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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 1998 Hastings Rivertown News City of Hastings. 101 East Fourth Street Hastings, MN . 55033-1955 . (612)437-4127 ~ 1998 Election Year 1998 filing for local offices opened at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7 and will close Tuesday, July 21 at 5:00 p.m. Any person who is interested in filing for office as a candidate within the specified timeframe should stop by the City Clerk's Office at City Hall. Interested persons will be asked to complete forms and pay the filing fee of $5.00. Your City Council consists of a Mayor and six Councilmembers. The Mayor and Councilmembers each serve four year terms. The Mayor and two Councilmembers are elected at large and four Councilmembers are elected within the specific ward where they reside. Position . Mayor Michael D. Wemer AtLargeCouncilmember Paul Hicks AtLargeCouncilmember Lynn Moratzka Ward One Janette Yandrasits WardTwo Mike Simacek Ward Three Ed Riveness Ward Four Janice Johnson TermExpires 1998 . 1998 . 1998 . 2000 . 2000 . 2000 . 2000 A primary election will be called in the event three or more qualified persons file for the Mayor's position, or in the event five or more qualified persons have filed for the two At-Large Council seats. For more information, call the City Clerk's office at 437-4127. Volume III Issue 3 Volume III Hastings CityCouncil (Lto R) Top Row: EdRiveness, Mayor Mike Werner, Janette Yandrasits, Paul Hicks, Lynn Moratzka, Janice Johnson, Mike Simacek 1997 City Financial Report The 1997 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report was presented to the City Council at the July 6, 1998 council meeting. Some of the highlights are as follows: General Government revenues were $11 ,491 ,135, which is an increase of 6.76% over the prior year. This represents revenues for general, special revenue, debt service and capital projects funds. The increase in revenues was largely due to additional state and federal grants/aids that the City received during 1997. The fund balance for the City's general fund increased by 15.77% to $4,507,871. The increase adds to the strong position of the fund balance and continues to reduce any likelihood of the City entering the short-term debt market to fund current operating expenditures. A complete copy of the 1997 Comprehensive Annual Financial Statement is available for your review at City Hall and at the Hastings Library. July' 1998 Page 1 Second Street Traffic <9 With the recent completion of construction work on 20' Street and SLOW? County Road 42 into Hastings, the // Hastings Police Department would ..... ',,i' like to take this opportunity to request drivers of motor vehicles using this route to be cautious and aware that this is a 30 MPH speed limit area. 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 Residents in the area of newly redesigned 20' Street and County Road 42 have expressed serious cOncerns to the Police Department regarding the increased amount of traffic using the streets, and also the speed of the vehicles using the new roads. As with other streets in Hastings, there are many children living in neighborhoods, so homeowners in the 20' Street area are concerned for the safety of the children. The street is nOW wider and smoother, and there is definitely a higher volume of vehicle traffic using 20' Street and County Road 42. These roads are posted with a 30 MPH speed limit from the area of Pleasant Drive and County Road 42 coming into Hastings, and all the way along 20' Street to the downtown area. Radar surveys by the Police Department in the 20' Street area show a high percentage of vehicles going over the posted 30 MPH speed limit. Additional speed limit signs are being placed along County Road 42 and 20' Street nOW that the construction is in its final stages. The Dakota County Highway Department will also be conducting a traffic study of the area to see if the flow of traffic dictates another traffic control device, such as a stop sign, in the area of 20' and River Streets. The Hastings Police Department has begun increased traffic enforcement in this area as well as other apparent problem areas throughout the city. The Hastings Police Department would, once again, like to take this opportunity to request motorists to make a conscious effort to obey the speed restrictions on 20' Street, as well as all other streets in the City of Hastings. Speed is a major contributing factor in a high percentage of motor vehicle accidents. Let's all attempt to make Hastings streets safe for all of our citizens and the public to use by monitoring the speed at which we drive. Volume III Issue 3 1~ ~ Hastings TRAC will be offering one ftee token, good for one, one-way ride, foreach person who completes a TRAC ridership survey. The survey will be available mid July and will be accepted until August 31, 1998. TRAC curb to curb service is