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Home My WebLink AboutFall 2003 Hastings Rivertown News City of Hastings (651) 480-2350 101 Fourth Street East Hastings MN 55033-1955 www.ci.hastings.mn.us /r;;''/ City Council Approves r&."". ':,' . ~ 2 a.m. Bar Closing ,~~ T" . I, \", Ime - On October 6, after several meetings and a public hearing, the City Council approved amending the City Code to allow for a 2 a.m. closing time and permit licensed establishments to apply to the State of Minnesota for a special 2 a.m. liquor license. While this means' that all licensed establishments may apply for a 2 a.m. license, it does not mean that all licensees will. It also does not mean that all licensed establishments who apply for a 2 a.m. license would choose to stay open until 2 a.m. every night of the week. The ordinance amendment only allows licensees to apply for the special 2 a.m. liquor license. As part of the ordinance approval, the City Council directed staff to report back in 6 months on the impact this changes has had on enforcement and administration. At this time, oniy a few licensed establishments have made application to the state for a 2 a.m. license. To see who has been approved for a 2 a.m. license by the State of Minnesota, residents can visit the State Department of Public Safety website at www.dps.state.mn.us Downtown Redevelopment Project Proceeding Four development teams presented their proposals to the City Council and Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) for downtown redevelopment projects at a special meeting held on October 13, 2003. On November 3, the finalists were narrowed to Amcon Construction Company and Sherman & Associates. The Council and the HRA will select one of the four as a master developer by November 17, 2003. Downtown Redevelopment, continued on Page 5... We Need YOUR Help with Sidewalk Snow Removal! Residents and business owners have certainly noticed an increase in children walking to school. Homeowners and business owners with sidewalks on their front or side yard are asked to shovel and maintain their walks in a timely manner to assist the children walking to and from school. As ~ a reminder, City ordinances require property owners to clear snow and ice off of sidewalks abutting their property within 48 hours after each storm, and also prohibits blowing or shoveling snow out into the street. '\1)' s..:_ ',::3 \\1 ,or. r. ., :>> E' A'I!,U '1:1 '''''',:+S " :":O'~:~\\1' :.r. . ~dlh'~~d Novi'mbe'r;,27L&:"2~-&,;,{', '" "'".J~.~,,,; c-. ',,' _},({ ,', ;'" ' ':' ;';'.,~ -'; City Hall VliII be'9jos~qa!.2 p.rn: on' Y(~d,!e.day. Pe~em~er 24 ~1I,Citys~rYlc(i)Si:Viill, b~ :~~,s~~': 9~:rr-~r!!>;~i;lY1De~mber ?~<;":<i,' )., :',Cill/.HaU will be closed .Frfday;. Decem,ber:2!i. . . :', , , ' ';' : "Tn~TRAqbu~ teltsmf1'!Io/~~;'!!,:}'!f1i;rrJ;s<:hfidf1ki'CI(t~~8;'~YBnd FrldaY.fU,~ WIlf(l~topef8t(J"" '0, ay;~~;,;;,;<";,";i;'T_',,,:,< ,,;:;\,(. ""_'<"':'" ,',; c;, 'Clo~~d Thuts' ~anualj'''~..:2004 &: Monday;, January '19; ~004:, <"'" "/"'l{,j,j:?;><;""'~"':"" -0- "'6:15::- ~ Timing of Water Billing to Change for Some ~ Residents , Due to continuing growth of the City, the water & sewer (utility) billing is undergoing some immediate changes. The City has adjusted the boundaries for the various billing cycles, so a few customers may be receiving a utility bill covering only a two-month span as opposed to the regular three-month cycle. Thereafter, those customers will receive regular quarterly billings in their unew" cycle. How do I know if my billing cycle has changed? You will receive information in with your billing statement to help you determine if you will be affected by these changes. BilliNG SCHEDULE Period Covered Bilting Month (Mailed last business day of the month) January April July October Due Date October 1 - December 31 January 1 - March 31 April 1 - June 30 July 1 - Seplember 30 February 20th May 20~ August 20th November 20th I have E-pay; how will these changes affect my account? If you are currently an E-pay Plan customer, good news! You do not need to do anything. All of your information will remain as it is and your payment will automatically be adjusted to the new due dates. If you have questions concerning this matter, please feel free to contact the Finance Department at 651-480-2350. Proposed 2004 Street Reconstruction Projects The Hastings Engineering Department is working on preliminary plans and cost estimates for street and utility construction proposed for this year. The projects include: 31" Street Reconstruction