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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991 Stillwater City NewsletterS ti*llwaterl Scene Official City Newsl uer Vol. 3 No. 4 Stillwater. AST. 55082 Building sets record pace The city of Stillwater has been buzzing with building activity. That activity has resulted in a record year in the valuation of building permits issued, a record achieved in just the first nine months of the year. As of the end of September, the city had is- sued building permits with a valuation of $21.9 million; the total valuation of all permits (building, plumbing and mechanical) issued stood at just over $26 million. That figure does not include the permits for the new Washington County jail. The total valuation of permits is- sued in 1990 was $14.4 million. The previous high valuation was $25.7 million issued in 1987. The building activity has brought in $231,958 in permit fees thus far; that figure also excludes any fees received for the new jail. In 1990, the city had taken in $64,408 in permit fees as of the end of August. The activity shows little sign of slowing down. In the past month, 40 permits have been issued. Of those 13 are permits for new home (See Building, page 4) C TILLWATER Ocotber 1991 Plan sets waste management goals The City Council will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 to receive com- ments on the solid waste management plan prepared by the city's solid waste ad- visory committee. The plan identifies current waste streams and types; reviews current and proposed residential collection systems; establishes solid waste management goals; and identifies plans for achieving the goals. The primary goal is to reduce the overall volume of solid waste generated by local residents. To achieve that goal, the plan calls for promoting public education to help change buying habits and change attitudes regarding waste disposal. It is also recommended that the city establish a volume -based fee beginning July 1, 1992, (which is when the city's current hauler contract expires) in order to provide an in- centive for residents to reduce the volume of waste the household generates. The plan suggests establishing five -year waste re- duction goals beginning with a goal of re- ducing the solid waste stream by 7 percent in 1992. Another identified goal is to remove certain types of waste from the waste stream. In addition to maintaining com- prehensive curbside recycling collection, the plan recommends that the city monitor the recycling industry and recycling mar- kets. The plan also calls for establishing or participating in household hazardous waste collection programs; promoting composting; informing residents of other recycling programs not currently included in the city's curbside recycling; and pro- moting public education. Finally, it is recommended that the city maintain a collection system that is "efficient, complete and cost effective," with a pricing system that establishes a fair and equitable fee in relation to waste quantities generated. The plan recommends a volume -based fee based on increments of 30- gallon bag/containers. The fee would include collection of unlimited amounts of "extra" waste, such as appliances, tires, yard waste and batteries, and would include recycling costs and other costs, such as educational materials, in the regular monthly fees. Residents are encouraged to attend the Dec. 4 public hearing. Construction of the new Washington County jail/law enforcement center is one of the larger projects going on in Stillwater. Not even considering the jail project, the city has set an all -time record in the valuation of permits issued for new construction Page 2 Newsletter October 1991' City sets proposed levy The Stillwater City Council has adopted the proposed 1992 budget and proposed 1992 tax levy. During 1991, the city lost $156,665 in local government aid, and will lose an additional $175,255 in local government aid for 1992. Both of the reductions were the result of legislative action taken to balance the state's budget. Even with the loss of local government aid, it is estimated there will be a reduc- tion in the city's share of property taxes payable 1992. The table below shows the estimated change in property taxes on homesteaded properties of certain market values. The estimates are based on the the city's tax levy for 1991. Homestead Market Value $72.000 $100.000 $150,00 Prepared 3 distributed by The Courier News 1991 Stillwater tax $210.06 $364.84 $779.44 1992 estimated tax $193.17 $343.42 $578.18 Estimated tax decrease $ 16.89 1 21.42 $201.2 The illustration above is only the city's share of the property tax and does not include taxes levied by other taxing jurisdictions, such as Washington County or School District 834. The city's share of the total property tax is generally about 25 percent of the total. The city council will hold its truth -in- taxation public hearing on the proposed 1992 budget and tax levy at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, in the council chambers at City Hall, 216 N. Fourth St. City's winter parking law is in effect Dec. 1 The chill in the air means it's not too early to be thinking about the first snow- fall and winter parking regulations. Every winter, the city receives complaints from citizens who have had their vehicle tagged or towed because the vehicle was parked on the "wrong" wide of the street. In almost every instance, the resident believes the city's odd/even winter park- ing ordinance is only enforced when snow is falling. Wrong! City parking regula- tions are enforced at all times. So, residents are urged to be aware of the winter park- ing rules. Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Dec. 1 until midnight April 1, the odd -even parking regulation is in force -- at all times. The odd -even regulation simply means that on odd- numbered calendar days, cars should be parking on the side of the street (improved or unimproved) with odd- numbered street addresses. On even - numbered calendar days, cars should be parked on the side of the street with even - numbered addresses. Each day, between 7 p.m. and midnight, there is a change -over period when the regulations are not in force to allow residents to move their cars to the side of the street when parking is permitted the following day. Compliance with the winter parking ordinance helps the city snow removal crews get the job done quicker; it could also save you some money by avoiding a "tag -and -tow'' situation. Proper disposal requested Blockages of sanitary sewer lines due to the improper disposal of certain types of materials is an on -going problem. Materials that cause blockages include disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, rags, cooking grease, and other oil or oil -based materials and chemicals. Ninety -five percent of the blockages occur between the home and the main sewer line, and the cost of removing the blockages is the responsibility of the homeowners. The Public Works Department recommends that articles which could potentially block a sewer line be disposed of in a proper manner -- not in the sanitary sewer sys- tem. All residents are asked to follow that recommendation. bcotber 1991 Newsletter Page 3 Meet your city staff LEO MILLER Leo Miller hasz been the adult crimi- nal case investigator for the Stillwater Police Department for the past three and one -half years. In that capacity, he gathers evidence to help bring a criminal case to its dispo- sition in court -- processing crime scenes; conducting field and office interviews of suspects and other people who might have information regarding the crime in ques- tion; obtaining and executing search war- rants; at times, making arrests; testifying in court, if need be; and, "answering lots of phone calls." Miller processes gun permits and does background checks on new employee ap- plicants. He is also involved in crime pre- vention projects, such as worthless check seminars; talking with bank employees regarding bank security and what to do in case of a robbery; and talking with local merchants on how to protect themselves against shoplifting. A 21 -year police department employee (three years part -time, 18 years full - time), Miller was a patrol officer prior to his as- signment as investigator. While he some- times "misses the street work," he finds working as an investigator "challenging." He enjoys the contact with the public and helping people out, and he finds it chal- lenging to build a case and see it through to its conclusion. Police work has changed a lot in his 21 -year career. The biggest change, he says, is in the areas of court decisions and changes in laws that effect the day -to -day method of getting the job done. It requires staying abreast of court decisions and law changes by communicating