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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-07 -- Summer-FallSummer/Fall 2019 Summer/Fall 2019 NEW! Adopt-A-Spot Adopt and clean-up a city road, park or trail Visit www.ci.corcoran.mn.us See page 18 for more information. City Administrator Update County Roads 10 and 50 Road and Drainage Improvements Source: www.hennepin.us/10and50 Work on this improvement project started Monday, June 10 and weather permitting, is expected to be completed September 2019. Drainage replacement Crews will replace 27 underground cul- verts along county roads 10 and 50. Each replacement can take up to a day to complete. Road repaving Once the culverts have been replaced crews will repave County Road 50 be- tween county roads 10 and 19. Access Local traffic access will be maintained during the project. Learn more and sign up to receive updates at hennepin.us/10and50 or contact: Hennepin County Alex Wiebe, P.E. Project Manager alex.wiebe@hennepin.us P: 612-596-9429 City Hall Remodel Project For over a year the City has been looking into options for a remodel of City Hall. The existing building was constructed in 1994 at a time in Corcoran’s life cycle that was much different than it is today. Other than a small expansion in 2004 to accommodate the Police Department moving to 24/7 coverage, there has been virtually no investment in the building. One of the many examples is that beautiful teal and gray 1994 carpet found throughout. The City has seen significant growth and for some time now has been exhausted of space. I office out of a former storage room, the former conference room has been converted to additional work stations, part-time/contract staff are scheduled alternately as possible to share work stations, and temporary work stations and meeting locations are setup using folding tables around the building in order to get the business of the City done. It’s time for an investment. There are two distinct parts of the remodel. The first is to upgrade items that need to be improved regardless of growth. This includes ADA requirements, restroom facility improvements, damaged exterior brick, and replacement of some HVAC equipment. The second is to accommodate the growth in staff required to service a City that is growing by hundreds of people per year and has much more complex demands such as a water/sewer system, planning, engineering, enhanced police and finance needs, and more. The philosophy of the Council has been to complete a remodel as efficiently as possible and to pay for the portion driven by growth through revenue from development. Afler all, without the development the additional staff demand would not be needed. The finance plan the Council is working on does just that. The estimated cost of the project is $1,350,000 and it is anticipated that there will be no impact on the tax rate of the City. This is only possible due to the strong financial planning that has been taking place over the past several years as growth has occurred. If the project moves forward, the cost will be finalized later this summer and significant construction would begin this fall with most construction completed by first quarter 2020. Just in time to host the first Minnesota Presidential primary election on March 3, my apologies for bringing that up. This is a big deal and will allow the City to meet the demands of Corcoran for years to come. As always, if you have questions feel free to reach out to the City Council or me. I can be reached at bmartens@ci.corcoran.mn.us or 763-400-7030. Sincerely, Brad Martens City Administrator City of Corcoran www.ci.corcoran.mn.us 6 Page Public Works Public Safety 4 Page Environmental Page 12 • Page 2 Summer/Fall 2019 Page 12 Public Safety Page 13 Environmental Page 15 Corcoran Happenings Environmental 10 Page 10 Public Safety City Updates The City Council meets on the second and fourth Thursday’s of the month at 7:00 pm at City Hall. The following is a recap of a selection of items discussed at meetings since the last newsletter. A full recap can be found by reviewing the approved City Council minutes on the City’s website . Land Use Applications Ravinia PUD Amendment and Ravinia 12th Addition Final Plat and Development Contract • Approved a PUD Amendment allowing 65’ width lots in the future 14th and 15th additions. • Approved the final plat for the right-of-way for the extension of Gleason Parkway Final PUD Development Plan Final Plat, and Development Contract for Bellwether 2nd Addition • Approved the project consisting of 50 lots and the realignment of Stieg Road. 20801 Larkin Road Preliminary Plat • Approved the preliminary plat creating two single family home lots. Preliminary Plat, Final Plat and Variances for Dahlheimer Farms at 20702 County Road 50 • Approved the project which created one five acre lot and an outlot of the farm land. Rezoning, Preliminary Plat, and Preliminary PUD Development Plan for Ravinia 11th Addition • Approved the project as presented which creates 14 lots; discussed setback distances between homes. Annual Fire Department Reports • Heard the annual fire department reports from the Hanover, Loretto, and Rogers Fire Departments. 2019 Dust Control Program • Held public hearing. • Adopted the resolution ordering the improvement of dust control treatments. 2018 Audit • Heard the annual audit presentation; accepted the audit. • Directed staff to place surplus funds into the Long Range Planning Fund. Resolutions of Support • Adopted a resolution of support to amend the LGA formula. • Adopted a resolution to support legislation to create a street infrastructure development fee. • Adopted a resolution to support the Highway 610 Extension Project. City Hall Remodel • Authorized staff to become a member of the Sourcewell Corporation and engage Kraus Anderson for the project. • Reviewed schematic design and directed staff to proceed further with the design process. Staff Recognitions and Updates • Oaths of office were given to Detective Steve Cole and the Corcoran Police Reserves. • Heard an update on the Police Reserve program; welcoming two new reserves and thanking the reserves for the dedication to the City. • Authorized the hire of the Administrative Assistant and Public Works Maintenance Operator positions. Commission Recognition and Appointments • Adopted a resolution honoring Chad Robran for his distinguished service to the City of Corcoran. • Accepted the resolution accepting the resignation of Dorothy Theis from the Planning Commission. • Adopted a resolution honoring Dorothy Theis for her distinguished service to the City of Corcoran. • Appointed Dean Vehrenkamp to the Planning Commission. • Recognized Ryan Burns for his 25 years of service and presented a plaque. Page 5 City Ordinance Land Use Applications Page 7 Gravel or Dirt Roads What’s the Difference? www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Public Safety Page 12 Council met on January 5 to hold the City’s 2019 Goal Setting Session. The City of Corcoran has identified and adopted the following action steps for 2019: Develop a master plan, finance plan, and select amenities for the City Park • The Parks and Trails Commission and staff have begun work on master planning on City Park. Develop a needs assessment, action plan, and finance plan for fire service • The Fire Study Sub-committee has been meeting regularly to develop these plans. Complete the update to the southeast district and town center plan; complete a stormwater management plan for the town center • Council adopted the southwest district and town center plan; staff will be working on a stormwater management plan for the town center. Decide on a request for contribution to the Dayton Parkway Interchange project • Council pledged a $250,000 contribution upon substantial completion. Develop a low cost option to pave gravel roads; establish criteria to select roads for paving; push legislative priorities which includes street funding options • Staff provided Council with low cost paving options at the May 23, 2019 Council Meeting; Council will continue to establish criteria for selecting roads for pavement and will continue to push legislative properties for street funding. Identify all existing easements/right-of-way the City has obtained for trails, etc. • The City will be identifying easements and right-of-way for City trails. Complete a feasibility study for trails along selected County Roads • Staff is obtaining quotes to complete the work. Identify preferred snowmobile routes • The Parks and Trails Commission has worked to identify preferred snowmobile route in Corcoran. Evaluate staffing and space needs for public safety • Staff has begun evaluation space needs within the remodel and beyond. Complete studies needed for water system options • Council has directed further study which including approval of a test well in the upcoming months. Investigate options to reduce the use of salt/chloride; apply for funding to complete an additional subwatershed assessment • Council reviewed options for non-chloride dust control and will look at partnering with organizations for testing. • Council authorized staff to apply for funding for an additional sub-watershed assessment. Provide an update on the existing crime/drug action plan; create a new plan for the next steps • Council reviewed the existing plan and will continue to monitor next steps. Execute code enforcement plan • Council has directed staff to execute more proactive code enforcement and staff has begun sweeps of the community. Consider updates to the Open Space and Preservation ordinance and other ordinances to establish incentives for protecting/preserving the natural environment through development • Council has reviewed the Open Space and Preservation Ordinance and will be adopting amendments at an upcoming meeting. Review compost site options • Council will be reviewing compost site options. City of Corcoran Celebrates Staff The City of Corcoran welcomes new staff, and celebrates milestones with other staff this year. David Lang joins the Public Works Department as the new Public Works Maintenance Operator. David was most recently with the Public Works Department in Minneapolis. He currently resides in St. Michael, MN. Shawna Zuther joins the Administration Department as the new Administrative Assistant. Shawna comes to the City with experience in administrative and government work including over a decade with the Federal Aviation Administration. Lieutenant Ryan Burns celebrated 25 years of dedicated service to the City of Corcoran. 