HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 -12 DecCity’s Official NEWSLETTER
MAPLEWOODLiving DEC 2014Melinda Coleman Named Maplewood City Manager
During the November 10, 2014 City Council
meeting the council voted to appoint Melinda
Coleman as City Manager.
Melinda has a long history with the City. Starting
in 1995 she was hired as the Community
Development Director and also served as the
Assistant City Manager from 2000 – 2006. She left
the City in 2006 to work for Target Corporation
as a Senior Development Manager where she
stayed until February of 2009. Her love for
local government led her to North Oaks where
she served as City Administrator from February
of 2009 through August of 2013.
Melinda returned to the City of Maplewood in
August of 2013 as the Environmental and Economic
Development Director and Assistant City Manager and has been the Interim City
Manager since May 30th of this year.
Melinda has a great ability to work with staff and the public as well. Her common
sense and honesty will serve the City well in facilitating agreements and in
challenging situations. It also doesn’t hurt that she has a great sense of humor.
Congratulations, Melinda!
Melinda can be reached via email at melinda.coleman@ci.maplewood.mn.us or by
phone at (65) 249-2055.
City Manager,
Melinda Coleman
Holiday Open House
Sunday, December 14, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
At the Bruentrup Heritage Farm (2170 East County Road D in Maplewood)
Come enjoy a a fun-filled afternoon in the farm house. Listen to live holiday music,
enjoy a light lunch, make your own S’mores by the campfire ($1),
and see historic demonstrations and kitchen demonstrations.
Antique holiday ornaments will also be for sale. For more details,
call (651) 426-4718 or visit www.maplewoodhistoricalsociety.org.
In This Issue
2 Snow Safety
3 Construction Update
4 Council Corner
5 Franchise Fee Notification
7 Business Highlight
7 Monarchs Special Olympics
8 Commission Openings
Maplewood Seasons Inside!
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 / December 2014
Snowplowing Safety Reminders
With winter quickly approaching, it won’t be long until
your snowplow drivers will once again be out in full force
clearing snow and ice, making the roads drivable. Your
snowplow drivers would like to remind you of the
following:
• Keep a safe distance from the snowplow. Stay back at
least 70 feet (four car lengths) from the plow so the
driver can see you.
• Don’t assume plow drivers see you. Their field of vision
is limited and visibility can be reduced by blowing snow.
• Do not shovel or blow snow into the street.
• Do not allow children to make tunnels in snow piles on
the boulevard.
• Trash cans and recycling bins should be placed in your
driveway, not in the street where they will interfere with
plowing operations.
• The City attempts to remove snow as close to the curb
as possible to allow access to the mailbox by the postal
department. It is not always possible to remove all of
the snow in front of the mailbox. It is your responsibility
to keep the area in front of the mailbox open to ensure
mail delivery.
The City of Maplewood has established a goal of plowing
all streets within eight hours after the snow quits falling
for a typical three inch snowfall. The sidewalk and trail
system will be cleared within 48 hours after completion
of the street plowing operations. The City has established
parking ordinances that, when adhered to, result in faster,
more thorough service, and provide safer driving
conditions. Parking is prohibited year round on city
streets between 2:00 am and 6:00 am. Parking for more
than 30 minutes during a snowfall and during the plowing
of snow is prohibited. Parking on bridge approaches or
on boulevards or medians is also prohibited.
For the complete snow plowing policy and City
ordinances, visit the Streets Division webpage at
www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/streets or call the Public
Works Department at (651) 249-2400.
December 2014 / 3
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What A Mess!
This thought may have gone through your mind the
last time you passed through a construction area. The
construction process is often dusty, muddy, and quite
messy. Ask a resident of the recently completed
Arkwright-Sunrise area improvement project and they
would likely agree. Keeping this mess contained during
construction and having a positive impact on the
environment in the long run takes careful planning and
project oversight. Managing your own property can be
done in a similar manner; not only having a positive
impact on the environment, but saving you time and
money as well.
