9.h) Draft Fall Newsletter 9 . �)
A TWICUYEARLY n
PUBLICATION \` �
FOR RESIDENTS � � �
OF THE CTTY OF � �
'�. f
SCANDIA,
1�IINNFSOTA �� D�
.
Zero Levy Increase for 2014
For the first time in a decade, there's no city levy increase
On September 10,2013 the Council passed a resolution certifying the preliminary levy for 2014 at
52,171,074 which is the same as the 2013 levy. Cities are required to certify their preliminary levy by
September 16,2013 to the county. The final levy will be set at the December 17,2013 Council meeting. '
The final levy may decrease but cannot increase above the amount set in September. '
In 2014 tf�e Ciq is able to direct more resources towards roads,including;300,000 for a new Local Road
Improvement Fund,without increasing tbe levy due to the savings from the srace sales tax exempdon,using �
fund balance to prepay the Fre Hall bonds,competitively bidding out contraccs for services such as legal,
engineering and auditing and bringing the budget more in line with actual spending history,Only three
deparanenu will see their budgeted expenses incrwse in 2014 over 2013:elections(2014 is an election year '
and 2013 was not),planning and building(expenses related to Zavoral Mine monitoring will be reimbursed I
Inside thls Issue: by the project applicant)and police(approximately 28%increase in County contraa). ',
The 2014 budget proposes an additional full-time maintenance worker and eliminates the summer part-tlme
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Council Z ►naintenance worker posicion. Currendy there are three full-time employees,including the Director of {,
Establishes EDA
Public Works,responsible for the care and maintenance of 90 miles of local roads.This is double or ufple �
the number of lane miles per empbyee compared to staNing levels in other cities.Additionally,many of the
roads in 5candia were paved in the last 10.20 years. They are now reaching ihe end of their useful life and
New Fire Chief Z require more maintenance.The Council will continue to review whether services can be provided more
economicall�by contracting out work as an akernative to hiring an additional employee.These services
include but are not Cmited to uee trimming,patching,dhching,snow remova�and wastewaur acWides.
Improved Z qS Part of the budget process the Council is also working on updating the Capital Improvement Plan(CI�
Ynterfest 2014
for 2014-2018.The draft CIP includes an elecvonic dara storage system for the Administradon Deparanent,
equipment replacements,building maintenance items,a new Chiefs ar and second fire station for the Fire
Free,Fun Fdmily 3 Departrnent,tennis court reconsuuction and Log House Landing improvements for the Parks Department
Events at Scandia as well as other park improvemenu that are dependent on grants/donations,and street maintenance
Fire Depattment projecu(including Quinell Ave)and equipment�eplacements for the
Fall Leaves Impaa 3 Pub�ic Works Department
Water �''
Q���� The draft budget and CIP are available on the City website under the
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City Financial Services section.The Planning Commission will hofd a
Short Takes 3 public hearing on the CIP at their November 5,2013 meeting. The
Ciq Council will hold a public hearing on the draft 2014 budget on
December 10,2013 at 6:30pm. The publlc is encouraged to attend
both meetings. I
Community 4 �
Calendar a
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Economic Development Anthority Gets Organized i
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� In May the Ciq Council atablished an Economic Treasurer. City Administrator Krisdna Handt, i
Development Authority(EDA)to assist existing who also serves as the 6cecutive Director of the ;
busineues,recruit new businesses to Scandia and EDA,wu elected Secretary and Assistant
also look into housing development issues. At Treasurer.
their June meeang,the Council appointed Tom
Triplett,Greg Isaacson,Bruce Swenson,Sally p„er the next year the EDA plans to meet ,
Swanson and Dan Lee as commissioners w the monthly to hear from local busi�esses,meet
EDA Board. �
Like�s oa Faeebok fo:IYe wRh members of other EDAs and consulrants, i
Eost lpdo-Date Iatoraatlon The EDA held their first meepng in late August to nudy zoning and infrutructure issues,and !
review brlaws,adopt a conAict oi fnterest policy, create a vision and mission sutement for the �
elect officers,recommend a budget for 2014,set organization.Meetings will be held at the I
regular meeting dates and discuss iuwre agenda community center and the public is invited to ;
topics.Sally Swanson was elecud President,Tom attend. Check out the C'ity's website for �
Triplett as�ce-President and Dan Lee as meeting dates and times. i
New Leadership for Scandia Fire and Resco.e '
At their June 18,2013 regular meeting,the Ciq developing a plan to improve efficiencfes for
Council appointed Mike Hinz as Fire Chief for a reduced speoding and budget requiremenu,and
term beginning July I,2013 through December recruiting new firefighters as current members
31,2016. Hinz replaces Jim Finnegan who retire.
announced hls resignation in late April after
moving out of the area. Hinz resides in Scandia with his wHe Melanie and
works as General Manager at PN Products,
While he may have a new job tide,Chief Hinz is which has allowed hfm to provide a high kvel oi
very famil'�ar w'rch the City of Scandia and the service to the community for a number of years.