2019 Strategic Goals ROAD CLOSURE – Stieg Road With the approval of Bellwether 2nd Addition, which includes a realignment of Stieg Road at CR-101, the road will likely be closed through November 2019 to allow for safer and more efficient construction activities to occur. • Page 3 Summer/Fall 2019 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Most Requested Building Permit Fees Reroofing, Re-siding $91 ea. Windows-in same openings $91 Furnace or A/C unit Replacement $76/unit Gas Fireplace $101 General Plumbing $51+ Water Heater Replacement $21 Water Soflener Replacement $16 *All of the above fees include the State Surcharge ($1.00) and can typically be issued immediately at City Hall. Building a Deck? There are a lot of composite or “maintenance free” decking materials being sold at popular home improvement stores such as Menards, Home Depot, and Lowes, etc. These composites are not specifically approved by State Building Code and require testing, approvals, and licensing to prove they meet minimum Code standards. Some manufacturers do not have their product properly tested and licensed, which means they will not pass State Building Code and cannot be used. Others may require smaller joist spacing or special fasteners. Please contact Metro West Inspections at 763-479-1720 to check if your proposed product is an approved decking material. Accessory structures which do not exceed 200 square feet are exempt from building permits. These structures must still meet building code, setbacks, and zoning requirements. Questions? Contact Code Compliance Official Mike Pritchard at 763-400-7033. • Page 3 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Building Permits Land Use Applications and Final Plats The Corcoran Planning Commission is an advisory board and consists of five (5) regular members, and a City Council liaison that is a non-voting member. The Planning Commission holds public hearings, reviews and then makes recommendations regarding land use and planning applications to the City Council. The following projects are currently underway or have been presented as new business to the city of Corcoran Planning Commission and City Council. For more information, please contact City Hall at 763-420-2288. Southeast District Master Plan and Design Guidelines update (city file 18-012) Since the adoption of the 2040 drafl Comprehensive Plan, staff has been working on updating the Southeast District Design Guidelines. The Southeast District will feature the City’s future Town Center area. Council has reviewed several drafls. The City Council adopted the updated ordinance at the April 25 meeting. Development Rights and OS&P ordinance updates (city file 18-014) One of the implantation strategies from the Drafl 2040 Comprehensive Plan was to consider amendments to the OS&P ordinance to better reflect City goals. The Council is considering changes to the development rights program, allowing one development right per ten acres whether the property is on a gravel or paved road. Staff presented the City Council with a work plan and schedule at the May 24, 2018 meeting. The Council discussed the October 11, 2018 Work Session and the January 24 Work Session. The Council directed staff to schedule a public hearing. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on April 4 and recommended approval. At the April 25 meeting, the City Council tabled the ordinance for further discussion. Council will review the ordinance in June. Bellwether 2nd Addition Final Plat and Final PUD Development Plan (city file 19- 001) The application is for PUD final plan approval for 79 lots and final plat approval of 50 lots. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on April 4 and recommended approval. The City Council approved the project as presented at the April 25 meeting. Ravinia 12th Final Plat and PUD Amendment (city file 19-002) The application for final plat would dedicate the remaining right-of-way for Gleason Parkway. The PUD Amendment is a request for a change in unit type. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on April 4 and recommended approval. At the April 25 meeting, the City Council approved a PUD Amendment and the final plat. Ravinia 11th Final Plat and Final PUD Plan (city file 19-005) The request is for 14 lots located at 6351 CR 101. The preliminary approvals were granted February 28. The Planning Commission recommended approval. The City Council approved the project as presented at the at the May 23 meeting. Applewood Point Sketch Plan at 19220 County Road 10 (PID 25-119-23-4-0003) (city plan 19-007) Trek Development, Inc. has submitted at sketch plan for a residential development with a multi-family building and single-family homes. The Council reviewed a different sketch plan at the May 24, 2018 meeting and indicated support. The City Council provided feedback on the proposal at the April 25 meeting. www.ci.corcoran.mn.us • Page 4 Summer/Fall 2019 City Ordinance \ ATV Dirt Bike Info Did you know that it is illegal to operate all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and dirt bikes — also known as off-road motor- cycles, on the roadways in Corcoran? Operating these types of vehicles on private property is allowed if the property belongs to you, or you have written permission from the owner, on your person, while you are riding. Section 73.20 of the Corcoran Municipal Code states it is unlawful to operate an ATV, dirt bike and/or go-cart on any portion of any right-of-way of any public highway, street, road, trail, alley, sidewalk, primary or secondary septic sites, private property of another without lawful authority, on public grounds, park property, playgrounds, or recreational areas. For Minnesota ATV Trails, please visit https://www.riderplanet-usa.com/atv/ trails/minnesota_list.htm For Minnesota Department of Natural Resources OHV Regulations, visit the link below: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/ regulations/ohv/ohv_regs.pdf REMINDER: Off-Premise Signs Are Prohibited www.ci.corcoran.mn.us • Page 5 Summer/Fall 2019 Can I Build an Accessory Structure on my Property? Building permits are required for accessory structures over 200 square feet in size. The maximum size allowed is dependent on your property size. Although overall structure height is a factor, the city of Corcoran also measures the sidewall height. This is the distance measured form the bottom of the eave to the ground. In the front or side yard, there is a ten (10) foot maximum sidewall height; in the rear yard it is 13 feet 6 inch maximum. On properties less than two acres, the finish materials must be of a residential style/type (i.e. no metal standing seam siding/pole barn siding) and the structure must meet all setbacks*. Accessory Structure Permit Submittal Requirements • One (1) completed building permit application form • Two (2) sets of the proposed building plans showing design, materials, and scale • Two (2) copies of a Certificate of Survey indicating the location of the structure • Or two (2) copies of a site plan, allowing the proposed structure meets all the required setbacks by at least two times. Site Plan must be drawn to scale and indicate the lot dimensions, the location and ground coverage area of existing structures and the location and area of the proposed structure as well as the setbacks from all property lines. Building Plans Must Show the Following • Overhead and Elevation • Size of Building • Sidewall and overall height • Foundation and footings (Size, Depth, Reinforcement, Anchor Bolts, Etc.) • Framing: including walls, headers, trusses/ raflers, etc. (Lumber Type, Size, Spacing, Specifications, Etc.) Finish Materials (Roofing, Siding, etc.) Note: Metal roofing/siding requires a Certificate of Compliance Certificate of Survey/ Site Plan must show • Size and location of all existing structures, septic sites, wells, etc. • Size and location of proposed building • Distances to property lines (Setbacks) including: Sides, Rear, and Front • Provide Scale *NOTE: Setbacks are measured from the property line, not the street/road edge. For complete information as well as other ordinance standards and permit/plan requirements, please view the accessory structure checklist located at the City of Corcoran website at http://bit.ly/2u8pQ8u. Pictured: Accessory structure setbacks in UR and RR districts in Corcoran. Chapter 84 of the Corcoran Municipal Code states: Off-premise signs are signs advertising products, goods, services, or places of business or services offered at a location other than the lot upon which the sign is maintained. Temporary signs less than eight square feet which advertise an activity on the property on which they are located are