HomeMy WebLinkAbout4th Q 08 City of
Oak
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Inside this issue: City Hall Facility Update
Following approximately six to eight weeks of meetings with the
Keep leaves off of 2 City's Architect, the City's Building Design Committee did transmit
to the full City Council on Tuesday, October 14 2oo8 a final Sche-
What is Included 3 matic Design for the new City Hall Facility. The recommended
In Trash Pickup Schematic Design contains a building footprint of approximately
12,000 square feet, including a main service level that will house all
City Hall Facility 3 City departments and will also include a lower level walkout contain -
Continued from page I
ing police parking, locker rooms and secure records evidence storage
State PTR program 4 f
participation
Eligibility for 4
State PTR programs
Arborist s
News -
Oak Park Heights b
Police Files areas. The new City Hall Facility will be located on the current site,
but will be placed just north of the current building.
Disc Golf 7 Additional aspects of the building include the use of a rotunda -style
Course entryway that will, beyond providing a unique design, foster the
most efficient delivery of public services as well as introducing sig-
Pet Owner S nificant natural light into the building. Lastly, the project includes a
Reminders
needed addition to Public Works Garage area, effectively doubling
Winter Parking g such space.
Restrictions
It is anticipated that the City Council, as it now enters into full De-
sign Development, will additionally implement numerous energy ef-
ficiencies including the possible use of geo- thermal heating and cool-
ing systems that will save operational dollars in the long -run. While
Continued on page 3
Enjoy the fall colors, but be sure to keep leaves out of the street
If you listen carefully, you may rake leaves and branches out of
soon be able to hear the first the street in front of your house.
golden aspen leaf quiver, quake Left in the street, they can clog
and fall to the ground. Not too storm drains, contributing to lo-
long after that, you'll look out calized flooding. When washed
the window one day to find your into nearby lakes, rivers and
entire yard covered in a patch- streams via storm drains or
work mosaic of yellow, orange ditches, the leaves become a
and red leaves and you'll won- major source of phosphorus, the
der, °Where has the summer nutrient that allows algae to
gone ?" bloom in the summer.
Beautiful as the fall leaves are, Dispose of leaves by composting
they mean lots of yard work for them in your yard, bringing them
local homeowners. One option to your community compost fa-
for reducing your workload is to cility or bagging them for curb -
use a mulching lawn mower to side pick -up. Veolia, the City's
mulch leaves into your yard. It is waste hauler will pick up your
City Meetings less time intensive than raking leaves at no cost to you. Keep
and the shredded leaves act as a leaves and yard waste out of the
natural fertilizer during the fall. regular garbage, and never
city Council:
2nd and 4th Tuesdays While you are tending to your dump them in wetlands or buffer
at 7 :00 p.m. yard, take a moment to sweep or areas — it's illegal!
Planning Commission:
2nd Thursday at 7:00
p.m.
Parks Commission:
3rd Monday at 6:30
p.m.
City meetings are
broadcast live on cable
channel 16.
Agendas and Minutes
are posted on the City's
website:
www.cityofoakpark
heights.com
City Hall Facility Update... continued from page 1
there will likely be several small design
changes, the overall total project is antici-
pated to have a maximum cost of approxi-
mately $6 million. Naturally, the City will
work towards completing the project below
this estimate and will be striving for the best
mix of efficiencies, durability and architec-
tural quality. The targeted "move -in" date is
January /February 2oio.
On October 28 2008 the City held an Open House at City Hall for the public to view
design plans and hear a presentation by the project architect. The public had an oppor-
tunity to provide comments which will be taken into consideration by the City Coun-
cil.
The City's website, www.cityofoakparkheights.com, contains numerous schematic de-
sign drawings and additional information about the project.
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 televi-
sions, refrigerators, couches, chairs, desks, water - heaters, stoves, dishwashers, dryers, etc. 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 dispatched to
your home.
Some items are not included in your monthly fee are extra bags of garbage not placed in your con-
tainer. 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.
