HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 1996
: Hastings City News
City of Hastings 0 101 East Fourth Street Hastings, MN 055033-1955 0 (612)437-4127
Mayor's
MessaQ.!
Dear Residents:
In order to provide our residents
with current infonnation On City _
activities, the City Council has
developed this newsletter for
you. We hope that it provides
the information you are looking _
for and is of assistance to you.
If you have any suggestions or
comments, please let us know!
Mayor Werner 911d the
Hastings City Council
Gena.dl Election NovemberS
Your vote counts!! Get out and vote on November 5, 1996 for the
General Election.
-
Ward 1- Annory
3050 Red Wmg Boulevard
Ward 2- Our Saviours Lutheran Church
400 West 9th Street
Ward 3- United Methodist Church
615 West 15th Street
Ward 4- St. Phillip's Lutheran Church
140 I West 15th Street
tel'f
*DMe~r*
re 'er~e
-
If you have any questions regarding the election or would like to receive
an absentee ballot, please call City Hall at 437-4127.
1997 Proposed Tax Levy
The Hastings' City Council has set the PrqJosed PrqJerty Tax Levy fur 1997. The City's Preliminary 1997 Budget will
mean no increase to the City's Tax Rate. h is estimated that the City's portioo of the overall tax rate will net increase from
1996 -1herefure the City's portim of property taxes will net increase assuming the same property value as in 1996.
The City's share of the preliminary levy is
aJlncated as ful1ows:
- 4O"fo - Public Safity - Police, Fire and
Ambulance services
- 31% - Debt service
- 10.50/0- Parl<s and Civic Arma
- .5% - Other Miscellaneous fimds
- 18% - General Fund
The General Fund includes:
. Administratioo and Finance
- Streets - Engineering
- Building fnspec:tioos - Planning
- Building Maintmance -legal
- Electioos
1997 Proposed City Budget
Allocation of aty Levy Dollar
(28.0%) General Fund-Publlc SafetywPolce
(18.1%) General Fund
(11.9%) Pubic Safety - Fn/Amb
(9.2%) Parle
(30.9%> Debt Service
The City Council's Finance Committee and
a Citizm's Budget Committee will be
mMing to further discuss the 1997 Budget
during the mmths of September, October,
and November. The product of these meetings will be presented at the City's truth in taxatim hearing which has been set
fur December 3, 1996 at 7:00 p.m. Please feel flee to attend this nming to share any comrnt'JIts you may haw regarding
the City buc:lglt and tax levy.
Volume 1 Issue 1
October - 1996
Hastings Civic Arena
The Hastings Civic Arena will be open for the 1996/97 skating season on Thursday, October 17.
1996. The schedule for public skating as well as open hockey skating is as follows:
OPEN PUBLIC SKATING
Thursday 10117 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Friday 10118 1:00- 3:00 p.m.
Saturday 10119 1:30- 3:00 p.m.
Sunday 10120 1:30- 3;00 p.m.
Saturday 10/26 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday 10/27 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Friday ll/1 8:30 - !0:30a.m.
Saturday 1112 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday 11/3 1:15 - 2:45 p.m.
Friday ll/8 8:30-10:30a.m.
Saturday 11/9 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday 11110 1:15 - 2:45 p.m.
Friday ll/15 8:30-10:30a.m.
Saturday ll/16 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday lII17 1:15 - 2:45 p.m.
Friday 11/22 8:30 - !0:30a.m.
Saturday 11/23 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
OPEN PUBLIC HOCKEY
TImrsday HY31 8:30-10:3Oa.m.
TImrsday 11/7 8:3O-1O:3Oa.m.
Tlum;day 11/14 8:3O-10:3Oa.m.
Thursday 11121 8:3O-1O:3Oa.m.
TImrsday 1215 8:3O-10:3Oa.m.
Thursday 12112 8:30 - 10:3Oa.m.
TImrsday 12119 8:30 -10:30 a.m.
