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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 Stillwater City NewsletterStillwater Scene__,,,..„ u- October,2003 - - _ JJ a[Iga Official Cit Newsletter VOL. 14 • No. 3 216 N Fourth St., Stillwater, Minnesota 55082 • PRSTD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Stillwater, MN 5508? Permit Na. 2n6 Postal Patron IN THIS ISSUE m Changes on Your City Utility Billing Changes on Your City Utility Billing School District Election Planning Department Briefs Suggestions for Your Trees & Shrubs McKusick Ravine Update Getting Ready to Rake • Effective July 1st Stillwater businesses and residents saw two changes on the utility billing. The first • change is an increase of 80¢ per 1000 gallons of water used over the minimum for sewer. Users who are • under the minimum will not be affected. This increase has been proven necessary as the Sanitary Sewer • Fund has operated at a deficit for the last two years and rate increases from the Metropolitan Council have • been annual. The last sewer rate increase in Stillwater was in 1989 (14 years ago). • The second change affecting the utility billing is the implementation of a city wide signs, lighting and • signals utility charge. Due to budget cuts and the city's inability to levy back, the council has implemented Tree Trimming & Mulch Availability • a utility charge system for traffic signage and street lighting. The purpose of the charge system is to ease Interested in Adopting a Trail? • the budget burden by creating and maintaining an overall transportation and lighting system that is safe. It Winter Parking Regulations is hoped that sufficient funds can be generated to install new lighting in deficient areas and maintain the Money • current lighting system in others. The charge will be quarterly and based upon the following schedule: Recycling Grant Reinstated • North Hill Update Stillwater Fire Department Annual Fish Fry Snow Plow Reminder So You Want A Stop Sign... We Have Met The Speeders They Are - Us! • • • • and • • 2003 Street Reconstruction • Do You Know What To Do If You • Have A Fire? • • City Data - To Keep On Your Refrigerator for Future • • • • • • • • • Reference Charter 3rd Monday - 7 p.m. City Council 1st Tuesday - Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. & Recessed Meeting 7:00 p.m. • 3rd Tuesday - 7 p.m. • Heritage Preservation 1st Monday - 7 p.m. Human Rights Last Wednesday - 7 p.m. Library 2nd Tuesday - 7 p.m. Parks Board 4th Monday - 7 p.m. Planning 2nd Monday - 7 p.m. Water Board 2nd Wednesday - 8:30 a.m. Mayor Jay Kimble 439-2888 Council Ward 1 David Junker 430-0650 Ward 2 John Rheinberger 439-4199 Ward 3 Wally Milbrandt 439-0185 Ward 4 Gary Kriesel 430-0537 Single Family & Duplexes Multi Family Institutions Commercial Commercial with System Active Open Space $ 8 dwelling $ 6 per unit $ 24 per acre $ 96 per acre $128 per acre $ 2 per acre School District Election - November 4th Polling locations: Oak Park Elementary United Methodist Church Stonebridge Elementary Lily Lake Elementary Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTION ONLY: Voters who normally vote during regular election at City Hall will vote at United Methodist Church and voters who normally vote at Our Saviors Lutheran Church will vote at Oak Park Elementary. If you have any questions where you vote contact City Hall at 430-8800. • Planning Department Briefs • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Two new residential projects have been approved and are under construction downtown. The Lofts Project is located at 501 North Main (the old Domino's Pizza location). The project includes 60 condominium units with one level of underground parking. The building will be constructed to provide 100 year flood protection for that portion of Downtown. The second project is the Terra Springs Project. The Terra Springs Project is located on the old Territorial Prison Site. A planned unit development has been approved for the site including four new buildings and renovation of the one remaining prison building. In addition to the condominiums, a public interpretative center and trail around the perimeter of the prison wall will be constructed as part of the development. A public archeological court yard and relocated "Battle Hollow" Memorial will center the development. The first phase of construction is now underway. Building One contains 18 units and Building 2 contains 40 units. When completed, the site will house approximately 200 residential condominium units. Office and retail space is also planned for the buildings fronting on Main Street. Traffic Study for City Expansion Area Underway. A traffic study for the City Expansion Area, the area bounded by TH 96, CR15, TH 36 and the Neal Avenue and Long Lake on the east, is currently being prepared by SRF Traffic Consultant with participation by MnDOT, Washington County Public Works and the City of Stillwater. The study will look at the current traffic situation, planned development and the need for improvements. The Planning Commission has scheduled meetings for September and October to present study results and gel public input. Areas for special consideration include Neal Avenue, Deerpath, Boutwell, Minar and Manning Avenue. Cont. from page 1 Plan for Downtown Underway. A design plan for the Downtown Area bounded by Mulberry Street, Myrtle Street, Main Street and the St. Croix River is currently under way. Most of the land in the study area is owned by the City and is currently used for surface parking. The idea of the plan is to improve the appearance of the area and provide a more direct pedestrian connection between Main Street and the river. Other plan objectives include 100 year flood project, space for downtown festivals and events, public restrooms, location for Chamber offices and a Main Street Pedestrian Plaza. The Planning Commission and City Council will consider the plan this Fall with the beginning of phased improvements possibly next year. If you have questions, or would like additional information on the planning descriptions, call the Community Development Department at 651-430-8820. Suggestions For Your Trees & Shrubs by Kathy Widen, City Forester Water Trees & Shrubs With the dry weather we've been having, it's a good idea to water trees and shrubs in your yard. New plantings should be watered thor- oughly once or twice a week with 5-10 gallons of water, depending on the size of the plant. Older trees and shrubs would benefit from thorough watering once every two-four weeks using a slowly running hose to saturate the soil under their branch spread. Large trees are best watered using a root feeder attached to the garden hose. Estab- lished trees which particularly need water to protect them from sec- ondary insects and diseases are paper birch, Colorado spruce and red pine. Evergreen trees and shrubs should also be watered well just before the ground freezes in late October or early November to help prevent winter burn. Fall & Winter Pruning The dormant season is the best time to prune many deciduous trees. Shade trees such as oaks can be pruned from fall until the end of March. Maples and birch should be pruned before February to limit bleeding of sap from fresh wounds in the late winter and spring. Ornamental crabapples and other fruit trees are best pruned in late February or early March. No paint or tree wound dressing needs to be applied to pruning wounds. The only exception would be to paint wounds made on oaks from April - August to prevent insect transmis- sion of the oak wilt fungus. Tree Questions If you have a question about your trees or shrubs, call the City Forester, Kathy Widin, at 430-8765. She can answer your questions over the phone or visit your property to look at the plants. McKusick Ravine Update The McKusick Ravine is nearing completion on all phases of construction; storm sewer construction, stream bed, pathway, restoration and plantings were completed late this Spring. Sani- tary sewer repair was competed this summer on the trunk sewer that handles sanitary waste from Oak Glen and the recently an- nexed area along Co. Rd. 15. The steps at the Mulberry Street entrance to the ravine were poured in early September and the railing should be installed in early October. Come on down and take a walk on the path! Geeing Ready to Rake Your Lawn? The State of Minnesota banned leaves, grass clippings and brush from going to landfills and processing facilities in 1990. Yard waste must not be mixed with regular garbage and needs to be collected separately. Here are some options for disposing of your yard waste: Do not catch grass clippings while mowing. Leave the short clippings on the lawn to conserve soil moisture and return nutrients to the soil. This requires less frequent fertilizing. Grass clippings can also help maintain a healthier lawn by encouraging growth (because the soil temperature is cooler) and reducing lawn wear (because a cushioning layer is created.) Mulch leaves and grass and leave them on your lawn. Backyard composting yields a rich humus that can be used for flower and vegetable gardens, or added to lawns and around trees. Contact Washington County Public Health Department at 430-6655 for more information about composting. Bag leaves or grass clippings in plastic or paper bags for pickup at curbside. Be sure to place them separately from your regular ga rbag e. Tree branches and brush must be bundled and not exceed 4 feet in length or 35 pounds per bundle for pickup. Yard waste picked up by the City's residential hauler, Waste Management, is composted. Yard waste is picked up from approximately April 1 through November 1, or depending on weather. Yard waste may not be picked up before April or after October 31. Tree Trimming and Mulch Availability The City crews will be coming around again this year to trim back trees in the City right-of- way and boulevards. Any resident who wishes to trim their own right-of-way or boulevard tree can pile the branches on the curb and call the Public Works De- partment with the address. When enough calls have been taken, we will pickup and chip the branches, then haul them away. The wood chips will be available for Stillwater residents to use at their own homes for free. The stockpile of wood chips will be lo- cated at the south end of the Lily Lake Ice Arena on South Greeley Street. Help yourself. If the pile is getting low, check back another time it might be replenished. Trees and/or tree limbs that come down during a storm event can also be cut up and piled on the curb for pickup. We will not pick up any branches or trunks over 12" in diameter. As most residents may know, the City storage area or the old dumpsite is closed to the public for brush and tree drop-off due to the lack of room. So, if you have any other yard waste or tree limbs besides a right-of-way or boulevard tree, please contact Waste Management (952-890-1100) for their pickup information. INTERESTED IN • ADOPTING A TRAIL? • 11. Contact City Hall (430-8800) to express your • interest and which trail you would like to adopt • • :to keep Stillwater beautiful! • • ■ A PUBLICATI■ OF THE STILLWATER P IC LIBRARY VOLUME 8 NUMBER 4 WINTER/SPRING 2003/2004 etflLtfe * * * FREE! * * * STILLWATER PUBLIC LIBRARY * 223 NORTH FOURTH STREET * STILLWATER, MN 55082 * 651.439.1675 EXCITING DESIGN! Work continues on the design for an expansion of the library. We're developing plans to alleviate current space shortages and accommodate the future growth in Stillwater's population. In addition to off-street parking, the plans provide more space for both people and collections. To combat our current noise problems, we are developing a range of opportunities in seating - from quiet individual study to group interaction and discussion. Children's Services will have its own program room for storytimes and activities. Teens will have a room of their own! There will also be expanded meeting spaces that can be used in conjunction with a roof terrace for library and community events. Please join us on Saturday, November 1, from 10:30 A.M. to noon to see the plans and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the original Carnegie library! Lynne Bertalmio, Director SUNDAY HOURS Barring any further surprising reductions in revenue, expect to see our regular Sunday hours return in January of 2004. We'll be open on Sundays during most of the school year, and closed on Sundays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Unfortunately, with no additions to our 2003 budget, the library will not be open on Sundays this fall. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday HOURS 10 A.M. 1 10 A.M. 1 10 A.M. 10 A.M. - 9 P.M. - 9 P.M. - 9 P.M. 9 P.M. - 5 P.M. - 5 P.M. PROGRAMS Preschool Storytime (ages 3-8) Wed., 10:30 A.M. Bedtime Storytime (ages 3+) Thur., Oct. 2-Nov. 20, and Feb. 5-Mar. 25, 7 P.M. Toddler Storytime (ages 2-3) Fri., Oct. 3-Nov. 21, and Feb. 20-Apr. 9, 10:30 A.M. Halloween Storytime (ages 4+) Mon., Oct. 27, 7 P.M. I Love to Read Storytime (ages 3-8), Mon., Feb. 9, 7 P.M. Libros Amigos (grades 7-9) Sat., Sept. 27 & Oct. 25 11:30A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Books After Breakfast (grades 5-7) Sat., Oct. 4, 10 A.M. Senior Surf Day (adults) Tues., Oct. 14, 10 A.M. Mystery Book Club (adults) Thur., Oct 16; Tues., Nov. 18; Thurs., Jan.15; Wed., Feb. 18 at 7 P.M. Design Open House Sat., Nov. 1, 10:30 A.M. SENIOR SURF DAYS In collaboration with the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging, we are happy to announce a fall Senior Surf Day. This basic session for seniors on how to use the Internet will be held on Tuesday, October 14, from 10 A.M. to noon (while the library is closed). To register, call 651.439.1675 ext. 30. WINTER READING PROGRAM It's Warm Between the Covers.., of a Book!, our sixth annual Winter Reading Program, will begin Saturday, January 17. Reading lists, a Reader's Advisory Bookshelf, and reviews will all be on display to help you choose your winter reading. Also, reading records will be available to help you keep track of your winter reading. Planning for author talks and other programs to highlight winter reading choices is currently underway. Please check our website for details as they become available. Already on the schedule is our second annual reading marathon in honor of I Love to Read Month. Call 651.439.1675 ext. 30 to volunteer for a 45-minute slot on Wednesday, February 11. All that is required of you is to sit in the library "rotunda" and read - either out loud or to yourself. During the Winter Reading Program, everyone who contributes a book review to our display may select an edible treat provided by Friends@SPL. L E T u R MIND U N * * * tobeif life * * LIBROS AMIGOS After a great start this summer, Libros Amigos, our book discussion group for 7th through 9th graders, is continuing into the fall and winter. Please join us for a discussion of Abarat by Clive Barker on Saturday, September 27. Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine will be discussed on October 25, and Zazoo by Richard Mosher in November (the group will determine the date of the November program). These programs will run from 11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Upcoming titles to be discussed are Pigman by Paul Zindel, Feed by M.T. Anderson, plus more books that will be selected by the group. Join fellow book lovers and let your opinion be heard. Snacks will be provided! For more information, call Lindy at 651.439.1675 ext. 21. TEEN READ MONTH Each year, the American Library Association sponsors Teen Read Week. This year, the theme is poetry and the celebration is called Slammin' @ Your Library. With such dedicated teen readers in Stillwater, we have expanded Teen Read Week to Teen Read Month, starting October 27 and running through November 21. Teen volunteers are needed to plan activities and publicity for this event. If you can help, call Lindy at 651.439.1675 ext. 21. Then mark your calendars for an exciting month of reading activities. WISE UP! Our teen summer reading program Wise Up @ Your Library generated great book recommendations from participants. Look for them in the Young Adult area. Forms are also available there so that you may continue to add your opinions and reviews. DANZIGER BOOK DISCUSSION Books After Breakfast, our book discussion group for young people in grades 5-7, will meet Saturday, October 4, at 10 A.M. to discuss Paula Danziger's P.S. Longer Letter Later. Participants may also enter a drawing for an autographed copy of the book. For more information, call Lindy at 651.439.1675 ext. 21. AUTHOR PAULA DANZIGER VISITS STILLWATER Paula Danziger, author of the Amber Brown series, United Tates of America, and many other books will be at The Valley Bookseller on Saturday, October 11, at 11 A.M., in a program co- sponsored by the library and Friends@Stillwater Public Library. Paula Danziger's books for children and young adults are noted for their lighthearted humor and brisk pacing. Call The Valley Bookseller at 651.430.3385 to reserve a book for autographing. LULLABY CONCERT The annual SAHS Orchestra Lullaby Concerts on October 11 will benefit the library's building project. Concerts are at 4 P.M. and 7 P.M. Children may try out an instrument an hour before the concert starts. Tickets, priced $6 for adults and $4 for children, are available by calling 651.351.8208 the week before the concerts. I LOVE TO READ Celebrate I Love to Read Month by attending a Valentine storytime for children ages 3 to 8 and their parents on Monday, February 9, at 7 P.M. This is a free, one -hour program. HALLOWEEN STORYTIME Children aged 4+ are invited to a special Halloween Storytime on Monday, October 27, at 7 P.M. Come in costume for stories, songs, and surprises! HOLIDAY BOOK DRIVE Research has shown that children who grow up reading or being read to do better in school - and later on the job - than children who have not grown up with the habit of reading. Although the library is here for all, some children never have the experience of owning their own books because the family budget won't cover them. Library users may see that some children experience the pleasure of book ownership. Beginning November 15, the library will collect new children's books for distribution through Head Start and the Holiday Bureau. Bring new, unwrapped children's books to the library by December 12. WINTER READING PROGRAM, FAMILY STYLE In the family component of the Winter Reading Program, children ages 3 to 7 and their parents are encouraged to use these winter months as a great time to read together. The activity -based program suggests stories to read and tell, CDs to listen to, and library programs to attend. Activity sheets will be available in the Children's Room beginning Saturday, January 17. Families may begin at any time, read and listen at their own pace, and have until March 31 to complete the program. As an added incentive, there will be a weekly book drawing for those who participate, sponsored by Friends@SPL. As always, there will be edible treats for all who complete activities! Check our website for additional information. www.ci.stillwater.mn.us/library StefamifiliNi7 Recreation Center Dome Softball League Fall/Winter 2003 Leagues forming, sign-up today! • One league: Wednesday nights: 7:O0PM through 11:00PM Start times • Play Level: Open • Schedule: Oct. 15th- Dec.3rd. Play-offs Dec.10`h- Dec.l7th • 55-Minute Games. Regardless of the game score or innings played. • Eight (8) league games with a single elimination tournament of champions. • Room for I0 teams • Cost: $999. Due at time of registration Space is limited, so we take first come, first in: Registration due: Sept.22nd Manager: Phone: Address: E-mail: Team Name: 2" Contact person: Phone: For more information please contact: Tony Scheid at 651-430-2601. Learn to L .ate/Hockey Start-up * Gr..4,p Lessons at the St. Croix Valley Recreation Center Arena Office Phone: (651) 430-2601 6:00-6:30 pm 6:30-7:00 pm 7:00-7:30 pm 7:30-8:00 pm 8:00-8:30 pm 8:30-9:00 pm FALL 2003 TUESDAY EVENINGS ,[Dates: OCT: 7,14.21.28 NOV: 4,11,18, 25. 2003) TOTS ,TOTS, Pre -Alpha, Pre -Alpha, Alpha, Beta TOTS, TOTS, Pre -Alpha, Alpha, Beta, Gamma TOTS, TOTS, Pre -Alpha, Pre -Alpha, Alpha, Beta TOTS, Pre -Alpha, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta Beginning Freestyle, Intermediate Freestyle, Adv. Hockey Skating Skills Advanced Freestyle, High Freestyle, *Adults FALL 2003 SATURDAY MORNINGS (Dates: OCT: 11, '18, 25 NOV: 1, 8. 15, 22 DEC: 6, 2003) NO CLASS ON: NOVEMBER 29, 2003) 9:30-10:00 am TOTS, Beginning Freestyle, Int. Freestyle, Adv. & High Freestyle 10:00-10:30 am TOTS, TOTS, Pre -Alpha, Alpha, Beta, Delta 10:30-11:00 am TOTS, TOTS, Pre -Alpha, Alpha, Beta, Gamma Description TOTS: Pre -Alpha: Alpha: Beta: Gamma: Delta: of Classes: 31 /2 - 6 Years Old. Just Starting, Basic Skills. 1 Foot Glides, Backward Skating, Stronger Basic Skills. Forward Crossovers, Forward Stroking, Snowplow Stop. Backward Crossovers, Backward Stroking, T-Stops. Outside 1 Foot Three Turns, Mohawks, 2 Foot Hockey Stop. Inside 1 Foot Three Turns, Forward Edges, Bunny Hops, Lunge. Freestyle Class Descriptions: (Testing: The Skater must first pass these elements, prior to moving to the next level. NO Program req.) Beginning Freestyle: Waltz Jum p, Forward Spirals, 2 Foot Spin, Back Edges, 1/2 Flip, 1/2 Lutz, 1 Foot Spin, Salchow Intermediate Freestyle: Toe Loop, Loop, Flip, Lutz, Sit Spin, Camel Spin, Back Three Turns, Back Spin Advanced Freestyle: Axel, Double Salchow, Double Toe Loop, Camel Spin Combinations, Lay Back, Split Jumps High Test Freestyle: Double Loop, Double Flip, Double Lutz, Double Axel, Triples, Flying Spins $ 65.00 Per Class / 8 Weeks / Half Hour Group Lesson 1 Includes;10 Public Skating Passes. All Classes will be held at the St. Croix Valley Recreation Center, unless otherwise noted. You must pass the level Prior to advancing to the next level. Class Ratios are one Instructor to every 11 Skaters. Testing will be held the last day of each class (Awards for all Skaters). *You must be 15 Years Old + to enroll in Adult Classes. Beginner Skaters are encouraged to wear Helmets Beginning Skaters (Boys & Girls) are encouraged to wear GOOD_Leather Figure Skates (Single Blades). (Hockey skates are VERY difficult for little boys - under the age of 6!) Please start little boys in Figure Skates - then transfer into hockey skates after 1 yearl No Parents allowed on the Ice (unless they are wearing skates & Volunteering with the entire Class). Classes are filled on a first come, first serve basis. No refunds, unless class is canceled due to low enrollment. Skating Professionals will be available to evaluate the skaters class placement at Registration. Private Lessons & Competition Opportunities Available - Contact Sheila Thelen Skating Director. 2004. Spring Ike Show (Skater must be in 2 sessions of classes, either: Summer 2003, Fall 2003, or Winter 2004 to be in Spring Ice ShowAND/OR Two Classes during one session.) REGISTRATION (In Person!) St. Croix Valley Recreation Center 1675 Market Drive, Stillwater, MN 55082 REGISTRATION BEGINS: SEPTEMBER 22ND & 23RD, 2003 FROM 5:30-8:00 PM (Mailed in registrations opened at 8:00 PM SEPTEMBER 23RD - Receipts mailed) LATE REGISTRATION 15 ALWAYS AVAILABLE! CONTACT THE ARENA FOR CLASS OPENINGS! Skaters Name: Age: Address: City: State: Zip: Home Phone: CIRCLE ONE: RETURNING STUDENT/NEW STUDENT $ 65.00 Tues / Sat Class Title: Time: 2nd Choice: COME JOIN THE FUN! CORRECTION NOTICE! The Winter Parking Regulations article in this newsletter should read as follows: The current City ordinance puts odd/even parking controls into effect from November 1 through April 1 throughout the City. All people will be required to park their vehicles on the odd numbered side of the street on odd dates and the even numbered side of the street on even dates. The current City ordinance puts odd/even parking controls into effect from November 1 through April 1 Note: The time between 7 p.m. and midnight of each day is a switchover time when vehicles can be parked on either side of the street. These parking controls apply whether any snow has fallen or not. These parking regulations improve the City's efficiency in removing snow and eliminate confusion regarding snow emergencies and snill emergency routes. Liberty & Legends Subdivisions. For the Liberty/Legends neighborhoods, because of their narrow street design, these parking regulations are in effect throughout the entire year. Important Reminder Winter Parking Regulations The current City ordinance puts odd/even parking controls into effect from November 1 through April 1 throught the City. All people will be required to park on the odd numbered side of the street on even dates. Note: The time between 7 p.m. and midnight of each day is a switch over time when vehicles can be parked on either side of the street. These parking controls apply whether snow has fallen or not. These parking regulations improve the City's efficiency in removing snow and eliminates confusion regarding snow emergencies and snow emergency routes. Liberty & Legends Subdivisions For the Liberty/Legends neighborhoods, because of their narrow street design, this parking regulation is in effect throughout the entire year. Recycling Grant Money Reinstated In the last issue of the "Stillwater Scene" the City notified residents that the Recycling Subsidy of $0.67/month/household would be discontinued as this money was paid by the City on behalf of its residents toward the cost of recycling services. This subsidy was provided by grant money that the City receives through the Washington County Recycling Grant Program. The Washington County Recycling Grant Program is funded through the State's SCORE funding (Select Committee on Recycling and Environment). With the State's 2002-2003 budget finalized, the City has been notified that the majority of the Recycling Grant money was restored. Therefore, residents will see recycling subsidized in the amount of $5.34 on their last quarterly garbage bill payable. Beginning January 1, 2004, the recycling rates will return to what they are currently, with no recycling subsidy, as it is uncertain what the 2004- 2005 State Budget will bring. North Hill Update The North Hill Sewer Project Phase I Plans and Specifications are done and in to MN Dot and state agencies for review and com- ments. Advertising for bids and bid openings are scheduled for this fall. Look for work to begin on the sewer running along T.H. 95 North of Elm Street later this Fall. Some work should continue through the Winter (weather permitting) and finish in late Spring or early Summer of 2004. Work will continue on plans and specifica- tions through the Winter for Phases II and III. With bid openings anticipated in the Spring and Summer. Stillwater Fire Department Annual Fish Fry Please help support the efforts of the Stillwater Fire Department by attending the annual Fish Fry Friday, October 17 Stillwater VFW 5880 Omaha Avenue Oak Park Heights 5:00 pm — 7:00 pm Proceeds from the fundraiser go toward the purchase of emergency equipment and supplies for the Stillwater Fire Department. Snow Plow Reminder No one wants to get left out in the cold! The City of Stillwater's snow removal staff will be working hard to provide efficient and quality service to the residents of Stillwater during the winter season. With a forecast of 2-5 inches, Public Works personnel begin plowing after the snow stops. For a forecast of 6-10" they begin after approximately two inches have fallen. Eight drivers plow approximately 70 miles of commercial and residential streets. Most streets require four passes to be cleared curb to curb. There are also approximately 400 off-street parking stalls in the downtown area. Public Works plows snow from the middle of a street to both sides, to even up the amount of snow that is deposited on each side of the street. The City's snow plowing priorities are: 1. Major collector streets. 