HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 -10 OctCity’s Official NEWSLETTER
MAPLEWOODLiving OCT 2014In This Issue
Spooky Splash Event
Property Values Council Corner
Dog Bite Prevention
Business Highlight
Fall Clean Up Campaign
Get Caught Recycling
Throughout the month of
October you could win $50!
Simply place your recyclables in
your recycling cart, place your
recycling cart at the curb by
6:00 am on your recycling pick
up day, and Get Caught Recycling.
Share your thoughts on
Maplewood’s trash and
recycling programs. Take the
survey at www.ci.maplewood.
mn.us/solidwastesurvey.
Each completed survey will be
entered into a drawing for $50.
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Maplewood Community Center- Celebrating 20 Years of Community Enrichment
A family-friendly retreat, an exercise center, a splashy
pool reprieve on a hot day, or host to a cultural
performance – at one time serving each and every
one of these roles, the Maplewood Community
Center has worn many hats over the years. And, this
month, the Center celebrates its 20th anniversary!
First opened on Saturday, October 15, 1994, the Maplewood Community Center
was created to help fulfill the Maplewood Park and Recreation Department’s
mission to provide a community environment for all citizens to participate in
and enjoy cultural and recreational activities on an equitable basis. Originally
consisting of gymnasiums, an aquatics center, aerobic room, weight room, fitness
track, banquet room, theater, and drop-in child care center, the Maplewood
Community Center offered something for every member of the family.
Today the Community Center continues to play a vital role in contributing to our
thriving City. “It was really designed to be a community amenity and over the
years the facility and the programming offered within its walls has continued to
evolve to meet the changing needs of our City,” explains DuWayne Konewko,
Maplewood Park & Recreation Director. - continued on page 5
Splash Trax Activity System
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 call 952.212.7333 or email
heidi@careycommunications.org.
Elected Officials
Nora Slawik: Mayor .........................................................651.738.7099
nora.slawik@ci.maplewood.mn.us
Marylee Abrams: Councilmember ..............................651.249.2000
marylee.abrams@ci.maplewood.mn.us
Robert Cardinal: Councilmember ...............................651.765.8600
bob.cardinal@ci.maplewood.mn.us
Kathleen Juenemann: Councilmember .....................651.771.3670
kathleen.juenemann@ci.maplewood.mn.us
Marvin Koppen: Councilmember ............................... 651.770.5391
marvin.koppen@ci.maplewood.mn.us
Melinda Coleman: Interim City Manager .................651.249.2055
melinda.coleman@ci.maplewood.mn.us
MAPLEWOODLiving
2 / October 2014
FALL BUCKTHORN CURBSIDE PICK-UP
Maplewood residents who remove large volumes of
buckthorn from their properties will qualify for free
curbside pick-up of buckthorn this fall (no other shrubs
will be picked up). This service is available to residents
with enough buckthorn to fill a pickup truck. Pickup will
be on designated days in late October for registered
households only.
If you do not have enough to fill a pickup truck, recruit
your neighbors to participate in the program and we
can include your block. To register, send your contact
information (name, daytime phone, email and address)
and that of any other interested households in your
neighborhood to: Maplewood Nature Center, 2659
7th Street East, Maplewood, MN 55119; or email
this information to Carole Gernes at cgernes@
ci.maplewood.mn.us. Staff will confirm your
registration and email instructions for piling and
pick-up. If you have questions, contact Carole at the
above email or call (651) 249-2170.
Check for identification, effective herbicide
concentrations and removal instructions in the
Maplewood Buckthorn Management brochure,
available online at:
www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/documentcenter/
view/205.
AT MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER
2100 White Bear Avenue, Maplewood
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Looking for a “spooky, not scary,” family-friendly event?
