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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01 -- Winter-Spring Email Addresses For City Council Effective last year, the City Council made it easier for residents to connect with them through City of Corcoran email addresses. Please see the email address for each member of the Corcoran City Council below. City Council Ron Thomas, Mayor rthomas@ci.corcoran.mn.us Jonathan Bottema, Councilmember jbottema@ci.corcoran.mn.us Brian Dejewski, Councilmember bdejewski@ci.corcoran.mn.us Mike Keefe Councilmember mkeefe@ci.corcoran.mn.us Tonya LaFave, Councilmember tlafave@ci.corcoran.mn.us Fast Fact: The City of Corcoran has a long history dating back to 1855 when Benjamin Pounder, was the first man to enter the untouched wilderness of Corcoran and built the first home in 1855. P.B. Corcoran was one of the founding settlers of Corcoran, and officially organized Corcoran as a town on May 11, 1858. P.B. Corcoran also started the first school in the winter of 1857, a post office and general merchandise store, both in 1863. Joining the municipal governmental history of Corcoran, Mayor Thomas will be the fifth Mayor of Corcoran since Corcoran was established as a City in 1974. Winter/Spring 2017 Thank You From Mayor Thomas www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Corcoran News Winter/Spring 2017 I want to thank you all for electing me as Mayor. I am truly honored by your trust and assure you that I will do my best to live up to your expectations. I also wish to assure those who may not be overjoyed at my election that I want to hear what your concerns are and will do my best to address them. One of the consistent messages that I have heard voiced from many citizens is the desire for more open communications regarding what is happening in the City, and the ability to have their voice heard on various issues. While I believe the Council, Mayor, and staff has been open and accessible, I also acknowledge that there is always room for improvement. As has been the case for some time now, all Councilmembers have email accounts that are published in each newsletter. In addition to this, I have a phone number below that I will receive calls on directly, after the Mayor’s Oath ceremony in January. Also, I will have regular hours at city hall to be available to discuss issues and opportunities. This will be somewhere between one day per month to one day per week, depending on the need and my wife’s level of understanding. In addition to the four newsletters per year, all Council, Planning Commission and Parks and Trails Commission meetings are recorded and available through the City website. We are investigating the feasibility/ cost of live streaming them during the meetings. I’m looking forward to working with the City Council and staff in my new role as Mayor. One of the first things we will be addressing, as the new Council, is to set our priorities for 2017 and beyond. I encourage everyone to contact Councilmembers and voice your opinions and desires regarding what you consider to be important, so that we can take your input into consideration in this process. Again, I thank you for this opportunity to serve the City and I beg your patience and understanding when I may not get things quite right. Sincerely, Ron Thomas Mayor City of Corcoran 763-400-7020 6 Page Public Safety 4 Page Budget Updates 2017 Environmental Page 12  Page 2 Winter/Spring 2017 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Page 12 Page 11 Corcoran Happenings Page 14 Corcoran Happenings Environmental Page 16 General Information Public Works 8 Page Parks & Recreation 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 . Park Place Storage Preliminary and Final Plat  Approved the preliminary and final plat for Park Place Storage, third addition. Maple Hill Estates and Mobile Hope – Application for Sign Variances and Sign Ordinance Amendment  Approved findings of fact to approve three variance requests and deny one variance request.  Approved the amendment to the sign ordinance allowing freestanding dynamic signs in the Mobile Home Park (MP) district. Public Participation at Meetings  Discussed public participation at meetings; directed staff to amend language to be read at the time of open forum. Nuisance Abatement – 20575 County Road 10  Approved a resolution ordering the abatement of nuisances authorizing abatement by the City on the property at 20575 County Road 10. Hennepin County Youth Baseball and Softball Grant  Authorized staff to apply to the Hennepin County Youth Baseball and Softball program for funds to make improvements to Meister Field. The City received the grant. Neighborhood Park Design Proposals – Ravinia  Authorized staff to approve the Wenck Associates Ravinia park concept plan proposal and to proceed with phase one. 2017 Proposed Tax Rate  Heard that the proposed 2017 tax rate is lower than anticipated; updated the Council on tax impacts. Draft Assessment Policy  Reviewed a draft assessment policy; directed staff to update with comments from discussion and bring back for review. Ordinance Amendment for Single Family Design Standards  Approved option 2 (less restrictive option) for an amendment to design standards, for single family homes. Rezoning, Preliminary Plat and Preliminary PUD Development Plan for “Schwalbe” Subdivision as a Proposed Future Ravinia Phase  Approved the rezoning, preliminary plat, and preliminary PUD development plan for the 5.97 acre parcel; plans show approximately 20 homes being constructed. PUD Sketch Plan from James and Denise Nichols on property at 6315 County Road 101  Received a sketch plan showing 14-15 homes on a 5.2 acre parcel; Council provided non- binding feedback to applicant. Updated Development Rights Map  Received the updated development rights map. Fire Services Study  Directed staff to proceed with drafting a fire service study Request for Proposal (RFP). Dynaforms Module for LETG  Approved the purchase of the Dynaforms module for LETG, allowing for more efficient police reporting. Employee Handbook Update  Approved updates to the employee handbook. Predatory Offender Ordinance  Held the public hearing; approved the ordinance regulating predatory offender conduct within the City. Lennar Ravinia 7th Addition PUD Amendment  Approved the PUD amendment to modify lot sizes in Ravinia 7th addition. IUP for Solar at 23710 Highway 55  Approved an Interim Use Permit to allow a solar garden on the property, per the new solar ordinance. Lot Consolidation of 8909 Trail Haven Road and 8920 Foxline Drive  Approved the lot consolidation under the new subdivision administrative process. Page 5 Page 5 Animal Ordinance Page 5 7 Page Building Permits In planning your construction projects for next year, please remember that the City has a number of guidelines and checklist handouts available to help you with the permit process. Handouts and permit forms are available at City Hall or on our website at www.ci.corcoran.mn.us. If you have any questions please stop by City Hall or call Mike Pritchard at 763-400-7033. For Building Code related questions, please call our contracted Building Official, Metro West Inspections at 763-479-1720. City Updates Continued... Each City’s Comprehensive Plans must be updated every ten years. Beginning in March 2017, the City will begin its process to update the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The first community open house will likely take place in June. More information on the 2040 Comprehensive Plan will be available as the schedule is refined. Corcoran’s Current 2030 Comprehensive Plan