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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-07 -- SummerCi t y o f C o r c o r a n Ci t y o f C o r c o r a n City Council Members Mayor Ken Guenthner 763-478-6699 Councilors - George Gmach, Roz Milbrandt, Tom Cossette, Rich Asleson If you would like to speak at open forum, please contact City Administrator Dan Donahue at 763-400-7030. If you have a question or concern for the council, please email general@ci.corcoran.mn.us. “Let your voice be heard.” Election season is fast approaching! Please use the following information for your reference: Primary Election: Tuesday, August 14, 2012. Polls open 7:00 a.m.—8:00 p.m. General Election: Tuesday, November 6, 2012. Polls open 7:00 a.m.—8:00 p.m. Voting will be held at Corcoran City Hall located at 8200 CO RD 116. Absentee Voting—Minnesota law allows individuals to apply to vote by absentee ballot if they are unable to vote in person on election day because they are 1) absent from their home precinct; 2) ill or disabled; 3) an election judge serving in a precinct other than their own, or 4) unable to go to the polling place due to a religious observance or belief. Residents may obtain an absentee ballot application by downloading it from our website at www.ci.corcoran.mn.us, calling City Hall (763-400-7032), or stopping by City Hall during regular business hours to fill out an absentee application. Primary election absentee ballots are availa- ble through August 13, 2012, with general election absentee ballots available from September 2, 2012, through November 5, 2012. Additionally, City Hall will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 11, 2012, and Saturday, November 3, 2012, for absentee voting. Municipal Elections—The City of Corcoran has three elected positions on the November general election ballot: the Mayor (2-year term) and two City Council at-large positions, representing all Corcoran residents (4-year terms). Persons interested in running for these offices may file at City Hall. The filing period opens at 8:00 a.m. on July 31, 2012, and closes at 5:00 p.m. on August 14, 2012. For more information, contact City Clerk Jeanie Heinecke at 763-400-7032 or email jheinecke@ci.corcoran.mn.us. Important Election Dates To Remember July 31, 2012 Candidate filing period opens August 11, 2012 City Hall open 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. for absentee voting August 13, 2012 City Hall open until 5:00 p.m. for absentee voting August 14, 2012 Primary election polls open 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. August 14, 2012 Candidate filing period closes August 16, 2012 Last day for candidate to withdraw (5:00 p.m.) November 3, 2012 City Hall open 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. for absentee voting November 5, 2012 City Hall open until 5:00 p.m. for absentee voting November 6, 2012 General Election Polls open 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. SUMMER NEWSLETTER July 2012 SEEKING COUNCIL MEMBERS INSIDE THIS ISSUE 8200 — CO. RD. 116 · Corcoran, MN 55340 www.corcoran.mn.us or 763-420-2288 City Hall Office Hours: 8:00AM—4:00PM Parks & Trails Updates 2 Firearms Safety 3 Seniors Gathering 4 Watershed Study 4 Country Daze 5 Memory Lane 6-7 Code Enforcement 8 Public Works 9 MG Triathlon 9 Hope Cemetery 9 Environmental 10-11 Lions and Northwest Area JCs 12 Page 2 PARKS AND TRAILS COMMISSION SAFETY IS THE CONCERN There has been some confusion for residents, out-of-town guests and emergency responders as to where the City Parks entrance locations are. The Parks and Trails Commission and the City’s police department have discussed how to create a safer Community Park by installing new and highly visible signs at the three entrances. Each sign will include the entrance number, address and field name or activity. First-responder vehicles should now be able to respond more efficiently in an emergency situation. The signs have been paid for from the Park Dedication Reserve fund, established with fees acquired from land divisions and developers. The Parks and Trails Commission as been working with the R.A.C.E committee on applying for the Hennepin County Sports Commission’s Twins Grant. R.A.C.E stands for Rockford Area Collaborative Effort, which is a com- mittee made up of members from Greenfield, Rockford, Corcoran, Corcoran Athletics Association, Rockford Athlet- ics Association, and the Rockford Area School District. The group applied for this grant last year and scored very high. However, they were not awarded the grant money. Hennepin County Sports Commission was impressed with the collaborative effort and encouraged R.A.C.E to apply again this year. If R.A.C.E is awarded the grant