with the city, county and state attorney offices and other agencies, as well as training sessions. Miller says he concentrates "heavily" on training and seminars to keep updated on new techniques and new methods of investigation. Miller was born in St. Paul and moved here at the age of 12. He is a grad- uate of Stillwater High School and at- tended the law enforcement program at Lakewood Community College. He retired from the National Guard in 1988 after 21 years of service as a staff sergeant. He is married. He and his wife Mary, who works at Valley Insurance Agencies, have 14- year -old twin daughters, Mara and Mandi, at home. In his spare time, Miller enjoys hunt- ing and fishing: "I don't get too much time to do anything else." PAUL GLASER Paul Glaser, captain with the Stillwater Fire De- partment, has one of those "you name it, I do it" kinds of jobs. Glaser is in charge x. of maintenance, making sure that all of the firefighting equipment is in tip -top shape, as well as making sure the fire hall itself is looking spiffy. Each of the department's 10 trucks is brought up to the city garage on a monthly basis for routine maintenance. Each truck is also inventoried monthly to make sure all the tools °are on board, are in working order, and in the proper compart- ments, all of which can be critical when responding to emergencies. Some of the equipment, such as air tanks and masks, ladders and pumps, must be tested by a professional company at certain intervals. Glaser is responsible for keeping the testing records and general maintenance record - keeping in order to comply with regulations. And, since he's a licensed boiler engi- neer, you might find Paul working on the boiler or air- conditioning unit at city hall during his spare time. Glaser has been with the fire depart- ment for 28 years, 11 years as a full - timer. He enjoys his job: "You have to." Getting up in the middle of the night, the stress every time the telephone ring indicates an emergency call makes for a "very stressful job," he says, "you have to like it." Paul was born and raised in Stillwater. For 13 years, he worked with his father at Glaser Greenhouse. He and his brother Charles bought the business and ran it to- gether for 18 years before selling to Rose Floral. Paul and his wife Mary Ann, an edu- cation assistant at Stonebridge Elementary School, have been married for 37 years. They have four children, Steven, Scott, Stuart and Sharon, and seven grandchildren -- five grandsons and two granddaughters. Firefighting is something of a family affair for the Glasers. At one time all three of Paul's sons were volunteer firemen. Steven and Stuart are still with the de- partment; Scott now resides in Kentucky. Glaser has four years until retirement, which he is looking forward to so he can spend more time hunting, fishing and golfing. JEFF JOHNSON According to Jeff Johnson, the city's downtown project is already accomplish- ing what it was in- tended to do -- reduce the amount of rain and spring water being treated as sanitary sewage. The project is making a "very substantial impact" on the amount of water flowing into the Nelson Street lift station downtown, he said. Johnson should know. He is respon- sible for maintenance of the city's sewer system. He and his partner, Rick Nordquist, inspect all of the city's lift sta- tions on a daily basis, year around., which means pulling a week -end work shift every third week and being on -call for emergency situations. They also clean and inspect the main storm and sanitary sewer lines; about one -fifth of the main lines are cleaned on an annual basis. They are also involved in the inspection of new developments, which is keeping them "pretty busy" right now. Johnson has been employed by the city for about six and one -half years. He is a 1976 graduate of Stillwater High School. Immediately after graduation, he joined the Navy, where he served for eight years; he is still in the Navy Reserves. He and his wife, Betsy, currently re- side in Somerset with their two children, Ryan, age 9, and Amanda, age 8. He has all kinds of hobbies -- hunting, fishing, and playing softball, coaching Little League and serving as a Cub Scout Mas- ter. He's also Past Commander of the VFW Post. Jeff enjoys his job: "Unlike being in the Navy, it's only eight hours a day; it gives me time to do all the other things I like to do." Page 4 Newsletter October 1991 Briefs (Continued from page 2) make it easy on yourself -- get some wheels. Residents are reminded that the recycling bins must be placed at the curbside on the regular trash pickup day. Rake leaves Autumn leaves are falling. Resi- dents are reminded that yard waste -- leaves and grass clippings -- must be separated from household solid waste. Leaves should be bagged separately and placed at curbside on regular trash collection days. Residents are also asked not to rake leaves into the street. The street sweeper can't clear the leaves, and the leaves cause prob- lems by clogging storm drains. Building activity (Continued from page 1) construction; the remainder are for additions or remodeling projects. Residents are reminded that all building construction work in excess of $500 requires a building permit from the city. Anyone with questions about building permit requirements should contact the building inspector's office, 4390 -6121. All contractors performing work must be licensed by the city. The city suggests that residents considering a building project shop around and get bids from several different contractors. Residents are also urged to make sure the contractors are licensed and in- sured, so they are protected in case of faulty work and possible default claim. To find out whether a contrac- tor is licensed, call City Hall, 439- 6121. As of Jan. 1, 1992, a new state law requires all residential building contractors doing jobs valued in ex- cess of $2,500 to be licensed by the state. The state Commissioner of Commerce office will have license applications available in November. All residential builders /remodelers must have temporary licenses by Jan. 1. Project progressing Stillwater's downtown project continues to progress, and city officials are "confident that the project will be substantially completed" by the end of this year's construction season. The primary purpose of the project, which is the first phase of an overall downtown improve- ment plan, is much - needed improvements to the downtown's infrastructure - repair /reconstruction of the water, storm and sanitary sewer systems; street reconstruction; and, installa- tion of curb, gutter and sidewalks. According to the city's sewer maintenance crews, the separation of the storm and sanitary sewer systems is already having a "very substantial" impact on the flows coming into the downtown area lift stations, meaning a substantial re- duction in the amount of clean wa- ter going to the waste treatment plant. Volumes will continue to be monitored during the next year. The project was also intended to provide a better shopping envi- ronment, especially for local shop- pers. Decorative sidewalks pavers, the undergrounding of utility lines, a new raised pedestrian walkway along Water Street, from Nelson to Chestnut, and two new parking lots with 120 additional spaces, all make for a more attractive down- town. So, come on down! Library has gift ideas Gift giving needn't be a round of crazed shopping and meaningless, last minute decisions. Here are some sugges- tions for utilizing the Stillwater Public Library for your holiday giving. BOOKS For many, books are a perennially fa- vorite gift item. In addition to consulting the library catalog and browsing the li- brary shelves to select, see, and handle potential gift books before you buy, the library also stocks a number of resources to help with book selection, including "The New York Times Book Review," a weekly book review publication, "Booklist Magazine," and "Book Review Digest." "Horn Book" and "The Five Owls" are review sources for children's materials. The library also has staff avail- able to make suggestions. PRACTICAL GIFTS Have to combine utility with your gift giving? You may wish to consult "Consumer Reports" or "Consumers Re- search," or other consumer evaluation guides to help make that informed selec- tion on a product or service. Check with the library's reference staff for a full list of product evaluation resources. THE GIFT OF TIME Maybe this year you've resolved to give the gift of time to someone in your family, one of your friends, or to your community. Think about combining that commitment with library use. Bring an elderly relative or friend over for a visit, or check out large print books or videos for them to use at home. Help a friend or a colleague with some concern by finding a few resource articles for him or her at the library. Help