HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 - 11 NovMunicipal General Election November 5, 2013
Hours of voting in all polling places will be from
7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Voters will elect the Mayor and
two councilmembers for the Maplewood City Council.
The following candidates will be on the City’s first all
female candidate ballot.
Mayor: Diana Longrie and Nora Slawik.
City Councilmember: Marylee Abrams, Margaret Behrens,
Rebecca Cave, and Kathleen “Kathy” Juenemann.
Roseville Schools (ISD 623) will be voting on board members and a Referendum
Question. White Bear Lake Area Schools (ISD 624) will be voting on board
members and a Capital Project Levy Authorization.
Each candidate was given an opportunity to introduce themselves and provide a
200-word summary of why they are running for office. Their information follows:
Highway 36 Improvements Mean More Than A Better Commute
Living
City’s Official NEWSLETTER
In This Issue
2 Hall of Fame Award
5 Maplewood Wins National
Sustainable Award
7 Police Officers New Text
Messaging Tip Service
8 Council Corner
9 MCC Fitness & Events
10 2014 City Budget & Levy
11 Citizen Survey
Maplewood
November 2013 - continued on page 3
- continued on page 6
Highway 36 project now complete
Coming Soon!
Watch for upcoming details on
Maplewoods new Fire Station and
Police Substation on 3M Property.
Frequently Called Numbers
City Hall 651.249.2000
Maplewood Community Center 651.249.2230
Recreation 651.249.2120
Public Works 651.249.2400
Police Non-Emergency 651.767.0640
Visit the city website at www.ci.maplewood.mn.us for the
meeting schedule of the City Council, Commissions and Boards.
To advertise in this newsletter 952.212.7333
Elected Officials
Will Rossbach: Mayor ..............................................651.484.5427
will.rossbach@ci.maplewood.mn.us
Kathleen Juenemann: Councilmember ................651.771.3670
kathleen.juenemann@ci.maplewood.mn.us
Rebecca Cave: Councilmember ..............................651.773.7059
rebecca.cave@ci.maplewood.mn.us
Robert Cardinal: Councilmember .......................... 651.765.8600
bob.cardinal@ci.maplewood.mn.u
Marvin Koppen: Councilmember .......................... 651.770.5391
marvin.koppen@ci.maplewood.mn.us
Chuck Ahl: City Manager ..........................................651.249.2050
chuck.ahl@ci.maplewood.mn.us
Warm, Caring, and Confident Staff
2000 White Bear Ave • Maplewood • www.co.ramsey.mn.us/nh
RAMSEY COUNTY CARE CENTER
Rehabilitation
Long Term Care
Transitional Care
(651) 356-5920
MaplewoodLiving
2 / November 2013
Sandberg Funeral & Cremation Services
Our Family
Serving Yours
Since 1942
(651) 777-2600
2593 E. 7th Avenue • North St. Paul
www.sandbergfuneralhome.com
Lt. Shortreed received this
award on September 21, 2013
at the Special Olympic
Minnesota Leadership and
LETR Conference held in Red
Wing, MN. The following
excerpts were shared about
Lt. Shortreed at the conference, which highlights just a
few of his many, many valuable attributes:
“The Hall of Fame Award was created to recognize
outstanding individuals who have significantly contributed
to the statewide success of the Law Enforcement Torch
Run for Special Olympics Minnesota.”
“This year’s Hall of Fame recipient works tirelessly
throughout the year. Whether it is serving on the LETR
Executive Council, attending Polar Bear Plunge events
across the state both in the water and behind the table
giving out incentives, or organizing and participating at
Cop-on-Top and Tip-a-Cop events in his City and other
Cities that need help, our award winner is there. And the
wonderful part about his participation is this…if you need
him, simply ask!”
“Our Hall of Fame winner is simply someone each of us
is proud to have on our team. He partners with you,
forwarding your success, not his own. He truly works for
the good of the entire program and does so time and
time again. Ladies and gentlemen, this year’s Hall of Fame
winner, and a friend to all, Maplewood Police Department
Lt. Mike Shortreed.”