allowed without permit for up to 30 days, provided the posting date is printed on the sign. Temporary signs over eight square feet and all permanent signs require a permit. No signs may encroach or overhang the public right-of-way and no sign shall be attached to any utility pole, light standard, street tree, or any other public facility located within the public right-of-way. Signs found to be located in the public right-of-way will be removed and discarded. www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Public Works It’s Not Just Dust! Excerpt of an article “Dust: Don’t Eat It! Control It!,” from https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/why- are-wetlands-important When you see dust coming up from your roads, you're really seeing dollars thrown to the wind. Road dust is made up of fine particles that are important to the stability of the road. These fines are small enough to pass through a #200 sieve and feel like powder when rubbed between your fingers. When fines blow away, the gravel road begins to break down. Traffic scatters the coarser aggregate, causing potholes, ruts, washboards, loss of profile, loss of ditch lines, and other problems. Wetting the road surface helps to keep dust-related problems in check. Moisture helps fines adhere to each other and to aggregates, allowing for optimum compaction. The trick is to keep the road moist. Calcium Chloride — What Is It? Calcium chloride absorbs water vapor from the air and liquid water from the road bed. At 77 degrees Fahrenheit and 75 percent humidity, for example, it absorbs more than twice its weight in water. In addition, calcium chloride solutions attract more moisture to the road than they give up in evaporation. The road remains dense and compact under almost any level of traffic because calcium chloride keeps materials on the road by keeping moisture in the road, even under a burning sun on a sweltering day. Calcium chloride is generally sprayed as a 35 percent solution using a tank truck with a rear- mounted distribution bar that spreads the liquid evenly over the road. One pass will cover an 8 to 12-foot-wide road. Two passes are needed on roads 16 to 18 feet wide. As soon as calcium chloride enters a road, it's attracted to negatively charged soil particles, such as clays, which help resist leaching. Calcium chloride may move deeper into the base during wet weather but will rise toward the surface during dry spells. An unpaved road stabilized with calcium chloride retains a moisture. The moisture retained keeps the surface plastic enough so fines can migrate into gaps formed between aggregates under the varying pressure of car and truck traffic. In short, calcium chloride does the following: • Reduces the amount of gravel needed in construction and maintenance • Extends the service life of the gravel-wearing course, decreasing blading and shaping • Controls dust and reinforces stabilization • Helps improve roads when used over time SIDE NOTE: Road projects and engineering studies have shown that using calcium chloride reduces the replacement cost of materials up to 80 percent as well as cuts grading costs as much as 50 percent. Gravel or Dirt Roads What’s the Difference? There are 102 miles of roads in the City of Corcoran of which 70 miles are maintained by the City. Sixty percent of the maintained roads (34 miles) are gravel. Gravel roads are common in rural areas and may be referred to as 'dirt roads' in common speech, but that term is used more for unimproved roads with no surface material added. If well-constructed and maintained, a gravel road is an all- weather road. In order to keep gravel roads in good condition, a dust control product is applied to 27 miles of the City’s gravel roads. Benefits of using dust control include a more stabilized road, retained moisture for prolonged periods to reduce dust, a smoother driving surface, and reduced gravel replacement. The dust control product used in 2019 is calcium chloride. Since not all properties in Corcoran use gravel roads, the City bills costs related to the project to benefitting properties as follows: • Total costs of the project are estimated and a dollar amount in the City’s general fund is dedicated towards the project. • The remaining costs are billed to benefiting properties based upon what type of road they live on (neighborhood, high density collector, cul-de-sac, or low density collector). • Affected properties are mailed a notice of the public hearing. • A public hearing is scheduled where affected properties can make their views heard formally. • The City Council then finds the project feasible and moves forward with the improvement. • Bills are sent out for the project and unpaid bills are assessed. The City Council held the Improvement Hearing on May 9, 2019. Dust control has been applied to the scheduled roads. Invoices will be mailed to residents mid-summer. For dust control fees not paid by September 30, 2019, the late charge for past due invoices is 1.5% monthly of the fee, and a one-time $10.00 late fee. Any unpaid dust control fees will be certified to Hennepin County and will be added to your property tax bill. For more information, contact the City of Corcoran at 763-420-2288. If you would like further information, please contact Brad Martens at 763-400-7030 or bmartens@ci.corcoran.mn.us. Fast Fact: Applying calcium chloride to gravel roads require some precise timing. To begin the process, the roads need to be appropriately graded. Next, the weather needs to cooperate. Assuming the first two steps follow schedule, now the product, calcium chloride needs to arrive on time to coincide with the road preparation. Depending on train schedules and contractor scheduling, there can be delays in receiving the calcium chloride, which may cause a need for grading to be redone on the scheduled gravel road. Your patience is very much appreciated as the Corcoran Public Works department completes dust control on scheduled collector roads. • page 6 Summer/Fall 2019 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Environmental Updates • page 7 Summer/Fall 2019 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Invasive Plant Alert: Garlic Mustard Source: Rapid Response, Early Detection (R2ED) at Three Rivers Park District Garlic mustard is a biennial plant typically found in shaded or semi- shaded, moist areas. Its habitats include forests, forest edges and openings, floodplains, and even areas with full sun, such as on roadsides and along railroad tracks. What to look for: • Seeds germinate in early spring, producing a carpet of seed- lings that grow into rosettes. • Plants stay in the rosette stage for the first growing season. Leaves are heart- or kidney-shaped with scalloped edges and deeply veined surfaces. • In the second season, the plants bolt and flower. Stems are up to four feet long. Leaves are triangular with toothed edges. • Flowers are white with four petals, about 1/3 inch across. They bloom from April to June. • Seeds are in narrow, ascending, pod-like fruits that are one to two inches long. • The top of the root is S-shaped. • Leaves smell like garlic when crushed or torn. Ecological impacts Garlic mustard spreads aggressively and displaces native plants. According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), garlic mustard populations can double in four years, and within ten years they can overtake a forest floor community. Besides outcom- peting native plants for sunlight, water, and nutrients, garlic mustard can secrete chemicals that inhibit the development of associations between beneficial fungi and plant roots. These associations, called mycorrhizae, help native wildflowers and tree seedlings absorb nutrients. In addition, non-native earthworms, which also damage forest ecosystems, have been found to favor garlic mustard infestations. Garlic mustard also harms wildlife. According to the Minnesota DNR, infestations make habitat less suitable for native insects, and so for birds and mammals. Garlic mustard reproduces only by seed, but the plants are prolific. A single plant can pro- duce hundreds of seeds that remain viable in the soil for up to five years. Status in Minnesota The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) classifies garlic mustard as a restricted noxious weed. Importing or selling the plant or transporting its propagating parts (unless you’re taking them to a disposal site) is illegal without a permit from the MDA. Management Hand-pull: This works best in early spring, when plants are in the seedling, rosette, or early bolting stage, but before flowers have opened. Try to remove the entire plant, including the tap root. Pile or scatter the plants or hang them from tree branches. Pulling is also effective in fall, when rosettes can be removed to reduce the population of flowering plants the next season. If plants have fruits, expect seeds to germinate where you pile them. Return to remove seedlings the next season. Cut or mow: Using a weed whip, mower, or scythe, cut the plants as close to the ground as possible. Go back to the site in a couple of weeks to check for regrowth. Even if the plants grow back, seed viability will be low. This method is most effective in late spring or early summer, during peak flowering. Use herbicide: If you choose this option, the Minnesota DNR recommends spot applications of 2% glyphosate. This is best done in early spring or late fall, afler native plants have gone dormant. Additional tips: • Tackle recent infestations first. Their communities are the least affected and stand the best chance of recovering. • Check sites for several years, especially if