a teenaged son, daughter or friend work through a tough school as- signment by coming with them and help- ing them use the library as a resource. Bring a child to the library to help them select materials, hear storyhour, or just read to them. fi*11water Scene Official City Newsletter Vol. 3; No. 3 Stillwater, MN. 55082 August 1991 Downtown. is getting a face -lift Stillwater, as everybody knows, is in the midst of a "major house cleaning" in the down- town area. While much of the work being done, like house cleaning, is pretty mundane stuff - re- pair /reconstruction of the water, storm and sani- tary sewer systems; street reconstruction; and in- stallation of curb, gutter and sidewalks - residents will notice some visual improvements in the downtown area. The city council, after much discussion, agreed to the use of decorative pavers in the side- walks in the immediate downtown area. Depend- ing on the width of the sidewalk, a 21- to 14 -inch strip of decorative paver blocks will be place im- mediately behind the curbing. In addition to the decorative pavers, removable concrete panels are being placed at varying inter- vals for the possible installation of decorative pedestrian lighting at a later date. The removable concrete panels will have a brushed finish which will also help breakup the "runway" appearance of (See Downtown plan, page 4) Volume -based fees under study The city continues to explore options for implementing volume -based garbage fees. The latest proposal, which is currently being reviewed by the city's Solid Waste Advisory Committee, is to establish a variable fee for 30 -, 60- or 90- gallons of waste per week. The committee was directed to prepare a report and make a recommendation to the city council by Sept. 11, with possible implementation by Jan. 1, 1992. In the meantime, continue to recycle and observe the following guidelines: 1. Place recyclables at curbside on regular garbage pickup days. 2. Material to be recycled includes: a. Paper - newspaper and corrugated cardboard only will be accepted Magazines, glossy paper, catalogs, phone books or other paper will no be accepted. Newspaper must be tied in bundles, boxed or placed in paper bags: Corrugated paper should be flattened and tied in bundles. Newspaper and corrugated paper should be bundled separately and not mixed with other recyclable materials. b. Glass - only glass containers/bottles will be accepted. Mirrors, window glass, plate glass, ceramic, light bulbs or other glass will not be accepted Paper labels can be left on the recyclable glass; metal rings, caps or lids must be removed. Glass cannot be broken. Containers should be rinsed and not mixed with other recyclable materials. c. Metal cans - food and beverage cans can be mixed together. Paper labels must be removed, and cans should be rinsed. d. No aerosol cans of any kind will be accepted If you have not received your free recycling bin, call Junker Sanitation, 439- 7135. Construction crews have been hard at work resurfacing streets, installing curb, gutter and sidewalks once the utility work is completed. Page 2 Newsletter August 1991 Prepared 3 distributed by The Courier News Green lawns, not lakes' Lakes in Stillwater, as in many urban areas, are under stress. Storm water, once considered unpolluted, is now considered to be the primary culprit. Storm water carries wastes from streets and lawns into the lakes and rivers causing the waterways to become choked with weeds and green algae. One of the sources of pollution in storm water is fertilizer that is washed from lawns and hard surfaces, such as driveways and sidewalks, into the streets and storm drains and finally into the waterways. Anyone in Stillwater fertilizing a lawn, not just lakeshore residents, is part of the problem and can be part of the solution. There are several things residents can do to improve the situation: 1. Use only slow- release fertilizer which will not only slow the amount of fertilizer that will be dissolved in a rainfall, but will also reduce the number of times you'll have to apply fertilizer in a season. 2. Use fertilizers with little or no phosphorous, the worst culprit for causing weeds to grow in lakes. To identify phosphorous content, look at the three numbers on the fertilizer bag; the middle number indicates the amount of phosphorous. Some zero-phosphorous brands are Paxex, Country Club and Turf Management. If zero-phosphorous brands are not available, check with a lawn and garden center or the Washington County Extension Service. 3. When applying fertilizer, follow the manufacturer's instructions. If too much is applied, the excess will just run off in storm water. At most, fertilizer needs to be applied only twice a season. 4. Try to avoid getting any fertilizer on hard surfaces. If some accidentally gets on the sidewalk or driveway, sweep or vacuum it up. Simple, easy ideas to keep the lakes and rivers clean so they can be enjoyed by all, now and in the future. Miss Stillwater pageant encourages participants The Miss Stillwater Scholarship Pageant will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, in the Stillwater High School auditorium. Young women, between the ages of 17 and 23, who are interested in participating should register with the Stillwater Area Chamber of Commerce. The pageant is not a beauty contest. Contestants are judged on the basis of personal interview and talent presentation, as well as swim wear and evening gown competition. The talent presentation accounts for 40 percent of the competition and personal interview 30 percent. The winner of the Sept. 17 pageant will represent Stillwater in the 1992 Miss Minnesota competition. For more information, phone the Chamber of Commerce, 439 -7700; or contact pageant chairwoman Heidi Rosebud at Just for Me in the Davian Building, 110 S. Greeley St., Stillwater. Be fit, but also be safe Bicycling, jogging, walking and rollerblading are activities that are becoming increasingly popular with people of all ages. The activities are both fun and healthy, if done properly; but, they can be dangerous if not done in a safe manner. Bicyclists should obey all the rules of the road, including obeying stop signs or signal lights and yielding to motorized vehicles, pedestrians and other cyclists. Bicyclists should stay off of sidewalks; use bike trails, when possible, rather than highways. Joggers, walkers and runners should wear clothing that has reflective material and is easy to see. Avoid using busy streets or highways, and never assume a driver sees you. In all cases, have fun and stay physically fit, but, be considerate, and be careful. August 1991 Newsletter Page 3 Meet your city staff Tim Bell Patrol Sgt. Tim Bell enjoys serving the public. His "hobby" is working as a part -time Stillwater fireman. Bell was born and raised in Bayport and graduated from Stillwater High School. He was hired as a part -time Stillwater police officer in February 1967 and came aboard full time in January 1968. As patrol sergeant, Bell is in charge of the swing - shift; he is also in charge of the part -time officers, coordinating the training and shift scheduling of the part- timers. Bell has been with the fire department since 1969. He calls that work his "hobby; I enjoy that." Police work has changed "an awful lot" in his 24 years as an officer, Bell says. "The problems are the same, just more of them." Changes that Bell mentioned include "more restrictions." He noted that as of August 1, 187 new laws went into effect in Minnesota and referred to the difficulty of staying on top of the changing laws. Another area that has changed a great deal, he said, is that of training requirements; training is more extensive now and its on- going. As he enjoys his work with the fire department, Bell "has always enjoyed his work as a police officer. "In spite of it sometimes seeming there are more problems than gratifications, I've always enjoyed it." Bell has two sons and two grandchildren, five- year -old Jake and two - year -old Kalie, all of whom live in town. His hobbies include boating, camping and spending time on the St. Croix. Jan Brewer Have a question that needs to be answered? If you go to the Stillwater Public Library to A -w' find the answer, you'll likely talk to Jan Brewer. >.; :" ....._.... Brewer is coordinator of information services at the library. A native Californian, she received her bachelor's degree in geography from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a master's degree in library science from the University of Oklahoma. Helping people with problem solving, whether it be related to personal life, work or even entertainment, is how Brewer views the function of the library's information service. "That's what we're here for," she says. The "stereotype" people generally have, she says, is that answers to a particular