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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly/August 1999 Hastings Rivertown News . ~~~~ City of Hastings . 101 East Fourth Street, Hastings, MN 55033-1955 . (651) 437-4127 Odd/Even Sprinkling Ban By City Ordinance, a permanent odd/even sprinkling ban is automatically in effect ITom May 15 to September 15 each year. The purpose of the ban is to even out water de- mands and reduce the peak pumping demand ITom the City wells caused during the summer months by lawn sprinkling. In June of 1997, the City of Hastings experienced its high- est recorded water usage day, pumping over 4 million gal- lons of water from the 3 wells serving the high system. This was 94% of these wells' daily pumping capacity. There wasn't enough reserve left to fight a large fire or to meet water demands if one of the wells malfunctioned. This large usage was caused by lawn sprinking. A water emer- gency had to be declared, and City crews went door-to- door, posting notices informing homeowners that an odd/ even sprinking ban had been declared. Following the dec- laration of the sprinking ban, water usage declined to 2.4 million gallons on the high system, or 56% of the wells' capacity. Similar emergency sprinking bans have had to be instituted 2 times in the past 4 years. In each case, the odd/even sprinking ban leveled off water usage to a more manage- able daily level. Improvements to the water supply system have recently been completed, including two new water stor- age tanks and increasing the pumping capacity of two ex- isting wells. However, even these improvements will not add enough pumping capacity to the system to allow everyone to sprinkle their lawns at the same time. At least one, and possibly two, new wells would be needed to meet such a high usage and leave enough capacity in reserve for emergency situa- tions. Any new wells constructed to meet lawn sprinking demands would likely sit idle for nine months of every year. Volume IV Issue 2 Instituting a permanent odd/even sprinkling ban is a compromise that curtails expensive water system ex- pansions by placing modest restrictions on lawn sprinkling.The permanent odd/even ban ordinance reads as follows: "From May J 5 to September J of each year, an odd/even lawn sprinkling ban shall be in effect for all lawn sprinkling systems supplied by water from the City of Hastings water utility. Properties with even-numbered addresses may sprinkle lawns only on days with even numbered dates. Properties with odd-numbered addresses may sprinkle lawns only on days with odd numbered dates. A one (1) week exemptionfrom the odd/even sprinkling ban may be granted for newly planted sod, grass, or landscap- ing upon registering for an exemption with the Hastings Utility Department. Other exemptions may be granted upon evaluation and recommendation of the Hastings Utility Superintendent. " City Council Contacts & Telephone Numbers = Ward Hastinos City Council Mayor Mike Werner Councilmembers Janette Yandrasits Mike Simancek Ed Riveness Janice Johnson Paul Hicks Lynn Moratzka 438-3194 437-3387 437-4416 437-2831 437-8866 437-7869 437-4143 1 2 3 4 At Large At Large Page 1 July/August 1999 Historic Preservation in Hastings DESIGNATION Historic research on seventeen properties around our community of Hastings has just been completed. The research indicates these these properties are significant to the history of Hastings by reason of age, design, use, builders, occupants and/or cultural associations. Interested parties may look through the research mate- rials at City Hall for the following seventeen properties: 615 West 3rd Street II 0 East 4thStreet 700 West 4thStreet 401 West 5th Street 412 West 8thStreet 323 Ramsey 1908 Vermillion 625 West 3"' Street 312 East 4th Street 1512 East 4th Street 200-202 East 7th Street 816 Eddy 307 Sibley 401- 403 Vermillion 403 East 2"' Street 216 East 4th Street 200 East 4th Street Commercial Depot Church School The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) will make a recommendation to the City on the designation of the properties as Heritage Preservation Sites. Their rec- ommendation will go to the Planning Commission and then ultimately to the City Council for consideration. The City Council, after a public hearing, may designate some or all of the subject properties as Heritage Preser- vation Sites. Once so designated as a Heritage Preservation Site, pro- posed changes to designated properties, particularly to the exterior design and materials, have to be approved by the HPC. Volume IV Issue 2 TAX CREDITS Minnesota State Senator Steve Murphy and State Rep- resentative Jerry Dempsey were among the sponsors of bills this past legislative session that would enact a Pres- ervation Tax Credit. This credit would provide an in- centive to Minnesotans for rehabilitating qualifying his- toric structures. The bill