Outdoor Skatina: Rinks
The City of Hastings has six outdoor skating
rinks that have warming houses staffed by
part time employees for the City of Hastings.
If you are at least 16 years of age and are
interested in applying for a warming house
attendant position, pick up an application at
Hastings City Hall, 101 East 4th Street.
The rinks are at the following locations:
. Dakota Hills- 23rd & Westview
. Kennedy School - 11 th &
Bailey Streets
. Lake Isabelle Park- East 2nd
& Franklin Streets
. Wilson Park - 4th & Eddy Street
. Lions Park- 5th & State Street
Volume I
.,~,
W
Open Skating Admission $2.50 Per Person
Sunday 11/24 1:15 - 2:45 p.m.
Wednesday 11127 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Thursday 11128 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 11130 1:30- 3:00 p.m,
Sunday 1211 1:15 - 2:45 p.m.
Friday 1216 8:30 - !0:30a.m.
Sunday 1218 1: 15 - 2:45 p.m.
Friday 12113 8:30-10:30a.m.
Saturday 12114 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday 12115 1: 15 - 2:45 p.m.
Friday 12/20 8:30-10:30a.m.
Saturday 12121 1:30- 3:00 p.m.
Sunday 12122 1:15 - 2:45 p.m.
Tuesday 12124 1:15 - 3:15 p.m.
Thursday 12126 2: 15 - 3:45 p.m.
Saturday 12128 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday 12131 1:15 - 3:15 p.m.
.~
W
Open Hockey Admission $3.50 Per Person
For a schedule of activities
at the Civic Arena,
please call 437-8279
"<;"j,'>:iV"
Page 2
If you have any questions
regarding your curbside
residential recycling
program, please contact
Waste Management
at 437-9201
Hastings Waste Management will
again provide free Christmas tree
disposal on Saturday, January 11,
Vermillion Trail Bridge 1997. All trees must be placed at the
The "Old Vennillion River Bridge" has been con- cutb and no omamenJs or any
verted into a pedestrianlbike bridge this past summer. material may be attached to the trees.
The project was funded through the Hastings Rotary All trees must be placed at the cutb
Club, Minnesota DNR and the City of Hastings. The no 1aterthan 7:00 a.m. on January 11,
bridge can be accessed off East 18th Street at Old 1997.
Mill Park or at Vennillion Falls Park off Highway 61 Yard Waste Drop off Site
and East 21st Street. For fall colors this is the area Hastings Waste Management operntes a compost site for
to see! residents of the City of Hastings. The site is located on
;",~\~;~;}~t~fiE()9Sin9..Note.S ~:m~;:~=~:r~~e1~=Pa1k
'I'he~I-(t.,OiiigaridRedtivelOpmentAuthority does November 13,1996. Hours of operation are:
noioWIi()f~.~gitself,but willhelpinterestei:! . Saturdays 8:00 a.DL to 2:00 p.rn.
partie.<;~COI!Dk:twith thoseageocies and ownezs who . Wednesdays 1:00- 5:00p.m.
provideaffmdable housing. Contactthefollowing In addition to leaves and grass clippings, thecompostsite ~
resources foradditioI1alinfonnation: accept brush at $2.00 per bundle. Brush should be no longer
. AffonJablee1dedy housingresources: Dakota CoWlty than fourfeet, four inches in diameter, and weigh no more
HRA at 423-8141 or OakRidge Manor at 437-1367 than 40 poWlds per bWIdle. The Hastings Waste ManagC7
. Rehabilitation loans forowner-occupied orrentalhousing: ment site also accepts demolition debris (lumber, concrete,
Dakota County HRA at 423-8163 roofing material, d1ywaI1materials, etc.) fromconstmction
. Help locating affordable housing: Dakota County projects. The charge is $10.00 per yard. Any questions
Community Action Councilhelplineat431-2424 regarding the compost site, the brush site or disposing of
. Help locating emergency shelter: Hastings Fatnily demolition debris, please contact Hastings Waste
Serviceat 437-7134 Management at437-9201.