The Arkwright-Sunrise area improvement project included
the reconstruction of the entire street section as well as
twenty-thousand plus feet of utility improvements. As
you can imagine, a project of this size requires the
disturbance of a lot of dirt. If left unchecked, wind and
rains can carry large volumes of these soils out of the
area and place them where they are not wanted. In order
to keep the soils within the project area, silt fencing and
compost logs are installed around the project perimeter.
Likewise, storm sewer inlets are protected with sediment
traps to keep soils out of the storm sewer system. To
minimize soils leaving the site due to the wind, exposed
streets are watered multiple times each day to keep the
dust down. Any sediment that does get tracked onto
neighboring streets is swept up on a regular basis. Once
all of the work is complete, exposed soils are covered with
sod or seed and erosion control blankets to hold the
soil in place.
During the project, infrastructure is installed to reduce
the volume of storm-water runoff leaving the area, as
well as improve its quality. Some of these features, such
as rainwater gardens, are at the surface and are easy to
spot. Other features are not so obvious. Underground
infiltration systems and sump-manholes are installed
below the surface and aid in the City’s water quality goals.
Keeping in spirit with the
City’s Living Street’s Policy,
streets are being designed
at narrower widths to
reduce impervious
surfaces and ultimately
storm-water runoff.
After construction has
been completed, the City
continues maintaining the
streets and utilities with
the environment in mind. Underground infiltration
systems and sump-manholes are inspected and cleaned
each year to remove accumulated sediments. Streets are
swept multiple times each year to keep sediment and
plant matter from reaching the storm sewer system as well.
Some of these same principles can apply to maintaining
your own property while having a positive impact on the
environment. If you are doing work on your property that
exposes the underlying soils, minimize the chance of
erosion by covering the excavation with plastic when
done working for the day. If it is a dry and windy day
consider spraying the soils to minimize dust. Keep soils,
grass clippings, leaves, and other debris off of your
driveway and street. If it does reach these surfaces, make
sure to sweep the material back into your yard at the end
of the day. Take advantage of the free water that falls
from the sky. Consider installing a rain-barrel or rain
garden to capture storm-water for watering plants.
Setting your lawn mower on its highest setting will also
aid in reducing the amount of water you need to apply
to your lawn. Your lawn will green up nicely as well.
Whether you are managing a quarter-acre property or a
50 acre construction project, the principles are the same.
The way you manage your property will have an impact
on our lakes and streams for years to come.
4 / December 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 -
Strong Neighborhoods for a Strong Maplewood
By: Mayor, Nora Slawik
It’s a busy time for all of as we all deal
with the snow and cold and prepare for
holidays that are fast approaching. I am
looking forward to another productive year
as your Mayor. It is truly is an honor to serve
you and I will continue to strive to make Maplewood a
better place to live, work and play.
As I finish my first year as Mayor I want to reflect on
the past year and to introduce a concept to shape the
future of our City: Strong Neighborhoods for a Strong
Maplewood. Our city has celebrated many successes
this year including the recent opening of our Fire and
Police Department South Station; the $150 million 3M
research and development expansion utilizing tax
increment financing; the development of a 12.3 million
50-unit mixed-income housing project on the former
site of the Maplewood Bowl; the purchase of Fish Creek
Greenway and the completion of the East Metro Regional
Public Safety Training Center.
We also have seen many challenges as a first ring suburb
with our 18 miles of unique and beautiful geography.
Our residents are aging, becoming more diverse and
growing in poverty. Our land is mostly developed forcing
us to look towards revitalization and redevelopment as
a strategy.
As I visit with you top concerns I am learning from the
data and anecdotes include: parks aging equipment and
safety concerns; severely deteriorating roads in particular
neighborhoods; burglaries, code violations and thefts
from autos. Additionally, I hear of frustration with using
the City website. Specifically, the inability to apply for
required licenses on-line, accessing city meetings and
events schedules and ways for our citizens to give input.
To address these concerns I am working with our
dedicated staff on a Strong Neighborhoods for a
Strong Maplewood initiative for 2015 to address these
challenges and strengthen our neighborhoods. I am
hoping my colleagues on the Council will support these
efforts. Key strategies to help bolster Strong Neighbor-
hoods for a Strong Maplewood include:
• Enhance neighborhood parks: Thanks to everyone
who participated in our recently completed Parks Master
Plan. We are reviewing your feedback and actively
exploring ways to improve our neighborhood-based
parks and keep current with playground equipment. We
must work to keep our neighborhood parks safe so kids
and adults alike can use them freely and readily.
