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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 - 06 Jundetails inside! NEWS June 2008 Together We Can! More Businesses Move To Maplewood 4. Caribou Coffee and Walgreens By Tom Ekstrand, Senior Planner A new Caribou Coffee and Walgreens just opened Maplewood continues to grow, creating new economy for on the corner of Rice Street and Larpenteur Ave. the city. Watch for the following businesses as you drive 5. Walgreens Walgreens also recently opened a new around your community! store on the corner of White Bear Avenue and Beam Ave. 1. Costco Costco has just 6. Community Dental Care Community Dental Care has recently broken ground with their opened a new facility in the newly remodeled former Ramsey new 158,000-square-foot County Library building on the south side of Beam Avenue at store with fuel sales on Kennard Street. the north side of Beam Avenue east of Please call us at 651.249.2300 if you have any questions Costco Development Site Highway 61. about these or other sites in Maplewood. 2. St. PaulÕs Monastery The St. PaulÕs Monastery property at Attention Parents: Are You Aware the corner of Larpenteur and Century Avenues is under site Of Your ChildÕs Internet Safety redevelopment. This project includes the following: ¥ A 40-unit senior-housing apartment building Over 60% of young males met someone ¥ A 48-unit town house development (under construction) offline when asked to do so, and 40% of ¥ A conversion of the monastery to a those that were violated, didnÕt report it. family-violence shelter Monday, June 16, 2008 ¥ A new monastery on the north end of the property 7:00 pm FREE! 3. Maplewood Town Center Maplewood Town Center at 1845 at the Maplewood Community Center, County Road D is upgrading their building, east of the 2100 White Bear Ave. Pannekoeken Huis Restaurant, with a face lift. The owners Join the Maplewood Police Department and learn valuable internet safety tips. ¥ Crimes that have occurred from the internet ¥ Child/Internet Predators ¥ Myspace and other social networking websites (you will also learn how to create your own Myspace page) ¥ Cyberbullying ¥ Spam, Junk Email, and Scams Maplewood Town Center ¥ Chat Rooms of this building are beginning with the west half of the ¥ Filters multi-tenant structure to begin their exterior improvements For more information, call Officer Joe Tran at 651.249.2669 with the remaining portion of the building to follow. or Investigator Paul Theisen at 651.249.2622. H ow The Past Affects The Future By Erik Hjelle In February 2001, over 1000 tons ofperson who suffered from ArsenicThe labor relations attorney (whose dredged clay from a water holding pondpoisoning back in 2001. The Judgecontract is controlled by the ÒactingÓ City was dumped near the 2500 Block ofhelped her sister fight against the citiesÕManager) is ÒnegotiatingÓ the managerÕs Carver Ave in south Maplewood. Theefforts to condemn her property. Incontract on behalf of the city. The new dumping permit issued by the City ofFebruary 2008, the city arrested thecouncil majority created an artificial Maplewood appears to have been issuedJudgeÕs sister, while the Judge wasÒwallÓ (a written agreement) between the 11 days after the dumping occurred.presiding over the case of Sheri Le vs.union ÒactingÓ City Manager and the Within months, many area residentsMaplewood. Two weeks after the Citynegotiation of his union contract. But this became ill after using their drinking wellsarrested her sister, the Judge called anagreement gives the ÒactingÓ City and septic systems.unscheduled hearing, talked about the cityManager full union job protection on any arresting her sister, then ruled against thecovered matter. So, essentially the At least one resident suffered from Arsenic City and awarded $170,000+ to Sherimanagers union is negotiating their own poisoning. Septic systems have failed Le. Of course, the council was told therelabor contract by having control over the because of the material that leached out was no bias or Òappearance oflabor relation attorneyÕs job contract and of the clay. Further, in 2003 the city even improprietyÓ. Coincidence? I will let youhaving their past President as ÒactingÓ tried to condemn and seize the property be the judge! Stay tuned, this JudgeCity Manager. Trust me, I did not vote for of the person suffering from Arsenic currently presides over the Carverthis arrangement. poisoning. The fact that this event Crossing case. No conflict of interest happened in 2001, not 1951, isThe outcome is yet to be determined, claims have been made. In fact, the city astounding. From what I have been told,however the last point of discussion does not even intend to fight this case the city file of this event has been carefullyrevolves around whether to give FORMER because no witnesses have been purged and bears little evidence to whatemployees retroactive pay increases or deposed, no evidence discovery has actually happened.not. The council majority has already occurred and the time for doing so has agreed to double retroactive increases been allowed to expire. You may ask yourself, ÒWhy has Erik back to January 2007 and January 2008 mentioned this particular event?