they were badly infested. Plants will continue to grow from the seed bank. • Brush off your shoes, gloves, and tools before you leave the site to prevent spreading garlic mustard else- where. More Information: Minnesota Noxious Weeds – Minnesota Department of Transportation: www.dot.state.mn.us/roadsides/vegetation/pdf/noxiousweeds.pdf Lawn Care Tips that are Useful All Year Source: Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Did you know that you and your neighbors have waterfront property? Your yard and the nearest lake, stream, or wetland are connected by the nearest storm drain or ditch. That means the actions you take on your property affect the local water bodies. You can help reduce the amount of pollu- tants entering local lakes, rivers, and streams (and save money at the same time) by following a few simple steps: Water wisely – If your lawn needs water, do it in the morning when it’s cooler to avoid evaporation, and make sure to aim sprin- klers so they don’t water hard surfaces. Lawns typically only need one inch of water per week, so if it rains, you can skip the wa- tering. Mow three inches or higher – Mowing grass to a height of three inches or higher will encourage thicker and healthier grass and make your lawn more resistant to weeds, drought, and erosion. Sharpen your mower blades – Sharper blades will cut grass to three inches or high- er more effectively. Dull blades damage grass, which can give the grass a yellow or white tint. Leave grass clippings on lawn – Leaving your grass clippings on your lawn puts the same amount of nutrients back into your grass as one application of fertilizer. If you don’t want grass clippings on your lawn, compost them. Be sure to sweep up any clippings that blow into the street so they don’t run down the storm drain. Fertilize smartly (if you need it) – If you choose to fertilize, only do it in the fall when it’s most effective. Apply only the amount directed and be sure to choose a zero-phosphorus fertilizer. Many lawns al- ready have plenty of phosphorus in the soil and any excess will just run off into local waters and produce algae (do a soil test first if you aren’t sure about your lawn). Another alternative to fertilizing is aerating your lawn. Pick up pet waste regularly – In addition to preventing lawn burns, regular pick-up of pet waste will keep bacteria from running off into storm drains and our local waters. Environmental Updates • page 8 Winter 2015 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us • page 8 Summer/Fall 2019 Why Are Wetlands Important? Source: https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/why-are-wetlands-important Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, comparable to rain forests and coral reefs. An immense variety of species of microbes, plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals can be part of a wetland ecosystem. Climate, landscape shape (topology), geology, and the movement and abundance of water help to determine the plants and animals that inhabit each wetland. The complex, dynamic relationships among the organisms inhabiting the wetland environment are called food webs. This is why wetlands in Texas, North Carolina and Alaska differ from one another. Wetlands can be thought of as "biological supermarkets." They provide great volumes of food that attract many animal species. These animals use wetlands for part of or all of their life-cycle. Dead plant leaves and stems break down in the water to form small particles of organic material called "detritus." This enriched material feeds many small aquatic insects, shellfish and small fish that are food for larger predatory fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. The functions of a wetland and the values of these functions to humans depend on a complex set of relationships between the wetland and the other ecosystems in the watershed. A watershed is a geographic area in which water, sediments, and dissolved materials drain from higher elevations to a common low-lying outlet or basin a point on a larger stream, lake, underlying aquifer or estuary. Wetlands play an integral role in the ecology of the watershed. The combination of shallow water, high levels of nutrients and primary productivity is ideal for the development of organisms that form the base of the food web and feed many species of fish, amphibians, shellfish, and insects. Many species of birds and mammals rely on wetlands for food, water, and shelter, especially during migration and breeding. Wetlands' microbes, plants, and wildlife are part of global cycles for water, nitrogen and sulfur. Scientists now know that atmospheric maintenance may be an additional wetlands function. Wetlands store carbon within their plant communities and soil instead of releasing it to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Thus wetlands help to moderate global climate conditions. Far from being useless, disease-ridden places, wetlands provide values that no other ecosystem can. These include natural water quality improvement, flood protection, shoreline erosion control, opportunities for recreation and aesthetic appreciation, and natural products for our use at no cost. Protecting wetlands can protect our safety and welfare. Wetlands are hydrologically connected to the surrounding landscape through surface water and groundwater. Wetland Signs Identify Protected Areas To help Corcoran residents better identify protected wetland areas near their property, the City of Corcoran is posting wetland signs which designate areas that are protected and should not be cut, mowed, filled or changed in any way. The city of Corcoran continues to coordinate efforts with the Elm Creek Watershed Commission in helping protect our local streams and watersheds. The signs will be a marker reminding residents to help protect our community and environment. For more information on wetland or buffer systems, please visit the links below: Elm Creek Watershed www.elmcreekwatershed.org City of Corcoran www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Under Services, choose Environmental and then Storm Water. City of Corcoran LGU Services https://www.ci.corcoran.mn.us/index.asp? SEC=146EE608-A2DE-40E7-8B27- 2236EFABAE77&Type=B_BASIC University of Minnesota Agricultural Extension Service www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/ For information about manure management, choose Crops and then Nutrient Management. Hennepin County – Protecting land and water http://www.hennepin.us/residents/ environment/protecting-land-water Includes home landscaping tips, a landowner guide, and more. What is a Culvert and Why is My Culvert Clogged? www.ci.corcoran.mn.us • page 9 Summer/Fall 2019 Environmental Updates Watch for Wild Parsnip Article submitted by: Corcoran Garden Club Early summer is an ideal time to watch for wild parsnip, an introduced, invasive plant that grows in ditches, roadsides, field margins, trails, and pastures. The plant has been reported throughout Minnesota and is as close as Elm Creek and Crow Hassan Park Reserves. Once established, this aggressive plant spreads by seeds to form dense stands that replace more desirable species. In addition, wild parsnip sap can cause painful burns and blisters on skin exposed to sunlight, a condition called phytophotodermatitis. The sap is harmful to pets and livestock, too, which can develop the same condition afler skin exposure. Ingesting the plant is also harmful, because the chemicals can circulate to the skin through an animal’s bloodstream. To identify wild parsnip, look for rosettes of leaves that have five to 15 paired, toothed leaflets. Leaflets are stalkless and progressively smaller toward the end of the leaf. Starting in June, plants will bolt and produce a grooved, four to six foot stem terminating in a flat cluster of yellow flowers. The plant will die afler flowering and forming seeds, but the seeds remain viable in the soil for several years. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) lists wild parsnip as a prohibited noxious weed whose reproduction must be controlled to prevent further harm. Fortunately, there are several options for management (see below). Before attempting any of them, it’s important to protect skin by wearing gloves, long sleeves ,and long pants. If sap contacts skin, wash immediately with soap and water, avoid sunlight, and get medical attention. Afler leaving an infested site, brush off shoes to prevent spreading the plant elsewhere. For more information about wild parsnip call Arrest the Pest at 1-888-545-6684 or visit: Minnesota Department of Agriculture Minnesota Department of Natural Resources How to Manage Wild Parsnip Wear protective clothing and gloves to avoid skin contact with wild parsnip sap, either by direct contact with plants or indirectly through equipment. • Hand pull small infestations - but be sure to wear protective clothing. • Use a spade to sever the taproots of rosettes or recently bolted plants. Cut the root one to two inches below the soil. • Mow or weed-whip large infestations before flowering. Repeat throughout the season for several years. Wash equipment aflerwards to prevent contacting plant sap and spreading the plant elsewhere. Spray rosettes or newly bolted plants with herbicide in early spring or late fall. If you choose this option, the Minnesota DNR recommends only sparing use in high -quality habitats. See the above links for more information. Wild parsnip leaves are divided into multi- ple pairs of toothed leaflets. In summer, wild parsnip produc- es four to six foot stalks bearing flat clusters of yellow