Fire and Rescue Department He joined che
fire and Rescue Department in 1992 and since Other recent appolntmenu within the fi�e
then has servcd on the Fire Relief Association department include Ernie Yoch as Assisunt Fire
and as an Assisrant Chief in addition to a couple Chief and lan Skarja and Bill Boyd as Captains.
urms as New Scandia Township Supervisor.
Hinz holds a number of educational certificates The Scandia Rre and Rescue Deparanent is a
including EMT,Firefighur I and II,NIMS and
Dive Rescua group of volunteers organized for the pur-
poses of the fighdng oi fires,education and
Chief Hinz's goals for the deparanent over the prevention of flres,the saving of Iffe and prop-
next few years include:intreasing fire depart- erty,and assisdng in any medical emergency in
��� ment invohement witf�in the community, the City of Scandia and parts of May Township.
� increasing firefighter training and capabilides,
New and Improved Vinterfest Planned for 2014
Earlier this summer the public contest will all be rewrning. In M�rk your calendar!Don't kave
� responded to a poll on the City's addition,Roberts Funeral �and lnvite your friends!
website about Park and Recrea- Homes will be sponsoring a
tion CommkLee priorhies. hockey tournament fundraiser
�,:. Expanded progremming during Fridar night and Saturday. On Be sure to check the Cky web-
Vinterfest received the most Sawrday also enjoy a skiing site for more details over the
votes. The Park aod Recreation workshop br Stilhvater Award next couple months.
Committee responded and is Winning Slti Coaches,Dennis
planning a number of oew Seefeldt and Bill Simpson �
activities for Vinterfest 2014 and followed by a aki loppet and quiz
�ecruiting volunuers. promenade through Gammelgar-
den and UI{eskogen Park ending
On February I,2014 the Pleasant W��Pr'aes and ueau at Designs
Valley Cloggers,bon6re and of Sweden. Free ski and boot
marshmallow roasting,sledding, rental including high uch skate
chili cook off and snow sculpwre skis provided by 45°Stillwaur.
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Free, Fun Family Events at the Scandia Fire Department
AnnualOp en House— Sofe Halloween Party— Both evenu: Scandia
Tuesday,bctober 8,from 5:00 Thursday,October 31,from 5:00 Fire Hall, 15040
p.m.to 7:00 p.m. p.m.to 5:00 p.m. Standia Trail(Hwy
)oin the Scandia Fire and Rescue This is a fun eventior all ages. 97�
Departmentfor their annual Activkies will inciude a large
Open House. Bring the kids boniire,games,hot dogs&hot
and learn about fire safety,see chocolate.Co-sponsors are che �
the flre vucks and other equip- Scandia Marine L1ons Club,Elim i
ment,and rr�eet your neighbors Lutheran Church,Helke Tree
for some fun and food. �rv��e and Country Rentals.
Fall Leaves Impact Summer Water Quality
Managing and d'uposing of and fishing ponds will stay clear Got a street�Rake and bag
leaves properly wiil help to and clean next summer. the leaves and debris settled �y�
improve your lawn,protect against the curb and in the ;
your sueet from ilooding,and Got a small yard?Rake and bag street in front of your home,as �
improve the health of nearby leaves from your yard and side- we11 as any debris covering the �
wetlands and waterways. walk.Dispose of the leaves by nearest storm drein inlet �£
Akhough leaves a�d grass composting them in your rard or Lek in the street,leaves can
clippings are natural,they con- bagging them for curbside pitk- cbg storm drains and cause Scandia Compost
tain high levels of phosphorus. up. your sveet to flood.The Registry–Got lawn
When rain and melting snow leaves also conuibute phos- ���Pp��� ���� �.
carry yard waste off the street Got a big rardt Rake areas phorus to nearby wetlands and brush and nowhere to
and into nearby lakes,rivers direcdy under vees and tfien use waterways that storm drains P��; Looking for
and streams,it causes algae to your mower to mulch the rest of connect to,which contributes ���,�o{yard waste
grow out of control.Just five the leaves into the grass.Mowing to algae blooms during the {or rour garden or
bags of leaves and clippings can is less time intensive than raking summer. farmt Last summer
grow up to S00 pounds of and the shredded leaves aa as a the City of Scandia
smelly green algae!When you natural fertilizer for your lawn.Be Remember.Keep leares started a Compost
clean up and compost leaves, sure to aim the blower awar and yard waste out of the Registry. Just call City
seeds,twigs and clippings during from the sU-eet and driveway or regular garbage,and never staff at 65I.433.2274
the fall,you help to ensure that bag the mulch and compost it. dump them in wetlands or and we'll Plar
our favorite swimming holes buffer areas–it's illegal! ��hmaker.