The City of Maplewood congratulates Lt. Shortreed on
being recognized for his tireless efforts on behalf of
Special Olympics.
Lt. Michael Shortreed Recipient of the 2013 Law Enforcement Torch Run Hall of Fame Award
Diana Longrie, Running For Mayor
Greetings! Tuesday, November 5th vote
Longrie, Diana Longrie as Mayor. Six
months I have knocked on thousands of
doors throughout our City. It’s been fun!
As the first woman Mayor of Maplewood,
I’ve worked on neighborhood issues with
citizens and local business owners,
shoulder to shoulder. I voted to 1.) hire
more patrol officers to protect and serve; 2.) stop
bulldozers from clear cutting Fish Creek; 3.) achieve
greater openness and transparency by cablecasting all
city council/commission meetings; 4.) include residents
in the decisions made at City Hall; 5.) require fiscal
accountability; 6.) protect and preserve neighborhood
openspaces from development; 7.) appoint applicants
with diverse viewpoints to citizen commissions; 8.) reach
out to small business owners.
Vote Diana Longrie for positive leadership.
My winning plan: Improve medical life-saving response
times. We must be accountable to the taxpayers –
residents and businesses alike. We must not sell our
parks! Let’s build upon what we love about Maplewood,
our geographic location, the strength of our
neighborhoods and strategically position Maplewood
to meet the employment, demographic and growth
trends of the future.
Homeowner, mother, Gladstone neighborhood attorney,
and voted one of Maplewood’s most influential
women by the Maplewood Historical Society.
www.dianalongrie.com Call me! (651) 214-0859
Nora Slawik, Running For Mayor
I am a 19-year Maplewood resident,
former seven term State Representative
and member of the Maplewood Parks
and Recreation Commission. I work as
the Director of Education for a non-profit
autism organization, earned a master’s
degree from the Humphrey School,
University of Minnesota and am a
mother of two.
As Maplewood Mayor, I would bring years of leadership
experience to build a prosperous and positive future for
our city. I will lead with integrity, professionalism and a
strong desire to collaborate with community partners.
My priorities:
Create Jobs, Support Economic Prosperity:
I will work to expand good jobs for our families and
neighborhoods. We must support existing businesses to
retain high quality jobs at 3M, St. John’s Hospital, and
small businesses while looking to attract exciting
opportunities for development.
Strengthen Safety Services:
My top priority is to fight for the highest quality
safety services of police, fire and emergency response
from north to south for every resident.
Preserve, Protect Parks and Open Spaces:
Our parks are essential to our quality of life. As a
legislator I partnered with the city, county and funders to
help secure the Fish Creek Natural Area Greenway, which
preserves 62 acres in south Maplewood.
www.noraslawik.com
Marylee Abrams, Running For Councilmember
I am running for City Council because I
care about good city government and
believe we can have that in Maplewood.
We should aspire to be a city of
excellence, known for the quality of
our city services, the friendliness of our
neighborhoods, and the prosperity of
our businesses. My top priority is
restoring the reputation of our City
Council to that of a passionate group of professionals,
capable of moving the City forward through good
decisions and fiscal responsibility. This will improve the
image of our City as a great place to raise a family, and
open or expand a business. In turn, this will attract and
retain jobs which are key to economic growth, the
stability of families, and an improved quality of life in
Maplewood.
The role of city government is to provide good
quality public services such as police, fire, parks, and
roads. I want to work to ensure we are moving forward
and not looking backward to the chaos our City
experienced in 2007 when City Pages labeled us as the
most dysfunctional City in Minnesota. I have not
forgotten how devastating that was to Maplewood, and
want to ensure it does not happen again.
Marylee Abrams
November 2013 / 3
Continued from cover... Municipal General Election
- continued on page 4
4 / November 2013
Margaret Behrens, Running For Councilmember
I’m a “lifelong” Maplewood resident, wife,
grandmother, taxpayer, and homeowner.
