The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2007 - 10 OctCity Council Candidates that will be on the November 6, 2007 General Election ballot are:: Rebecca Cave John Nephew DelRay (Rocky) Rokke Will Rossbach There are two seats open for the four year terms. For more information, visit the City website at www.ci.maplewood.mn.us or contact the Election Hotline at 651.249.2105. NES W October 2007 Together We Can! 3-2 City Council Vote Zero Property Tax Levy Increase In 2008 funded by property taxes will not increase. The The City Council on a split vote, 3 to 2, supported a proposed 2008 City Budget reflected an motion by Councilmember Rebecca Cave to levy the increase in property tax revenue of $566,275; in light of same $15,546,000 in property taxes in 2008 as the the City CouncilÕs action to support a zero property tax levy City did in 2007. Council Member CaveÕs no new increase the proposed budget will be reduced. property tax levy motion was seconded by Mayor Diana Longrie and was supported by Council Member Erick City Manager Greg Copeland has stated there will be no Hjelle. Opposing the motion to keep property tax levy at reductions in the number of Police Officers and the 2007 level were Council Members Will Rossbach Firefighter/Paramedics employed by the City, ÒThe Public Safety and Kathleen Juenemann. functions in Maplewood will not be impacted by the need to make budget reductions in 2008, retaining all our existing police, fire The proposed Property Levy of $16,112,725 that was and emergency medical service personnel rejected by the City Council means City spending Écontinued on page 5 CITY RECORD:8 MILES OF STREETS PAVED IN 2007 AGGRESSIVE CITY ACTION SAVES TAXPAYERS $2.6 MILLION By Erin Laberee, Assistant City Engineer Each year the city has programmed in itÕsmillion dollars in construction costs alone.projects in 2007. Capital Improvement Plan theThe competition for construction work isRoad reconstruction projects are financed reconstruction of 2 to 4 miles of localhighly aggressive due to the poorthrough a variety of sources, including roads. 2007 is an exceptional year forhousing market and decrease inthe sanitary sewer fund, environment road reconstruction in Maplewood. Threeconstruction projects. To take advantageutility fund and the water fund. The additional street projects were movedof the competitive atmosphere andmajority of project costs are paid through forward to 2007 from 2008 and 2009.potential cost savings, the City approveda general obligation bond and Maplewood is reconstructing over 8 milesthe advance of the Écontinued on page 5 of local roads this year. Brookview, Lark Prosperity 2007 Street Reconstruction and Ferndale Geranium The cost of construction has significantly PROJECTBUDGETSAVED % SAVED Neighborhood Street Desoto Skillman$5,597,000$1,129,00027% increased over the last few years. Improvements Projects. By Brookview$3,199,000$644,00026% Maplewood awarded a contract for the fast tracking 3 projects a Ferndale/Geranium$1,638,000$673,00035% Desoto Skillman Area Street Project in total of $2.6 million dollars Lake/Prosperity$2,797,000$173,0008% May and realized a savings of over $1 Totals$13,231,000$2,619,000AVG=24% was saved on construction D ear Friends and Neighbors MaplewoodÕs Fall By Mayor Diana Longrie Clean-Up Day Greetings! I sit, looking out the kitchento name a Saturday, October 20, 2007 window, on a late September fallfew, to 8:00 am-12:00 pm morning. I have just sent my son,share their Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Alex, out the door and off to school.stories with 2410 Stillwater Avenue The morning sunÕs unmistakable energyyou. Or (please enter from Bartelmy Lane) is breaking through the autumn leavesask then Dispose of: as they flutter in the breeze. As thisAssistant City ¥ old appliances ¥ computers/monitors brief, quiet, unrushed moment hasManager, Gretchen ¥ TVs¥ tires managed to jump into my life beforeMaglich, who judiciously spent ¥ mattresses¥ construction debris the next surge of tasks