• Seek and implement strategies to replace crumbling
road surfaces in certain neighborhoods: At regional
Mayor meetings I hear about cities across the metro
struggling to develop plans to remove and replace large
stretches of failing asphalt streets. These asphalt failures
are occurring in several of our neighborhoods, especially
south Maplewood. The failure is related to a certain
faulty asphalt mixture used at the time the streets were
installed. By the end of 2015 we will have a clear capital
improvement plan for replacement of our affected
City streets.
• Support planned geographically specific or
neighborhood-based policing and problem solving:
In January 2015 our police department will implement a
geographically specific neighborhood-based policing and
problem solving strategy.
- continued on page 5
December 2014 / 5
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This plan calls for consistent assignment of police officers
in geographically specific areas.
I am looking forward to seeing how the consistent
assignment will result in increased awareness of and
improved problem solving around repeat problems
such as burglaries or calls for service.
• Renewed attention on code enforcement – emphasis
on enforcement: Many of you have told me it is critical
that we address property maintenance issues that affect
our neighborhood livability, quality of life, and property
values. In 2015, I will call upon our Building Officials, Code
Enforcement personnel, police staff, and the City Attorney
to implement a strong and streamlined code
enforcement process.
• Enhancement and improvement of the city’s web
presence to provide residents greater access to
information, opportunities for citizen input, and
a timely method for distributing important
information: In 2015 we will improve the usability of the
city’s website. We also plan technology enhancements
that will provide opportunities for citizen input and we
will utilize web-based technology so that residents can
register and receive an email or text message with
important and timely information.
2015 will be a busy year for us as your elected leaders and
for our City staff. We want to be known for our strong
and connected family-oriented neighborhoods, as this
is the foundation for a great Maplewood. I am pleased
to announce that at the November 3rd council meeting,
Melinda Coleman was appointed as the new City
Manager. Please see more about Melinda and her
appointment on the cover page.
As always, please contact me with questions or
suggestions regarding any City issue. Also stay tuned for
our new local cable TV show “Spotlight on Maplewood”
which will appear on public access channels 15 and 16.
I can be reached by email nora.slawik@ci.maplewood.
mn.us. May your holidays and 2015 be safe, happy and
healthy for everyone in Maplewood.
The City is in the early stages of considering adoption of a
Franchise Fee that would be specifically dedicated to help
fund additional City street repairs. The revenue would
allow the City to repave an additional 2-miles of streets
each year.
The Franchise Fee is an alternative to increasing property
taxes or special assessments. The fee would capture a
broader and more accurate user base such as those
that utilize the street system but are exempt from
property taxes.
Preliminary estimates of the fee are $2.50 per month for
residential users and $6.00 per month for the majority of
non-residential users (e.g. businesses, churches,
non-profits).
To collect feedback on this topic an Open House is set
for Tuesday, December 16 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at the
Maplewood Community Center, located at 2100 White Bear
Avenue. Please attend to learn more and make your voice
heard. You can also email comments to Public Works
Director/City Engineer Michael Thompson at michael.
thompson@ci.maplewood.mn.us
Franchise Fee
6 / December 2014
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Maplewood Community Center Special Events
FAMILY NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31 • 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Ring in the New Year family style at Maplewood
Community Center’s New Year’s Eve celebration. We’re
hosting a splashing fun pool party from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.
Enjoy pizza provided by Pizza Ranch, our bounce castle,
face painting, games and crafts in the gymnasium from
5:00 – 8:00 pm. Participate in a New Year’s countdown
beginning at 7:40 pm and end the party with a balloon
drop and celebratory toast. Cost is free for members and
cost of daily admission for non-members. Registration is
required by calling (651) 249-2230.
EARLY CHILDHOOD RESOURCE FAIR
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 • 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
FREE ADMISSION!
Come learn more about resources available for you and
your family at Maplewood Community Center’s Early
Childhood Resource Fair! Learn about the latest
educational tools and local resources designed to help
your child reach their full potential. Save the date for this
fabulous FREE fun event!
