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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 1998 Hastings Rivertown News City of Hastings. 101 East Fourth Street Hastings, MN .55033-1955. (612)437-4127 City Receives Award The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to the City of Hastings by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest fonn of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by the government and its management. The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly cornmunicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR. A copy of the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report is available for review at the Dakota County Library in Hastings. Permanent Odd/Even Sprinkling Ban The Hastings City Council recently adopted an ordinance implementing a permanent odd/even sprinkling ban effective May 15 to September 1 of each year. The purpose of the ban is to even out water demands and reduce the peak pumping demandrrom theCitywellscausedduring thesummermonths by lawn sprinkling. Last June, the City experienced its highest recorded water usage day, pumping over 4 million gallons of water rrom the three wells serving the high system. This was 94% of these wells' daily pumping capacity. There was no reserve left to fight a large fire or to meet water demands if one of the wells ma1functioned This large usage was caused by lawn sprinkling. A water emergency had to be declared, and City Volume III Issue 2 Volume III crews went door to door posting notices informing homeowners that an odd/even sprinkling ban had been declared Followingthedeclaration ofan odd/even sprinkling ban water usage declined to 2.4 million gallons on the high system or 56% of the wells' capacity. Similaremergencysprink1ingbansweredeclaredtwice in the last three years. In each case, the odd/even sprinkling ban leveled off water usage to a more manageable daily level. hnprovements to the water supply system are underway, including two new water storage tanks and increasing the pumping capacity of two existing wells. However, even these improvements will not add enough pumping capacity to the system to allow everyone to sprink1e their lawns at the same time. Atleastonenewwelland possiblytwonewwellswould be needed to meet such a high usage and still leave enough capacity in reserve for emergency situations. Any new wells constructed to meet lawn sprinkling demands would likely sit idle forninemonthsofeveryyear. Institutingapennanentodd/ even sprink1ing ban is a compromise that curtails expensive water system expansions by placing modest restrictions on lawnsprinkling. The permanent odd/even sprinkling ban ordinance reads as follows; "From May 15 to September I of each year, anodd/ evenlawnsprinklingbanshallbeineffectforalllawnsprink1ing systems supplied by water rrom 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 (I) week exemption rrom the odd/even sprink1ing ban may be granted for newly planted sod, grass, or landscaping upon registering for the exemption with the Hastings Utility Department. Other exemptions may be granted upon evaluation and recommendation of the Hastings Utility Superintendent" Mayor Werner and the City Council April' 1998 Page 1 Address Posting Hastings Police Department requests citizens' help in visibly marking their addresses. In accordance with Municipal Ordinance #251, adopted in 1989, all residential, commercial or industrial buildings are required to display the assigned address identification numbers to the ITont of the building. This makes it easier for police, ambulance and fire personnel to locate the buildings. The numbers are required to be at least four inches high, at least one-half inch wide, and colored in contrast with the color of the principle building. The time saved by having your home easily located by emergency personnel could make a difference in critical emergency situations! City Utility Rates At their March 16, 1998 meeting, the Hastings City Council adopted a resolution setting the wastewater rate at $2.25/1 ,000 gallons. This represents an increase of$.l 0 11 ,000 gallons. The water rate will remain the same at $1.30/1 ,000 gallons. Civil Defense Siren Procedures Hastings Police would like to remind citizens that the civil defense sirens are activated when the threat of severe thunderstorm/tornado is imminent for the City of Hastings. The Police Department and County dispatch receives alerts ITom the National Weather Bureau of tornado warnings or severe thunderstorm warnings for our area. The civil defense sirens are activated to alert citizens of this threat. Citizens are instructed to find a safe place for shelter from the imminent threat of these serious storms. HASTINGS INDUSTRIAL PARK Spiral Boulevard-off Hwy 316 Lots available zoned for manufacturing, processing, wholesaling, warehousing and garaging Contact Michael Wozniak or John Grossman at Hastings City Hall at 437-4127 Citizens are reminded they may turn their local radio station to 1460 AM, KDW A, for updates on the severe weather risk. \ \'=l=G~ ~ <::J-a Hastings TRAC is a Monday through Friday 