2012 October - Fall NewsletterSCANDIA
City of Scandia
Scandia Community/
Senior Center
14727 209th St. N.
Scandia, MN 55073
Phone: 651 433-2274
Fax: 651 433-5 112
E-mail:
mail@ci.scandia.mn.us
Hours: Mon. thru Fri.
9 to Noon & I to 4
(except Tues. open
PP`,_ 44RI1111 until 6)
We're on the web!
and Facebook
City Council:
Randall Simonson, Mayor
65 1538-4320
Connie Amos
612 759-3610
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:
Second Tuesday, 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, Maintenance
Superintendent
Jim Finnegan, Fire Chief
Tom Miller, Attorney
Miller & Stevens, PA
Phil Gravel, Engineer Stantec
Sherri Buss, Planner
TKDA Inc.
A TWICE -YEARLY
PRSRT STD PUBLICATION J
U.S. POSTAGE FOR RESIDENTS'
PAID OF THE CITY OF Lam-
Scandia, MN SCANDIA !j •M� t)
55073 ,
PERMIT #6 MINNESOTA SCANDIA
Household
Scandia, MN 55073
Community Calendar, October 2012—March, 2013
October • December 25, Christmas Day —Office Closed
• October 8, Columbus Day Observed— Office January
Closed • January I, New Year's Day —Office Closed
• October 8, Fire Department Open House
• January 21, Martin Luther King Day —
October 13, Community Market Fall Harvest Office Closed
Fest
February
• October 31, Safe Halloween at the Fire Hall • February 2, Vinterfest
November • February 18, President's Day— Office Closed
• November 6, Election Day
• November 12, Veteran's Day Observed—
• February 23, Fireball 2013
Office Closed March
• November 22 & 23, Thanksgiving Holiday —
Office Closed
December
• December 8, Lion's Community Breakfast
• December 11, 6:30 p.m. Public Meeting, 2013
City Budget and Tax Levy
• December 18, 7 p.m., Budget Adoption
Hearing
• March 10, Daylight Savings Time Begins
• March 31, Easter Sunday
For more information and a city meeting calendar, see
the website www.ci.scandia.mn.us.
For Gammelg6rden events, see:
http://www.gammelgardenmuseum.org.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 6
Mayor, two City Council seats will be on the ballot
In 2012, Minnesotans will go to the polls to elect a new
AdymPresident, Vice President, Senator, Member of Congress
and new state Senators and Representatives. All Scandia
residents vote at the Community Center Hall, 14727 209th
St. N. Polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.
Scandia will also choose a Mayor and two City Council
V %J I members. The Mayor serves a two-year term, and the
Council members will serve four-year terms, all commenc-
ing on January 7, 2013 (the first Monday of the new year.)
Candidates for city offices are —
Inside this issue: Mayor: Randall F. Simonson
Council member: Robert Pilz, Bob Hegland, Dan Lee,
Connie Amos, Chris Ness and Dustin Hegland
Meet Kristina 2
Handt, City
Administrator
Tim Kieffer Takes 2
On Maintenance
2013 Budget 3
Drafted
Free, Fun Family 3
Events at Scandia
Fire Department
Driveway Permits 3
Help Protect
Roads
Short Takes 3
Community 4
Calendar
Registering to Vote— If you were previously registered to vote in Scandia, and have voted at least
once during the last four years, you are already registered. If you moved since you voted last, even if it
is just to a new address within the city, you must update your registration. For the November 6 Gen-
eral Election, voter pre -registration closes at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 16. After that date, you
may register at the polls on Election Day or at the same time you cast an absentee ballot. When you
register to vote on Election Day, please be prepared to show proof of residency.
Absentee Ballots are Available Now— You may vote by absentee ballot if you are unable to vote
in person on Election Day because you are: away from home; ill or disabled; an Election Judge serving
in another precinct; or, unable to go to the polling place due to a religious holiday or belief. Absentee
ballots are no longer available at the city office.
In person absentee voting: For most Scandia residents, the most convenient location to cast an absen-
tee vote in person may be at the Washington County Headwaters Service Center, Forest Lake (19955
Forest Road North.) You may also apply and vote at the Property Records and Taxpayer Services
Department at the Government Center in Stillwater, or at the other County service centers in Wood-
bury or Cottage Grove. Vote during regular business hours Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Saturday before the election.
Absentee voting by mail: Apply early so you can mail back or deliver your absentee ballot before Elec-
tion Day. Your absentee ballot must reach your precinct by 8 p.m. on Election Day. You may call,
write, or fax to request an application. You can return your application by fax, but not your ballot.
For more election information including links to downloadable registration and absentee ballot applica-
tion forms, please see the city website at www.ci.scandia.mn.us and click on "Election Information" on
the home page.
Kristina Handt
Tim Kieffer
Meet Kristina Handt, City Administrator
Kristina Handt joined the staff on September
17, 2012 as the second -ever Scandia City
Administrator, succeeding Anne Hurlburt
who retired October 2.
Handt most recently served for four years as
the Village Administrator of Luck, Wiscon-
sin. Her previous experience includes work-
ing as a Legislative Assistant in the Minnesota
State Senate and a District Assistant/ Field
Representative for a US Congressman. She
did an administrative internship with the City
of Minnetrista, Minnesota. Handt received
her BS degree in Political Science from the
University of Wisconsin -River Falls, and
holds a Masters of Advocacy and Political
Leadership degree from the University of
Minnesota, Duluth.
"Scandia's desire to retain its rural feel while
being located so close to urban areas offers
the best of both worlds," Handt said.
"What people often times like most about
living in a rural residential community is the
feeling that everyone knows you by name.
When folks come into the city office, they
are not just a number, but are greeted
warmly and interest is shown in the individ-
ual."