question/problem can be found in a book that can be checked out of the library. Many times finding the answer /solution lies in another resource -- a person in the community who has experienced a similar situation, a local organization or a specialized library collection, such as the Hill Reference Library. Working with people, helping them with good decision- making, getting at answers from a different perspective, "putting the lights on," is what information services is all about, Brewer says. The information desk can be a busy place. In February, for example, staff dealt with some 2,000 reference items, some brief, but some "much more involved." Brewer encourages residents to go to the library when they need assistance. People talking about their needs, helps the library determine "what we need here," she says. Brewer has been with the Stillwater Public Library since 1985. She enjoys working in a small community library, getting to know the people and the community. And, she finds helping people walk through their problems, "putting the lights on," very satisfying. Jeff Junker Goodwill Store accepts donations, recyclables In order to improve efficiency and customer convenience, Goodwill Industries, Inc./Easter Seal Society of Minnesota has closed its attended donation trailer in Stillwater while continuing to accept donations at its store located in the River Heights Plaza Shopping Center in Stillwater. By dropping off their donations at the Goodwill store, contributors can take advantage of * Longer operating hours - the store is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. * Faster, more efficient service - the store has more employees to assist people dropping off their donations. * Greater capacity - the store has more space to warehouse donations, so contributors will not be turned away because storage space is full. The Goodwill store will accept the following items: good condition clothing; small working appliances; small working TVs and stereos; games and toys; domestics; hardware and tools; lamps; furniture in good repair; glass bottles and jars; cardboard; newspaper; and plastic bottles (#I and 2, with necks). Recyclables are sold to area recycling firms while household items are sold to Goodwill store customers. Proceeds benefit Goodwill/Easter Seal's not -for- profit job training and placement programs for people who are disabled and /or disadvantaged. The organization also offers equipment loan, disability awareness education and information and referral services for people of all ages. For information, phone 646 -2591 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Page 4 Newsletter August 1991 Briefs (Continued from page 2) Garbage schedule LABOR DAY Monday, Sept. 2 - No service Tuesday, Sept. 3 - All of Monday's route and Tuesday's route east of Greeley St. Wednesday, Sept. 4 - Tuesday's route west of Greeley St. and all of Wednesday's route Thursday, Sept. 5 - Regular route Friday, Sept. 6 - Regular route THANKSGIVING Monday, Nov. 25 - Regular route Tuesday, Nov. 26 - Regular route Wednesday, Nov. 27 - Regular route Thursday, Nov. 28 - No service Friday, Nov. 29 - All of Thursday's and Friday's routes Permit parking The opening of school each year brings with it complaints from residents living near Stillwater High School that they can't find a place to park in front of their own homes. In order to preserve on -street parking for residents near the school, the city adopted a residential permit system. Streets in about a four -block area around the high school are posted "Permit Parking Only." Residents in the area are issued permits for their personal vehicles or vistors' cars. Any vehicles that do not have a residential permit displayed will be tagged. The permit - parking is in force Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Residents in the affected area who need permits should call the Police Department, 439 -1314. CPR offered The Stillwater Fire Department offers cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) classes to the public, private groups and interested individuals. Classes are taught in accordance with the standards of the American Heart Association and certify participants in basic CPR procedures. Downtown plan Aictnric i the long stretches of regular sidewalks. A new raised pedestrian walkway, with wrought iron railing and new lighting, will be constructed along Water Street from Nelson Street to Chestnut Street. Another major improvement will be the placement of the Northern State Power utility lines underground. The utility lines will be placed underground along Water Street from Nelson Street to Mulberry Street, along Mulberry from Water Street to Main Street and in the north end of downtown, along Main Street from Mulberry to Laurel Street. The wall located south of the Washington County Historical Society's Warden House Mu- seum on North Main Street will be reconstructed. The wall will be built of limestone, the material used in the original structure. And, by the end of the year, residents may find parking in the downtown area a bit easier. Two new parking lots, with 120 additional spaces, will be completed. The lots will be located on North Main Street on the site of the former MnDOT building and on North Second Street be- tween the Lowell Inn and Rivertown Commons. Total cost of the current project is $6.6 million. Two million dollars of the project costs will be assessed against benefiting property owners. MnDOT's share of the project is $1,025,000, and $150,000 in Municipal State Aid funding will be used. The remainder of the funding, $3.3 million, will come from tax increment financing. The current project is phase 1 of an overall downtown improvement plan. Other phases in the plan are construction of a parking ramp and improvements to and expansion of Lowell Park. Considering the St. Croix River's continued high water levels and the condition of the levee wall, the Lowell Park improvements may be reconsidered in the city's timetable. Fall cleanup is Nov. 2 -3 The city's fall cleanup is scheduled for the weekend of Nov. 2 -3. The former city dump on Myrtle Street will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Saturday, Nov. 2, and Sunday, Nov. 3. Drop boxes will be available. The service is included in the quarterly utility charge and fees will not be charged for the disposal of brush, appliances, small quantities of construction materials and other household items that accumulate. It is not intended for disposal of large amounts of rubbish or material from major remodeling or construction projects. A fee may be charged based on the volume of material that is not of the "ordinary" household variety or quantity. The service is for Stillwater residents only, and those using the service should be prepared to show proof of residency. Residents are reminded that Junker Sanitation will collect and dispose of drain oil if placed in proper containers. The drain oil should be put in sealed or capped plastic jugs. Collection is on normal residential pickup days. (Continued from page 1) fi*11water Scene Official City Newsletter Vol. 3; No. 2 Business Park plan takes off The West Stillwater Business Park Plan was adopted in February 1990. The plan examined past development trends, land use, area utilities and site and building design. The plan was adopted by the Planning Commission and City Council. Since the plan's adoption, the new Business Park zoning regulations have been adopted, sewer services have been extended to the Cottage Drive area and a site has been selected for a new Stillwater armory. The City Council has approved several development projects in the area recently. The Washington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) received approval to construct 50 one- and two- bedroom apartment units for seniors. The three -story project will be located just east of the Erickson Post station on West Orleans Street. The HRA will be constructing a 6,000 -foot senior center with offices, kitchen and group meeting areas adjacent to the apartment complex. The final phase of the Cottages of Stillwater development is currently under construction. The (See Business park plan, p. 4) Stillwater, Mn. 55082 April, 1991 Recyling containers aye coming The City ordered recycling containers that are being distributed this week free of charge to all households (except apartment units). The purchase of the containers, which were highlighted in the February 1991 City Newsletter, was made possible in part by a grant from the Metropolitan Council. (The grant paid for 50 percent of the cost.) The containers are being distributed by Junker Sanitation; an informational flyer is included with the container. The purpose of the program is to encourage all residents to recycle. When you receive your container please consider recycling as much