Join us at the Maplewood Community Center for our
annual Spooky Splash. The aquatic center is transformed
into a “spooky environment” with only underwater lights
and dimmed overhead lights providing illumination. Those
looking for a drier Halloween experience can stop by the
gym to participate in a costume contest, bob in the spooky
pond, hop in the bounce castle, or take part in a coloring
contest. No pre-registration required. This event is
free for members and the cost of daily admission for
non-members.
www.maplewoodcommunitycenter.com
SPOOKY SPLASH
Friendly Reminder:
Trash carts are to be stored in your garage or screen them from
view of the road (on the side of the garage, behind a screening fence,
or landscaping). Let’s keep our neighborhoods beautiful!
October 2014 / 3
Residential Property Values on the Rise
Good news! Residential property values in the City of
Maplewood are on the rise. Per information received
from Ramsey County in August 2014, the estimated value
of a median valued home in Maplewood is increasing
from $157,000 to $187,300, or 19.3%. In fact, Maplewood
is shown to have the greatest average increase over any
other City in Ramsey County. Property values are based
on market values that fluctuate with general market
conditions such as recent sale prices, supply and demand,
demographic changes, and changes in tax laws. Also,
physical changes made to your property can affect your
market value.
Bad news – property taxes on residential homes will rise
because of this. If a certain type of property, such as
apartment buildings, gains value faster than your own,
that property type is now a larger share of the total pie
and has to pay accordingly. Over the past few years, they
have seen healthier value increases than residential markets.
Because of this, a bigger share of the taxes were ‘shifted’
to these markets so even though Maplewood had a levy
increase of 3.8% in 2013 and 0.0% in 2014, most residential
properties in the City saw a City tax decrease both years.
The following shows the impact of the 2013 and 2014
levy amounts to a median valued home:
Current value changes are reversing recent trends and
taxes are beginning to ‘shift’ back on to homes. What this
means is that even with no levy increase in 2015, most
homes will see a tax increase.
Based on information received from Ramsey County, the
annual impact of different levels of a 2015 City levy increase
to a median valued home in Maplewood is as follows:
More homeowners will be eligible for a State Property
Tax Refund in 2015 and many will also be eligible for
larger refunds. Minnesota has two property tax refund
programs for homeowners. You may be eligible for one
or both, depending on your income and the size of your
property tax bill.
• The regular property tax refund, sometimes called the
“circuit breaker”, is based on your household income and
the amount of property tax you pay on your principal
place of residence.
• The special or “targeting” property tax refund requires
your net property tax to have increased by at least 12%
and $100. The special property tax refund is not based
on income.
The maximum 2015 tax levy amount will be adopted at
the September 22, 2014 Council Meeting. The final 2015
Budget and tax levy will be adopted in December 2014.
The City Council has directed the establishment of a series
of mechanisms and opportunities for members of the
public with questions about the City’s budget and/or
services to get questions answered or provide input,
feedback, or suggestions. One such item is the creation of
a new email address budget.ideas@ci.maplewood.mn.us
which will be regularly monitored. Information received
from Maplewood residents, business owners, and staff
shall be summarized and provided to the Council for the
purposes of guiding and informing the City’s budget
development now and into the future. Please feel free
to utilize this tool as well as
information on the City website,
www.ci.maplewood.mn.us, to assist
our efforts as we work toward
creating a sustainable budget.
With you every smile of the way.
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PAY MEDIAN ANNUAL $ %
YEAR VALUED HOME CITY TAX CHANGE CHANGE
2012 $182,900 $752
2013 $160,700 $707 ($45) -6.0%
2014 $157,000 $679 ($28) -4.0%
LEVY HOME VALUED CITY TAX $ %
CHANGE 2014 2015 2014 2015 CHANGE CHANGE
0% $157,000 $187,300 $679 $767 $88 $13.0%
1% ....................................................$776 $97 $14.3%
2% ....................................................$785 $106 $15.6%
3% ....................................................$793 $114 $16.9%
4% ....................................................$802 $123 $18.2%
5% ....................................................$811 $132 $19.5%
4 / October 2014
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 Cardinal and Abrams, Mayor Slawik,
Councilmembers Koppen and Juenemann
- MAPLEWOOD -
By: Councilmember Bob Cardinal
We have exciting activity in our City this
month, starting with the Park and Recreation
System Master Plan. We are now half way
through a three year process. This is the
first time Maplewood has taken on such an
exhaustive study of our parks. Citizens have
indicated what is wanted in way of Parks, Trails, Natural
Areas, Greenways, Arts & Culture, Facilities, Programs
and Sustainability. All surviving recommendations will
be presented to the Park & Recreation Commission and
then to the City Council. For more details on the DRAFT
plan, visit the city website: www.ci.maplewood.mn.us.
