQDQWVDUHVDPSOHGOHVVIUHTXHQWO\WKDQRQFHD\HDUDVDUHVXOWQRWDOOFRQWDPLQDQWVZHUHVam- pled for in 2009. If any of these contaminants were detected the last time they were sampled for, they are included in the table along with the date that the detection occurred.) Key to abbreviations: MCLG─Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or ex- pected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. MCL─Maximum Contaminant Level: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. AL─Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirement which a water system must follow. 90th Percentile Level─This is the value obtained after disregarding 10 percent of the samples taken that had the highest levels. (For example, in a situation in which 10 samples were taken, the 90th percentile level is determined by disregarding the highest result, which represents 10 percent of the samples.) Note: In situations in which only 5 samples are taken, the average of the two with the highest levels is taken to determine the 90th percentile level. pCi/l─PicoCuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity). ppm─Parts per million, which can also be expressed as milligrams per liter (mg/l). ppb─Parts per billion, which can also be expressed as micrograms per liter (μg/l). N/A─Not Applicable (does not apply). 2009 Water Quality Report—Page 2 of 3 Level Found Contaminant (units) MCLG MCL Typical Source of Contaminant Average/ Range Result* State of Minnesota requires all municipal water systems Fluoride (ppm) 4 4 1.1-1.4 1.3 to add fluoride to the drinking water to promote strong teeth; Erosion of natural deposits; Discharge from fertiliz- er and aluminum factories. Nitrate (as Nitrogen) Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, 10 10 2.9-3 3 Level Found Contaminant (units) Typical Source of Contaminant Range Average/ (2009) Result* Radon (pCi/l) (10/04/2005) N/A 317 Erosion of natural deposits. *This is the value used to determine compliance with federal standards. It sometimes is the highest value detected and sometimes is an average of all the detected values. If it is an average, it may contain sampling results from the previous year. Radon is a radioactive gas which is naturally occurring in some groundwater. It poses a lung cancer risk when gas is released from water into air (as occurs during showering, bathing, or washing dishes or clothes) and a stomach cancer risk when it is ingested. Because radon in indoor air poses a much greater health risk than radon in drinking water, an Alternative Maximum Contaminant Level (AMCL) of 4,000 picoCuries per liter may apply in states that have adopted an Indoor Air Program, which compels citizens, homeowners, schools, and communities to reduce the radon threat from indoor air. For states without such a program, the Maxi- mum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 300 pCi/l may apply. Minnesota plans to adopt an Indoor Air Program once the Radon Rule is finalized. Contaminant # sites over 90% Level (units) AL MCLG AL Typical Source of Contaminant Copper (ppm) Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natu- N/A 1.3 .23 0 out of 20 Lead (ppb) Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natu- N/A 15 4 0 out of 20 (09/22/2008) ral deposits. If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. City of Oak Park Heights is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing com- ponents. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize expo- sure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. 2009 Water Quality Report—Page 3 of 3 Some contaminants do not have Maximum Contaminant Levels established for them. These unregulated contaminants are as- sessed using state standards known as health risk limits to determine if they pose a threat to human health. If unacceptable levels RIDQXQUHJXODWHGFRQWDPLQDQWDUHIRXQGWKHUHVSRQVHLVWKHVDPHDVLIDQ0&/KDVEHHQH[FHHGHGWKHZDWHUV\VWHPPXVWLQIRUm its customers and take other corrective actions. In the table that follows are the unregulated contaminants that were detected: Level Found Contaminant (units) Typical Source of Contaminant Average/ Range Result Sodium (ppm) (09/04/2007) N/A 6 Erosion of natural deposits. Sulfate (ppm) (09/04/2007) N/A 7.32 Erosion of natural deposits. Compliance with National Primary Drinking Water Regulations The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturallyn some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include: Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses. Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems. Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally ities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1- 800-426-4791. Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. Third Quarter 2010 Newsletter Page 8 Washington County Environmental Center Did you know that residents can drop-off household posed of properly. Common products that need to be hazardous waste, electronics, and recyclables for brought in to the Environmental Center include free at the new Washington County Environmental SDLQWVWDLQVDQGYDUQLVKDXWRPRWLYHIOXLGVVXFKDV Center? The Center is located at 4039 Cottage XVHGPRWRURLODQWLIUHH]HDQGJDVROLQH\DUGDQGJDU Grove Drive in Woodbury, near the intersection of GHQSURGXFWVVXFKDVLQVHFWDQGZHHGNLOOHUVFRP Manning and Bailey Road, just 4 miles south of I-mon household items such as oven cleaner, fluores- 94. The Center replaces the Hazardous Materials FHQWEXOEVDQGDHURVROFDQVDQGHOHFWURQLFVVXFKDV Collection Site in Oakdale, which permanently TVs and computers. closed in 2009. For location, hours and materials accepted go to Many common household items can be hazardous www.co.washington.mn.us/envirocenter. to you and the environment if not used up or dis- Free Product Room Don’t need it? Someone might! Did you know that some of the items you drop-off at the Environmental Center might be stocked in the Free Product Room for other residents to pick up, free of charge? The Free Product Room is located inside of the Washington County Environmental Center at 4039 Cottage Grove Drive in Woodbury. Products set out in the Free Product Room are first screened for quality. Some of the more popular items are paint and stain. If you are on a tight budget, you might just find the color you were looking for and there’s no cost to you. Other popular products set out in the Free Product Room are lawn & garden products and automotive fluids. For hours and location go to www.co.washington.mn.us/envirocenter Second quarter utility bills City Meetings Utility bills for the second Quarter of 2010 (April—June) (subject to change) will be mailed to residents soon and are due August 9, 2010. City Council: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:00 Auto pay is available. With auto pay, there is no need to p.m. waste time writing and mailing a check. Paying your utili- ty bill electronically allows you to save time and money on Planning Commission: stamps and late fees. The amount you owe on your utility Typically the 2nd Thursday at bill is automatically withdrawn from the ac-count you des- 7:00 p.m. ignate on the billing due date each month. You will con- tinue to receive your bill so that you know the date and Parks Commission: amount to be withheld from your account. 3rd Monday at 6:30 p.m. If you are interested in participating, please call or stop by Agendas and Minutes are post- City Hall to obtain an enrollment form. The form is also ed on the City’s website: available on the City’s website, under City Information, www.cityofoakpark Forms & Handouts. Call Judy Tetzlaff at City Hall, 651- heights.com 439-4439, if you have questions. Tree City USA Page 9 Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Tree Problems? Emerald ash borer EAB) has not yet tually been the way that infestations been confirmed in Washington were found in St. Paul and Minne- If you are an County. Everyone with ash trees apolis. Oak Park should be examining them for signs Heights of EAB activity. Small “D”-shaped If you have any ash trees which are resident, and exit holes, bark cracking, epicormic dying from the top down, or you see have a problem sprouts at the base of the tree, top any other signs of EAB activity, dieback and EAB iridescent green please contact the OPH Arborist. with a tree or adults (1/2 in. long) are all signs or shrub, such as symptoms of EAB attack. If larvae ** Do not move ash wood (bark- an insect or a are present there may be a lot of intact branches, trunk sections or disease, have woodpecker activity particularly in firewood) from one area to another, planting the top half of the tree. Woodpeck- as this is the major way that emer- er feeding damage to bark has ac- ald ash borer can be easily spread. questions, or just want to have a plant Structured Removal and Replacement of Ash Trees identified, call The removal of 50 ash trees from boulevard and park areas was completed last Dr. Kathy March. These trees will be replaced in late August with a variety of tree species to Widin, the OPH help slow the spread of emerald ash borer, once it arrives in the city. An additional Arborist, at 439- 50 trees will be identified this summer for removal this fall and replacement in May 4439 Ext. 1106. 2011. If you have an ash tree on the boulevard near your home, that is doing poor- ly, please contact the Arborist to inspect it for possible removal as part of this pro- She can either gram. The removal and replacement of more than half of these trees is being fund- answer your ed by an Emerald Ash Borer Planning and Preparedness Grant from the Minn. Dept. question over of Agriculture. the phone or make an Oak Wilt appointment for a site visit. This Due to insect transmission of the oak wilt fungus, oaks should service is paid not be wounded or pruned from April 1 to July 1. In fact it is best stst to not wound or prune oaks at all during the growing season. for by the City of Wounds made on oaks during the spring and summer should be Oak Park painted with latex paint or shellac to make the wounds less attractive Heights. to insects. If you think that you may have a tree with oak wilt, please contact the Arborist to take a look. Tree City USA The City of Oak Park Heights recently trees via tree planting, maintenance and received the Tree City, USA award des-education. There will be a ceremonial ignation for 2009 from the National Ar-tree planting for this award at the bor Day Foundation in Nebraska. To “Party in the Park” celebration in Au- be a Tree City, USA, cities must show a gust. This is the 27 year that the city th commitment to their public and private has received this award. Page 10 Third Quarter 2010 Newsletter 2010 July/August 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. 