In the event you receive any billing from Veolia, except for the Annual Washington County Envi-
ronmental Charge, please contact the City Administrator at 651- 439 -4439 to ensure that the billing
is correct.
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 th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Dur-
ing those weeks, collection will fall on FRIDAY.
------------------------------ ..J
MN Department of Revenue estimates of eligibility and participation in state
property tax refund (PTR) programs
Targeted Refund: The number of claimants var- have likely increased in recent years, but the num-
ies from year to year; historically from 50,000 to ber of homeowners eligible has also likely in-
150,000. Eligibility is based on year -to -year creased due to homestead property tax increases.
changes in property tax. So when homestead
property taxes increase slower than the previous Renter PTR: The participation rate is likely a lit -
year, targeting refund eligibility will likely be tle higher as renters receive a Certificate of Rent
lower. The department estimates that 20% - 30% Paid (CRP), which includes the property tax por-
of homeowners eligible for a targeting refund tion of rent paid and is a good reminder to check
claim it, likely because of low taxpayer awareness eligibility for a property tax refund. The number
of the program and low average refund amounts of renter refunds has remained steady over the last
(average refunds range from $55 to $85). five years, between 280,000 - 285,000. The de-
partment does not have information about the total
Regular Homeowner Refund: The number of number of renters. The department received fund -
homeowners claiming a refund in 2008 increased ing this past session to construct a new Voss data
to approximately 360,000, up from 280,000 in set (matching homeowner income and property
2005 and 210,000 in 2003. Participation rate is tax). This information will allow for a more accu-
unknown. Estimates using the incident study and rate estimate of the PTR participation and what
old Voss data have indicated participation to be percent of income homeowners pay in property
anywhere from 55% to 70 %. Participation rates taxes.
Eligibility requirements for state PTR programs
TARGETED PROPERTY TAX REFUND
• You must own your own home
• The net property tax on your homestead must have increased by more than 12% from year to year
• Property tax increase must have been $100 or more
• No limit on household income
• Maximum refund a homeowner can receive is $1,000
• Refund is 60% of the property tax increase in excess of the greater of 12% or $100
REGULAR HOMEOWNER PROPERTY TAX REFUND
• For households with no dependents, the income limit is $93,480
• For households with dependents, the limit increases with family size, up to $113,880 for households
with five or more dependents
• Senior or disabled homeowners may be eligible with household incomes up to $117,280 with five or
more dependents
• Refunds depend on income and family size; maximum refund is $1,750
RENTER PROPERTY TAX REFUND
• Household income must be less than $50,430
• Maximum refund is $1,430
• You cannot be a dependent
• You must have lived in a building in which property taxes were assessed or payment was made in
lieu of property taxes
• Relative homesteads do not qualify
Fall Colors Tree P roblems?
The beautiful colors we the leaves use to cap- opment of new leaves
associate with fall leaves ture light energy for pho- in the spring. Many If you are an
are caused by several tosynthesis, is broken trees produce yellow Oak Park
different pigments in down and no more is leaves in the fall. elm, H e i g h t s
leaves, some which are produced in the leaves. ash, silver maple, resident, and
in leaves all the time and Anthocyanin (red and birch. Trees and
"hidden" by the green of purple) and carotenoid shrubs which have par- have a problem
chlorophyll, and some (yellow and orange) pig- ticularly beautiful fall with a tree or
which are produced as ments are then readily color are: sugar maple, shrub, such as
chlorophyll disappears. seen. Most trees lose red maple, "Autumn an insect or a
As the temperatures cool their leaves in autumn, Blaze" maple, red oak, disease, have
and day length de- but pin oaks keep the Euonymus or burning
creases, the green chlo- leaves until they are bush, and sumac. p 1 a n t i n g
rophyll pigment, which pushed off by the devel- questions, or
just want to
have a plant
identified, call
Buckthorn D r. Kathy
The tall shrub /small tree in the woods which remains green, after all the native Widin, the OPH
shrubs have turned color, is European buckthorn. This plant, introduced to Arborist, at 439 -
North America for landscaping in the 1700's, has proven to be a very successful 4439 Ext. 252.