Ó The residents of Gladstone were lucky,respectively. For those of you who and the fight to save their neighborhoodbelieved the recent Pioneer Press article When I was campaigning for City was successful. The residents of souththat declared a ÒFinancial MessÓ in Council in 2005, many of my neighbors Maplewood appear to be losing theirMaplewood, the retroactive pay raises in south Maplewood asked me why they fight, only time will tell what happens. should make taxpayers stop and think. In should care about ÒGladstoneÓ. The issue 2007, 3 current members of the council of re-developing Gladstone dominated the Property Taxpayers BewareÉ majority accepted cash from labor 2005 council election. Many residents in Recent newspapers articles cite Cities that Unions. Are Maplewood Taxpayers south Maplewood identify with are implementing hiring freezes due to a expected to believe that nothing is Woodbury, or St. Paul vs. ÒGladstoneÓ or bleak financial outlook. In March, Eagan expected in return for the money? The ÒParksideÓ. The confusing geography of announced a hiring freeze while St. Paul price to taxpayers will be seen next fall Maplewood is a wonderful part of your and Cottage Grove announced hiring during budget time. CityÕs character, but it also makes a sense freezes last year. The trend to not fill of community harder to achieve. vacant positions and offer earlyOne more taxpayer item; the cost of retirements is growing, except inlitigation and insurance. The media has Answering my neighborÕs lack of concern Maplewood. A recent request by ÒactingÓmade much of MaplewoodÕs increased for issues such as Gladstone and other City Manager Chuck Ahl included hiringinsurance costs and lamented the resulting topics proved easy. I simply told them, a new Asst. City Manager and a newhigher premiums. Keep in mind, insurance Òwhen they come for your neighborhood, marketing person amongst other changes.is not intended to be used as a profit will there be anyone left to help YOU Maplewood has a Plan Bcenter, but the city did REDUCE annual fight?Ó Well that time has come for south (Council/Manager) form of government.payroll by $700,000/year as a result of Maplewood, the development is called The city manager has sole managementredundancy. I doubt many people would Carver Crossing (Co-Par), on Carver Ave. control of EVERY employee. The councilhesitate spending $28,000, to save This project was first denied in 2006 by ONLY has control over the city manager.$700,000. Facts are facts. Nobody Mayor Longrie, Ms. Cave, and me for Our current ÒactingÓ City Manager is awanted those lawsuits, but when 2 of the very good reasons. The developer sued member of the managers union and waslawsuits are the result of staff violating the city because a staff member violated the President of that union. In fact, EVERYstate laws and city ordinances, lawsuits the law relating to the developers employee in Maplewood (except theare the typical result. application. The Judge overseeing this Volunteer Firefighters) is covered under a particular case is well known to Remember those that serve our country labor contract. The contract for the Maplewood. This JudgeÕs sister is the and have a safe day! managers union has not been ratified. NEW! BUSINESS COMMISSION CORNER REGISTRATION PROGRAM By Lorraine Fisher PLANNING COMMISSION The main ongoing role of the Planning Commission is to advise the city The City of Maplewood will be council on matters involving development proposals as they relate to the implementing a new Business cityÕs zoning ordinance and to the comprehensive land use plan Registration program. The intent of this directives. The projects we review range from single-family residential program is to have every business that is variance requests to large-scale commercial and industrial development currently not licensed with the City to file proposals. The planning commission also reviews development proposals a Business Registration Application that like land subdivisions, right-of-way vacations and conditional use permits will include information to be used for, which are projects that require closer scrutiny by the planning commission but not limited to, Public Safety issues. and city council. The planning commission decisions are recommendations Registration forms will be mailed to all to the city council, which makes the final decision of the proposal. Maplewood businesses in early June and must be returned no later that June 30, Some examples of recent projects 2008 with the $50 registration fee. If which the planning commission has you have questions regarding the reviewed include the new Costco Business Registration program, please store on Beam Avenue, east of call 651.249.2105. Highway 61 (construction just beginning), the Legacy Village YOUR POLICE REPORT mixed-use development west of the The Maplewood Police Department hosts a Maplewood Mall and the television show on GTN cable channel 16 redevelopment of the St. PaulÕs titled ÒYour Police ReportÓ. The show has Monastery property at the corner Legacy Village been of Larpenteur and Century Avenues running for (also newly construction) which will include the conversion of the use of 14 years the current building, a new monastery for the Sisters, a and is 40-unit seniors apartment building and hosted by 