Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 1998 Hastings Rivertown News City of Hastings .101 East Fourth Street Hastings, MN. 55033-1955. (612)437-4127 Mayor's Messa~ For 1998, citizens can anticipate new developments like the construction of an outdoor pool at Roadside Park, the opening of a second ice sheet at the Arena, and the redevelopment of Bahls block. In addition, revisions for the comprehensive plan in areas such as land use, growth options, and storm sewer capacity will be completed by December 1998. To participate in revising the comprehensive plan, see page 4 of this issue. The City will continue to provide quality services to its residents. The Police will be spot surveying local businesses to evaluate the department's services. Thanks to fundraising efforts by our great community, the City will be able to provide a new training program for the Fire Department, emergency defibrillators for the Police Department, continued park improvements, and the opening of our second ice sheet at the Arena. If you have any questions or comments regarding any of the City projects for 1998, please contact myself or other Councilmembers. Mayor Werner and the City Council Free Water Conservation Kits Free water conservation kits are available at City Hall for Hastings residents. The kits include a high efficiency faucet aerator, a pulsing motion flow showerhead, leak detection tablets, a toilet tank displacement bag, and a toilet tank fill cycle diverter. A brochure titled "Easy ways to save water, money, and energy at home" will be handed out with the conservation kits. There is no charge for these conservation kits;just stop down at City Hall and pick them up. you have any questions regarding the 1997 property tax ate, you can contact the Minnesota Department of evenue at (612) 296-3781 orl-800-652-9094. They so on the world wide web at www.taxes.state.mn.us. Volume 3 Issue 1 Volume III Finance: Minnesota er.gperty Tax Rebate In an effort to return a portion of the State's budget surplus to the citizens of Minnesota, the State is offering a one-time property tax rebate. You will qualify for the rebate if you are a homeowner, or a renter who is not a dependent of someone else's for federal income tax purposes. For homeowners, the rebate will be calculated as 20% of the 1997 property taxes paid in calendar year 1997. If a homeowner prepaid 1997 property taxes in 1996, the taxes would not qualify for the rebate. A 1997 property tax statement must be submitted along with the taxlrebate return. For renters, the rebate will be calculated as 3.6 % of total rent paid in 1997 for occupancy in 1997 (equates to 20% of the estimated property tax portion of the rent). If a renter prepaid 1998 rent during 1997, this amount would not qualify for the rebate. A certificate of rent paidfor 1997 must accompany the taxlrebate return. The form required to file for the property tax rebate is the Minnesota income tax return (M-I), which is due April 15, 1998. A separate section will be added to the form for this purpose. If you qualify for the rebate, but would not normally file an income tax return, you must complete the M-I form to get your rebate. Those homeowners and renters should write "Do not meet the filing requirements - rebate only" at the top of the M-I form, enter a "0" on Line I, and complete the rebate section. Copies of the M- I form can be obtained from your local post office or library. ~'. , ' . . If you are entitled to both an income tax refund and property tax rebate, those amounts will be combined and remitted to you on one check. If you owe state income taxes, or have outstanding debt with other governmental units, the rebate will be applied to those amounts. At this time, the Department of Revenue is unsure how long it will take to process and return the rebates. February' 1998 Page 1 ~'cansultalian Available far Businesses The Hastings Enterprise Committee (HEC) has been business already underway is the Pressure Point, created with funding from local businesses, the which opened in June 1997. Many other clients are McKnight Foundation, and the City of Hastings. This currently working on business plans, marketing program will provide free, confidential business research, or site selection to develop their dreams into guidance and coaching for Hastings area start-ups future business opportunities. If your business or and expansions. The HEC has hired Ron Toppin to group would like more information or would like to be the Enterprise Facilitator. Ron, a long-time make a contribution to the program, please call Ron Hastings resident and businessman, is owner of M. Toppin at 480-2226. Christopher, a women's wear store in Red Wing, and Hastin!!s Industrial Park Spiral Boulevard - was Marketing Director for Westview Center in Hastings from 1995-1996. His community offHwv 316 involvement has