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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04 -- Spring DUST CONTROL PROGRAM There are currently two programs available from the City for dust control: An Assessment and a Voluntary Program. An Assessment is for residential streets that have been identified in the City’s Assessment Program. These property owners will receive a notice of public hearing, which tentatively is scheduled for April 23, 2009. At this hearing, the City will review roads scheduled to receive dust control and engage in any concerns or questions residents may have, along with the cost for this assessment. The Voluntary Program is for residents that choose to have the area in front of their property treated with dust control on a road that is not identified in the Assessment Program. A minimum of 300 feet is required for a flat rate. Areas in excess of 300 feet will be charged an additional amount. Residents interested in participating in the Voluntary Program must contact the City Hall and pre-pay for the application prior to May 11, 2009. The City intends to commence with the road applications the first part of June, weather permitting. 2030 COMP PLAN UPDATE The City of Corcoran has been working with a Comprehensive Plan Subcommittee since October to update elements of its Comprehensive Plan. Once every 10 years, Corcoran along with other communities in the Twin Cities metro, must update their comprehensive plans. The City’s plan represents a community vision of how it will develop or redevelop, ensure adequate housing, provide essential public services, protect natural resources and meet community objectives. The subcommittee has been working to update system plans using comments it heard during the Comprehensive Plan open meetings held last spring/summer. These system plans include Future Land Use, Staging (based on sewer availability), Transportation and Parks and Trails. System plans are supported by updated goals and policies that will guide the city in its implementation of the plan. The Comprehensive Plan is an opportunity to set strategies for not only where development will occur and what type but how it will develop including design objectives. This includes a focused effort on new planning techniques to preserve and protect natural resources while still allowing for appropriate development. How can I be involved? Getting involved in the planning process is a great way for the residents to help shape their community’s future. An Open House is scheduled for April 6th from 7:00- 9:00pm at City Hall to unveil the updated system plans and provide an opportunity for the public to provide input. And April 16th is the scheduled monthly meeting. Stay tuned to the City’s website at www.ci.corcoran.mn.us for updated information on the Comprehensive Plan. STORM WATER POLLUTANTS When it rains, it pollutes! Unfortunately, this is too often true. Rain and melting snow act like a water hose, washing the landscape free of loose dirt and grime. While a good washing helps spruce up our communities after a long winter or summer dry spell, it does little for the health of our rivers, lakes and wetlands. That is because materials washed off the land eventually end up in the water, where they can become harmful pollutants. Pollution caused by rain and snowmelt washing the landscape goes by several names. It is called storm water pollution because it is caused by storms, runoff pollution because it is carried by rain and snowmelt runoff, and nonpoint- source water pollution, a technical name meaning it is different than point- source water pollution. Point source water pollution is the type of water pollution that comes from an industrial or wastewater discharge pipe — a definite point, or location, on the landscape. Controlling storm water pollution is a challenge. It is a challenge because sources of pollution come from many locations across the landscape and is associated with weather — something we cannot control. Controlling storm water pollution requires everyone’s action, from the homeowner to the business owner, from the road builder to the street sweeper. Yard waste, including leaves grass clippings and other organic debris, carry lots of phosphorus. If left in the street or paved surface, they can be washed into local streams, lakes and rivers and cause green smelly algae to grow out of control. Nutrients are plant food. Plant food in itself is a good thing — fertilizers help our gardens, lawns and farm fields grow — but too much plant food entering water can cause an overabundance of algae growth. Algae are small free- floating water plants that turn water green, slimy, and smelly when they grow in abundance. The nutrient of most concern in phosphorus — one extra pound of phosphorus added to a lake can produce up to 500 pounds of algae! That is why Minnesota passed the Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer Law, which restricts the use of phosphorus-containing lawn fertilizer. Phosphorus is the biggest pollution problem for Minnesota lakes. Minnesota has completed a Statewide Phosphorus Report which outlines the sources of phosphorus pollution across the state. Microorganisms: High levels of fecal bacteria, bacteria found in feces, have caused swimming beach closing in the Twin Cities metro area. The bacteria are not of human origin, but come from pet and wildlife feces that wash into the lakes with storm water. In 1993, a Milwaukee drinking water treatment plant malfunction allowed high levels of the protozoa cryptosporidium to enter the drinking-water system, causing 400,000 people to fall ill. Runoff of livestock feces during spring snowmelt is a suspected source of the outbreak. To get involved - For more information on the clean water act or growing a Native / Rain garden in your back yard, stop by City Hall for misc. handout information or go to