would have provided that a taxpayer who incurs costs for the rehabilitation of eli- gible property, whether it is commercial or residential, may take a credit against their income tax in an amount equal to 25% of the total costs of rehabilitation. To qualify eligible properties would have to be: I) on the National Register of Historic Places such as the Second Street districts; or, 2) designated as historic by a city such as thepro cess described above; or, 3) contributing properties within a locally desig- nated historic district such as the Old Hastings Historic District established by the City in 1997. The State Legislature failed to pass those bills during the 1998/1999 session, but the issue may be brought up again in the 199912000 legislative session. Hastings has many properties which would be eligible for these credits if the legislation passes next year. Federal income tax credits are also available for the rehabilitation of properties listed on the National Reg- ister. Call John Grossman, City of Hastings HRA Di- rector at City Hall (651) 437-4127 for more informa- tion on tax credit opportunities within the City of Hastings. Page 2 Swimming Lessons It's not too late to register for American Red Cross swim- ming lessons! The following lessons will be held at the new Hastings Family Aquatic Center, located at 901 Maple Street. Locker rooms are available at the facility, and locks may be brought to secure valuables and per- sonal items. Indoor water safety sessions will be con- ducted at the Aquatic Center if inclement weather pro- hibits outdoor swimming. - _~tI&' Aquajogging ,>-' - - For those who want to jog, but want an alternative to impact jogging or are recovering fiom an injury, this class provides a high aerobic workout. Start with 15-minutes and work up to 20 minutes. Takes place in deep water with the aid of a floatation belt; swimming ability is not necessary! It is rec- ommended that all participants have a physician's approval. Class minimum is seven, capped at 15. Class Dates Days Cost B-9 August 9-26 Aquacises This is a shallow water exercise class consisting of specifi- cally-designed movements that tone all the body's muscles. Beneficial to both men and women; no swimming experi- ence necessary. Class minimum is nine, capped at 25. Class Dates Days Time Cost B:9 August 9-26 M,W,TH 1l:00a.m.-12:00 $21.00 Time M,W,TH 12:00-12:45 p.m. Senior Citizen Water Exercise Class Dates Days Time Cost B 8:00-9:00 a.m. t.- ~ August 9-26 T&TH New Hockey Rink at Lions Park The City of Hastings, working cooperatively with the Hastings' Lions Club, has constructed a new hockey rink at Lions Park. Lions Park is located on West 5th and State Streets in Hastings. The new lighted hockey rink has a bituminous surface, which will allow participants to use the facility year-round. The Hastings' Lions Club contributed $40,000 towards this project. The new hockey rink is one of many improvements completed at Lions Park which would not have been completed without the financial commitment of the Hastings Lions Club. Volume IV Issue 2 Skill Level Placement Guide Ages 6-36 months 3-5 years Cost $21.50 $21.50 Class InfantIToddler Preschool Comments/Requirements The above two classes help young children become comfortable in and around water. This program is not designed to teach children to become good swimmers, or even how to survive in the water alone. The programs give parents information and techniques to help orient children to the water and to how to supervise water activities in a safe manner. These courses may be repeated several times. Infants and children should wear swimsuits. Rubber pants or tight elastic leg pants must be worn over cloth diapers or training pants. No disposable diapers allowed. Class Levell-Water Level 2-Primary Skills Prerequisites None Pass Levell OR be able to fully submerge face, kick in fiont and back with support, and bob ten times. Level 3-Stroke Readiness Pass Level 2 OR be able to fully submerge head, kick in fiont and back without support with arm action. Level 4-Stroke Development Pass Level 3 OR be able to jump into deep water & swim to safety, fiont crawl 10 yards, back crawl 10 yards. LevelS-Stroke Refinement Pass Level 4 OR be able to dive from side, fiont crawl 25 yards with rotary breathing, back crawl 25 yards. Level 6-Skill Proficiency Pass Level 5 OR be able to front crawl and back crawl 10 yards, sidestroke 10 yards, breast stroke 10 yards. Level 7-Advanced Skills Pass Level 6 Adult None. All interested adults are encouraged to enroll. Page 3 New Park Planned for Wallin Addition Wallin Park, a 14-acre park located in the Wallin Addition south of 15th Street, will be planned for development in the year 2000. The Natural Resource and Recreation Commission, an advisory commission to the City Coun- cil on park and recreation is- sues, will be scheduling pub- lic meetings to meet with the neighborhood to plan park development during the win- ter months of 1999. City Parks Get New Playground Equipment New playground equipment has been installed at Conzemius Park, Pioneer Park, and Tuttle Park. The new playground equip- ment was installed ear- lier this spring and has been heavily utilized by the neighborhoods. The Mayor and the City Council budgeted for this new play- ground equipment in the 1999 budget. Hastings Hockey Booster Registration 1999- 2000 season Tuesdav. Au~st 24. 