flowers. (Photo: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org) Culverts are usually located under pri- vate driveways, on under roads main- tained by the city or county. When cul- verts are operating properly, they help divert water from one side of a ditch, or a roadway, to the other side. Culverts also assist to equalize ponds and to al- low wildlife to pass beneath the road. The most troublesome problem clogged culverts present is flooding in unwanted places. As a homeowner, there are some things you can do to avoid culverts from getting clogged. Keep your grass clip- pings and fallen leaves away from cul- vert openings. Each time the area around the culvert is mowed and grass clippings are lefl behind, the greater chance debris will move into the culvert and settle. In extreme cases, the culvert can become completely blocked, perpet- uating the flooding problem. If you are altering a culvert in a right-of- way, or adding a new driveway with a culvert to your property, please notify the city to verify if a permit is needed. Some culverts are maintained by the city, so its always a good idea to call if there is a question regarding the culvert. Culvert projects on local county roads can have significant environmental effects, some of which may not immedi- ately appear. If there is a culvert in ques- tion, on a county road, call Hennepin County Public Works Department at 612 -596-0299. If you believe the culvert in question is located under a city road, contact City Hall at 763-420-2288. Public Safety Night to Unite 2019 Join your neighbors across the City of Corcoran on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, to celebrate Night to Unite! Night to Unite! is a nationwide event designed to strengthen neighborhood and community relationships. The Corcoran Police Department encourages participation in this celebration of community, crime prevention, and strong police/community partnerships. You can get involved by organizing a party for your neighborhood and registering the party online. Visit www.ci.corcoran.mn.us or click here to register your neighborhood party. All parties should be registered by Friday, July 19 to be entered to win free food from the Corcoran Meat Locker, provided by the Corcoran Lions. All registered parties will be visited by either Police, fire, City staff, or elected officials. Neighborhood parties may include anything from large cook-outs with games and prizes to small gatherings with root beer floats. To help make your party a success, a party starting basket with prizes and coupons will be provided to each registered party. Not sure how to start planning your neighborhood party? Visit www.ci.corcoran.mn.us or click here to check out the handy links for additional resources. The City of Corcoran and the NW Area Jaycees will host a city wide celebration for residents. The event will be held at the Public Works Building on Tuesday, August 6 from 5:00 pm– 9:00 pm. There will be free pork chops on a stick, hot dogs, ice cream, bounce houses, a rock wall, yard games, fire trucks, a helicopter, a live band, SWAT, and a K-9 demonstration! We are also asking that you bring a non- perishable food or hygiene item for the Cross Food Shelf as a donation for this fun and free event! Remember, a strong community makes for a safe community. Everything we do to strengthen the ties among neighbors of all ages, backgrounds, and lifestyles makes our present and future much brighter. Celebrating Night to Unite! with the Corcoran Police Department and your neighbors is a positive way to build and nurture our community by starting, quite literally, in your own back (or front) yard. Night to Unite 2019 Coloring Contest Coloring Contest Rules: • One (1) entry per child. • Entries will be separated by age groups and voting will take place at the city wide celebration at Public Works. • All entries must be dropped off or mailed to the Corcoran City Hall/ Police Department, 8200 County Road 116, Corcoran, MN 55340 or brought to the city wide party. Entry coloring sheets can be picked up at the Corcoran City Hall, Corcoran Police Department Facebook page, or the City of Corcoran website at www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Coloring Contest Prizes: 1st Place: Ride to school in a police car or dump truck 2nd Place: Doughnuts with a police officer 3rd Place: A visit at your house from a police officer • page 11 Summer/Fall 2019 JOIN US! Night to Unite! City Wide Celebration Where: Corcoran Public Works, 9100 County Road 19, Corcoran, MN When: August 6, 2019 Time: 5:00— 9:00 pm Free food, games, activities, prizes and K-9 demonstration! www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Fast Fact: The Night to Unite! is Minnesota’s offshoot of National Night Out which was established, and has been held annually since 1984. Night to Unite! is sponsored by the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association, AAA of Minnesota/Iowa, and local law enforcement agencies. The event is meant to increase awareness about police programs in communities, such as drug prevention, town and neighborhood watches, and other anti-crime efforts. Corcoran celebrates its fourth year of participating in the national Night to Unite! Public Safety CodeRED Notification Services Sharing the Road with Bicyclists Information obtained from: www.dps.gov/divisions/ots/pedestrians-bicycles/pages/default.apsx Bicyclists and motorists share equal responsibility for bicycle safety. The number-one contributing factor to bicycle-vehicle collisions is failure to yield the right-of-way by bicyclists and drivers alike. Bicycle Rules of the Road and Safety Tips • Bicyclists may ride on all Minnesota roads, except where restricted. • Bicyclists should ride on the road, and must ride in the same direction as traffic. • Motorists must at all times maintain a three-foot clearance when passing a bicyclist. • Bicyclists must obey all traffic control signs and signals, just as motorists. • Bicyclists must signal their turns and should ride in a predictable manner. • Bicyclists must use a headlight and rear reflectors when it's dark. To increase visibility, add a rear flashing light. • Drivers must drive at safe speeds and be attentive — look for bicyclists, check blind spots. • Drivers should use caution and look twice for riders when turning. • Drivers should use caution when opening door upon parking on side of road. Learn more at www.dot.state.mn.us/sharetheroad/ Pedestrian Safety— It’s Everyone’s Responsibility Safety Tips for Drivers • Scan the road and sidewalks ahead for pedestrians. Drive attentively and at safe speeds. Remember, pedestrians can be difficult to see, especially in bad weather or at night. • Anticipate pedestrians especially in urban areas, around schools and colleges. • Before making a turn, look in all directions for pedestrians. • Look carefully behind your vehicle before backing up, especially for small children. • Watch for people in wheelchairs and motorized carts, who may be below eye level. • Stop for crossing pedestrians at every intersection, even those without crosswalks or stoplights. Stop far enough back so drivers in other lanes can also see the pedestrian in time to stop. • Do not block crosswalks while stopped, and don’t pass other vehicles stopped for pedestrians. Safety Tips for Pedestrians • Cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections; don’t cross-mid block and obey traffic signals. • Make eye contact with drivers and ensure they see you and will stop. • Clearly show your intentions to cross. • Watch for turning and passing vehicles. • Look across all lanes for moving vehicles before proceeding. • Continue to be alert and watch for vehicles when walking in a crosswalk — drivers aren't always looking for pedestrians. • Use sidewalks where provided — where no sidewalks are provided, it is usually safer to walk facing traffic. • Make it easy for drivers to see you — dress in light colors and wear retro-reflective material. Carry a flashlight when it’s dark. • Alcohol and drugs can impair your ability to walk safely, just like they do a person's ability to drive. www.ci.corcoran.mn.us • page 12 Summer/Fall 2019 Corcoran Police Social Media The CodeRED system will serve as the backbone of the Corcoran’s emergency planning and communications outreach to both citizens and staff. The system sends telephone calls, text messages, emails and posts to social media chan- nels in order to inform residents and protect life and property. CodeRED was selected for its reliability and accuracy, as well as the system’s wide spread adoption across the U.S. It will be used to notify residents of significant events in their neighborhood like flooding, road closures, missing children notices, and other public safety emergencies. Residents living within Corcoran are encouraged to download the CodeRED mobile alert app on your mobile device by visiting https://bit.ly/2wZ5vbY. Once the app is downloaded— enroll and enter contact information including cell phone numbers (for text messaging) and email addresses. The Corcoran Police Department shares information on Facebook and Twitter regarding emergency infor- mation, weekly press releases, special events, and other happenings around the community. View or follow the links below for more information: Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Corcoran- Police-Department/459695357400188 Twitter: www.twitter.com/corcoranpolice Fast Fact: What Is Illicit Discharge? Eliminating illicit discharge is critical to restoring our watersheds. When water cannot meet designated uses for drinking water, fishing or recreation can be affected; waterfront