The Budget Review will be addressed from now until
December when the 2015 Operating Budget will be
accepted. You still have an opportunity to add your input
by attending a council meeting and or letting the City
Council know if something is not right with the DRAFT
coming to conclusion. At this time, the proposed tax levy
is 3.4% ($19,161,210) above the 2014 Levy ($18,528,400).
Visit the city website for more information. Our
Maplewood Community Center (MCC) continues to be
an expense that needs a solution. We are addressing
the deficit that could mean reducing the fund balance
in a new way. Residents can also send in their ideas
on the budget to this email address:
budget.ideas@ci.maplewood.mn.us.
The City Council is currently addressing a very
important assignment, that being, to hire a new city
manager. The process started this past June and
should conclude in December. The best thing you
can do to stay informed of this matter is to go to
t h e c i t y w e b s i t e a n d v i e w t h e P o s i t i o n P r o fi l e p o s t e d .
Lastly, I would like to share some numbers on our
neighborhoods. Maplewood has 13 designated
neighborhoods. You may know your neighborhood; if
not, call the City to identify your neighborhood by
address. Here is the list of all 13 neighborhoods in
order of size of resident count:
#1 Beaver Lake, approx. 5,300 residents
#2 Parkside, approx. 5,000 residents
#3 Hillside, approx. 4,600 residents
#4 Hazelwood, approx. 3,900 residents
#5 Sherwood Glen, approx. 3,600 residents
#6 Gladstone, approx. 3,200 residents
#7 Highwood, approx. 3,100residents
#8 Maplewood Heights, approx. 2,800 residents
#9 Vista Hills, approx. 2,700 residents
#10 Kohlman Lake, approx. 2,200 residents
#11 Western Hills, approx. 1,600 residents
#12 Battle Creek, approx. 1,500 residents
#13 Carver Ridge approx. 200 residents
Whether you are a new resident of Maplewood,
a resident of less than one year, or a resident
whom has lived here and called Maplewood your
home for 10, 30, 50 years or longer, we all say
we live in Maplewood, and are proud of our City.
Councilmember Bob Cardinal, City of Maplewood
Phone: (651) 765-8600.
Warm, Caring, and Confident Staff
2000 White Bear Ave • Maplewood • www.co.ramsey.mn.us/nh
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Long Term Care
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(651) 356-5920
October 2014 / 5
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(763) 574-0075
Maple Grove
7880 Main Street N
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Maplewood Senior Expo-Continued from Pg 1
MCC- Celebrating 20 Years Thursday, October 16 - FREE Admission!
at the Maplewood Community Center
Maplewood’s Senior Expo is back and packed full of
information, giveaways, demonstrations, presentations,
and snacks. Meet the experts who can make your life
healthier and happier. Learn hundreds of ways to
improve your health and extend your life. Make sure
to stop at each booth and attend the life-enhancing
seminars. Participate in a full line-up of activities to keep
you entertained, educated and informed.
Join us for 30 minute presentations on a variety of topics
ranging from health and wellness to finance to planning
for your afterlife. Presentations will be held in the Motion
Zone and are free to attend. Seating will be limited. Call
(651) 249.2230 for more information.
Presentation Line Up:
10:15 am Macular Degeneration by: Eye Care Center
11:00 am Financial Services and Investing
by: Gallagher Financial Services
11:45 am A Place to Call Home
by: Norgard Court Apartments
1:15 pm Senior Living 101 (From Condos to Care Centers)
by: Ecumen
To that end, the facility has undergone several changes in
the past 20 years. As member needs evolved a strength
center was created to replace the weight room and was
eight times larger than the original space. The cardio
center was expanded, doubling the size of the original
workout area. In 2011, the facility’s aquatics center was
remodeled to create an underwater theme that included
an interactive submarine and colorful murals. The
cardio center was also revamped in 2012, replacing
aging fitness machines with state of the art LifeFitness
equipment. Programming has also evolved – moving
from just 27 weekly fitness classes offered in five workout
styles in 1994 to more than 75 weekly classes offered in
27 styles today.