1999 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Au!!Ust 28. 1999 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Improvements Made to Veteran's Park ~ Baseball Field ,. The Hastings' baseball community, in cooperation with the City of Hastings, has constructed a con- cession stand with bathroom facilities at Veteran's Park Baseball Field. The addition of these new fa- cilities will allow the baseball community to host tournaments and to raise additional revenue to sup- port their programs. Volume IV Issue 2 Family Aquatic Center o~ Don't forget to plan trips to the new Hastings Fam- ily Aquatic Center. Located at 901 Maple Street, there are a wide variety of activities to keep every- one in the family busy, including a 200 foot waters Ii de, a drop slide, I-meter diving board, zero depth entry area, lily pad crossing, and a shallow area play structure. Concessions and lockers are also available for your convenience. Season Pass Rates Hastings Resident Non-Hastings Resident $30.00+tax per person $40.00+tax per person Dailv Admission Rates 42" and taller Under 42" tall Under 12 mo.old After 5:00 p.m. $5.00 $3.50 FREE $3.50 Adult ODen Swim! July I-End of August Tuesdaysffhursdays Saturdays 6 a.m.-9 a.m. 6 a.m.-8 a.m. a.m. Questions? Call 437-6999 Arena hours available for rental. Call 437-8279 for more information Page 4 ~ ..... ~ I)(JIII..I (~ "r () III'S Well #6 Nitrate Levels The Minnesota Department of Health tests City wells for compliance with drinking water standards on a quarterly basis. This past May, the Health Department's testing revealed that Test #6 in the Hastings Industrial Park had nitrate levels of 10.5 ppm (parts per million), which exceeds the 10.0 ppm maximum allowable level for drinking wa- ter. Well #6 had been inactive for approximately two months prior to the testing due to improve- ments being made to the pumphouse. Prior to the May Department of Health testing, the well had been testing at 6.5 ppm, well below the maxi- mum level. Following notification from the Health Depart- ment, Well #6 was kept off-line, except for re- testing. Before retesting the well, water from Well #6 was pumped into the storm sewer system for two to three hours to clear the well, after which the water was sampled. Test results from the rest- ing showed nitrate levels ranging from 5.9 ppm to 6.7 ppm, again well below the 10.0 ppm stan- dard. These test results were confirmed by sepa- rate Health Department testing, and Well #6 has been put back into service. However, the City is testing the well for nitrates on a weekly basis for at least two months to ensure that nitrate levels are not exceeding drinking water standards. Veterans Home Road Closing The Veterans Home is con- structing a new utility tun- nel and making improve- ments to their powerhouse that will result in the clos- ing oftheir road that connects 18th Street & 21 st Street and which runs through the MnDot truck sta- tion. The road will be closed from September 1, 1999 to September 1, 2000. Volume IV Issue 2 Veterans Bikeway Construction will start in August on the Veterans Bikeway trail system that will connect to the Rotary Bridge/Old Mill Park trail that ends at 18th Street. The Veterans Bikeway will run through the Gardner prop- erty adjacent to the Con Agra spur line and adjacent to the athletic fields and hockey rink behind Kennedy Elementary School to connect to Bailey Street. Bailey Street from 11 'h St. to 8th St. will be striped for bike lanes on the existing street. A future trail connection along Bailey St. to the Riverfront Trail is planned. The Veterans Bikeway will also be constructed east of Bailey St. along 8th St., passing through the Smead Manufacturing property to parallel 10th Street out to C.P. Adams Park. A scenic loop will be constructed around the Intek property on the east side of lOth St. across ITom Progress Drive. A large trail loop will also be constructed through C.P. Adams Park. Smead Manufacturing, Intek, and the School District gener- ously donated the right of way needed to construct the trail through their properties. A pedestrian trail through Old Mill Park down to the mill ruins will also be constructed as part of this project. 