home values fall; fish harvesting can be restricted or halted; and illicit discharges can close beaches, primarily as a result of bacteria contamination. In addition to public health impacts associated with illicit discharges, aquatic life, and wildlife are significantly impacted. Numerous fish kills and other aquatic life losses have occurred as a result of illicit discharge, accidental dumping, or spills that resulted in lethal concentrations of combined pollutants being release into our watersheds. Visit https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/ nps_month_bookmark.pdf for ways to limit illicit discharges. • page 13 Summer/Fall 2019 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Environmental Updates Paper • Mail and office/school papers • Magazines and catalogs • Newspapers and inserts • Phone books • Shredded paper in closed paper bags Boxes • Cardboard • Cereal and cracker boxes • Shoe boxes, gifl boxes, and electronics boxes • Toothpaste, medication, and other toiletry boxes Cartons • Milk cartons • Juice boxes • Soup, broth, and wine cartons Glass • Food and beverage bottles and jars Plastic Bottles and Jugs • Water, soda, and juice bottles • Milk and juice jugs • Ketchup and salad dressing bottles • Dishwashing liquid bottles and detergent jugs • Shampoo, soap and lotion bottles Cups and containers: • Yogurt, pudding, and fruit cups • Disposable cups and bowls • Margarine, cottage cheese, and other containers • Produce, deli, and take out containers Plastic Packaging: • Clear Packaging from toys and electronics Metal • Food and beverage cans Recycle Batteries at City Hall Some batteries contain toxic metals, such as cadmium, lead, or mercury, which poses a threat to human health and the environment when batteries are improperly disposed of City Hall has a battery recycling bin located at the front doors of City Hall. Place batteries in a clear plastic bag or tape the positive (+) terminal of lithium and lithium- ion batteries to prevent fires. If you cannot remove the batteries from the device, you will need to bring the entire device to a Hennepin County drop-off facility. No automotive are batteries accepted. Visit www.hennepin.us/batteryrecycling to locate additional drop-off locations. Non-Recyclable Materials Styrofoam, plastic wrap, microwaveable food trays, paper soiled with food, paper plates and towels, drinking glasses, dishes, mirrors, needles, plastic bags, or any containers that held hazardous products. Hennepin County Recyclable Materials Did you miss the last Council meeting? You can view past Council meetings on the City of Corcoran website. Visit www.ci.corcoran.mn.us and click on the link within the View Council Meeting section to view the most recent Council meeting. Park Shelter/Picnic Facility rental fees per day: Park Shelter $100.00 Ballfields/Soccer Fields $30.00 (6 hour usage) Lion’s Field $30.00 (Addl $30.00 per game for lights) Tennis Courts $30.00 (All courts — 4 hour usage) Volleyball Court $30.00 (4 hour usage) For more information, please contact Parks and Recreation Coordinator Jessica Christensen Buck at 763-400-7034. Park Shelter Rental View City Meetings Online • page 14 Summer/Fall 2019 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Environmental Updates 2019 Corcoran Recycling Schedule Help wanted: Nearly 700 volunteers to conduct water monitoring at high-priority sites Information provided by: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) The MPCA is seeking volunteers to monitor water quality in the state’s more than 12,000 lakes and more than 92,000 miles of streams and rivers. The MPCA needs volunteers to measure water clarity in hundreds of streams — including 676 high- priority sites — and 2,857 lakes, then report back to the agency. MPCA Citizen Water Monitoring volunteers do a simple water clarity test twice a month during the summer. Lake monitors boat to a designated spot to check water clarity. Stream monitors perform their test from the streambank or from a bridge over the stream. The MPCA provides equipment and training and not prior experience is needed. Data gathered by volunteers extends the agency’s reach and complements the MPCA’s intensive water monitoring around the state. In some cases, the information gathered by volunteers is the only monitoring done on a lake or stream. “It’s one of the best volunteer opportunities there is,” according to Michael Brinda, a volunteer on Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. In a new video, you can hear from Michael and other MPCA water monitoring volunteers about their experiences. Some like having a good excuse to get out on the water. Others enjoy doing their testing as a family, to spark an appreciation for the environment in their kids. To learn more and sign up, visit MPCA’s webpage www.pca.state.mn.us/water/citizen- water-monitoring or call 651-296-6300 or 800-657-3864. Find out which bodies of water need volunteers with an interactive map. About one-third of our trash is organic materials, including food, food-soiled paper, and certified compostable products, that could be composted. The organics collected in curbside or drop-off programs are taken to a local commercial compost facility and recycled into compost, a nutrient-rich material that is used in land- scaping and road construction projects to improve our soil. Hennepin County offers free resources, including labels and guides, to help you recycle organics throughout your home. These resources are available to Hennepin County residents only. Source: www.hennepin.us/organics Source: Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) offers a wide range of services to residents in the seven county metropolitan area including Hennepin County. These services include: survey for and control mosquitos, monitor deer tick populations, survey for and control nuisance causing mosquitos, biting gnats, and public education. District control measures are directed at biting gnats and targeted mosquitos that cause annoyance and transmit disease. Treatment priority starts at the most produc- tive breeding sites, and usually from the center of the metropolitan area outward. Bio- logical control materials are applied by staff in areas up to three acres, and by helicop- ter over larger areas. Localized adult mosquito control is done to reduce mosquito annoyance and disease vector populations. Control materials are permethrin and resmetherin which are simi- lar to a natural botanical insecticide. Treatments are done on request, primarily in and around park and recreation areas and for civic events. For details on where treatments are scheduled each day contact MMCD’s Bite Line at: 651-643-8383 or to report mos- quito problems at: www.mmcd.org/home-3/report-mosquito-problems/ For further information contact: MMCD at 651-645-9149 or visit www.mmcd.org Mosquito Control Corcoran Happenings North Hennepin Pioneer Society Summerfest Sponsored by: North Hennepin Pioneer Society Date: Sunday, August 11, 2019 Where: Corcoran’s Burschville School 22995 County Road 10, Corcoran, MN Mark your calendars for August 11, 2019 for our Annual Summerfest. It will be a time of celebration, to acknowledging all the work it took to reach this point. To think, it has been 125 years since our One-Room School opened for students! We held an Oral History Workshop last February 2019 to kick off the need to record and video members in our community. We all have stories to tell and we’d like them to not be lost in the passage of time but recorded and preserved. We hope to share some of these highlights at Summerfest. Now, where do we do from here?! We are starting with signs on the corner of Country Rd 19 and 10, both north and south, to point the way to our “A Historic Site.” Look for these two signs as you travel on 19. More site signs to follow on the property, in an interpretive way, for those who swing in to see our school when we are not home. Visit us at Summerfest and enjoy live music, children’s games, door prizes and a raftfe, plus those famous “Pork Chops” grilled by alumni of the Burschville School. All profits from the food wagon are donated to the school! Funds collected at Summerfest help keep up the expenses of insurance, painting, utilities, maintenance and lawn mowing. The Society is continuously seeking historical documents, photographs or items you may have for donation. They are also seeking voluntary help for the grounds upkeep, building maintenance labor and monetary donations to help with the expenses. NHPS is a 501 ©(3) non-profit organization. St. Thomas the Apostle Church, located at the intersection of County Roads 10 and 116 in Corcoran, will again celebrate their Parish Festival on Sunday, August 18, 2019. Come enjoy a fabulous turkey dinner from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The festival also includes: Cash bingo, garage sale, kids’ games, farmers’ market, crafl sale, silent auction, cake walk, country music and a grand prize raftfe drawing. (You do not need to be present to win). St. Thomas the Apostle Annual Parish Festival Sponsored by: St. Thomas the Apostle Church Date: August 18, 2019 Location: St. Thomas the Apostle Church 20000 County Road 10 Corcoran, MN 55340 • page 15 Summer/Fall 2019 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us 2019 Corcoran Events Calendar North Hennepin Pioneer Society Membership: Yearly Membership: $12/person, $20/couple or $5/student For any further information or an appointment to see the school, please contact: Verneal Klersy 763-498-8677 Betty Lange 763-286-0877 Bonnie Maue 763-420-3440 Email: corcoranschool1894@gmail.com