But one thing remains the same – the Center’s
commitment to the community. “From keeping kids
safe with swim lessons to helping our residents stay fit
with year around gym access to offering unique cultural
theater experience and family friendly special events, our
goal is to meet the varied needs of each of our members
and guests,” says DuWayne Konewko. “We’re excited
about the future of the Maplewood Community Center
and reaching out to the diverse community and the
businesses in Maplewood and the surrounding area!”
Thank You Sponsors
Norgard Court Apartments
Women’s Expo
WWW.MAPLEWOODCOMMUNITYCENTER.COM
2100 WHITE BEAR AVE • MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109
NOVEMBER 15
10:00AM - 2:00PM
FREE ADMISSION
JOIN US FOR A DAY OF FASHION,
SHOPPING & FUN!
Maplebrook
Pet Care
Center located
off White Bear
Avenue in
Maplewood
qualifies for
City funded
rainwater
gardens.
6 / October 2014
anniversary
SALE
20th
Purchase Or
Renew Your Annual
MCC Membership...
GET TWO MONTHS FREE
PLUS ZERO INITIAL FEE!
Hurry - offer expires October 31!
MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER - CELEBRATING 20 YEARS
OF OFFERING WELLNESS, ARTS, & FUN FOR EVERYONE...
2100 WHITE BEAR AVENUE
MAPLEWOODCOMMUNITYCENER.COM
651-249-2230
Dog Bites: A City Working Together for Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control reports that nearly 4.5
million Americans are bitten by dogs each year; half of
these are children, and one in five incidents results in
injuries serious enough to require medical attention. There
have been 12 reported dog bites in Maplewood in 2014; a
number which city officials are working to bring down.
Although strays or other strange dogs can bite, most of
the time people are bitten by a dog they know and may
interact with often. It is important to understand that any
dog of any breed has the potential to bite, and the rea-
sons for a burst of aggression can vary.
Consequences
Pet owners must report dog bites to the local police
department for bite incidents to both humans and other
domestic animals. The owner must provide proof that the
dog’s rabies vaccination is up to date; if unable to provide
this proof, the City requires the dog to be quarantined at
a local animal impound for ten days; quarantine may also
be required if the bite causes serious damages.
Depending on the situation, the City may deem the dog
as “potentially dangerous” or “dangerous”. Potentially
dangerous dogs must have a microchip implanted, a
properly constructed enclosure in their yard, and be
registered with the City with the designation of
“potentially dangerous”. In addition, owners of these
dogs must post a sign on their property declaring the
presence of a potentially dangerous dog, and purchase
liability insurance for up to $300,000.
The burden that comes with keeping a dog that has been
deemed potentially dangerous or dangerous is often
too much for an owner to bear. Unfortunately, if unable
to meet the requirements in place, owners are forced to
look into relocation or euthanasia.
Prevention
The City of Maplewood is working to take a proactive
approach to limiting the number of dog bites that occur,
and the first step is to encourage education and prevention.
Almost all reported dog bites have been from dogs that
were loose, either when their owner let them off leash or
when they were not adequately contained and broke free
of their yards.
Dog bite prevention begins at home with your own dog
by being a responsible dog owner. Train your dog well,
they should know the basic commands such as sit, stay,
come and leave it. Don’t allow your dog to roam free
where they can be a danger to other people, and always
keep your dog on a chain or leash under the control of a
responsible person.
October 2014 / 7
www.nightmarehalloween.com
OCT. 3, 4, 10, 11, 16-19,
23-26, 29-31, NOV. 1
DJ and Dancing Every Fri & Sat night in October
Barn Party: ghoulish cocktails, beer, concessions, psychic reading, games
Red Cross Blood Drive Oct. 11, 18, 25 - 3-8PM
Donate blood and get a FREE VIP ticket to this event, Bonfires nightly!