included board-of-directorpositions Lots available zoned for manufacturing, for Hastings Family Service, the Hastings Area processing, wholesaling, warehousing Chamber of Commerce, and the Hastings United and garaging Way. Hastings now will have a program to help Contact Michael Wozniak or John Grossman entrepreneurs make the transition from idea to reality at Hastings City Hall at a much easier step. Most jobs today are being 437-4127 created by small businesses. The Hastings Enterprise Facilitation program is currently being City Hall Contacts & funded by: 0City of Hastings Industrial Park Board Telephone Numbers 0Minnegasco 0Dakota Electric Association Ward Hastines City Council 0Norwest Bank Mayor Mike Werner 437-4143 0Hampton Bank 1 Councilmember Janette Yandrasits 438-3194 2 Councilmember Mike Simacek 437-3387 0Northern States Power 3 Councilmember Ed Riveness 437-4416 01.B.I., Inc. 4 Councilmember Janice Johnson 437-2831 0Regina Medical Center At Large Councilmember Paul Hicks 437-8866 At Large Councilmember Lynn Moratzka 437-7869 0Dakota County Economic Development Partnership Staff 437-4127 0SprintlUnited Telephone City Administrator David Osberg 0Wal-Mart City Clerk/ Administrative Assistant Joyce Pruitt Community Development Director Michael W ozrnak In the past months the Enterprise Facilitator has Finance Director Lori Webster worked with over 40 individuals who have ideas for Fire Chief Don Latch starting businesses in the Hastings area. Anew Parks & Recreation Director Marty McNamara Police Chief Nick Wasylik What's inside this issue. . . Public Works Director Tom Montgomery HRA Director John Grossman - - - ~ - - - - - .. - Mayor's Letter & Finance: Property Tax Refund........l OFFICE HOURS: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Hastings Enterprise Committee & City Hall Contacts....2 Monday . Friday Parks and Recreation...........................................................3 PHONE NUMBERS Skating, Open Gym & Arena Hours..........................................3 Emergency 9-1-1 Community Development....................................................4 New Requirements for Moving Buildings...................................4 City Hall Offices 437-4127 Fire Department....................................................................5 City Hall Fax Number 437-7082 Police Department 437-4126 Twm Tips for Fire Safety.......................................................5 Fire Department & Ambulance Service 437-5610 Public W orks.........................................................................6 Streets Department 437-4415 Snowmobile Corridor Map........................................................? Utilities Department. 437-3922 Police Department................................................................8 Civic Arena 437-4940 Parks Department 437-5858 Volume III Page 2 ,......- -- Parks and Recreation Weeknight gym use is as follows: * 6:30-8:00p.m.-Grades6-8 * 8:00-9:30 p.m. - Grades 9-12 & Adults This schedule will beenforced by gymsupervisors. Thecostfor students is $1.00 and for adults $1.50 each visit Arena Public Skating March 1998 Sat. 07 1 :30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Sun. 08 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Trail Development The sand dam that separates Spring Lake from Lake Rebecca has been blacktopped creating a pedestrian trail that connects to the Lock & Dam. In the Spring of 1998 as a part of the County Road 42 Project, this trail will be extended from the sand dam to Co. Rd. 42, connecting at Pleasant Drive. This section of trail allows for scenic views of Spring Lake and the north end of Lake Rebecca. This trail is for nonmotorized use only. Outdoor Swimming Pool The Swimming Pool Committee, appointed by the Mayor and City Council consisting of Chairman Turney Hazlet, Terese Behnke, Joan Warner, Mike Slavik, Sue Slavik, Janet Swanson, Sharon Lawrence, Walt Amble and Becky Erickson, will be working with the consultant on design plans for an outdoor swimming pool at Roadside Park. Construction of the outdoor pool will take place in 1998 with the proposed opening of the pool in the summer of 1999. Watch for updates on the pool in future issues of the City newsletter. Civic Arena Construction of the second sheet of ice at the Hastings Civic Ice Arena is on schedule. The project is scheduled for completion in March of 1998. In 1998 the parking lot will be upgraded and a second access to the arena will be provided. ~' -Rl" " -\~} >"~ ."..';""<b'l .