I have earned the reputation as a
hard-working professional and tireless
advocate through my many years of
leadership and elected office. In our
community of Maplewood.
“Some goals”: Affordability for taxpayers. Improved
life- saving emergency response times and essential
City services. Sustainable businesses and sustainable
jobs are needed to grow our hometown economy, to
lessen the burden of the taxpayers. We must work
down our debt and strike a line on city spending.
The taxpayers are not banks.
Maplewood needs an experienced public servant with
a positive record of policy making, budgeting and
strategic planning. Including experienced representation
to serve on our City Council.
I will help launch Maplewood into the future using my
professional experience as a business manager. My
unique style of management has proved extremely
successful on a regional and county wide basis in my
two terms in elected office at the Ramsey Conservation
District. I will make a positive difference in Maplewood.
I have a lifetime of positive public service experience. I
am working for a positive new beginning for Maplewood.
People, prosperity, and positive results for the future is
what we deserve. margaretbehrens.com
Rebecca Cave, Running For Councilmember
My name is Rebecca Cave and I am
currently serving on your Maplewood
City Council. My family resides in the
Gladstone community and my children
attend school in both Maplewood and
North St Paul. I’m asking for your vote
to continue my service to the citizens
of Maplewood and remain a strong
advocate for the Permanent Protection
of our Parks and Public Open Spaces. I was instrumental
in being a deciding vote when the council voted 3-2 to
reject a high-density housing project where today, “Fish
Creek” exists. Without protection of our precious lands,
wildlife, bluffs and Mississippi River Critical Area, this land
would have been bulldozed down for housing!
While I have been a strong supporter of business retention
and creation in Maplewood, I do not and have not supported
our council voting to put small family businesses out of
business by entering into contracts with larger national
companies. (Garbage Haulers) I’m also not in favor of our
City purchasing thousands of residential recycling carts!
I have a strong commitment to Public Safety and will
continue to support our Police and Fire with the
necessary means to maintain a superior level of service.
Vote REBECCA CAVE on Tuesday, November 5th!!!
Kathleen Juenamann, Running For Councilmember
I am a current City Councilmember
seeking re-election and have lived in
Maplewood 60+ years. Graduate of
Hill-Murray and College of St. Catherine;
taught high school French for 12 years;
volunteer caregiver for 8 family
members and neighbors for 10 years.
Community involvement; Neighborhood Watch Captain,
1980-Present; community activist, 1980-2001; Solid Waste
and Recycling Task Force, chair 1985-1991; citizen panel to
interview city manager candidates, 2000; Police/Civil Service
Commission, 1999-2001. Elected to City Council, 2001.
I am running for re-election because I have worked hard
and remain dedicated to contributing to the sustainability
and long term vision for our City. It has been my privilege
to be part of the City Council to accomplish our goal of
financial, environmental and operational sustainability.
I have been part of the council for the following:
development of Legacy Village, management plan for
Open Space Preserves, remodeling of the aquatic area
and cardio equipment upgrades at MCC, building of
Gladstone’s “The Shores” senior housing, expansion of
our Police Department space, planning of the East Metro
Public Safety Training Facility and new Fire Station at the
3M Complex and much more. I believe I have the history,
experience and work ethic to continue to serve you and
our community.
For details on absentee voting or to find your polling
location visit the City website at www.ci.maplewood.
mn.us or by calling (651) 249-2003.
Continued from pg 3... Municipal General Election
November 2013 / 5
Our society faces a number of complex environmental
challenges, and solutions will require the creativity and
energy of forward-thinking people and communities. The
City of Maplewood is in a unique position to implement
and influence solutions to these environmental challenges
and is making a conscious effort to lead by example.
The American Public Works Association acknowledged the
City’s leadership in sustainability by awarding Maplewood
the 2013 Sustainability Practices Award. This prestigious
national award recognizes Maplewood’s contributions to
promoting sustainability city-wide through planning,
infrastructure investment, design standards, education,
and daily operations in an environmentally and socially
responsible way.
