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8.f)1) Draft of Fall City Newsletter Meeting Date: 9/20/2011 Agenda Item: � �} �� � City Council Agenda Report City of Scandia 14727 209th St. North Scandia, MN 55073 (651) 433-2274 Action Requested: Review the draft of the fall city newsletter. Deadline/ Timeline: Copy to be finalized by September 21, to be printed and mailed approximately September 30, 2011. BaCkground: • The City's twice-yearly newsletter is sent to all Scandia mailing addresses on approximately April 1 and October 1. Circulation is approximately 1,770, including about 500 newsletters mailed individually to Scandia residents with Marine mailing addresses. The newsletter is also made available on the city's website. • A draft for Council members' review and comment is attached. • The newsletter assumes that the Council may take action on the Planning Commission's recommendation to adopt the new Subdivision Regulations at your September 20 meeting. If this does not occur,this article will need to be re-written. Recommendation: The Council should give feedback to staff on the newsletter. Attachments/ . Draft Newsletter Materials provided: Contact(s): Prepared by: Anne Hurlburt, Administrator (fall 2011 newsletter) Page 1 of 1 09/15/11 I - • • • � A TWICE-YEARLY ����� �d"-��� PRSRT STD SC� �T T � PUBLICATION � � t11�1 Diti U.S.POSTAGE FOR RESIDENTS � � � � PAID � � Scandia,MN OF THE CITY OF � �� ,�^� 55073 Clty Of SCdfldl2 PERMIT#6 S��OTA Scandia Community/ / � Senior Center � SC DIA 14727 209th St. N. � Scandia, MN 55073 � � • . � - � � \ Household Z012 Budget Takes Shape Scandia, MN 55073 At their September I 3 meeting,the City Council took the first steps toward adopting the budget and tax levy for 20 I 2. The Council set the maximum, "not to exceed"tax levy at$2,055,174, a 2%increase from 201 I.The final budget and levy will be set in December,when the tax levy could be reduced but may not be increased. The levy increase would be the smallest increase since 2003. In November,each property owner will receive a"Truth in Taxation" notice with their estimated 2012 property tax bill.Scandia will hold a public meeting on its 2012 budget and tax levy on Tues- � � � day, December I 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Center. The budget and tax levy will be final- � ized after the adoption hearing, likely at the December 20 regular City Council meeting. �� � As currently drafted,the 2012 General Fund operating budget would decrease compared to 201 I. The Public Works Department would be the only area showing an increase(about 20%) due to the addition of a full-time Maintenance Superintendent position, additional seasonal road mainte- nance help,and the purchase of a skid loader. This new piece of equipment will allow staff to City Council: Inside this issue• accomplish more road repairs and other small projects without contracting or renting equipment. Randall Simonson,Mayor • The draft budget includes a planned increase in debt service to pay for the recent replacements of 330 294-0263 the fire rescue truck and a dump truck/snow plow combination. Improvements will be made to Connie Amos Community Calendar, October 2011—March, 2012 the Uptown Sewer System,which serves the village area of Scandia including the Community 612 759-3610 Center. The cost of the sewer improvements would be financed initially with an inter-fund loan Chris Ness Draft EIS Nears 2 and eventually be paid by the system's users. 651707-5689 October Hearing Completion Jim Schneider • Occober 10,Columbus Day Observed—Office • December 25,Chriscmas Day The Council has scheduled an additional work session for Tuesday, October 25 (6:30 p.m.at the 651 433-3692 Closed • December 26,Christmas Holiday Community Center)to continue honing the 2012 budget. Sallr Swanson • October I I,Fire Department Open House Observed—Office Closed Scandia Trail 2 As part of their budget review,the Council also considered recommendations from the Capital 651 433-3010 . Occober 16,Lion's Pancake Breakfast January Planning Improvement Committee for the five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) covering the years Regular Council Meeting• • October 31,Safe Halloween at the Fire Hall • January I,New Year's Day 2012 through 2016. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the CIP at its Novem- Third Tuesdar,7:00 p.m. November • January 2,New Year's Holiday Observed— City Job and Vol- 2 ber I (7:00 p.m.) meeting. Council Work Session: Office Closed unteer Opportu- . Second Tuesdar,6•30 p.m. • November 5,Swedish Sausage Making— � nities Tax Bills Affected by Homestead Credit Change Plannin Commission• Gammelgarden January 16,Martin Luther King Day— g • Office Closed When homeowners receive their estimated property tax bills in Novem- i ` First Tuesda ,7:00 m. • November I I,Veteran's Day Observed— Updated Subdivi- 3 r P• ber,they will notice that the state Homestead Credit has been replaced by Office Closed February sion Regulations � Ado ted a new"Homestead Market Value Exclusion"for taxes payable in 2012. � Citp Staff: • November 17, Lutfisk&Meatball Dinner, Elim • February 4,Vinterfest P Anne Hurlburt, Church The change was part of the tax bill that ended the July state government �' Administrator • February 12,Lion's Pancake Breakfast Free, Fun, Family 3 shutdown. The state will no longer be paying a part of the