from Highway 316 to Meggan Drive. The street is proposed to be reconstructed with concrete curb and gutter, storm sewer and bituminous trail improvements. Westwood Area, involving Oak Street, Maple Street, Walnut Street and Forest Street between 18'h Street and County Road #47, and 19'h Street from Forest Street to Pine Street. These streets are proposed to be reconstructed with concrete curb and gutter and storm sewer improvements and replacement of sanitary sewer mains. Other smaller miscellaneous construction projects proposed for construction in 2004 include construction of a bituminous trail underpass at the Highway 61 Vermillion River Bridge. \ y]> ,\~:;,\.IIt~"'.' . 1 ,-<$.!-',." ^', Ji,.,.,i' ,-" ' , ...' "", ," ,,,!'.'m"\. .:-, .".t \ , ' , .,,""~~' .. , . . ...~j;.City' Sets Preliminary! 2004: ": ,. . " ^ . j , , ,y : , . ~':'."t' Tax Levy & Budget.. ::: . ~ ~~l;~ ~ ~ The County will be sending out parcel specific proposed Property tax information mid November. These notices will also indicate the various dates for the truth in taxation public hearings. The City's public hearing on the 2004 budget and tax levy will be at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall on Monday, December 1, 2003. Please feel free to attend this meeting to share any comments you may have regarding the City budget and levy for 2004. The Hastings' City Council has set the Proposed Property Tax Levy for 2004. The City's preliminary 2004 Budget will mean no increase to the City's Tax Rate from 2003. The City property preliminary tax levy is allocated as follows: 4()O/o Public Safety - Fire! Ambulance & Police 16% Parks & Recreation, Arena and Pool 22% General Administration & Misc. ;220/0 Debt SeNies . + Proposed 2004 Street Reconstruction Projects 400 0 400 ato Feet OcUber20t3 ~.- ItL i!1YS '~~~ ~"')."' -' \,)"-' :c- k J'Jut' i!1)S 'crFff '>,Iv, Streets & Utilities 480-6185 owN=ws is good news! HOW DO I KNOW IF IT'S A SNOW EMERGENCY? A snow emergency automatically goes into ef/ect when 2 inches or more of snow has fallen. Under a snow emergency, no parking on any City street is allowed until that street has been cleared to its full width. Violators will be ticketed and towed. Check cable channel 16 or KDWA 1460 AM if you are not sure if a snow emergency is in effect. TIMING-A normal snowfall takes eight to ten hours to clear, with City crews typically starting snow removal operations at 5:00 a.m. SIDEWALKS--City ordinances require property owners to clear snow and ice off of sidewalks abutting their property within 48 hours after each storm. Ordinances also prohibit blowing or shoveling snow back out into the street. Mr< NC2. 'i~/~t SAFETY--Snow plow drivers' visibility is limited. There is a large blind spot directly behind the trucks. When following a snow plow, please stay well back. The plows may have to stop and back up and the drivers cannot see vehicles directly behind the trucks. MAILBOXES--Snow plow operations occasionally damage mailboxes. The City has a policy to repair or replace mailboxes struck by snow plows. However, mailboxes damaged by snow thrown by the plow are the homeowner's responsibility to repair. Public Works Department Engineering 480-2334 ~~ Snow Removal/Salt Pilot Project \\1 t-,," Planned The Street Department will be conducting a ~@, pllm pm;'" 00" "'""".M~"~",",, \~ this winter, placing a modified salt application at intersections to melt ice and compacted snow instead of the standard salt and sand mix. Eliminating sand from de-icing operations may result in significant savings from both reduced material purchase costs and reduced spring street cleaning. The Southwest area was chosen for the pilot project because it is less hilly and has fewer mature trees shading the roadways. Snowmobiles in the City.. , Snowmobiles are permitted to operate within the City limits only V ,to travel from the operator's residence to outside of the City or from outside of the City to the operator's residence. Stopping is only permitted within the Service District. In traveling to and from the City limits, snowmobiles must follow the snowmobile corridors outlined on the adjacent City map. No recreational snowmobiling is allowed within the City limits. ./ Snowmobiles must use the paved streets. Snowmobiles are prohibited from using boulevards, sidewalks, bike paths, alleys, City parks or ponding basins, and School or City property. (Continual snowmobile use of the Pleasant Drive boulevard and walks resulted in Pleasant Drive being removed from the snowmobil corridor