City of Lauderdale, MN GENERAL ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 8

Transcription

1 Lauderdale POPULATION 2,379 Lauderdale Crier City of Lauderdale, MN October-December 2016 GENERAL ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 8 Things to know before you vote: The General Election will be held on November 8 with polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. All Lauderdale residents vote at City Hall. Absentee voting is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. with extended hours on Saturday, November 5. Stop by City Hall or sign up online at New residents are encouraged to register ahead of the election to provide for a quicker voting experience. Request a voter registration form from City Hall or online at Voting is heaviest from 7:00 a.m. until about 10:00 a.m. Plan to vote later in the day if you want to avoid waiting in line Election Calendar Friday, September 23 Begin General Election absentee voting Tuesday, October 18 End of pre-registration for General Election Saturday, November 5 Absentee voting at City Hall from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 8 General Election Day, Vote from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at City Hall Learn about the New Voting Equipment All Ramsey County communities are rolling out new ballot counters and accessible voting equipment this year. If you are wondering what it will look like and how it will work, visit: elections-voting/results-maps-archives/ notices-and-reports. POLICE DEPARTMENT BODY CAMERA WORKGROUP The City is taking applications from Lauderdale residents who wish to serve on the newly established work group for the St. Anthony Police Department on policies for body worn cameras. An application may be obtained by visiting the City s website at or available at City Hall. The last day to submit your application is Tuesday, October 25, The City Council will review applications and complete the application process by mid-november. Each respective city council will appoint three residents from their community. The work group s purpose will be to review current police policies and protocols, best practices and trends, policy development and present policy recommendations to the Police Chief and respective City Councils for officer worn cameras. The work group will be comprised of residents of Lauderdale, St. Anthony, and Falcon Heights, staff, and City Council liaisons from Lauderdale, St. Anthony, and Falcon Heights. Dates and times of the work group meetings have yet to be determined. We anticipate the meetings will be on weekday evenings. October-December 2016 Lauderdale Crier Page 1

2 OCTOBER-DECEMBER COMMUNITY CALENDAR Tuesday, October 11 City Council Meeting 7:30 p.m. at City Hall Thursday, October 20 Farmer s Market 4-7 p.m. at Community Park Tuesday, October 25 City Council Meeting 7:30 p.m. at City Hall Monday, October 31 Halloween Party 5-7 p.m. at City Hall Tuesday, November 8 General Election 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. at City Hall Friday, November 11 City Hall Closed for Veterans Day City Hall Offices Closed Tuesday, November 15 City Council Meeting (Rescheduled) 7:30 p.m. at City Hall Tuesday, November 22 City Council Meeting 7:30 p.m. at City Hall Thursday, November 24 Friday, November 25 Tuesday, December 13 City Hall Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday City Hall Offices Closed City Hall Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday City Hall Offices Closed City Council Meeting (Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing) 7:30 p.m. at City Hall Friday, December 23 City Hall Closed for Christmas Holiday City Hall Offices Closed Monday, December 26 City Hall Closed for Christmas Holiday City Hall Offices Closed Monday, January 2 City Hall Closed for New Years Holiday City Hall Offices Closed CITY & EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION City Hall Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone: (651) CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Jeffrey Dains 1743 Carl St.; CITY STAFF Main Office: Fax: EMERGENCY NUMBERS Police Emergency: 911 Police Department: Council Member Mary Gaasch 1736 Malvern St.; Council Member Roxanne Grove 1966 Eustis St.; Council Member Denise Hawkinson 1855 Fulham St.; Council Member Lara Mac Lean 1905 Eustis St.; To send an to all council and staff: council@ci.lauderdale.mn.us Heather Butkowski City Administrator heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us Jim Bownik Assistant City Administrator jim.bownik@ci.lauderdale.mn.us Miles Cline Deputy City Clerk/Treasurer miles.cline@ci.lauderdale.mn.us Dave Hinrichs Public Works Coordinator david.hinrichs@ci.lauderdale.mn.us Gordy Beck Maintenance gordy.beck@ci.lauderdale.mn.us October-December 2016 Lauderdale Crier Page 2 Fire Emergency: 911 Fire Department: Ramsey County Dispatch: 911 Ramsey County Dispatch Nonemergency Number: Water Emergency (St. Paul Regional Water): Sewer Emergency: 911 or Xcel Energy Electric Emergency or Outage: Xcel Energy Gas Emergency or Gas Odor:

3 COMMUNITY EVENTS 2016 Lauderdale Halloween Party City Hall is accepting donations of candy or cash. Halloween is on a Monday this year. The party will run from 5-7 p.m. Set up for the event will be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday October from 12-8 p.m. Set up includes decorating City Hall, building and decorating a spooky maze, filling candy bags, setting up tables and chairs and more. On the night of the event, volunteers are needed to hand out candy bags, grill hotdogs, serve food and beverages, and of course, post event clean up. Many helpers are needed. Sign up to (or click the link at Contact City Hall for more information Farmers Market October 20, 4-7 p.m. at Lauderdale Community Park Questions or interest? Please contact Susie LauderdaleFarmersMarket@gmail.com or Community Event Contributors Thank you to the following financial sponsors: Twin City Die Casting, Korean Service Center, Lauderdale Wellness Center, Falcon Heights-Lauderdale Lions Club, Finn Sisu, Stantec, Nelson Financial Services, James Roehrenbach State Farm Insurance, Pet Dermatology Clinic, Moose Giannetti of Coldwell Banker Burnet Realty, Lauderdale BP, Super USA, Goodmanson Construction, Stout s Pub, and Spire Credit Union Thank you to the following contributors of goods or services: Community Involvement Committee, Northern Lights 4-H Club, St. Anthony Park Area Seniors, Rice Creek Watershed District, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, Capitol Region Watershed District, CTV15 Community Television and numerous volunteers October-December 2016 Lauderdale Crier Page 3

4 Winter Parking: Avoid Getting a Ticket Snow will be here before we know it; begin making plans for where you will park when it does. Winter parking restrictions begin after 2-inches of snowfall. All cars must be off the streets for 48-hours or until curb-to-curb snow removal has been completed. During heavy snow events, Ramsey County plows will return a couple of times to keep the roads open; only after their final plow after the snow has stopped is it alright to move vehicles back on the streets. Avoid a ticket; if snow is predicted over night, move your vehicles off the street ahead of time. Residents are welcome to park in the parking lot off of Roselawn Avenue in Community Park until the plowing is completed. SKATING RINKS: Staff begin flooding the rinks for the skating season when temperatures are below freezing. Rinks will be open by the winter break for area schools if the weather cooperates. Open hours are always contingent on weather conditions. NEIGHBORHOOD HAPPENINGS WARMING HOUSE HOURS Monday-Thursday Friday Saturday Fall Street Sweeping To keep the City s street looking neat and meet the obligations of the City s storm water permit, and for the benefit of our lakes and streams, the streets are swept twice per year. This will happen again in the next few weeks before the snow starts to fly. Each year residents rake leaves into the street before and as the street sweepers are out. City Code prohibits raking leaves into the street for a number of reasons. First, decaying leaves in the streets produce nutrients that get carried by the storm sewer system to lakes and cause algae. Next, piles of leaves in catch basins inhibit the flow and cause ponding on the roads in heavy rains. Finally, the more people rake leaves into the street, the more street sweeping costs; do your part to help keep costs down for everyone. Consider hiring a private company that provides leaf vacuuming services. If you hire a private company to pick up your leaves, collection must be behind the curb; they cannot be left in the street for collection. 4-9 p.m. (opens at noon on school release days; open until 10 p.m. preceding school release days) 4-10 p.m. (opens at noon on school release days Noon-10 p.m. Sunday Noon-9 p.m. Ice time may be reserved from 9-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday except school release days (after open skating). Dispute Resolution Center Do you have an issue with a neighbor? Perhaps they play music loudly or their tree branches are scraping your roof. You've tried talking to them, but the problem doesn t go away. What can you do? The City of Lauderdale provides residents the opportunity to meet with DRC mediators free of charge. Staff can help you arrange the meeting with your neighbor or you can contact DRC directly. Sometimes it helps to have an outsider play the role of a mediator so that you and your neighbor can reach a resolution. To schedule a session or for more information call (651) or intake@drc-mn.org. October-December 2016 Lauderdale Crier Page 4

