HomeMy WebLinkAbout1st Q 08 City of
Oak Park Heights
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Inside this issue:
What will be the future of City Hall.?
Protect your 2 Since January of 2007, the City
watershed this Council has been examining the
Winter possible renovation/expansion or
Is my house in a 3 replacement of the Oak Park
floodplain? Heights City Hall Facility. The
current facility, originally con-
Community Health 4 structed in the late 1960s, is aging
Assessment and several updates are likely to
be needed in the near future in-
Winter Safety 4 cluding replacement of the roof
Reminders and HVAC systems, meeting
handicap accessibility standards Initially constructed in 1968, City Hall is
Arborist s and other code compliance issues facing the need for repairs
News related to exterior use and stor-
age. There remains an additional
Winter Parking 6 need for as space for public works
Restrictions and police operations. $2 million for a renovation and
small expansion to $6.5 million for
Save Money and 7 Cost estimates range widely from a new facility. However, it is vital
Resources continued on page 3
Home Occupation 7 Comprehensive Plan Open House scheduled for February 21st
Permits The City of Oak Park presentation will occur at and data showing current
Heights Plani Commis- 5:30 p.m. followed by an and future land use; a plan
Water Rate 8 sion and a Citizens Advi- informal question and an- for stagn-ig development; a
Increase sory Committee have been saver session. housing plan; a water marl-
working in g di i ndy ilige on an agement plan; plans for
ki
updated Comprehensive The purpose of the Com- public facilities, like trans -
Let Paint-A-Thou 8 Plan for the City since prehens' e Plan is to pro- portation, sewers, and
help you! January 2007. The group vide the City a guide neces- parks; among other ii
finalized the update 11 sary to plan development, mation. Development of a
Pet Owner 9 January 2008 and has set an better anticipate public im- ComprehensiVe Plan is also
Reminders Open House at City Hall provements and to advarice required by state law.
for February 21, 2008 from the general welfare of the
5:00 to 7:00 p.m. for the City of Oak Park Heights. For more info, please call
Will I need a 9 public to view the plan. A The plan contains maps City Hall at 651-439-4439.
building permit?
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Protect your watershed this Winter
Water quality concerns are to prevent ice than to • Once a dry route to the
just as important in winter try to melt a thick layer house has been estab-
as in the summer. Under of ice. lished, block off slip -
the ice and snow lie ground pery areas to prevent
and surface waters. What- Follow the manufac- personal injury.
ever is frozen in January turer's directions when
will melt - eventually. Where applying a deicer. If • If an ice storm is pre -
and how melt water is re- possible, use even less dicted, cover small
leased impacts the quality than recommended, areas with heavy plas-
of Minnesota's waters. making sure the sur- tic or other waterproof
face is covered thinly material.
Each winter, people apply and evenly.
tons of ice melting materi- Deicing products can
als to sidewalks, drive- • To melt thick ice in cause damage to plants as
ways, and steps, often very cold weather, add well. However, plant dam -
without regard to proper a small amount of wa- age caused by deicers can
application procedures or ter to the deicer to help often be treated. Salt
to what the deicing sub- initiate melting. To damage symptoms in-
stance contains. Careless further aid melting and clude:
City Meetings use of deicing products provide sure footing,
can damage both the mix the deicer with wet • Poor or stunted
home and the environ- sand and /or ashes. growth in the spring
City Council: ment: (commonly occurs with
2nd and 4th Tues- Purchase deicers early in grass next to walks,
days at 7:00 p.m. Overuse of some deic- the season to ensure that driveways, and
ers can accelerate the you have an ample supply. streets);
freeze - and -thaw cycles Store the deicer and sand
Planning Commis- that damage concrete, in separate heavy plastic • Dieback on ever-
sion: taking years off the life garbage cans to keep them greens; and
2nd Thursday at of a sidewalk or drive- dry. If the sand becomes
7:00 p.m. `Nay. moist, mix a small amount • Marginal leaf browning
of deicer with the sand to or leaf scorch on de-
Some deicers corrode prevent freezing, or store ciduous trees and
Parks Commission: metal, causing damage the sand in a heated area. shrubs.