December 2014 / 7
BusinessMaplewood HigHligHt
Rawlings Hardwood Floors
Scott Rawlings founded Rawlings
Hardwood Floors in 1980. The business
is located in Maplewood and is run
by Scott and his wife Tina.
Scott specializes in hardwood floor
installation, refinishing, medallions,
trim work, stairs, decks, boarders,
restoration, flooring repair and patching.
He is also known for his custom tables
to match any floor design.
During a free estimate, Scott conducts a thorough
explanation of what is going to get done, the products
he’s going to use, and what to expect as far as the
amount of time, preparation and cost. He is also involved
in every stage of helping you decide what kind of floors
you would like to fit your budget.
At the job, you can expect work to be done in a
professional manner. Scott does every job like it is his
own home. He takes pride in doing outstanding work
at a fair price.
Scott has done work
at Maplewood’s Myth
Nightclub. He installed
stage flooring that was
stained ebony, so the
glare of the spotlights
wouldn’t affect the
performers.
Scott says “If you are
seeking your finished
floors to be done with quality materials that will last you
the test of time, you cannot rush that service. Other
providers may get the job done quicker, but the quality of
the work is unprecedented to the skill of a man who has
been trained since he was a young boy.”
Rawlings Hardwood Floor Service needs to do very little
advertising for their business because Scott’s past
customers do his advertising for him. He is famous for
saying, “I don’t get callbacks, I get referrals.” Scott has a
niche market of customers who want quality with
no surprises.
For more information on Rawlings Hardwood Floors call
(651) 778-8277 or visit them on facebook.
Hickory Flooring, Brazilian Cherry Boarder
Owner
Scott Rawlings
Did you know that
Maplewood has
its own Special
Olympics team:
The Maplewood
Monarchs. We’re
the youngest of
12 delegations,
having been around
for only eight years,
but our athletes
have won multiple
medals. One of our
athletes even went
to the Special
Olympics USA
Games in New Jersey and brought back two gold and
one silver medals.
The coaches are some of the best also, two of whom
recently recieved the Outstanding Coach Award and the
Outstanding Special Event/Fundraiser Award, respectively,
at the 28th Special Olympics Minnesota Distinguished
Service Awards.
Speaking of special
events, some of the
athletes and coaches
will even be taking
the Polar Plunge this
winter, to raise money
and awareness for the
Special Olympics.
We’re currently
involved in bowling,
but also offers Poly
Hockey Basketball,
Athletics (track and
field), Softball, and
Bocce Ball. Come watch us compete, where the first
rule for the Monarchs is to “Have Fun!” If you want to
support your local Special Olympics
team, The Maplewood Monarchs, or
cheer us on, contact Mark Hamer at
(651) 707-6940 or email him at
mjhamer@hotmail.com.
Maplewood Special Olympics Team
Maplewood Monarchs
Special Olympics Team
Maplewood Monarchs Special Olympics
Coaches (left to right and top to bottom):
Bruce Spears, Joyce Larson, Carol Petersdorf,
Denise Nalipinski, Steve Nalipinski, Sherry
Pasket, Deb Hoffman, Jeff Pasket, Diane
Willen, Rick Brouhard, Mike Loiperspeck,
Ev Osten, Wendy Osten, and Greg Boland
City of Maplewood
1830 County Road B East
Maplewood, MN 55109
Phone: 651.249.2000
www.ci.maplewood.mn.us
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Commission Openings
The City of Maplewood is now accepting applications
to fill openings on the following commissions:
• Housing & Economic Development Commission
(1 opening)
• Human Rights Commission
(1 opening)
• Planning Commission
(2 openings)
These openings are due to terms expiring and
resignations. The City Council will interview candidates
that apply and will appoint individuals to fill these
openings.
More information on the
commissions can be found
on the City’s website
www.ci.maplewood.mn.us
or by calling City Hall
at (651) 249-2000.
Applications can be
picked up at the City
Hall front desk or found
online on the City’s website. The application deadline is
December 10, 2014. Completed applications should be
submitted to the City Manager’s Office at 1830 County
Road B E, Maplewood, MN 55109.