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9.d) Draft Fall 2015 NewsletterVOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 OCTOBER 2015 U A twice -yearly publication for residents of the City of Scandia, Minnesota j 4 SCA1 7 DIA Small Levy Increase Proposed for 2016 Budget, Capital Improvement Needs Explored On September 15, 2015, the City Council approved a preliminary levy of $2,257,871 or 1.82% increase over 2015. This is the maximum amount the levy could reach for 2016; however, the Council may decide to reduce it before final adoption in December. A public hearing on the budget will be Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. The City Council may hold more work sessions on the budget in October and November. The work sessions are open to the public. The Council continues to prioritize roads in the annual budget. The tax levy for the Local Road Improvement Fund will increase over 300%. Last fall, the City surveyed residents about road funding and over half of re- spondents (53%) supported funding needed improvements through the general tax levy as opposed to special assessments (19%) or franchise fees (22%). Despite the increase, this level of funding ($1 million every other year) only addresses about half of the needs over the next ten years. Next year's project includes reconstruc- tion of 236'h Street, 237h Street and Novak Avenue as well as beginning work on a section of Oldfield Avenue. Operations in most departments will remain the same in 2016. When factoring in the increase of $115,000 in the transfer to the Local Road Improvement Fund, the General Fund spending actually decreases slightly in 2016. On average, residential properties in Scandia will see a 4.3% decrease in value in 2016 compared to 2015. As a result, the proposed levy increase of 1.82% would mean a house valued at $300,100 this year will see an in- crease in the City portion of their taxes of just under $9 next year. Making its return this spring was the Capital Improvement Committee. This volun- teer citizen committee of five members spent a couple months reviewing recom- mendations for the 2016-2020 Capital Improvement Plan. A Capital Improvement Program, or CIP, is a multi -year (typically 5 years) capital expenditure plan for a City's infrastructure (such as streets, parks and utility systems), vehicles, equip- ment and public buildings. It identifies the major projects needed and desired by the community, their potential costs and how they would be financed. The committee's recommendations for the next five year period includes 22 projects with a total estimated cost of $5,248,700. Bringing back the Capital Improvement Committee allowed more residents to participate in the process. However, there are still a couple of ways for you to provide your input before final Council adoption in December. The Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing on the 2016-2020 CIP on Wednesday, No- vember 4, 2015 at 7 p.m. Also, the Capital Improvement Committee is interested in learning where you think capital investments (projects over $10,000 and a useful life of 5 years or more) should be made in the future. Please complete the survey on the next page and return to the Scandia City Offices, 14727 209"' Street N., fax: 651.433.5112, or email at mail@ci.scandia.mn.us by November 26, 2015. Inside this issue: provements 2 Family Scandia Fire nt 3 s in Public [NewFaces 3 es 3 ity Calendar 9 Survey of Capital Improvements Please complete the survey below and return to the City offices by November 26, 2015 in order to share your thoughts with the City Council before final budget adoption in December. If you had $100 to spend on Capital Improvements, how would you distribute it amongst the following areas: Administration and Finance Community Center Fire Department Parks and Recreation Public Works Total (Must Equal $100) How should Capital Improvements for the Community Center be funded: Donations Grants Tax Levy How should Capital Improvements for the Fire Department be funded: Donations Grants Tax Levy How should Capital improvements for Parks be funded: Donations Grants Tax Levy Park Dedication Fees How should Capital Improvements for Public Works be funded: Donations Grants Tax Levy Below is a listing of the projects in the 2016-2020 CIP (excluding sewer). Please rank your top 10 priorities: Fire Station HVAC System Fire Department Radio Replacements Civil Defense Sirens (Tornado Sirens) Fire Department Grass Rig Replacement Fire Department SCBA Compressor Replacement Fire Department SCBA and Masks Replacements Fire Hall/Public Works Roof Replacement Zamboni Replacement Lilleskogen Park Restoration Tennis Court Reconstruction Street Maintenance Program (Seal Coating, Crack Filling, Dust Control, Ditching, Tree Trimming) Public Works Pickup w/Plow Replacement John Deere Tractor Mower wBroom and Blower Replacement Tiger Ditch Rear Mower Replacement Tiger Boom Mower Attachment Replacement John Deere Tractor Replacement Dump Truck w/Plow Replacement Ford Ranger Replacement What other projects would you like to see in future Capital Improvement Plans? Projects must be at least $10,000 and have a useful life of five years or more. Page 3 Free, Fun Family Events at the Scandia Fire Department Annual Open House— Safe Halloween Party— Both events: Scandia Tuesday, October 6, from Friday, October 30, from Fire Hall, 15040 Scandia 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Trail(Hwy 97) Join the Scandia Fire and Rescue Department for their annual Open House. Bring the kids and learn about fire safety, see the fire trucks and other equip- ment, and meet your neigh- bors for some fun and food. This is a fun event for all ages at the Scandia Fire Hall. Activities will in- clude a large bonfire, games, hot dogs & hot chocolate. Co-sponsors