5 COMMUNITY CORNER 2017 Budget and Levy The City Council adopted the preliminary levy during the September 27 city council meeting. The local levy increase of $16,808 plus an increase in fiscal disparities revenue will cover the projected 2.4% increase in expenses for In spite of the increase in the tax levy, most households will see a decrease in their property tax bill for a couple of reasons. First, after property taxes shifting to residential properties for the last few years, commercial property and apartments are seeing sizable increases in value and the shift will be to them. Second, the increase in residential property values was greater in other Ramsey County cities so the property taxes due will shift towards them. Residents will receive a statement of their proposed property taxes from Ramsey County before the end of November. In the coming weeks, the Council will continue to assess the costs to run the City in 2017 and establish storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and recycling rates. A public hearing and presentation on the 2017 city budget and levy will be held at the December 13, 2016 City Council meeting starting at 7:30 p.m. All residents and business owners are welcome to attend. Staff also answer budget questions at City Hall during the day; please stop by or set up an appointment. October-December 2016 Lauderdale Crier Page 5

6 PUBLIC SAFETY TIPS Land Line or Cell Phone: What s the Difference? Well, it s that time of year again, the kids are back in school and many of them are home alone for periods of time prior to our arrival from work. If there is an emergency at home, is there a cell phone or one that plugs into the wall available to them? With today s ever changing technology and phones that are essentially computers, many of us have decided to do away with our land line and use our cell phone as our primary means of communication. Is this the best option? What s the difference? A cell phone is a great device and is handy to have with us at all times, but it is important to understand how your call will be routed. When dialing 911 from a cell phone you are not guaranteed to reach the correct 911 dispatch center. Your connection to a dispatch center lies solely on which cell tower you reach and where it is programmed to route your call. In the City of Lauderdale, it is possible to reach one of four dispatch centers based on the location of area cell towers: Ramsey County, Hennepin County, the University of Minnesota, or the City of Minneapolis. Once you reach the dispatch center from a cell phone, they will not know what address you are calling from and whether they are the appropriate dispatcher for your call. Tell your dispatcher that you live in Lauderdale and they will know to route the call through Ramsey County Dispatch. Once you are connected with Ramsey County Dispatch, you will need to tell them your address and then the nature of your call. The path of an emergency cell phone call may take a few extra steps, be sure that family members and babysitters know your address. If you are unable to communicate, it will be difficult for dispatch to know where you are other than some coordinates and a general area. On the other hand, land lines in Lauderdale are programmed to route calls to the Ramsey County Dispatch Center and provides the dispatcher with your exact address. If the power goes out, a land line will still work. If someone unfamiliar with your address is at your home or if you are unable to communicate, dispatch will be able to advise first responders where to go. Though it costs a little extra money each month, a landline remains a beneficial home safety device. Senior Services in Lauderdale The St. Anthony Park Area Seniors (SAPAS) serve seniors and caregivers who live in Lauderdale, St. Anthony Park, and Falcon Heights. They offer exercise classes, social outings, educational speakers, home health care visits, blood pressure clinics, rides to medical appointments, Meals-on-Wheels delivery and more to help Lauderdale seniors live independently in their homes. To learn more, call Exercise Classes: Offered at Lauderdale City Hall on Mondays and Thursdays from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Blood pressure checks start prior to the class at 1:30 p.m. Coffee and Board Games (Lauderdale location): Play board games with your neighbors on the second and third Fridays of the month from 10:00 a.m.-noon. The group meets in the Clubhouse at City Gables at 1612 Pleasant Street. All are welcome regardless of age, residency etc. No RSVP necessary. AARP Smart Driver Course (4-hour refresher course): Monday, Nov. 14 from 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. $19 for AARP members, $24 for non-members. Course held at Lauderdale City Hall. Registration and pre-payment is required. Prerequisite: AARP eight-hour Smart Driver course. Call to reserve your spot. October-December 2016 Lauderdale Crier Page 6