2. Downtown parking lots and streets. 3. Commercial district streets. 4. Local steep grade streets. 5. Remaining local streets. Downtown parking areas receive high priority only during nighttime plowing operations when the lots are empty. If plowing begins during business hours, parking lots are completed after normal business hours. The goal of the Public Works Department is to have residential streets plowed within 12 hours after the end of a snow storm and snow removal from the downtown area accomplished within three days. Skilled snow removal personnel with public cooperation, will ensure a safe winter season for the residents of Stillwater. By following guidelines and ordinances, winter storm inconveniences and traffic hazards will be minimized. If your vehicle is found to be in violation of this ordinance (Municipal Ordinance, Sec. 51-5, Subd. 5 - Calendar Parking), you may be issued a summons and your vehicle may be towed. A violation of this ordinance carries a maximum fine of up to $700.00 and/or 90 days in jail, plus vehicle impoundment and towing charges. SIDEWALK SNOW REMQ IYArl Clearing of snow and ice from public sidewalks is the responsibility of the property/business owner. Snow and ice must be removed from sidewalks within 24 hours after the end of the storm (Municipal Code, Sec. 38-01, Subd. 2.2v - Nuisance) FIRE HYDRANTS Residents are asked to keep snow cleared from around fire hydrants. Should you have a fire at your home this will enable firefighters to provide a quicker solution for the protection of life and property. EXTENDED VACATIONS Residents who leave on extended vacation should have timers on their lights to represent the family's normal schedule. Have a relative or neighbor check on the property occasionally. Have sidewalks and driveway cleared and place a car in the driveway to give the impression that someone is home. Residents can stop at the police department and fill out a vacation check card; police will check the exterior of the home as time allows. GARBAGE CONTAINERS Please have your garbage container back far enough from the road so that snowplows do not knock it over. So You Want A Stop sign The City receives many requests from residents wanting stop signs placed to slow down or reroute traffic. Because of all of the requests, the City commissioned a stop sign study. This study examined the entire City and looked at the appropriateness of existing signs and the need to install additional stop signs. The stop sign study spelled out some important criteria for stop signs: Stop signs are necessary to make intersections safe. They are not for the purpose of speed control or altering traffic patterns. Stop signs should be placed as part of an overall traffic control system and should meet a driver's expectation. If installed inconsistently or inappropriately, stop signs can contribute to a driver's confusion. So it is imperative that they be installed only where they are warranted. When installed properly and only where needed, studies show that the speed within an overall road network decreases. Stop signs placed for the purpose of slowing traffic often lead to other types of violations, excess acceleration, noise pollution, and very low compliance. The stop sign study will be used to determine where signs may be warranted. In the coming years the City of Stillwater will begin a process of removing some of the stop signs around town that are unwarranted, create confusion, reduce the overall effectiveness of our system or are simply no longer necessary. Also some intersections will see new stop signs. When such changes are made the City will place advance warnings to alert drivers of traffic control changes near intersections they are approaching. In the end we hope to have a safer, more efficient system that encourages attentive driving at or below the posted speeds. Remember, stop means come to a complete stop! 30 mph is the maximum speed for all residential streets unless otherwise posted. We Have Met the Speeders and They Are - Us! The issue that City staff and Council receive the most complaints about is speeding. In our efforts to address this issue, we have made an interesting observation: Approximately 80% of the drivers speeding through residential streets in our town reside in the City of Stillwater. We are our own worst enemy when it comes to speeding! This points to the need for residents to take heed and observe the following. ➢ The speed limit on all residential streets is 30 mph unless otherwise posted. ➢ Our driving behavior impacts the quality of life of our neighbors and our community. ➢ Leave early or arrive a couple minutes late — speeding and over accelerating are not solutions. ➢ Be a good neighbor — drive safe — drive the posted speed limit! 2003 Street Reconstruction The 2003 Street Reconstruction Project is moving along. Holcombe Street had utility work, curb and gutter, sidewalk and paving completed by the start of school. The rest of the project should be substantially com- pleted by the end of October baring a big change in the weather, like a real rainy period. Do You Know k iat To Do If You Have a Fire? If a fire broke out in your house, would you know what to do? Sometimes your strongest impulse can be the deadliest. For example, a survey found that only 4 in 10 Americans know that when their smoke alarm sounds, they should leave the house immediately. Sadly, many put themselves at deadly risk looking for a fire's source or trying to rescue loved ones or pets. That's why firefighters in Stillwater, along with hundreds of thousands of others across North America, are participating in NFPA's Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 5 through 11. Each year we work hard to get the word out on fire safety. Our theme this year is, "When Fire Strikes: Get Out! Stay Out!" In schools and elsewhere around the community, we'll be teaching these life-saving rules: Make sure you have working smoke alarms on all levels of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Test them once a month to make sure they are working. Plan and practice a home -escape plan. Have a designated meeting place outside. And if your smoke alarm sounds, or if you see fire or smoke, get out and stay out. Once you're outside, resist the temptation to go back in to find something or someone. Leave the firefighting to the professionals. With such messages, Stillwater firefighters work hard every day to make the public safer through education. Fire Prevention Week, now in its 815' year, is held on the week in which Oct. 9 falls — to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of Oct. 8-9, 1871. This year, firefighters are planning activities in Stillwater to drive home the "Get Out! Stay Out!" message. Activities include visits to area schools with fire safety lessons, fire safety messages displayed around the Stillwater area, tours of the fire station, and a Fire Department Open House at the fire station, 216 N. 4th St., Saturday October 11, from 10:00 to 1:00 pm. Open house activities will include: ' Demonstrations of Firefighting Equipment 4 Station Tours and Meet Your Firefighters �I Informational Safety Brochures 4 Practice the Use of a Fire Extinguisher 41 Visits by: Lakeview Hospital EMS Advanced Life Support Ambulance / Stillwater Police Department — child identification cards 41 Washington County Public Health — child safety seats 4 State Farm Insurance — 911 simulator ' Register For Door Prizes and Giveaways I Children Can Use a Fire Hose, Blood Pressure Checks, Face Painting and Refreshments Everyone has a role in fire safety. Are your smoke alarms working? Do you have a home escape plan? Are you ready to respond if the smoke alarm sounds? Please join us in making the Stillwater area a safe place to live. • • • • • • • ■ • • • • • ■ • • • • ■ ■ • ■ • • ■ • ■ • • ■ • • ■ • • • ■ • • • ■ • ■ • • • ■ ■ • • • CITY DATA City Hall 216 N Fourth Street City Numbers Admin-430-8800 Building-430-8825 Engineering/Public Works-430-8830 Fire-351-4950 Library-439-1675 Planning-430-8820 Police-351-4900 Public Works Facility 275-4100 Sewer Billing 430-8815 Water Billing 439-6231 S Waste Management Questions on Service and Billing 952-890-1100 ■ St. Croix Recreation Center 430-2601 ■ City Web Site www.ci.stillwater.mn.us ■ Stillwater City Council Regular Replays of Council Meetings Friday at 7:00 p.m. Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Sunday at 10:00 p.m. Channel 16 Stillwater City Scene Every Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. ■ The full weeks schedule is printed in the Friday Stillwater Gazette Stillwater Scene ui� li•�:lid Official City Newsletter VOL 14• No. 2 216 N Fourth St,Stillwater, at er, Minnesota 55082 PRSTD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Stillwater. MN 55082 Permit No. 206 Postal Patron IN THIS ISSUE : The State of Minnesota Budget Crisis 2003/2004 There will only be one more newsletter this year due to budget cutbacks The State of MN Budget Crisis Hazardous Waste in Your Home? Garbage & Recycling Rate Change Motorists! Watch Those Crosswalks & Pedestrians 2003 Street Improvements Dog Licenses Due Dog Licensing Clinic Bike Licensing Clinic Reminder: Downtown Parking Program Changes Special News for Fishermen Proposed Bus Route Changes Your Sanitary System - A Guided Tour Charter 3rd Monday - 7 p.m. City Council 1st Tuesday - Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. & Recessed Meeting 7:00 p.m. 3rd Tuesday - 7 p.m. Heritage Preservation 1st Monday - 7 p.m. Human Rights Last Wednesday - 7 p.m. Library 2nd Tuesday - 7 p.m. Parks Board 4th Monday - 7 p.m. Planning 2nd Monday - 7 p.m. Water Board 2nd Wednesday - 8:30 a.m. Mayor Jay Kimble 439-2888 Council Ward 1 David Junker 430-0650 Ward 2 John Rheinberger 439-4199 Ward 3 Wally Milbrandt 439-0185 Ward 4 Gary Kriesel 430-0537 • • Most of you are aware that the State of Minnesota, as well as most other states, is facing a severe budget • crisis. In Minnesota the biennium budget shortfall is projected to be $4.56 billion. To put this in perspective, • it has been estimated that the state could "close every state prison, shut down every state park, fire every • state employee, not pay off the debt on state bonds and still be over $1 billion short of solving the budget • problem". • Faced with this daunting problem, the Governor's office has prepared a budget with severe cuts to many • sectors of the government. Cities have been no exception and although state aid received by cities amounts • to only 5% of the state budget, Minnesota cities are being asked to cover 10% of the budget problem. • Minnesota cities receive Local Government Aid (LGA) from the state each year. State officials have been • portraying this as some sort of state "gift" to cities that they can no longer afford to give. In reality, it is not a gift but a long standing policy dating back to 1971 set up to help assure that all cities, tax base rich or poor, have • the ability to provide core services to their citizens. • The "Minnesota Miracle" was introduced by Governor Wendell Andersen in 1971 to protect homeowners from skyrocketing property tax increases and to assure an equalization of service between cities. To pay for it, Minnesota initiated the sales tax. Although LGA was the primary purpose of the sales tax, through the years it has been used for a host of additional programs and expenditures to the point that some officials today claim the state can no longer afford LGA. In 2001, the City of Stillwater lost a net $735,335 in state aid which had its initial effect in 2002. Proposals for 2003 and 2004 combine for a total budget loss of $2,546,008 or 31.12% of operating budget over the three year period. In addition, Stillwater has had a unique Charter provision that allowed the city to bond for capital purchases such as snow plows, fire trucks and police cars, outside of normal levy limits. Current proposals will take this ability away and increase the city's loss of funding to $3,846,008 or 47.01% of its normal operating budget. (see chart below) 2002 Net Loss of HACA 2003 Proposed Loss of LGA • 2004 Proposed Loss of LGA & MV Credit • Loss of Normal Capital Purchase Debt • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ■ • TOTAL • • • • • • • • • • • • ■ • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • THE CUMULATIVE IMPACT: 2002-2004 Including a Freeze on Debt Issuance (HF751/SF748) (Using 2003 General Fund Operating Budget as Base) $735,225 $719,530 $1,091,253 $1,300,000 $3,846,008 8.99% 8.79% 13.34% 15.89% 47.01% Numerous individuals have suggested that the City should simply levy back (tax) for the lost aid to continue to provide the current level of service. What they fail to realize is that current law and additional proposals prohibit this. The state, fearful that cities will levy back for the cuts and then citizens will blame the state, have established levy limits and plan to extend them. This effectively strips city officials of the authority to make decisions that make sense for their own communities. Although the proposed cuts are severe, the sky is