available Monday through Friday 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. To schedule a ride or request a survey call 437-TRAC (8722). City Hall Contacts & Telephone Numbers Ward Hastings City Council Mayor Mike Werner 1 Councilmember Janette Yandrasits 2 Councilmember Mike Simacek 3 Councilmember Ed Riveness 4 Councilmember Janice Johnson At LargeCouncilmember 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 Page 2 Parks and Recreation Outdoor Swimming Pool at Roadside Park The City of Hastings received bids on Thursday, May 21, 1998 to construct an outdoor swimming pool at Roadside Park. Atthe City Council meeting on Monday June I" , the City Council awarded three contracts to construct the swimming pool. One was to A & L Construction in the amount of$781 ,000.00, another to Global Pool Builders for $972,360.00 and a third to Splashtacular for a waterslide for $135,995.00. With these contracts plus architect and engineering fees, contingency fees, and start up costs, the total cost is $2.2 million for the outdoor pool. Financing for the pool includes $1 ,650,000 in bonds, $500,000 in a State Grant obtained this Spring and $50,000 for start up costs to be included in the 1999 Budget, totaling 2.2 million dollars. Construction of the pool will start inJulyand the pool is planned to be open for public use in June of] 999. The swimming pool will be handicapped accessible, have a 200 foot waterslide, play structures in the shallow end, and diving boards. A new bath house with a concession stand will also be constructed. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the pool were held on Wednesday, June 10, 1998. The Mayor and City Council, Swimming Pool Committee, representa- tives trom the American Legion and VFW attended along with residents of the Roadside Park neighborhood. The Hastings Lions Club provided hot dogs and refreshments for the event. Outdoor Pool Grouudbreaking Cermouy Volume III Issue 3 Hastings Civic Arena News Construction of the second ice sheetatthe Civic Arena is moving along well. The existing parking lot is being expanded to 343 paved parking stalls, with lighting, curb and gutter, storm sewer, and a fire lane will be created to tbe soutbeast of Sprial Boulevard. In addition, a new access will be constructed southeast to Spiral Blvd. This will provide users of the facility a safer access/egress ftom tbe parking lot. When the Civic Arena is completed a special surnmerice program will be offered to the community. " Swimming Lesson ~~ ' Registration To register for the following swimming lessons or for further information, please contact Pool and Gym Coordinator Peggy Harron at 437-7818. The cost of swimming lessons is $23.00. Session 2 Monday - Friday July 16-17 Registration Day, July 2, 3-5 p.m. at the Sr. High Session 3 Monday - Friday July 20 - 31 Registration Day, July 17,3-5 p.m. at the Sr. High Session 4 Monday - Friday, August 17-28 Registration Day, July 31 3-5 p.m., at the Sf. High Fall Saturdays Sept. 19 - Nov. 21 Registration Day, Sept. 12 trom 1:00- 3:30 p.m. at the Sf. High Summer Swim Schedule Lap Swim $2.00 each visit Monday-Friday June 15 - July 31 & August 17 - 28 12:00noon-I:OOp.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays June 15-July31 & August 17 -28 Recreational Swimming Monday - Friday 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Sf. High Pool Monday & Wednesday 7 :00 - 9:00 p.m. Sr. High Pool June 15 - July 3 I and August 17 - 28 Sony- No Open Swim August 3-14 Page 3 ~~4:J.~' Community Development Housing Help The Hastings Housing and Redevelopment Authority does not own or manage housing itself, but will help interested parties make contact with those agencies and owners who provide affordable housing. A list of good local contacts is given below. Affordable elderly housing resources: Mississippi Terrace (Dakota County HRA) at 423-8141 or Oak Ridge Manor at 437-1367. Rehabilitation loans for owner-occnpied or rental housing: Dakota County HRA, 423-8163. Depending on the income of the household or the level of rents, the loans may be low interest or deferred. Loans are made when funds are available. Affordable Housing Homeownership Directory: Call for information to be sent, 296-7925. Information available on affordable mortgage programs, rehabilitation programs, homebuyer education and financial counseling programs. First-Time Homebuyer Program: Call Dakota County Housing & Redevelopment Authority at 423- 8165. Income and purchase price limits apply. Rate 6.25% Downpayment and closing cost loan also available to qualified purchasers. Local lenders participate in this program. Help locating affordable housing: Dakota County Community Action Council help line: 431-2424. Help locating emergency shelter: Hastings Family Service 437-7134. Property Maintenance The City is continuing to do property inspections. Please take a good look at your own property to ensure that it is in good condition and in