1999 Sealcoating Program As a way of extending the usable life of City streets, the City annually hires a contractor to sea1coat 12% to 15% of the City's streets. Sea1coating involves spraying an asphalt/water mix on the streets which is then covered with small rock. Sea1coating helps rejuvenate the existing street pavement and seals the small cracks which helps prevent water from saturating and weakening the road base. The City's contractor should begin sealcoat opera- tions towards the end of July and early August. The area scheduled for sea1coating is bounded by Prairie St. to the west, 2nd St. to the north, High- way 61 to the east, and Highway 55 to the south. Also included are Ramsey and Tyler Streets and Sibley St. from lOt" St. to 15'" Street. Please call City Hall if you have any questions. Page 5 City Street and Utility Improvements Construction is well underway on 4th Street between Highway 61 and Pleasant Drive, and Spring Street between 20d and 4th Streets. There have been a con- siderable number of delays and more difficult con- struction than expected along Spring Street and the east end of the 4th Street project. The City's con- tractor, Richard Knutson, Inc.appears to have com- pleted the most difficult sections, and work will be- gin to progress somewhat faster. Forest Street between 15th and 17th Streets is also scheduled for reconstruction this year, as is the completion of South Park Drive within the Bohlken Estates 5th Addition development. A sanitary sewer lift station in Westwood Park at 19th Street and Maple Street will be replaced later this summer. As is typical with street and utility construction, the City's contractor, Richard Knutson, Inc., has sub- contracted the bituminous milling, concrete curb and gutter, sidewalk and driveway work, bituminous pav- ing, and sodding and landscape work to other con- tractors. The subcontractors typically do not move their equipment into town until there is enough work to keep them busy for several days. As a result, the construction projects may sit idle for several days while work is being done elsewhere to prepare for a subcontractor. Utility companies generally replace or upgrade their utility lines in conjunction with the City's construc- tion projects. Sprint, Minnegasco, NSP, and Media One all have their own crews or contractors work- ing alongside the City's reconstruction projects. If you have any problems, concerns or questions about the City's construction projects or the utility com- panies' construction, please feel tree to contact the following people: Dave Gurney Hastings City Engineer(651) 437-4127 Hank Drabczak NSP Electric (651) 458-1253 (612) 321-5077 (612) 448-8369 (651) 312-5127 Alia Denisova Minnegasco Fred Fischer Sprint Scott Ruppert Media One Volume IV Issue 2 Cable TV Utility Construction Media One is upgrading their cable TV system this summer. This work will involve a consid- erable amount of construction in the boulevard areas of streets throughout the City, both underground and overhead work. Media One will restore boulevard areas dis- turbed by the construction within three to five days of completing work in the area. ------ Contact the Media One Call Center at 651-222-3333 with any questions about the Cable TV upgrade op- erations. !i1J - D. 'fir _:...c;.._"'_,m..... "",~..... ',<:" Hi City Hall Contacts & Phone Numbers OFFICE HOURS: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday City Staff City Administrator City Clerk/Administrative Assistant Finance Director City Planner Code Enforcement Supervisor Fire Chief Parks & Recreation Director Police Chief Public Works Director PHONE NUMBERS Emergency 9-1-1 City Hall Police Civic Arena Streets Dept. Utilities Dept. Parks Dept. Fire Department & Ambulance David Osberg Melanie Mesko Lori Webster Matt Weiland Bill Mesaros Don Latch Marty McNamara Nick Wasylik Tom Montgomery 437-4127 437-4126 437-4940 437-4415 437-3922 437-5858 437-5610 Page 6 FIRE DEPARTMENT SUMMER SAFETY TIPS Fuel Cans Gasoline, propane, etc. should be stored away from heat, which may cause overpressurizing of the con- tents due to expansion. Keep these items out of direct contact with sunlight! Drink A lot of Water During the summer months, our bodies need plenty of fluids to maintain body heat. To keep cool, wear loose, light colored clothes, and take frequent breaks. Over- doing it may cause heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Sunburns ~Q. A sunburn can not only be very uncomfortable, but also a health hazard. A sunburn that blisters should be seen by a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Do not pop bum blisters! Also, do not apply bum cremes to any bum that has blistered unless directed to do so by your healthcare professional. Using a sunscreen will help avoid sunburns. Don't for get to apply it throughout the day when you are outside for the most protection from painful sunburn! Poisons Working and playing in the great outdoors ex- poses us to a greater danger of contact with poisons including insecticides, plants, fertilizers, and even the picnic food. Reactions