year, the plan is to use $325,000 in grant funding along with other monies donated to build a new varsity baseball field on the Rockford School property next to Corcoran’s City Park. “The Parks and Trails Commission has long recognized the need the city has for another baseball field and this would be one way to bring outside resources into the community to help us build the field,” said parks Commissioner Chad Robran. For more information about this project, contact Chad Robran at 612-965-7539. CORCORAN MEMORIAL GARDEN The Memorial Garden is always open and beautiful for you to visit and enjoy. Stop by with your lunch to enjoy the serenity and shade while sitting beneath the Gazebo. Or walk the path to view the stones that have been placed as a remembrance to those who have passed on. Memorial stones, bricks and benches are always available for purchase through City Hall. Once they arrive you are notified, and you or family members can choose a convenient time to place them in an area of the gardens to honor a loved one. Page 3 Café & Catering Service Looking for a place to stop for a hot cup of coffee or a sumptuous burger? Need a quick and easy meal for a meeting or a group gathering? Just wondering what a little yellow and red building with the apron-wearing chicken is all about? Over the years, the Countryside Café has become much more than just a comfortable place to gather for a delicious breakfast or lunch. We’re open 7 days a week and offer phenomenal food, convenient catering, and a decidedly down-home alternative to chain res- taurants and fast food. Located on the corner of Hwy. 55 and Co Rd 116 in Medina. FIREARMS SAFETY TRAININGFIREARMS SAFETY TRAINING This spring the Corcoran Police Department held its annual firearms safety training class, continuing a 31-year tradition held since 1981. More than 74 students were certified during Corcoran’s 2012 Firearms Safety Training. The intensive six-week training consists of 18 hours of classroom training, which includes hands-on training, first aid, fence crossing, tree stands, wildlife identification, and a written test. This is followed by a field day, when stu- dents are instructed on home and vehicle storage, black powder, water and boat safety, gun cleaning, archery and more. All students were given an opportunity to shoot a .22 rifle at the Corcoran Police Department’s firing range. The purpose of the firearms safety training is to prevent firearms and hunting accidents and to ensure the future of hunting and shooting through compliance with laws, regulations, and ethics. Check the DNR’s website for other cities hosting this class in the fall, or call the Police Department at 763-420-8966 for more information. We would like to thank the following instructors who make this class possible. Brent Anderson, Eagan John Kieffer, Corcoran Mark Bauer, Corcoran Dave Kramer, Corcoran Donald Finnvik, Corcoran Kris Larson, Corcoran Eric Finnvik, Corcoran Mike Nybo, Corcoran George Gmach, Corcoran Jesse Olson, Corcoran John Hamilton, Corcoran Lee Pauman, Buffalo Dean Hochstetler, Buffalo Paul Schutte, Annandale Duane Hochstetler, Buffalo Steve Warren, Corcoran Dustin Hochstetler, Buffalo Justin White, Corcoran Brent Anderson, Eagan John Kieffer, Corcoran Mark Bauer, Corcoran Dave Kramer, Corcoran Donald Finnvik, Corcoran Kris Larson, Corcoran Eric Finnvik, Corcoran Mike Nybo, Corcoran George Gmach, Corcoran Jesse Olson, Corcoran John Hamilton, Corcoran Lee Pauman, Buffalo Dean Hochstetler, Buffalo Paul Schutte, Annandale Duane Hochstetler, Buffalo Steve Warren, Corcoran Dustin Hochstetler, Buffalo Justin White, Corcoran SU P P O R T Y O U R L O C A L B U S I N E S S E S SU P P O R T Y O U R L O C A L B U S I N E S S E S SU P P O R T Y O U R L O C A L B U S I N E S S E S Page 4 Phil's Quality Automotive www.philsauto.com Phone (763)420-2059 Fax 763-420-2079 7590 Commerce Street Corcoran, MN 55340 “For all your Auto and light truck repairs” We now have online scheduling” Certified Automotive Master Technicians Electrical electronics Electrical/Electronics Onboard Computer Diagnostics Tune-ups & Emissions Fuel Systems - Fuel Injection &Diesel Injection Air Conditioning Alignment/Suspension/Steering Brakes, Exhausts & Shocks Tires Engine Repair - Minor & Major Transmissions - Manual & Automatic 4X4 Trucks Used Car Sales Extended Warranties Sales & Service Towing Available Bring in this ad and receive $10 OFF any service above $50.00 COME JOIN US Are you 50 or older and looking for something to do or occupy your time? Do you like to play cards or just socialize? Are you looking for someone to go to lunch with once a month? Would you like to eat great food and share the recipes? Are you and/or your companion or friend looking