clamor for mycountless hours planning, researching ¥ old furniture¥ car parts attention, I find myself lookingand negotiating the acquisitions. The ¥ scrap metal¥ and other junk beyond the trees and into the forest.Open Space committee weighed and No brush or tree waste. Proof of balanced many factors in ranking 66 Maplewood residency will be required. Many who were the founders of the potential parcels for purchase including 1991 Maplewood Open Space environmental value, historic value, Initiative, look back with pride at our location, habitat variety, and communityÕs commitment and vision to availability. When their task was set aside open space land for future finished, the Committee was praised by generations. This forward thinking all for their thoughtful selection of vision, conceived and launched by worthy properties for permanent Maplewood citizen, Char Wasiluk, acquisition. along with others, is now emerging in neighboring communities throughoutMaplewood was a leader in the the metro area as a desirable, qualityacquisition of publicly owned open of life, amenity sought after by citizens.spaces for the benefit of its citizens. Woodbury and Washington CountyToday, we have our 14 Neighborhood are recent examples of this grassrootsPreserves. Maplewood continues to be citizen commitment to Open Spacea leader in its good stewardship and CLEAN-UP DAY COLLECTION FEES: Preservation.land management practices. Cash or check only However, the moment has come for Cars without a trailer $10 In 1993 it was perfectly clear to most Maplewood to finalize the process to Pick-up trucks and cars with trailers $15 citizens that MaplewoodÕs Open Space permanently protect our Exceptionally large loads $25 plus acquisitions would be held for future Neighborhood Preserves. As a matter generations permanently. These lands of course, the final step of this over 15 The fee schedule covers approximately were an investment for our city, not year process is enacting permanent 25% to 35% of disposal costs. The city intended as an investment to be sold or conservation easement protection to pays the remaining 75% of these costs. traded like stock, but an investment safeguard the dream, the vision, of the and promise to our children to In addition to the above costs: 1991 Char Wasiluk Open Space maintain the quality of life that we all Computer/monitor $15 Initiative and the resulting cherish. Car tires with or without rims $3 Neighborhood Preserves. TVs all sizes $10 VCRs $10 A citizensÕ committee, the ÒOpen i.e. As always, I welcome your comments. Printers $10 Appliances $10 Space CommitteeÓ, of nine interested Call me at 651.774.1490 or email to Maplewood citizen volunteers was For more information, call 651.249.2400. mayorlongrie@yahoo.com. I invite one appointed by the council in 1993. and all to attend the monthly CitizenÕs In conjunction with the clean up, They were given the mission to Forum, hosted by myself, held the first the city will be sponsoring a food carefully advise the city staff and Saturday of the month at Maplewood drive for the SecondHarvest Food council on which lands to purchase City Hall in the Maplewood Room from Bank. Containers will be set up to with the newly passed referendum 10:00 am to noon. collect food items. Tuna, peanut funds. No one disputes that the Open butter, macaroni and cheese, Space Committee took their taskP.S. Check out the new Maplewood canned soups, stews, infant items, seriously and with dedication. ThereNeighborhood Preserve brochure. dried foods, and cash are needed. are countless stories of their Visit your Neighborhood deliberations. Ask Carolyn Peterson,Preserve this Fall! Greg Juenemann, or Steve Musegades, Dear Friends & Neighbors By Councilmember Rebecca Cave Fall is here and the CityÕs 2008 BudgetHjelle supported my proposal to hold2008 is Public is in the works and I am working tothe line on taxes to keep families andSafety keep City Hall on a budget; and oneseniors with limited incomes fromservices. we can afford! For too many yearshaving to dig