3rd Monday at 6 :30 to cars and aluminum
p .m. siding. Several steps can be Most salt problems can be
taken to remove thin lay- treated by soaking the af-
• Chemicals in many ers of ice on small areas fected area with 1 inch ap-
City meetings are deicers can damage such as the house steps: plications of water three to
broadcast live on plants and shrubs near four times in the spring.
cable channel 16. where the deicer is Apply warm water Gypsum may be added to
used if it is applied mixed with table salt, the soil to reduce high so-
improperly. water conditioners salt, dium levels caused by ex-
Agendas and Min- or the brine backwash cessive amounts of rock
utes are posted on • Ice melting products from a water condi- salt. Soil replacement may
the City's website: are most effective tioner. be an option for small
when spread thinly and planting beds.
www.city p g
heights.com evenly over the pave- • Use sand to improve
ment prior to ice forma- traction on icy areas.
tion. It is much easier
Future of City Hall... continued from page 1
to note that the City Council has not made a in early spring about what are the most vi-
decision to move forward with any proposal, able and cost - effective solutions, so that
as all options are still being studied. the City may ensure that the public services
it provides continually improves.
In fall 2007, the City Council held two public
hearings on this item and did receive limited The City Council will be discussing this
input. At this time a Citizen's Committee matter on numerous occasions at their
has been formed, consisting of four `at- regular meetings (typically 2 nd & 4 Tues-
large' citizens, a citizen member form the day of each month) this spring and resi-
Planning Commission, a citizen member dents are encouraged to attend and partici-
from the Parks Commission and two City pate in these discussions.
Councilmembers. This Citizen's Committee
has been charged to additionally review the More information can be found at the City's
information to date as well as examine solu- website www.citvofoakparkheights.com or
tions that have been implemented by other by contacting Eric Johnson, City Adminis-
communities. The City does anticipate that trator 651- 439 -4439 directly. Facility tours
the Citizen Committee will provide a final are available anytime.
set of recommendations to the City Council
_ ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ...............................
Is my house in a floodplain?
::Currently, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in the process of updating all of the:
floodplain maps for Washington County. These new floodplain maps will better indicate if homes,
businesses or structures are actually in the 100 -year floodplain as compared to older modeling : 1
completed in the early 1980s.
€ At this time, based on information as received from FEMA, the new maps show few changes or:
alterations from earlier versions and there does not appear to be any residential structures in Oak:
€ Park Heights that are in the 100 -year floodplain.
€ Because many homeowners in other cities may be impacted by the new maps and could be re-
squired to purchase flood insurance, City Engineers are examining the documents and will be pro-:::
:
iding written comments to FEMA on these preliminary maps to ensure that our review and inter-:
pretations are correct.
More information about this topic can be found:
• on the City's website, www.cityofoakparkheights.com
• http: / /fema.gov /hazard /flood /index /shtm
• stop by City Hall and we can provide to you copies of the current and proposed maps showing::
your house /property relative to the floodplain.
Fire Hydrants in Winter
What are your health and environmental Please help your neighbors
concerns? and yourselves by shoveling
around fire hydrants. We
Participate in the 2008 hope they are not needed,
Community Health Assessment but critical minutes can be
saved if neighbors keep
The 2008 Community Health • updating data on previously their hydrants accessible for
Assessment is currently un- identified, ongoing, and emergency use.
derway in the Department of emerging health & environ-
Public Health & Environment mental
at Washington County. Issues
Snow Forts
A Community Health Assess- • obtaining feedback from the Parents, please protect your
ment is an analysis of the public on their primary health children by keeping snow
health status of the commu- and environmental concerns
nity. All local public health de- through focus groups, key in- forts and play away from
partments in Minnesota are formant interviews, and sur- streets and drives. Snow
required by law to establish veys removal equipment is
local public health priorities
dangerous, and during
based on an assessment How can you be involved?
which is conducted every five All county residents and those operations, blowing snow
years. who work in the county are and limited visibility can be
encouraged to take an on -line a deadly combination to
The assessment guides health and environmental sur- children in the path of
Washington County's Public vey. It will be posted on the
Health & Environment Depart- county website in January and equipment.