to meet or add some new people to your circle of friends? If you answered YES to any of the above, then you should look into joining the Seniors 50 Plus. The first Monday of each month, they meet at the City Hall Civic Center for a pot luck lunch followed by cards and BINGO. You don’t have to be a Corcoran resident to join. For more information, contact City Hall staff and they will be happy to escort you to your first gathering. Watershed-wide Study Aims to Improve Water Quality Recent images from Duluth of the brown, sediment-laden water in St. Louis Bay illustrate the impact of severe flooding and stormwater runoff on water quality. While the human and financial costs of the flooding are beginning to be tallied, there is concern, too, about the effects of heavy runoff on the health of the area’s lakes and streams. Corcoran may seem a long way from Duluth, but in terms of the potential for stormwater impact, the cities have much in common. Both are places where water resources are important to quality of life, and both are places where the collective effect of runoff carried by small streams can have big impacts downstream. In the Elm Creek Watershed, the drainage area for Corcoran and several surrounding communities, some of those impacts have already been meas- ured. Starting in 2007, The Elm Creek Watershed Commission began work- ing with Three Rivers Park District and other organizations to study Elm Creek, Rush Creek and other waters for nutrient and bacteria content, dis- solved oxygen levels, and other characteristics. As a result of the studies, some parts of Elm and Rush creeks were found to be impaired, meaning that their water quality is below a desirable standard. The Commission and its partners now are finishing the monitoring and work- ing on the modeling for the study, called the Elm Creek Watershed-wide Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study. The TMDL study and its imple- mentation plan (a plan that establishes practices to improve water quality) are scheduled to be completed by late December 2014. What is a Watershed? For more information, go to the City’s web- site at: www.ci.corcoran.mn.us and click on Environmental Information. Page 5 Blood Drive Classic Car Show FRIDAY NIGHT August 17th & ALL DAY SATURDAY August 18th 2012 Rain or Shine F R E E L i v e M u s i c ! F r ee F ami l y F u n ! Soft-ball! C r a f t s ho w ! Food & Beer! Event Sponsored in-part by: Held at the Corcoran Ball Fields 20200 County Road 50, Corcoran MN (1 mile west of Cty. Rd. 116 and Cty. Rd. 10 intersection) Corcoran Country Daze! Vi s it our w ebs i t e for ev ent s che du l e , f or m s , dir e ct ion s and m or e a t w w w.countr ydaz e .or g! NFL Punt, Pass, Kick Contest & More! August 17th & 18th Car Show! www.memorialbloodcenters.org “Like” us at facebook.com/nwareajaycees Visit www.countrydaze.org for the latest details! (Schedule subject to change) SUNDAY - AUGUST 19TH St. Thomas Church Festival (held on church grounds) Turkey Dinner, Craft & Bake Sale, Bingo, Kids Games & More! Hosted by: F REE l iv e count ry m usic 8 -Midn i gh t BOT H NI GHT S!! Brought to you in part by— Westside Tire-Hankook City of Corcoran Corcoran Pet Care Farmer’s State Bank A-1 Outdoor Power The Stanchion Bar Maple Hill Estates Lawn King FREE FAMILY DAY! Saturday 11 am to 5 PM Fireworks (Saturday) Honoring America’s Veterans! Euro Bungee Jumper Face Painting & Crazy Hair Rock Climbing Wall Pony Rides Build a Bird House Kid’s Games Inflatable Toddler Zone North Air Care Helicopter Police, Fire & Rescue Exhibits Benefit Volleyball Tournament Page 6 C O U L D TH I S B E Y O U O R S O ME O N E Y O U K N O W FR O M 1 9 6 2 ? DO YOU KNOW WHAT THESE ARE? If you have information you would like to share on Down Memory Lane, contact staff at City Hall. It’s Time to “Think Green” Page 7 1925 Visit Corcoran’s 118-Year-Old One-Room School House In 1894 on CO RD 10 west of CO RD 116, a school house was built in Corcoran and Burschville. District 107 served the farming community until May 1967, when the school closed and the furnishings were sold at an auction. Later the North Hennepin Pioneer Society purchased the one-acre piece of land where the school stood from the Weinand family for $1,000. After a couple of years of searching, buy- ing, and receiving donations, it again resembles the one-room school house you may remember. It orig- inally was painted white, but the little red schoolhouse of story-book fame won out. Open house fund raiser functions during the summer 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. It is hoped that this part of Corcoran’s history will remain to enlighten and enrich future generations. Save The Date: Sunday, August 19th at the Corcoran/ Burschville