What's Happening in
Hastings Parks
Lions Park
The Hastings Lions Club donated $25,000 for new
playgroWld equipment at Lions Park located at West
5th Street and State Streets. The equipment was
installed in cooperation with the Dakota County Tree
Trust Program.
Tierney Park
New playgroWld equipment has been installed at
Tierney Park this past summer. The Hastings City
Council authorized the expenditure of $15,000 for the
purchase of equipment.
Wilson Park
During the summer months and this past fall, the
Parks Department has been developing Wilson Park
(4th and Eddy Streets). New playground equipment
will be installed in October. The redevelopment of
the park will be completed in 1997.
C.P. Adams Park
A frisbee golf course has been installed at c.P.
Adams Park (East 18th Street). Many tournaments
will be held there in the future. Please give it a try.
Volume I
Household Hazardous
Waste Collection
The Household Hazardous Waste Collection on September
14, was a great sucoess with a recooI participation of 454
cars! Preliminary estimates of the hazardous waste
CQI~irx:Iude:
.LatexPaint=7ooGallons oCar B.ttP.ri...... 225 Units
o()ilBasedPaint=440 Gallons .WasteSolvent=110Gallons
.FlouresccntBuIbs=950 Units oQther Waste=2,500 PoWIds
.UsedOil=550Ga11ons o()ilFi1ters=6OOUnits
Household hazardous waste items can be disposed of at the
Eagan site locatfd at Gopher Smelting -3385 South Highway
149 (at the comer of Dodd Blvd & Yankee Doodle Rd).
Hours are Wednesdays 3:00 p.rn. - 8 p.m. & Saturdays 9:00
a.DL to 2:00 p.rn. If you have any questions on accepted
items or collection sites, call Dakota Cowrty Environmental
Management at 891-7011.
fill
^
.-....
~~/-:--
".~:
.......:...~..:~.
\$ .-..- .-. .
.....:...,...~-:--
Page 3
Maintenance Responsibilities
of Hastings' ProDerty
Owners
In recent year.; public concern
and awareness reganJing the
need for property owners to
adequately maintain their
homes and businesses has
steadily grown. The following are
a few of the most typical maiore-
nance or appearance problems which the Qty regu]ates:
. Storageandcollectionoftrashandjunk
. Cutting of grass and weeds
. Storageofjunkorunlicensed vehicles
. Storage of Recreational Equipment
. UnsafeandHazardousBuildiogs
. Shade Tree Disease Control and Prevention
. Rental Housiog Property and Structure Maintenance
In order to respond to these issues, current code
eofon:ement policies include a reactive approach of
respondiog to citizen complaints aboutnuisance or blighted
properties. Nuisance and property maiotenance oriented
Qty regulations areadmioistered by Community Develop-
ment Division, Public Wolks Division, PoliceDepartment,
FIre Department staff persoos and by the City Attorney.
In recent year's the City has established property
maiotenanceas an increased priority through the adoption of
a Rental Housiog Code (Qty Code - Chapter 17) and the
addition ofCommurtity Service Officers to the Hastings
Police Department staff. In addition, the City has also
recently restructured an existing staff position within the
Community Deve1opmentDivision, establishing anewjob
titleof"Zorting Admioistrator". This staffposition will be
focused on zoning ordioance and genernl code adrninistra-
tion duties including coordinating day to day administration of
the City's rental housiog code.
The Qty of Hastings role is to serve as a partner with
residents to promote an appropriate level of property
maiotenance to encourage safe, stable neighborhoods which
represent a sound investment for home buyers and renter's
alike.
Any questions residents or business owner's may have
regardiog property maiotenance responsibilities which are
regulated by the City may be directed to Community
DevelopmentDirector,Michael WoZIriak, 81437-4127.