~ ~-~-~-j "... ~ ~ ~~~ February 1998 Sun. 01 1:15-2:45p.m. Sat. 14 1:30-3:00p_m. Sun. 15 1:15 - 2:45 p.m. Sat. 21 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Sun. 22 1:15-2:45p.m. Veterans Home Bike Trail The City of Hastings is currently working on a trail that will connect Verrnillion Falls Park to the Hastings downtown area. The City received a $160,000 grant from the Federal Government to make this trail connection. The City has had cooperation from the Minnesota Veterans Home, Intek, Cornerstone Bible Church, School District 200 and Smead Manufacturing in developing the trail. Once this section of trail is completed, it will provide the community with a 13 mile trail providing trail access for the City of Hastings. Recreational Swimming Family Swim The Senior High School Pool is reservedforfarnilies to enjoy time in the pool. Bring tbe children, grandchildren, and friends. Children must be accompanied by at least one adult. Family swim is open every Monday night (No swimming availableFeb l6,Mar9, May 4, andMay25)from 7:00- 8:00 p.m. Cost: Students $1.00; Family $3.00. The Senior High School pool is open for recreational swimming on Saturday afternoons from 1:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Cost: Students $1.00; Adults $1.50; Family $3.00 Qpen Gym /, ~ The Senior High Main Gyms are open for basketball (~ and volleyball practice on Saturday mornings from ~0:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and Monday, Tuesday, and ~ ~ursday evenings from 6:30- 9:30 p.m. Bring your own ball. Costs: Public Skate $2.50 Session Book of 10 $20.00 Skate Rental $1.75 Sharpening $2.7 5 Morning Skating: Fridays 8:30 -10:30 a.m. Oct. 31,1997 - March 6,1998 Volume III Page 3 ~'" ~mmL>0' .". ....~ ,- II II Community Development New Requirements for Moving Buildin~ The City of Hastings has recently established new requirements to better regulate the "moving" of structures from one site to another within the City or from outside Hastings to a site within the city limits. At its December 15,1997 meeting, the Hastings City Council approved an amendment to Chapter 4 of the City Code which substantially amends the City's "Special Require- ments for Moving Buildings." This City Code amendment was a response to public concern expressed regarding several projects throughout the City which have occurred over the last couple of years. The public has expressed concern over the aesthetic compatibility of moving certain residential structures into established neighborhoods and failure of house moving projects to be completed in a timely fashion. On more than one occasion neighboring property owners have had to put up with looking at blighted structures for nearly two years while renovation work is slowly proceeding. As a response to public concerns, the City Council adopted new requirements for issuance of a "moving permit" through the Community Development Division. Permit requirements include increased responsibility of the applicant to more detailed information regarding the condition of a structure proposed to be moved, as well as a requirement that the City Building Official be allowed to inspect the structure prior to its being moved. Further, the ordinance amendment establishes a requirement for an applicant to post a $5,000 penal bond, guaranteeing compliance with all permit conditions. The City Council also established an ordinance requirement which states that "all exterior improvements to structures and required site landscaping shall be completed within six (6) months of the date of issuance" of a structure moving permit. In conjunction with this new permitting procedure for "moving" structures, the City Council has also directed staff to require that structure moving projects be referred to the "Board of Design Control" (Planning Commission) and the City Council for review for aesthetic and functional compatibility with the neighborhood in which they are proposed to be Volume 111 -,. located. It is the intent of the City in enacting these requirements to reduce the destabilizing influence on established City neighborhoods which have blighted structures moved onto vacant lots. 1998 Revision of the City of Hastings Comprehensive Plan Work is continuing on the revision of the City's Comprehensive Plan. Under requirements of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act as amended in 1995, Hastings is required to substantially revise its Comprehensive Plan in order to plan for growth and change which will occur through the year 2020. The Metropolitan Council, the regional planning authority for the 7 -county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, has projected that Hastings will grow from its current population of 17,000 to a population of28,500 by 2020. As part of its planning process the City will need to determine what form future development will take and how to meet public service demands in a fiscally responsible manner. The Hastings City Council held three Special City Council Meetings in the Fall of 1997 to establish priorties for revision of the Comprehensive Plan and to begin to disuss issues related to vacant land for future growth, transportation concerns and surface water management. In