Short Takes �
Looking for wars to deter or need of repair,consider obstructions are in the right of �
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prevent crime at rour replacing the post with a swing- way that a pbw driver might �
residente? arm sryle support. Detailed hit when pusbing back wing
There are many simple,eary and specif'ications are avaiiable on rows. Lastly,make sure not �
ca j
fairly inexpensive ways to do the City's website or at�j deposit snow or ice within the j
so. The Sher'�ff's Office can www.usps.com/manaYe/know- right of way. It creates a �
conduct a no cost survey of mailbox-�uidelines.hvn.which hazard for traffic and City staff; j
your home and give you shows the proper installation and it is against the law. Your ;
ideas. Simply call 651.430.7889 for a mailbox. Staff will be coopention will be greatly �
co set up an appointmenc driving their routes and noting appreciated and make plowing �
which mailboxes are not to the ;
Snow!s Comin�...is Your specffications. The homeowner roads
Mallbox Readyl will be responsible for damaged easier �
Before you know it the snow mailboxes that are oot to code. and �
will be falling. Now is a good Landscaping along the road is safer. � ' �
time to look at your mailbox another thing to consider. ?
and landscaping within the right Obstacles may get buried afcer ;
of way. If your mailbox is in several snowfalls. Make sure no
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PItSRT STD
'C��� T � US.POSTAGE !
/.�11�DiLZ PAID �
Sandfa,MN
55073 j
PERMR#6 �
City of Scandia
Scandia Community/ �
Senior Center �
14727 209th St N, i
Scandia,MN 55073
Household �
Phone: 65 I.433.2274
�: asi.433S112 Scandia, MN 55�73 !
E-mail: �
mail@ci.scandia.mn.us !
Hour-s:Mon.thru Fri. �
9toNoon& I to4 �
(except Tues.open j
until 6) (
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City Council• '
Randall Simonson,Mayor '
65 I.538.4320 �
Dan Lee �
651.433.4309 �
Chris Ness
651.�0�.5689 Conamunity Calendar, October 2013—March 2014
)im Sthneider
651.433.3692 October • December 17,7 p.m.,Budget Adopdon
Sall�r Swanson Hearing
651.�33.3010 � October 8,Fire Department Open House
• December 25,Christmas Day—Office Closed �
• Ocwber 13,Lions Pancake Breakfast
Regular Council Meeting. � ���a�'Y �
October 14,Columbus Day Observed—
Third Tuesday,7:00 p.m. p{fi�e Closed • January 1,New Year's Day—Office Cbsed
Council Work Session: � October 31,Safe Halloween at the Fire Hall
• January 20,Martin Luther King Day�— j
First Wednesday,6:30 p.m. Office Closed "
Planning Commission: November �
First Tuesdar,7:00 p.m. � November I I,Veteran's Day Observed— February �
Office Closed • February I,Vinterfeat
City Staih �
Kristina Handt, • November 21,Lutefisk&Meatball Dinner, • February 9,Lions Pancake Breakfast
Administrator Elim Church �
• November 22,Turke Bin o 7 m. �bruary 17,President's Day—�ce Closed �
Brenda Eldund, r g ' P' . February 22,Fireball 2014
Deputy Ckrk . November 28&29,Thanksgiving Holiday— �
Colleeo Firkus,Treasurer p��e Closed March
Tim Kiefier,Public Worla • March 9,Da li ht Savin Time ins '
Director December Y S 85 �8
Mike Hinz,Fire Chief • December 8,Lucia Dagen,Gammelgarde� For more informo6on ond a City meeting calendar,see:
Nick V'rvian,Attorney � December 14,Lion's Community Breakfast www.c�.scnndia.mn.us
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Rran Goodman,E g near • December 10,6:30 p.m.Public Meeting,2014 For Gammelgbrden erents,see: I
Bolton&Menk City Budget and Tax Levy hup://www.gammelgardenmuseum.org.
Sherri Buss,Planner,TKDA