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2013 October - Fall Newsletter City of Scandia Scandia Community/ Senior Center 14727 209th St. N. Scandia, MN 55073 Phone: 651.433.2274 Fax: 651.433.5112 E-mail: mail@ci.scandia.mn.us Hours: Mon. thru Fri. 9 to Noon & 1 to 4 (except Tues. open until 6) Community Calendar, October 2013—March 2014 Dedicated to Rural Community Values We’re on the web! www.ci.scandia.mn.us and Facebook Household Scandia, MN 55073 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Scandia, MN 55073 PERMIT #6  December 17, 7 p.m., Budget Adoption Hearing  December 25, Christmas Day—Office Closed January  January 1, New Year’s Day—Office Closed  January 20, Martin Luther King Day— Office Closed February  February 1, Vinterfest  February 9, Lions Pancake Breakfast  February 17, President’s Day— Office Closed  February 22, Fireball 2014 March  March 9, Daylight Savings Time Begins For more information and a City meeting calendar, see: www.ci.scandia.mn.us. For Gammelgården events, see: http://www.gammelgardenmuseum.org. October  October 8, Fire Department Open House  October 13, Lions Pancake Breakfast  October 14, Columbus Day Observed— Office Closed  October 31, Safe Halloween at the Fire Hall November  November 11, Veteran’s Day Observed— Office Closed  November 21, Lutefisk & Meatball Dinner, Elim Church  November 22, Turkey Bingo, 7 p.m.  November 28 & 29, Thanksgiving Holiday— Office Closed December  December 8, Lucia Dagen , Gammelgarden  December 14, Lion’s Community Breakfast  December 10, 6:30 p.m. Public Meeting, 2014 City Budget and Tax Levy City Council: Randall Simonson, Mayor 651.538.4320 Dan Lee 651.433.4309 Chris Ness 651.707.5689 Jim Schneider 651.433.3692 Sally Swanson 651.433.3010 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 Tim Kieffer, Public Works Director Mike Hinz, Fire Chief Nick Vivian, Attorney Eckberg Lammers Ryan Goodman, Engineer Bolton & Menk Sherri Buss, Planner, TKDA On September 10, 2013 the Council passed a resolution certifying the preliminary levy for 2014 at $2,171,074 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 the City is able to direct more resources towards roads, including $300,000 for a new Local Road Improvement Fund, without increasing the levy due to the savings from the state sales tax exemption, using fund balance to prepay the Fire Hall bonds, competitively bidding out contracts for services such as legal, engineering and auditing and bringing the budget more in line with actual spending history. Only three departments will see their budgeted expenses increase 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 by the project applicant) and police (approximately 2.8% increase in County contract). The 2014 budget proposes an additional full-time maintenance worker and eliminates the summer part-time maintenance worker position. Currently there are three full-time employees, including the Director of Public Works, responsible for the care and maintenance of 90 miles of local roads. This is double or triple the number of lane miles per employee compared to staffing levels in other cities. Additionally, many of the roads in Scandia were paved in the last 10-20 years. They are now reaching the end of their useful life and require more maintenance. The Council will continue to review whether services can be provided more economically by contracting out work as an alternative to hiring an additional employee. These services include but are not limited to tree trimming, patching, ditching, snow removal and wastewater activities. As part of the budget process the Council is also working on updating the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for 2014-2018. The draft CIP includes an electronic data storage system for the Administration Department, equipment replacements, building maintenance items, a new Chief’s car and second fire station for the Fire Department, tennis court reconstruction and Log House Landing improvements for the Parks Department as well as other park improvements that are dependent on grants/donations, and street maintenance projects (including Quinell Ave) and equipment replacements for the Public Works Department. The draft budget and CIP are available on the City website under the City Financial Services section. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the CIP at their November 5, 2013 meeting. The City Council will hold a public hearing on the draft 2014 budget on December 10, 2013 at 6:30pm. The public is encouraged to attend both meetings. Zero Levy Increase for 2014 Inside this issue: Council Establishes EDA 2 New Fire Chief 2 Improved Vinterfest 2014 2 Free, Fun Family Events at Scandia Fire Department 3 Fall Leaves Impact Water Quality 3 Short Takes 3 Community Calendar 4 A TWICE-YEARLY PUBLICATION FOR RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF SCANDIA, MINNESOTA October, 2013 Volume 7, Issue 2 For the first time in a decade, there’s no city levy increase Economic Development Authority Gets Organized Page 2 Earlier this summer the public responded to a poll on the City’s website about Park and Recrea- tion Committee priorities. Expanded program- ming during Vinterfest received the most votes. The Park and Recreation Committee responded and is planning a number of new activities for Vinterfest 2014 and recruiting volunteers. On February 1, 2014 the Pleasant Valley Clog- gers, bonfire and marshmallow roasting, sledding, chili cook off and snow sculpture contest will all be returning. In addition, Roberts Funeral Homes will be sponsoring a hockey tournament fund- raiser Friday night and Saturday. On Saturday also enjoy a skiing workshop by New and Improved Vinterfest Planned for 2014 Treasurer. City Administrator Kristina Handt, who also serves as the Executive Director of the EDA, was elected Secretary and Assistant Treasurer. Over the next year the EDA plans to meet monthly to hear from local businesses, meet with members of other EDAs and consultants, study zoning and infrastructure issues, and create a vision and mission statement for the organization. Meetings will be held at the community center and the public is invited to attend. Check out the City’s website for meeting dates and times. Stillwater Award Winning Ski Coaches, Dennis Seefeldt and Bill Simpson