School House. Located 4 1/2 miles west of Corcoran on CO RD 10 from noon to 4:30 p.m. Coordinated by volunteers from the North Hennepin Pioneer Society, the festival offers live music, pork chops, entertainment, kids’ games, face painting, clowns, kids’ grab bags, flea market and hourly raffles. For more information, raffle tickets, assistance, or charitable contributions, please contact Verneal Klersey at 763-498-8677. Make some calls and gather the family to pass along and share memories of where you or your ancestors went to school. Look at the pictures—some people you may know. Show the kids how classrooms have changed when there were no white boards or computers. COULD THESE BE YOUR RELATIVES? Page 8 CODE ENFORCEMENT REMINDERSCODE ENFORCEMENT REMINDERSCODE ENFORCEMENT REMINDERS IT’S UP TO YOU TO WATCH FOR NOXIOUS WEEDS AND TALL GRASS Annual weeds like crab grass germinate from seed, flower and produce seed before winter kills the plant. They must start from a seed every year, and do not establish well in a competitive turf. Once the turf is well established, annual weeds should not persist unless disturbances occur to open up the canopy. Diseases, winter kill, vole damage, or drought are examples of disturbances. Annual weed problems in established turf indicate that management may need to be improved. Systemic or contact herbicides work well on annual weeds but will not kill seeds. Corcoran property owners should look for Canada Thistle and Purple Loosestrife, two plants listed as prohibited noxious weeds by the MN Department of Agriculture. Because noxious weeds can harm public health or the environment or pose a threat to crops or livestock, state statute and Corcoran city code require that they be controlled or eradicated by the property owner. While you’re outdoors, look for these plants on your property. Go t o C o rc o r a n C i t y H a l l a n d g e t a Bu i l d i n g P e r m i t t o b u i l d t h e d e c k . CORCORAN CITY WEED ORDINANCE—Nuisance – Section 82.17 - (1). Noxious weeds and rank vegetation shall include but not be limited to: Alum (Alliums), Buck- thorn, Bur Cucumber, Canada Thistle, Corn Cockle, Cress Leaf Groundsel, Curly Dock, Dodder, Field Bindweed, French Weed, Hairy White Top, Hedge Bindweed, Hoary Cress, Horse Nettle, Johnson Grass, Leafy Spurge, Mile-A- Minute Weed, Musk Thistle, Oxeye Daisy, Perennial Sow Thistle, Poison Hemlock, Purple Loosestrife, Quack Grass, Russian Knapweed, Russian Thistle, Serrated Tussock, Shat- ter Cane, Wild Carrot, Wild Garlic, Wild Mustard, Wild On- ion, Wild Parsnip, Velvet Weed, Bull Thistle, Chokeberries, Burning Nettles. (2). Any weeds or plants, other than trees, bushes, flowers or other ornamental plants growing to a height exceeding 12 inches. MEET ONE OF THE CITY’S NEWEST EMPLOYEES On May 14th, the City offered the vacant Code Enforcement position to Mike Pritchard. Mike has brought to the City 3+ years of inspection service along with many other added skills. Mike is a creative thinker and has shown great communication with residents and a willingness to work as part of a team. Some of the tasks he will be working on are to update the home occupation files and incorporate the building permit process to Laser Fiche and Permit Works. If you have any questions or concerns regarding zoning, building permits, complaints or ordinance issues, call Mike at 763-400-7033. CANADA THISTLE—Common among roadsides, in fields and in other open areas, Canada Thistle has pale purple flowers that bloom from early July to late August. The flowers are followed by masses of plumed seeds that are easily carried by the wind. This prickly plant often flowers in dense stands that spread via roots and seeds and displace other plants. A single plant can spread 10 to 12 feet in one season, resulting in a circular infestation 20 feet across. Arial shoots are sent up in 2- to 6-inch intervals and generally produce basal leaves the first year and flowering stems the second year. CONTROLLING THISTLE—Dense infestations on large sites can be controlled by mowing close to the ground while the plant is still in full bloom or just before flowering. Control will take a few years. If seeds are ripe, cut flower-heads must be removed from the site immediately to avoid further seed dispersal. For light or moderate infestations, repeated pulling, hand cutting or mow- ing with a brush cutter is also an option. Some people have had success by cutting the top and putting table salt down the hollow stem. Purple Loosestife seeds are present in some wild flower seed mixes—check labels before you buy any seed packages. This is an aggressive aquatic plant that has invaded wetlands, shore land and roadside ditches. Its stems are 4-10 feet tall