www.cleanwatermn.org/resources/Pollutants.aspx BUILDING PERMITS Before any work can begin on building projects applications must be submitted to the City for review. Please allow 7 to 10 days for this process. Reroofing or residing permits can be obtained the same day. Work started without a permit, including roof and siding tear offs, is subject to penalties. Applications can be downloaded on the City’s website or obtained at City Hall. Recycling bills were mailed out to all homes in Corcoran the first week in March. All residents are required to pay this bill whether they use the service or not. If you did not receive a bill yet, we ask that you contact City Hall. Payment is due by May 30th, 2009 to avoid a $10.00 late charge. Bins can be purchased from the City for a nominal fee. If you are not receiving a pickup currently or your recycling is missed please direct your calls to Waste management at 1800-450-9378. For your convenience we have inserted a sheet containing recycling dates and more recycling information. RECYCLING BILLS HAVE BEEN MAILED CITY OF CORCORAN 8200 County Road 116 • Corcoran, MN 55340 Phone 763-420-2288 • Fax 763-420-6056 Email—general@ci.corcoran.mn.us Website - www.ci.corcoran.mn.us City Hall Office Hours—8am to 4pm April, 2009 SPRING NEWSLETTER It’s Time to Re-think Recycling! “Think Green” CCIITTYY WWIIDDEE SSPPRRIINNGG CCLLEEAANN UUPP DDAAYY A date has been set!!!! Saturday May 16th, from 8:00 am to Noon, Corcoran will have its annual clean up day. You can bring the listed items to the City Hall parking lot. Now is a great opportunity for our residents (showing an ID) to get rid of any unwanted appliances, tires and other hard to dispose of items. The fees for disposal of items are as shown. All tires MUST be removed from bikes, mowers, garden tractors, etc. Additional fees may be charged for items not mentioned or disposal of large quantities. We accept residential refuse only—NO PAINT - FLAMABLE PRODUCTS OR COMMERCIAL WASTE WILL BE TAKEN. Appliances $10.00 ea. Water Softener / Air Conditioners $15.00 ea. Furniture $25.00 per pc. ELECTRONICS Treadmills $20.00 Stereo Receivers / Turn Tables $15.00 ea. unit Stereo Console $40.00 TV’s (Starting @ $15.00) Vacuum Cleaners $ 5.00 ea. Computers (Starting @ $15.00) TIRES Passenger $ 3.00 ea. Truck Tires—Medium $ 7.50 ea. Truck Tires—Medium on wheels $10.00 ea. Tractor Tires / Farm SM $15.00 ea. Med. $25.00 ea. Lg. $35.00 ea. SHANNON LANE BRIDGE In 2008/2009, the City’s engineer completed an evaluation and load rating of the Shannon Lane Bridge deeming it substandard. Approximately 12 residences live in this neighborhood and crossing this failing bridge is the only way to their homes by car travel, special deliveries and garbage collection. Recognizing this, the City formed an Action Committee to formulate a “Shannon Lane Bridge Action Plan.” A public notice was sent to the residents with a follow up neighborhood meeting and several city council meetings to address this issue. The bridge will cost an estimated $250,000 to replace. GOOD NEWS - Mayor Guenthner and the Action Plan Committee have contacted state and county representative and have received verbal commitment from the MN DOT District Engineer to assist with funding of this project. A special thank you goes out to all others that have been involved in this process, including St. Johns Church and the Lucas family. From the Mayor 2 What’s New in Corcoran 2 Seeking Charter Members 2 Animal Ordinance 2 Activities / Events 3 Dust Control 4 COMP Plan Update 4 Storm Water Information Inside this issue: FROM THE MAYOR What’s New in Corcoran? On March 12th, 2009, the City Council appointed residents to fill the vacancies of the Commission members. However a seat still remains open in the Parks and Trails Commission. City Commissions - The City maintains two commissions, the Planning and Parks & Trails Commission. Appointments to serve on these commissions are made by the City Council. The Planning Commission consists of 8 members, 6 regular and 2 alternate members. The Parks & Trails Commission consists of 12 members, 9 regular and 3 alternate members and 1 student. These commissions work with the City Council and act as recommending bodies on various issues. One area that will be of focus this year will be finalizing the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Citizens interested in Commission membership may obtain an application at City Hall. Contracted Staff – Request for proposals have been sent out for Planning, Engineering and legal services. Interviews have been scheduled with finalists for each of these contracted professional services The Council intends to hold future workshops to continue to address staffing and operating costs with a goal to provide cost- effective services to its residents. MNSPECT Inspections currently provides the building inspection services. City Administrator - Applications have been reviewed and interviews scheduled with qualifying candidates. A panel consisting of Council members George Gmach & Ron Thomas, Police Chief Sean Gormley, Planning Commission Chair Pat Hank and Parks & Trails Commission Chair Chad Robran will interview the candidates and make a recommendation and will forward their decision to council. To stay informed on what is happening at City Council Meetings, you may sign up for email notifications of upcoming agendas, subscribe to the Crow River News, access the city’s website at www.ci.corcoran.mn.us, or stop by City Hall to review the minutes. Remember that the City Council wants to know the concerns of all citizens of Corcoran. “Let your voices be heard.” CORCORAN SEEKS CHARTER COMMISSION MEMBERS 5 of the 7 seats on the Commissions are vacant due to term expiration. By law the City council is authorized to fill these vacancies. There is no official application form. Interested persons are asked to submit a letter to the City stating