2011 October - Fall Newsletter��
SCANDIA
City of Scandia
Scandia Community/
Senior Center
14727 209th St. N.
Scandia, MN 55073
We're on the webl
wwwA.scandla.mn.us
and Facehook
City Council:
Randall Simonson, Mayor
330 294-0263
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:
Anne Hurlburt,
Administrator
Brenda Eklund,
Deputy Clerk
Colleen Firkus, Treasurer
Steve Thorp, Building
Official/ Maintenance
Supervisor
Jim Finnegan, Fire Chief
David Hebert, Attorney
Hebert & Welch PA
Ryan Goodman, Engineer
Stantec
Sherri Buss, Planner
TKDA Inc.
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Scandia, MN
55073
PERMIT #6
Household
Scandia, MN 55073
Community Calendar, October 2011—March, 2012
October Hearing
• October 9, Lion's Pancake Breakfast • December 25, Christmas Day
• October 10, Columbus Day Observed— Office • December 26, Christmas Holiday
Closed Observed— Office Closed
• October 11, Fire Department Open House
• October 31, Safe Halloween at the Fire Hall
November
• November 5, Swedish Sausage Making—
Gammelgarden
• November 11, Veteran's Day Observed —
Office Closed
• November 17, Lutfisk & Meatball Dinner, Elim
Church
• November 18, Turkey Bingo
• November 24 & 25, Thanksgiving Holiday —
Office Closed
December
• December 10, Lion's Community Breakfast
• December 11, Lucia Dagen at
Gammelgarden
• December 13, 6:30 p.m. Public Meeting, 2012
City Budget and Tax Levy
• December 21, 7 p.m., Budget Adoption
January
• January I, New Year's Day
• January 2, New Year's Holiday Observed —
Office Closed
• January 16, Martin Luther King Day —
Office Closed
February
• February 4, Vinterfest
• February 12, Lion's Pancake Breakfast
• February 20, President's Day— Office Closed
• February 25, Fireball 2012
March
• March 11, Daylight Savings Time Begins
For more information and a city meeting calendar, see
the website, http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us.
For Gammelgarden events, see:
http://www.gammelgardenmuseum.htm.
A TWICE -YEARLY
PUBLICATION
FOR RESIDENTS
OF THE CITY OF
SCANDIA,
MINNESOTA
Inside this issue:
Draft EIS Nears 2
Completion
Grant Spurs
Scandia Trail
Planning
City Job and Vol-
unteer Opportu-
nities
Updated Subdivi-
sion Regulations
Adopted
Free, Fun, Family
Fire Department
Events
Short Takes/
Announcements
Community
Calendar
2
2
SCANDIA
2012 Budget Takes Shape
At their September 13 meeting, the City Council took the first steps toward adopting the budget
and tax levy for 2012. The Council set the maximum, "not to exceed" tax levy at $2,055,174, a
2% increase from 2011. 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 13 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
accomplish more road repairs and other small projects without contracting or renting equipment.
The draft budget includes a planned increase in debt service to pay for the recent replacements of
the fire rescue truck and a dump truck/snow plow combination. Improvements will be made to
the Uptown Sewer System, which serves the village area of Scandia including the Community
Center. The cost of the sewer improvements would be financed initially with an inter -fund loan
and eventually be paid by the system's users.
The Council has scheduled an additional work session for Tuesday, October 25 (6:30 p.m. at the
Community Center) to continue honing the 2012 budget.
As part of their budget review, the Council also considered recommendations from the Capital
Improvement Committee for the five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) covering the years
2012 through 2016. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the CIP at its Novem-
ber 1 (7:00 p.m.) meeting.
Tax Bills Affected by Homestead Credit Change
3 When homeowners receive their estimated property tax bills in Novem- 10A^�Ik
ber, they will notice that the state Homestead Credit has been replaced by 11120
a new "Homestead Market Value Exclusion" for taxes payable in 2012. p
The change was part of the tax bill that ended the July state government
3 shutdown. The state will no longer be paying a part of the property tax by
reimbursing local taxing jurisdictions. Owners of homesteaded property valued at less than
$404,000 will still see a reduction in their taxes, through an exclusion of a portion of the prop-
3 erty's market value from taxes. The bottom line will yield a smaller reduction than the old credit.