Pictured: Sisters Lylamae Var- ner & Verneal Klersy alumni of Burschville School Jul 4: HOLIDAY — City Hall Closed Jul 9: Planning Commission Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Jul 11: City Council Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Jul 16: Parks and Trails Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Jul 25: City Council Meeting 5:30 — Work Session 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Aug 1: Planning Commission Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Aug 8: City Council Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Aug 20: Parks & Trails Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Aug 22: City Council Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Sept 2: HOLIDAY — City Hall Closed Sept 5: Planning Commission Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Sept 12: City Council Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Sept 24: Parks & Trails Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Sept 26: City Council Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Oct 3: Planning Commission Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers For the most up to date calendar information, visit www.ci.corcoran.mn.us and check out the Upcoming Events link. If you would like to address the City Council at a meeting, please contact City Administrator Brad Martens, at 763-400-7030. If you have a question or concern for the City Council, please see City Council contact information on the back page of this newsletter. • page 16 Summer/Fall 2019 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Corcoran Happenings Corcoran Lions Scholarship Awards Ceremony The Corcoran Lions Scholarship Awards Ceremony was held on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at the Corcoran City Hall. The event on May 7, celebrates the 31th Corcoran Lions Scholarship program. Since the first ceremony in 1989, over 920 scholarships have been issued to Corcoran students within the public school districts serving the Corcoran area. The 2018-19 school year included 17 recipients who attend school at West Lutheran High School, Providence Academy, Rockford High School (3), Maple Grove High School (2), Wayzata High School (2), Buffalo High School (4), Holy Spirit Academy, Delano High School (2), and Benilde St. Margaret’s. The award process includes five categories: academics/school and extra-curricular activities, community activities, leadership, employment, and other relevant circumstances. Each category is scored 0-5 to arrive at a total score. Profits from events at Lion’s Park makes the Corcoran Lions scholarship program possible. Bill and Charlotte Schalo Memorial Community Service Scholarship The 10th Annual Bill and Charlotte Schalo Memorial Community Service Scholarship was established 2010. The 2019 recipient of the Bill and Charlotte Schalo Memorial Community Service Scholarship is Buffalo High School Senior Abby Burandt. Abby has been volunteering for over the last four years in multiple community events. Both Bill and Charlotte Schalo were exceptional Lions members, and were always giving back to the community in many ways. Bill and Charlotte were always present at Lions and community events, they were active in church activities, assisted and visited homebound seniors, and volunteered for Meals on Wheels, just to name a few of the volunteer contributions they made to the Corcoran community. In 2010, Bill passed away, and the Schalo family gave the Corcoran Lions a donation. In honor of Bill and Charlotte’s many years of service, the Corcoran Lions initiated a scholarship for individuals who exemplify excellent community service in the City of Corcoran. Front Row (L-R): Abby Burandt from Buffalo High School, Mackenzie Myrkle from Buffalo High School, Anna Burggratt from Buffalo High School, Tatiana Menth from Holy Spirit Academy and Kara Gerads from Benilde St. Margaret’s. Back row: (L-R): Corcoran Lions President Dave Poppler, Brett Vollrath from West Lutheran High School, Corcoran City Councilmember Jonathan Bottema, Jacob Clipperton from Providence Academy, Angela Grabowski from Rockford High School, River Acquard from Maple Grove High School and Alyssa Brolin from Wayzata High School. Not present: Brandan Brolin from Wayzata High School, Olivia Keskey from Rockford High School, Grace Moran from Buffalo High School, Olivia Motley from Delano High School, Victoria Nelson from Rockford High School, Ellie Norling from Delano High School and Allison Tharp from Maple Grove High School. (L-R): Corcoran Lions President Dave Poppler, Jeff Schalo, Recipient Abby Bu- randt, Corcoran City Councilmember Jonathan Bottema and Jack Schalo. Sponsored by: Shoulak family and various other charity partners Date: September 21, 2019 Time: Noon to 8:00 pm Cost: No admission fee; Donations are appreciated Early in 2011, Judy Shoulak of Corco- ran was diagnosed with breast can- cer. In the fall of that year, Judy, her husband Jim, and children Jake, Sa- rah, and Joe began hosting an annual outdoor music festival to raise money for breast cancer awareness, research and education, support, treatment, and a cure. Today, Judy and her fami- ly are celebrating her being cancer- free for eight years, but the Shoulak BreastFest™ Music Festival continues. Now in its ninth year, the casual back- yard festival has raised over $250,000 for various local chari- ties. The seven local charity partners include: Breast Cancer Educa- tion Association (BCEA), The Firefly Sisterhood, The Hope Chest, Park Nicollet Foundation, Piper Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, The Angel Foundation, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure -Minnesota. The day features a Survivor’s Ceremo- ny, and food and beverages from Buffalo Wild Wings and other ven- dors. Past silent auction items have included limited-edition bicycles and guitars, signed sports memorabilia, grills, tickets to pro sports events, and handcrafled items. Over the years, timeshare vacations, trips to the NFL Pro Bowl and other NFL games, and autographed footballs and helmets have been auctioned off in the live auction. This year, Minnesota musi- cians will again provide live music; bands include Consolation Champ and Small Town Radio. For complete information visit: www.shoubf.com Corcoran Happenings NW Area Jaycees Scholarship Awards Ceremony Congratulations to all graduates that reside in the City of Corcoran! It is so wonderful that the city is full of talented individuals who have dedicated themselves to school, and will continue on their journey to college, career, or travel. The Northwest Area Jaycees are especially honored to congratulate the recipients of the Northwest Area Jaycees Scholarships. Each year the Northwest Area Jaycees award Corcoran residents up to $15,000 in scholarship funds. Throughout the past decade, the organization has donated over $300,000 to students furthering their education. Scholarship awards are based on four categories: Leadership, Community Involvement, Financial Need, and Academics. All of the scholarship recipients this year have excelled in their leadership, have a passion to serve our community, and are truly academic all-stars. We are honored to announce our support to 10 Corcoran residents. You will all make us proud as you continue on to higher education and share your leadership skills with your fellow classmates. Be bold, have fun, and don't forget to give back to the community. Wherever you end up, community is an absolute crucial component to developing safe and welcoming cities. CROSS Meals on Wheels What is Meals on Wheels? CROSS Meals on Wheels offers delivery of hot, ready-to-eat meals to elderly, disabled, and homebound individuals living in Corcoran, Maple Grove, Osseo, Rogers, and Dayton. When are meals delivered? Meals are delivered between 11 am to 12:30 pm Monday through Friday. What type of food is served? Meals are a main entrée, vegetable, bread, dessert, fruit, and milk. Can relatives sign up their loved ones? Family members are encouraged to contact CROSS to obtain information about enrolling loved ones. How much does it cost? With the new sliding fee program, the home delivered meal program is now open to more community members, the meal price determined on eligibility to pay and need. Do you need volunteers? As our program grows, so does the need for volunteer drivers. Whether once a month or once a week, CROSS will work around your schedule. Drivers must have their own vehicle, driver’s license and insurance. Based in Rogers, CROSS Services in a nonprofit organization serving families and individuals for 42 years. For more information, contact CROSS at 763- 425-1050, info@CROSSservices.org, or visit www.CROSSservices.org. • page 17 Summer/Fall 2019 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us City of Corcoran Social Media Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! Facebook: www.facebook.com/CorcoranMN/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/CorcoranMNCity For more information please visit: www.myhopecommunity.com/ Celebrating the 22nd Anniversary of Hope Community Church! Please join Hope Community Church for this FREE all family show! Kids and adults singing and dancing, comedy acts, magic and more! Fun for everyone! Date: Sunday, August 19, 2019 Time: 6:30 pm Location: Hope Community Church 19951 Oswald Farm Road Corcoran, MN 55374 Questions? Contact: 763-494-4673 The City of Corcoran began a City social media presence in 2017, and shares information on Facebook and Twitter regarding emergency infor- mation, City Council and Commis- sion information, special