Corcoran’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan, the “2030 Plan,” represented a community- generated update to the 2020 Plan. The update process involved a wide range of community volunteers, including Corcoran residents, the City Council, Planning Commission, Parks and Trails Commission, and a Comprehensive Plan Committee. These groups combined open house events, staff support and research, and commission and committee discussions to identify a vision for Corcoran in the year 2030. This vision is supported by and will be achieved through a series of principles, goals and policies related to land use and development. The City of Corcoran 2030 Comprehensive Plan included a vibrant Corcoran community, defined by its dynamic downtown, strong base of commercial and industrial businesses, variety of housing options, and high-value natural resources. The mixed-use downtown, centered at the junction of Highways 116 and 10, will provide the community with a public gathering space as well as retail and job opportunities for residents. Corcoran’s 2030 commercial, industrial, and business park developments will provide both local employment and a stronger, more diverse tax base. Broader housing options in 2030 will ensure a place in our community for first-time homebuyers, growing families, and seniors. The existing City of Corcoran 2030 Comprehensive plan is defined by its abundance of high-quality natural resources and open spaces. These resources are intrinsic to our quality of life. The 2030 Plan will enable the residents of 2030 Corcoran to continue to share in this defining experience. These visions of 2030 Corcoran will be achieved through the community’s adherence to the following guiding principles: 1. Protection of the natural resources that define Corcoran’s quality of life 2. Creation of opportunities for a thriving downtown area combining a range of retail, public gathering, and residential spaces 3. Creation of opportunities for expanded employment and tax bases combining commercial, industrial, and business park land uses 4. Expansion of residential options to achieve life-cycle housing 5. Support rural residential development in non-urbanized Corcoran in a manner that preserves efficient, future urbanization and protects natural resources while allowing current economic benefit to landowners  Page 3 Winter/Spring 2017 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Ravinia Development Yearend Updates 2016 Pictured above Springdale I Ravinia Classic Collection Based upon current house sales from 2015-2016, 86 new homes have been permitted and built in the Corcoran Ravinia neighbor- hood. This Lennar Homes Development is located at County Road 101 and Gleason Parkway, in the southeast corner of Corcoran. Consideration of Fee Reduction – Tim Laurent, Motor Café  Council discussed; declined to reduce fees. 2017 Labor Agreement – Police Officers  Approved the 2017 Labor Agreement. 2017 Fee Schedule  Approved the City’s 2017 fees. 2017 Full-time, Part-time, and Seasonal Wage Schedule  Approved the 2017 wages for all staff. 2017 General Fund Budget and Property Tax Levy  Held the annual truth-in-taxation public hearing on the proposed 2017 budget and levy; approved the final levy of $3,715,165. 2017 Water and Sanitary Sewer Budgets  Approved budgets for the water and sanitary sewer utilities. Honored outgoing Councilmember Hank and Mayor Guenthner  Read aloud and approved resolutions honoring them and thanking them for their service. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update Begins in 2017 Property Tax Info Fast Fact: The Homestead Act of 1862 remained in effect for more than 100 years. The final claim, for 80 acres in southeastern Alaska, was approved in 1988. The city council reviews the services the City currently provides and thinks about what local preferences are and what population trends suggest about the kinds of services people will need. Communities with lots of young families may want to offer different kinds of services than communities seeing a big increase in the number of senior residents. Sometimes cities have to provide certain services to comply with state or federal laws. Some common examples are requirements for testing drinking water and making public buildings accessible to people with disabilities. www.ci.corcoran.mn.us  Page 4 Winter/Spring 2017 When Do I Pay My Property Taxes? Most property owners pay their taxes in two installments — the first half in May and the second half in October. The bi-annual payment occurs even if your property taxes are collected by your mortgage company with your monthly mortgage payment. What Do I Get For My Property Taxes? Local governments get the money they use to deliver services from a few different sources: property taxes, fees, revenue sharing with the state, and grants. Property tax dollars pay for the services everyone in the community benefits from and can access, including residents, visitors, commuters, and tourists. This includes things like streets, street signs, police and fire services, parks, and Hennepin County libraries. Other Hennepin County services such as economic development programs to help businesses grow and develop, and local City services such as snowplowing, road grading and repairs, are all typically paid for with property tax dollars. Who Decides What City Services to Provide? Property Taxes Can Change Many factors contribute to your property tax changing from year to year. Property value, your neighbor’s property value, decisions by the City Council, the County Board, your local School Board, and the state legislature can all impact property taxes. The value of your property, the total value of all the property in your community, changes to state programs, and changes in state laws can also affect the tax system and play a role in increasing or decreasing property taxes each year. Understanding Your Property Tax Video http://www.hennepin.us/residents/property/property-taxes 2017 City of Corcoran Tax Levy The City Council adopted its preliminary levy for 2017 at the September 22 meeting. This levy amount was used to create the City tax amount you saw on your proposed 2017 levies and taxes notice. The final levy in the amount of $3,716,165, is a $228,797 (6.6%) increase from the 2016 levy. The final levy was adopted December 19, and was $35,443 lower than the original preliminary levy of $3,751,608. The tax rate is projected to increase slightly from 45.7% to 45.9%. Why is a property tax levy needed? Only a small portion of the City budget is funded through fees or charges for services. For 2017, the portion funded by fees or charges covers only 19% of the city’s expenditures. The remaining 81% is funded through the levy. When Do I Homestead My Property? Homestead is a classification for your residence. To have your property homesteaded, you must complete the Application for Homestead form. To qualify for the homestead classification, you must:  Be one of the owners of the property or be a qualifying relative of at least one owner of the property  Occupy the property listed as your primary residence  Be a Minnesota resident A Certificate of Real Estate Value (CRV) must be filed before homestead can be granted, and a copy of the warranty deed needs to be included with the homestead application. You can go to www.hennepin.us/residents/property/ homestead to download and complete the Homestead Application Form. Drop the application off at the City Hall with the appropriate documentation to complete the homestead property process. The City Hall Community Room is available to rent for family or business events. The Corcoran Community Room is a