Maplewood’s sustainability practices and accomplishments
are many and varied including:
• Vision – considering sustainability through comprehensive
plan efforts such as greenway planning, trail
systems, and preserving open space.
• Living Streets – defined as a complete
green street that provides for active
living with multiple modes of
transportation while also reducing
environmental impacts by lessening
impervious surface, managing
stormwater, and providing shade. The
City’s first Living Streets demonstration
project was constructed in 2012 in
the Bartelmy-Meyer neighborhood.
• Stormwater Management – improves
water quality through the
implementation of stormwater best
practices, such as rainwater gardens, in
all new and redevelopment sites and
road improvement projects. Today, the
City has over 700 home rainwater
gardens and over 60 rainwater gardens
ºon City property.
• Sustainable Operations – City operations
which are planned and carried out with
full consideration of how environmental
factors affect long-term goals. Constant
adjustments to City operations have
contributed to reducing environmental impacts such
as adoption of an environmental purchasing policy,
reduction of salt in snow plowing, right sizing the City’s
frequent and timely street sweepings, reduction in the
amount of mowed turf in parks and City property, trash
hauling and recycling efficiencies, and energy efficiency
upgrades in City buildings.
Maplewood’s ability to influence change and lead a
sustainable approach to infrastructure replacement and
operations is driven by a culture that has become
ingrained into Maplewood’s identity. The success is the
result of support from all levels of the community
including elected officials, management, staff, and citizens.
So go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back for your
contribution to making Maplewood a national
Sustainability Practices Award winner - what an
accomplishment!
For more information on Maplewood’s Sustainability
Practices Award, visit the City’s sustainability webpage at
www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/sustainability.
2013 National Sustainability Practices Award Winner!
Maplewood
APWA President Edward Gottko presenting Sustainability Practices Award to
Michael Thompson, Maplewood Public Works Director/City Engineer
during the 2013 APWA Congess in Chicago.
Continued from cover... Highway 36 Improvements
The traffic lights and construction cones are gone. Drivers
will find that travel on TH 36 has improved substantially
after the near completion of the TH 36 roadway, inter-
change, and bridge improvement project. Just a mere 90
days ago, the highway was home to long lines of traffic
and too many crashes at the English Street intersection.
Today, the $17-million highway improvement project, led
by the City of Maplewood, is now traffic light free, making
the commute for its 60,000 daily vehicles safer, smoother,
and more efficient.
Taking the Lead
Traditionally, the Minnesota Department of Transportation
takes the lead on highway improvement projects.
However, for this project, the City of Maplewood stepped
in to the driver seat to be able to include more input from
residents and businesses. By taking the lead, the City was
also able to accelerate project construction, and therefore
ease congestion, reduce driver frustration, and increase
safety of those traveling the highway.
MnDOT supported the City’s move to lead the project -
they too recognized the need to accelerate the project.
By taking the lead, the City made a bold move to
fast-track construction and close the highway for only
75 days. Otherwise, the project would have spanned two
or more years.
“In collaboration with citizens and businesses, we took
the path of short-term pain to experience long-term
gain,” said Chuck Ahl, City Manager. “Easing congestion,
improving access to businesses and neighborhoods, and
listening to the residents and businesses and their needs
was our number one focus.”
Involving Residents and Businesses
The City of Maplewood believes in fostering and building
strong connections within the community. By leading the
project, they were able to magnify their ability to do this.
The City held several public meetings over the course of
the project, which took over four years from start to finish.
Additionally, a business group and two neighborhood
committees provided guidance throughout the project.
“Our citizens came forward with great ideas to help
improve this important thoroughfare through our
community,” said Michael Thompson, Public Works
Director/City Engineer. “We wanted to make sure we
understood their key concerns such as safety, noise,
access to businesses, and the aesthetics, and that we
put their ideas into action and addressed their concerns.”