48-unit town houses. R S A C members of the The Planning Commission also MOVIE NIGHT Maplewood leads the periodic updates of the Officer Steve Heinz & Sergeant Kerry Crotty Police cityÕs comprehensive plan (every Department. The show airs on different 10 years or so) mandated by the days and times so check the listing to see Metropolitan Council. The when itÕs on. Recently GTN began posting comprehensive plan is the cityÕs the shows on their website.The address is planning guide for land www.gtn.org/yourpolicereport.html, or development as well as a guide there is a link on the Maplewood City for the city in setting goals and website, www.ci.maplewood.mn.us then policies for housing, parks and click on city departments, police trail development, and department, then ÒCops on CableÓ. At the Live life in the fast lane as transportation needs to name a bottom of the Cops on Cable page is a you watch Cars at the original few. Maplewood, like other link to the program. Bruentrup Farm. Bring the whole communities in the 7-county family and play games, purchase Each month the crime statistics are shown, region, is currently in the process hot dogs, popcorn, pop, and highlights from the month are covered, of updating its comprehensive cookies from the Historical Society. special interest stories are covered and an plan and hopes to have it Cozy up to the bonfire and take a interview is conducted. Some of the recent completed this summer. This tour of the old farm house. DonÕt topics include: a story about a support group process involves considerable miss this great event! Bring a chair, for parents of children who have been blanket, and bug spray. review from the planning murdered, an interview about Sexual FREE! Friday, August 22 commission as well as from the Assault Awareness month and an informational Pre-show Activities: 7:30 pm other citizen advisory commissions piece regarding severe weather. Movie: 8:30 pm and boards. For more information Location: Bruentrup Farm, on the Planning Commission and If you have any suggestions for topics 2170 E. County Road D on-going projects, visit email kerry.crotty@ci.maplewood.mn.us. Additional parking at KinderCare, www.ci.maplewood.mn.us or call 2036 E. Cty Road D 651.249.2300. A Summary On The CityÕs Debt By Acting Manager Chuck Ahl The City of Maplewood, like most citiespurchases [for example a fire truck] withnationally. Maintaining appropriate in Minnesota, invest in various equipmentfunds on hand, or to issue bonds. Not allborrowing controls and tax base and infrastructure through borrowingof the proposed expenditures of the nextreinvestment along with stability are money. The City is allowed to issue debtfive years will be paid with borrowing.essential to maintain this excellent rating. based upon the value of the tax baseCurrent projections indicate that aboutCurrent bond rates range from 3.8 Ð 4.4 within the City. The borrowing by the75% will be funded with borrowing.% depending upon the type of bonds to City involves going through a processBonds can range from re-payment in fivebe issued. where financial agencies bid to provideyears to as long as 15 years. The City staff is recommending that the the lowest possible rate on the bonds Currently, the City of Maplewood hasCityÕs debt increase slightly in 2009. In that the City proposes to issue. Following total debt of $67,192,297. Thatgeneral, financial planning that has is information on the current and future amounts to nearly $1,833 for everymaintained MaplewoodÕs excellent bond plans for Maplewood to invest your tax person in Maplewood. However, not allrating has limited the CityÕs debt and utility dollars. of that is tax dollars. Much is assessmentcapacity to 2% of the CityÕs taxable Annually, the City prepares a Capitalmoney that is guaranteed by developers.market value. In 2006, the CityÕs market Improvement Plan, or CIP, for all majorFor example, in 2007, the City Councilvalue of the tax base was expenditures that are projected toapproved the assessment of nearly $2.5 $3,789,063,000. The goal for the exceed $50,000. The planning periodmaximum debt is 2.0% of that market for the City is five years into the future.value or $75,781,260. The actual debt Currently, city staff is reviewing with thewas $56,282,297 or 1.49%. The City various Commissions and the Citysaw a large market value increase in our Council the recommendations fortax base in 2007 to $4,016,982,525. spending for 2009 to 2013. TheWe probably all saw those large value staff is recommending a spendingincreases on our property tax bill. plan of $76,749,098 for this five-yearUnfortunately, the projections for period, or just over $15.0 million per2008 are that residential values will year. This is a slight increase of 0.5%fall by an average of 6.4%. This from the previous yearÕs adopted CIPimpacts the available funds for plan for 2008 Ð 2012. A few of thedebt in Maplewood. The staff is largest projects planned for the next five using very conservative estimates to years are:state our market value for 2008 at ¥ $5,800,000 for street reconstruction $4,018,439,025 or about the 2007 in the Western Hills/ Larpenteur area inlevel. We are seeing a decrease in the 2011residential values with an increase in ¥ $5,750,000 for street