great location for family holiday gatherings, graduation parties, birthday parties, weddings, baby or wedding showers, and family reunions. The Community Room is 45 x 45 feet and accommodates seating for up to 150, has a full kitchen, men’s/women’s restrooms and access to the Memorial Garden with a gazebo behind the City Hall. Banquet, classroom, and lecture style seating are available for room setup options. Community Room rental fees per day: Monday-Thursday $150.00 Friday $275.00 Saturday or Sunday $350.00 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 City Hall at 763-420-2288 or view the City’s website at www.ci.corcoran.mn.us. Community Room/ Park Rental Fast Fact: A typical egg-laying chicken, lays between 250 and 300 eggs per year, and produces roughly 90 pounds of manure. A flock of just 12 chickens can produce over 1,000 pounds of manure! Composting chicken manure is good for your garden and the Corcoran watershed! Combine the manure with carbon-based matter like fallen leaves, dry grass clippings, and/or kitchen organics and the compost will be ready to be used as fertilizer in 4-6 months if turned occasionally. For more information on chicken manure management, view www.hencam.com/faq/chicken-manure-management/.  Page 3 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us www.ci.corcoran.mn.us  Page 5 Winter/Spring 2017 Corcoran Animal Ordinance The Animal Ordinance (Chapter 81 in the Municipal Code) can be viewed in its entirety at www.ci.corcoran.mn.us or at City Hall, Monday—Friday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm. The City of Corcoran allows property owners with a minimum lot size of half an acre to keep farm animals, even in less rural areas. The City regulates the amount of animals a property can have based on the lot size. The amount of animals are calculated as an Animal Unit Equivalent (AUE) and are allowed .5 AUE’s per acre. For example, a horse is one AUE, so a property would need 2 full acres to be allowed a single horse. (At 3 acres, 2 AUE’s are allowed, then 1 AUE for every whole acre above 3.) It is becoming more and more popular for people to raise chickens, especially on smaller lots. There are some rules for keeping chickens. Below you will find a quick guide to the City’s rules for keeping chickens:  Chickens are calculated as .033 AUE. (Or ~30 chickens allowed per acre. Half acre minimum required to keep any farm animal.)  The chickens must be kept in a pen/corral and fenced to retain animals on the property. (No “free-ranging” off the property.)  A shelter must also be provided for the animals. (This must be no closer than 75 feet from another person’s home.)  Manure, bedding, and compost cannot be piled or allowed to accumulate closer than 75 feet from a property line or 140 feet from another residence and must be removed from the property every 6 months on properties less than 3 acres. (Fourteen days if accumulated within 140 feet of a property line.) Although the City hears minimal complaints about chickens, we do hear a number of complaints regarding roosters. Although roosters are allowed, their early morning crowing is not typically welcomed by neighbors and may violate the City’s noise ordinance. Winter Burning Permit? Public Safety Burn permits are not required when the ground is snow-covered, which is ground that has a continuous unbroken cover of snow to a depth of 3 inches or more surrounding the immediate area of the fire. If you choose to burn yard debris, don’t forget to apply for a burning permit; it only takes a couple of minutes to apply in person during the business hours of Monday through Thursday 7:30 am to 5:00 pm and Fridays 8:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Police Department. Burn permits are required for any fires larger than 3 feet diameter by 3 feet in height. Anything smaller than a 3 feet by 3 feet fire must be a recreational fire. Items approved to burn are vegetative material, such as grass, leaves, brush and untreated lumber. Items not approved to burn are hazardous wastes, demolition debris, motor vehicles, oils, rubber, plastics, chemically-treated materials, sheet rock, paint and garbage. You can find the complete list on the City’s website at www.ci.corcoran.mn.us or on the MN DNR website at:www.dnr.state.mn.us/ forestry/fire. www.ci.corcoran.mn.us  page 6 Winter/Spring 2017 Firearm Safety Class Begins Soon! Corcoran Firearm Safety 2017 classes are scheduled for Sunday, March 19, 26, and April 2, 9, 23, 2017, from 6:00 — 9:00 pm at the Corcoran Community Room. The class will culminate with Field Safety Day on Saturday, April 29, 2017, from 8:00 am — 3:00 pm. Registration opens February 1, 2017. Youth ages 11 and older can attend a firearms safety certification course and receive their certificate. The Firearms Safety Certificate becomes valid at age 12. Three basic rules of firearms handling:  Treat each firearm as if it is loaded.  Always control the muzzle of your firearm.  Be sure of your target and what is beyond. Watch the City’s website at www.ci.corcoran.mn.us or click here for more information. Tenth Annual Truck Safety Seminar — March 2, 2017 Save the Date! Corcoran Police and Public Works will host the 10th Annual Truck Safety Seminar on Thursday, March 2, 2017, at the Corcoran Public Works facility, 9100 County Road 19. The seminar is held from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and will cover a multitude of items such as the new commercial vehicle laws for 2017, rules and regulations, vehicle equipment requirements, questions you may have and much more! Coffee, rolls and lunch are provided by donations from sponsors. Registration starts the end of January 2017. Space is limited, so visit the website to register early! Registration begins February 1. To get on the email list for the seminar information, contact Paula Steelman at 763-400-7002 or email her at psteelman@ci.corcoran.mn.us. We greatly appreciate all of our sponsors for the Truck Safety Seminar! The seminar could not happen every year without their generosity! If you would like to be a sponsor of the 2017 seminar, contact Paula at 763-400-7002 or email psteelman@ci.corcoran.mn.us. Also as a reminder that Spring Road restrictions will be enforced this spring. A majority of the City Streets in Corcoran will be posted at 4-Ton per axle. If you have a delivery, questions about accessing posted roads, or need a permit, please contact the Corcoran City Hall at 763-420-2288. Loretto Fire Department (LFD) Accepting Applications for Fire Fighters Loretto Fire Department is accepting applications from Corcoran residents to join the LFD team. For more information please contact Fire Chief Jeff Leuer at 612-221-4963 or via email at jleuer@ci.loretto.mn.us. The Corcoran Police Department shares information on Facebook and Twitter regarding emergency information, 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 Corcoran Police Social Media www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Public Works Fast Fact: Source: Minnesota Department of Transportation Follow these safe winter driving tips: Call 511 or visit www.511mn.org before leaving on your trip to get current road conditions. Turn on your headlights, wear your seat belt and turn off your cruise control. Slow down; allow at least five car lengths, and preferably 10, between your vehicle and a plow, and never drive into a snow cloud. Stay behind the snowplow. The road behind a snowplow is safer to drive on. Watch for snowplows that turn or exit frequently, and often with little warning. A goal of the Corcoran Public Works Department is to clear snow and ice from City roads as soon as possible. Delays may occur in the event of equipment breakdown or extreme weather conditions. The safety of the public and the City employees is a top priority. Currently the City has more than 69 miles of roads, and 85 cul-de-sacs that are maintained by the Public Works department. The criteria for the decision to begin snow and/or ice control operation are as follows:  Snow accumulation of two inches or more warrants the plowing of asphalt roads, two to four inches warrants the plowing of both asphalt and gravel roads dependent on road conditions. Call out is normally at 2:00 am when practical.  