deeper to pay their taxPolice and fire Maplewood City Councils ignored thebill, in fact, if your home didnÕtneeds are at burden escalating taxes and spendingincrease in value, you will pay less citythe top of my grew by adding high paidtaxes in 2008 than 2007!list. I will work to administrators to the city payroll ratherimprove service and You have my firm pledge to not than keep police officers andimprove response times. increase property taxes. firefighters to protect us. Finally, I know the work at City Hall will My job as your City Council Member is Those days are over, I hope forever, inbe harder as our economy slows, but I setting spending priorities and ensuring our City. On September 13, 2007 Ihave focused my energy and time on you get the high quality services from proposed a Property Tax Freeze bringing new businesses and jobs to City Departments weÕre paying for. Last for 2008, which would limit total cityMaplewood. I personally worked with year my priority was to add four new property taxes to what they were inWipers RecyclingÕs owner to relocate Police Patrol Officers, two new 2007.that business from St. Paul Park to firefighter/paramedics and more than a Maplewood to the former Northern My No New Property Taxes in dozen new pay per call firefighters as Tool building. I supported making the 2008 motion won on a 3-2 vote.well as MaplewoodÕs first full-time Code road and utility improvements to attract Mayor Longrie and Council MemberEnforcement Officer. My priority in the new COSTCO, which will open next year at Beam Avenue and SR 61. MaplewoodÕs Thrilling October Events If Maplewood is to have future business expansion it needs a City Council that Maplewood Movie Night understands new jobs come to cities Free Willy (Rated PG) FREE! that control spending and donÕt raise Friday, October 5 property taxes. This is also true of the Flotation Fun: 5:00 pm two new senior housing facilities that I Movie: 6:15 pm supported at the City Council, which At the Maplewood Community Center are bringing 330 units of new assisted Aquatics Center, 2100 White Bear Ave. living and memory care to Maplewood, Spooky Splash Monster House FREE! (Rated PG) , adding an without any TIF subsidies Saturday, October 27 Friday, October 19 6:30 pm estimated $50 million to our tax base! 5:30 - 8:30 pm Pleasantview Park, 1100 Mamie Street Another example of our healthy, At the MCC Aquatics Center Maplewood, business friendly, FREE for members Call 651.249.2125 for more information. environment, is the August opening of Non-members pay daily the new Walgreens at Rice and admission fee Booya & Bluegrass Larpenteur and building of a second Fish in the Freaky Fish Pond, bob Walgreens this year at Beam Avenue for apples, enjoy treats, swoosh and White Bear Avenue, which is now down the 120-foot water slide, under construction. and have fun splashinÕ in our Saturday, October 6 4:00 pm spooky environment. AND! Spooky If I can help you expand your business At the Bruentrup Heritage Farm (EST. 1891) activities in the gym and a in Maplewood, or open a new 2170 E. County Road D, Maplewood costume contest! 651.249.2230 Maplewood location for your business ¥ Historic Displays, Artifacts & Pictures call me today! ¥ Milk a Cow Holiday Crafts (Ages 3-6) ¥ Live Music: Northern Lights If I can answer your questions or help Tuesday, October 30 ¥ Tractor-Wagon Rides on Prairie you, please call me at my home 6:15 - 7:15 pm ¥ Cider Press on display 651.773.7059 or send an e-mail to In the MCC Craft Room $10 ¥ Hand Crank Corn Shelling rebeccacave@hotmail.com. Create fun and easyHalloween ¥ Machinery Display crafts with the Maplewood ¥ Open Farmhouse Thank you, Recreation staff. Enjoy music, ¥ Food Available Rebecca Cave delicious snacks, and more. Put on ¥ And more! your paint shirt and get ready to Call Carolyn Peterson at 651.748.9009 have a great time. for more information. Call 651.249.2230 to register. Universal Cable TV Service Free! By Bryan Olson, MCTV16 ThatÕs right Ñ Comcast cable televisionMeeting agendas and