not falling and the city council and state legislature continue to examine ways to revise the proposed cuts and look for efficiencies in how we operate. In Stillwater, our goal is to provide the least impact to our citizens that we can by establishing priorities and examining how we do business. Based on the pending aid reduction, the Council has approved approximately $350,000 in cuts in 2003. If additional cuts are necessary, we should know by May 19 (the end of the legislative session) and will continue to address them as necessary. In Stillwater we are confident that if local control is maintained, we can arrive at an acceptable level of taxation for services provided. Please feel free to contact City Administrator Larry Hansen with your questions, concerns or advice. You should also feel free to contact area legislators, as their votes will ultimately determine the severity of pending aid cuts. Senator Michele Bachmann, District 52 141 State Office Building St. Paul, MN 55155 (651) 296-4351 Senator Brian LeClair, District 56 149 State Office Building St. Paul, MN 55155 (651) 296-4166 Representative Eric Lipman, District 56A 567 State Office Building St. Paul, MN 55155 (651) 296-4244 Representative Rebecca Otto, District 52B 393 State Office Building St. Paul, 55155 (651) 296-5663 Hazardous Waste In .our Home? Wondering what to do with your old paint, gasoline, paint thinner, garden chemicals and other unwanted or unusable hazardous products in your home? Bring them to a temporary Household Hazardous Waste Collection in Stillwater for proper disposal. The temporary Household Hazardous Waste Collection will be held at: Lily Lake Ice Arena Parking Lot 1208 S. Greeley Street The collection date and hours will be: Saturday, May 17, 2003 9:00 am - 1:00 p.m. WHAT TO BRING* Used oil, oil filters, anti -freeze, other auto fluids Pesticides, garden chemicals, insecticides Paint thinner, solvents, gasoline Photographic chemicals Ni-Cad batteries (Rechargeable) Drain cleaner, other cleaners Pool Chemicals Propane cylinders Paints, stains, varnishes Full or partially full aerosol containers Driveway sealer, roof coatings Acids, bases Fluorescent lamps Mercury waste (thermostats, switches, etc.) Any other poisonous, flammable or corrosive household products *Proof of county residency (such as a driver's license) is required. Note: Business waste is not accepted. Washington County also operates a permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facility. The year-round facility is located at 1900 Hadley Avenue North in Oakdale. The days and hours of operation are: April through October: Tuesday 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Thursday & Saturday 9:00 am - 2:00 p.m. November through March: Tuesday 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 am - 2:00 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and other major holidays. There is no fee to dispose of household hazardous waste at the temporary collections or at the permanent facility. Household Hazardous Waste Management is a program of the Washington County Department of Public Health and Environment. If you have questions or comments about this program or need assistance due to a disability or a language barrier, call the Department of Public Health and Environment at 651-430-6770 or 651-430-6665 (TDD 439-3220). You may also check out our web site at www.co.washington.mn.us/pubhlthlpubhlth.html for additional information. Motorists! Watch Those Crosswalks & Pedestrians With spring and summer approaching remember that motorists are required by State Law to yield to pedestrians at marked crosswalks. State law states, "Where traffic -control signals are not in place or in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall stop to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk at an intersection, but no pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield. When any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle." 2003 Street Improvement The City of Stillwater will be undertaking a street improvement project again this year. Streets to be reconstructed are West Willard St. from from Greeley to Holcombe, South Holcombe St. from Hancock to Olive, South Everett Street from Abbot to Willard, South Harriet Street from south of Willard to north of Pine, Walnut Street from 5th St. to 3rd St. and Hickory St. from Owens St., west to Dead End. Expect some delays and rerouting of traffic from time to time during working hours as the different phases of construction take place. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. Friends of Stillwater Parks Honorary Park Benches are available through Friends of Stillwater Parks. For more information and/or to order you may call 430-3307. Garbage and Recycling Rate Change Currently, the City is in the first year of a 3-year contract (January 1, 2003 — December 31, 2005) with Waste Management, Inc. for the collection of solid waste, recycling, appliances, etc. The rates were approved with the new contract, effective January 1, 2003. The current rate schedule includes a $0.67/month/household recycling subsidy. This subsidy is paid by the City on behalf of its residents from grant money that the City receives through the Washington County Recycling Grant Program. The Washington County Recycling Grant Program is funded through the State's SCORE funding (Select Committee on Recycling and Environ- ment). The City was recently notified by Washington County that the Governor's 2002-2003 budget unallocated a portion of the SCORE funds. Until the State finalizes a budget, it is uncertain what SCORE funding the County will receive and therefore what grant money it will be able to provide cities. If the City were to continue the $0.67/month/household subsidy for recycling and not receive grant money from the SCORE funds, the City would have to assume this liability out of its operating budget. Due to the uncertain nature of the grant funds, the City has renegotiated its current contract with Waste Management for the remaining term (May 1, 2003 — December 31, 2005) of the contract to eliminate the $0.67 City subsidy per household per month. The effect would be an increase in rates per household of $0.67 per month ($5.36 for the remainder of 2003 and a total increase of $8.04 for years 2004 and 2005). A PUBLICAT OF THE STILLWATER PL : LIC LIBRARY VOLUME 8 NUMBER 3 SUMMER/FALL 2003 Jj etfJLtfe *, * * FREE! * * * STILLWATER PUBLIC LIBRARY * 223 NORTH FOURTH STREET * STILLWATER, MN 55082 * 651.439.1675 BUDGET CUTS To avoid potentially drastic revisions if it waited, the Board of Trustees acted in March to reduce library expenditures in the face of expected cuts in Local Governmental Aids. Reductions were taken in all areas of the budget. As a result, the library will be closed Sundays for the remainder of this year and the St. Croix Collection will only be open when volunteers are available. Patrons may still use St. Croix materials by inquiring at the Information Desk. Why close Sundays? With fewer staff members, we needed to close one day of the week. Eliminating Sundays saved the most money for the fewest hours of closing. Sunday hours will be restored when funding becomes available. Lynne Bertalmio, Director ARCHITECTS HIRED The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that the firm of Miller Dunwiddie Architects has been hired to design the renovation and expansion of the library. The firm has a long history of designing sensitive additions to historic buildings. Previous work includes projects at the Basilica of St. Mary, the Cathedral of St. Paul, the State Capitol, and the Little Falls Public Library. Miller Dunwiddie will provide the library with a building that preserves our warm, historic atmosphere while improving technical efficiency in a space that meets the needs of this growing community. HOURS Monday 10 A.M. - Tuesday 1 - Wednesday 10 A.M. - Thursday 1 - Friday 10 A.M. - Saturday 10 A.M. - 9 P.M. 9 P.M. 9 P.M. 9 P.M. 5 P.M. 5 P.M. PROGRAMS Preschool Storytime (ages 3-8) Wednesdays, 10:30 A.M. Summer Family Entertainment 6:30 P.M. See List on Page 2 For Laughing Out Loud (ages 7-10) Tues., Jul 8, 15, Aug. 5, 12, 1 P.M. Books After Breakfast (grades 4-6) Fri., Jul. 11, 18, 25, & Aug. 1, 10 A.M. Teen Book Discussion (grades 7 & 8) Tues., Jul. 22, 29, Aug. 5, 12, 6:30 P.M. Next Step: Kindergarten Tues., Aug. 19 or Mon., Aug. 25, 7 P.M. Bedtime Storytime (ages 3+) Thur., Oct. 2- Nov. 20, 7 P.M.Toddler Storytime (ages 2-3) Fri., Oct. 3- Nov. 21, 10:30 A.M. Halloween Storytime (ages 4+) Mon., Oct. 27, 7 P.M. Mystery Book Club (adults) Thur., May 15; Wed., June 18; Mon., July 14; Tues., Aug. 19; Wed., Sept., 17; & Thur., Oct 16, 7 P.M. Senior Surf Days (adults) Thur., May 15 or Thur., July 10, 10 A.M. F@SPL MAKES A DIFFERENCE One of the places where budget reductions will be felt is in materials - books, CDs, audio, and video. F@SPL has been supplementing our materials budget through sales of books and postcards since the organization was founded, but will offer an incentive to the public in 2003. Beginning May 15, anyone who donates $20 or more to the library's materials fund will get a free F@SPL membership. Already a Friends member? You will receive a gift membership to bestow so that your friends become our Friends! To participate, ask for the gift form at the Circulation Desk. Gifts to the library are tax deductible. SENIOR SURF DAYS In collaboration with the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging, we are happy to announce two Senior Surf Days this season. These basic sessions for seniors on how to use the Internet will be held on Thursday, May 15, and Thursday, July 10, from 10 A.M. to Noon (while the library is closed). To register for either session, call 651.439.1675 ext. 30. SUE'S LISTENING LIST Visit our website - from home or the library - for Sue's Listening List, a selection of audiobooks. Staff member Sue Hedin listens while she creates her fabulous quilts, but vacationers may want to check out these titles to while away the miles. Some of the titles are perfect for teens as well as adults. L E T o u M I N U N E E P ***Obeif *** TEEN SUMMER READING New this year is the metro -wide teen summer reading program Wise Up @ Your Library. 12-18 year olds get a start- up kit that includes a bandana, program instructions, candy, and review/entry forms. Readers complete review forms and return them to the library as entries in two drawings, held on Mon., Jul. 7 and Mon., Aug. 11. Prizes include CD holders, motion balls, and recognition as a teen reading advisor. We'll also hold our first ever book discussion group for 7th and 8th graders this summer on Tues. evenings Jul. 22, 29, Aug. 5, and 12, at 6:30 P.M. Snacks will be provided. The first book will be Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. The remaining three books will be picked by the group, so bring titles to suggest to the first meeting. We're also looking for a creative name for the group. Please bring your suggestions. For more information, call Lindy at 651.439.1675 ext. 21. IT'S ELEMENTARY! Attention 4th - 6th graders! Books After Breakfast, our book discussion group just for you, will meet on Friday mornings from 10 to llish on July 11, 18, 25, and August 1. We'll discuss Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Love That Dog by Susan Creech, Leon's Story by Leon Tillage, and a book chosen by the group. Express your thoughts, make new friends, have snacks! For more information, call Lindy at 651.439.1675 ext. 21. HALLOWEEN STORYTIME Children aged 4+ are invited to a special Halloween Storytime on Mon., October 27, at 7 P.M. Come in costume for stories, songs, and surprises! LAUGH OUT LOUD! Cool off and laugh with programs featuring funny stories, poems, and songs for kids aged 7 to 10. For Laughing Out Loud takes place at 1 P.M. on Tuesdays, July 8 & 15 and August 5 & 12. Attend any or all programs; no registration is required. FEASTIVAL PUPPETRY I.S.D. 834 Community Education is offering a ten-day puppetry arts workshop for young people aged 8-18 from July 21-30. SPL will host the workshop space and the final performance on July 30 at 6:30 P.M. Interested? Check the Community Ed bulletin or website to register. There is a fee of $25 per child. A limited number of scholarships, provided by Friends@SPL, are available. Call Gail at ext. 14 about 651.439.1675 scholarships. KINDERGARTEN BOUND? Next Step: Kindergarten Storytimes will be presented Tues., August 19, and Mon., August 25. Both programs start at 7 P.M. Planned in partnership with the School Readiness Program of ECFE, the hour-long program explores the joys and fears of starting kindergarten. WHAT'S STILLWATER READING? Sisters Erica (age 14) and Veronica (age 10) Myers, SPL summer book discussion veterans, are gearing up for a season of reading. Erica's recent reading includes The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney and Children of the River by Linda Crew. Veronica's choices are The Wish by Gail Carson Levine and The BFQ by Roald Dahl. EXPLORE BRIGHT IDEAS The Summer Reading Program kicks off on June 1, with reading records, bookmarks, buttons and stickers by children's author and Caldecott-winning illustrator David Small. This year's theme is Explore Bright Ideas ® Your Library. The materials feature inventive kids, inspired by Small's recent book So You Want to Be an Inventor? (Friends©SPL has generously provided the materials for this year's reading program.) Be sure to stop by the library for more details on how children may participate. Free entertainment for families will be featured on weekday evenings. Co- sponsored by Friends@SPL, Early Childhood Family Education and MELSA (our