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. flexible door to door transit service available to Hastings residents. The policy is to pick riders up at their door and deliver them to their destinations. Individuals that have difficulty getting in and out of vehicles will benefit ftom Hastings TRAC buses that are disabled accessible. The cost for a one-way ride is $1.50 with a token ($3.00 round trip). The cash fare is $1.55 for a one-way ride. In order to make the ride efficient and enjoyable for everyone please schedule your appointment with TRAC at least 24 hours in advance of your trip. Rides may be scheduled ftom 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling 437- TRAC (8722). City Hall Contacts & Telephone Numbers Ward Hastings City Council Mayor Mike Werner 1 Council member Janette Yandrasits 2 Councilmember Mike Simacek 3 Councilmember Ed Riveness 4 Councilmember Janice Johnson At Large Councilmember Paul Hicks At LargeCouncilmember Lynn Moratzka Staff City Administrator David Osberg City Hall General Information City Hall Fax Number City Clerk/Administrative Assistant Joyce Hottinger Community Development Director Michael Wozniak Finance Director Lori Webster Fire Chief Don Latch Fire Department & Ambulance Service Parks & Recreation Director Marty McNamara Parks Department Civic Arena Police Chief Nick Wasylik Police Department Public Works Director Tom Montgomery Streets Department Utilities Department HRA Director John Grossman Emergency 9-1-1 OFFICE HOURS: 8:00 a.m. . 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday 437-4143 438-3194 437-3387 437-4416 437-2831 437-8866 437-7869 437-4127 437-4127 437-7082 437-4127 437-4127 437-4127 437-5610 437-5610 437-4127 437-5858 437-4940 437-4126 437-4126 437-4127 437-4415 437-3922 437-4127 Volume III Issue 2 Page 2 -- Parks and Recreation Hastings Named Tree City USA Hastings has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. It is the second year Hastings has received this national recognition. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. To become a Tree City USA, a community must meet four standards: (I) possess a tree board or department, (2) have a tree care ordinance in place, (3) have a comprehensive community forestry program in place, and (4) the community must observe Arbor Day. "A community's tree-planting program is a living memorial to the citizens' concern forthe quality of life. The trees we plant and care for today will increase property values, cool and beautifY our cities, fight pollution, conserve energy, and give wildlife a home for years to come, " said John Rosenow, The National Arbor Day Foundations' president. "An effective community forestry program is an ongoing process of renewal and improvement --a program of tree planting and care that continues through the years," Rosenow said. "The Tree City USA award is an excellent indication that there is a solid foundation for that process of improvement." Any questions regarding trees please call Kevin Smith, City Forester, at 437-5858. Hastings Civic Arena The second sheet of ice at the Civic Ice Arena is scheduled for completion on May 15, 1998. In late May, Civic Arena staff will start up the new refiigeration equipment and begin to make ice for testing purposes and become familiar with the operations. During this period of time skating will be available to the public. Arena staffwill notifY the public in the paper, radio station and cable t.v. of the hours of operation. This summer, the arena parking lot will be paved and also a new exit to Spiral Blvd. will be constructed. During the Spring and Summer months landscaping will be completed in ITont of the new arena. The Civic Ice Arena is also available for dry floor events, such as baseball, golf, softball and soccer practices. Please contact the Arena Manager at 437-8279 for further information. Open Swimming at the Senior High School Family Swim is every Monday night (except May 4 and May 25) ITom 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., through June 8th. Saturday Swim is ITom I:OOp.m. -2:45 p.m. April 18,25 and May 2, 9, 30th. The cost for family swim or Saturday swim is $1.00 for students; $1.50 adults, and $3.00 for a family. Lap Swimming is available Mondays & Wednesdays, through June 8th, ITom 8p.m. - 9 p.m. The cost is $1.75. Sorry, no lap swim available on April 29, May 4 & 6th. Open Gym Open gym, located at the Sr. High School, is available ITom 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. for Middle Schoolers and 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. for Sr. High Schoolers and Adults on the following days: Tuesdays April 14, 21, 28 Thursdays April 9,23, 30 The cost is $1.00 for students and $1.50 for adults. Volume III Issue 2 Contact Peggy Harren Pool & Gym Coordinator at 437-7818 with qnestions ahout open gym or pool availability Page 3 Community Development ~.... f' "..': """," .. -. ".. 4_""",- .- 110 I. .. Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Grant Project: Hastings Critical Areas Plan and Ordinance Update City of Hastings Community Development Division Staff with the assistance of Planning Consultant, Resource Strategies Corporation, are currently engaged in a project to update the City's Critical Areas Plan and to modify city ordinances to comply with the requirements of the Critical Areas Act. In 1973 the Minnesota State Legislature adopted the Critical Areas Act. The law recognized the need to provide special protections to certain areas of the state possessing important historic, cultural, or esthetic values, or natural systems which perform a function of greater than local significance, could result in irreversible damage to these resources, decrease their value and utility for public purposes, or unreasonably endanger life and property. Critical Areas in Hastings include property situated between the Mississippi River and 2" Street/County Rd. 42. The boundary ofthe Hastings Critical Area broadens in East Hastings to include area between the Mississippi River and 10" Street. In 1979 the City adopted a Critical Areas plan but, did not adopt an implementing ordinance. In recent years, renewed interest in planning and regulating land use in the Mississippi River Critical Areas corridor has been generated due to the establishment of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (a unit ofthe National Park Service) which corresponds with the boundaries of the Mississippi River Critical Areas. Responsibilities for state administration of the Critical Areas Act have been transferred to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The City of Hastings is currently working with the Minnesota DNR to revise the City's Critical Area Plan and to draft and adopt the required implementing ordinance. The requirements of the Critical Areas Plan and Ordinance and other goals of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Comprehensive Management Plan might effect how landowners within the corridor may use or develop their property. Volume III Issue 2 As part of the planning process a public meeting and information session will be held on Thursday, May 28, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., in the Community Room at the Hastings City Hall Anyone interested in the Critical Areas Plan or Ordinances or rivemont planning and development matters in general are welcome to attend. Maps and information about the planning process will be on display and project staffwill be available to answer questions regarding the significance of the plan to property owners or tenants within the Critical Areas Corridor. A thirty minute presentation will be given by the project consultant between 7:00 and 7:30 p.m. to explain the planning process, provide an overview of issues and concerns identified to date, and explain how the City of Hastings compliance with the Mississippi National River and Recreation Comprehensive Management Plan may effect property owners and residents within the Critical Areas Corridor. You may contact Community Development Director, Mike Wozniak, at 480-2380 with any questions regarding the MNRRA Grant Project - Critical Area Plan and Ordinance Update. Heritage Preservation The City has received a $6,200 grant from the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior, through the Minnesota Historical Society. The grant will pay half of the costs and be matched by City funds and staff time for the research of approximately fifteen individual historic properties for nomination to the list of Heritage Preservation Sites. These fifteen properties will be considered individually because they are outside the three established historic districts. The work will begin in the fall of 1998 and be completed in the spring of 1999. The owners of properties being considered for nomination will be notified. Page 4 Police Department City Ordinance Regarding '~.r Rollerblades & .....~ Roller Devices Spring Safety Reminders Now that Spring is approaching, the Hastings Police Department would like to take this opportunity to remind citizens and vehicle drivers that there will be an increase of people out waJking, biking, skateboarding and roller blading, using the streets of our City. Some safety tips for people out enjoying the weather are: Always tIy to have a waJking partner with you on your waJks. If you can not have a waJking partner, always tIy to walk in a residential area where you can easily get help if needed. . When waJking, always tIy to stay on the sidewalk and off the roadway when sidewalks are available. If no sidewaJks are available stay as close to the curb as possible. Always wear light colored clothing which can be more easily seen than dark clothing. When waJking in the evening hours or at dusk, tIy to wear some sort of reflective type clothing. Many walkers are now wearing bright orange slip-on vests with reflective stripes or tape on the vest . If walking after dark carry a fIasWight and walk in well lit neighborhoods. . When crossing a street, always cross at the comer intersection of the street, in a designated crosswalk if possible. Never crpss in the middle of the street Please remember skate boards, roller skis, rollerskates and skateboards are not allowed in the following areas of the City of Hastings: Any property or parking lot owned by the City, County, State or Federal