As a result of this change, the taxable market value of the city will be reduced— in Scandia, this is
estimated to be about 3% of the city's total market value. Even without any change in city spend-
ing, the tax rate would need to increase to generate the same amount of revenue. While this is
4 happening across the entire state, the affect on each community will be different depending upon
the size and make-up of the tax base. There are calls for the legislature to revisit the homestead
credit in 2012.
PAC Meeting
Wednesday,
November 16
4:00 -7:00 p.m.
Did you know... Cross-
country ski trails are
groomed at William
O'Brien State Park and
Big Marine Park
Reserve?
Draft EIS Nears Completion
The long-awaited Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for the Tiller Corporation's pro-
posed Zavoral Mining and Reclamation Project is
nearing completion. The Project Advisory Com-
mittee (PAC), composed of agency and commu-
nity representatives advising the City Council
about the EIS, is scheduled to review a preliminary
draft at their next and final meeting, set for
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 from 4:00 p.m.
to 7:00 p.m. at the Scandia Community Center.
Tiller Corporation is proposing to operate a
gravel mine on a 114-acre site located east of
State Highway 95 (St. Croix Trail) at State High-
way 97 (Scandia Trail) owned by Dr. James
Zavoral. The EIS, which is being prepared by city
consultants AECOM, has been underway for the
last 2 years. Tiller is required to pay all costs
associated with the EIS.
The next steps in the process, in summary, are:
• PAC comments on preliminary Draft EIS
(November 16, 201 1)
• Consultants finalize Draft EIS for submis-
sion to City
• City distributes the Draft EIS for a public
comment period
• City holds informational meeting on Draft
EIS during public comment period
• After close of public comment period,
City responds to all comments on Draft
EIS
Grant Spurs Scandia Trail
Planning
At their June 21 meeting, the Scandia City Council
adopted a new Comprehensive Trail Plan. The plan
was developed this spring with the help of many
Scandia residents who attended two "charettes."
The draft was reviewed by the Park and Recreation
Committee, which recommended City Council
approval.
Developing connections to and among Scandia parks
and to regional trails are goals of the trail planning
project, as well as identifying safe walking and biking
routes to school and other key locations. The
planning process was led by City Planner and land-
scape architect Sherri Buss, TKDA, and was funded
by a grant from the Statewide Health Improvement
Program (SHIP) through the Washington County
Department of Public Health. The city is also work-
ing with the Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails,
which provided input to the plan. They have se-
cured a grant that will help provide signage for the
main trail routes.
A copy of the trail plan may be downloaded from
the city website (www.ci.scandia.mn.us).
Final EIS is prepared and distributed ac-
cording to state rules
City determines whether the EIS is ade-
quate.
Exact dates cannot be determined at this time,
but the EIS process is expected to continue
through the spring of 2012, and will depend upon
the comments received during the review proc-
ess.
The decision on whether or not the Final EIS is
adequate must be based on whether it addresses
the potentially significant issues and alternatives
raised in the January 19, 2010 EIS scoping deci-
sion, whether it provides responses to substan-
tive comments on the Draft EIS, and compliance
with the environmental review rules and laws.
Only after the EIS has been determined adequate
may the city's review of Tiller's application for a
Conditional Use Permit for the mine take place.
Materials related to this project are available for
review at the City of Scandia Office, 14727 209th
St. N., during office hours (9:00 a.m. to Noon
and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Fri-
day and 9:00 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 6:00
p.m. Tuesdays) and on the City's website http://
www.ci.scandia.mn.us. Sign up for free e-mail
updates when meetings are scheduled or infor-
mation is added to the site. Contact City Ad-
ministrator Anne Hurlburt for more information.
City Job & Volunteer
Opportunities
The City of Scandia is currently advertising for the
following paid positions:
• Maintenance Superintendent (Full -Time)
Deadline: Tuesday, October 11, 4:00 p.m.
• Ice Rink Attendant (Part -Time, Seasonal)
Deadline: Friday, October 28, 4:00 p.m.
City application form required. For complete posi-
tion descriptions and instructions on how to apply,
see the "City Jobs" tab on the website,
www.ci.scandia.mn.us.