High volume major collector roads and roads with steep hills and curves receive first priority.  Safety of the plow operators and the public are important. Therefore snowplowing operations may be terminated after 12-14 hours to allow personnel adequate time to rest. High winds creating white out conditions could cause suspension of services until weather improves. The City will assume no responsibility for damage to underground lawn sprinkling systems, exterior lighting systems, and similar landscaping installed in the public right-of-way. To review the City approved policy view the city website at www.ci.corcoran.mn.us and select Departments - Public Works/Parks Department - Snowplowing. Garbage Can Driveway Location During winter months, please be sure to place garbage containers inside your driveway perimeter or boundary on garbage pickup days. Garbage containers should never be placed on the roadway. A Quick Mailbox Reminder Inspect your existing mail box post for damage and replace before the winter snowplowing season begins. Ensure your mail box posts are sturdy, set solidly in the ground, and in good condition before the snow falls. Swing-Away Mail Box Post Option Available Swing-Away Mail Box Posts are designed to reduce or eliminate damages to mail receptacles during inclement weather. The swing-away posts are constructed of galvanized steel and are designed to meet the Postal regulations and MNDOT’s specifications. An example is currently on display by the front doors of Corcoran City Hall. The Swing-Away Mail Box Posts are available to purchase for $65.00 for the individual product or for $150.00, you can have Public Works install it. Please call 763-420-2288 for more information or to schedule the installation. The Corcoran Police, Public Works, and the Hennepin County Highway division would like to caution residents that it is unlawful to dump, plow or push snow from private driveways onto highway or city streets whether you are plowing your driveway or you have hired someone to remove snow. Snow dumped on highways or street right-of-way can create a hazard not only for motorists, but also for snowplows. Even heavy snowplows have been ditched and damaged when hitting compacted and frozen snow. The person responsible for depositing snow on roadways may also be liable in a civil lawsuit if damages or injuries that occur as a result of this action. Under MN Statutes, Chapter 160.2715, RIGHT-OF-WAY USE, violation of the above statute is a misdemeanor, city ordinance 130.04 also prohibits the plowing, blowing, shoveling or otherwise placing of snow from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots onto public roadways. The violations are considered a misdemeanor, punishable by a maxi- mum $700 fine and/or 90 days in jail. Through the years this issue has become a bigger concern as the community grows. The Corcoran Public Works and Police departments will be enforcing these laws. City Snowplow Policy  page 7 Winter/Spring 2017 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us 2017 Corcoran Event Calendar Jan 12: City Council Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Jan 16: Holiday — City Hall Closed Jan 17: Parks & Trails Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Jan 26: City Council Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Feb 1: Truck Safety Seminar Registration Begins (See Page 6 for more information) Feb 1: Firearms Safety Registration Begins (See Page 6 for more information) Feb 2: Planning Commission Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Feb 9: City Council Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Feb 20: Holiday — City Hall Closed Feb 21: Parks & Trails Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Feb 23 City Council Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Mar 2: Tenth Annual Truck Safety Seminar (Pre-registration required) 8:00 am — Public Works Facility Mar 2: Planning Commission Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Mar 9: City Council Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Mar 19: Youth Firearm Safety Begins 6:00 pm — Community Room Mar 21: Parks & Trails Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Mar 23: City Council Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Apr 6: Planning Commission Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Apr 13: Open Book Meeting 5:30 pm — Corcoran Community Room Apr 13: City Council Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Apr 18: Parks & Trails Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers Apr 27: City Council Meeting 7:00 pm — Council Chambers May 6: Corcoran Clean Up Day 8:00 am — Public Works Facility (Check website for more info) Parks & Recreation  page 8 Winter/Spring 2017 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Corcoran Skating Rinks Corcoran's skating rinks offer fun and recreation for cold weather enthusiasts of all ages. Building and maintaining them depends on many variables. To start making ice, crews need temperatures to be around 0 degrees to –10 degrees F for about one week and frozen ground about four inches deep. The crews can then establish a six-inch base, which will help rinks survive most warm snaps. The final step is to build a smooth “finish surface” on the ice. Corcoran ice rinks were opened for the season on December 28, and weather permitting, will remain open until mid-February. If rinks don’t have complete coverage, they can be unsafe for skaters. Pending weather conditions can lead to late openings and/or early rink closings. Depending on weather conditions, the Public Works crew cleans and resurfaces the rinks daily, Monday through Friday and weekend mornings. (Roads and public safety are first priorities.) During extreme cold weather, the rinks and shelter building may be closed. Before dropping off your children, check for a “Closed“ sign posted on the shelter door. Updates on the ice rinks will be posted on the City’s website at www.ci.corcoran.mn.us. Warming house hours are: 11:00 am — 9:00 pm weekends and holidays 4:00 pm — 9:00 pm weekdays For ice rink concerns, please call the Corcoran City Hall at 763-420-2288. Three River Parks Elm Creek Winter Activities The Winter Recreation Area at Elm Creek Park Reserve features a lighted tubing hill with lifts and snowmaking, a beginner-level downhill ski and snowboard hill, and just over 11 miles of cross-country ski trails. After the action, winter sports enthusiasts can warm their toes and grab a hot cocoa at the Chalet. A blend of modern and rustic, the Chalet provides equipment rental, concessions, public seating and a fireplace. Activity Passes and Trail Map Downhill ski and snowboard season passes can be purchased at the Elm Creek Chalet from 9:00 am— 5:00 pm. Purchase a season pass and receive great benefits at sister ski areas! Elm Creek offers scenic trails for cross-country skiing, skijoring, snowshoeing and more. Visit: www.threeriversparks.org/parks/elm-creek-park/winter-recreation- area/hours-and-rates.aspx for more information. Parks & Recreation 7 Things To Do In Minnesota This Winter Explore the Trails Minnesota's cross-country skiing trails offer more miles of skiing than a trek from St. Paul to Los Angeles, and there are 22,000 miles of groomed trails for snowmobiling. Attend a Winter Festival Minnesotans embrace winter with a positive attitude. 