regional public library system), these programs begin at 6:30 P.M. and usually take place on the library's lawn (in case of inclement weather or upon request of the performer, events will move to City Hall). Participants are urged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Thur., June 26 (indoors) Thur., July 17 Thur., July 24 Wed., July 30 Thur., Aug. 7 (indoors) Thur., Aug. 21 Shiffelly Puppets The Flyers Music for all ages Bill the Juggler Footlights Feastival Puppetry Arts Brodini Comedy Magic WonderWeavers Storytelling duo All Summer Reading Program participants are invited to bring their families and march in our proud contingent for the Lumberjack Days Grande Parade on Sunday, July 27. Call Gail at 651.439.1675 ext. 14. www.ci.stillwater.mn.us/library City of Stillwater 2002 Drinking Water Report The City of Stillwater is issuing the results of monitoring done on its drinking water for the period from January 1 to December 31, 2002. The purpose of this report is to advance consumers' understanding of drinking water and heighten awareness of the need to protect precious water resources. Source of Water The City of Stillwater provides drinking water to its residents from a groundwater source: seven wells ranging from 83 to 305 feet deep, that draw water from the Jordan aquifer and the Prairie Du ChienJordan aquifer. Call 651-439-6231 if you have questions about the City of Stillwater drinking water or would like information about opportunities for public participation in decisions that may affect the quality of the water. Results of Monitoring No contaminants were detected at levels that violated federal drinking water standards. However, some contaminants were detected in trace amounts that were below legal limits. The table that follows shows the contaminants that were detected in trace amounts last year. (Some contaminants are sampled less frequently than once a year; as a result, not all contaminants were sampled for in 2002. If any of these contaminants were detected the last time they were sampled for, they are included in the table along with the date that -the detection occurred.) Key to abbreviations: MCLG --Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow fbr a margin of safety. MCL-Maximum Contaminant Level: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. AL --Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirement which a water system must follow. 90th Percentile Level --This is the value obtained after disregarding 10 percent of the samples taken that had the highest levels. (For example, in a situation in which 10 samples were taken, the 90th percentile level is determined by disregarding the highest result, which represents 10 percent of the samples.) Note: In situations in which only 5 samples are taken, the average of the two with the highest levels is taken to determine the 90th percentile level. pCi/I--PicoCuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity). ppb--Parts per billion, which can also be expressed as niicrogranis per Titer (ug/I). ppm--Parts per million, which can alsobe expressed as milligrams per liter (mg/I). N/A --Not Applicable (does not apply) Contaminant (units) Fluoride (ppm) Nitrate (as Nitrogen) (ppm) TTHM (Total trihalomethanes) (ppb) Total Colifonn Bacteria MCLG MCL 4.0 10.0 10.0 N/A 100.0 0 present 4.0 Level Found Range (2002) Average /Result* Typical Source of Contaminant 1.1-1.5 1.33 1.9-3.4 3.4 >1 present N/A N/A vFollow-up sampling showed no contamination present. 1.05 State of Minnesota requires all municipal water systems to add fluoride to the drinking water to promote strong teeth; Erosion of natural deposits; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories. Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits. By-product of drinking water disinfection. Naturally present in the environment. Level Found Contaminant (units) Range (2002) Average/ Result* Typical Source of Contaminant Radon (pCi/1) 87.0-622.0 618.5 Erosion of natural deposits. *This is the value used to determine compliance with federal standards. It sometimes is the highest value detected and sometimes is an average of all the detected values. If it is an average, it may contain sampling results from the previous year. Radon is a radioactive gas which is naturally occurring in some groundwater. It poses a lung cancer risk when gas is released from water into air (as occurs during showering, bathing, or washing dishes or clothes) and a stomach cancer risk when it is ingested. Because radon in indoor air poses a much greater health risk than radon in drinking water, an Alternative Maximum Contaminant Level (AMCL) of 4,000 picoCuries per liter may apply in states that have adopted an Indoor Air Program, which compels citizens, homeowners, schools, and communities to reduce the radon threat from indoor air. For states without such a program, the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 300 pCi/1 may apply. Minnesota plans to adopt an Indoor Air Program once the Radon Rule is finalized. Contaminant (units) MCLG AL 90% Level It sites over AL Typical Source of Contaminant Lead (ppb) (08/08/2001) N/A 15 6.0 1 out of 30 Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits. Copper (ppm) (08/08/2001) N/A 1.3 0.499 0 out of 30 Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits. Some contaminants do not have Maximum Contaminant Levels established for them. These "unregulated contaminant " d sare assesse using state standards known as health risk limits to determine if they pose a threat to human health. If unacceptable levels of an unregulated contaminant are found, the response is the same as if an MCL has been exceeded; the water system must inform its customers and take other corrective actions. In the table that follows are the unregulated contaminants that were detected: Contaminant (units) Level Found Typical Source of Contaminant Sodium (ppm) Sulfate (ppm) Range (2002) Average/ Result 3.8-5.9 5.9 Erosion of natural deposits. 11.0-14.0 14.0 Erosion of natural deposits. Compliance with National Primary Drinking Water Regulations The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally -occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include: Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may cone from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally -occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses. Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems. Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally -occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791. Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800426-4791. Dog Licenses Due Dog licenses are due by May 1 for all dogs over six months of age. The fee for each male or female dog is $10 (fee is the same whether spayed or neutered). Owners must have a current rabies certificate when applying for a license. The license is valid for one year and expires April 30 of the following year. For your convenience you can cut/fill out the application form, mail the $10.00 payment, current rabies certificate and form to City Hall and in return we will mail the certificate back to you, along with a 2003 license tag. A kennel license is required where four or more dogs over four months of age are kept. The $50 fee covers all dogs kept during the year. A special use permit is also required. When off the owner's premises, dogs and cats must be leashed at all times. Dogs and cats running loose will be picked up. The charge is $50, plus boarding fees if the animal is taken to a shelter. A ticket may be issued for repeat offenses. The Stillwater Police Department is enforcing Ordinance 858 which states "It is unlawful for any Owner to suffer or permit an animal to defecate on public or private property, without immediately removing the excrement and disposing of it in a sanitary manner." Violation of this Ordinance is a misdemeanor. Remember that "baggie" when walking your dog. Dog Licensing Clinic 2003 DOG LICENSE APPLICATION CHECK ONE: RABIES INOCULATION: Male Date Female Expiration date Dog's Name Breed Color Age Owner's Name Address Home Telephone (required) Work Telephone Checks Payable/Mail To: City of Stillwater (Attention: Receptionist) 216 N. Fourth Street, Stillwater, MN 55082 • Saturday, May 17, 2003 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 (noon) the City of Stillwater will hold a Dog Licensing Clinic at the Stillwater Fire Department. You may park at the West end of the Trinity Church parking lot (South of the Fire Department). Just bring in your rabies certificate and $10.00 for the 2003 dog license. ALL DOGS MUST BE LEASHED, OVER 6 MONTHS OF AGE AND ACCOMPANIED BY AN OWNER 18 OR OVER. Bike Licensing Clinic Saturday, May 17, 2003 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (noon) the City of Stillwater will hold a Bike Licensing Clinic at the Stillwater Fire Department. You may park at the West end of the Trinity Church parking lot (South of the Fire Department). Just bring in the completed form at right or your bike(s) for assistance in locating the information. The license fee is $.50. Or you can mail in the completed form and the $.50 and the license will be mailed back to you. (The fee will be raised to $1.00 June,2003.) Reminder: Downtown Parking Program Changes Last year there were two changes in the downtown parking program. The first change was to the Maple Island Parking Lot located on Main St. between the Maple Island Building and the Oasis Market, it is no longer pay parking. The lot was changed to FREE PARKING with a 2 hour parking limit time. The 2nd change was that the pay parking lot known as the River Lot increased its daily parking rate from $3.00 to $5.00 All Day. One dollar to park for 2 hours did not change and applies to both lots. All of Downtown Stillwater offers free public parking (except the S. Main Lot and the River Lot). Pay parking lots (S. Main Lot and River Lot) are effective and enforced May 1st - October 31 st. There are over 1400 public parking spaces in down town Stillwater. Please note the posted time limits for all lots and on -street parking. The time limits are enforced. One new change starting this spring is the Stillwater Police Department will be monitoring the S. Main Lot and the River Lot, instead of Imperial Parking. New parking brochures will be available some time in May. BICYCLE LICENSE INFORMATION ` Date: License No. Name (please print) Address Manufacturer/Model of Bicycle Serial No. Phone No. Color Boys _ Girls Owners Signature ' Special News for Fishermen By Dawn Flinn, DNR Stewardship Education Coordinator Over 1,000 new fish coming to two Stillwater lakes! In mid -May the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will be stocking both Lake McKusick and Sinnits Pond (by Northland Park) with about 750 bluegills and black crappies. This is part of the DNR's Fishing in the Neighborhood Program that offers kids opportunities to fish and explore the natural lake communities right in their own neighborhood. Walking lake access points from Northland Park will be created along with areas to fish along the shore. A small stone platform fishing area will also be added to Lake McKusick on the northeast end. For more information about this program visit http:// www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/fin/index.html and don't forget to come on down this summer and see if you can catch one of our new town residents. Proposes. Bus Route Changes I There are proposed changes in the bus services for Stillwater. It will be voted on May �� 14'h, but will not become effective until September 13'h, if adopted. The first change will be the elimination of the "St. Croix Valley Transit", Route 245, which is now providing morning service to Stillwater Junior High as part of a series of bus route changes that took effect March 16,• 2002. Prior to March 16, 2002 Route 245 only provided service from Stillwater Junior High in the afternoon for students returning home. Now a morning trip is available to bring students to school, arriving at about 7:10 a.m,. (with the new proposal you will have to call for a pick up). The proposed change will be a dial a ride service called the "St. Croix Circulator", Route 246, which will be an expanded service of the current Route 245. For this dial up service you will need to call for a reservation at 651-275-4315. (There is not a proposed rate hike for this service) Bus route 294 had changes made effective March 15, 2003. Three mid -day round trips have been cancelled because of low ridership and the budget cuts. You may call 612-373-3333 for more information regarding fixed routes, such as route 294 for hours, routes, rates, etc. (There will be a fare increase starting in July for route 294). New schedules should be ready around the beginning of September at the Washington County Government Center and the Washington County Libraries. There will also be more information in our next newsletter regarding any changes made and you can see their web site at www.metrocouncil.org. Also, Washington County ADA Service, a bus service for people with disabilities operated by HSI, is proposed to change as well. The current service now operates seven days a week from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The proposal calls for weekday service to operate from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturdays from 7:15 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday service to be reduced by 50%. These changes would begin September 1. ROOF SEWER MAIN SEWER SERVICE LINE Your Sanitary System - A Guided Tour Sanitary sewer systems are often taken for granted, that is until they don't work. A basic understanding of the