In one case, the City and stakeholders worked together to
mitigate vehicle noise generated from the highway that
impacted nearby residents. The residents on the south
side of the highway agreed that a noise wall was the best
solution to reduce noise, but residents from the south
side preferred a landscaped berm. As a result, the City
implemented both approaches, and each solved unique
perspectives. “This was not a one size fits all, rather we
listened to the citizens and made adjustments,” said
Thompson.
Putting Safety First
Safety of residents ranks as one of the top goals of the
City. By building the bridge over TH 36 at English Street
and making an important road connection, they were
able to improve response time for emergency vehicles.
Prior to improvements, emergency responders were
forced to travel several extra miles in order reach homes
on the south side of TH 36.
The new bridge and the connection of Gervais Avenue
to Viking Drive created a direct link to the south side of
the highway making it easier for first responders to reach
homes and businesses in need.
Traffic back-ups on Highway 36 before the project
For more than two decades we’ve struggled
with reaching homes and businesses due to
limited access points across the highway,”
said Fire Chief Steve Lukin. “The new bridge
and access points will now allow us to better
serve our citizens when they need us most
and when minutes and seconds matter.”
- continued on page 7
6 / November 2013
Highway 36 during the project
Continued... Highway 36 Improvements
Safety also comes in the form of safer pedestrian
opportunities. With this project now connecting Weaver
Elementary School to a number of neighborhoods along
County Road B via a new trail this is truly a win-win.
Additionally new sidewalk on Gervais Avenue will connect
Harvest Park and Four Seasons Park to White Bear
Avenue and the Bruce Vento Trail. Quality of life and
active living got a big boost with this project.
Improving our Business Areas
The Maplewood economy will likely get a boost from the
highway improvements. The new roadway creates an
opportunity to attract more businesses and developers
to Maplewood. “With the improvement of mobility and
access to businesses, we anticipate that we will generate
more interest in the vacant parcels and buildings along the
highway,” said Melinda Coleman, Assistant City Manager/
Community Developer Director. “TH 36 represents a major
corridor connecting the central metropolitan area to the
east metropolitan area, and tens of thousands make their
way through this area daily. And, now people will travel
with less congestion and frustration, and more time to
patron our businesses.”
Making the Final Improvements
While the project is approximately 90% complete and fully
functional, the final improvements will wrap up in spring
2014, when final landscaping and aesthetic treatments
are complete.
Visit the City’s website for more information. And, stay
tuned for the soon-to-be-released profile of the project
highlighting some the projects main features and some you
may not know about….yet.
- continued on page 7
November 2013 / 7
Maplewood Police Offers Text Message Tip System
The Maplewood Police Department is launching tip411, an
internet based tool that enables the public to text message
anonymous tips to the police and other City departments
and allows staff to respond back creating a two-way
anonymous “chat.”
Now, anyone with a cell phone can send an anonymous tip
to the Maplewood Police Department by texting the word
maplewood and the tip information to 847411 (tip411).
“In this digital age, the new capability will help citizens,
especially young and tech savvy people play a more active
role in keeping our neighborhoods and schools safe,” said
Maplewood Police Chief Paul Schnell.
“We hope the offering of this new technology will make
it easier for those who have been hesitant to pass along
critical information that can help us solve cases and hold
offenders accountable,” said Lieutenant Michael Shortreed,
who oversees the Investigations Division of the
Maplewood Police Department.
Reserved exclusively for Public Safety purposes and
powered by CitizenObserver, a St. Paul, Minnesota
Company, tip411 puts a powerful new crime fighting
tool into the hands of the
Maplewood community
for all ages and
demographics.
CitizenObserver’s
technology
removes all
identifying
information before
the Police Department
see’s it so there is no
way to identify the sender.
It is 100% anonymous.
Tipsters can remain completely anonymous
tip411
- continued on back page
8 / November 2013
CounCilCorner
The Council Corner is a space that is rotated
monthly between the Mayor and Council
members. Editorial views expressed are those of
the author and may not necessarily represent or
reflect the views and opinions of the City
of Maplewood.