are the Scandia Marine Lions Club, Elim Lutheran Church, Helke Tree Service and Country Rentals. New Faces in Public Works The Scandia Public Works Depart- ment welcomed two new employees this summer. Rick Regnier joined the de- partment in June as a full- time mainte- nance worker. Regnier brings a wealth of public work experience after years of working for the cities of Lakeland, Mahtomedi, and North St. Paul, as well as the Board of Water Commissioners in Stillwater. He pre- viously worked for the City of Scandia Short Takes Benefits of Recycling — Recycling doesn't just save natural resources, it also saves energy and reduces green- house gas emissions. Curbside collection makes it easy and convenient to recy- cle and new technologies and growing markets are expand- ing what we can recycle at the curb. By diverting waste to the recycling stream, you could reduce the size of your gar- bage cart and save money! Through an agreement with SRC, curbside recycling in single -sort carts is available to all Scandia residents at no cost. Contact SRC at 651.462.1099 for more information. on snow removal operations In his spare time Regnier enjoys go- ing to his cabin and horseback riding. Rick owns a restored 1931 Ford mod- el "A" and enjoys attending car shows. He purchased a home in Scandia this summer and looks for- ward to becoming a part of the com- munity. New at the helm is Dave Williams. Williams be- gan as Public 6 Works Direc- Make Sure Public Safety Officers Can Find You When You Need Them— Is your address clearly marked at the street? If not, public safety officials (police, fire, EMS) may be delayed in reaching you when it matters most. Please make sure your ad- dress is marked on your mail- box and/or at the end of your driveway. The Fire Chief also reminds folks to trim the trees along their driveways to allow for fire trucks to access your property. Every second counts in an emergency. Snow is Coming... Is Your Mailbox Ready? Before you know it the snow will be fall- ing. Now is a good time to look at your mailbox and landscaping within the `interfest 201' January 29-30 Check website 'A for details 1 for in July. He comes to us with over 20 years of experience with the City of Oakdale. Williams is looking for- ward to working in a small town like Scandia and participating in commu- nity events. He resides in Stillwater with his wife and son, Donna, a school teacher in Bayport, and Tristan, a sophomore at Stillwater High School. They enjoy boating, traveling, getting outdoors and spending time with their family. right-of-way. If your mailbox is in need of repair, consider replacing the post with a swing -arm style support. Detailed specifications are available on the City's web - site or at https:// www.usps.com/manage/ know-mailbox- guidelines.htm, which shows the proper installation for a mailbox. Staff will be driving their routes and noting which mailboxes are not to specifi- cations. The homeowner will be responsible for damaged mailboxes that are not to code. Landscaping along the road is another thing to con- sider. Obstacles may get buried after several snow- falls. Make sure no obstmc- tions are in the right-of-way that a plow driver might hit when pushing back wing rows. Lastly, make sure not to deposit snow or ice within the right-of- way. It creates a hazard for traffic and City staff; and it is against the law. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated and make plowing the roads easier and safer. Dedicated to Rural Community Values City of Scandia Scandia Community/ Senior Center 14727 209th St. N. Scandia, MN 55073 Phone: 651.433.2274 Fax: 651.433.51 12 E-mail: mail@ci.scandia.mn.us Hours: Mon. thru Fri. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Like us on Facebook for the Most Up -to -Date Information City Council: Randall Simonson, Mayor 651.538.4320 Dan Lee 651.433.4309 Chris Ness 651.707.5689 Jim Schneider 651.433.3692 Bob Hegland 65 I.538.2 129 Regular Council Meeting_ Third Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Council Work Session: First Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. Planning Commission: First Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. City Staff: Kristina Handt, Administrator Brenda Eklund, Deputy Clerk Colleen Firkus, Treasurer Dave Williams, Director of Public Works Mike Hinz, Fire Chief Nick Vivian, Attorney Eckberg Lammers Ryan Goodman, Engineer Bolton & Menk Sherri Buss, Planner, TKDA PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Scandia, MN 55073 PERMIT #6 I Household Scandia, MN 55073 October • December 12, Lions Community Breakfast • October 6, Fire Department Open House • December 13, Lucia Dagen, Gammelgarden • October 11, Lions Pancake Breakfast • December 15, 7 p.m., Budget Adoption Hearing • October 12, Columbus Day Ob- served— Office Closed • December 24 & 25, Christmas Holiday —Office Closed • October 15, Lions Wild Game Dinner January • October 30, Safe Halloween at the • January 1, New Year's Day —Office Fire Hall Closed November • January 18, Martin Luther King Day— Office Closed • November 3, ISD 831 Special Elec- tion Day, 7 a.m.- 8 p.m. • January 29 & 30, Vinterfest • November 4, Capital Improvement • January 30, Lions Pancake Breakfast Plan -Public Heanng, 7 p.m. February • November 11, Veterans Day Observed —Office Closed • February15, Presidents' Day — Office Cosed • November 19, Luteiisk & Meatball Dinner, Elim Church • February 27, Fireball • November 20, Turkey Bingo, 7 p.m. March • November 26 & 27, Thanksgiving ■ March 13, Daylight Savings Time Holiday —Office Closed Begins December For more information and a City meeting calendar, see: www.ci.scandia.mn.us. • December 2, 6:30 p.m. 'Public Hearing, 2016 City Budget and For Gammelgairden events, see: Tax Levy hitp✓/www.gammelgardenmuseum.org.