Volume I
Storage of Recreational
Equipment on Residential
Property
In an effort to maintain the aesthetics of the commu-
nity, the City Council passed an ordinance in May
1996, regulating the parking storage and use of
recreational equipment. Recreational vehicles
include: boats, boat trailers, pickup campers, coaches,
tent trailers, snowmobiles and trailers, jet skis and jet
ski trailers. To be in compliance with the Municipal
Code, one currently licensed recreational equipment 7
feet high or less, may be parked in the driveway. All
other recreational equipment must be stored inside
your garage, carport or inside a shed.
Water Leaks are Excensive
The average family uses about 125 gallons of water a
day. Because the thousands of gallons of water
delivered into your home costs so little, small leaks in
your plumbing may seem of no
consequence. But water leaks run 24 hours a day,
and even drops will accumulate into a sizeable
amount of water in just day's time. For example:
. 60 drops a minute = 6 gallons a day
. 90 drops a minute = 10 gallons a day
. 120 drops a minute = 14 gallons a day
. A stream the size of a pin = 170 gallons a day
. A stream the size of a match = 970 gallons a day
. A stream the size of a pencil = 3600 gallons a day
A leak may waste more water than all the water
you use!
Remember:
All meters have a
low flow leak
detector, a black
triangle'that is
visable under the
master meter's lens
cover. You will be
able to check to see
if your plumbing system is leaking just by looking at
the low flow leak detector. To test for leaks. close
all faucets and watch the low flow leak detector on
your meter for movement, this may indicate a leaky
toilet or faucet.
Page 4
Within the past six months, the Hastings Police
Department, in cooperation with neighborhood
residents, have been working together to create five
neighborhood watch groups. This is an excellent
start and demonstrates that neighborhoods want to be
active partners in community policing. Nevertheless,
it is the goal of the Hastings Police Department to be
a Crime Watch Community which requires all of us
to be involved. If you want to fight crime and make
your neighborhood safer, please contact Officer
Wayne Hicks at 437-4126. Remember-- community
policing is you!
Neighborhoods Fighting Crime
Crime Prevention Officer
Wayne Hicks
There is a phrase that goes "No one knows the
neighborhood better than the people who live there."
For example, the Johnsons usually have their outside
light on until 9:00 p.m., or the Nelson's house
windows are always closed even on the hottest days,
or the Jones' dog Spot very rarely barks. However,
these routine daily occurrences if disturbed can be a
warning sign of a crime being committed in their
neighborhood. The Johnson's light that is nonnally
out at 9:00 p.m. was broken by a vandal throwing
rocks; the Nelson's opened windows were due to a
burglary while they were on vacation; and, the Jones'
dog Spot was barking because an intruder had taken
one of the children's bikes in the backyard. These
are basic examples of neighborhood crime.
Many of the neighborhood crimes that are committed
can be prevented by establishing a neighborhood
crime watch. A successful neighborhood crime
watch program consists of the following: 50%
participation from residents in the neighborhood,
involvement with Operation Identification, and two
meetings a year between residents and the Police
Dept.'s Crime Prevention Officer. However, the
most important element to a successful crime
prevention program is YQ!l and how your
neighborhood decides how to conduct their watch.
Volume I
D.A.R.E.
Drua Abuse Resistance Education
D.A.R.E. Officer - Michael Munson
The D.A.R.E. Program is a drug prevention
educational program in which specially trained
unifonned peace officers teach a seventeen-week
curriculum to fifth grade students in the classroom.
D.A.R.E. is a cooperative effort between school
districts, parents, local law enforcement and is
designed to educate young people in developing the
skills necessary to resist peer pressure against drugs
and alcohol. Kids today build a strong relationship of
trust and friendship between themselves and the
D.A.R.E. Officer. Kids also learn to view the law
enforcement officers as allies in life - not enemies.
If you want more infonnation about the D.A.R.E.
Program, please contact the Police Department at
437-4126.
Page 5
Snow Emergency &
Snow Removal
Just a reminder with snow plowing season starting in
November, a snow emergency automatically goes into
effect when 2 inches or more of snow (as measured
at the MinneapolislSt. Paul Airport) has fallen.