Resdidents are invited to apply to serve on the
City's Park and Recreation Committee, Planning
Commission and Capital Improvement Committee.
Citizen representatives to the Forest Lake Cable
Commission and nominees to local watershed dis-
trict boards are also needed. For descriptions of
the various committees and an application form,
please see the website. There are immediate open-
ings on the Park and Recreation Committee. The
Council will be reviewing applications for appoint-
ments and reappointments in December and Janu-
ary.
Updated Subdivision Regulations Adopted
Scandia needed to update its
Development Code (all regula-
tions concerning land use and
development) due to the incor-
poration of the city and adoption
of a new Comprehensive Plan.
The last chapter to be revised is
Chapter 3, the Subdivision Regu-
lations, which was adopted on
September 20.
Some features of the new ordi-
nance include:
• procedures that tie in with
the new Zoning Code
adopted last fall;
• a simplified, administrative
process for approving lot
consolidations and lot line
adjustments;
• updated park dedication
requirements; and
• updated engineering guide-
lines and specifications.
A copy of the new Subdivision
Regulations (Ordinance No. 128)
is available for review at the City
office during regular office hours,
or can be downloaded from the
city's website. Please contact
City Administrator Anne Hurl-
burt with any questions (651 433
-2274.)
Free E-mail Alerts
on Timely Topics
Including the EIS, City
Council meeting agendas
and Park and Recreation
programs can be deliv-
ered to your mailbox!
Visit
Free, Fun Family Events at the Scandia Fire Department www.ci.scandia.mn.us
Annual Open House —
Tuesday, October 11, 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 equipment,
and meet your neighbors for
some fun and food.
Short Takes
Council Meetings Stream on
the Web— Now all residents
can watch City Council and
Planning Commission meetings
taped by Lakes Area Television,
whether or not you have access
cable channel 10. Go to
www.latvten.com to access
the videos. Call LATV at 651
464-1143 with questions.
City Office Hours Change —
starting in August, the city office
will be open from 4:00 p.m. to
6:00 p.m. every Tuesday, in addi-
tion to the regular office hours
of 9:00 a.m. to Noon and 1:00
p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday
through Friday. The extended
hours will give Scandia residents
who commute to jobs outside
the city during the regular work
day a better opportunity to
conduct city business face-to-
face. Hours still don't work for
your schedule? Staff are avail-
able by appointment.
Marine Library— The Marine
branch library, which serves
Safe Halloween Party —
Monday, October 31, 2011 from
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
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 and Helke
Tree Service.
many Scandia residents, will be
changing to a community library,
to be staffed by volunteers. All
interested residents are invited
to a meeting of the Marine Li-
brary Association (MarLA) on
Tuesday, October 11 (7:00
p.m.) at the Marine City Hall.
One -Stop -Shop— does your
building project include electri-
cal work? Electrical permits
formerly issued by the state are
now issued by the City of Scan-
dia. Obtain your electrical per-
mit at the same time you get
your building permit. Check
with the city office or electrical
inspector Dave Kichler , 651
462-6829.
Burning Permits— A (no -
charge) burning permit is re-
quired for open burning when
there is no snow cover. In all
cases, please notify the Wash-
ington County Sheriffs Office
(651 439-9381) one hour before
you burn. There may be re-
strictions depending on
Both events: Scandia
Fire Hall, 15040
Scandia Trail (Hwy
97.)
weather, time -of -day or air -
quality issues. See the city
office for more information and
for permits. Permits are also
available at the Big Marine Lake
Store (651 433-5043.)
Attention snowbirds —
Leaving town for the winter?
Make sure to contact the
Washington County Sheriffs
Department (651 439-9381)
for free home -checks while you
are away.
CodeRED— Scandia is part-
nering with Washington
County on the new CodeRED
emergency notification system.
The system will be used to
send critical communications,
from evacuation notices to
missing child alerts. To make
sure you receive notifications,
please register your address
and phone numbers. Your
contact information remains
private and will only be used
for community notifications.
and click on "E-Mail
Updates" to sign up.
SWISRED
Click on the CodeRED
logo on the city web site
(www.ci.scandia.mn.us)
to register.