plumbing and sanitary system in your • house will help you to know what to do if waste water doesn't drain from your house. • The sanitary sewer system begins with the plumbing fixtures inside your • house. All of the drains from the sinks, tubs, showers and toilets are piped • to the sewer service that exits your house and connects to the sewer main • under the street. Each drain has a 'trap' and a vent pipe that prevents sewer gases and odors from entering ■ the house. • Some basic troubleshooting might help you when a drain backs up. If only one section of plumbing or fixture ; doesn't drain, it is usually a problem within the house. However, if no drains work, or the entire system drains • slowly, or the worst case scenario occurs — waste water comes back up through the basement floor drain, the problem is probably outside of the house in the sewer service or the sewer main. • If you suspect a sewer obstruction or back up, the Sewer Department will inspect the sewer main through a • manhole to determine if there is a blockage in the sewer main line. If there is no problem in the sewer main, the blockage is in your sewer service pipe between the sewer main and the house. Often times root invasion from mature trees into old sewer services is a cause of obstruction. • If there is a blockage in the sewer service, it is the homeowners' responsibility. Usually a commercial sewer cleaning company is needed to clear a blocked line. We request that you notify us after a sewer service has • been cleaned. Typically, the cleaning process pushes a significant amount of solids into the sewer main and • could cause a blockage in the main, which could lead to an even bigger problem. • • The Sewer Department maintains approximately 120 miles of sewer mains by: In Jetting with high-pressure water about every four years. • Televising sewer mains to identify any potential problems. • Root -cutting those areas that have tree roots growing into the main. • Monitoring and maintaining twelve lift stations. Residents can reduce potential problems by following some simple rules: If you smell sewage but have no obvious problems, add a gallon of water to your floor drains and plumbing fixtures to insure your traps have water. -4 Never flush disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, applicators, wet -wipes, rags or other objects that might block or settle in your pipes. 4 If using a garbage disposal, minimize the amount of food and never dispose of cooking oils, greases or coffee grounds. -4 Take immediate action if you suspect your sewer line is partially plugged. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • IF YOU HAVE A SEWER BACKUP OR SUSPECT A BLOCKAGE OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOUSE, CALL THE • SEWER DEPARTMENT AT (651) 275- 4107 or 4103 (7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m), OR STILLWATER FIRE • DEPARTMENT AT (651) 351- 4950 AFTER NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS. • CITY DATA City Hall 216 N Fourth Street City Numbers • • • ■ • • • • ■ • ■ • • • • ■ • • ■ • ■ • Admin-430-8800 • Building-430-8825 Engineering/Public Works-430-8830 Fire-351-4950 Library-439-1675 Planning-430-8820 Police-351-4900 • Public Works Facility 275-4100 Sewer Billing 430-8815 Water Billing 439-6231 • • • • • • • ■ Waste Management Questions on Service and Billing 952-890-1100 ■ St. Croix Recreation Center 430-2601 ■ City Web Site www.ci.stillwater.mn.us ■ Stillwater City Council Regular Replays of Council Meetings Friday at 7:00 p.m. Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Sunday at 10:00 p.m. Channel16 Stillwater City Scene Every Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. The full weeks schedule is printed in the Friday Stillwater Gazette ■ l VOLUME 8 NUMBER 1 F R E E 1 WINTER 2003 b b e t f1t f e STILLWATER PUBLIC LIBRARY it 223 NORTH FOURTH STREET * STILLWATER, MN 55082 it 651.439.1675 BUILDING NEWS WINTER READING F , Recently a patron asked PROGRAM "What's ._: '.. __ __ ' , -_ _ - ._ happening with the building expansion? I haven't heard lately." A lot of preparation must go into the development of a project of this size. To date, the Board of Trustees has recruited the Capital Campaign Steering Committee, which is in the process of developing a plan and strategies for raising $4 million in private contributions from foundations, individuals, and corporations. The Building Expansion Advisory Committee, made up of representative community members, has been meeting to help us identify those features that the community would like to see in its library. And in December, the Board appointed the Architect Selection Committee that will interview design firms and recommend a selection to the Trustees. It may seem quiet; behind the scenes the game's afoot, Watson! Lynne Bertalmio, Director F @SPL POSTCARDS To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the library's original Carnegie building, the Friends have produced a set of beautiful, sepia - toned postcards of the library. Proceeds from their sale will support popular library collections such as books on CD. The cards are displayed for sale in the library. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday HOURS 10 A.M. 1 10 A.M. 1 10 A.M. 10 A.M. 1 - 9 P.M. 9 P.M. 9 P.M. - 9 P.M. 5 P.M. - 5 P.M. 5 P.M. PROGRAMS Preschool Storytime (for ages 3 -8) Wednesdays, 10:30 A.M. Toddler Storytime (for ages 2 -3) Fridays, 10:30 A.M. January 24 - February 28 Bedtime Storytime (for ages 3 +) Thursdays, 7 P.M. February 6 - March 27 WINTER READING PROGRAM Mystery Book Club (for adults) Thurs., Jan. 16 & Tues., Feb. 18, 7 P.M. The Best Sci -Fi & Fantasy (for teens and adults) Thurs., Jan. 23, 7 P.M. I Love to Read Storytime Mon., February 10, 7 P.M. Between the Covers Reading Day Wed., Feb. 12, 10 A.M. - 9 P.M. Children's Illustrator Lauren Stringer Mon., March 10, 7 P.M. William Kent Krueger, Author (for teens & adults) Tues., March 18, 7 P.M. It's Warm Between the Covers... of a Book, our Fifth Annual Winter Reading Program will begin Saturday, January 18. Reading lists, a Reader's Advisory Bookshelf (see p. 2), and reviews will all be displayed in the library's rotunda to help you choose your winter reading. Also, pick up a reading record to keep track of your winter reading selections. On Thursday, January 23, at 7 P.M., Don Blyly, owner of Uncle Hugo's Bookstore in Minneapolis, will highlight new and classic science fiction and fantasy too good to miss. In honor of I Love to Read Month, on Wednesday, February 12, we will hold our first "marathon" with staff and patrons reading all day in the library. If you would Tike to be one of our readers, call 651.439.1675 ext. 30 to sign up for a 45- minute slot. We are still making arrangements for a February author program; check our website and the newspapers for details. On Tuesday, March 18, William Kent Krueger will visit the Moving Target Mystery Book Club in a program that is open to the whole community (see p. 2 for details). During the Winter Reading Program, everyone who contributes a book review to our display will receive an edible treat provided by Friends @SPL. Y O U R R U N D L E T M 7 N ID E E P! NEW PERIODICALS Magazines provide a wealth of current information and enjoyable reading. Every year, we review our holdings and add titles that patrons have suggested or that fill gaps in our collection. Some new titles for 2003 are Budget Travel, Country Home, and Savoy for adults and Soccer Jr., Spin, and Twist for younger patrons. We noticed one disturbing trend when we prepared our subscription list this year: although inflation rates may be low in other segments of the economy, the prices of magazines seem to be increasing steeply, limiting our buying power and forcing us to drop some subscriptions. This year, we'll issue our first magazine "wish list" of titles we'd like to carry but can't afford. If you would like to give the community a tax - deductible gift this year, please ask for the list. MYSTERY BOOK CLUB The Moving Target Mystery Book Club meets monthly. The next session is scheduled for Thursday, January 16, when the selection will be a culinary mystery. The following session will be Tuesday, February 18. On Tuesday, March 18, the Club invites all community members to attend as it welcomes William Kent Krueger, author of the Minnesota mysteries Iron Lake, Boundary Waters, and Purgatory Ridge. Mr. Krueger will talk about his writing career and answer questions. We hope to hear selections from his forthcoming book. All sessions are at 7 P.M. For other upcoming mystery topics, call the library or check our website. I f life READER'S ADVISORY SERVICES As we begin our Winter Reading Program, we would like to remind you that the library has several resources to help you find that perfect book for fireside reading on cold winter nights. We offer two electronic databases - NoveList and What Do I Read Next? - that will try to match your reading tastes with suggested titles. Also, try our Reader's Advisory Bookshelf which includes reference books such as Fiction Catalog, Genreflecting, Good Fiction Guide, and The Reader's Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction. All will be on display during our Winter Reading Program. Staff members are also on hand to help you use these tools or to make personalized reading suggestions. Just ask at the Information Desk or look for roving staff (during selected hours) in the multicolored aprons. SPECIAL NEEDS COLLECTIONS The library has resources that are designed for special user groups or patrons with special needs. For adults, these include large print books, books on tape and CD, and audio - described videos for the visually impaired; and books for adult new readers and other materials to support adult literacy. For kids we have Storykits, Learning Readiness Activity Kits, and Baby Fun Kits to introduce the joys of reading and the habit of life -long learning. All are listed in our catalog. For help finding them, call the Information Desk at 651.439.1675 ext. 11. WINTER READING PROGRAM, FAMILY STYLE In the family component of the Winter Reading Program, children ages 3 to 7 and their parents are encouraged to use these winter months as a great time to read together. The activity -based program suggests stories to read and tell, CDs to listen to, and library programs to attend. On Monday, March 10, at 7 P.M., artist Lauren Stringer, illustrator of Mud, Scarecrow, Red Rubber Boot Day, and Our Family Tree, will talk about her creative journey from painter and sculptor to children's book illustrator. Older children, teens, and adults are also invited to attend this event co- sponsored by Friends@Stillwater Public Library. Activity sheets will be available in the Children's Room beginning Saturday, January 18. Families may begin at any time, read and listen at their own pace, and have until March 31 to complete the program. As an added incentive, there will be a weekly book drawing for those who participate, sponsored by Friends@SPL. As always, there will be edible treats for all who complete activities! Our regular storytime series continue (see p.1). Check our website for details. I LOVE TO READ STORYTIME Celebrate I Love to Read Month by taking part in Valentine festivities at a holiday storytime for children ages 3 to 8 and their parents on Monday, February 10, at 7 P.M. This is a free, one -hour program. www.ci. stillwater.mmus/library Beginning in April 2002, residents will notice a change in their trash bill. On November 19, the Washington County Board voted to move most of the solid waste fee, designated at the "Waste Management Service Charge" on residents' property tax statements, off the property tax and onto the waste hauler trash bill. The result is a 34.2% increase in the taxable portion of the garbage bill and a $39.00 decrease in the "Waste Management Service Charge" found on the special assessment line of the property tax statement. The charge on the hauler bill, now called the "County Environmental Charge ", does not provide additional revenue to the County, but is a different way to generate the same amount of revenue formerly collected on the property tax statement. The shift from a flat fee on the property tax to a hauler - collected fee based on solid waste volume is a more equitable way to pay for solid waste management programs as those who generate more trash will pay more than those who produce less. This also provides a financial incentive to reduce waste and recycle more as recycling services are exempt from the charge. How does this affect Stillwater residents? The 34% charge added onto the taxable portion of the garbage bill will result in an increase of $1.91/mo. for Senior level service, $2.79/mo. for 30- gallon service, $3.44/mo. for 60 gallon, and $4.11/mo for 90- gallon service. Bearing in mind that the Waste Management Service Charge (that is currently collected on the property tax) will be reduced by $39.00, and that the County Environmental Charge will only be collected for 9 months in 2003, residents will actually be paying less in 2003. 