Under a snow emergency, no parking on any City
street is allowed until that street has been cleared to
its ful1 width. Violators will be ticketed and towed.
Check cable channel 12 or KDWA 1460 AM if you
are not sure if a snow emergency is in effect.
For snow removal operations, the City is divided into
six zones. The Street Department assigns its five
dump trucks with plows and sanders attached, and
the motor grader to these six zones. The remaining
snow removal equipment; three pickup trucks with
plows attached and two front end loaders with plows,
clear alleys, cul-de-sacs, City facilities, and the
downtown area.
Within each snow removal zone there are priority
streets which are always plowed first. Some of these
streets are: Cannon St., General Sieben Dr., Pine St.,
Pleasant Dr., Ramsey St., River St., Tyler St.,
Westview Dr., East 2nd St., 15th St., 31st St. and
33rd St. A normal snowfall takes eight to ten hours
to clear, with City crews typically starting snow
removal operations at 5:00 a.m.
Another reminder: 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. (The same
ordinance prohibits raking leaves out into the street.)
Water Meter Replacements
The Utilities DqJartmentis close to completing a project to
replace all residentia1 water tIlfters with new electronic read
meters, started in 1990. The new electronic read meters
allow the meter reader to insert a probe into the meter
reading device attached to the outside of homes and
automalically record the meterreading into a small computer
canied by the meter readeI: All the meter readings are then
electronically ttansferred to the Finance Department's water
billing computer at the end of the day. This new process
saves time and eliminates potential errorproducing steps
from the old system where a meter reader would write the
meter reading on a card, and the Finance Department would
then have to type this infonnation into theircomputeJ:
Volume I
The Utilities Department changes out most of the meters
during the winter season. If you find a notine hanging on
yourdoorfrom the Utility Departmentnotifying you that
your water meter needs to be replaced, please call the
Utility Depamnent at437-3922 to scheduJe an appointment
If needed, the Utility Department will schedule times on
weekends or after nonna! worldng hOUlS to replace your
meter: There is no charge to the homeowner for replacing
a water mete1:
Snowmobile Corridors
With the winter season upon us, all residents are
reminded of the importance of complying with the
various regulations regarding the operation of snow-
mobiles. The City ordinance is written with the intent
to provide corridors for snowmobiles to exit and enter
the City, as no recreational snowmobiling is allowed
within the City limits. Snowmobiles may be operated
on the following streets, which are provided as
corridors for snowmobiles to exit and enter the City:
. 10th Street between Highway 61 and Highway 291
. 4th Street, West to State Street, North to 1st
Street, West to the City Limits
. Pine Street between 2nd Street and County 47
. Ramsey Street between 2nd Street and 18th Street
. 15th Street between Tyler Street and the West City
Limits
. 18th Street between Highway 61 and Pine Street
. Pleasant Drive between County Road 42 and
County Road 47
Travel on any other street is prohibited unless leaving
the City limits or returning to the operators' place of
residence.
Snowmobiles cannot be operated in the
following areas:
. Public sidewalks
. Boulevards within any public right-of-way
. Private property or any other without the specific
permission of the property owner
. Any trails, walk paths, bike paths or alleys
. Within any ponding basins
. Within any City park, except the boulevard area
of Roadside Park up to a maximum of 50 feet
south of the centerline of Highway 55
. All school property
. All City property
. Lake Rebecca
. Ditches of state highways and county roads
except as allowed by State Law and County
Ordinance.
Page 6
Hastings Snowmobile Corridor Ma~
Legend
o Water
~ Snov.mdllle Corridors
/'\/ CIy Streets
<
,
Snowmobile Contacts:
Hastinj1s SnoMos:
Mark Peine, President - 437-5712
Hastin!!s Snow Patrol:
Dan Beissel 438-3389
Tim Weber437-4418
Map Created by: Hasnngs City Planning Dept
Map Designed by: Matt Weiland
9/6/96
Volume I
Page 7