regularly up-15, 18, 19 and 20. This is a FREE will install the Maplewood City TVdated television schedules are now onpublic service. You will not receive a Channel 16 and other public accessChannel 16Õs bulletin board and on thebill for installation or for the service channels in your home for FREE. City of Maplewood web sitebecause Comcast is required to offer (http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us). ItÕsFREE universal service public access Now you can see all those meetings part of a new policy making yourchannels as part of their franchise youÕve been hearing so much about. Maplewood city government moreagreement with the City of And we do mean all Ñ a few months transparent than ever before byMaplewood. Comcast will install the ago we began televising live all city broadcasting ALL City of Maplewoodfree Universal Service to one television meetings, including the City Council meetings as they are happening orper household. There will be a charge Meetings and Workshops as well as taping them for later broadcast.of $19.99 for each additional all seven citizen advisory Commissions television. monthly meetings. There are alsoBy calling ComcastÕs sales office at locally produced shows such as Your651.222.3333, youÕll get a front rowIf you have additional questions or Police Report and Northeast Journalseat to watch your city government inneed additional assistance to take together with live broadcasts of theaction. Tell them you want ÒUniversaladvantage of the FREE public service, Ramsey County Commission's weeklyServiceÓ, which includes MaplewoodÕsplease call the City ManagerÕs Office meetings. City TV Channel 16, as well as publicat 651.249.2051. access and school board channels 14, JOIN OR RENEW Congratulations Sergeant Busack AS AN ANNUAL By David Thomalla, Chief of Police MEMBER AND RECEIVE: The Maplewood Police Department has promoted Dan ¥ A $10 Gift Certificate to Busack to the rank of Sergeant effective September 10, GULDENÕS RESTAURANT 2007. ¥ A Free Fitness Orientation Sergeant Busack has been a member of the Maplewood with a Personal Trainer Police Department since 1999. Sergeant Busack has (VALUE $30) and been the DepartmentÕs Use of Force Program Coordinator following six years as a Use of Force Instructor. Sergeant ¥ A FREE MCC t-shirt Busack has also served as a Field Training Officer in Hurry! Offer ends 2001, a post he still occupies. October 16, 2007. Sergeant Busack holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree inPut your fall fitness plan Ann Marie, Sergeant BusackÕs wife Sociology and Criminal Justice from the University of into action by joining the pins on the new badge St. Thomas. Maplewood Community Center. Sergeant Busack was awarded the DepartmentÕs Letter of Commendation on March 13, Call 2006 for his role in the apprehension and interview of a suspect in the robbery of a 651.249.2230 pizza delivery person on January 6 of that year. His efforts led to four juveniles being today! petitioned to court for first degree robbery and one adult suspect charged with aggravated robbery. Did you know that you can earn up to $20 per month towards Maplewood Police Chief David Thomalla said, ÒI would like to congratulate Sergeant your membership dues? Busack on his promotion and I look forward to his positive leadership attributes assisting in moving the Department forward.Ó Sergeant BusackÕs promotion was recognized at ¥ NEW! HealthPartners the Maplewood City Council meeting on September 24 where his wife, Ann Marie, ¥ BlueCross BlueShield pinned his new badge on him in a ceremony also attended by his two daughters, his ¥ UCare parents, his brother-in-law who is a West St. Paul Officer and eight of the City of ¥ Medica MaplewoodÕs Police Officers. ¥ Definity Health Maplewood City Manager Greg Copeland stated, ÒSergeant BusackÕs promotion was based on the high quality of his work, the exceptional evaluations noting his initiatives in the field and commendations for doing his job well, all figured into my decision to promote him to Sergeant.