2003 County Environmental 2003 Property Tax Charge 2003 Total County Charges 2002 Total County Charges (on property tax) SAVINGS County Environmental Charge Based on 2003 Garbage Rates Senior 30 Gallon 60 Gallon 90 Gallon Charge $17.19 $25.11 $30.96 $36.99 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 20.19 28.11 33.96 39.99 42.00 42.00 42.00 42.00 $21.81 $13.89 $8.04 $2.01 What programs are funded through the County Environmental Charge? The County Environmental Charge pays for household hazardous waste collections, recycling grants to cities and townships, solid and hazardous waste enforcement, and trash processing at the resource recovery facility in Newport. Programs Funded Through the Countv Environmental Charae Household Hazardous Waste (12 %) Residential Recycling (12 %) Problem Materials Management and Enforcement (3 %) Resource Recovery (73 %) For information about the County Environmental Charge, please call Washington County at (651) 275 -7303. The pay parking program is free from November 1, 2002 through April 30, 2003. Pay parking lots include the South Main St. Lot (south of Brick Alley), River Lot (east of the Freighthouse) and the Maple Island Lot (north of the Amoco Gas Station). Please don't get this confused with the ep rmit PERMIT parking program. The permit parking program is year round and is for employees and downtown PARKING residents who need to park beyond the posted time limits. There is free parking with a 4 hour ONLY limit at five lots, 2 hour parking at one lot and unlimited parking at the north end of town and at the Mulberry and Second St. lot. There is unlimited parking after 6 P.M.. and all day Saturday and Sunday at three lots. You may stop in at City Hall and get a map showing where the free parking is available. r 7 !t1)E The Stillwater Police Department would like to announce the implementation of the SPD TIP LINE. The phone number is (651) 351 -4945. If you or someone you know has information on a crime in Stillwater you can call the new SPD TIP LINE and report the information. On the tip line you can remain anonymous. The tip line is manned Monday- Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. in which you can speak directly with Stillwater Police Department personnel. After hours, the line goes to a voice mail system and you can leave your information on a recorder. Your information could help balance the scales of justice. Help us make your community safe!!! The Stillwater Police Department thanks you. WHO'S WHO IN 1 0 CITY HALL No one wants to get left out in the cold! The City of Stillwater's snow removal staff will be working hard to provide efficient and quality service to Chris Paul the residents of Stillwater during the winter season. With a forecast of 2 -5 v, inches Public Works personnel begin plowing, after the snow stops. For a Chris Paul is the new Chief i forecast of 6-10" they begin after approximately two inches have fallen. Eight Mechanic and has been in this "' drivers plow approximately 70 miles of commercial and residential streets. position since November 18. Chris �� Most streets require four passes to be cleared curb to curb. There are also was born in White approximately 400 off - street parking stalls in the downtown area. Public Works plows snow from Bear Lake, spent the middle of a street to both sides, to even up the amount of snow that is deposited on each side his junior and of the street. The City's snow plowing priorities are: senior high school 1. Major collector streets. years in Minot, ND 2• Downtown parking lots and streets. and then moved 3. Commercial district streets. 1 X&N 4. Local steep grade streets. gym, _$ back to Minnesota. 5. Remaining local streets. He graduated from Downtown parking areas receive high priority only during nighttime plowing operations when Forest Lake High School. He was a the lots are empty. If plowing begins during business hours, parking lots are completed after pipeline mechanic before starting at normal business hours. The goal of the Public Works Department is to have residential streets the City of Vadnais Heights where he plowed within 12 hours after the end of a snow storm and snow removal from the downtown area was their Chief Mechanic for 6 years. accomplished within three days. He and his wife Mary, of 19 years, live Skilled snow removal personnel with public cooperation, will ensure a safe winter season for in East Farmington, WI with their two the residents of Stillwater. children. In his spare time he likes By following guidelines and ordinances, winter storm inconveniences and traffic hazards will boating on the St. Croix and camping. be minimized. Chris has always liked this area and If your vehicle is found to be in violation of this ordinance (Municipal Ordinance, Sec. 51 -5, is looking forward to working for the Subd. 5 - Calendar Parking), you may be issued a summons and your vehicle may be towed. A violation of this ordinance carries a maximum fine of up to $700.00 and /or 90 days in jail, plus City of Stillwater. He is excited about vehicle impoundment and towing charges. the move to the new public works SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL facility and is anxious to do a good Clearing of snow and ice from public sidewalks is the responsibility of the property /business job. owner. Snow and ice must be removed from sidewalks within 24 hours after the end of the storm FIRE HYDRANTS (Municipal Code, Sec. 38 -01, Subd. 22v - Nuisance) Residents are asked to keep snow cleared from around fire hydrants. Should you have a fire at your home this will enable firefighters to provide a quicker solution for the protection of life and property. EXTENDED VACATIONS Residents who leave on extended vacation should have timers on their lights to represent the family's normal schedule. Have a relative or neighbor check on the property occasionally. Have sidewalks and driveway cleared and place a car in the driveway to give the impression that someone is home. Residents can stop at the police department and fill out a vacation check card; police will check the exterior of the home as time allows. GARBAGE CONTAINERS Please have your garbage container back far enough from the road so that snowplows do not knock it over. Buckthorn Winter is a good time to remove an alien plant from our yards and woods. European buckthorn is a non - native invasive woody plant that is crowding out native understory vegetation from many of our woodland areas. It still has green leaves in late autumn and early winter and can easily be distinguished from other plants at this time. The bark is brown and shiny with short white horizontal lines or "lenticels ". Female buckthorn plants produce blue -black berries that are eaten and distributed by birds. Management of buckthorn is an on -going process and requires several steps: cutting larger plants (especially female trees with berries), treating cut stumps with an herbicide such as Round -Up or Garlon painted on the stumps right after cutting, and pulling seedlings and small trees up to 1 inch in diameter. After clearing the area, re -plant native shrubs, wildflowers and ferns to help fill in the open areas. Buckthorn can be chipped and used as mulch or for trails, but do not use these chips in areas not already infested with buckthorn. Construction Damage to Trees If you are planning to build or remodel a home on a wooded lot, consider the impact construction will have on the existing trees. Mature trees cannot withstand vehicle traffic, soil fill, root cutting and soil compaction very well and often decline and die after construction. To preserve trees stay at least 15 feet away from the trunks with all construction activity and fence the area to keep vehicles out. Mulch and water trees close to construction to help them survive any root damage. Trees within 10 feet of the foundation should probably be removed. Large trees which will be close to the structure after construction is completed should be evaluated for structural integrity and potentially hazardous conditions. Call the Forestry Consultant at 430 -8765 (voice mail) to review site plans with you prior to construction to see if there are ways to avoid tree damage. Answers to Plant Problems If you have a problem with a tree or shrub in your yard, want to identify a plant unknown to you, or have a question about tree care or a boulevard tree, call the Forestry Consultant, Dr. Kathy Widin, at 430 -8765 (voice - mail). As a service to City residents, she will answer your question by telephone or make a site visis to diagnose the problem. In 2001 the City Council adopted a new ordinance eliminating all snow emer- gency route designations. Instead, odd /even Calendar parking will govern on all streets including those previously marked as snow emergency routes. This change has come about for a number of reasons. First, the City does not announce snow emergencies nor do we announce the end of these snow emergencies. This can result in confusion as to when snow emergency regulations apply to the snow emergency routes. This confusion has caused difficulties for proper plowing operations, difficulty removing and haul- ing out snow, and made it difficult to enforce and regulate a confusing ordinance. Because snow emergency route designation is eliminated, all people living on old snow emer- gency routes will be required to park on the odd side of the street on odd numbered days and the even side of the street on even days. Note: Between 7 P.M.. and midnight of each day is a switch over time when vehicles can be parked on both sides. The vast majority of the City is already under an odd /even parking regulation. This proposed change would make it less confusing and improve the City's efficiency in removing snow. Liberty & Legends Subdivisions The City Council considered and adopted a modification to enact an odd /even parking regula- tion for the entire calendar year in the Liberty /Legends neighborhoods. This results in parking on the odd numbered side of the street on odd days and the even side of the street on even numbered days. Parking is allowed on both sides of the street from 7 P.M.. to midnight. ;jhe current i ordinance puts odd /even parking controls into effect from November 1 through April 1 throughout the City. For Liberty /Legends, this is in effect throughout the entire year. Thi' changa also,results in the removal -of a number of no parking signs that are, currently in place in the neighborho d. "This changeis due to concerns from the Fire Department regarding access to the neighborhood. _ The- str6ets in the Liberty /Legends neighborhoods have been constructed to a narrower section than is typical. This narrow street design has been put into place to slow down traffic and generally make neighborhoods friendly to pedestrians. When this change was made, we anticipated the possibility of potential special parking control regulations. Based on the experience of the past three years and the concern raised by the Fire Chief, Council adopted by ordinance this change. If you have questions or comments concerning this issue, feel free to contact the City Engineer- ing Department, 651 - 430 -8830. PARKING QUIZ: (True or False) During winter months, if the odd side of my street is marked "No parking ", I can still park on the odd side of the street on the odd days of the month. ANSWER: False. Winter Calendar parking regulations do not cancel out other parking controls. Therefore there would be NO on street parking on odd days of the month for a street marked "No Parking" on the odd side. Snowmobiling is an exciting winter sport. The state of Minnesota has over 18,000 miles of snowmobile trails. Along with the sense of freedom you get f when riding a snowmobile comes responsibilities. It is important to know the r local city ordinances and state laws regarding snowmobiling. In the city of Stillwater it is unlawful to operate in any of the following places and conditions: 1) A. Upon private property without written permission. B. Upon any school grounds, park property or golf courses without owners permission. C. Upon any street except in the right hand traffic lane normally used for vehicle traffic. D. Upon any public sidewalk or walkway. E. Upon lakes and rivers in the city within twenty five yards of any fisherman or pedestrian. F. In any other area where the use of a snowmobile may be considered hazardous to others. 2) Persons that are 14 years of age, but less than 18 can operate on public streets within the city limits if they have in their immediate possession a valid snowmobile safety certificate or a valid motor vehicle license. All residents born after December 31, 1979 must have a snowmobile safety certificate to operate a snowmobile anywhere in Minnesota. Also anyone under the age of eighteen must wear a helmet. 3) No persons may operate a snowmobile within the city limits during the times of 11:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. on Sunday through Thursday and between midnight and 7:00 A.M. on Friday and Saturday unless it's for an emergency. 