and are topped with spikes of magenta flowers that bloom July through September. Like Canada This- tle, it spreads rapidly to form dense patches that exclude other species. Bull Thistle Canada Thistle Canada Thistle is considered a noxious weed and should not be allowed to go to seed. For more information on noxious weeds go to : http://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/badplants/noxiouslist.aspx Purple Loosestrife Corcoran Municipal Codes can be found on line at www.ci.corcoran.mn.us CODE ENFORCEMENT Page 9 A New Cemetery In Corcoran Is Being Developed When a loved one dies, a family is faced with many difficult decisions. Many of these decisions can add to the overwhelming sense of grief and loss. One of the biggest decisions a family is left to make is “Where do I lay my loved one to rest?” On March 22nd, the City Council adopted a resolution for a Site Plan Amendment and a Conditional Use Permit to allow a cemetery at 19951 Oswald Farm Road. Memorial Meadows of Hope is located in the serene, peaceful setting on the property of Hope Community Church at County Roads 30 & 116. Staff believes this new Memorial Resting Place will provide a great service for the residents of Corcoran. If you would like more information please call 763-494-HOPE (4673) and ask for Kelly or Catalin. WHAT’S NEW WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Welcome aboard, Charles Blessman, who was hired on April 23rd to fill a vacant position. Along with his work experience Chuck had previously worked an internship program with the City of Golden Valley. Besides recruiting Chuck, staff and the Council are also excited about the new Public Works facility in the process. The current Public Works facility is located in a run- down building off Cain Road. It also consists of a couple other off site locations where residents have generously given permission for the City to use their storage facilities as the City grew. It is time now to regroup to have one convenient location to operate, store, and maintain the City’s equipment. After almost one year of deliberations by the City Council and commissions, engineers, City Planner and the City Attorney, negotiations continue between two properties for a suitable location for a Public Works facility. One property is on CO RD 116 owned by the City. The other is located at 23185 CO RD 10, which would be divided and will be accessible by CO RD 19. If everything goes as planned, it is set to break ground this fall. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the City Administrator, Dan Donahue, and he will assist you. MAPLE GROVE TRIATHALON ARE YOU WONDERING WHAT THIS EVENT IS ALL ABOUT? Dare to TRI is an athlete -focused event you can- not afford to miss. Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 25th, 2012, as they celebrate season three of another exhilarating day of triath- lon! The first race took place in 2010 and was voted a top 5-acre race in Minnesota’s TRI News 2010 Triathlete’s Choice Race of the year. The Maple Grove triathlon built an inviting platform in its first edition with 500 participants. Beginning in Weaver Lake, athletes will take to the water for the 1k swim. After a swift transition to the bike, participants will enjoy the 100k cycling course cross- ing the Maple Grove, Plymouth, Corcoran, and Hanover city limits. It will be easy to spot the participants riding on two wheels throughout the countryside charm. Mark your calendar and prepare for cyclist traffic on ROAD CLOSURES along CO RD 30 between CO RD 116 and CO RD 101 from approx. 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Cheer them on as you watch from your front porch steps or as they coast across the Crow River on the Historic 1885 Hanover Bridge. Rounding out the race is the 10k run around Weaver Lake, making two loops while finishing in the heart of the Maple Grove Park before crowds of spectators. To learn more about the event or to register, go to www.mgTRI.com. For a small fee as low as $75.00, you can now advertise your business in the Corcoran Newsletter. This letter is distributed to more than 1,980 businesses and residents in Corcoran. For more information, contact staff at City Hall. VENDORS WANTED FREE vendor space for handcrafted items and local food vendors for the 9th Annual Corcoran Craft Store/Market at the Corcoran Country Daze Aug 18th. 10:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m. Visit the NW JC’s at www.countrydaze.org or call the Event Coordinator, Holly, at 763-286-2410 Page 10 NECK OR BACK PAIN? Stop suffering with just one call for a FREE 20 minute consultation. (Expires September 15, 2012) Most patients are treated and released in a short period of time. Equipped for auto and work