and damaging understory plant. It crowds out native shrubs, wildflowers, ferns She can either
and tree seedlings and is a threat to the health and survival of our native wood-
lands. Management of buckthorn is an ongoing process that requires a commit- answer your
ment of a number of years on the part of the landowner. Seedlings and young question over
plants should be pulled out and larger stems cut and treated with herbicide to the phone or
prevent re- sprouting. Once the buckthorn has been taken out it is important to m a k e a n
encourage the growth of native plants. Re- planting with native shrubs and appointment for
ground layer plants may be necessary. Contact the forestry consultant for infor- a site visit. This
mation on identification and management of buckthorn and plants which are service is paid
suitable for planting after removal.
for by the City of
Oak Park
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Heights.
Emerald Ash Borer
This insect has not been found yet which are dying from the top down,
in Minnesota; however, forest pest especially if they have suckers
experts expect that it will reach our sprouting from the trunk or base,
state within the next few years (if it's please contact the Arborist to come
not already here). The insect has out and take a look. Do not move :-
killed millions of ash trees in Michi- ash wood from one area to another, `-
gan and has now been found in at as this is one way that emerald ash
least 10 states, including Wiscon- borer is easily spread.
sin. If you have any ash trees
Oak Park Heights Police Files
From the desk of Deputy Chief Brian DeRosier
I would like to introduce you to the Oak Park Heights Police Department staff,
and what we do. We have ten full time employees in the department with sev-
eral different job descriptions and daily duties. We currently have 138 years of
combined experience providing police protection to the city. We respond to
about 5,000 calls for service every year. You can see a summary of the previ-
ous month's calls on the city web site in the police section under City Departments.
If you call or stop by the police department during the day you will most likely speak with our
dispatch receptionist Sandy Kruse - Roslin. Sandy answers our nonemergency phones and proc-
esses all of the paper work and reports we generate daily. Sandy has 21 years of experience in
this position.
We have four patrol officers that respond to all emergency and nonemergency calls in the city
and assist neighboring agencies when requested. We provide 24 -hour on -duty coverage for the
city. There are two Patrol Sergeants that also provide supervision and assist in management du-
ties: Sergeant Mike Hausken — 23 years with past experience as Investigator and Firearms /Use
of Force Training Officer, and Sergeant Paul Hoppe - 15 years patrol. Our patrol officers are: Pa-
trolman Joe Croft — 15 years with past experience as School Resource Officer and Taser Training
Instructor; Patrolman Fred Kropidlowski — 15 years with past experience as Investigator and
School Resource Officer; Patrolman Brian Zwach — one year patrol; and Patrolman Chris Vierling
— one year patrol.
The department has two investigators that provide full time investigations which include the
School Resource Officer for the Stillwater Area High School. Investigator Ken Anderson has 18
years of experience with the police department and has recently assumed the investigator posi-
tion and has worked as the School Resource Officer in the past. Investigator David Kisch has 10
years of experience and has been a School Resource Officer for 3 years at the high school. The
High School reimburses the city for the wages of the School Resource Officer for approximately
nine months of the year. During the nonschool year, the School Resource Officer fills in for pa-
trol and assists with investigations.
We also provide one officer, part time, to the Washington County Multiagency Special Operations
Team. This would be commonly known as a SWAT team. The assigned officer trains one day
per month and responds to calls for service with the team as needed. Currently Sergeant
Hausken is assigned to this position.
As the Chief of Police, I bring 19 years of experience to the department. I oversee the depart-
ment's daily operations, and personnel issues. I also provide assistance in major case investiga-
tions and patrol response if needed. I have held the positions within the department as Patrol-
man, Investigator, SRT " "SWAT" member, Firearms and Use of Force Instructor, Less Lethal Mu-
nitions Instructor, and Deputy Chief of Police.