4) No snowmobile may travel at a speed greater that 20 mph when traveling on city streets. Snowmobiles must yield the right -of -way to all other traffic which is approaching uncontrolled intersections. Snowmobiles must operate in single file. BRIEFS Attention Merchants of the City of Stillwater The Stillwater Police Department, along with the Retailers Protection Association, have implemented a Criminal Worthless Check Diversion Program to recover full restitution from individuals issuing NSF/ ACCOUNT CLOSED checks for goods and services to Stillwater businesses. The Stillwater Police Department has helped to develop this program in response to the concerns of businesses and community leaders. This program offers businesses a NO COST opportunity to recover losses from individuals who write worthless checks. This program also provides an opportunity for businesses to fast - track restitution from offenders. Requiring offenders to pay full restitution, bank service fees and civil penalties. For more information, call the Retailers Protection Association Check Diversion Program at 612 -670- 8873 or pick up a merchant packet at the Stillwater Police Department. Be A Volunteer Driver and help a neighbor Many people are unable to get to medical or medical related appoint- ments because they have no trans- portation. This is especially true for the senior populations. Volunteer drivers set their own schedule. Drive as often as you choose and on the days /times you are available in your own vehicle. Most ride requests take an hour or two once a week. Many are within local communities and greatly needed. Volunteer drivers receive mileage reimbursement, orientation, training but most of all the Gratitude of a member of your community who needs help. Does this sound like something you would like to do? Please call Community Volunteer Service 439- 7434 for additional information. stl - ,X Open Walk/Run: The field house is available for walking /running Monday - Friday beginning at 6:00 am. Lakeview Hospital sponsors no charge walking Wednesday mornings from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The track is around the outside soccer field lines, 4.5 laps is one mile. Cost: $.50 / youth & senior Punch card:$5.00 for 20 times $2.00 / adult $20.00 for 20 times $3.00 / family $30.00 for 20 times Open Field: Our dome is available for family and /or individual fun! Half field for 14 & over, other half for 14 & under (includes families) FamilylYouth times. Tuesday & Thursdays 3:OOpm - 4:30pm All groups: Sundays 12:OOpm- 1:OOpm Cost: $2.00/youth/senior Punch card: $15.00 for 10 times $3.00 / adult $25.00 for 10 times $5.00 / family $40.00 for 10 times Adult Slow Pitch Softball League: League registration due by the December 20. One level of play. One game played per week on Tuesday or Thursday night. Game times are 10:00pm and 11:00pm. Team fee is: $600.00. League starts Jan. 7 - Mar. 6, play- offs Mar. 11,13,18, &20. Limited space available! Youth Soccer Leagues: St. Croix Soccer's Indoor Competitive Youth Soccer League is now accepting Registration for leagues in winter of 2003 Contact Doug Brady for registration, 651 - 430 -2601. Session one: November - December Times: Saturday 12pm- 8pm Session two: January - February Times: Sunday 10am -4pm Golf: Starts January 2003 Cost: $7.50 /half hour, unlimited balls Times: Wed. & Fri. Please check schedule or web site at: www.ci.stillwater. mn. us Open Skating: Pick up schedule at Rec. Center office or on web at: www.ci.stillwater.mn.us Times: Please check Schedule Please check schedule for exact times on the web at: www.ci.stillwater.mn.us. Cost: $2.00 / youth & senior Punch card.-$15.00 for 10 times $3.00 / adult $25.00 for 10 times $5.00 / family $40.00 for 10 times Open Hocke. Pick up schedule at Rec. Center office or on web at: www.ci.stillwater.mn.us All players must check out a markless puck from the office, $1.00 deposit. Players 18 and under must wear a helmet, no exceptions. Times: Check Schedules For time (all ages) Cost: Same as open skating. Check schedule, not always constant. Pros Ice: Pick up schedule at Rec. Center office or on web at: www.ci.stillwater.mn.us Cost: $6.50 / hour Punch card: $65.00 for 11 times Skating Lessons: 8 weeks of group lessons & 10 punch open skating card Classes on Tuesdays and /or Saturdays. Classes start Feb. 81' and run through April 5th. Private lessons available from our highly recognized professional staff, contact Skating Director; Shelia Thelen @ 651- 430 -2601. Registration (in person) begins: January 27 & 28, 2003. From 5 :30- 8:00pm . Cost: $65.00 Home School and Moms & Tots are available on Tuesday Afternoons. 12:30pm- 2:30pm. Adult Hockey League: Two eight team leagues: Over 30 League and Open. No checking or slap shots. Numbered jerseys provided. Registration due: January 9 Cost:$900.00 League runs: January 26 - April 6 with play -offs to follow. /-i S /A11111IM _' AW 0 j Carbon Monoxide - or CO - is an invisible, odorless gas, produced by the incomplete burning of fuels in furnaces and other fuel burning appliances. CO can build up inside homes during the winter, when the furnace is running and the house is sealed up. Low levels of CO can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, weakness and shortness of breath. Higher levels can be fatal. > Take steps to protect your family from CO! Make sure your heating system and all fuel- burning appliances are adequately vented and properly maintained. > Do an annual furnace check and energy audit preferably in the fall. Hire a qualified technician if you want to install a new furnace or other fuel- burning appliance. And install a UL- listed CO alarm in your home. Questions about CO? Call the Minnesota Department of Health at (651) 215 -0909 or 1- 800 - 798 -9050. Suppose a storm hit and you were stranded in your car overnight. What would you do? Keep an emergency supply kit in your car. Your supply kit should include: > 3 -pound coffee can, candles, matches, cup > red bandana and plastic whistle > pencil and paper, cell phone > first aid kit, essential medications > flashlight and spare batteries > large plastic garbage bags, safety pins > bottled water and snack foods > blankets, warm boots and clothing > safety flares, shovel, bag of sand Danger, Thin Ice! Last winter in Minnesota, five people died when they fell through ice they thought was safe. Over the last 10 years, 63 people have broken through thin ice and drowned. Sixty -five percent of all ice drownings are vehicle related. Ice Safety Tips: ➢ WARN your children to stay away from ice - covered ponds and streams ➢ NEVER walk on ice that is less than four inches thick. Do not snowmobile on less than five inches of ice and do not drive your car on less than 12 inches of new clear ice. The Scoop About Snow Shoveling While shoveling snow can be good exercise, it can also be deadly for optimistic shovelers who take on more than they can handle. Take it easy. Snow shoveling is a weight - lifting exercise that raises your heart rate and blood pressure. Warm up before starting the job and stretch both before and after shoveling. If you must shovel, remember to: ➢ Take frequent breaks. If your chest feels tight, stop immediately. y Push the snow forward rather than lifting it. Pick up only small amounts when needed. Use your legs, not your back (as with any lifting activity). Bend and "sit" into the movement allowing your large muscle groups to do most of the work. Radon is an odorless, invisible, naturally occurring radioactive gas. Radon can build up inside your home - especially - during the winter months - and long term exposure to radon can increase your risk of lung cancer. In Minnesota, one home in three typically exceeds federal guidelines for radon. Test your home for radon - using a testing device listed by the U.S. EPA. > Use a testing unit designed to take long -term average readings such as an alpha track detector. > Leave the unit in place for at least three months preferably for a full year. Then have the results analyzed, following the directions that came with the unit. > If your home exceeds the federal guideline, contact the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) or the Minnesota Safety Council about steps you can take to reduce radon levels in your home. Call MDH at (651) 215 -0909 or 1- 800 - 798 -9050. Call the Minnesota Safety Council at 1- 800 - 444 -9150 or (651) 291 -9150. T I Winter in Minnesota is the season for bargain vacation packages and warm - weather get - aways. Careful planning can help you protect your health while you escape the cold. If you'll be going abroad, ask your doctor or clinic what special immunizations you'll need for the places you plan to visit- and make arrangements to get them. Also make sure you and your family have all of your basic adult and childhood immunizations. Ask your doctor or clinic about avoiding contaminated food and water, and coping with foodborne illness. Also ask about how to protect yourself against diseases carried by insects, such as malaria and yellow fever. Above all, plan ahead. Contact your doctor or clinic as soon as you know where you'll be going- and when. You may need to visit a special clinic for some types of immunizations - and some vaccines need four weeks or more to take effect. For more information, call the automated Minnesota Traveler Resource Line at 612/676 -5588 (TDD 612/676- 5533). 0 0 Mayor Jay Kimble CITY The Stillwater Fire Department would like to remind you to be fire safe this winter! Council The Stillwater Fire Department would like to extend its appreciation to everyone who donated to the DATA /'1 Fire Facts 430 -0650 Ward 2 John Rheinberger > Heating fires cause 10 percent of residential fires in Minnesota. 439 -4199 > In 2001, cooking was the number one cause of fires. Heating fires were number two, and arson came Ward 3 Wally Milbrandt in third. 439 -0185 > Over one -half (63 %) of all heating fires in Minnesota involved fireplaces or chimneys. ; > Heating fires in Minnesota in 2001 caused over $5.3 million in damage to residential property. > Residential fires accounted for 87 percent of all fire deaths in 2001. The most dangerous place to be, in regards to fire, is in you own home! Charter > In 2001, careless smoking was the leading cause of fire fatalities in Minnesota, with 10 civilian City Hall deaths (21 %). 216 N Fourth Street > As of August 1, 1993, smoke detectors are required, in every Minnesota dwelling that has a sleeping 1 st & 3rd Tuesday area. City Numbers The camera has other uses as well. The heat sensing ability of the camera makes it an ideal tool to help Admin - 430 -8800 Fire Safety Tips Building - 430 -8825 > Safety around heating equipment and appliances is an important first step in reducing the number of Engineering /Public fires that occur annually. Keep children and loose clothing at a safe distance. Works - 430 -8830 > Use a yardstick to measure the distance between anything that can burn and your home heating Fire - 351 -4950 equipment. If you don't have at least three feet of clearance, you are at risk. Garage - 439 -5933 > Always turn off portable heating appliances when leaving home or retiring for the evening. Be sure Library - 439 -1675 the fire in the fireplace is completely out before going to bed. Parks - 439 -4561 > Have chimneys, fireplaces and other heating devices inspected be a qualified professional at the Police - 351 -4900 start of every heating season. Planning - 430 -8820 > Use a sturdy screen or glass closure in front of your fireplace, and burn only clean fireplace wood. Sewer Billing - 430 -8815 Never burn treated lumber. Water Billing - 439 -6231 > Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, including the basement, and test them monthly. ■ > If you smell gas in your home, contact your local utility company immediately and follow their instructions. Waste Management > Install a residential fire sprinkler system in your home. Service and Billing > Inspect heat tape before using. Never thaw frozen pipes with an open flame. 952 - 890 -1100 For Additional Information Contact Stillwater Fire Department 651 - 351 -4963 ■ St. Croix Recreation Center - 430 -2601 ■ City Web Site www.ci.stillwater.mn.us ■ The camera was purchased solely through public donations and fundraisers. The total cost of the camera Parks Board and its associated equipment totaled $16,800.00. The residents of Stillwater can be proud of their contribution 4th Monday to public safety through this equipment purchase. All the members of the Stillwater Fire Department sincerely Planning thank you for your continuing support! 2nd Monday Mayor Jay Kimble 439 -2888 Council The Stillwater Fire Department would like to extend its appreciation to everyone who donated to the Ward 1 David G. Junker thermal imaging camera fund. Thanks to our community's generous contributions, the Stillwater Fire 430 -0650 Ward 2 John Rheinberger Department now has a new state of the art fire - fighting tool. 439 -4199 The new camera has already been used at a recent house fire in the Stillwater area. The camera assisted Ward 3 Wally Milbrandt fire fighters to ensure the fire was completely extinguished and that no hidden embers would re- ignite the 439 -0185 structure. Using the camera saved many hours of potential overhaul operations and limited the damage and 4 G ar 4 Ward Gary Kriesel done to the home by reducing the amount of walls and ceilings needing to be removed to locate any hidden embers. The new thermal imaging camera utilizes infra red heat sensing technology to help fire fighters "see" Charter through smoke and locate the seat of the fire much quicker and safer than previous fire fighting methods. 3rd Monday Having the ability to locate the fire faster and more accurately reduces the danger fire fighters face and limits City Council the amount of damage done to the structure. This technology also assists fire fighters in finding victims 1 st & 3rd Tuesday trapped by the fire and rescuing them. Heritage Preservation The camera has other uses as well. The heat sensing ability of the camera makes it an ideal tool to help 1st Monday locate individuals who may be lost in the woods or fields. Utilizing the camera for hazardous materials events Human Rights is another aspect of this heat sensing technology. Many chemicals release a thermal plume, which the Last Wednesday camera may be able to "see" and this helps public safety personnel make the appropriate decisions to protect Library life and property base on where the plume may be going. 2nd Tuesday The camera was purchased solely through public donations and fundraisers. The total cost of the camera Parks Board and its associated equipment totaled $16,800.00. The residents of Stillwater can be proud of their contribution 4th Monday to public safety through this equipment purchase. All the members of the Stillwater Fire Department sincerely Planning thank you for your continuing support! 2nd Monday