compliance with the City's Property Maintenance Ordinance. Inspections have been going very well. The City thanks all of you who have worked on cleaning up your property and have taken pride in the City. The purpose of this program is to protect property values, and to maintain the health and attractiveness of the City. Feel ftee to contact Matthew Weiland at 437-4127 with questions or concerns about the program. Volume III Issue 3 Selecting a Contractor? The City has also increased its inspections department to three inspectors. Merlin Wilbur (Building Official) Mick Kaehler (Plans Examiner) and the latest addition Alan Strand (Field Inspector). When selecting a contractor to do any type of work on your property, remember all contractors are required to be licensed, either by the State of Minnesota or by the City of Hastings. Contractors are required to show proof of their license on all estimates and advertisements. The City also requires the license number to be indicated on the permit application. If you have any questions regarding an individual contractor you can contact the Hastings Building Department at 437-4127 or the State Commerce Department at 296-6319. Home Occupation Permits This is reminder to Home Occupation Permit holders that it is time to renew your permit. This can be done by bringing in or sending in the $50.00 permit renewal fee to City Hall Attention Matthew Weiland. Home Occupations are regulated to keep neighbor- hoods residential, while allowing people to run small businesses from their homes. Home Occupations do not allow any outdoor storage of materials nor employees that do not live in the home. Examples of home occupations include beauty parlors, photography studios, and home offices. Horne Occupation permits are required for any businesses in residential areas. Please contact Matthew Weiland, Zoning Administrator, if you are interested in started a home occupation or have any questions about the requirements. New Permit Tracking Software The Building Department has recently purchased a permit tracking software system. This state of the art program allows the department to process, schedule and track building permits, inspections and contractors. Building permits are required for most projects such as additions, decks, porches, remodels, re-roofmg, re-siding, fences and sheds. If you have any questions of whether you need a building permit, contact the building department at 437-4127. Page 4 Fire Department Fight or Flight? A Question for Hastings Area Residents on How to React to Kitchen Fires What if, in the moment you turned your back on some frying bacon, the pan caught fire? Would you reach for your fire extinguisher and shoot, or throw a glass of water on the flames? According to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), neither of these is correct, and if you make the wrong decision in response to a grease fire, you may put yourself and your home at risk of the fire spreading and becoming deadly. The safer response to a small pan fire is to smother the flames by carefully sliding a tight-fitting lid over the pan and tuming off the burner, NFPA says. According to Meri-K Appy, NFPA's Vice President for Public Education, you need to know how to respond to a kitchen fire because cooking is the leading cause of home fires in North America. She says if you're suddenly faced with a kitchen fire, there are four essential things you need to determine quickly: I) What's burning? 2) Is the fire small enough to fight? 3) If so, do you know how to put out that fire safely? 4) Are you confident in your ability to fight the fire, or should you leave immedi- ately and call the fire department? Armed with the facts. . . "First and foremost, knowing the source of the fire is your key to determining exactly how to fight that fire." says Ms. Appy. She says in attempting to put out a grease fire, pouring water onto the flames is highly hazardous, and likely to splatter the burning grease and spread the flames. She further cautions against using baking soda to suppress a grease fire, it could easily be mistaken for other kitchen prod- ucts, such as baking powder or flour, which could combust explosively if put in contact with flames. In the case of a grease or cooking oil fire, the slide- a-lid method is your safer option because the lid suppresses the flames by cutting off the fire's Volume III Issue 3 supply of oxygen. Using a fire extinguisher in this case could be dangerous because the powerful force of the extinguishing agent as it shoots from the nozzle could splatter the burning grease onto the walls of your kitchen and possibly onto other com- bustible materials. "If you were faced with a fire in your kitchen's trash bin or in your toaster, then your fire extinguisher could be an effective tool to control and hopefully put out that fire." says Ms. Appy. "But if a dish towel sitting too close to the burner catches fire, then turn off the burner