As you can see, we all bring a wide variety of experience to function as a team providing the city
with a professional and dedicated police force.
Disc Golf Course Now Open
A Disc Golf Course is now open in Brekke Park and is the
newest recreational attraction that will provide a prestigious
venue for this growing sport for years to come. This short
recreational course gives residents the chance to learn about
the game of disc golf and with narrow fairways and plenty of
obstacles it also provides a challenge to the veteran disc
golfer.
The City teamed up with local businesses that sponsored the
course on a per -hole basis; the sponsor's logos can be seen
on each of the nine tee signs placed at the start of each hole.
Disc Golf is a very popular sport that is affordable and easy to learn and thus provides entertainment
and exercise for people of all ages. Many will play for fun and others could find a lifelong hobby in disc
golf.
Involvement from the community is a main factor in maintaining and utilizing the course, and also in
preventing vandalism. We welcome everyone to come out and try disc golf at least once, it is a great
leisure sport and is also very fun when played competitively.
To learn more about the course and to see more pic-
tures you can visit the City website. There you will find
a link to the PGDA disc golf course directory where you
will see Brekke Park listed with all the other courses in
the country.
If you have any questions regarding the course or if you
would like to check out discs free from City Hall, call or
stop in during business hours. Custom " Brekke Park"
discs will also be sold at cost, $5.00 per disc.
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
City Police Department is looking for your creative ideas
The police department is soliciting your creative ideas of what symbols or depictions should be
included on a new police shoulder patch. The ideas should be what you feel represents the City
of Oak Park Heights history and uniqueness. Currently we are intending on including the city
symbol of the Oak Leaves, and the date 1857 which represents the establishment of the area
now known as Oak Park Heights. All ideas submitted will belong to the City of Oak Park Heights.
You will have no claim to ownership and no copyrighted symbols can be accepted. Please for-
ward your ideas to Police Chief Brian DeRosier: bwderos @cityofoakparkheights.com, or stop by
City Hall.
"M
City of Oak Park Heights
14168 Oak Park Blvd. N.
Po Box s, M N 55482 Attention Pet Owners
Oak Park Heights, M
Phone: 651- 439 -4439
Fax: 651- 439 -0574 Leash Law Reminder Pet Licenses
Police non- emergency: 651- 439 -4723 The City of Oak Park Heights has a leash law in All dogs and cats in the City for more than 30 days
Police Emergency: 911 effect that prohibits pets from running at large. are required to have a City Pet License. There is
Office Hours: Any dog or cat that is off the premises of the no charge for this service and it could save your
Monday through Friday owner and not under the physical control (by leash pet from a trip to the animal shelter. Bring proof
8:04 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by voice) of the owner or another designated of your pet's rabies vaccination to City Hall to re-
excluding legal holidays person is in violation of this Ordinance. ceive a pet license and tag.
MAYOR When you are out walking your pet, please remem- For more information, please call City Hall at 651 -
David Beaudet berto bring a plastic bag. Pet owners are required 439 -4439.
COUNCILMEMBERS by City Ordinance to clean up pet waste on public City Ordinances can be viewed on the City's web -
Les Abrahamson and private property. Removal and proper disposal site: www.cityofoakparkheights.com
Jack Doerr
Mary McComber of pet waste helps keep our City clean and healthy.
Mark Swenson
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Eric Johnson Winter Parking Restrictions
Winter parking restrictions are put in place in an effort to enable snow re-
moval equipment the opportunity to do a top quality and efficient job in
Visit our Website!
removing snow from city streets. Please be aware that these parking re-
strictions are in place AND ENFORCED regardless of whether or not
there has been recent snowfall. Please help us by obeying the winter park -
The Oak Park Heights ing restrictions.
newsletter
is published by the City * * No parking on city streets from November I through March 31
of Oak Park Heights.
Comments are welcome. between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. **
651- 439 -4439
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