ment strategic planning and February and can be ac-
serves as a resource for the cessed at:
community. It also leads to the www.co.washington.mmus/ Ice Dangers
development of a community publichealth
health improvement plan for Click on Hot Topics. There have been reports of
each priority identified. The ice skating on area ponds.
goal is to provide more effi- If you have any questions These types ofponds are not
cient and effective services about the Community Health monitored or checked by the
that meet the needs of the Assessment or the on -line
public. survey, please contact City, or any other agency, to
Stephanie Lenartz, Washing- determine safety of ice
The health status of Washing- ton County Public Health & conditions. Ice skating is
ton County is being assessed Environment, at 651.430.6661 available at both Brekke
through two primary methods: or by e -mail at:
stephanie.lenartz @washington . mn.us and Cover Parks.
Winter pruning of boulevard and park trees Trey Problems?
Each winter the citv hires other trees will be pruned which interfere with
If you are an
a tree service to prune as needed for vehicle driveway access or park -
boulevard and park trees. clearance. Residents in ing, or the tree has a bro- Oak Park
This gear trees in and areas where pruning is to ken branch, trunk crack, H e i g h t s
around the picnic area and occur will receive post- or decay, please call the resident, and
parking lots at Valle` cards before the pruning. Arborist at 439 -4439 Ext. have a problem
View Park will be pruned, This work will be com- 252. with a tree or
as well as trees along pleted by March 31, 2008. shrub, such as
roads in the Swager Park The city budgets funds By city ordinance, resi- an insect or a
area, trees along O'Brien each gear for maintenance dents are not allowed to disease, have
Ave., Ojibwa` Ave., 54 pruning and tree remov- prune or remove trees in p j a n t i n g
St., U. 54 St., 53 r St., als. If you have a boule- the boulevard right -of- questions, or
and Oakgreen Pl.. A few vard tree with branches way. just want to
_______________________ have a plant
Fruit and nut producing plants feed wildlife in Winter identified, call
Dr. Kathy
Crabapple, mountain ash, magnolia, oak, black walnut, hickory, butternut, highbush Widin, the OPH
cranberrv, black chokeberrv, hazelnut, sumac, dogwood, rose, bittersweet, grape and Arborist, at 439 -
Virginia creeper, are a few of the trees, shrubs and vines which provide food for 4439 Ext. 252.
birds and other wildlife in the fall, winter or earl` spring. Plants with persistent fruits She can either
(such as small fruited crabapples) are particularly good for wildlife in colder months
answer your
because the` remain on plants after the ground freezes and other food sources are
gone. Some fruits, such as highbush cranbem- and bittersweet, must undergo re- question over
peated freeze and thaw cycles to become more palatable to wildlife. If you're plan- the phone or
ning to plant some trees and shrubs in your landscape this gear, consider plants make a n
which also produce food for wildlife. appointment for
a site visit. This
service is paid
Oak Wilt for by the City of
All pruning of oaks should be completed by April 1S to avoid creating wounds Oak Park
which attract the insects that spread the oak wilt fungus. If oaks are pruned or Heights.
wounded between April 1S and the end of September, paint the wound immediately
with either a tree wound dressing, varnish, or latex house paint. Painting wounds
will keep them from being attractive to the insects which spread the oak wilt fungus
(a fatal disease of oaks). All oaks can be infected with oak wilt, though bur oaks
and white oaks are usually more resistant to the disease. If you think a tree in vour
yard has oak wilt, please contact the Arbon st.
Reminder—Winter Parking Restrictions
Winter parking restrictions are put in place in an effort to enable Make sure
snow removal equipment the opportunity to do a top quality and your house
efficient job in removing snow from city streets. Please be aware numbers are
that these parking restrictions are in place AND ENFORCED re- visible from
gardless of whether or not there has been recent snowfall. Please the street
help us by obeying the winter parking restrictions.