100 Breweries and Taprooms across the state. Sip a local beer and discover a new variety. Laugh Until It Hurts The cold weather might get you down, so brighten your spirits by taking in a comedy show. Try a Unique Winter Activity Did you know the U.S. Men’s 2015 curling team (who won the 2015 championship) is from Duluth? Minnesota has the most curling clubs in the nation. Minnesota Dog Sledding The Boundary Waters has millions of acres that provide the perfect snowy environment for you and a team of Canadian Inuit dogs to explore. Ice fishing is iconic in Minnesota Visit Lake of the Woods, the "Walleye Capital of the World," to experience excellent ice fishing. Cheer on the Home Team Escape the cold for an evening of excitement cheering on the home team. Hit the Slopes Minnesota features some of the highest hills in the Midwest, and Minnesota ski areas offer thrills for any level of skills. No matter what you do this winter, get out and explore Minnesota. You can document your adventures and get inspired for new outings by using the hashtag #OnlyinMN on social media. For more information visit: http://www.exploreminnesota.com/travel-ideas/7- things-to-do-in-minnesota-this-winter/ City of Corcoran Area Snowmobile Trails Corcoran’s snowmobile trails are setup and maintained by the Northwest Trails Association. Northwest Trails is an organization of enthusiastic and committed snowmobilers in Hennepin County and the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, MN. Northwest Trails Association was formed as a non-profit volunteer organization in 1973. Its mission is to support a safe, adventurous and friendly snowmobiling experience primarily through trail coordination, safety education, and club activities of value to members. Northwest Trails meets at 7:30 pm on the first Tuesday of each month at the Medina Entertainment Center in Medina. The Trail Association's goal is to build and maintain snowmobile trails in north-western Hennepin County with the help of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) and its Grant-in-Aid Program. Northwest Trails has created over 150 miles of groomed trails throughout northwestern Hennepin County for all to enjoy. Permission to construct and maintain these trails has been granted by private landowners as well as government agencies. Our trail runs through the Hennepin Parks and park reserves of: Morris T. Baker, Crow-Hassan, and Elm Creek. The Wright Country Trail System is accessible from several locations. Our success with the trail system and the acknowledgement of snowmobiling as a sport, is attributed to the willingness of landowners who let snowmobilers travel on their private property. We, as an association, are very grateful to all the landowners for extending this privilege to Northwest Trails and the snowmobilers who use the trails. It takes many hours of volunteered labor to mark and maintain our trail system throughout the year. We begin putting out the trail signs in October for the December 1 trail opening and removing the signs in April. The trails are groomed using a modern Tucker Sno- Cat and our custom built drags. The future of snowmobiling depends on all snowmobilers working together to promote the sport. Being a member of the Northwest Trails Association is a way to promote safe, responsible snowmobiling as well as supporting a good local trail system for snowmobiling. Snowmobile Safety Training is also an offering coordinated by our club. Family involvement is encouraged. Our social activities include dinner outings, club work nights and group snowmobile trips. By joining Northwest Trails, you will also become a member of the Minnesota United Snowmobile Association (MnUSA), from which you will receive their many benefits. For Trail Updates please view www.nwtrails.net/changes.htm. Did You Know? All Minnesotans born after December 31, 1976, must have a safety certificate to operate a snowmobile in the state. If you have a driver’s license, this certification will be indicated on your license.  page 9 Winter/Spring 2017 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Environmental Updates  page 8 Fast Fact: What is Illicit Discharge? Illicit discharge is defined as non-storm water that discharges into our watersheds, and comes in many forms. The runoff from washing your car, pressure washing your patio furniture, deck or driveway, over watering of lawns, septic systems that are not operating correctly, and swimming pool discharges are all forms of illicit discharge. Livestock farms that do not properly dispose of manure or runoff from barns, are also forms of illicit discharge and contribute to polluting of creeks and streams that flow into main watersheds. Winter 2015 Corcoran Recycling News – Payment Options for 2017 In 2015, the City partnered with Randy’s Environmental Services to provide additional payment options to residents for their recycling services billing. Scheduled for early 2017, Randy’s Environmental Services, the City’s residential recycling contractor will be billing residents directly for recycling services. You can pay by credit card or e-check on the Randy’s Environmental Services website at https://secure.randyssanitation.com/webpak/signin.jsp. As in prior years, you will receive your annual recycling bill in early 2017. The late charge for past due recycling fees will be 1.5% monthly of the annual fee and a one-time $10.00 late fee. If the recycling fees are not paid by August 31 of each year, recycling fees will be certified to Hennepin County and will be added to your 2018 property tax bill. For more information, contact the City of Corcoran at 763-420-2288. Christmas Tree Disposal Options Real trees are recyclable, but did you know that flocked or painted Christmas trees cannot be composted? Trees can be used in composting, made into mulch or used for fuel. Listed below are some Christmas tree disposal options.  FREE! January 3-31, 2017: Residents can drop off one tree per house- hold for free at the SKB Malcolm Transfer Station, 630 Malcolm Avenue SE, Minneapolis. The site is open 7 am to 4 pm, Monday-Friday, except holidays. Bring a photo ID showing you are a Hennepin County resident. No wreaths or other decorations, no tree stands, no ornaments, no plastic bags.  If you are a current customer of Randy’s Environmental Services, they will pick up your Christmas tree for a small fee, during the week of January 4 or January 11, on your regularly scheduled pick up day. If you are a current customer, and interested in having Randy’s pick up your Christmas tree, simply set to the end of your driveway those first two weeks in January. The cost is $8.00 ($10.03 with Fuel/Enviro Fee) for an unbagged tree. The tree should be free from decorations and stands. If you have a bag on the tree there is an additional $2.00 fee (total $12.53 with Fuel/ Enviro Fee).  