Ó Copeland continued, ÒIn addition, Sergeant BusackÕs high ranking by the DepartmentÕs Supervisory Staff on his suitability for promotion and being 2100 White Bear Avenue seen as a leader by his fellow patrol officers, was a key factor in his promotion.Ó Continued From Page One Street Reconstruction Program Five Neighborhoods Successfully Served In 2007! assessments. Every property who hasassessment levied to their property access to a street being improved istaxes for a 15 year period at an assessed. MaplewoodÕs policy is tointerest rate of approximately 6%. assess all single family residentialDeferrals are available to those where properties the same rate. In 2007 thethe assessment creates a financial street reconstruction assessmenthardship. amount was set at $4,960. The chart on page one details the Newly Improved and Reconstructed Street Renews the Neighborhood Commercial properties are assessedbudget for each project, the actual at a higher rate based on the lengthsavings realized on 2007 of front footage along the street.construction contracts, and the Assessment rates are set at theresulting savings of the original beginning of each year to financebudget are shown as a percentage. approximately one third of the totalFor more information, call Public project cost. Property owners have theWorks Assistant City Engineer, Erin option to pay the assessment up frontLabree at 651.249.2404. Same Street Before the Reconstruction Program Improvements without interest or have the Continued From Page One NEW! No Tax Increase In 2008 AGES 3-6 will be my top budget priority,Ó said Copeland, Òbecause that is the number one priority of the City Council. ÒI will not recommend reducing spending on Public Safety by one cent.Ó, declared Copeland. ÒIn light of the City CouncilÕs decision to respect the property taxpayerscrafts ¥storytime ¥sports ¥ swimming ¥ music ¥ & more of Maplewood many of whom are on fixed incomes or Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9:30 - 11:00 am Location: MCC Activities Room living pay check to pay check to pay their mortgages and family bills, I will find the reductions in spending in Fee: $8/Day $21/week other parts of the City Budget!Ó MCC Members: $6/Day $15/week Session 4: Oct. 29-31 Session 1: Oct. 8-10, ÒObviously the City CouncilÕs priority is to protect Session 5: Nov. 5-7 Session 2: Oct. 15-17 property taxpayers of Maplewood from seeing further Session 6: Nov. 12-14 Session 3: Oct. 22-24 increases in their property taxes. The City Council Session 7: Nov. 19-21 understands we have an economy that is slowing down Attention Parents! and that housing values are not going to be increasing, I agree with them that acting now to reduce spending will Enjoy a date night or get a jump start on your holiday mitigate what will be challenging times ahead for local shopping while your children have a great time at MCCÕs government given the slide in property tax values. Kids Fun Club. ÒIn 2007 there was a 12.0% increase in MaplewoodÕs Friday Date Nights6:00-8:30 pm property tax base, in 2006 the increase was 12.1%, Oct. 12, Nov. 9, Dec. 14, Jan. 11 now for 2008 itÕs only 3.2%. Something will have to Holiday Shopping give and the City Council has told me to reduce Nov. 24, Dec. 8, Dec. 22, 1:00-4:00 pm spending to match the economic reality, and I will do Holiday Parties that in our budget revision,Ó Copeland stated. Oct. 26, 6:00-8:00 pm Dec. 15, 1:00-3:00 pm 2008 Proposed Property Tax Levy Increases Fee: $12/child $24/family (up to 4 children) Ramsey County5% Maplewood0% Dakota County4.90% North St. Paul3.7% To participate in the Friday Date Nights, Holiday Shopping, Roseville10% or Holiday Parties, you must be an MCC Member or a Oakdale3% White Bear Lake Twsp14.977% Kids Fun Club Member. Limited To 12 Children! Vadnais Heights4.5% St. Paul14.60% St. Anthony5.12% Woodbury5.20% New Brighton3.94%All children must be out of diapers. Eagan4.90% Minnetonka4.70% To register, call 651.249.2230. Plymouth6.167% Code Enforcement ActivityFREE! Personal Safety & Threat Awareness Class 107 Exterior Storage 30% Learn to identify threats and how to react. Receive a quick study of 64 Unapproved Parking 18% local crime trends and scams used on people. You will see video clips 17% 58 Lawn Maintenance of local crimes and learn what to do to avoid being a victim. YouÕll 16% also learn defense tactics and the correct frame of mind to survive attacks. 