material as possible. Don't let the container sit empty. Volume -base fee In November of 1990, the city's Solid Waste Advisory Committee made a recommendation to the City Council to establish a volume -based fee system for solid waste disposal. The committee recommended that the city establish a base collection fee that would include 30 gallons of regular household waste (garbage, cans, etc.); there would be an added charge for each additional 30 gallons of household waste. Collection of all other waste, such as appliances, furniture, tires, brush, would be included in the base fee. The Council delayed action on the committee's recommendation in order to (See Recycling news, p. 4) The West Industrial Park area is seeing a flurry of activity. Page 2 Newsletter April, 1991 Pickup schedule The following are the changes in the normal residential garbage pickup schedule for the upcoming holidays. MEMORIAL DAY Monday, May 27 - No service Tuesday, May 28 - All of Monday's route and Tuesday's route east of Greeley Street Wednesday, May 29 - Tuesday's route west of Greeley Street and all of Wednesday's route Thursday, May 30 - Regular route Friday, May 31 - Regular route FOURTH OF JULY Monday, July 1 - Regular route Tuesday, July 2 - Regular route Wednesday, July 3 - Regular route Thursday, July 4 - No service Friday, July 5 - All of Thursday's and Friday's routes Give O.L.C. a call The following are some important phone numbers that people new to town might want to save. If you have any questions, whether it be about utility billing or garbage pickup days, give us a call. IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS Mayors office 439 -6121 City Clerk's office 439 -6121 Sewer & refuse billing 439 -6121 Planning/zoning 439 -6121 Building official 439 -6121 Public Works 439 -6121 Parks Department 439 -6121 Ice Arena 439 -1337 City Garage 439 -5933 Stillwater Library 439 -1675 Stillwater Police 439 -1314 Stillwater Fire Dept. Emergency 439 -1313 Non - emergency 439 -6120 Water Department 439 -6231 Washington County 439 -3220 Lakeview Hospital 439 -5330 Junker Sanitation 439 -7135 ALL EMERGENCIES 911 JJ Prepared & distributed by The Courier City briefs No -wake zone adopted The City Council has established a no -wake zone on the St. Croix River adjacent to the downtown waterfront. The zone extends from about 800 feet north of the Stillwater Yacht Club (formerly Muller Boat Works) to about 1,200 feet south of the Andiamo boat docks. The no -wake zone was established to protect dock facilities and other boats from the wave action caused by speeding boats as well as to protect the shoreline from erosion. Another concern that led to the establishment of a no -wake zone was the intensive use of the river in the downtown area and the speed of some of the watercraft in the area. Boaters are urged to observe the no -wake zone and pass the word along to other . river users. Have a safe and fun boating season! Cleanup Days provided The city will provide two cleanup weekends this year. The first will be held the weekend of May 4 and 5. The fall cleanup is scheduled for the weekend of Nov. 2 and 3. The former city dump on Myrtle Street will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both weekends. Drop boxes will be available. The service is included in the quarterly utility charge and fees will not be charged for the disposal of brush, appliances, small quantities of construction materials and other household items that accumulate. It is not intended for disposal of large amounts of rubbish or material from major remodeling or construction projects. A fee may be charged based on the volume of material that is not of the "ordinary" household variety or quantity. The service is for Stillwater residents only, and those using the service should be prepared to show proof of residency. Residents are reminded that Junker Sanitation will collect and dispose of drain oil if placed in proper containers. The drain oil should be put in sealed or capped plastic jugs. Collection is on normal residential pickup days. Board reviews taxes The city of Stillwater's Board of Equalization will meet Tuesday, April 23, between 3 and 7 p.m. at Stillwater City Hall to review the taxable property in the city to determine whether the property has been properly valued. Upon application of any person feeling aggrieved, the Board shall review the property assessment or classification. The Board has the authority to raise or lower property values if presented with evidence that the property has been improperly valued. For more information regarding the Board of Equalization, contact the Washington County assessor's office, 430 -6090. Building requires permit Residents are reminded that all building construction work in excess of $500 requires a permit from the city of Stillwater. Anyone with questions, should contact the building inspectors office, 439 -6121. All contractors performing work must be licensed by the city of Stillwater. To find out whether or not a contractor is licensed call the city clerk's office, 439 -6121. Hiring a licensed and insured contractor provides some protection in case of faulty work and a possible default claim. Spending a few more dollars now, could end up saving you quite a few dollars later. April, 1991 Newsletter Page 3 Meet your city staff David Mawhorter "Policing is a very complex business, perhaps more so than any other segment" of the city. That is how Public Safety Director David Mawhorter describes the difficulty of dealing with frequent changes in laws that have "dramatic impacts" on how police officers do their jobs. Mawhorter referred to the recent incident involving Los Angeles police officers' use of force. That incident has already prompted bills in the Minnesota Legislature and at the federal level that will probably result in mandated programs, mandates that apply whether a department has three officers or 300 officers and that apply whether or not there's any money in the budget. "It's a tough business, it's tough on the officers." As Public Safety Director, Mawhorter is responsible for both the police and fire departments. The police department includes 16 police officers, 10 part -time officers, as well as a community service office, parking control officer and secretary; the fire department includes seven full -time firefighters and 36 volunteer firemen. Mawhorter is a native of Aurora, Colo., and has a B.S. in physical education and master's degree in public administration. He attended the 135th session of the FBI National Police Academy and has been selected to attend an FBI conference on the future of policing _which will be held the first week in April at the FBI headquarters in Quantico, Va. He was a police officer in Aurora for 10 years and chief of police in Mora, Minn., prior to coming to Stillwater. Mawhorter says he "loves" Stillwater. He enjoys the people and the group of "dedicated officers" he works with. And, he believes the city has a "bright future" that it is just starting to enter into. He and his wife, Karen, a CPA and officer manager at St. Croix Orthopaedics, have two children, Paul, a student at University of Wisconsin -River Falls, and Shawndra, a student at Stillwater High School. His hobbies include hunting and fishing. He also received "a great deal of joy" from coaching the Stillwater High School gymnastics team. Ann Terwedo Ann Pung Terwedo, Stillwater's assistant planner, is certainly familiar with this area. She grew up here and is a 1981 graduate of Stillwater High School. She earned a BA in resource management and recreation as well as a master's in urban and regional studies from Mankato State University. Ann began work with the city of Stillwater in 1987. Her job entails "a little bit of everything" - working with developers, working on zoning administration and comprehensive planning, serving as staff representative on the Heritage Preservation Commission, and working on the Downtown Plan. Ann has had the opportunity to watch the Downtown Plan develop; work on the plan began in 1987, the same time she started working here. "It's been a fun project," she says. She considers Stillwater to be "one of the most special places in Minnesota, it has a little bit of everything." Ann especially enjoys architecture and what Stillwater has to offer with its buildings and its setting on the river. "This is my hometown and I feel good about being here." Ann is married. She and her husband, Alan, are the parents of two children, Christopher, 4, and Emily, 2. In addition to spending time with the kids, the family enjoys going to her parents' cabin in northern Wisconsin. Bob Murphy Spring, with the possibility of flooding and the beginning of the severe weather season, is the time of year when Bob " Murphy has to be on . the alert. Murphy is Stillwater's Civil Defense Director. The