property tax by • November 18,Turkey Bingo • February 20,President's Day—Office Closed p S 81 P P �Y Brenda Eklund, Fire De artment reimbursin local taxin urisdictions. Owners of homesteaded ro e valued at less than Deputy Clerk • November 24&25,Thanksgiving Holiday— � Evenu $404,000 will still see a reduction in their taxes,through an exclusion of a portion of the prop- Colleen Firkus,Treasurer Office Closed February 25, Fireball 2012 erty's market value from taxes. The bottom line will yield a smaller reduction than the old credit. Steve Thorp, Building December March Shorc Takes/ 3 Officiall Maintenance • March I I,Da li ht Savin s Time Be ms Announcements As a result of this change, the taxable market value of the city will be reduced—in Scandia,this is Supervisor • December 10,Lion's Communiq Breakfast Y�S 8 8 estimated to be about 3/of the city's total market value. Even without any change in city spend- �im Finnegan,Fire Chief • December I I, Lucia Dagen at ing,the tax rate would need to increase to generate the same amount of revenue. While this is David Hebert,Attorner Gammelgarden For more information and a ciry meeting calendar,see Community 4 happening across the entire state,the affect on each community will be different depending upon Hebert&Welch PA • December I 3,6:30 p.m.Public Meeting,2012 �e website,http:llwww.ci.scandia.mn.us. Calendar the size and make-up of the tax base. There are calls for the legislature to revisit the homestead Rran Goodman,Engineer Ciq Budget and Tax Levy For Gammelg8rden evenu,see: credit in 2012. Stantec • December 21,7 p.m., Budget Adoption http://www.gammelgardenmuseum.htm. Sherri Buss,Planner TKDA Inc. . Draft EIS Nears Completion Updated Subdivision Regulations Adopted � , _ The long-awaited Draft Environmental Impact • Final EIS is prepared and distributed ac- Scandia needed to update iu nance include: lines and specifications. =" ' Statement EIS for the Tiller Cor oration's ro- Free E-mail Alerts � ) P P cording to state rules Development Code(all regula- • rocedures that tie in with ""•,� , - � �'' posed Zavoral Mining and Reclamation Project is � P A copy of the new Subdivision _- City determines whether the EIS is ade- tions concerning land use and the new Zoning Code Re ulations Ordinance No. 128 on Timel r ICS _; -- nearing completion. The Project Advisory Com- uate. develo ment due to the incor- g � � y �. mittee(PAC),composed of agency and commu- q P ) adopted last fall; is available for review at the City ""'� Exact dates cannot be determined at this time, poration of the city and adoption � a simplified,administrative office during regular o�ce hours, Including the EIS,City nity representatives advising the City Council �,�,..- � of a new Comprehensive Plan. rocess for a rovin lot or can be downloaded from the ' about the EIS,is scheduled to review a preliminary but the EIS process is expected to continue P PP S Council meeting agendas The last chapter to be revised is �onsolidations and lot line cit 's website. Please contact draft at their next and final meeting,set for through the spring of 2012,and will depend upon y Wednesday,November 16,201 I from 4:00 p.m. the commenu received during the review proc- Chapter 3,the Subdivision Regu- adjustments; Ciq Administrator Anne Hurl- and Park and Recreation lations,which was adopted on to 7:00 p.m.at the Scandia Community Center. ess. • updated park dedication burt with any questions(651 433 programs can be deliv- September 20. PAG Meeting The decision on whether or not the Final EIS is requiremenu;and -22�4•) � Tiller Corporation is proposing to operate a ered to your mailbox. ade uate must be based on whether it addresses Some features of the new ordi- • updated engineering guide- Wednesda 8ravel mine on a I 14-acre site located east of 9 Visit y' State Highway 95 (St.Croix Trail)at State High- the potentially significant issues and alternatives way 97(Scandia Trail)owned by Dr.James raised in the January 19,2010 EIS scoping deci- www.ci.scandia.mn.us Novem6er 16 g P P Y �, S;o�,whether it rovides res o�ses to S�bS��- Free Fun Famil Events at the Scandia Fire De artment Zavoral. The EIS,which is bein re ared b ci P P f y p consultanu AECOM,has been underway for the tive commenu on the Draft EIS,and compliance and click on"E-Mail 4:�� –7:0� p.m. with the environmental review rules and laws. Annual O en House— Sa e Halloween Port Both events: Scandia last 2 years. Tiller is required to pay all cosu Q f Y— Updates"to sign up. associated with the EIS. Only after the EIS has been determined adequate Tuesday,October I I,from 5:00 Monday,October 31,201 I from Fire Hall, 15040 The next steps in the process, in summary,are: may the city's review of Tiller's application for a p.m.to 7:00 p.m. 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Scandia Trail(Hwy Conditional Use Permit for the mine take place. 97'� • PAC comments on preliminary Draft EIS f oin the Scandia Fire and Rescue This is a fun event for all ages. (November 16,201 I) Materials related to this project are available for Department for their annua� Activities will include a large �/ • Consultants finalize Drak EIS for submis- review at the City of Scandia Office, 14727 209th Open House. Bring the kids and bonfire,games,hot dogs&hot .