57 Housing/Property Maint. Dates: November 6, January 8, March 4, 2008 7% 23 Junk Vehicle Time: Tuesdays, from 7:00 pm Ð 8:00 pm These are cases 5% 19 Trash Location: Maplewood Community Center, 2100 White Bear Ave. opened/inspected between 4% 14 Trash Instructor: Scott Steffen, Sergeant Maplewood Police Department May-July 2007. Container Storage Three ways to register: 3% 9 Other Online:www.maplewoodcomunitycenter.com Code Enforcement Activity Chart Phone:MCC 651.249.2230 In Person: Maplewood Community Center, 2100 White Bear Ave. AUGUST 20072007 YTD Total # of calls received152625+ City Meetings: Total # of cases opened89431 Total # of inspections2031,086 City Council Meetings Total # of cases closed38228 Council meeting at 7:00pm October 8 & 22 Call 249-CODE to clean up 2008 Budget Hearings PoliceOct.1 5pm your neighborhood! Inspections,Planning & Building Operations Building Operations Fire DepartmentOct.8 5pm Public WorksOct.22 5 pm Finance & AdministrationOct.29 5pm Try Ballroom Dance! Ages 16+ Citizen ServicesOct.29 5pm Truth & Taxation HearingDec.3 7pm Find out how much fun dancing can be for your social, mental, and physical Budget Adoption HearingDec.10 7pm health! Two left feet? No problem. In these sessions, the instructor will help you get CitizenÕs Forum comfortable on the dance floor as you learn the basic steps of the most popular October 6 at 10:00am Community Design Review Board dances. YouÕll be dancing quickly and comfortably as you gain confidence in your October 9 & 25 at 6:00pm musical and rhythmical skills. Two beginner classes are offered during each Environmental & Natural session. One class will highlight Waltz, Salsa, Cha Cha, and Meringue. The Resources Commission other class offers Foxtrot, Swing, Tango, and Rhumba. Register for both October 2 at 6:00pm Historical Preservation Commission sessions! Call 651.249.2230 to register ! today October 18 at 7:00pm Location: Maplewood Community Center gymnasium Housing & Redevelopment Authority Fee: $48 Couple Rate: $84 October 10 at 7:00pm Parks & Recreation Commission MCC Member: $36 MCC Member Couple Rate:$60 October 17 at 7:00pm 6:30-7:30 pm Dance Types: Waltz, Salsa, Cha Cha, & Meringue Police Civil Service Commission Saturdays, November 3-December 15 No meeting scheduled All meetings are held at City Hall,1830 Sundays, November 4-December 16 County Road B East,Maplewood. 7:45-8:45 pm Dance Types: Foxtrot, Swing, Tango,& Rhumba If you have basic cable service,all City Commissions, Saturdays, November 3-December 15 information and programs can be viewed on Channel 16. Sundays, November 4-December 16 All City Council and Commission meetings are broadcast live on Channel 16 and are rebroadcast on a schedule that is posted at www.ci.maplewood.mn.us.Any meeting cancellations are posted on the CityÕs website. CITYOFMAPLEWOOD www.ci.maplewood.mn.us Mayor: Diana Longrie651.774.1490diana.longrie@ci.maplewood.mn.us PRSRT STD Council Members: U.S. POSTAGE Kathleen Juenemann651.771.3670kathleen.juenemann@ci.maplewood.mn.us PAID Erik Hjelle651.217.2172erik.hjelle@ci.maplewood.mn.us Permit #4903 Will Rossbach651.484.5427will.rossbach@ci.maplewood.mn.us St. Paul, MN Rebecca Cave651.773.7059rebeccacave1@hotmail.com *******ECRWSS** City Manager: POSTALCUSTOMER Greg Copeland651.249.2050greg.copeland@ci.maplewood.mn.us CITY HALL 1830 County Road B East, Maplewood, MN 55109 Phone 651.249.2000 Fax 651.249.2009 www.ci.maplewood.mn.us DEPUTY REGISTRAR AND PASSPORT HOURS Monday Ð Friday: 8:00 am Ð 4:30 pm Printed on recycled paper. Saturday: 8:00 am Ð 12:00 noon Upon request, this newsletter will be made available in an alternate format.