Check with your current sanitation/ garbage company regarding pick-up programs that may exist for Christmas tree recycling. For more recycling ideas visit http://www.recyclemoreminnesota.org/ www.ci.corcoran.mn.us  page 10 Winter/Spring 2017 Preventing Winter Watershed Pollution We all live in a watershed, and protecting our watershed is everyone’s responsibility. The Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission (ECWMC) is the regional governmental unit responsible for protecting the water resources of the Elm Creek Watershed, located in Hennepin County, Minnesota. Corcoran comprises 36.06 square miles of the 130.61 square miles of the Elm Creek Watershed, located in Hennepin County. During the winter months, follow the guidelines below to help reduce illicit discharge into our watershed:  Rock and/or sidewalk salt ends up in our ground water. Remember a little sidewalk salt goes a long way, and shoveling before you salt will help reduce contaminated runoff. Rock and/or sidewalk salt is only effective when the temperature is above 15 degrees. Recommended application after shoveling snow and scraping ice, is about a handful per square yard treated. Use only enough of the deicer product to break the ice/surface bond, then remove slush by shoveling.  Limit the use of sand. Sand increases the amount of sediment in our streams, lakes and rivers, and degrades important habitat for aquatic organisms. Sand only provides traction, and does not melt ice. Visit www.elmcreekwatershed.org for more information. 2017 Corcoran Recycling Schedule For more information regarding recycling, please contact Randy’s Environmental Services at 763-972-3335 or visit their website at www.randyssanitation.com www.ci.corcoran.mn.us  page 11 Winter/Spring 2017 Environmental Updates What is the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)? Source: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/waterresources/ MS4 stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System. MS4 programs are required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to reduce pollution from stormwater to surface waters and groundwater. Municipalities with populations of 50,000 or greater, smaller designated cities such as Corcoran, and other public entities with significant stormwater drainage systems have been selected to have MS4 programs. Other public entities that have been selected include universities, counties and state transportation departments. MnDOT Metro District is one of these designated MS4 programs. MnDOT Metro Boundaries (PDF) http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/waterresources/pdf/urbanizedareamap.pdf Improving Water Quality Through Stormwater Management Source: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/stormwater The surest way to improve water quality in Minnesota is to better manage stormwater. Unmanaged stormwater can have devastating consequences on the quality of lakes, streams and rivers we enjoy. Stormwater often contains oil, chemicals, excess phosphorous, toxic metals, litter and disease-causing organisms. In addition, stormwater frequently overwhelms streams and rivers, scours streambanks and river bottoms and hurts or eliminates fish and other aquatic organisms. To better manage stormwater across the state, the MPCA administers the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act in addition to its own State Disposal System requirements. At the MPCA, the Stormwater Program includes three general stormwater permits: the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Permit, the Construction Stormwater Permit and the Industrial Stormwater Permit. Each program administers a general permit (and in some cases, individual permits) that incorporates federal and state requirements for Minnesota stormwater management. According to the 1996 National Water Quality Inventory, stormwater runoff is a leading source of water pollution and can harm surface waters such as lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. Common pollutants in stormwater runoff include pesticides, fertilizers, oils, metals, pathogens, salt, sediment, litter and other debris. These pollutants are transported via stormwater from a variety of sources including construction projects, industries and urbanized areas. Management of stormwater runoff from urbanized areas is very important for restoring or protecting surface waters. Urbanized areas are associated with activities that contribute pollutants to stormwater runoff, such as application of anti/deicing compounds, vehicle fueling, spills, landscaping and lawn maintenance, and application of pesticides and fertilizers. Additionally, urbanized areas are characterized by large amounts of impervious surfaces, such as streets, driveways, roof tops, parking lots and sidewalks. Stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces travels faster and in larger quantities, which results in damage to rivers, streams and wetlands; destruction of aquatic habitats; and elevated pollutant levels reaching surface waters. Impervious surfaces also inhibit infiltration and subsequent groundwater recharge. Local public entities that own or operate a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) in urbanized areas play a key role in preventing or reducing the negative impacts stormwater runoff may have on Minnesota’s valuable water resources. Additional Links MPCA Stormwater Program MS4 Website https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/stormwater EPA Stormwater Website Corcoran Happenings  page 12 Winter/Spring 2017 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Local High School Scholarship Info Links For more information on available scholarships for graduating high school seniors, please visit the appropriate school district scholarship pages: Buffalo HS Scholarship Page http://bit.ly/1NVVjxC Delano HS Scholarship Page http://bit.ly/1MHhJkn Osseo HS Scholarship Page http://bit.ly/1SmMLFs Rockford HS Scholarship Page http://bit.ly/1OxWdpy Wayzata HS Scholarship Page http://bit.ly/1TpUuAZ NW Area Jaycees 2017 Scholarships Available Sponsored by the NW Area Jaycees The Northwest Area Jaycees will be awarding up to $15,000 in scholarship monies to graduating senior high school students. All applicants must reside within Corcoran city limits and will be continuing onto their college education during the entire Fall 2017-Spring 2018 school year. The applications are scored on the following: Academics, Leadership, Community Involvement, and Financial Need. Complete all questions, including teacher recommendation letter, high school transcript and student applying must sign the application in the space provided. The Scholarship Committee will notify all applicants of scholarship status via mail and/or email. All questions must be answered on separate paper and typed. All unanswered segments of the application will be scored as zero. Completed scholarship applications must be received or postmarked no later than Friday, May 5, 2017! Visit http://nwareajaycees.org/ to view and download scholarship application and information. Corcoran Lions Scholarships The Corcoran Lions are excited to offer their 28th annual scholarship program. Each year it is a great opportunity to be able to help our youth with the opportunity to further their education. As in past years, the basic rules remain the same and they are as indicated below. Applications are due by April 14, 2017, along with a transcript of grades. Applications can be found on the Lions website at www.corcoranlions.com or at or the following high school offices Buffalo, Delano, Maple Grove, Mayer Lutheran, Osseo, Rockford, Wayzata, Providence Academy and West Lutheran High School. If a student attends a high school outside of the area or has been home-schooled and still resides in the City of Corcoran, he or she is eligible for a scholarship. Please contact Jerry Cain by email at jerryjcain@gmail.com if you need a Corcoran Lions scholarship application. The award ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at Corcoran City Hall, at 7:00 pm. The Corcoran