-``/ sion to City St. N.,during office hours (9:00 a.m.to Noon learn about fire safety,see the chocolate.Co-sponsors are the �./� � • City distributes the Draft EIS for a public and I:00 p.m.to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Fri- fire trucks and other equipment, Scandia Marine Lions Club,Elim ,�� / comment period day and 9:00 a.m.to Noon and I:00 p.m.to 6:00 and meet your neighbors for Lutheran Church and Helke ``� ( • City holds informational meeting on Draft P•m.Tuesdays)and on the City's website http:// some fun and food. Tree Service. �,,, ' EIS during public comment period ��^'•�i.scandia.mn.us.Sign up for free e-mail � updates when meetings are scheduled or infor- �' • After close of public comment period, mation is added to the site. Contact Ciq Ad- SI101 C T�eS � City responds to all comments on Draft ministrator Anne Hurlburt for more information. f EIS Council Meetings Stream on many Scandia residenu,will be weather,time-of-day or air- �,> the Web—Now all residenu changing to a community library, quality issues. See the city ,f' can watch City Council and to be staffed by volunteers. All office for more information and ,.� Grant Spurs Scandia Trail City Job & Volunteer Planning Commission meetings interested residenu are invited for permits. Permiu are also f Planning Opportunities taped by Lakes Area Television, to a meeting of the Marine Li- available at the Big Marine Lake whether or not you have access brary Association (MarLA)on Store(651 433-5043.) cable channel 10. Go to Tuesday,October 1 I (7:00 At their June 21 meeting,the Scandia City Council The City of Scandia is currently advertising for the Attention snowbirds— adopted a new Comprehensive Trail Plan. The plan following paid positions: www.latvten.com to access p.m.)at the Marine City Hall. Leaving town for the winter? was develo ed this s rin with the hel of man the videos. Call LAN at 65 I P P 8 P Y • Maintenance Superintendent(Full-Time) One-Stop-Shop— does your Make sure to contact the Scandia residents who attended two"charettes" 464-I 143 with questions. Did you know... Cross- The draft was reviewed by the Park and Recreation Deadline: Tuesday,October I I,4:00 p.m. building project include electri- Washington County Sheriffs • Ice Rink Attendant(Part-Time,Seasonal) City O�ce Hours Change— cal work. Electrical permiu Department(651 439-9381) counVy ski trails are Committee,which recommended City Council startin in Au ust,the ci office formerl issued b the state are for free home-checks while ou approval. Deadline: Friday,October 28,4:00 p.m. S S LY Y Y r groomed ai William City application form required.For complete posi- will be open from 4:00 p.m.to now issued by the City of Scan- are away. Developing connections to and among Scandia parks tion descriptions and instructions on how to apply, 6:00 p.m.every Tuesday,in addi- dia. Obtain your electrical per- CodeRED— Scandia is par[- ������ 0'Brien State Park and and to regional trails are goals of the trail planning see the"City Jobs"tab on the website, tion to the regular office hours mit at the same time you get nering with Washington Bi Marine Park project,as well as identifying safe walking and biking of 9:00 a.m.to Noon and I:00 your building permit. Check g www.ciscandia.mn.us Counq on the new CodeRED routes to school and other key locations. The p.m.to 4:00 p.m., Monday with the city office or electrical Reserve? planning process was led by City Planner and land- emergency notification system. Click on the CodeRED Resdidenu are invited to apply to serve on the through Friday. The extended inspector Dave Kichler,651 The s stem will be used to scape architect Sherri Buss,TKDA,and was funded City's Park and Recreation Committee, Planning hours will give Scandia residenu 462-6829. Y logo on the city web site by a grant from the Statewide Health Improvement send critica)communications, � Commission and Capital Improvement Committee. who commute to jobs ouuide www.ci.scandia.mn.us Program (SHIP)through the Washington County Citizen representatives to the Forest Lake Cable the city during the regular work Burning Permits—A(no- from evacuation notices to � � Department of Public Health. The city is also work- charge) burning permit is re- missing child alerts. To make to register. Commission and nominees to local watershed dis- day a better opportunity to ,� ing with the Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails, quired for open burning when sure you receive not�cations, +� which provided input to the plan. They have se- trict boards are also needed. For descriptions of conduct city business face-to- there is no snow cover. In all please register your address the various committees and an application form, face. Hours still don't work for cured a grant that will help provide signage for the cases,please notify the Wash- and phone numbers. Your � main trail routes. please see the website. There are immediate open- your schedule? Staff are avail- ings on the Park and Recreation Committee. The ington County Sheriffs Office contact information remains �i � able by appointment. 651 439-9381 one hour before rivate and will onl be used L � A copy of the trail plan may be downloaded from Council will be reviewing applications for appoint- � ) P Y the city website(www.ci.scandia.mn.us). ments and reappoinunents in December and Janu- Marine Library— The Marine you burn. There may be re- for community notrfications. a�.�, branch library,which serves strictions depending on