injuries, 34 years of experience. Watch an introductory video at www.CHChiro.net Want to quit smoking? I can help! Call for details or go to www.Quit2live.com Stormwater Pollution Prevention: You Can Help Corcoran’s streams, lakes ponds, and wetlands are a valued natural resource, and protecting their water quality is an important goal. To help keep these waters clean, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency requires Corcoran to have a permit for stormwater discharge. The permit calls for the city to develop a stormwater pollution prevention plan to help prevent sediment, fertilizer, chemicals, or other pollutants from being car- ried into water bodies by stormwater runoff. The City’s current plan will be updated after the MPCA releases its revised permit later this year. Although the exact format is unknown, the plan likely will include steps the City will take to increase public education and outreach regarding stormwater pollution, encourage public involvement in reviewing the stormwater plan, detect and eliminate non-stormwater discharges into ditches and other stormwater drainage ways, and develop other goals related to pollution prevention. To learn more about stormwater pollution and how to prevent it, stop by City Hall to pick up a free brochure called After the Storm: A Citizen’s Guide to Understanding Stormwater. The brochure and other resources related to this topic are also available at Corcoran’s web site, www.ci.corcoran.mn.us, through the Environmental link. Announcements of opportunities to review the updated stormwater plan also will be posted there. REPLACE TURF WITH NATIVE PLANTS Swap some of your high-maintenance lawn for low-maintenance native ground cover, plants or grasses. Many native plants develop deeper root structures than turf grass, reducing runoff by allowing for better water infiltration. Check with your city for any landscaping ordinances. More information on designing a native garden is available at www.bluethumb.org. Learn More About The Following Environmental Concerns Minnesota Water: Let’s Keep It Clean  Summer Lawn Care Tips  Washing Your Car Tips Conserving Natural Resources Hennepin County Drop Off Facility Residential Snow and Ice Care Maps to Parks and Trails Three Rivers Park District NW Snowmobile Guide and Trails Other Information Community Mediation Services, Homeland Security, Prepare for Emergencies Informational brochures can be obtained at City Hall or found on the City’s website, www.ci.corcoran.mn.us STOP BY CITY HALL FOR YOUR FREE 2012-2013 NW Suburban Business Listings Page 11 Gone are the days when composting was regulated to rural areas. Major cities across the U.S. are becoming serious about decreasing the amount of waste in their land- fills and incinerators. Some cities, such as San Francisco, have gone as far as making composting and recycling mandatory for it residents. Accord- ing to the Institute for Local Self Reliance, significantly decreasing waste disposed of in landfills and incinerators will reduce green- house gas emissions to a level equivalent to closing 21 percent of U.S. coal-fired power plants. So as municipalities look for ways to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, the first place to look might be in your own trash cans. Sanitation engineers are busy every day in communities across the U.S. in tens of thousands of trucks picking up trash to bury in landfills. Non-biodegradable trash is mixed with biodegradable materials, such as paper products, food scraps and yard trimmings. These biodegradable materials amount to half of our discarded resources. Information provided by the Cool 2012 initiative to remove compostable organics from landfills says that when buried in a landfill, those lettuce heads, grass clippings and paper boxes don’t just break down as they would in nature or in a compost pile. They decompose anaerobically, without oxygen, and in the process become the number one source of human-caused methane and a major player in climate change. Composting is a natural process in which once-living materials go through a process of rotting and breaking down, which ultimately creates a new nutrient-rich soil amendment that can help grow healthier lawns an gardens. Composting can be done on an individual level. REMINDER “Paper or Plastic” Over 70 cities in the U.S have banned or are planning to ban plastic bags from retail stores. Each year consumers around the world utilize 500 billion plastic bags. WorldWatch Institutes estimates that about 100 billion of those are used and discarded in the U.S. alone, at a cost of 12 million barrels of oil. Due to their fly-away nature, plastic bags create litter problems for municipalities and also create high greenhouse