Some residents in
**No parking on city streets from November I through Oak Park Heights
March 3 1, between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.**
have house num-
bers that are
Election Judges Needed worn, blocked, or
The City has many dedicated election judges who do a great job at not very clear In
the polls. With the presidential elections next year, there is a need
for additional workers. You need not be a resident of Oak Park the event that an
Heights; however, you must be a resident of the State of Minnesota. emergency vehi-
Election judges are paid at the rate of $10.00 per hour for their ser-
vices and lunch and dinner are provided by the City while they are cle needs to find
working. you, your house
If you are interested in learning more about serving as an election numbers need to
judge, please contact Jennifer Thoen at City Hall, 439-4439. be visible from
The 2008 election dates are as follows: the street.
Primary: September 9, 2008
General: November 4, 2008
Sign up for Auto Pay
With auto pay, there is no to receive your bill so that
need to waste time writing you know the date and
and mailing a check. Pay- amount to be withheld from
ing your utility bill elec- your account. If you are in-
tronically allows you to terested in participating,
save time and money on please call or stop by City
stamps and late fees. The Hall to obtain an enrollment
amount you owe on your form. The form is also avail-
utility bill is automatically able on the City's website,
withdrawn from the ac- under Forms & Handouts.
count you designate on the Call Judy Tetzlaff at City
billing due date each Hall, 439-4439, if you have
month. You will continue questions.
L
Save Money and Resources
Global warming has been a hot topic for the past several years. You've seen articles in the pa-
per, watched documentaries about it on the television, and have noticed changes in weather pat-
terns.
Here are some simple ways that you can lessen the impacts of global warming in our environ-
ment that can help you save money and resources:
�ycling Ink Cartridges – You can save approximately $40.00 if you recycle your ink
cartridges and purchase recycled cartridges as replacements.
_place your appliances with energy efficient ones. Not only will this help the environ-
ment, it will also save you money on your energy bills.
_place regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. CFL bulbs last
longer and give off less heat. Replacing just one incandescent light bulb with a CFL will
save you $30 over the life of the bulb.
�ycle. The City of Oak Park Heights offers curbside recycling every week on Thurs-
day. Do your part by recycling paper, plastic, glass and aluminum cans.
�enever practical, chose reusable items rather than disposables. Rather than throwing
items away, consider donating them.
M dispose of household hazardous waster, contact Washington County's Hazardous
Materials Collection Site located in Oakdale. They accept items such as cleaners, paint,
gasoline, fluorescent bulbs, antifreeze, car batteries, used oil, and many other hazardous
materials. They can be reached at 651-430-6655.
For more information about recycling or other issues, please contact City Hall.
— -----------
Home Occupation Permits
A Home Occupation Permit is required by the City of Oak Park Heights Zoning Ordinance 401 for all home
occupations.
The purpose of the permit is to provide a means through the establishment of specific standards and pro-
cedures by which home occupations can be conducted in residential neighborhoods without jeopardizing
the health, safety and general welfare of the surrounding neighborhood.
Oak Park Heights issues two types of home occupation permits which distinguish between a permitted
home occupation (typically no retail traffic), such as a home based office, and a special home occupation
that may entail cliental traffic or have other criteria that does not meet the specific requirements for a per-
mitted home occupation. A permit application is required for either type of home occupation. Annual re-
newal is required for all approved home occupation permits.
Information regarding home occupations and permit application can be found at the City Hall or on the City
web page at www.cityofoakparkheights.com
Questions regarding whether or not your home occupation requires a permit or what is needed to obtain a
permit should be directed to Julie Hultman, Planning & Code Enforcement Officer at 651- 351-1661 or via
email atjhultman @cityofoakparkheights.com.
Let Paint -A -Thon help you!
Paint -A -Thon is a program of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches.
Their volunteer teams have been painting homes for low- income senior or
disabled home - owners — free of charge — since 1984. Painting usually takes
place the first weekend in August.
If your house is in need of paint, but not major repair, they would like to work
with you.
Do you meet the following guidelines?
• You must be the owner and occupant of a single - family home.
• Your home and /or garage must be in one of the following counties: Anoka, Carver, Dakota,
Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Washington.