map.) ./ Snowmobile use within the City is permitted only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. After 10:00 p.m. snowmobiles in use within the City must be returning to home. For a map of the City's snowmobile route, please visit the City's website at: www.ci.hastings.mn.us . Street Light Out? Most of the City's street lights are maintained by Xcel Energy or Dakota Electric. The Public Works Department will report non-functioning street lights to the electric utility companies for repair, but we need help from adjacent homeowners to let us know when the lights are not working. Please help us out by calling the Public Works Department at 480-6185 to report street light outages. Police Department 150 Ea6t Third Street Ha6ting6 MN 55033 Poiice Chief: Mike McMenamy Non-Emergency: 651-480-2300 Emergency: 911 ~ Traffic Safety Project6 ,SLOW The Hastings Police Department recently -'\, ~ implemented a new traffic safety project where , officers will concentrate on specific traffic safety saturation spots throughout the City of Hastings, similar to the Safe & Sober saturation and waves. Officers wili be coming In during off-duty hours and will be able to earn compensatory time as compensation for working a traffic safety project. Officers of the Hastings Police Department recognize that traffic safety issues are a major concern for the citizens of Hastings. This new program will hopefully help ease some of these concerns, as well as curtail traffic safety problems throughout the city. Safe & Sober Noticel The Hastings Police Department will be conducting a Safe & Sober wave from November 18th through December 1"t., 2003. The Safe & Sober Program involves off-duty officers coming in and working, concentrating on various traffic safety issues. The focus of the upcoming S&S wave will be seat belt safety, so keep those belts buckled! Budget Cut6 Require Change6 in Animal Control for 2004 Beginning January 1 ", 2004, the Hastings Police Department wili no longer be utilizing Top Dog Animal Control to provide animal control services for the City and Police Department. Due to the budget cuts in 2004, the City will no longer be able to contract monthly for Top Dog to provide this service. Effective immediately, dog owners and residents should contact the Hastings Police Department directiy (651-480-2300) to inquire about lost or missing dogs or to report a dog problem, as we have begun coordination to document the necessary information for dog complaint calls. If a resident has a dog that has been picked up, the dog's owner must contact the Hastings Police Department and be able to provide proof that the animal has a current rabies vaccination and dog license before the dog wili be released and returned to the owner. The City will continue to utilize Shamrock Animal Hospital located In Rosemount to house and store any dogs that may be picked up by the Police Department. B!I Dogs are stili required to be licensed by the City. I.IiI Licenses can be purchased through Hastings City Hall and cost $6.00 for a spayed/neutered dog, and $8.00 If the animal is not spayed/neutered. . The license period is annually from July 1-June 30. Fire Department 115 West Fifth Street Hastings MN 55033 Fire Chief: Mark Hoime6 Non-Emergency: 651-480-6150 CARBON MONOXIDE: THE SILENT KILLER Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, deadly gas. Because you can't see, taste, or smell it, carbon . monoxide can kill you before you know it's there. Today's more energy-efficient, airtight home designs contribute to the problem by trapping CO-polluted air inside the home. The reason CO is so dangerous is Its attraction to your hemoglobin in the bloodstream. CO is breathed in through the lungs, and bonds with the hemoglobin in your blood, displacing the oxygen that cells need to function. When CO is present in the air, it rapidly accumulates In the blood. It will eventually displace enough oxygen In your system to suffocate you from the Inside out, resulting in brain damage or death. CO occurs as a common by-product of appiiances that run on flammable fuel, carbon monoxide can be emitted by gas or oil furnaces, refrigerators or clothes dryers, water heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves, charcoal grills, gas ranges, and space heaters. A clogged chimney or improper venting can cause problems as well. Everyone is at risk. CO poisoning can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. To protect you and your family from CO poisoning, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends installing at least one carbon monoxide detector per household, preferably near the sleeping area. A second detector located near the home's heating source adds an extra measure of safety. Reliable, cost-effective protection from carbon monoxide poisoning is now available from many local stores. To determine if you may be suffering from CO poisoning may be difficult. Because its symptoms are similar to other common diseases, such as the flu, carbon monoxide is often called "The Great Imitator". Symploms of low-level CO poisoning can include headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizzy spells, and confusion. There are, however, a few hints that can help. Are other members of the household feeling ill as well? Do you feel betler when you are away from the house for a period of time? If so, you may be suffering from CO poisoning. To be sure, see a physician and request a carboxyhemoglobin test, which determines the amount of CO in your blood. If your CO detector goes off, get out of the house immediately. II is best to have a plan that includes a designated meeting place--most fatalities accur when people re-enter the home to search for loved ones. Call1he Fire Department and do not re-enter until the Fire Department tells you it is okay to do so. Beware of the Tow! Residents are reminded that if their vehicle is leff on the street during a snow emergency, it is subject to ticket/towing. The costs can add up... "Snow Bird" Ticket Tow bill Total ~~~gg .~ $93.00 -..... Help keep us from having to enforce these regulations which cost you.by I.' moving your vehicle off the streets during a snow emergency and making the winter months as safe and enjoyable as possible for all. ...Downtown Redevelopment, continued from Page 1 The selected developer will be given a period of time for exclusive negotiations with the City for planning development of the area between Sibley Street and the railroad tracks, south of Levee Park. Most of the area is now vacant or used for parking. Three proposals include replacing or remodeling one or more of the existing commercial buildings east of Ramsey Street. The park is not a development site, but improvements for public access and appearances are expected. Proposals have also been made for property on Fourth Street across from City Hall. All four proposals include housing, in varied numbers and styles, such as for-sale townhouses and condominiums and rental apartments. Three of the proposals include restaurants. Two include hotels, one with a banquet facility. All include some new retail or office space. Portions olthe developments would be completed in phases. These proposals are conceptual and preliminary. For example, the feasibility of a hotel at this location has to be confirmed by a market study. The selected developer will work with City officials, staff and consultants to refine the original concepts into more specific site and parking plans, building plans, numbers and areas of the component uses and public and private costs. Open houses for public information and comment will be held, probably between January and March, 2004. There will also be public hearings at City Council and Planning Commission as the plans are reviewed. For more information on this project, please contact John Grossman, HRA Director at 651-480-2347. 'r'~ Pay Your Utility Bills the Electronic Way with E-Payl >- o 't . Interested in making your life easier? Sign up for E-pay for your Utility billsl When you're on the E-Pay plan, bill paying is easy and convenient because your bank automatically makes the scheduled payment. You save the cost of postage and checks, and you can relax knowing your bill is paid, even when you're away on vacation or business. And best of all, it's free! >- \l . ~ 't . ~ 't . >- o 't . How Does E-Pay Work? The City of Hastings will still send you your bill as usual. However, instead of you mailing or dropping off your payment at City Hall, your bank will instead deduct your payment on the bill's due date from your checking or savings account and pay the City of Hastings. You don't have to do a thing. >- \l . >- o 't . % 't . How Do I Join? Authorization forms are available at City Hall, via e-mail (cityhall@ci.hastings.mn.us). or on the City's website (www.ci.hastings.mn.us). Please enclose a voided check or a deposit slip when you turn in your E-Pay authorization forms to City Hall. ~ . % ~ , . ~ . >- o 't . What If I Want to Discontinue E-Pay? We're confident that you will find this to be an easy way for you to pay