Lions Club awards scholarships to graduating seniors who live in the City of Corcoran. This year the Lions will have the 7th annual Bill Schalo Scholarship. The Bill Schalo scholarship is given based on community service in Corcoran. This scholarship is given in memory of the Lions’ fellow member who gave so freely to our community for so many years. The scholarships are based on academic, leadership, service to the community and a need basis. The graduate must attend college, junior college, university, trade or vocational school in the year directly following graduation to receive the award. The Corcoran Lions Club is a service that helps build communities through events, donations and assistance. The Lions Club makes donations to many organizations in our community, which includes the police and fire and City Hall. Their goal is to encourage new memberships and promote events held at the Corcoran Lions Park. If you are interested in becoming a Lions member, email jerryjcain@gmail.com or stop by one of the meetings held at the Corcoran City Hall at 7:00 pm, on the first and third Tuesday of each month. For more information about the Corcoran Lions visit their website at www.corcoranlions.org. NW Area Jaycees Holiday Dates The Easter Bunny Makes a Stop in Corcoran! Date: Saturday, April 15, 2017 Time: 10:00 am Where: Corcoran Soccer Fields (Rockford Multi-Use Fields) 20300 County Road 50 The NW Area Jaycees will host their annual Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 15, 2017! Don’t be late or you’ll miss out! Held outdoors so dress appropriately. Free event and geared for ages 0-10 with age appropriate treats in each age category. Bring your baskets to gather up the goodies. Turn in any prize eggs found for larger gifts! Bring your cameras for pictures with the Easter Bunny! The hunt is located at the Corcoran Soccer Fields, 20300 County Road 50. (Same location as Corcoran Country Daze off County Road 50, not the playground off County Road 10.) Check the NW Area Jaycees website for event details as the date draws near: http://nwareajaycees.org/. 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 38 years. For more information, contact CROSS at 763- 425-1050, info@CROSSservices.org, or visit www.CROSSservices.org. www.ci.corcoran.mn.us  page 13 Winter/Spring 2017 Parks and Trails Commission Donate Shade Trees Sponsored by the NW Area Jaycees and Corcoran Parks and Trails Commission For the past several years, the Parks and Trails Commission has given away shade tree saplings to Corcoran residents made possible with funds donated by the Northwest Area Jaycees. Varieties offered include deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. The trees will be given away at the City Park skating rinks/warming house shelter located at 20200 County Road 50 in late April. In an effort to increase distribution of these trees, Parks and Trails Commission will accept orders for up to five trees as long as supply lasts. To order, or for more information and delivery date, email Tom Anderson at trees4corcoran@yahoo.com or call 763-428-2559. For your larger projects you can order additional trees from Wright County Soil and Water Conservation District. Please view their website at www.wrightswcd.org/tree_program.html for complete information. Cost of each tree is about $1.10 per tree, and need to be ordered in bundles of 25. Tree Order Forms are mailed out in February. Please call 763-682-1970 to be added to the notification list. Corcoran residents interested in purchasing larger bare root trees and shrubs should watch the City of Plymouth website at http://www.plymouthmn.gov/ index.aspx?page=820 for updates on the annual tree and shrub sale. Prices vary depending on variety. To purchase trees directly through the DNR nursery, please view the link below: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/nursery/index.html. Corcoran Happenings Corcoran Gardeners Club Sponsored by Corcoran Parks and Trails Commission Corcoran has many resident gardens and many experienced gardeners but most of us do not know each other, which is unfortunate, because gardeners beautify the community and also help preserve native plants and wildlife. With the end of winter approaching, is a great time to start planning new gardens, and also to start thinking about which perennials will need to be divided in the spring. A gardening fact, perennials that have been in the ground for three years or more will usually need to separated and replanted to a new garden, or a friends garden or a city garden! Hostas, hydrangeas, coneflower, rudbeckia, phlox, forget-me-nots, sedum, daylilies and so many more are great perennials for Minnesota gardens! To learn more gardening tips, join the Corcoran Gardeners Club! Please consider volunteering and/or participating in the Corcoran Gardeners Club to share your gardening expertise, or simply join the Corcoran Gardeners Club to learn about gardening! Come be a part of designing gardens, as the City of Corcoran develops and grows! Volunteers for the Memorial Garden, and at the City Park, are especially needed to enhance the beauty of these areas of Corcoran. The Corcoran Parks and Trails Commission is overseeing and organizing the Corcoran Gardeners Club. If you are interested in participating or learning more, please call Tom Anderson at 763-428-2559 or contact him via email at tom.thegardener@yahoo.com. Hennepin County is planning to make improvements to the CR 10/CR 50 intersection while completing an overlay in 2017. An open house has been scheduled for Thursday, February 9, from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm at Corcoran City Hall. For more information on the Hennepin County CR 10/CR 50 Project visit: www.hennepin.us/10and50 For more information in Hennepin County Road Improvement Projects visit: http://www.hennepin.us/residents/ transportation/construction-projects Hennepin County Road Improvements Fast Fact: Corcoran Permits During the 2016 year, information on building permits in Corcoran includes: 422 total permits, 59 new homes (54 of them are located in the Ravinia neighborhood), 30 decks, 26 remodels, 10 accessory buildings, 8 additions, and 2 commercial remodels. From September 29 to November 30, there were 100 permits issued including 14 new homes.  page 14 Winter/Spring 2017 Corcoran Happenings www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Corcoran’s Burschville School Gets a New Look Sponsored by North Hennepin Pioneer Society Corcoran’s Burschville School recently received a new look, or rather a revival restoration of how the school originally looked in 1894. During the years of 1894-1967 school children attended a white school with green trim with a matching white, scrolled pediment at the rooftop eave. Thanks to a talented carpenter, Gary Gaupp, the unique scrolled pediment was able to be reconstructed using original school photos, and has been placed once again above the round window at the front entrance of the school. The original bell tower is now encased with thick plexi-glass to protect the structure and also includes specially designed, industrial grade louvers around the bell tower to protect it from the elements. If you listen closely, you might hear the school bell ring again, reminding some of us of long- ago school days. Through the repainting work of Ryan Mitchell Miller and his crew, the school stands as it originally appeared when students walked through the doors for the first time in 1894. The hand-painted signs on the front entry designed by Tim Williams truly allow the tiny school’s memories to shine through. Thank you to the community of individuals