Governments. . Any privately owned parlGng lot without the written permission of the owner. . Any public tennis court. Any street where the posted speed limit is in excess of 30 miles per hour, except Pleasant Drive between West 4th Street and County Road 42 and East 10th Street fium Vermillion Street to the east city limits. On any sidewalk adjacent to that part of 2nd Street lying between Eddy Street and Bailly Street !t is important to operate all roller devices in a safe manner, riding no more than two abreast on any street, and operated as close as practicable to the right band curb or edge of the street !tis not lawful to operate roller devices on any street within the City while being pushed or pulled by means of a motorized vehicle, a person on a bicycle or an animal. Hastings police would strongly encourage people to be extra safety conscious in the business areas, including the downtown business area where there is a lot of pedestrian traffic on the sidewalks. There are signs posted in the downtown area as well as the Westview Mall area prohibiting roller blading and skateboarding. Parents and all citizens are asked to recognize the need, for the safety of our citizens, to follow the ordinance guidelines. Spring Safety Reminders for Bike Riders Traffic laws for bikes are the same as traffic laws for motor frames vehicles in these respects: Bike riders are encouraged to use hand signals when Bikes must stop at all posted stop signs. coming to a stop sign or signaling a turn. Bikes must enter all uncontrolled intersections Only one person should be on a bike built for one. safely, looking in all directions for traffic. During evening hours or at night bike riders should wear Also: light colored clothing and should wearreflective clothing Bikes should be ridden on the far right side ofthe road, when possible. going with the flow of traffic. Groups of bikes should Bike helmets are encouraged to be worn, especially by be ridden in single file fonnation, one behind the other. younger and inexperienced bike riders. Bikes should not be ridden on the sidewalks. Remember, bikes are not allowed on the sidewalks on Bikes must be equipped with reflectors on wheels and Second St. business area. Volume III Issue 2 Page 5 Public Works Free Water Conservation Kits Free water conservation kits are now avail- able 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 withthe conservation kits. There is no charge for these conservation kits; just stop down at City Hall and pick them up. The free conservation kits are in response to a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources mandate requiring the City to develop a water conservation plan. The MnDNR regulates municipal well water allocation permits. Other water conservation measures taken by the City include an active water main leak detection program, and replacement of early 1900's water mains in con- junction with street improvement programs. Please Keep Street Gutters Clean Please do not rake leaves or grass into the street gutters. The leaves and grass can easily clog street drains, causing flooding streets during rain storms. The leaves and grass can also be flushed down into the storm Sewer causing problems under the streets or at the outlets into the rivers or ponding basins. Environmentally, the addition of grass and leaves to the ponding basins and rivers adds a nutrient loading that promotes algae growth and reduces the water quality. Raking ofleaves, grass, or any other debris into the street is also prohibited by City Ordinance. Volume III Issue 2 CR #42 Construction The CR #42 construction began again in April. Work that remains to be completed includes sidewalks ftom Pleasant Drive to Spring St., the bike trail ftom Pleasant Dr. to Lock and Dam No.2, the decorative fence next to the retaining wall on the hill between Pine St. and Forest St., tree planting and boulevard sodding, and the final lift of bituminous surfacing. This work is expected to be completed by the end of June. 1998 Street & Utility Projects Contracts will be awarded in May for the City's 1998 street and utility construction program. Street reconstruction and storm sewer installation is planned for East Hastings, including 20' and 3" Streets east ofthe CP Rail crossing, and all abutting side streets. I" St. (Featherstone Rd.) from Pleasant Dr. west to the top of the hill will also be improved with bituminous surfacing, curb and gutter, sidewalk, storm sewer, water main, and sanitary sewer. As part of the new municipal pool improvements, 10" St. between Maple to Walnut Streets and Walnut St. between 10" and II ,h Streets will be reconstructed with curb and gutter, sidewalk, and parking areas for the pool. The Civic Arena parking lot, complete with curb and gutter and lighting, will also be constructed this summer as part of the 1998 street and utility construction program. Developers will be constructing new streets and utilities this summer to serve new developments. Wallin 6" Addition will consist of an extension of Carleton Dr. to serve new townhomes immediately south ofthe existing Carleton Dr. townhomes located near IS'" St. and General Sieben