• You must be over the age of 60 OR permanently physically disabled.
• Your monthly income must not exceed $1700 per month (for one person in the home) or $2280
(for two people in the home).
If you would like more information or to apply to the program, call 612 -721 -8687 ext. 321. The
deadline to apply is usually early May.
k
Attention Pet Owners
Leash Law Reminder Pet Licenses
The City of Oak Park Heights has a leash law in effect All dogs and cats in the City for more than 30 days
that prohibits pets from running at large. Any dog or cat are required to have a City Pet License. There is no
that is off the premises of the owner and not under the charge for this service and it could save your pet
physical control (by leash or by voice) of the owner or from a trip to the animal shelter. Bring proof of your
another designated person is in violation of this Ordi- pet's rabies vaccination to City Hall to receive a pet
nance. license and tag.
When you are out walking your pet, please remember to For more information, please -
bring a plastic bag. Pet owners are required by City Or- call City Hall at G51- 439 -4439.
dinance to clean up pet waste on public and private City Ordinances can be viewed
property. Removal and proper disposal of pet waste on the City's website:
helps keep our City clean and healthy. www.cityofoakparkheights.com
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Will I need a building permit?
Spring is on the way and home improvement projects are in the planning stages. When planning=
your project, keep in mind that many projects require a building permit prior to starting the project.
Examples of such projects include decks, porches, gazebos, fences, sheds, re- roofing, new plumbing
or heating or alterations to your existing services, window replacement, driveway replacement and
parking pads are some examples of common do -it- yourself projects that require a building permit.
You are encouraged to include a call or visit to the Building Official to discuss what is needed to
make your project safe and compliant with adopted local ordinances and construction industry
codes.
Building permit applications as well as information on a variety of projects are available at City::
Hall and can also be found on the City website, www.cityofoakparkheights.com. If you don't find
what you are looking for, let us know. We will do our best to get you the information you need.
Jim Butler Julie Hultman
Building Official Planning & Code Enforcement
651- 275 -9590 651- 351 -1661
j but] er (&cityofoakparkheights.com jhultman (&cityofoakparkheights.com
No question is too small. Our goal is to make your project successful and safe!
City of Oak Park Heights MENEVEN Em
14168 Oak Park Blvd. N.
PO Box 2007 The City is taking over your garbage collection fees!
Oak Park Heights, MN 55082
Phone: 651 -439 -4439 The Citv of Oak Park Heiahts has eliminated from your quarterly billing the
Fax: 651-439-0574
reaular Garbage Fee. This will, for most homeowners, result in an approxi-
Police non- emergency: 651 -439 -4723 mate savings of $93.52 per near. The savings is a result of the City assuming
Police Emergency: 911 the full cost of these services under the City's General Fund budget.
Office Hours:
Monday through Friday Should you have extra items beyond what can fit in your container, the fee is
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. $1.50 per additional bag of waste; $13.00 per cubic yard of construction ma-
excluding legal holidays terials; and small fee for toilets and porcelain /iron objects. These extra
charges have been in place for sometime and will be billed to you directly by
MAYOR the City's waste hauler — Veolia.
David Beaudet
Please note that the following items shall be picked up a no additional cost.
COUNCILMEMBERS Simply call the City, 439 -4439, at least two days in advance of the regular
Les Abrahamson
Jack Doerr pick -up day to let us know and so that we may schedule the correct truck.
Mary Mceomber
Mark Swenson Yard waste, recyclables, couches, chairs,
CITY ADMINISTRATOR refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers,
Eric Johnson water heaters, televisions, tables, ovens,
desks, and other large household items.
Visit our _ _ If you receive any additional billing from Veolia, please contact the City prior
vvvvw
to sending any funds to Veolia so that you can be assured that the billing is
correct.
The Oak Park Heights REMINDER!!
newsletter Waste and Recyclable pick -up is every THURSDAY, unless the week con -
is published by the City tains one of the six holidays — New Years Day, Memorial Day, 4 of July, La-
of Oak Park Heights. bor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. During those weeks, collection will fall
Comments are welcome. on FRIDAY.
651- 439 -4439
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