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2008 April - Spring Newsletter City of Scandia Scandia Community/ Senior Center 14727 209th St. N. Scandia, MN 55073 July • July 4, Independence Day—Office Closed August • August 16, Spelmansstamma, Gammelgården September • September 1, Labor Day— Office Closed • September 6, Taco Daze Festival • September 9, Primary Election • September 21 & 22, Marine Art Fair • September 27, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m, Heavy Metal Day, Community Center Parking Lot For more information and a city meeting calendar, see the website www.ci.scandia.mn.us . For Gammelgården events, see: http://www.gammelgardenmuseum.htm. April • April 6, 8:00 a.m., Lion’s Pancake Breakfast, Community Center • April 7, 4:00 p.m. Board of Appeal and Equalization, Community Center Board Rm. • April 8 & 10, 6:30 p.m., Comprehensive Plan Meetings, Community Center • April 26, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Heavy Metal Day, Community Center Parking Lot • April 26, Valborgsmassafton, Gammelgården May • May 3, 8 a.m. to 2 pm., Hazardous Materials Collection, Northland Mall, 1432 Lake Street, Forest Lake, • May 11, Statehood Day. Happy 150th Birth- day, Minnesota (cake at Gammelgården) • May 26, Memorial Day — Office Closed June • June 21, Midsommar Dag, Gammelgården Community Calendar, April—September, 2008 Dedicated to Rural Community Values We’re on the web! www.ci.scandia.mn.us Household Scandia, MN 55073 City Council: Dennis Seefeldt, Mayor 651 433-5999 Dolores Peterson 651 433-2229 Pete Crum 651 433-5034 Donnette Yehle 651 433-3602 Mike Harnetty 651 433-4883 Regular Council Meeting: Third Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Council/Planning Commission Meeting: First Tuesday, 7:00/7:30 p.m. City Staff: Anne Hurlburt, Administrator Brenda Eklund, Deputy Clerk Colleen Firkus, Treasurer John Morrison, Public Works Supervisor Steve Thorp, Building Official David Hebert, Attorney Hebert & Welch PA Tom Peterson, Engineer, Bonestroo Sherri Buss, Planner, TKDA, Inc City Office: Phone: 651 433-2274 Fax: 651 433-5112 E-mail: mail@ci.scandia.mn.us Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to Noon & 1p.m. to 4 p.m. PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Scandia, MN 55073 PERMIT #6 Since the last newsletter, the citizens of Scandia and the Comprehensive Plan Committee have been busy crafting Scandia’s new comprehensive plan. Approximately 45 people participated in October public meetings to express their visions for Scandia in 2030. Nearly 100 of you respond- ed to an on-line survey about your vision for Scandia. Five small focus groups were held in December and January to discuss specific areas and issues in Scandia. (See the other stories inside this newsletter for more details.) The Comprehensive Plan Committee has dili- gently discussed transportation, land use, parks and trails, economic development, natural re- source, and community character issues at their twice-monthly meetings. They are now ready and eager to learn what you think about the draft components of the comprehensive plan. Please join us on April 8th or 10th for a presenta- tion and discussion about: • The draft vision for the future of Scandia • Future land uses– what they should be and where they should be located. Two alternative maps have been created and will be reviewed at the meeting. You do not need to attend both meetings; the same material will be covered at each session. Scandia Plans for 2030— Public Meetings on Comprehensive Plan Scheduled in April Special Newsletter Insert— Summer Recreation Programs and Registration Information • Youth activities at the Community Center • Day camps and activities at Camp Lakamaga • Family camping adventure • Registration form & instructions Inside this issue: Focus Groups add Perspective on Scandia Plan 2 Clip and Save— 2008 Elections Calendar 2 Citizen Survey Helps Set Vision 3 Goin’ Green— Clean-up and Recycle 3 Short Takes/ Announcements 3 Community Calendar 4 A TWICE-YEARLY PUBLICATION FOR RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF SCANDIA, MINNESOTA April, 2008 Volume 2, Issue 1 Planning Consultant Jean Coleman of C.R. Planning and Committee Member James “Moose” Malmquist discuss future road alignments at a recent Comprehensive Plan Committee meeting. Comprehensive Plan Public Meetings Tuesday, April 8 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Scandia Community/Senior Center 14727 209th St. N. The Comprehensive Plan Update will be complet- ed in June 2008. Citizen input will be welcomed throughout all phases of the process. If you have any questions or comments about the comprehen- sive plan update process, please contact Anne Hurlburt, City Administrator, 651-433-2274, a.hurlburt@ci.scandia.mn.us. More information about the Comprehensive Plan Update is available on the City website at www.scandia.ci.mn.us The Comprehensive Plan Update process includ- ed five focus group meetings, designed to gather perspectives from residents, landowners, and business owners on five separate areas within Scandia. Their input will be considered along with the other comments from surveys and pub- lic meetings. About 10 people attended each group. They were asked to describe the most important characteristics of Scandia critical for maintaining Scandia’s character and high quality of life, including: • Protect Scandia’s farms and agricul- tural lands. People at all of the focus groups identified working farms as a key component of Scandia’s rural character and a high priority issue for the comprehensive plan update. The groups discussed what defines agriculture, the costs and risks asso- ciated with protecting agriculture, and how to make sure agriculture in Scandia is eco- nomically sustainable. • Strengthen the commercial viability and character of the village. Several groups noted the importance of encourag- ing small, entrepreneurial businesses, and expressed concern about commercial ex- pansion in a suburban development pattern. Participants wanted to protect Scandia’s image as a historic, rural village. People expressed great preference for economic development that emphasized small and mid -sized independent businesses located in and around the village’s downtown. Participants discussed components of economic viability, infrastructure limitations, building design considerations, and transportation connec- tions. • Retain and restore natural resources including open space, the lakes and the river. Attendees of the lakes and the river focus groups, in particular, urged con- sideration of a variety of programs and reg- ulations for water quality protection. Open space protection in all groups was closely linked to the preservation of agricultural practices. Participants discussed the suc- cesses and failures of conservation and clus- ter development, park and trail creation and management, and the risks and opportuni- ties of natural feature protection standards. People expressed concern, and many expressed a sense of inevitability, that Scandia will change for the worse with more development. Others, however, were optimistic about the new Com- prehensive Plan as a tool for managing develop- ment, so that as change occurs Scandia’s desira- ble assets and character are protected. Thursday, September 11, 5 p.m.