gas emissions. “Plastic bags never go away” - they do not decompose, degrade or die. Plastic bags are harmful because marine animals, seabirds, and land animals ingest pieces of the plastic bag, which then block their stomach or digestive system and cause the animal to die. Also, plastic breaks into tiny particles and has a high potential for contaminating soil, waterways and our oceans as they contain additives such as persistent organic pollutants. Plastic bag recycling rates are low because some community recycling programs cannot recycle them due to their tendency to jam machines. So do your part and say “paper” for less litter in ditches and less solid waste going into land fills. Information provided by The Municipal Magazine. More information can be found at www.themunicipal.com. MAPLE GROVE OFFERS A YARD WASTE DISPOSAL SITE Corcoran does not have a compost or yard waste site. For a small fee, Corcoran residents are permitted to drop off yard waste at the Maple Grove site. For more information, go to www.mgyardwaste.com What happens when all the landfills are full? Composting: A VALUABLE ADDITION TO ENVIRONMENTAL PLANS City of Corcoran 8200 Co Rd 116 Corcoran, MN 55340 PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 28 HAMEL, MN 55 + DRIVER IMPROVEMENT IS BEING OFFERED AGAIN Offered by St. Cloud State University's Drivers Improvement Program If you are 55+ this course will be offered at City Hall and will save you 10% on your auto insurance for three years. There are no written or behind–the-wheel tests. The 8-hour class is for first-time students and the 4-hour class is a refresher for repeat students. 4-hour class will be offered September 12th, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. October 29th , 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 8-hour class will be offered November 28th and 29th, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. To register for these classes, call 1-888-234-1294. THE CITY THANKS THE CORCORAN LIONS AND NW JAYCEES As a resident of Corcoran for 35 years, our family has participated in quite a few Corcoran events. The Lions have sponsored events such as the NTPA Tractor Pull, Demo Derby, Motor Cross and Haunted Acres. All these have been held at Lions Park. It is a perfect amphitheater for spectators. We have enticed our city friends to come bring a blanket, open it up on the side of the hill and watch a country rodeo. Guests have been in awe of what a fabulous park we have, in a natural setting. This spring the Lions graciously donat- ed a check in the amount of $7,200 to the City to have the park’s tennis court resurfaced. As residents we have also enjoyed the “FREE TREE-GIVE-AWAY” in the spring, Easter Egg Hunts, Country Daze, Haunted Acres and Santa Visits, all being sponsored by a non-profit group of volunteers from the NW Area Jaycees. The Jaycees have offered our children another “FREE” Saturday after- noon of fun at Country Daze held in August.. Yes, we are blessed to live in a community where we have the Corcoran Lions and the Northwest Area Jaycees, who have created great activities for the entire family. These are all men and women who give their time at meetings to plan and work at these events. These events bring neighbors and families together, which ultimately build a stronger community. Appreciated donations such as scholarships given by both the Lions and Jaycees to our graduated seniors each spring as they go off to college in the fall. Many students in our community have been able to participate and have received this wonderful gift. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Corcoran Lions and Northwest Jaycees, for making a significant difference in the lives of all of us in this community and leaving your mark for a better community. Written by Trish Krueger, Chair, Corcoran Parks & Tails HELP DEVELOP THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS BY VOLUNTEERING A SMALL AMOUNT OF YOUR TIME The Lions and Jaycees are always looking for people young (age 18) and old who would like to help in giv- ing back to the community. To become a member or learn more about the organiza- tions or event dates, go to the websites at www.corcoranlions.com or www.northwestarea.mnjaycees.org CITY STAFF IS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS We are always looking for volunteers to help input City records into the Laser Fiche system. Tasks involve removing staples and paperclips and organizing for scanning, templating and filing. This is an excellent opportunity for a high school or college student to work with staff as an internship to City Government, or just to fill the days. If you are interested, contact the office manager, Jill Smith-Arens, at 763-400-7031.