events, and other happenings around the com- munity. View or follow the links be- low for more information: • page 18 Summer/Fall 2019 Corcoran Happenings Purchase Tickets Early! Visit www.corcorancountrydaze.org or visit the NW Area Jaycees Facebook event page for more details. Corcoran Country Daze is hosted by the NW Area Jaycees and sponsored by local businesses. Thanks to all for helping to make this event possible each year. All proceeds go back to the surrounding communities through the many events the NW Area Jaycees support, including hardship donations, children’s events, scholarships, food shelf donations, etc. Join us for Minnesota’s largest backyard festival! www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Corcoran Country Daze Information provided by: Northwest Area Jaycees (NW Area Jaycees) Welcome to Minnesota’s Largest Backyard Festival Corcoran Country Daze is celebrating its 16th year with more exciting, national entertainment on August 16 and 17, 2019! A quick reminder that Corcoran County Daze is now located at Corcoran Lions Park, at Bass Lake Road and County Road 101! Corcoran Country Daze is one of the best weekends of the summer! Friday, August 16 (Corcoran Lions Park unless location listed separately) 6:00 pm: Men’s soflball tournament at the Corcoran City Park ball fields 5:30pm: Gates open 5:30 pm— 12:00 am: Chris Hawkey, High Valley, Granger Smith feat. Earl Dibbles, Jr. Saturday, August 17 (Corcoran Lions Park) 10:00 am— 4:00 pm: Free Kid’s Day 10:00 am: Classic Car Show 11:00 am— 3:00 pm: K-9 Competition 12:00 pm: Bean Bag Tournament 5:30 pm: Gates open 5:30 pm— 12:00 am: Hometown Heroes night featuring: Bjerke & the Ripsters, Hoodlum Johnny, FireHouse, and Warrant (first responders and military get into the event for free) Visit www.ci.corcoran.mn.us to register. Registration closes Friday, August 9 at 3:59 pm. DETAILS: • Double elimination • Single players will be teamed up day of the tournament For more information contact Recreation Coordinator Jessica Christensen Buck at jchristensenbuck@ci.corcoran.mn.us Fall Baseball Registration It’s time to start thinking about fall baseball! The fall season will last approximately five (5) weeks from mid to late August through the end of September with no games or practices on Labor Day. Registra- tion will be available for T-ball (4-5 years old), coach pitch (6-7 years old), and machine pitch (8-10 years old). Bats, game balls, and hel- mets will be provided. Kids should bring their own gloves and water bottles. — T-ball will take place on Mondays — Coach pitch will take place on Wednesdays — Machine pitch will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays **Volunteer Coaches Needed!** If interested, please be sure to mark it on your child’s registration form. Volunteer coaches receive one registration refund at the end of the season.** Register online at: www.ci.corcoran.mn.us or at City Hall. Registration opens July 1 and runs through August 2 (or until filled). Contact Recreation Coordinator Jessica Christensen Buck for more information at jchristensenbuck@ci.corcoran.mn.us Adopt-A-Spot Do you have a favorite area of Corcoran that you want to make a positive impact on? Consider adopting to clean it up! Com- ing to Corcoran is a new program, Adopt-A -Spot. Individuals or organizations will have the option to adopt a road, park, or trail and host a minimum of two (2) clean- ups per year. Participants are required to sign a waiver and follow a list of guidelines during clean-ups. For more information on Adopt-A-Spot in Corcoran, visit www.ci.corcoran.mn.us or contact Recreation Coordinator Jessica Christensen Buck at jchristesenbuck@ci.corcoran.mn.us. • page 19 Summer/Fall 2019 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us County fairs and city festivals evoke fond memories for adults and children alike. Minnesota has over 300 fairs and festivals each year for family fun! A county fair is a local, public event exhibiting equipment, produce, livestock, and traditions. County fairs and city festivals can include carnival games, amusement rides, baked goods contests, sporting events, livestock competitions, just about anything that brings people together for entertainment. Championship Hamel Rodeo at Corcoran Lions Park The Hamel Rodeo is the largest rodeo in the State of Minnesota on the basis of both total added money and total pay off. This year the contestants will take home approximately $120,000 for their efforts. This is why many of the top name contestants will always be found at the Hamel Rodeo. Save July 11-14, 2019, on your calendars for the rodeo! For more information on the World Championship Hamel Rodeo visit www.hamelrodeo.org. Festival City Dates Website Delano 4th of July Celebration Delano July 3-6, 2019 www.delano4th.com Plymouth Music in the Park Plymouth July 10, 2019 www.musicinplymouth.org Maple Grove Days Maple Grove July 10-14, 2019 www.mgco.org Ramsey County Fair Maplewood July 10-14, 2019 www.ramseycountyfair.com World Championship Hamel Rodeo Corcoran July 11-14, 2019 www.hamelrodeo.org Robbinsdale Whiz Bang Days Robbinsdale July 11-14, 2019 www.whizbangdays.org Monticello Riverfest Monticello July 11-14, 2019 www.monticelloriverfest.com Sherburne County Fair Elk River July 18-21, 2019 www.sherburnecountyfair.org Anoka County Fair Anoka July 23-28, 2019 www.anokacountyfair.com Wright County Fair Howard Lake July 24-28, 2019 www.wrightcountyfair.org Scott County Fair Jordan July 24-28, 2019 www.scottcountyfair.com Crow Wing County Fair Brainerd July 30- Aug 4, 2019 www.cwcfair@brainerd.com Dakota County Fair Farmington August 5-11, 2019 www.dakotacountyfair.org Carver County Fair Waconia August 7-11, 2019 www.carvercountyfair.com Mille Lacs County Fair Princeton August 7-11, 2019 www.millelacscountyfair.com St. Michael Daze & Knights Festival St. Michael August 9-10, 2019 www.stmdazeandknightsfestival.com Rockford River Days Rockford August 9-11, 2019 www.rockfordriverdays.weebly.com *Corcoran Country Daze Corcoran August 16-17, 2019 www.countrydaze.org Minnesota State Fair Falcon Heights Aug 22- Sept 2, 2019 www.mnstatefair.org Lions NTPA Tractor Pull Corcoran Aug 24, 2019 www.corcoranlions.org James J Hill Days Wayzata Sept 6-8, 2019 www.jamesjhilldays.com Corcoran Lions Demo Derby Corcoran Sept 7, 2019 www.corcoranlions.org Happy Days Festival Ramsey Sept 7, 2019 www.ci.ramsey.mn.us/343/Happy-Days-Festival Golden Valley Arts & Music Festival Golden Valley Sept 14, 2019 www.gvc.foundation.org Nickle Dickle Day Waconia Sept 14, 2019 www.destinationwaconia.org Loretto Fun Fest Loretto Sept 14, 2019 www.ci.loretto.mn.us SeptemberFest Eagan Sept 20-22, 2019 www.septemberfestrockseagan.com Excelsior Apple Day Excelsior Sept 21, 2019 www.excelsior-lakeminnetonkachamber.com/apple-day Medina Celebration Day Medina Sept 21, 2019 www.medinamn.us/medina-celebration-day Minnesota City Festival Happenings For more information on Minnesota summer events visit: www.exploreminnesota.com PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID ROGERS, MN PERMIT NO. 98 City of Corcoran 8200 County Road 116 Corcoran, MN 55340 City Mission Statement The City of Corcoran will provide high quality public services in a cost effective, responsible, and professional manner in order to create a preferred environment to live, work, play and conduct business. Recycling News General Information Visit or click on the link below for more information: Refrigerator Insider: Save Food http://bit.ly/2tSh3s1 City of Corcoran Main Office — 763-420-2288 Monday-Friday 8:00 am — 4:00 pm City of Corcoran meetings can be viewed via video links at www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Upcoming Meetings Planning Commission Meetings July 9, Aug 1, Sept 5 & Oct 4 7:00 pm Parks & Trails Commission Meetings July 18, Aug 15, Sept 19 & Oct 17 7:00 pm Corcoran City Council Meetings July 11 & July 25, Aug 8 & Aug 22, Sept 12 & Sept 26, Oct 10 & Oct 24 7:00 pm City Website www.ci.corcoran.mn.us • page 20 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Summer/Fall 2019 Corcoran News is published quarterly by the City of Corcoran to update residents and businesses on city government news. City Council Ron Thomas, Mayor rthomas@ci.corcoran.mn.us Jonathan Bottema, Councilor jbottema@ci.corcoran.mn.us Brian Dejewski, Councilor bdejewski@ci.corcoran.mn.us Mike Keefe, Councilor mkeefe@ci.corcoran.mn.us Alan Schultz, Councilor aschultz@ci.corcoran.mn.us City Administrator Brad Martens 763-400-7030 bmartens@ci.corcoran.mn.us Water Quality Report Consumer Confidence Report— Water Quality Annually the City must publish a report on its water quality called the Consumer Confidence Report. To learn more about the City’s water sup- ply and to view the 2018 report on the City’s website go to: Services, choose New Resident, Water and Sewer or view the link: 2018 Corcoran Drinking Water Report Monthly Water and Sewer Bills The City of Corcoran offers a direct payment ACH option for monthly city sewer and water bills. Direct payment ACH guarantees bills are paid in full and on time each month by automatically deducting payment from a checking or savings account. Additional benefits of ACH direct payment include: saving money by not having to mail in a check, reduced stress, and convenience. Please email utilitybilling@ci.corcoran.mn.us for more information on how to enroll. In addition, the City of Corcoran also offers online credit card payments as another method of payment besides cash or check. Please go to the following web address if you would like to use online credit card payments: https://cityofcorcoran.revtrak.net/.