Councilmembers Cave and Cardinal, Mayor Rossbach,
Councilmembers Koppen and Juenemann
- MAPLEWOOD -
Dear Maplewood resident:
I hope you have had a wonderful summer. As we approach
the fall and winter I wanted to share some things with you.
In my reading, I came across a recent message from
William D. Eggers and Paul Macmillan where they talked
about how “Government Alone Can’t Solve Society’s
Biggest Problems.”
Here are a few of their thoughts.
“Human Trafficking. Re-skilling the workforce. Rising
obesity. A lack of quality education and safe water for the
poor in the developing world. Whose job is it to solve
these problems?
For decades, the answer to that question has been simple:
government. Until relatively recently, governments
provided for the public good, while the private sector
largely stuck with Milton Friedman’s admonition http://
blogs.hbr.org/2012/04/you-might-disagree-with-milton/
that the social responsibility of business was to increase its
profits. Thinking beyond the bottom line was considered
unfocused or, even worse, a disservice to shareholders.
Today, the landscape has changed dramatically.
A new economy has emerged at the borderlands where
traditional sectors overlap. This economy trades in social
outcomes; its currencies include public data, reputation,
and social impact. Previously untapped markets drive
financial returns. The business models are unusual. The
motivations range from moral obligation to new notions
of public accountability, or even shareholder value. This
“solution economy http://blogs.hbr.org/2013/09/leading-
across-sectors/” represents not just an economic
opportunity, but a new manner of solving entrenched
societal problems.
New problem-solving innovators and investors power
this solution economy.
These “wavemakers” assume many forms, including edgy
social enterprises with the mentality of a Silicon Valley
start-up, mega foundations, and Fortune 500 companies
that now deliver social good on the path to profit. They
range from Ashoka https://www.ashoka.org/about, which
deploys 3,000 citizen changemakers in 70 countries, to the
global pharmaceutical giants that annually give away
billions of dollars in medicine to low-income citizens.
These multi-billion-dollar markets are forming around
some of the world’s toughest problems - from fighting
malaria to providing low-cost housing to educating the
poorest of the poor. In these solution markets, businesses,
social entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and multinational
companies compete, coordinate, and collaborate to solve
mega problems. Instead of trying to patch a market failure,
they create a market for the solution. Foundations, venture
philanthropists, governments - and, often, private
businesses themselves - act as funders, investors, and
market makers.
What about government? Its role has now shifted.
Sometimes it is a funder; sometimes it integrates all the
players; sometimes it’s the market maker; sometimes it’s
just one of many contributors to the solution. Sometimes
all it has to do is provide a space for these solution
markets to work.”
Maplewood’s own, 3M Company also plays in this arena.
You may see 3M’s name on supplies contributed to
needy and to help contribute to foster public good. Our
metropolitan area is host to 19 fortune 500 companies,
3M included.
Bob Cardinal, Councilmember (651) 765-8600
November 2013 / 9
BUY 3 MONTHS,
GET 1 FREE
3-MONTH MEMBERSHIP
Maplewood Community Center Fall Sale!
651.249.2230 • www.maplewoodcommunitycenter.com
2100 White Bear Ave • Maplewood, MN 55109
HURRY - OFFER VALID ONLY THROUGH 11.29.13
SPECIALTY GROUP FITNESS
In addition to our free group fitness classes, the Maplewood
Community Center also offers you the opportunity to get
connected and take your program to the next level with one
of our fitness programs. Try TRX Suspension Training,
Kettlebell Training, 10 lbs down, Momentum, Boot Camp,
or Zumba! Or check out one of our NEW classes:
NEW! Senior Strength Training
TUESDAYS, NOV 5 - DEC 10, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
If you’re interested in feeling stronger, healthier, more vital,
or just hitting your golf ball farther, this 6-week program is
for you. Cost is $72.00 ($60.00 for MCC members).
NEW! 55+ TRX Training
MONDAYS, NOV 4 - DEC 9, 9:30 - 10:15 AM
The TRX Suspension Trainer is the system that leverages
gravity and your bodyweight to perform hundreds of exercises.