–-Deadline to withdraw filings for Mayor and Council Friday, October 3— Absentee voting begins for General Election, through Nov. 3 Tuesday, October 14, 5:00 p.m.— Last date to pre-register for General Election. After this date, register at the polls on Election Day. Saturday, November 1, 10 a.m-3p.m.— city office open for absentee voting Monday, November 3, 5 p.m.— Absentee voting for General Election closes Tuesday, November 4, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.— Election Day Friday, August 8— Absentee voting begins for Primary Election, through Sept. 8 Tuesday, August 19, 5:00 p.m.— Last day to pre-register for State Primary Election. After this date, register at the polls on Election Day Tuesday, August 26— Filings for Mayor and City Council races open, through September 9 at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, September 6, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.— City office open for absentee voting Monday, September 8, 5 p.m.— Absentee voting for Primary Election closes Tuesday, September 9, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.— State Primary Election Day Focus Groups Add Perspective on Scandia Plan Clip and Save— 2008 Elections Calendar Focus groups: St. Croix River Corridor, Village, Lakeshore, Rural Residential and Agriculture Page 2 In 2008, Minnesotans will go to the polls to elect a new President, Vice President, Senator, Mem- ber of Congress and State Representatives. Scandia will also choose a Mayor and two City Council members. Make sure your voice is heard! Clip and save this list of important dates to remember. Results of the “vision survey” conducted by the Scandia Comprehensive Plan Commit- tee in November and Decem- ber are now available. The web-based survey was one of the many opportunities offered to Scandia residents to help develop the 2030 Comprehen- sive Plan. A complete report is available on the City’s website under Comprehensive Plan Up- date/ Reports. The survey allowed respond- ents up to 5 chances to com- plete the question “In 2030, I believe Scandia should…” The 96 respondents to the survey submitted over 300 responses to that question. While the ideas expressed were quite diverse, the largest number seemed to agree that Scandia should continue to exhibit its “small town” rural character and charm. Many favored sup- porting and preserving agricul- ture, encouraging the village center to be the commercial and social center of the com- munity, and preserving natural resources and the environ- ment. Survey respondents also select- ed their three top choices from a list of characteristics defining “rural character.” Most often cited were the natural environ- ment, farms, open space and scenic beauty. kept on parcels smaller than 5 acres. A minimum of 2 grazable acres per animal unit is required (one horse = 1 animal unit.) Signs— Advertising signs are generally prohibited in Scandia, with a few exceptions. Signs advertising the sale of agricul- tural projects on the adver- tiser’s property, signs advertis- ing community events, and gar- age sale signs are some of the exceptions All signs require a permit. Burning Permits— A (no- charge) burning permit is re- quired for open burning when Keep Scandia Beautiful— Scandia is a beautiful place to live, and we all work hard to keep it that way. Here are a few reminders of some of the ordinance requirements: Storage & refuse-- the limit is 2 items of recreational equipment stored outside, personal prop- erty must be stored inside or fully screened, and all refuse must be in a proper container. Parking & junk cars—the limit is 4 passenger cars or pickups on sites less than 10 acres, and no unlicensed or junk vehicle may be kept for more than 30 days. Animals—livestock may not be there is no snow cover. In all cases, please notify the Wash- ington County Sheriff’s Office (651 439-9381) one hour before you burn. There may be re- strictions depending on weath- er, time-of-day or air-quality issues. See the city office for more information and for per- mits. Council Meetings on Ca- ble— Lakes Area Television (available in limited areas of Scandia) tapes City Council meetings for replay on cable channel 10. Contact LATV at 651 464-1143 for more infor- mation. Citizen Survey Helps Set Vision Short Takes Page 3 Volume 2, Issue 1 Did you know… Most of your recy- clables can now be placed in a single container. No sorting! In the mood for some spring cleaning? “Heavy-Metal Day” is scheduled for Satur- day, April 26 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Community Center parking lot. Residents may drop off items not taken by your regular trash hauler, but NOT considered hazardous waste. Examples of items accepted are: appliances, tires, furniture, mattresses, scrap metal and wood. There may be a fee for some items. For hazardous items, Scandia residents should take advantage of the free Hazardous Waste Drop-off event spon- sored by Washington County on Saturday, May 3 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Northland Mall parking lot in Forest Lake (1432 S. Lake St/ Hwy 61.) Products accepted will include household, auto- motive and lawn & garden haz- ardous waste. For more infor- mation on disposal of hazard- ous materials, call Washington County at 651 430-6655 or check their web site at www.co.washington.mn.us/ publichealth. Scandia residents are encour- aged to reduce, re-use and recycle… the city contracts for twice-monthly curb-side recy- cling service with SRC, Inc., funded partly with a grant from Washington County. There is no charge to the homeowner for this service, which is pro- vided to all regardless of what hauler you use for your regular trash pick-up. SRC recently delivered new, wheeled con- tainers to replace the old blue bins. If you need a recycling container, or for more infor- mation, contact SRC at 651- 462-1099. Goin’ “Green”— Clean-up and Recycle Attention Lakeshore Residents... No grading, filling or excavating near shore without permits!