Drive. In the Wallin 7" Addition, the Northridge Dr. connection between the north Wallin development off of IS" St. and the south Wallin development by the Vermillion River west of Pleasant Drive will be completed. The Sunset West 20' Addition will consist of extensions of Tierney Dr. and 14'h St. west of General Sieben Drive, and an extension of O'Connell Dr. north of 15'h Street. Page 6 Hastings Property Maintenance Guide Are you a good neighbor? .. The City of Hastings has established a new property maintenance program in order to keep Hastings, clean, safe, healthy, vibrant and attractive. The City needs your help and cooperation in fulfilling this goal. The City will begin property and structural maintenance inspections later this spring. Please review the property maintenance checklist provided to ensure that your property is in compliance with the Hastings property maintenance code. If you have any questions about the condition of your property or other concerns, please feel free to call City Hall for an inspection at 437~4127. Property Maintenance Checklist Yard Area YES NO ,,",eds Is your property tree of weeds that may be hannful or unsightly? Landscaping Is your lawn cut regularly and are the clipping; disposed of correctly? Are your hedges and plants trimmed? Garbage Is your property tree of litter and outdoor storage of garbage? Junk Is your property free of junk, such as appliances or construction debris? SidewaIks,Steps, Are all your paved services ftee oflarge cracks and defects? Are your and Driveways paved services safe? . Motor Vehicles Are you storing any vehicles on your property that are inoperable or unlicensed? Recreational Are your recreational vehicles over 7 ft tall stored to the side or behind Vehicles your house? Structural Maintenance Checklist YES NO Exterior Surfaces Are all the surfaces of your home free trom holes or other defects that could admit water? Is the paint on the home in good condition? Foundation Wills Are the foundation walls of the home tree of holes and cracks? Decorative Features Are the shutters and trim of the home in good condition? Roof Is the roof sound and free of defects and are the roof shingles in good condition? ~ndows and Doors Are all the windows in good condition and properly screened? Rainspouting Are the rainspouts and gutters in good condition and working order? Fences Are your fences in good condition? - Attractive neighborhoods protect property values. - Thank you for your anticipated cooperation! Volume III Issue 2 Page 7 Fire Department The Hastings Fire Department wishes all residents a safe and enjoyable spring and summer. With the arrival of spring, the department would like to remind residents of three important points: I Open burning is not allowed within the City of Hastings. These requirements are in place since · any kind of burning produces airborne pollutants that are harmful to hurnan health and the environment. That is why incinerators and industrial boilers are required to maintain high temperatures to assure burning is complete, and they must have pollution control devices in their smokestacks. 2 Recreational fires on your privately owned property are allowed provided they are not << larger than three feet in diameter with flame no higher than three feet. The only materials allowed to be burned are clean wood, charcoal, or coal. Branches with leaves, grass clippings or other yard wastes are not allowed to be burned. When the weather is nice, remember that the smoke and odor created from even a recreation fire may be offensive to your neighbors. A permit is not required for a recreational fire. 3 Restrictions on the use and storage of barbecue ~ grills inmulti-fiunily dwellings: A. In any structure containing three or more dwelling units, no person shall kindle, maintain, or cause any fire or open flame on any balcony above ground level or on any ground floor patio within 15 feet of any structure. R No person shall store or use any fuel, barbecue, torch or other similar heating or lighting chemicals or devices in the locations designated in Subsection A. C. Electric grills or gas fired barbecue grills which are People of greatest risk of being affected are infants permanently mounted, wired or plurnbed to the and children, the elderly, and those with heart or building's gas supply or electrical system, and respiratory problems. In addition, open burning can maintaining a minimurn clearance of 18 inches on all result in uncontrolled fires, smoke that obscures vision sides, may be installed on balconies and patios when on roadways and a general nuisance. approved by the Fire Chief If you should have any questions, please call the Fire Department at 437-5610. Under uncontrolled conditions of open burning, even though the quantity of material to be burned may be small, significant amounts of particulate matter and products of incomplete combustion can be released into the air. Many of these substances are irritating to eyes and respiratory systems, and some are believed to contribute to the risk of getting cancer. 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 lO%POSTCONSUMER WASTE Volume III Issue 2 Page 8