reconstruction inmillion to the developercommercial values, so the CityÕs market the Hills and Dales area in 2010of the new Costco store. That money isvalue is steady. The actual number may ¥ $5,750,000 for a third phase ofguaranteed, but shows up as City debtbe slightly higher, because Maplewood redevelopment in the Gladstone area because the developer has 8 years tostill has a strong commercial and in 2013repay the assessment, with interest. Theindustrial tax base that continues to show ¥ $4,300,000 in 2009Ð2010 to expandCity also borrows money for sanitarygrowth. With the proposed debt for White Bear Avenue near Maplewood Mallsewer and storm sewer improvements2008 of $71,902,297 that percentage that are repaid with your utility dollars,of debt will be at 1.79%. The staff For a detailed list of all projects, go the or from projected monies from the State ofrecommends this as a reasonable CityÕs webpage for a full copy of the CIP Minnesota from state aid.balance of investment in the community and projects in your neighborhood. versus the risk of further property The amount of interest that the City pays value decreases. Not all the projects and equipment on the bonds is based upon a rating investments proposed by the staff get system that is established by MoodyÕsThe City Council is expected to review approved. During 2009 Ð 2013, the CIP Investor Service in Chicago. The ratingthis information at their regular meeting lists over $13 million in projects and of the bonds by MoodyÕs looks at eachon June 9th. You can comment to your equipment investments that are bond sale to determine the CityÕsCouncil members by sending them an e- necessary, but funding is not available economy, re-investment of themail message through the webpage or to and the projects are deferred. infrastructure, strength of leadership,Acting City Manager Chuck Ahl at long-term stability of its dominantchuck.ahl@ci.maplewood.mn.us . You Once the CIP is completed, the CityÕs taxpayers and well maintained financialcan also send your comments to City financial staff reviews funds available to system. Maplewood enjoys the Aa2Hall and they will be forwarded to your determine whether it is best to pay for rating which is in the top 13.2%City Council members. the proposed projects or equipment A NEW APPROACH STOP SIGN REQUESTS By Councilmember Will Rossbach TO PLANNING Each year the city receives requests for The idea of sustainabilityÑusing resources carefully so installing or removing that future generations can also enjoy themÑhas stop signs. Proponents caught on in the last few years. MaplewoodÕs of stop signs typically comprehensive plan opens the door to the sustainable present a relatively use of land, water and natural resources in the City. It emotional appeal does this by taking an ecological view of land use and based on a recent stormwater management. In the past, land use was accident, speeding, or driven by economic and development decisions, and Ònear misses.Ó stormwater management was guided by a vision of Opponents typically draining the land as fast as possible. Maplewood reverses this in its 2008 comprehensive plan by voice dissatisfaction making ecological thinking the foundation of natural with increased noise resource, parks, associated with braking and acceleration, pollution, providing recreation, stormwater, a false sense of security for pedestrians, inconvenience, and transportation,land motorists who ignore stop signs. The city council has a use, and capital neighborhood stop sign policy summarized as follows: budget planning. 1) Requests from citizens require a minimum of 12 property owner signatures in order to show neighborhood support One vision for and hopefully foster neighborhood discussion before going to sustainability in the the council. comprehensive plan is Carver Preserve 2) A response will be sent by the city to the requesting party to mimic the ecological indicating that a public meeting will be held. Staff will notify processes of natural watersheds. Instead of shipping the party of the date and time. runoff and phosphorus as fast as possible into the 3) Depending on the number of requests, either a special CityÕs water bodies, the City will require stormwater meeting or regular council meeting will serve as the open infiltration and filtration approaches in development and redevelopment projects. As in natural watersheds, meeting for public discussion. these techniques shrink the runoff volume and capture This policy generally encompasses neighborhood stop signs phosphorus as stormwater runs off the land. while other warranted stop sign requests will still be Wildlife habitat is another area where Maplewood considered on a case by case basis. can make rapid strides toward sustainability. The four levels of natural resource planning in the If you feel a stop sign condition is warranted at one of your comprehensive planÑgreenways, local habitats, parks residential neighborhood intersections, please gather and trails, and City-wide issuesÑwill work together to neighborhood support and explain what you are proposing ensure quality wildlife habitat in the city. Connecting along with your reasoning. Please send petitions, signed by these regional and local resources will help sustain 