Join Certified Personal Trainer Barb Johnson in a program
specifically geared for participants ages 55 and older.
Cost is $72.00 ($60.00 for MCC members).
Register for either class by calling (651) 249.2230 or by
visiting ww.maplewoodcommunitycenter.com.
Women’s Expo
WWW.MAPLEWOODCOMMUNITYCENTER.COM
2100 WHITE BEAR AVE • MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109
DECEMBER 7
10:00AM - 2:00PM
FREE ADMISSION
JOIN US FOR A DAY OF FASHION,
SHOPPING & FUN!
Alison ScottSaturday, December 14
Purchase tickets online at www.maplewoodarts.com
2100 White Bear Ave • Maplewood, MN 55109
A new kind of Christmas show, with Alison’s own brand of pure soul.
- MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER -
New Fitness Classes!
10 / November 2013
Public Hearing on 2014 City Budget and Levy – December 9th
Per state law, cites are required to
certify their maximum proposed
property tax levies to the county
auditor by September 15th. The
proposed tax levy that is given
preliminary approval cannot be
increased. Therefore, it is important
that the proposed tax levy provides
adequate revenues to finance the
2014 Budget. At the City Council
meeting held September 9, 2013, the
City Council set the maximum tax levy
for 2014 at $18,898,970, which is a
2.0% increase over 2013. Possible
uses for the increase include adding a
police sub-station at the new fire
station in the south leg of the City,
moving up a street
reconstruction
project from 2016 to
2015 and increasing
the contribution to
parks. Council will
discuss these items
and determine how
much, if any, of the
increase will be
certified with the
final levy in
December.
The tax impacts
of the proposed
budget, as well as
the programs
and services
supported by it,
will be reviewed at
a public hearing
during the regular Council meeting
December 9, 2013, 7:00pm, at
Maplewood City Hall. All interested
citizens are invited to attend.
City Taxes
Based on information received from
Ramsey County, City taxes on a
single-family home valued at $160,700
– the average value for taxes pay-
able in 2013 – will decrease $14 next
year, declining from $707 to $693.
The calculations assume that the home
experiences a 2.3% decrease in value.
In the chart below are the estimated
City tax changes on homes with higher
and lower values than the average.
Home market values do not increase
or decrease by the same percentage
for all properties. Therefore, the
estimated City tax amount may be
higher for some, particularly if there
have been improvements that add
value. Similarly, a larger decrease in
value could cause a larger decrease
in taxes.
General Fund
The budget is composed of a number
of different funds, the largest of which
is the General Fund. The General Fund
is the primary operating fund of the
city and includes such services as
police, fire, public works, community
development, citizen services, park
maintenance and administration.
The revenues to support the General
Fund come from a variety of sources,
the largest of which is property taxes
at approximately 66%. Other sources
of revenue include permit fees from
new home and business construction,
charges for various services,
miscellaneous revenues and
intergovernmental revenues.
On the expenditure side, just under
75% of the General Fund is spent on
employee salaries and benefits, with
the balance spent on contractual
services, other operating expenses
and capital items. Approximately 54%
of the General Fund budget is
allocated to public safety (police and
fire) and 17% to public works.
Value of Property for Pay 2013
Value of Property for Pay 2014
Taxible Market Value for Pay 2014
2013 City Tax 2014 City Tax $ Increase(Decrease)$ Increase(Decrease)
$100,000$150,000$160,700$275,000$350,000
$ 97,700$146,500$157,000$268,700$341,900
$ 69,300$122,400$133,900$255,600$335,400
$ 372$ 648$ 707$1,330$1,753
$ 362$ 634$ 693$1,317$1,725
($10)($14)($14)($22)($28)
(2.6%)(2.2%)(2.0%)(1.6%)(1.6%)
- continued on page 11
November 2013 / 11
The remaining 29% is allocated to Citizen Services,
Community Development, Administration,
Building Operations, and Parks.