The City Administrator is responsible for
managing all of Scandia's local government
operations and activities; ensuring adopted
ordinances, resolutions and policies are
implemented and consistently applied; and
maintaining official records and supervising
all staff.
Originally from Elk River, MN, Handt, 32,
recently moved to Forest Lake, MN. In her
spare time, she enjoys hiking, cheering on
the Vikings, and spending time with her
nieces.
Kristina Handt can be reached at 651 433-
2274 or k.handt@ci.scandia.mn.us.
Tim Kieffer Takes on Maintenance
Scandia's new Maintenance Superintendent,
Tim Kieffer, started his duties on May 14.
He has already dug in to his responsibili-
ties, including overseeing the seal -coating
and patching and the Melanie Lane im-
provements, among many other projects
this past summer.
Kieffer brings 14 years of municipal public
works experience to the City of Scandia.
He most recently worked for the City of
Hugo, and previously the City of White
Bear Lake. He is a graduate of White Bear
Lake Area High School, attended the Uni-
versity of Minnesota, Morris and received a
Public Works Certificate from North Hen-
nepin Community College.
The Maintenance Superintendent, a new
position for Scandia, provides oversight
and work direction for maintenance per-
sonnel and contractors to ensure that all
city infrastructure (including roads, street
lights, drainage systems, sewer and water)
and facilities (including parks and public
buildings) are operated and maintained in
good condition. He will be charged with
drafting and recommending policies and
will participate in long-range planning for his
areas of responsibility. He will recommend
and administer the budget for the Public
Works Department, and recommend equip-
ment and vehicle purchases.
Kieffer, 35, grew up in White Bear lives in
Hugo with his girlfriend, Rebecca. In his
spare time, he enjoys camping, golf, softball
and hockey.
Tim Kieffer can be reached at 651 433-5223
or t.kieffer@ci.scandia.mn.us.
Gravel is New City Engineer
Phil Gravel, PE of Stantec was appointed
City Engineer in May, 2012. Stantec, for-
merly Bonestroo, has served Scandia since
1997. Gravel, a Civil Engineering graduate
of the University of Minnesota, has over 25
years experience with working on municipal
projects including serving as designated city
engineer for Forest Lake, Milaca, Maple
Lake, Onamia and Spring Lake Park. He is a
member of the City Engineers Association
of Minnesota and the American Public
Works Association.
2013 City Budget Drafted
In September, the City Council
took the first steps toward
adopting the budget and tax levy
for 2013. The Council set the
maximum, "not to exceed" tax
levy at $2,175,171, a 5.84% in-
crease from 2012. The final
budget and levy will be set in
December.
In November, each property
owner will receive a "Truth in
Taxation" notice with their esti-
mated 2013 property tax bill.
Scandia will hold a public meet-
ing on its 2013 budget and tax
levy on Tuesday, December I I at
6:30 p.m. at the Community Cen-
ter. The budget and tax levy will
be finalized after the adoption
hearing scheduled for Tuesday,
December 18, 2013.
Free, Fun Family Events at the Scandia Fire Department
Annual Open House —
Monday, 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— Both events: Scandia
Monday, October 31, 2012 from Fire Hall, 15040
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Scandia Trail (Hwy
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.
Driveway Permits Help Protect Roads
There are many residents with
new driveways this summer.
Unfortunately, many did not
apply for driveway permits.
Some might ask the question,
"why do I need a driveway per-
mit?" The cost for a driveway
permit is only $25.00, but the
savings to the city can be in the
thousands.
Applying for a permit ensures
that the work within the right-
of-way is done correctly. Im-
Short Takes
Snow is Coming... is Your
Mailbox Ready? Before you
know it, the snow will be flying.
Now is a good time to look at
your mailbox and landscape
within the right-of-way. If your
mailbox is in need of repair,
consider replacing the post with
a swing -arm style support. De-
tailed specifications are available
on the city website. Guidelines
for proper mailbox installation
are also available from the postal
service, at https://
www.usps.com/manage/know-
properly installed culverts can
lead to catastrophic results. The
wrong material, size, slope or
landscape around the ends of a
culvert may cause water to col-
lect in ditches. Over time, the
ditch will fill up with sediment and
cause standing water. Then, the
water will seep into the sub -base
of the road, causing road failure.
Recently, the city replaced three
such improperly installed culverts.
It not only ruined the road, but
mailbox-guidelines.htm. The
city is not responsible for snow-
plowing damage to mailboxes
that are not installed properly.
Also take a look at landscaping
along the road. After several
snow falls, obstacles get buried.
Make sure no obstructions are
in the right-of-way that might be
hit by the plows pushing back
wing rows. Your cooperation
is very much appreciated, and
will make plowing the roads
easier and safer.
cost the city a lot of time and
money. Another concern is
driveways that protrude into
the road or change the slope at
the edge of the road. They
trap water and eventually pro-
duce a pothole, or worse.
Have Questions or need more
Information? Contact Mainte-
nance Superintendent Tim
Kieffer. Driveway permits are
available at the City office.
Data Horse Returns— one
year after vandals hit, it was
restored by resident Dan Lee,
assisted by Dan Skupien and
Craig Anderson. Dozens of
pieces were re -assembled, filled
with concrete and reinforcing
rods, sandblasted and repainted
in a color and pattern similar to
the 2011 design by artist Sandy
Swenson. It was set in con-
crete with the assistance of the
city's Public Works Depart-
ment and surrounded by new
landscaping.
14
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6candiac,-
MARKES
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Fall Harvest Fest
Saturday, October 13
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Gammelghrden Museum
Scarecrow Contest
with Prizes
Children's Games and
Crafts, Food Sales,
Apple Cider,
Music and More
See the Website for
Details
See the city website for
more photos of the
Community Center Data
horse restoration.