12 fellow property owners, to the Public Works Department wildlife and plant habitat, and will shape how future located at 1902 County Road B East no later than June 20th. development looks on the ground. An official notice will be mailed back to all petitioners explaining staffÕs recommendation to the City Council Planning for sustainability regarding the request, along with the date and time the City is practical and cost- Council will take action on the requestsÉlikely in July. conscious. The goal is to For more information, contact Public Works at 651.249.2400. improve quality of life and property values in Maplewood, reduce or BUY A 3 MONTH MEMBERSHIP hold the line on long-term Rainwater Garden in Maplewood AND GET ONE MONTH FREE construction and operation costs, and protect MaplewoodÕs UP TO $66! SAVE irreplaceable natural beauty and variety of native ¥ NAICASC¥ NMZ EWNDMPROVEDARDIONDTRENGTHENTEREWOTIONONE wildlife and plant life for this and future generations. ¥ ECC¥ NAR¥ NPS XPANDEDHILDAREEWCTIVITYOOMEWROTEINHAKES ¥ NC: B, KÕ C, & TT Share the CityÕs vision of sustainability by viewing and EWLASSESOSUIDSLUBABLEENNIS makingcomments on the CityÕs 2008 comprehensive Join withNOinitial fee planning process at www.ci.maplewood.mn.us. All insurance benefits apply 651.249.2230 Get full use of the facility with a short-term membership Annual Public Input Meeting City Meetings: Maplewood Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) June 3 5:15 pm Environmental and Natural 7:00 pm, June 9, 2008 Resources Commission 7:00 pm Planning Commission Maplewood City Hall, Council Chambers June 4 7:00 pm Parks Commission 1830 County Road B East June 7 10:00 am CitizenÕs Forum The Phase II National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program (NPDES) June 9 6:30 pm City Council requires the City to hold an annual public meeting. The meeting will be held as part June 10 6:00 pm Community Design of the regular City Council meeting in the council chambers at City Hall on June 9, Review Board 2008 at 7:00 pm. There will be a presentation of the MaplewoodÕs Surface Water June 12 5:00 pm Park, Trails Open Space Task Force Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), and time will be set aside for comments and questions. Comments will be addressed, and may be incorporated into the city's June 17 7:00 pm Planning Commission plan to preserve our water resources. June 18 7:00 pm Parks and Recreation Commission For more information, you may view MaplewoodÕs SWPPP on the Stormwater June 19 7:00 pm Historic Preservation Management page of the CityÕs website or at the engineering counter at the Public Commission Works Building at 1902 County Road B East between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm. June 23 6:30 pm City Council Meeting June 30 5:30 pm Annual Planning To submit questions or comments on the SWPPP, or to report any storm water CommissionÕs City Bus Tour related problems such as flooding, erosion or illicit discharges, email All meetings are held at City Hall, stormwatermanagement@ci.maplewood.mn.us or call 651.249.2400. 1830 County Road B East. Any meeting cancellations are posted on the CityÕs website. A New Starting Time For www.ci.maplewood.mn.us If you have basic cable service, all City Commissions, Council Meetings information and programs can be viewed on Channel 16.All City Council and Commission meetings are broadcast live on Channel 16 and are rebroadcast on a The City Council has decided to try a new starting time for their regular schedule that is posted at www.ci.maplewood.mn.us. Council Meetings. The Meetings, still held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, will now start at 6:30 pm. The Council was Register For Now concerned with the lateness of some of the public hearings and are hoping Jr. Polar Football to better respect the time of the invited participants at the meeting. The 6:30 pm start is intended to allow the Council to address issues of Call to JR. Polar Football a volunteer youth sports Order, Agenda Approval, Meeting Minutes Approval and Visitor organization committed to building Presentation before 7:00 pm. At 7:00 pm, the Council hopes to move teamwork, understanding the fundamentals directly into the Hearings and discussions in which residents have been of the game, developing skills, encouraging invited. Public Hearing will still begin at 7:00 pm, but the CouncilÕs sportsmanship, and having fun playing football. intention is to start the Hearing as close to 7:00 pm as possible. The Online Registration Is Now Open Council will be monitoring this new agenda procedure over the next few jrpolars.com meetings to determine if other adjustments are necessary. The Council Flag: K - 2nd Grade ($45) meeting agendas are always posted in the lobby at City Hall and are Tackle: 3rd - 8th Grade ($90) available 3-5 days in advance of the meeting on the CityÕs webpage. Location: 7654 Upper 45th St. N. Oakdale Early registration discount for tackle ends July 4th. CITYOFMAPLEWOOD 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 John Nephew651.776.5963john.nephew@ci.maplewood.mn.us *******ECRWSS** City Manager: RESIDENTIALCUSTOMER Chuck Ahl651.249.2050chuck.ahl@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.