followed by a Ski Loppet and Quiz Promenade through Gammelgarden and Lilleskogen Park ending with prizes and treats at Designs of Sweden. Free ski and boot rental including high tech skate skis provided by 45º Stillwater. In case that’s not enough to pack into one wintery day, Polar Explorer Ann Bancroft will be offering a winter survival workshop. Mark your calendar! Don’t leave town and invite your friends! Check the City web- site for details in the coming months. In May the City Council established an Economic Development Authority (EDA) to assist existing businesses, recruit new businesses to Scandia and also look into housing development issues. At their June meeting, the Council appointed Tom Triplett, Greg Isaacson, Bruce Swenson, Sally Swanson and Dan Lee as commissioners to the EDA Board. The EDA held their first meeting in late August to review bylaws, adopt a conflict of interest policy, elect officers, recommend a budget for 2014, set regular meeting dates and discuss future agenda topics. Sally Swanson was elected President, Tom Triplett as Vice-President and Dan Lee as New Leadership for Scandia Fire and Rescue At their June 18, 2013 regular meeting, the City Council appointed Mike Hinz as Fire Chief for a term beginning July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2016. Hinz replaces Jim Finnegan who announced his resignation in late April after mov- ing out of the area. While he may have a new job title, Chief Hinz is very familiar with the City of Scandia and the Fire and Rescue Department. He joined the Fire and Rescue Department in 1992 and since then has served on the Fire Relief Association and as an Assistant Chief in addition to a couple terms as New Scandia Township Supervisor. Hinz holds a number of educational certificates including EMT, Firefighter I and II, NIMS and Dive Rescue. Chief Hinz’s goals for the department over the next few years include: increasing fire depart- ment involvement within the community, increasing firefighter training and capabilities, developing a plan to improve efficiencies for reduced spending and budget requirements, and recruiting new firefighters as current members retire. Hinz resides in Scandia with his wife Melanie and works as General Manager at PN Products, which has allowed him to provide a high level of service to the community for a number of years. Other recent appointments within the fire department include Ernie Yoch as Assistant Fire Chief and Ian Skarja and Bill Boyd as Captains. The Scandia Fire and Rescue Department is a group of volunteers organized for the pur- poses of the fighting of fires, education and prevention of fires, the saving of life and prop- erty, and assisting in any medical emergency in the City of Scandia and parts of May Township. Like us on Facebook for the Most Up-to-Date Information Fire Chief Mike Hinz need of repair, consider replacing the post with a swing- arm style support. Detailed specifications are available on the City’s website 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 specifications. The homeowner will be responsible for damaged mailboxes that are not to code. Landscaping along the road is another thing to consider. Obstacles may get buried after several snowfalls. Make sure no Looking for ways to deter or prevent crime at your residence? There are many simple, easy and fairly inexpensive ways to do so. The Sheriff’s Office can conduct a no cost survey of your home and give you ideas. Simply call 651.430.7889 to set up an appointment. Snow is Coming… is Your Mailbox Ready? Before you know it the snow will be falling. Now is a good time to look at your mailbox and landscaping within the right of way. If your mailbox is in obstructions 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. Short Takes Page 3 Volume 7, Issue 2 Annual Open House— Tuesday, October 8, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 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 neighbors for some fun and food. Safe Halloween Party— Thursday, October 31, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This is a fun event for all ages. Activities will include 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. Free, Fun Family Events at the Scandia Fire Department Managing and disposing of leaves properly will help to improve your lawn, protect your street from flooding, and improve the health of nearby wetlands and waterways. Although leaves and grass clippings are natural, they con- tain high levels of phosphorus. When rain and melting snow carry yard waste off the street and into nearby lakes, rivers and streams, it causes algae to grow out of control. Just five bags of leaves and clippings can grow up to 500 pounds of smelly green algae! When you clean up and compost leaves, seeds, twigs and clippings during the fall, you help to ensure that our favorite swimming holes and fishing ponds will stay clear and clean next summer. Got a small yard? Rake and bag leaves from your yard and side- walk. Dispose of the leaves by composting them in your yard or bagging them for curbside pick- up. Got a big yard? Rake areas directly under trees and then use your mower to mulch the rest of the leaves into the grass. Mowing is less time intensive than raking and the shredded leaves act as a natural fertilizer for your lawn. Be sure to aim the blower away from the street and driveway or bag the mulch and compost it. Got a street? Rake and bag the leaves and debris settled against the curb and in the street in front of your home, as well as any debris covering the nearest storm drain inlet. Left in the street, leaves can clog storm drains and cause your street to flood. The leaves also contribute phos- phorus to nearby wetlands and waterways that storm drains connect to, which contributes to algae blooms during the summer. Remember: Keep leaves and yard waste out of the regular garbage, and never dump them in wetlands or buffer areas – it’s illegal! Fall Leaves Impact Summer Water Quality Both events: Scandia Fire Hall, 15040 Scandia Trail (Hwy 97) Scandia Compost Registry– Got lawn clippings, leaves, or brush and nowhere to put it? Looking for this type of yard waste for your garden or farm? Last summer the City of Scandia started a Compost Registry. Just call City staff at 651.433.2274 and we’ll play matchmaker.