your quarterly utility bill. However, if E-Pay isn't for you, you may stop E- Pay at anytime simply by notifying the City of Hastings in written form requesting to be removed from the E-Pay plan. >- o 't . >- o 't . >- \l . ~ 't . >- o 't . If you have any questions or need more information, please call the Finance Department at 651-480- 2350. OLD MIDDLE SCHOOL SITE GETS A NEW LOOK WITH SCHOOLHOUSE SQUARE DEVELOPMENT Construction has begun on the Schoolhouse Square development site, located at the former Hastings Middle Schooi site at 10'" and Vermillion Streets. The developer, Camegaran, LLC plans to Integrate architectural components of the old historic school into a mixed use development of retail, office, and residential uses. The first phase of 12 rowhouse style townhomes adjacent to Ramsey Street is currently under construction and plans for Phase II have been submitted for City Council approval. Located along Vermillion Street, the future two story building would house retailon the first floor and office space on the second. At this time, Green Mill Restaurant and Dunn Brothers Coffee have been identified as tenants for this phase. Future phases include additional retail and office space, as well as a 56-unit condominium building in the center of the development. For more information on the Schoolhouse Square or other developments throughout the City, contact the Hastings Planning Department at 480-2378. . PUBLlC SKATE HOURS Weekdays Wednesday, October 15, 2003 to March 24, 2004 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Friday, October 17, 2003 to March 26, 2004 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. No skate on January 2. . 2004 Weekends - November Saturday 1 3:00 - 5:00 p,m. Sunday 2 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Saturday 8 3:00 ~ 5:00 p.m. Sunday 9 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Saturday 15 3:00 , 5:00 p.m. Sunday 16 5:30' 7:30 p.m. Saturday 22 .3:00,5:00 p.m. Saturday 29 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Sunday 30 5:30 ~ 7:30 p.m. Weekends - December.' Saturday : 6 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Sunday 7 . 5;30 - 7:30 p.m, Sunday 14 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Saturday .20. 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.. Sunday 21 : 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Saturday 27 . 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Sunday 28 '. 5:3a - 7:30 p.m. Monday 29. 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. Wednesday 31 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.' ,-".', ,.-" ,-. Weekends - January , .: . . . Sunday 4 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Sunday 11 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Sunday 18 5:30 - 7:30 p.m:. Monday 19 12:30 - 2;30 p.m. Saturday 24 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Sunday 25 5':30 - 7:30 p.m. Admission: $3.00 Session book of 10: $25.00 Adult hockey league (19+ years old) When: Sunday Night games a!7;45 , p.m., 8:45 p.m" 9:00 p.m. Hastings Civic Arena $145.00 per person November 2,.2003 to March 21, 2004 Where: Cost: Dates: Will not have games on' 5uperBowl Sunday Contact: Jeremy at 651-480-6195 Adult Co-Ed soccer League Play will begin Wednesday March 24, 2004 and complete May 12, 2004. Cost is $55.00 f1J For more info, call or e-mail Sliv at 651-480-6195 or jmcgree@oi.hastings.mn.us PUBLIC HOCKEY HOURS Friday, November 7 11:45 a.m.-_ 1:15 p.m. Friday, November 28 11:45 a.m.- 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, December 24 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Friday, December 26 11:45 a.m.- 12:45 p.m. Monday, December 29 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 31 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p,m. Monday, January 19 11:00 a.m. ~ 12:00 p.m. Admission: $7.00 'Golden Blades Skating School: Head ,Instructor Colle~n IIMPROV.I Car~tensen has .:::I":tC , ,been a l'!Iewber ... .. ILL' ,of the ,Ice Skating Institute (ISI) since ,,1988. She bas competed in numerouscompetitiqns and has completed test through i . Freestyle 8. She also has been aC' m~mb~r of United States F,igure, Skating Association (USFsA}sinp~ 1989 arid b,ecame a gold medalist in, 2M2. She "brings 9 years"e~periencec()aching, both group and single s,katers. ';" Lessons: First session is Octob~r18,2()()3~andWIU run, on Saturdays for eight:Y"eek~,> 90st: .. $80.00 ' Skate ',Lessons 1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. pow~r Skating Les's:ons ' ~ 