and try using water to put it out. The bottom line is, owning a fire extinguisher does not mean you have to use it in every emergency, be- cause many times there are better alternatives. In fact, sometimes the best response is to get out and call the fire department." Sizing a fire up. . . Before resolving to fight any fire, be sure that it's small enough to put out. "A fire can spread within seconds, and can generate incredible heat and black smoke that can become virtually impossible to see through." says Mark Conroy, NFPA Senior Fire Protection Engineer. He says only if the fire is confined to a small area of your kitchen, you know how to put out that fire, and you are confident in your ability to fight it, should you consider attempting to put the fire out. "If you don't think you can put out the fire, either because it's too big or you're not comfortable with staying to fight the fire, don't try. Instead, close the doors to the area if possible to contain the fire, leave immediately, and then call the fire department from outside." He says if you do decide to attempt to put the fire out, first make sure everyone in the home knows there's a fire and is leaving; the fire department is being called; you have your back to a clear escape route; and the fire is a reasonable size. Mr. Conroy adds that in emergencies in which a fire extinguisher is needed, be sure you know how to operate it. "During the fire," he says, "you'll have no time to start reading the instructions. Become familiar with how to use it as soon as you bring it home ITom the store." Page 5 Public Works CR #42 Construction Completed A ribbon cutting ceremony recognizing the completion of the CR #42 project was held on June 16th. Construction on CR#42 began on May 5,1997. Only a small amount of clean up work remains. The project included rebuilding the street; installing storm sewer, sanitary sewer and water utilities; constructing sidewalks, building a trail from Pleas- ant Drive down to the Mississippi River, including a scenic overlook with picnic tables and benches; in- stalling decorative street lighting; and planting trees and landscaping. The new road provides an attrac- tive and scenic entrance to our City, and an excel- lent connection to the Downtown area. Highway 61 Overlay The Minnesota Department of Transportation has awarded a contract to Hardrives, Inc. of Rogers, MN to mill and overlay Highway 61 ITom the Mississippi River bridge to 36th Street. Work is expected to begin after July 20th and last twelve working days. The contractor will be milling (removing) I y, inches ofthe bituminous pavement surface and repaving I Y, inches of new bituminous pavement. The contractor must leave one lane open to traffic in each direction during construction. The contractor must also complete the new paving within 48 hours after the old pavement surface was milled. As part of the construction, the traffic signal loop detectors at 4th St., 10th St., Highway 55, 15th St., and CR #47 will also be replaced. Commercial Asphalt on CR #54 in Hastings will supply the bituminous material for the repaving. The project manager is Charles Grafwith MnDOT, based out ofthe MnDOT Mendota Heights Construction Office. Volume III Issue 3 > /1'\ /1'\ /1'\ Other 1998 Street and Utiility Projects Work has begun on street reconstruction projects in the East Hastings area, involving 20' and 3" Streets and connecting side streets. This work will include new bituminous paving, concrete curb and gutter, and storm sewer. This construction will be ongoing for most of the summer, with affected streets kept open as much as possible for local access only. Work is also ongoing near the municipal pool site on lOth St. and Walnut St., reconstructing these streets with new paving and concrete curb and gutter, sidewalks, and perpendicular parking areas. Work on lOth and Walnut Streets is expected to be completed by the end of July. Construction is also under way on I" Street, west of Pleasant Drive (Featherstone Road). The existing steep grade on the gravel road will be flattened somewhat, and curb and gutter, bituminous paving, sidewalk, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and water utilities will be installed. Street and utility construction for new developments will also be occurring in the Wallin 7th Addition (Northridge Dr. connection will be completed between Pleasant Dr. and Wydham Hills Drive near 15th St.) and Sunset West Addition (north of 15th St. and west of General Sieben Drive) on the west end of the City. Work is near complete on the Wallin 6th Addition townhome street and utility constructionjust south of 15th Street. If you have any questions regarding these improvement projects, please call City Hall at 437- 4127. Page 6 The City of Hastings' Ordinance requires licensing of all dogs over 6 onths of age which are kept in the City. If you have not already licensed your pet and it is not convenient for you to come to