Civil Defense Director is appointed by the City Council. In the event of any kind of disaster - fire, flood, tomado, chemical spill- the Civil Defense Director would take "orders" from the Mayor and City Council and pass those orders on to the city's fire, police or public works department to be carried out. The Civil Defense Director receives communications and updates from the county, state or federal levels regarding conditions, such as when the river is expected to crest, that might impact the health and safety of local residents. Murphy also attends seminars and conferences, such as the recent governor's annual conference on civil defense. Bob is a retired Washington County Sheriffs deputy, with 31 years of service in that capacity. He and his wife, Carol, have one daughter and two grandsons. His hobby is "playing a lot of golf." When sirens sound, take cover We've all heard comments about how rapidly the weather can change here in Minnesota - "if you don't like the weather, stick around, it's bound to change." The possibility of rapid changes in the weather means we should also be prepared for the possibility of severe weather. Know what to do when sirens are sounded. The sirens are used to warn citizens of imminent danger and advise them to seek shelter immediately. Sometimes the sirens are sounded and the weather does not become severe. However, the City has a "better safe than sorry" attitude regarding severe weather. So, stay alert and do not take the sounding of the sirens lightly. In 1990, the city began a siren replacement program designed to provide warning for local disasters such as chemical spills, floods, tornadoes. The city has purchased three new sirens of greater sound range and will relocate existing sirens to strategic locations which collectively will provide warning coverage to the entire Stillwater area. The replacement program will be completed by early summer; the existing systems will remain in operation until the new system is installed. Page 4 Newsletter April, 1991 Library plans summer of fun The Stillwater Public Library goes wild this summer in celebration of its summer reading program, "Library Kids Are Wild About Reading!" In addition to book lists, activity sheets and weekly storytimes, the library offers a schedule of free evening performances for young and old alike. From ventriloquist and storytelling to live animals and music, Stillwater Public Library is the place to come for family fun! Business park plan (Continued from p. 1) project includes 54 units of attached rental housing. The project will be similar in design to Phase I and Phase 11 of the Cottages. Additional parking will be provided in Phase III.. Because the project was financed with state and federal assistance, 50 percent of the units will be rented at below market rates. Gardner Brothers has received city approval to construct 60 condominium units on the west and south sides of Cottage Drive. The development will include five buildings, with 12 units in each building. Construction of the first 12 -plex is expected to begin this summer. With the completion of this project, the area bounded by West Orleans and County Road 5 will be completely developed except for some vacant commercial land next to the Erickson Post station. A 212 single - family lot subdivision was recently approved for the Benson Farm area. The subdivision will include a five -acre neighborhood park, sidewalks that lead to Lily Lake Elementary School, and an eight -acre open space area along Lily Lake. The project, as proposed, will be developed in six phases, with the first phase of 33 lots scheduled to begin this summer. Target price range for the homes is $80,000 to $120,000. Three commercial projects received approval last fall and are scheduled for completion this spring. The projects include a 24,000 square -foot auto service center, a Baker's Square restaurant, and an 18,000 square -foot office /industrial /retail building at Curve Crest Boulevard and Washington Avenue; businesses located in the building include Brine's meat market and catering, Jessca, Borg Machines, NR Engineers and Pioneer Press. This year's West Stillwater Business Park development includes 150 residential units (104 rental and 46 ownership) and nearly 50,000 square feet of commercial space. The new development will add as many as 60 new full- and part -time jobs and $6,850,000 of value to Stillwater's tax base. Recyling news (Continued from p. 1) consider other options. However, the committee's proposal now appears to be the most favorable and could be implemented this year. The proposal does not represent a radical departure from the current system. Only two problems need to be resolved - how much to charge for the household waste over and above the base 30 gallons and how to collect the extra waste. City staff is working with Junker Sanitation to resolve the remaining questions. It is hoped a volume -based system can be implemented by July 1. Residents will be notified if and when any charges are made to the present collection or billing system. GOCK W U dMP -Off site The Goodwill Attended Donation Center located in the Cub Food parking lot in Stillwater is also a drop -off site for recyclables. The donation trailer is open and attended from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week, except certain holidays. Acceptable materials include: * Plastic HDPE and PET bottles and containers (such as detergent; pop; milk and juice) identified with a #1 or #2 on the bottom. Items must be rinsed clean of contents. • Aluminum beverage cans • Glass containers and bottles (all colors) rinsed clean of contents • Newspaper, bagged or tied • White office paper • Corrugated cardboard, flattened and tied, in small loads Mark your calendars now for the following special programs: June 20, 7 p.m. - James Wedgwood, ventriloquist and magic June 27, 7 p.m. - St. Croix Falls Festival Theater Jackpine Players, "Tales of the Great North Woods" July 11, 7 p.m. - Wendy Baldinger, singing and storytelling July 25, 7 p.m. - Hill Murray High School musical, "The Point" Aug. 1, 7 p.m. - The Flyers, music and singing galore! Aug. 15, 7 p.m. - Como Zoo, live animals All programs will be held on the library lawn. In case of rain, the events will be moved to City Hall. Throughout the year, visit the library for books, videos, tapes, compact discs and magazines for all ages. Preschool storytimes are held every Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Let your imagination go wild at the Stillwater Public Library! The library is located at 223 N. Fourth St., phone 439- 1675. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday. I ` City Hall: 216 North Fourth Street Stillwater, MN 55062 IIWZON:� OO Zvi APRIL S The Stillwater City Council is pleased to provide you with a recycling container that was made possible from a matching grant from the Metropolitan Council. The grant paid for 50 percent of the cost of the container and the purpose of the Metropolitan Council Grant Program is to assist metropolitan municipalities in programs that will directly contribute to landfill abatement in the seven - county metropolitan area. The grant agreement between the City and the Met Council requires the City to retain ownership of the containers for a period of at least three years. The containers are numbered and they are being issued to a specific household address (rather than to an individual person). Therefore, the container must remain with the residence (even in the event the residence changes ownership and /or occupation). When you receive the container you should record the number for future reference. It would also be helpful to place some other form of identification, such as an address label, on the container as proof of residential assignment of the container. This flyer also contains information pertaining to the City's recycling program. Now that you have a container for placing your recyclable material, it is expected that you will participate in the program. Many of your fellow residents have been recycling on a regular basis since the inception of the program in September 1989. These people are proof positive that recycling is a simple an easy thing to do. It is not inconvenient but it is a necessity - a necessity if we, as a community, are to accomplish the following goals: 1) Save energy, natural resources and raw materials; 2) Ease the landfill shortage problem and avoid the development of new landfills; and 3) Minimize the cost of collecting and disposing solid waste. Think about it - why bury or burn something of value if it can be recycled and used again at a lower cost? Recycling makes "cents" in many ways. Please do it. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPECIAL NOTE * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The recycling containers are designed to accommodate the installation of wheels for ease of moving the containers. The wheels are not included with the container. However, if you would like to have wheels for the container you can order them from the City. The wheels cost $3.50 per pair and may be ordered by calling City Hall at 439 -6121. The wheels would have to be picked up at City Hall and it would take about three weeks before they become available. You would be notified of their availability. If you have any questions regarding the containers or any part of the recycling program, please feel free to call City Hall at 439 -6121. I r INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE CITY OF STILLWATER'S RECYCLING PROGRAM WHEN TO RECYCLE: Every week on the regular day of pick -up. HOW TO RECYCLE: Place recycled material in your container and place the container at the curb. WHAT TO RECYCLE: Metal cans (steel, tin and alu - �l. Reseove labels, rinse clean and flatten if possible (to save room). 2. Place in brown paper bag (e.g. Cub Food bag) separate from other recycled ma% ?rial. G lass (all colors can be recycled. Do not break glass and do riot recycle window glass, ceramics, china, lightbulbs or wirrors) - 1. Remove caps and metal rings and rinse clean. 2. Plastic rings and labels do riot need to be reproved. 3. Place in brown paper bag T .g. - Cub Food bag) separate from other recycled material. Pap er - Class I - (Waite and pastel bonds, computer, copy machine, yellow legal pad and regular bond writing paper). 1. Bundle or place in paper bag separate from other recycled material. Class II - (Newspaper and dark colored paper) 1. Bundle or place in paper bag separate from other recycled material. Corrugated - (Cardboard boxes) 1. Flatten and bundle. NOTE: 1. DO NOT mix Class I, Class II or corrugated together. 2. DO NOT recycle magazines, catalogues, glossy paper, telephone books, file folders, blue print paper, food wrappers or containers, tissue paper, carbon paper, coated fax paper or envelopes with plastic (see through) windows. At this time tie City is not able to recycle plastics. However, it is anticipated that plastics will become park of the recycling program in the near future. When this happens, you will receive proper notice and instruction. Ttre City is also trying to find ways to recycle other material such as magazines, telephone books, advertising brochures, (i.e., glossy paper), etc. You will also receive proper notice and instruction if and when this happens. For your information, Goodwill Industries continues to accept aluminum cans, glass (brown, green, clear and clean), bundled newspaper, plastic bottles, corrugated and office paper. Use the Goodwill Donation Center for recycling materials that are presently not being accepted by the City's recycling contractor. For inforriiation on the donation center location and operating hours, call , '64� and thanks for recycling. Vol. 3; No. 1 t1*11water Scene Official City Newsletter Projects build on past, future The restoration and renovation of the Arlington Apartments, the historic Jassoy Block, on South Third Street (in the photo at right) is one of several restoration projects currently underway in the downtown area. Owner Richard Kilty is converting the first -floor residential units to office space, with apartment units on the second- and third -floor of the building. Other renovation projects include restoration of the storefront of the former Gaalaas Jewelry building on Chestnut Street; the second floor will be converted to residential use. Vern Stefan, owner of Wrap and Ship, 212 N. Main St., also has plans to return that building's storefront to its original appearance. New building project downtown include the 15,000 square -foot Desch Office Building at 319 N. Main Street; estimated completion date is March 1991. Also scheduled to get underway this year is the Minnesota Zephyr depot. Projects approved and underway in the Industrial Park area include the Bakers Square restaurant on the Highway 36 frontage road; the River Heights Auto Service Center, a 23,700 (See Building projects p. 4) Stillwater, MN. 55082 February, 1991 City parks offer fun, recreation Looking for a way to get the kids out of the house and exercise at the same time? Try taking them skating at Lily Lake Arena. There is open skating scheduled at the ice arena Monday through Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.; fee is $1. Open skating is also scheduled every Sunday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.; fee is $2. Open skating and open hockey, for kids 8th grade and under, are scheduled on all school vacation days. The schedule is as follows: Feb. 18 - open skating from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.; open hockey from 1 to 2:30 p.m. March 22 - open skating from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; open hockey from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. March 25 -29 - open skating from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m.; open hockey from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Open hockey for the older kids, 9th grade and above, will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. March 11 until the arena closes for the season. Fee for all open hockey sessions is $2. All open hockey participants must wear helmets and facemasks or they will not be allowed to skate. The Lily Lake Ice Arena is just one of many park and recreation opportunities the City provides. The 14 -acre Lily Lake Recreation Center, in addition to the arena, includes three tennis courts, basketball court, an adult league softball field, fast -pitch field, swimming beach, boat launching area, fishing dock, and playground equipment. Northland Park, a complex of about 15 acres located at Northland Avenue and County Road 12, a league softball field, three lighted tennis courts, soccer field, horseshoe courts, lighted (See City parks p. 4) Page 2 Newsletter February, 1581 City Briefs Blekum retires Joel "Dick" Blekum, the City's Director of Parks and Recreation Department, retired from City employment effective January 16, 1991, after over 27 years of exemplary service to the City. Dick will be kept busy, however, because he was appointed to the City's Parks and Recreation Commission. The City wishes Dick a healthy and fulfilled retirement and appreciates his willingness to continue his service to the city as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Cleanup Days The City will provide two "cleanup" weekends during 1991. The clean up days are scheduled for 8 a.m. to 4 :30 p.m. May 4th and 5th, and November 2nd and 3rd. The cleanup days are held at the former city landfill on Myrtle Street, and are for Stillwater residents only. The service is included in the quarterly utility charge and fees will not be collected. Further details of the cleanup days will be included in the April and October City Newsletters. Neighbors should be on the alert Good drivers realize that defensive driving is one of the best ways to travel. In other words, "Watch out for the other guy." This also holds true for helping prevent crime in your neighborhood. If you see a car or person who doesn't look familiar, appears to be lingering in the neighborhood, or just plain looks suspicious, call the police (non - emergency number is 439 -1314, emergency number is 439 - 1313). The police will investigate the matter, and who knows, a serious crime may be prevented by doing so. Prepared & distributed by The Courier City sets '91 budget On December 18, 1990, the City Council adopted a 1991 operating budget of $4,599,163, and a 1991 tax levy of $3,496,068. This represents a 3.6 percent increase over the 1990 operating budget and a 5.1 percent increase over the 1990 tax levy. The City's tax levy is not expected to significantly increase property taxes as illustrated by the following estimated change in property taxes on homesteaded properties of certain market values. The estimates are based on the CA 's tax levy for 1991. Homestead Market Value 68 $100,000 $150 1990 City tax $183.01 $355.25 $758.94 1991 estimated tax $187.58 $364.13 $750.33 Estimated tax increase (decrease) $4.57 $8.88 (- $8.61) The illustration above is only the City's share of the property tax and does not include taxes (or the impact) levied by other taxing jurisdictions such as Washington County or School District 834. Therefore, the total property taxes paid by owners of the homesteaded properties listed above will be different. Snow plowing facts Moving cars saves money The Police and Public Works Departments want to remind residents that there is still a lot of the winter season left, with heavy snowfalls still in store for us. Revenues and budgets are shrinking and it is imperative to maintain a fast and efficient method of snow removal in order to match costs with revenues. Keeping cars off the streets during plowing and snow removal times helps accomplish that goal. It is fact: The fewer the cars on the street, the faster the streets can be cleared and the fewer the times crews have to double back to re -plow. If possible, residents should park their cars on grassy areas which are now frozen and should not be damaged. However, park only on private areas - not on boulevards. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated and very helpful. Oh, and one more request: Obey the City's winter parking ordinance (odd/even parking), please. Don't block walks The City has received several complaints regarding the blocking of sidewalks by automobiles. City ordinance prohibits obstructing or blocking sidewalks by any means, and residents are asked to comply. This is especially important during the winter months because right -of -way areas adjacent to sidewalks are usually snow bound and not easily traversed. Keep walks clean The City again has contracted for the removal of snow from city sidewalks during the 1990 -91 winter season. The snow removal activity begins within 24 hours of the stoppage of snow and is intended to make sidewalks "passable." City snow removal does not take place with minor accumulation of snow (3" or less), and the property owner is still responsible for keeping the sidewalks adjacent to their property free of snow and ice. • February, 1991 Newsletter Page 3 Meet your city staff Gary Funke Gary Funke is the new face on the City Council. He was sworn in at the Jan. 8th Council meeting and underwent by -pass surgery three days later. He is now recuperating at home, and looking forward to his work on the Council. One of Funke's goals as a council member is to cut city costs and cut spending. Of prime concern to him is getting downtown businesses revitalized. He says it is up to the Council, with the cooperation of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, to go out and find new businesses, be "head- hunters" and really go after new business. "We can't wait for it to happen," he says. He says he is concerned about the vacant stores downtown, "We can't afford to let that happen." Funke is a 46 -year resident of Stillwater and a graduate of Stillwater High School. He attended St. Paul Vo- Tech and owned a painting and decorating business for 27 years. An active member of the community, he worked with the Teen Center and recently raised funds to purchase new uniforms for the Stillwater High School Chevals. He and his wife, Judy, a graduate of Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., have three children - Brian, a graduate of St. Cloud State, Douglas, a pilot with Lake Mead Air, Las Vegas, and Pamela, a student at Lakewood Community College. George Diethert with." George was born and raised in Stillwater and is a 1953 graduate of Stillwater High School. He and his wife, Sharon, have six children and five grandchildren, with a sixth on the way. George's hobbies include hunting and fishing. He played a lot of ball in his younger days, but now enjoys watching his sons' games. Tim Thomsen Library is a valuable resource The Stillwater Public Library is a community resource for information, education, recreation and inspiration. Collections - Materials for loan include fiction and non - fiction books; local and national magazines and newspapers; entertainment and informational videos; 16 mm films; musical works in record, audio cassette and compact disc formats; audio cassette "talking books;" and computer software. The library also maintains a reference collection and a local history collection. Information Service - Staff is available to assist with information needs during regular library hours or by phone, 439 -1675. Programs - Adult and children's programs are held throughout the year. Call the library or watch the local media for announcements. Children's story hours, which are geared for 3- to 5 -year- olds, are held each Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Meeting and study rooms - A large meeting room (capacity 50), a conference room (capacity 10) and three individual quiet study rooms (capacity two) are available for public use. Rooms must be reserved in advance. Audiovisual equipment - A variety of audiovisual equipment is available for (See Library p. 4) Page 4 Newsletter February, 1991 Stillwater parks (Continued from p. 1) hockey and free - skating rinks and warming house during the winter, and playground equipment located in the park's lower level. The upper level includes youth ballfields, soccer fields and playground equipment. In addition to its scenic view, Lowell Park, two -acres of St. Croix River frontage, features flower beds, picnic tables, community gathering areas, community gathering area, as well as river fishing and boat launching. Pioneer Park is well -known for its spectacular view of the St. Croix Valley. The three -acre park includes a band shell, picnic tables and fireplaces, two picnic shelters, restrooms and playground equipment. mixing of the material by the hauler. City receives recycling grant Containers The City has received notice from the Metropolitan Council that its grant application to help fund the purchase of recycling containers for residents has been approved. It is anticipated that the containers will be provided to all residents (except apartment units) at no cost. The containers are large enough to hold at least 3 grocery-size bags and come with a cover to protect the recyclable material from the weather. The containers will be delivered on or about April 1. Residents need not apply for the containers. Curbside system The City's recycling program is a curbside system. This means all recyclable material must be placed within at least 2 feet of the curb on the day of the regular pickup. The material should also be kept slightly separate from other waste in order to avoid inadvertent Library (Continued from p. 3) short term loan. Library hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; the library is closed on Sunday. Stillwater Public Library serves the community in association with the Washington County Library. For County Library branch locations, call 459 -2040. Washington County residents can use their local library card to borrow directly from any public library in the metro area. Sunrise Park, 18 acres located at Sunrise Avenue and Hidden Valley Lane, features a tot -lot and free -play area, ballfield, playground equipment, soccer field, and picnic tables amid groves of spruce and pine. Washington Park, at Greeley and Churchill streets, provides a ballfield, playground equipment, tot -lot and free -play area as well as picnic tables. Projects slated for 1991 include construction of a picnic shelter at Washington Park; excavation and installation of one - foot of sand under the play equipment at Pioneer, Northland, Ramsey, Sunrise and Schulenberg parks and the South Broadway triangle; and installation of new drinking fountains at Lowell Park, Northland Park, Staples field and Lily Lake tennis courts. Volume -based Fees The City is studying a proposal from Junker Sanitation to establish a volume -based fee system using specialized containers. The containers would range in size from 30 to 90 gallons, and the fee would vary according to the size of the container ordered by the resident. The container pickup system would be automated and would require the placing of the container at curbside. Included in the proposal is a charge for extra household waste items such as appliances and furniture. Although this proposal is merely under consideration and may not be implemented, the City continues to look for ways to 1) reduce the amount of waste going to the Refuse Derived Fuel plant in Newport and landfills and 2) equitably apportion the cost of its solid waste collection and disposal program to those who produce the waste. The city has received a grant which will be used to purchase recycling containers. The containers should be delivered to city residents by about April 1. Bufl&V pi"jects (Continued from p. 1). square -foot, multiple tenant auto service center, also located on the Highway 36 frontage road; and Con Spec office /industrial building at the comer of Curve Crest Boulevard and Washington Avenue. All of the projects have estimated completion dates of Spring 1991. The biggest project slated for 1991 is Phase I of the Dowtown Plan improvements. Phase I includes the reconstruction of much of the downtown infrastructure. Work is slated to begin in May, with an estimated November completion date. Also scheduled for this year is construction of 50 senior housing units at West Orleans and Cottage Drive, along with a 6,000 square -foot senior center and 60 condominium units. During 1990, the city issued building permits with a valuation of $12,934,742.