addition a public meeting was held on January 13, 1998 to solicit input from residents, business leaders and City officials on community needs and priorties related to parks, trails, recreation and open space. The schedule for revising the City's Comprehensive Plan calls for completion by the end of the 1998. Additional public meetings to provide an opportunity for input to the planning process by residents and interested parties will be scheduled throughout the year. Anyone interested in more information regarding the Comprehensive Plan revision project should contact Michael Wozniak, Community Development Director at437-4l27. Page 4 ~ Fire Department 10 Tips for Fire Safety 1 Install Smoke Detectors Working smoke detectors can alert you to afirein your home in time for you to escape, even if you are sleeping. Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, including the basemen~ and outside each sleeping area. If you sleep with the door closed, install one inside your sleeping area as well. Test detectors every month, following the manufacturer's directions, and replace baneries once a year, or whenever a detector "chirps" to signal low battery power. Never "borrow" a smoke detector's battery for another use - a disabled detector cannot save your life. Replacedetectors that are more than 10 years old. ~ Plan Your Escape From Fire LSIf afire breaksoutin your home, you have to get out fast Prepareforafireemergency by sitting down with yourfamily and agreeing on an escape plan. Be sure that everyone knows at least two unobstructed exits - doors and windows - from everyroom Ifyouliveinanapartmentbuilding, do notinclude elevators in your escape plan. Decide on a meeting place outside where everyone will meet after they escape. Have your entire household practice yourescapeplanatleasttwice a year. ~ ~eep an Eye on Smokers e3Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths in North America. Smoking in bed or when you are drowsy could be deadly. Provide smokers with large, deep, non-tip ashtrays and soak butts with water before discarding them Before going to bedor leaving homeaftersomeonehas been smoking, check under and around cushions and upholstered furniture for smoldering cigarettes. Cook Carefnlly A Never leave cooking unattended. Keep cooking ~areas clear of combustibles and wear clothes with short, rolled-up, or tight-fitting sleeves when you cook. Turn pot handles inward on the stove where you can't bump them and children can't grab them. Enforce a "Kid-Free-Zone" three feet (one meter) around your kitchen stove. If grease catches fire in a pan, slide a lid over the pan to smother the flames and turn offthe heat. Leave the lid on until cool. Volume III ~ Give Space Heaters Space Keep portable heaters and space heaters at least three feet (one meter) away from anything that can bum. Keep children and pets away from heaters, and never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to bed. ~ Remember: Matches and lighters are Tools, not Toys In a child' shands, matches and lighters can be deadly. Use only child-resistant lighters and store all matches and lighters up high, where small children can't see or reach them, preferably in a locked cabinet. Teach your children that matches and lighters are tools, not toys, and should be used only by adults or with adult supervision. Teach young children to tell a grown-up if they find matches or lighters; older children should bring matches and lighters to an adult immediately. "1 Cool a Burn Run cool water over a bum for 10 to 15 minutes. Never put butter or any other grease on a bum. If the burned skin blisters or is charred, see a doctor immediately. Never use ice. ~use Electricity Safely If an electrical appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplugitirnrnediately, then have it serviced before using it again. Replace any electrical cord that is cracked or frayed. Don't overload extension cords or run them under rugs. Don't tamper with your fuse box or use improper-sized fuses. Q Crawl Low Under Smoke During a fire, smoke and poisonous gases rise with the heat Theairis cleanernearthe floor. If you encounter smoke while you are escaping from a fire, use an alternative escape route. If you must escape through smoke, crawl on your hands and knees,keepingyourhead 12 to 24 inches (30to 60 centimeters ) above the floor. 1~Stop, Drop & Roll If your clothes catch fire, don'tron. Stop where you are, drop to the ground, cover your face with your hands, and rollover and over to smother the flames. Please call the Hastings Fire Departrnent at437 -5610 if you should have any fire safety questions. Page 5 Public Works SDow Plowing . 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 occasionally have to stop and back up and the drivers cannot see vehicles directly behind the trucks. . 