2:15 p.m. -'2;45 p.m. ," ".: ,,', . ':'-~':" " ,J. For more inforrTIation,calt Colleen at 651-248- 5910. Second session lessons. will-start January 24, 2004. This is the 29th year ohEm/ice! The arena first opened November, 1974. John Lightbourn and Bob Bathrick were the management and maintenance crew and there were too many volunteers to mention! Free Style - November Wednesday 5 5:30 - 6:15 p.m. Friday 7 1 :30 - 2:30 p,m. Sunday 16 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. Wednesday 19 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. Sunday 30 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. Free Style - December Wednesday 3 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. Saturday 13 12:30-1:15 p.m. Wednesday 17 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. Sunday 21 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Sunday 28 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. Wednesday 31 6:00-6:45 p.m. Free Style - January Wednesd~y 14', 6:00, - 6:45 p.m. Monday 19 9:30' 10:30 p.m. Sunday 25 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. Wednesday 28 :5:45 - 6:30,p.m~ Admission $7.00 .,;w BOYSVAJ~SITY HOME GAMES <,","0:' 7:30 p~m. Anoka: ',r:30-:p.m: -:Park Grove .7:30 p.m., Maple Grove . 7:15 p.m. Alumni 11 :ocr a.m:, 'Welis Fargo Sheotout ,JanuarY 1s.,.,i:,30;p.ritJ -:Ros~vilIe-:: January 22 ',7:30 p.m, Mounds View January 24 7:30 p.m;:. Duluth East February 5 ' ;,7:30 p.m, , ," For-esf" t.,aka February 7 - '7:30 p.m. : Woodbury' February 14 7:30 p.m. 'White Bear, February 17 7:30 p.m.. . Stiiiwater JV games 2_ hours ,before' Varsity tHne D"ecember 2 December 18 December,20 December 23 January'1 w3 T ' ,', ,,,,,,,, ,--''''' - GIRL.S VARSITY HgMEGAMES 7:30p.m. Benilde 1 :30pni Park Center 7:30p,n)~; '-: Eastview '11:30 a.m. Cretin 5:30pm Hastings December 4 7:30 p.m. y.Jest St. Paul December 9 7:30p.m. " Forest'Lake December 11 7:30 p,rn:- Park Grove December 13 1 :30 p.m. Woodbury January 8 7:30 p.m.' Blake January 13 7:30 p.m. Mapie Grove January 23 7:30 p.m. Stillwater January 27 7:30 p.m. Mounds View February 3 7:30 p.m. Roseville February 6 7:30 p.m. White Bear JV games 2 hours before Varsity time November 25 November 28 November 29 Aquatic Center Ends Another Successful Season! The 2003 summer season has wrapped up for the Hastings Family Aquatic Center,. The water has been drained, the pipes have been emptied, the chairs have been stored, the funbrellas have been cqvered and the building nas been winterized, Summ."ris officially over for another year. The Hastings Family Aquatic Center employed 40 seasonal ' staff member~ whaweic~med aYer 33,000 visitors during the 660 hours of open swim..Season passes were popular again thisy,:ar,oY~rl'890were sold for the se.ason. > The staff has CllrbClWb~gUh researching changes for next Year., including selling t, )lear season passes, increi1sing water aerobics and lap swim hours, and purchasing more deck furniture. Check the City web page after January I, 2004 fOr neW updates onthe Hastings Family Aquatic Center or call the hot.line at 651-480-2392. HASTINGS Farni Iy A~uatic Center ~ RECYCLING TOGETHER AND ~ MAKING A DIFFERENCE Hastings residents continue to make the Youth Recycling Green Team Project a success. Since the project started in 2002 more than 402,040 pounds of cardboard and mixed paper have been dropped off at the Youth Recycling Collection Box located in the parking lot at Terry's Ace Hardware Store, 375 West 33'" Street! The Hastings Natural Resource and Recreation Commission (NRRC) has selected seven Hastings youth groups as Youth Recycling Green Teams. Over $3,000 from the recycling project have helped to support the activities of the MOMS Club of Hastings, Hastings Town & Country 4-H Club, Hastings Gymnastic Club, Girl Scout Troop 1584, Boy Scout Troop 534, and Boy Scout Troop 503. The Youth Recycling Green Team for this quarter is Brownies Troop #2821. Waste Management contributes $15 for every ton of cardboard and mixed paper collected in the recycling drop off box to the Youth Recycling Green Team. Residents can drop off clean cardboard and mixed paper, 24 hours! day at the Youth Recycling Collection Box. Please flatten cardboard boxes and place in the collection box. Place mixed papers loosely or in PAPER bags only, in the collection box. Mixed papers accepted for recycling are magazines, catalogs, boxboard, phone books, newspapers and inserts, junk mail, pop cartons, and paper of all colors. To receive a Youth Green Team application form, contact Marty