Providing a Good Value
Under the proposed City budget, the average
homeowner receives police and fire protection;
snow plowing and street maintenance; park
development and maintenance; recreational
programs and facilities; and many other services
for about $57.74 per month. Here is a breakdown
of the levy by fund:
Summary of Maximum Levy Increase
Because the preliminary tax levy amount approved can
only be decreased (not increased), the Council wanted
to insure they had sufficient funds to cover any unknown
costs that may arise between September 9th – when they
approved the max levy, and December 9th – when the
final levy will be approved. The Council allocated an
additional $370,570 to explore options regarding adding
a police sub-station at the new fire station in the south
leg of the City, moving up a street reconstruction
project from 2016 to 2015 and increasing the contribution
to parks. Prior to adoption of the final levy, the Council
will determine if the additional levy increase is needed or
if other reductions can be made to the budget. The
maximum levy increase for 2014 is currently 2.0% over
2013 or $370,570.
More information about the proposed 2014 City
operating budget is available on the Maplewood
website at www.ci.maplewood.mn.us. Comments on
the City budget or levy can be sent to gayle.bauman@
ci.maplewood.mn.us or chuck.ahl@ci.maplewood.mn.us.
public safety
54%
administration
10%
citizen services
6%public works
17%
parks
3%
building
operations
3%
community developent
7%
General Fund $37.67
Ambulance Service Fund 1.38
Community Center Operations Fund 1.61
Recreation Programs Fund 0.54
Capital Improvements Project Fund 1.68
Fire Truck Replacement Fund 0.15
Park Development Fund 0.09
Redevelopment Fund 0.12
Debt Service 14.23
Economic Development Authority 0.27
TOTAL MONTHLY $57.74
- continued on page 11
- continued from page 10
Citizen Survey
In our ongoing efforts to identify ways to
better serve our community, the City of
Maplewood is conducting a Citizen Survey.
The 2012 City of Maplewood Citizen Survey
will be held November 4 - 22, 2013.
The survey serves as an important evaluation
tool that enables residents to rate city services
and offer input on what the City of
Maplewood does well and where it can
make improvements. Results from this survey
will assist the Maplewood City Council and the
City Manager in setting priority focus areas
for City services in the future.
Residents who would like to participate can
complete the survey online November 4 - 22,
2013 by visiting:
www.surveymonkey.com/s/2013maplewood
A hard copy of the 2013 City of Maplewood
Citizen Survey can also be completed at
Maplewood City Hall, 1830 County Road B East,
Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to
4:30 pm.
Thank you in advance for taking part in the
City of Maplewood Citizen Survey.
City of Maplewood
1830 County Road B East
Maplewood, MN 55109
Phone: 651.249.2000
www.ci.maplewood.mn.us
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Tip411 is not a substitute for dialing 911. If you are
calling in an emergency you should always call 911
for an immediate response. The system is not
monitored on a 24/7 basis.
Cell phone set up for tip411 is easy:
1. Under ‘Contacts’ on your cell phone, establish a new
group titled “847411” and save.
2. Now go to your text messaging as you would to send
a text message to someone.
3. In the “To” block (who you’re going to send it to), type
in “847411”.
4. Drop to your text box; once in text box type in the
word Maplewood followed by a space. Letters are not
case sensitive.
5. Then type in your crime tip and push send once your
crime tip is complete.
Examples of what the tips received would look like:
• maplewood The guy who smashed the car windows in
town last week is John Doe who lives at 123 East St.
• maplewood There is a lot of people in and out of 123
East St. at all hours. I suspect drug dealing. Check it out.
Once a tip is sent, the sender will receive a message
from CitizenObserver indicating the message has been
forwarded to the Maplewood Police Department. Police
Department staff can respond to the sender to ask for
additional information. If the sender does not want any
further contact, the sender only needs to push the “stop”
or “end” button on their phone and the contact between
the citizen and the Police Department is broken. Text
message charges may apply to your account, depending
on the terms of the service.
For more information go to http://www.citizenobserver.
com/cov6/app/webTipForm.html?id=10201.
Continued from pg 7 - Maplewood Police Offers Text Message Tip System