New!
Twin Cities
Zombie Hunt
LOCATED AT RUNNING ACES HARNESS PARK
15201 ZURICH ST. NE - FOREST LAKE / COLUMBUS
(EXIT 129 ON I-35)$2 OFF$admission
NIGHTMARE HALLOW-SCREAM PARK
EXP 2014
NOT VALID Oct 17,18,24,25
TexT SCReAM To 41411
foR updATeS And offeRS
(651) 462-7279
Costumes
2839 White Bear Ave. N Maplewood, MN
Plus_Not just your ordinaryHalloween Shop
Open Year-Round
Halloween Express in Maplewood
is now Costumes Plus!
Tel. (651)-748-1185
Simply put ... you won’t find a larger selection of
Costumes and costume accessories anywhere. !!!
We’re celebrating our 20th anniversary!
Thanks to all our wonderful & loyal customers!
BusinessMaplewood HigHligHt
Halloween Express in Maplewood
Celebrates 20 Years and Changes
Their Name
Halloween Express, located off White Bear Avenue in
Maplewood is celebrating its 20th year Anniversary.
They thank all of their wonderful and loyal customers
for this achievement.
This year is special for them in another way, too. They are
proud to announce that they will be changing their store
name to “Costumes Plus”. This name change is due to the
fact that even as part of the Halloween Express franchise,
they were an independent local business open year
round. They wanted their name to reflect who they
really are.
Luis Berocay and Dian Lowe, the owners, have lived in the
Twin Cities for 30 years and raised their family here. They
have been operating seasonal Halloween Express stores
since 1994; and since 2008 they have had a permanent
location in Maplewood, open year round. Many of their
outstanding staff have been with them for several years,
which helps provide their customers with knowledgeable
and consistent service.
They expect
that this
change will
give them
more
freedom and
more control
of the store
so that they
have a greater ability to please their customers.
They invite you to celebrate with them on October 3rd -
5th! This weekend will feature special product discounts
and other activities. Visit their store, Facebook page, or
website for more information.
(651) 748-1185
www.costumes-plus.com Costumes
Not just your ordinaryHalloween Shop
Open Year-Round
Plus_
2839 White Bear Ave. N Maplewood
(651)-748-1185
City of Maplewood
1830 County Road B East
Maplewood, MN 55109
Phone: 651.249.2000
www.ci.maplewood.mn.us
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
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Permit #32324
Twin Cities, MN********ECRWSS**
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SHLANDPRODUCTIONS
Performance for a Lifetime
www.ashlandproductions.org 651-274-8020
During the second and third
week in October (Oct. 6-10
and Oct. 13-17) residents can
schedule curbside bulky item
pick up at 50% off the City’s
trash hauling contracted rate.
Residents with City-wide trash
service with Republic Services will be billed for the
service on their bi-monthly trash bill. Residents who wish
to use the service but are not included in the City-wide
trash service (some townhomes and manufactured
homes) must pre-pay via credit card. To schedule bulky
item pick up contact Republic Services at (651) 455-8634.
For more details visit the City’s Fall Clean Up Campaign
webpage at www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/fallcleanup.
On a beautiful September morning, Virginia
Mitchell pulled up to Maplewood City Hall
to mail a letter and saw what she believed
to be some large and beautiful plastic
“flowers” by the tree line. She thought this
was a little strange so she walked over to
take a closer look and much to her amazement they
weren’t plastic flowers but huge mushrooms! She was so
enthralled by their beauty that she drove home to
retrieve her camera to take a picture of it. Virginia is a
regular at the Maplewood Community Center and is
active in the Silver Sneakers and Golden Beats Drum
class among other activities. If you can
help Virginia identify the mushroom
contact karen.haag@ci.maplewood.
mn.us or by calling (651) 249-2002.
Fall Clean Up Campaign Resident Spotlight