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. Mailboxes are supposed to be installed flush with the back of the curb, 8 inches behind the edge of the street. The Postal Service requests that homeowners keep the area in front of their mailboxes clear so that postal vehicles are able to get close to the mailbox. . A snow emergency automatically goes into effect when 2 inches or more of snow (as measured at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport) 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 12 or KDW A 1460 AM if you are not sure if a snow emergency is in effect. . A normal snowfall takes eight to ten hours to clear, with City crews typically starting snow removal operations at 5:00 AM. Snow windrowed in the downtown area is generally removed the following day. . City ordinances require property owners to clear snow and ice off of sidewalks abutting their property within 48 hours after each storm. In addition, ordinances also prohibit blowing or shoveling snow back out into the street. Volume III Snowmobile Corridor The Hastings City Council recently revised the snowmobile ordinance. The changes included: . Removing Pleasant Dr. from the snowmobile corridor map and replacing it with General Sieben Dr. . Adding 36th St. from Kendall Dr. to Highway 61 to the snowmobile corridor map. . Creating a Service District along 33rd St. between Highway 316 and Highway 61, and along Highway 61 from 33rd St. south to the City limits. Within the Service District, snowmobiles may stop for food, gas, or lodging; and may use area parking lots for park and ride with the property owner's permission. Speeds within the Service District are limited to 10 miles per hour. A copy of the new snowmobile cotridor map is on page seven. The following is a summary of the snowmobile regulations listed in the snowmobile ordinance: Snowmobile Regulations: . Snowmobiles are permitted to operate within the City limits only 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 Dr. boulevard and walks resulted in Pleasant Dr. being removed from the snowmobile corridor map.) . Snowmobile use within the City is permitted only between the hours of 8:00 AM. and 10:00 PM. After 10:00 PM snowmobiles in use within the City must be returning to home. Page 6 J Q. (',\.. Hastings Snowmobile Corridor Map Legend ~ Snowmobile Corridors , \ \' I , \ \ Snow Service District .~ ~ Hastings GIS 1ST STW 4THSTW "' - .2 f-< "' " c 0: D Q \. N wtE s Volume III Page 7 Police Department City Animal Control Policy for 1998 The City of Hastings and Hastings Police Department hired Jeff Beltz of Top Dog Animal Control as the Animal Control Officer for the City in January 1998. The City and police department had previously used 4 Paws Animal Control from Burnsville, as animal control officers. Mr. Beltz and Top Dog Animal Control are both in Hastings, which will allow for easier and quicker response time for animal control issues. Citizens will still contact the police department for an animal control problem if they have a stray dog or cat that they need picked up, and the police department will respond and take the necessary information for a basic initial call report. The police department will then page out Mr. Beltz to come and take custody of the animal. Tbe animal will be kept by Mr. Beltz at his place of business, or at a longer term storage facility which will be the Shamrock Animal Hospital in Rosemount, Minnesota. If a dog or cat owner is missing an animal and they believe it may have been picked up by Mr. Beltz, they can contact him directly to arrange release of the animal from Mr. Beltz and Top Dog Animal Control. The business number for Mr. Beltz at Top Dog Animal Control is 438-8639. If there is no answer residents should contact the police department who will make contact with Mr. Beltz by pager and have him contact you directly. Thus, citizens who have a stray dog or cat or an animal complaint issue, should contact the Hastings Police Department for a regular, full-time officer to respond, who will then, if necessary, contact Mr. Beltz of Top Dog Animal Control. If an animal owner is missing their dog or cat that may have been picked up by Top Dog Animal Control, they should contact Mr. Beltz directly at 438-8639 or through the Police Department if there is no answer at TopDog to arrange for the release of the animal. City residents are reminded that all dogs and cats, by ordinance, are to be licensed through City Hall. Citizens who have a dog or cat that has been picked up by the animal control person will be required to pay pickup and storage fees for release of their animal. City of Hastings 101 Fourth Street East Carrier Route Hastings, MN 55033-1955 Sort BULK RATE U.s. POSTAGE PAID Hastings, MN Permit No. 166 POSTAL CUSTOMER PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER CONTAINING NO LESS 11IAN 10% POST CONSUMER WASTE Volume III Page 8 --1