and organizations that helped fund the repairs, restoration and repainting of the school: Skyline Construction, FreshLook, Fish and LaBeau, Corcoran Lions, Northwest Area Jaycees, Hanover Athletic Association, Wright-Hennepin Electric Round-up Trust, and the City of Corcoran. Each August many former students return and attend the annual Summerfest event at Corcoran’s Burschville School. Mark your calendar for Summerfest 2017 scheduled for August 20, 2017. North Hennepin Pioneer Society is also hosting a 500 Card Party luncheon scheduled for March 18, 2017. The 500 Card Party Luncheon will be held at the Corcoran Community Center. Both events are open to the public. As you drive by the Corcoran-Burschville School, on County Road 10, ¼ mile east of County Road 19, be sure to check out the tiny one-room schoolhouse! As the schoolhouse has no heat and is closed for the winter months, please call in April or May to schedule tours during the summer and fall months. The North Hennepin Pioneer Society is always looking for support through members who care about the Corcoran-Burschville Schoolhouse and all one-room schoolhouses that are fading from the landscape. Please consider donating your time, or a monetary donation through supporting memberships: $12 a person, $20 a couple or $5 for students. 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 Visit www.dot.state.mn.us or dial 511 for Minnesota Department of Transportation road and winter driving conditions throughout Minnesota. Corcoran Happenings  page 15 Winter/Spring 2017 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Minnesota by the Numbers Source: Statistics from Minnesota State Demographic Center and United States Census Bureau The Minnesota State Demographic Center (SDC), part of the Minnesota Department of Administration, is the main provider of demographic data and analysis for the state of Minnesota. Many of the Center's tasks are set forth in Minnesota State Statute 4A.02, which begins by outlining that the State Demographer "shall continuously gather and develop demographic data relevant to the state." The SDC independently produces a variety of projections, including long-term projections for Minnesota by age, gender, race and ethnicity; total population projections for counties and economic development regions; as well as labor force projections for the state as a whole. 1,221,703 Largest County by Population: Hennepin County 2015 5,485,238 Minnesota Population 2015 38 Median Age in Minnesota 44 Median Age in Corcoran 25.1% Percentage of population under the age 18 in Corcoran in 2010 More than 1 in 5 Number of Minnesotans who will be age 65+ by 2030 69,916 Number of babies born in Minnesota in 2014 $61,492 Minnesota’s Median Household Income 21,573 Number of babies born in Hennepin County in 2014 5,552 City of Corcoran Population 2015 $97,778 Corcoran’s Median Household Income 2015 48% Female persons in Corcoran in 2010 3.2% Population Increase in Corcoran between 2010 and 2015 9.3% Percentage of population over the age of 65 in Corcoran in 2010 12.9% Percentage of Population Over the age of 65 in Minnesota 2010 1,919 Total households in Corcoran 2015 $186,200 Minnesota’s Median Housing Value $285,600 Corcoran’s Median Housing Value Corcoran Athletic Association Baseball Registration Sponsored by the Corcoran Athletic Association Corcoran Athletic Association registration begins February 1, 2017, on-line at www.caa-mn.com. There are no tryouts— everyone plays, everyone has fun! CAA focuses on players first, winning second. The Corcoran Athletic Association is a 40 year old non-profit group organized and coordinated by an all-volunteer board of directors. Volunteers are always needed and CAA can work with any time you have give. Financial donations also help to keep registration fees low, help maintain safe fields and purchase soccer equipment. Have A Business Interested in Advertising? The City of Corcoran has given CAA authori- ty to sell advertising space on the fences of the three City park baseball fields. This money will be used to make major purchas- es to improve the experience for the chil- dren in the program. A two-year contract includes a sign with your business infor- mation hung up on the field of your choice and a business sponsor link on the CAA website. Umpires Needed CAA also needs umpires for the 2017 sea- son. If you are interested and are 18 years of age or older, please visit the Minnesota Youth Athletics website at http://www.myas.org for more information on umpire training. Reimbursement for umpire training is covered by CAA if you bring your umpire certificate as confirma- tion of training, and after you umpire two games for CAA. A fee of $40.00 per game is paid for trained umpires meeting the above qualifications. More Information For more information about becoming a CAA sponsor or umpire training, please email Kevin Dale at: corcoranathleticsinfo@hotmail.com Save the Date: April 13 Open Book Meeting The Open Book meeting is an opportunity for residents to discuss their property assessment. For more information on the process see the Hennepin County Assessor’s Office website at www.hennepin.us/residents/property/ property-value. Open Book Meeting Info April 13, 2017 5:30 pm — 7:00 pm Corcoran City Hall Corcoran Community Room 8200 County Road 116 Corcoran, MN Ordinance/Other Reminder Road restriction ordinance goes into effect in mid-March, please remember to plan your projects accordingly. The truck safety seminar that is hosted by the Corcoran Public Works and Police Department is scheduled for March 2, 2017. Visit www.ci.corcoran.mn.us for more information. Garbage container driveway location during the winter months, must be placed inside your driveway perimeter or boundary on garbage pickup days. Heavy snow in winter months can be thrown off the plow blade to the roadside can cause mailbox posts to tip or break off. PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID ROGERS, MN PERMIT NO. 98 City of Corcoran 8200 County Road 116 Corcoran, MN 55340 Commissioners Needed General Information Looking for a way to become involved in the future of the City of Corcoran? There are three different Commissions look for new members. Become a member of the Planning Commission, Parks and Trails Commission, or Charter Commission. The Parks and Trails Commission assists in deciding when and where new parks and trails should be created in Corcoran and meets the third Tuesday of each month. The Planning Commission reviews land use applications and meets the first Thursday of every month. The Charter Commission maintains and records changes to the City’s Charter and meets once a year in October. If you are a current resident, and would like to serve as a City Commissioner, please contact: Jessica Beise 763-400-7029 jbeise@ci.corcoran.mn.us Miss a Council Meeting? Did you miss the last Council meeting? You can now view past Council meetings at 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. City of Corcoran Main Office — 763-420-2288 Monday-Friday 8:00 am — 4:00 pm Upcoming Meetings Planning & Commission Meetings Feb 2, Mar 2, and Apr 6 7:00 pm Parks & Trails Commission Meetings Jan 17, Feb 21, Mar 21, and Apr 18 7:00 pm Corcoran City Council Meetings View video link at www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Jan 12, Jan 26, Feb 9, Feb 23, Mar 9, Mar 23, Apr 13 7:00 pm City Website www.ci.corcoran.mn.us  page 16 www.ci.corcoran.mn.us Winter/Spring 2017 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 Tonya LaFave, Councilor tlafave@ci.corcoran.mn.us City Administrator Brad Martens 763-400-7030 bmartens@ci.corcoran.mn.us