their desire to be appointed. Deadline for applications are April 30, 2009 4PM. Animal Ordinance Change Council voted on March 12th, to pass changes made to the Animal Ordinance. On May 7th @ 7:00pm the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing meeting on the changes. For more information pertaining to this ordinance or concerns contact the City’s Interim Administrator Todd Bodem at 763-420- 2288ext 13. “Nearly everyone who has shown up and said something has had an influence on this thing” I heard that statement the other night at a meeting of the committee working on the City’s Comprehensive Plan update. The group was discussing ways to publicize the upcoming open house for the public to view and learn about the draft Plan. The gentleman making the comment is a former city commission member and longtime volunteer. He has experienced, first hand, the adage that governments are run by those who show up. I am confident speaking for the roughly two dozen community volunteers who make up the City Council, Planning Commission, Parks & Trails Commission, Charter Commission, and ad hoc working groups that tend to both the City’s day-to-day business and its “strategic vision.” We truly value the insights and reactions that our neighbors provide when they visit a meeting and speak up. We “active” government types recognize the limits of our own perceptions and opinions, and know that continuous input from our neighbors is critical to achieving the best outcomes for the City. "Whatever your level of interest or ability to participate, rest assured that by attending a meeting or open house and making a comment, you are indeed helping to shape the future our community. And the reference above to “nearly everyone” having an impact – civility still has its merits!" A special thank you goes out to Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens for donating the change of seasons flower pots located at the front entrance of City Hall. EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES - 2009 The City receives phone calls inquiring about annual events or activities that take place in Corcoran. Please keep in mind many of these activities are sponsored by voluntary organizations and NOT the City. We ask that you contact the respective organization for questions or concerns. COME MEET THE EASTER BUNNY April 11th - Rain or shine, 10:00am SHARP at Corcoran City Hall, Corcoran Jaycees will sponsor their annual egg and candy hunt. Bring a basket or bucket to hunt for goodies and meet the Easter Bunny. Find the right egg and win a prize. SPRING AND FALL SUPERCROSS SCHEDULE West Metro Motorsports Supercross Series welcomes you to the Supercross races. They are a family run organization striving to promote a family fun sport of Dirt Bike Racing. The track is located at the Corcoran Lions Park, 5 miles west of 494 and County Rd. 10. There will be 4 races in the spring and 3 races in the fall for a total of 7 races. May 1st, 8th,15th and 22nd (Spring Series) and September,18th, 25th , & October 2nd , 9th . (Fall Series). Gates open between 3:45 & 4:00pm. Practice starts at 5:30pm Races start at 7:00pm For more information call 763-497-3802 or 763-428-5909 or view their website at www.westmetromotorsports.com . Corcoran Country Daze – The date has been set for August 14th and 15th. This event is sponsored by the Corcoran Jaycees. For more information see their website at www.countrydaze.org SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS The 2009 Scholarship applications are now available at the Corcoran area schools in the councilor’s office. Scholarships will be awarded to seniors graduating from high school, whose permanent residence is within the Corcoran City limits and will be continuing their education in the fall of 2009. Corcoran Lions Upcoming Events The Corcoran Lions is a service group that helps build our community through events, donations and assistance. Their goal is to encourage new membership and promote events held at the Corcoran Lions Park. These goals are a win-win situation for everyone in the community, promoting volunteering opportunities and raising money for ones in need. Proceeds from these events help make a difference in the lives of people in our community. The website is www.corcoranlions.com, it was created to familiarize and educate the community about the Corcoran Lions Club and their special events. Or contact dbraunh@aol.com Listed are upcoming events at the Corcoran Lions Park: o Tractor Pull - Sat. May 30, @ 7:00pm o Hennepin County Fair – June 18th – 21st o Hamel Rodeo – July 9, 10, 11 & 12 @7:00pm o Regional Tractor Pull – August 14 – 7:00pm o Demo Derby – September 12 @ 8:00pm ORGANIZATIONS There are several organizations in the City welcoming new members. If you are interested in joining or volunteering or have questions concerning their events or activities please contact them. Athletic Association – www.corcoranathletic.org Corcoran Jaycees – www.corcoranjaycees.org Corcoran Lions – www.corcoranlions.com Corcoran Soccer – www.corcoransoccer.org NW Trails Association – 952-882-6770 / www.nwtrails.net Corcoran Seniors – This group meets the 1st Monday of each month gathering to share stories and a potluck lunch. Contact Bill or Ellen at - 763- 422-4818. Pioneer / Historical Society - This group meets once a month. Call 763-498-8677 for more information. CORCORAN CIVIC CENTER AND PARK SHELTER This is just a friendly reminder that the City has a meeting room, Civic Center or park shelter available to all Corcoran residents to rent at a discounted fee. The Civic Center will seat approx.150 people. The conference room has the capacity to hold 20 people. Use this opportunity for group meetings, graduation parties, bridal or baby showers, birthday parties or weddings. For more information and fees you can view our website @ www.ci.corcoran.mn.us or contact City Hall.