City Hall, you may obtain the license by mail. You may receive a dog license application by calling 437-4127. Mail the completed application along with the appropriate payment and a copy of Certificate of Rabies Vaccination from your veterinarian, to: City of Hastings Dog Licensing 101 4th Street East Hastings, MN 55033-1955 The Certificate of Vaccination will be returned to you with the license and your receipt of payment. Call 437-4127 if you have further questions. Reminder- Dog Licenses Expired July 1, 1998! Reminder: No Person(s) shall keep or harbor three or more cats or dogs or combination thereofin excess of3 months in age on any parcel within the City of Hastings. D Election Infonnation Voter Registration Have you changed your name or address since you last registered? If so, or if you have never voted, or failed to vote in the last four years remember to preregister! Pre-registration will ' help you avoid waiting in line to register on election day. Registration cards are available at various locations including Hastings City Hall, the Dakota County Government Center and also may be requested through the mail. Qualifica- tions for voters include being a citizen of the United States, a resident of the state for 20 days preceding the election and 18 years of age by election day. "Ir .:.~ IF'::r~g i~t~r ~:. 1:.>VV' tc:::> "c:::>t~ i ..... I'.IIC:::>"~I""'''''' b~r 1i"<!7 ~ . Volume III Issue 3 Wanted: Election Judges! I" If you are interested in serving as !W i. I an election judge for the 1998 elections, please contact the City '2 . ~;'j Clerk's office at Hastings City ~~'-=:::.:Jf/\ Hall,437-4127. Any person selected to serve as an election judge may take time off from work without being penalized, after providing their employer with proper notice. Special General Election Washington County District 5 Commissioner Dave Engstrom resigned on June 9,1998. Five candidates filed for the vacancy, so a Special Primary Election was held on June 30, 1998. The Special Primary Election narrowed the list down to two candidates: R. H. "Dick" Stafford and Kevin Foley, for the District5 Commissioner seat. The City will be conducting mail balloting to affected voters for the Special General Election on July 14, 1998. If you have any questions regarding the Special Election, please contact Washington County Elections at 430-6188 or the Hastings City Clerk at 437-4127. Page 7 . Make your neighbors aware that you will be gone, and ask them to keep an eye on your residence. . Notify your Hastings Police Department that you ~ will be gone and the dates and times you will be . . C ii, 0 gone. Your police department does have a Home Secunty Tips 0 )Jresidence check program, and our officers will be able to periodically check your residence while Summer time is also a time for family vacations. you are gone to make sure nothing has been The Hastings Police Department would like to take disturbed. this opportunity to remind Hastings citizens that we can all be vulnerable to home burglaries. Home burglaries have increased at an alarming rate, especially in suburban residential areas. Citizens can take steps to, hopefully, reduce home burglaries by ensuring that their homes do not attract burglars. Some of these steps that residents can take are: . Use a timer to automatically turn lights on in the living room at dark. . Always close and lock garage doors. . Secure automatic garage door openers in the glove compartment of your vehicle. . Secure all obvious points of entry to your home. . Use secure locks, preferably dead bolts. . Brightly illuminate all entrances. . Install new locks when moving into a previously owned home. . Keep extra keys out of sight and in a safe place, and never hide a key outside of your residence. . Avoid displaying valuable items near windows with open drapes or shades. . Never leave a note on the door eXplaining why you are not home. Police Department Curfew Reminder The Hastings Police Department would like to remind parents and children of the countywide curfew ordinancefortheyoung people in our city. Listed below are the curfew hours for Hastings youth, as well as all of Dakota County: Under the age of 12: Sunday through Thursday - 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays - 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Age 12 to 14: Sunday through Thursday - 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays - 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Age 15 to 17: Sunday through Thursday - II :00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays - 12:00 midnight to 5:00 a.m. It is unlawful for any juvenile age 17 or under to be present in any public place within Dakota County between the above listed hours. Itisalso unlawfulforanyparentorauthorizedadult to allow a minor child out after curfew. 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 CONTAlNlNG NO LESS THAN 10% POST CONSUMER WASTE Volume III Issue 3 Page 8