7 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP Watch What You Put in Your Watershed! By Angie Hong, East Metro Water Resource Education Program A few years back, I traveled to Panama to visit Bocas del Toro. This group of islands, located off the Caribbean coast in northern Panama, is one of the most amazing and beautiful places I have ever been. The shores are dotted with brightly colored homes with strains of reggae and the scent of curry in the air. I stayed in a cabina built directly on top of a pier over the water. The water in Bocas del Toro was the most translucent I have ever seen. Even from a boat, you could clearly see starfish settled on the ocean floor 25 to 50 feet below. Yes, I had truly found a tropical island paradise until I used the bathroom in our cabina. When I mentioned that the cabina was located on top of a pier, I meant that the floor was literally made of slats of wood, through which you could see the lapping waters of the ocean below. In the bathroom, a simple shower washed everything through these slats and into the ocean. Much more disturbing, however, was the toilet. When flushed, it opened directly to the water, spilling its entire contents into the crystalline sea. My experience in that cabina in Panama was shocking; I could so clearly see how my actions were diminishing the quality of a pristine natural resource. As an educator, I wish I could find an equally powerful method for showing people the impacts of their everyday actions on the health of the environment in Minnesota. The truth of the matter is that in a typical rural or suburban neighborhood, 20% to 30% of all rain and snow becomes stormwater runoff. This means that any pollutants on your rooftop, driveway, or lawn can be washed away and transported throughout the watershed, via natural streams and lakes or manmade storm sewers, ditches, and pipes. In other words, we are all essentially living on a pier over the water. The next time you are in your yard, take a moment to survey it and consider how you may be impacting your local lakes and rivers. Have recent rains chiseled a channel in your yard? Picture that dirt spilling directly into a local lake or river. Were you feeling a bit overzealous with the lawn chemicals? Let s hope the fish don t mind a few extra toxins in their water. If you cringe at the thought of pouring it into the water at your local beach - fertilizers, pesticides, engine oil, grass clippings, or dog droppings - then take the time to dispose of it properly and keep it out of the stormwater. Watch what you put in your watershed; you might just find it in the ocean someday. Angie can be reached at (651) x. 35 or angie.hong@mnwcd.org. Recycle the Right Stuff Recycling benefits our communities and the environment. We all want to recycle as much as we can, but some things just don't belong in the recycling bin. They damage sorting machines or pose a danger to workers. These items typically include plastic bags, needle and syringes, cords and string lights, food waste, and diapers. To learn how to properly dispose of these items, go to RamseyRecycles.com & click on A to Z Recycling Guide or call EASY (3279). Let's Recycle All We Can Have you heard? By 2030, Ramsey County has a goal to recycle 75 percent of the waste produced in the County. To reach this goal, they ll need the help of each and every citizen because together we CAN achieve 75 percent. To learn what you can recycle at home, go to or call Eureka Recycling at 612-NO-WASTE ( ). To start or improve your recycling program at work, go to or call Grants and free help are available to businesses, organizations, and institutions located in Ramsey County. October-December 2016 Lauderdale Crier Page 7

8 City of Lauderdale 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN Return Service Requested Pre-Sorted First Class Mail US Postage Paid Twin Cities MN Permit No Lauderdale T s and Hoodies Shop at City Hall. A new batch of Lauderdale t-shirts, hoodies, and mugs just arrived. They come in black and white and men s and women s cuts. Hurry in while we have stock in all sizes. The City would appreciate your feedback! Please feel free to call or visit us at City Hall or your questions or comments to admin@ci.lauderdale.mn.us. Also, please contact City Hall with any changes to your name, address, or phone number. October-December 2016 Lauderdale Crier Page 8