to these poisons can range from moderate to severe. If you suspect you or someone else is having a reaction as a result to coming in contact with a poison, call 9-1-1 immediately. A severe reaction can become life threatening in a matter of minutes. Remember that poisons can enter the body through several different methods including ingestion (eating contaminated food, clean food, pop, candy, etc., handled with dirty, contaminated hands), injection (animal bites, bee stings, plant thorns, etc.), and inhalation (carbon monoxide, insecticides, and fertilizers applied in mists and powders, etc.) Volume IV Issue 2 Defensive Driving Tips Now that school is out for the summer, lots of chil- dren may be playing near streets. Keep your eyes open and watch for the child that may dart out from between parked cars. Summer storms can leave standing water on the streets. Extreme caution should be exercised when traveling on roadways covered with water because you can not tell if the road has been washed away, or if there are huge potholes covered by water. Jogging pedestrians and bicyclists wearing head- phones may not hear you coming up behind them and may change directions with little or no warning. Ex- pect the unexpected! I -is. SUMMER BICYCLE SAFETY ~f OO! With the warm weather now upon us, we all need to be aware of the increase of bicyclists on our road- ways. Bicycle accidents are the second largest rea- son for hospital emergency room admissions in the United States. The injury rate of bicycle accidents is over forty times that of automobile injury rates. In order to make your bicycling more enjoyable and safe, here are just a few safety tips to follow: Alwavs wear a helmet. This is your foremost de- fense to protect yourself from the risk of serious head injuries. Obev the traffic laws. When operating your bicycle on roadways, you must follow the same traffic laws as automobiles. Riding the wrong way against the traffic flow is not only dangerous, but illegal, too. Make sure your equivment is in f!ood overatin,? con- dition. Things such as tire pressure, tire condition, as well as general bike maintenance are very impor- tant. Many bicycle shops have free or very low cost bicycle safety inspections. Also remember, when riding in your car, keep an eye out for bicyclists on the road. Remembering and fol- lowing these few safety rules can help you have a safe and enjoyable summer bicycling season! Page 7 Police Department Summer Vacations Summertime is a time when many families take vacations, leaving their homes unoccupied. When going on vacation, residents should notify their neighbors that they will be gone and request assis- tance in keeping an eye on the house. Obviously, all doors and windows to your home should be locked securely, hopefully with deadbolt locking devices. You may also want to consider leaving some lights on or putting your lights on timers to provide the appearance of someone being in the home. The Hastings Police Department has a residence check program where on-duty officers will check on the homes of families who are away. If you would like your home checked while you are on vacation, please feel free to call the Hastings Po- lice Department during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday) at 437-4126. The officers and members of the Hastings Police De- partment would like to wish all Hastings residents a safe and enjoyable summer! Curfew Reminder + The Hastings Police Department would like to remind all juveniles and their parents or legal guardians ofthe Hastings and Dakota County curfew laws: Under 12 years old SUTI.- Thurs. Fri./Sal. Ages 12 to 14 years old Sun.- Thurs. Fri./Sal. Ages 15 to 17 years old Sun.-Thurs. II p.m. - 5 a.m. Fri./Sal. 12 p.m.-5 a.m. It is unlawful for any juvenile aged 17 years old and under to be present in any public place within Dakota County between the hours listed above. 9 p.m. - 5 a.m. .10 p.m. - 5 a.m. 10 p.m. - 5 a.m. 11 p.m. - 5 a.m. To aid in making the curfew hours more effective, the Hastings Police Department asks for the assistance of concerned parents and citizens to report any curfew violations by calling the police department at 437-4126. Parents and legal guardians of juveniles violating the curfew ordinance could also be criminally charged with allowing the curfew violation to occur. rTDIA ~-Q--a Hastings TRAC, Transportation Around the City, is hiring part-time drivers. If you possess a Class "B" driver's license with a passenger endorse- ment with a clean driving record, please call City Hall for an application! City of Hastings 101 Fourth Street East Hastings, MN 55033-1955 Carrier Route Sort BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID Hastings, MN Permit No. 166 . POSTAL CUSTOMER PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER CONTAINING NO LESS THAN 10% POST CONSUMER WASTE Volume IV Issue 2 Page 8 July/August 1999