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. 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. Tree City USA Page 11 Oak Park Heights Police Files From the desk of Chief Brian DeRosier Recently there has been an increase in popularity of the use of a marijuana “substitute.” There is a product being marketed to the marijuana culture as a legal substitute for marijuana. The substance is marketed as incense in area smoke shops and on the internet. The substance is marketed under many different names Spice, Genie, Blaze, Red X Dawn and Zohai and many, many others, but the most common name used for it is K2. The drug slang meaning behind K2 ndnd is that it is the nickname for the 2 highest mountain in the world and thus the 2 “high.” The reason I want to make you aware of this substance as a parent or user is there have been many cases of this substance being used and causing medical problems. The substance has been linked to seizures, rapid heart rate, loss of consciousness, paranoia, hallucinations, and oth- er issues. This is a dangerous substance as the medical ramifications are not readily known at this time, as well as the physical dangers of using the substance and then driving, boating, swimming, walking into traffic while having a hallucination etc. The substance is leafy or plant like with chemicals and other plants added to it. It appears at this time the “recipe” is as varied as the manufacturers. Persons using this substance are smoking it as they would with traditional marijuana, as well as burning it for incense and inhaling the smoke. At this time in MN it is a legal product as marketed for incense. If you have a child or person using this substance please stop them for their safety. We have already run into this substance in OPH. There have been several medical emergencies related to its use. You can turn the substance into the OPH P.D. If you have a question or find this or another possible drug, or prescription medicine you want to dispose of please contact us. 2010 July/August Park Activities Schedule Continued 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 Third Quarter 2010 Newsletter City of Oak Park Heights 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N. OAK PARK HEIGHTS ENERGY FAIR PO Box 2007 Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 AT PARTY IN THE PARK Phone: 651-439-4439 Fax: 651-439-0574 Tuesday, August 3, 2010, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Brekke Park Police non-emergency: 651-439-4723 Police Emergency: 911 New to the Party in the Park - the ﬁrst ever Energy Fair! This Fair is made possible from Office Hours: a grant from the State of Minnesota Oﬃce of Energy Security and the American Recov- Monday through Friday ery and Reinvestment Act. The focus of the Energy Fair is energy eﬃciency and conser- 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ǀĂƟŽŶ͘>ŽĐĂůĐŽƌƉŽƌĂƟŽŶƐƐƵĐŚĂƐyĐĞůŶĞƌŐǇĂŶĚŶĚĞƌƐĞŶŽƌƉŽƌĂƟŽŶǁŝůůĂůƐŽďĞ excluding legal holidays ƉƌĞƐĞŶƚŚŝŐŚůŝŐŚƟŶŐƚŚĞŝƌĞŶĞƌŐǇĞĸĐŝĞŶĐǇƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ͘dŚĞDŝŶŶĞƐŽƚĂŚĂŵďĞƌŽĨŽŵͲ ŵĞƌĐĞ͛ƐŶĞƌŐǇ^ŵĂƌƚWƌŽŐƌĂŵĂŶĚŽƚŚĞƌƐǁŝůůĂůƐŽďĞŝŶĂƩĞŶĚĂŶĐĞ͘/ĨǇŽƵĂƌĞŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚͲ ĞĚŝŶĞŶĞƌŐǇĞĸĐŝĞŶƚĐĂƌƐ^ƟůůǁĂƚĞƌDŽƚŽƌƐǁŝůůďĞŽŶŚĂŶĚǁŝƚŚĂŶĞŶĞƌŐǇĞĸĐŝĞŶƚ MAYOR David Beaudet: 439-2582 vehicle. You can even learn how the new City Hall was constructed to be energy eﬃ- cient. COUNCILMEMBERS Les Abrahamson: 351-0807 Mary McComber: 351-7879 /ŶĂĚĚŝƟŽŶƚŽƚŚĞŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ͕ĐŽŵĞŽƵƚĂŶĚƚĞƐƚǇŽƵƌĞŶĞƌŐǇŬŶŽǁůĞĚŐĞǁŝƚŚŶĞƌŐǇ Mike Runk: 439-5458 dƌŝǀŝĂ͊/ŶĂŶĞīŽƌƚƚŽƉƌŽŵŽƚĞĞŶĞƌŐǇĞĸĐŝĞŶĐǇĂŶĚĐŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟŽŶ͕ŝĨǇŽƵĂƩĞŶĚƚŚĞĨĂŝƌ Mark Swenson: 439-1479 you will receive one FREE energy eﬃcient CFL light bulb per household, while supplies CITY ADMINISTRATOR last. If you bring a used light bulb you can exchange it for two FREE energy eﬃcient CFL Eric Johnson light bulbs per household, while supplies last. These oﬀers are only for residents of Oak Park Heights. ^ƚŽƉďǇƚŚĞĞŶĞƌŐǇĨĂŝƌƚĂďůĞƚŚĂƚĚĂǇĨŽƌŵŽƌĞŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ͘ Come, learn and join in the fun! Visit our Website! www.cityofoakparkheights.com CITY SEEKING INPUT ON PARK AND TRAIL ISSUES Visit the City’s website, www.cityofoakparkheights.com, to participate in a The Oak Park Heights resident survey on various issues relating to the City parks and trail system. newsletter The City needs your input to help to ensure that its parks and trails are is published by the City of Oak Park Heights. meeting your needs. Your response to the survey questions would be Comments are welcome. greatly appreciated and very valuable. 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