McNamara, Parks & Recreation Director, at 438-6193. For more informatio about the program, contact Randy Triplett a 480-0307, Ext. 0105. FRIENDS OF THE VERMILLION The Vermillion River is a significant naturai resource in the southeast metropolitan area. The river begins flowing in Scott County and winds its way 38 miles across Dakota County before dropping 90 feet through a series of falls and rapids in Hastings. This fall line marks the beginning of a scenic gorge that offers one of the few natural whitewater canoe/kayaking and wildlife viewing experiences in the Twin Cities area. Not far below the rapids, the river slows and meanders for another 15 miles through the Mississippi River backwaters and floodplain forest. This area, referred to as the Vermillion River Bottoms, is part of the Great River Birding Trail and is within the Mississippi River National River Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park system. The Bottoms have also been identified as one of 10 Twin Cities Treasures by the partners of the McKnight Foundation Embrace Open Space Campaign. Friends of the Vermillion River Water Trail--FVRWT or "Favorite" is an informal collaboration of public and private institutions, and individual citizens. Its mission is "to enhance the recreational, educational and resource protection opportunities of the Vermillion River: and to increase public awareness of and appreciation for the river's aesthetic and wildlife habitat values." FVRWT is working on creating a new canoe and kayak access site in Hastings' C. P. Adams Park. The site will provide easy access while having minimal impact on the shoreline. The group is also investigating the possibility of establishing a 'put in' and a 'take out' access for the whitewater area below the falls in Hastings. In addition, FVRWT is exploring the process of securing legislative action required to have the Vermillion River designated as an official 'State Canoe and Boating Route.' FVRWT will engage public officials, land stewards, agency staff, outdoor recreation groups and citizens to determine the support for having the river designated. Would you like more information on FVRWT and how to get involved? Contact: Michele Hanson 651772 6152 michele.hanson@dnr.state.mn.us John Vickery 6128278006 jvickery@mcg.net HOW TO CONTACT YOUR CITY OFFICIALS CITY COUNCIL The Hastings City Councii reguiariy meets on the first and third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Meeting agendas are available at City Hail and on the City's website. Residents are encouraged to attend these meetings. City Hall Staff City Administrator Admin. Asst/City Clerk Finance Director HRA Director Building Official Planning Director City Engineer 437-4143 438-3194 437 -5298 437-4416 438-3878 437-8866 437 -7869 Dave Osberg dosberg@ci.hastings.mn.us Melanie Mesko Lee mmesko_lee@cLhastings.mn.us Lori Webster Iwebster@ci.hastings.mn.us John Grossman jgrossman@ci.hastings.mn.u5 Bill Mesaros wmesaros@ci.hastings.mo.us John Hinzman jhinzman@ci.hastings.mn.us David Gurney dgurney@ci.hastings.mn.us City of Hastings 101 Fourth Street East Hastings MN 55033-1955 City Hall City Hall Office Hours . 101 Fourth Street East 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday City Hall Phone: 651-480-2350 Dept. of Building Safety 651-480-2342 Engineering/Planning/HRA 651-480-2334 City Website: www.ci.hastings.mn.us General City E-mail: cityhall@cLhastings.mn.us Other City Facilities Fire Department Fire Chief 480-6150 Mark Holmes mholmes@ci.hastings.mn.us Police Department - 480-2300 Police Chief Mike McMenamy mmcmenomy@ci.hastings.mn.us In an emergency, diai 911 Public Works 480-6185 Public Works Director Tom Montgomery tmontgomery@cLhastings.mn.us Gal Ruedy cruedy@ci.hastings.mn.us Jim Heusser jheusser@ci.hastings.mn.us Parks Department- 480-6175 Parks & Rec. Director Marty McNamara mmcnamara@ci.hastings.mn.us Lee Erickson lerickson@ci.hastings.mn.us Aquatic Center Hotline - 651-480-2392 Manager Darbie Johnson djohnson@ci.hastings.mn.us 480-6195 Jim McGree jmcgree@ci.hastings.mn.us Skate Park Hotline -651-480-2393 Street Superintendent Util. Superintendent Parks Superintendent Civic Arena Manager POSTAL CUSTOMER PRSRT..sTD ECR u.s. POSTAGE PAID Hastings MN Permit No. 166 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER CONTAINING NO LESS THAN 10% POST -CONSUMER WASTE Mayor Mike Werner Ward Council members Ward 1 Janette Yandrasits Ward 2 Turney Hazlet Ward 3 Ed Riveness Ward 4 Danna Elling Schuitz At-Large Councilmembers Paul Hicks Lynn Moratzka